Joel Sirmon of Baldwin County has been honored as Alabama Farmer of the Year for 2024, a testament to his dedication and innovation in agriculture.

Sirmon, who operates Sirmon Farms in Daphne, has overseen the transformation of his family farm into a thriving enterprise known for its diverse crops and community contributions.

Sirmon, who grew up on a 300-acre dairy and hog farm, returned to his roots after a brief stint at Auburn University in 1976.

"All I really wanted to do was farm," Sirmon said in a news release.

The family pivoted from hogs to vegetables and strawberries, and over the decades, the operation expanded to include a wide range of crops from sweet potatoes to peanuts. Today, Sirmon Farms spans 3,689 acres, with significant yields in peanuts, sweet potatoes and cotton.

In addition to farming, Joel and his wife, Patti, have made substantial contributions to their community and the agricultural industry. Patti, who grew up in Daphne and graduated from Auburn University, has managed the farm's finances for over 40 years. Joel credits her expertise with helping the farm weather economic shifts.

“Having a reliable and knowledgeable accountant has helped the farm weather economic shifts. Patti’s work also means I can focus on the farm because I know our finances are taken care of," Sirmon said.

Sirmon Farms is well-known for its innovative marketing strategies. Joel manages crop prices strategically to mitigate risks, while his brother James handles the sweet potatoes. The farm's sweet potatoes are sold year-round to major retailers like Walmart, and the farm also donates produce to Feeding the Gulf Coast.
Sirmon secures prices in set increments throughout the year to manage price fluctuations, mitigate risk, and stabilize the farm's income.

"We farm near the Gulf Coast, so there's always a chance of a hurricane destroying our crop late in the season," Sirmon said. "These risk-averse measures insure that we don't contract out a crop that may not make it."

Community engagement is central to the Sirmon family's values. The farm welcomes visitors ranging from school groups to U.S. senators and has raised over $20,000 for local charities through its U-pick sunflower and zinnia fields. Joel also serves on multiple agricultural boards and has been a strong advocate for farming on local, state and national levels.

Sirmon's commitment to sustainable practices is evident in his use of precision-agriculture technologies and environmental stewardship, including planting cover crops and reducing runoff.

"Farming is tough, but it has provided a great way of life for our family," Sirmon said, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of agriculture.

"Joel and Patti have excelled at continuing the family farm in a county where the population is growing exponentially," said Paul Brown, Alabama Farmers Federation Area 10 Field Manager. "They are also incredibly generous. They’ve donated over one million pounds of food to food banks; donations collected through their sunflower fields have helped numerous local charities. I’m proud to call them friends and to highlight their achievements through this honor."

As the Alabama Farmer of the Year, Sirmon is now eligible for the Sunbelt Expo's Southeastern Farmer of the Year award, which includes a $15,000 cash prize and other honors. The award recognizes farmers across the southeastern U.S. for their excellence in agriculture and community contributions.

The Sunbelt Expo, which has coordinated these awards for 34 years, has awarded over $1.3 million in cash and honors to southeastern farmers since its inception in 1990.