The
McGill Family
The
Madison County
If enthusiasm and hard work equal success, Stewart and Kasey McGill of Madison County will achieve it. Earlier this year, the couple was recognized for accomplishments on their farm and in their community by winning the Horticulture Division of the Alabama Farmers Federation Outstanding Young Farm Family contest. They are among three farm families selected as competition finalists. “We love farming, and we love sharing information about what we do,” said Stewart, 34. “Today, so many people are curious about where their food comes from. We like showing them what we do.” In addition to growing cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat and pumpkins on their 600-acre farm, the McGills have major roles in the family’s agritourism business. Tate Farms Cotton Pickin’ Pumpkins was started by Kasey’s family, and welcomes 50-60,000 guests annually. Stewart manages most of the operation. Stewart is on the Federation’s State Wheat & Feed Grains Committee and is county Young Farmers vice chairman. He previously won the state Young Farmers Discussion Meet and finished in the top 16 nationally. Kasey, 30, grew up on a farm, as did Stewart, whose family lived a few miles away. When Stewart finished his time at Auburn University, he began working at Tate Farms. They met when Kasey graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and returned home to work at her dad’s crop insurance business. They married in 2010. Stewart, a self-proclaimed workaholic, said he and Kasey are pleased they have built their own farm, but appreciate they have experienced family members willing to share their knowledge. “We want to be a voice for our industry,” Stewart said. “Through the pumpkin patch and in other areas of our life, we get to share the real story of farming.” The couple have two daughters, Allie, 4, and Reece 2. They were expecting their third daughter, Peyton, in May. June 2016
Miller Family
Blount County
From the back porch of their Blount County farmhouse, Lance and Stephanie Miller can see the cotton field where he proposed in September 2005. This October, they will celebrate 10 years of marriage and farming. “I had no plans of being a farmer,” said Stephanie, who met Lance at Jacksonville State University. “The one thing we got from college was each other.” With a public relations background, Stephanie switched gears from a potential NASCAR marketing career to life on the farm. “I knew the farm wasn’t moving anywhere near a racetrack, so I started a blog and Facebook page for the farm,” she said. After college, Lance said his family urged him to consider jobs besides farming, but he couldn’t resist. “They knew how hard farming was,” he said. “I worked elsewhere for a little while, but it didn’t suit me. So I came back to the farm and worked with my Uncle Jimmy.” In addition to their four poultry houses, the Millers grow peanuts, cotton and soybeans. The couple are active Alabama Farmers Federation members where Lance is State Young Farmers Committee chairman and Blount County Farmers Federation treasurer. Stephanie is Blount County Young Farmers secretary and chairs the county Women’s Leadership Committee and Farm-City committees. The Millers were the Federation Cotton Division winner in the Outstanding Young Farm Family contest and are among three finalists. Lance said his greatest accomplishment is continuing the family tradition on their Century and Heritage Farm. “Actually being able to farm in this day and age is the achievement I’m proudest of,” Lance said. The Millers have two children, Reed, 4, and Jade, 10 months. They are members of Grace Baptist Church in Snead. n 5
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