College and Major: Auburn University College of Agriculture, Horticulture with a minor in Agribusiness
Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama
Career Goals: I aim to go to graduate school and pursue a career in Extension at Auburn University. I want to get my master’s degree from Auburn and travel to Brazil for a doctorate degree.
Hobby or Fun Fact: I love to spend time with my cat and tend to my plants.
I have been up to so many fun things so far! I have designed three different backyard hydroponics set ups for Dani Carroll’s (my mentor) hydroponics workshop this summer. I am looking forward to building these set ups and showcasing them at the workshop. I have been traveling across town with her looking at gardens and trees and grasses to help people who have questions. I helped Megan Jones (my other mentor) with her herb workshop and had so much fun doing that. I am working on a presentation for my own webinar on June 26 on the importance of pollinators and plants to bring them to the garden. I am excited for this, as it will be the first webinar I have ever done! I have also helped Dani with a few other presentations, and I will be helping her with a 4H camp soon. We will teach kids about hydroponics, propagation, and pollinators. We also spent some time with an assisted living community planting zinnias with the residents. That was such a fun experience! I am having so much fun so far and can’t wait for what’s next!
Me with the women in charge of the herb workshop.
Me visiting Mrs. People’s impressive garden.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Ali Gotcher for her recognition by the Alabama Farmers Federation as Alabama’s Excellence in Agriculture competition winner.
Gotcher and her husband, Will, competed against 11 other contestants. The Excellence in Agriculture contest is for members who are 18 to 35 years old and receive most of their income off farm. This event allows participants to showcase agriculture’s role in their lives and present solutions to major industry hurdles.
“My husband and I were humbled to be selected as the Excellence in Ag winners for our state,” Gotcher said. “It means so much to us to be recognized for our passion in the agriculture industry and we hope to continue to work towards a brighter future for farmers. I personally hope that I make the Alabama Cooperative Extension System proud by representing us at the national competition in San Antonio, Texas.”
The Gotchers will represent Alabama during the American Farm Bureau Federation national competition in San Antonio, Texas, in January 2025.
Read more about the Excellence in Agriculture competition by reading the news release from the Alabama Farmers Federation.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Andre da Silva on his recognition from the Alabama Farmers Federation as the 2024 recipient of the Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture and Forestry Research. Silva was recognized at the Federation’s Farm and Land Conference Aug. 3 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Silva, an Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, received $10,000 from the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF). His work is instrumental in developing best management practices for high-yielding, high-quality vegetable crops. Silva plans to use the prize to further his variety trials and diversify research.
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the Federation was honored to present the Rittenour Award to an innovative and outstanding agriculturalist.
“Alabama farmers are blessed to have Andre da Silva in their corner,” Parnell said. “His practical research is helping farmers stay productive, profitable and on their farms. That’s important in today’s economy. We’re proud to recognize these leaders and thank them for their work.”
Silva was surprised to receive this honor.
“It’s encouraging to see my work and drive to help was recognized,” Silva said. “I like working with people. That’s why I enjoy working for Extension. When a grower has a problem, you help them and then they succeed. It’s rewarding for me to see their harvest of vegetables and high-quality production.”
The Rittenour Award honors Auburn University and Alabama Extension professionals for practical work helping Alabama farmers. It is named for Charles Rittenour, the first president of the Alabama Farmers Federation. This is the sixth annual Rittenour Award. Read more from the Farmers Federation in their news release.
Find other ACES Accolades at www.aces.edu/go/ACESAccolades.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Dennis Brothers on his recognition from the Alabama Farmers Federation as the 2024 recipient of the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture and Forestry Extension. Brothers was recognized at the Federation’s Farm and Land Conference Aug. 3 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Brothers is an Alabama Extension associate professor in agricultural economics and rural sociology. As a member of the farm and agribusiness management team, Brothers specializes in poultry economics. As a part of the award, he received $5,000 for poultry-economics research, courtesy of the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation.
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the Federation was honored to present the Duncan Award to an innovative and outstanding agriculturalist.
“Alabama farmers are blessed to have Dennis Brothers in their corner,” Parnell said. “His practical research is helping farmers stay productive, profitable and on their farms. That’s important in today’s economy. We’re proud to recognize these leaders and thank them for their work.”
Brothers’ past projects include the poultry production cost calculator tool, the “New Farmer’s Guide to the Commercial Broiler Industry” publication series and the 2022 Alabama Ag and Forestry Economic Contribution Study.
“I am most honored by the fact this award comes from those whom we serve in Extension — that is the farmers themselves,” Brothers said. “To know that they feel served, and to be recognized as one who has delivered on the promise of Extension, is both humbling and motivating to continue that service in the years to come.”
The Duncan Award honors Auburn University and Alabama Extension professionals for practical work helping Alabama farmers. It is named after Luther Duncan, the first director of Alabama Extension. This is the sixth annual Duncan Award. Read more from the Farmers Federation in their news release.
Find other ACES Accolades at www.aces.edu/go/ACESAccolades.