Montevallo Future Farmers Of America officers participated in a unique event February 15 at American Village in conjunction with Presidents Day.  The event was held to introduce and unveil “The Embattled Farmer”, a 16-foot bronze statue that is sponsored by Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers’ Federation.  It represents colonial farmers who laid down their plows and picked up their muskets to fight for independence in the American Revolution. The original Embattled Farmer statue stands in Concord, Massachusetts, and was sculpted for the nation’s centennial celebration in 1876.”

“As Americans, we owe a tremendous debt to the original embattled farmers who fought for democracy and helped found our country,” said Jimmy Parnell, Alfa and Federation president. “Farms suffered while the soldiers were at war, and some farmers even lost their land and way of life. Those farmers were willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good of freedom and liberty. That’s a lesson we can all learn from as we strive to put our country back on the right track.”

The FFA Officers functioned as a courtesy corps to provide direction to those attending needing to get from one place or another.  The Officers, led by FFA Chaplain C.D. Lawley, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the ceremony.

The Montevallo High School FFA officers functioned as a courtesy corps to provide directions around American Village to those attending the event.  The officers, led by FFA Chaplain C.D. Lawley, also led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the ceremony.

“It was an honor to represent Early American farmers who left their land unattended for the making of this country, exhibiting true leadership,” said FFA Vice-President Kate Frederick.