The Alabama Farmers Federation made history Dec. 8 by electing its first female officer to the organization’s state board while also honoring a longtime vice president whose service spanned more than three decades.

According to a news release, delegates chose Baldwin County farmer Hope Cassebaum as Southwest Area vice president during the federation’s 104th annual meeting business session. The role also places her on the Alfa Insurance state board. Cassebaum replaces Jake Harper of Wilcox County, who was ineligible to seek reelection due to term limits after (32) cumulative years of service.

“Thank you for allowing me this opportunity,” Cassebaum said to (479) delegates gathered in Montgomery per the release. “I am very excited about this, representing the Southwest Area. Coming behind Jake, I have big shoes to fill.”

A row crop, cattle and specialty crop farmer, Cassebaum will represent one of the federation’s largest regions, which includes Baldwin, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Sumter, Washington and Wilcox counties.

Delegates also elected Calhoun County greenhouse owner Jon Hegeman to continue as Central Area vice president. Now in his fourth term, Hegeman will represent Autauga, Bibb, Calhoun, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Lamar, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties.

Four farmers were selected to three-year terms as district directors.

Madison County row crop farmer Charles Butler will represent District 2, which includes Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. He replaces Limestone County’s Jeff Peek.

Lamar County cattle and hay producer Will Gilmer was elected to serve District 5, which covers Bibb, Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar and Tuscaloosa counties. He succeeds Tuscaloosa County’s Joe Anders.

Pickens County poultry and cattle farmer Stewart Koon will serve District 8, representing Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Pickens and Sumter counties. He replaces Hale County’s Tommy Martin.

Baldwin County’s Mark Kaiser was reelected to District 11, which includes Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties.

Delegates also selected Conecuh County farmer Steve Dunn to his (14th) two-year term as secretary-treasurer. A row crop and cattle producer, Dunn serves in a statewide capacity covering all (67) counties.

Two additional leaders were elected to one-year ex officio terms on the state board. Cullman County’s Lisa Lake will serve as chair of the State Women’s Leadership Committee and Morgan County’s Forrest Anders will represent the State Young Farmers Committee.