CULLMAN, Ala. – Several individuals and groups were recognized at Tuesday night’s Cullman County Commission meeting. The first was Alabama State Senator Garland Gudger for his efforts in passing the Employees’ Retirement System Board and Boards of Equalization (2021-173) legislation.
Senator Gudger said of the legislation, “When this bill passed, it gave local representation back to local municipalities and local commissions and they got to choose or elect the members of RSA.” He added, “It allowed more of the power to be in the hands of those using the system.”
Kristin Smith and students from the Learning Exchange Homeschool Program were recognized for their efforts in pushing for the sweet potato to be named as Alabama’s state vegetable. Smith explained that during a project for her Alabama history class, a luncheon was planned that would feature Alabama’s official items. They soon discovered that Alabama was lacking an official state vegetable.
Smith said, “Alabama’s history is completely rooted, pardon the pun, in agriculture and here we are with no state vegetable. It just didn’t make any sense.” The class did research and determined the sweet potato was a great choice. “Sweet potatoes bring in $9 million into Alabama’s economy. Cullman and Baldwin counties, you guys fight back and forth about who is first in sweet potato production in the state. I think y’all are winning right now.”
Senator Gudger and Cullman County Parks and Rec Director Doug Davenport also got on board with the program’s sweet potato mission. In April, Governor Kay Ivey signed a declaration making the sweet potato the official state vegetable.
Recently retired from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, former Coordinator Tony Glover was recognized for his years of grant assistance which resulted in many improvements to the Sportsman’s Lake Park Walking Track. Davenport presented Glover with a plaque and revealed a new sign that will soon be placed at the walking trails in honor of Glover.
Through Glover’s grant assistance, the walking trails have seen several extensions, the addition of bike racks and exercise equipment, signage and other improvements.
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