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Brown
Family Named 2001 Merit Farmer Family
Tuskegee, Feb. 16---The
Tuskegee University Extension Program recently presented the Willie
James Brown family with the 2001 Merit Farm Family Award. This
annual award is given to an Alabama farm family that exhibits
agricultural success and community service. The Willie James Brown
family personify both.
Reared in a strong
farming family tradition, the Brown family has "farming in
their blood." Brown's great-grandfather moved from Mississippi
to Autauga County more than 150 years ago where he established Brown
Town. At that time, the Browns purchased 1,500 acres to start the
small community. Throughout the years, members of the Brown family
have continued to buy and farm land in Autauga County.
Prior to the Civil War,
his grandfather owned a farm even as a slave. His father farmed that
same land and in doing so, taught Willie that being a farmer was far
more than just working the land. Under his father's tutelage, he
learned the physical labor involved in farming and the value of farm
management and marketing skills. He used his marketing skills wisely
to generate income for himself and others.
After graduating from
high school in 1951, Brown received a deferment to farm but joined
the Army in 1954. Two years later, he was honorably discharged and
established his farm enterprises with 140 acres of farmland. Later,
Brown purchased another 90 acres and acquired 40 more acres through
a family inheritance for farming.
Prior to 1981, Brown
owned more than 300 acres of farmland. He has continued to increase
his farm acreage ever since. Brown farmed 600 acres during the last
crop year.
In 1940, Brown bought a
John Deere tractor to work his land, and in 1957 he and his father
bought a two-row 40 John Deere tractor and a one-ton Chevy truck.
Willle Brown Farm
Enterprises is a combination of vegetable and livestock production.
With modest equipment he has rented and worked land in more than
five different counties. This year he planted between 400 and 600
acres of collard and turnip greens, 74 acres of cotton, 250 to 400
acres of watermelon, 250 acres of corn, 40 acres of squash, 50 acres
of canteloupe, 75 acres of peas and 20 acres of butterbeans. In
addition, Brown farmed 100 head of cattle and 200 head of hogs.
In his more than 45
years of farming, Brown has put into practice the childhood lessons
he received from his father and grandfather.
Brown also is active in
his community. He serves as a deacon and chairman of the finance
committee at Old Kingston Baptist Church. His is president of the
Brown Town farm cooperative, which consists of about 40 members of
the Brown family, who are all farmers by trade. Many farmers in the
community still benefit from Brown's marketing ability and have
improved the financial success of their own establishments.
Not only does Willie
James Brown attend the Farmers Conference regularly, he also brings
30 or 40 other participants with him so they can draw from Extension
educational resources.
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