The Leadership Cherokee Class of 2016/17 met on October 11th to learn about Agriculture in Cherokee County.
We began the day touring Weiss Lake Egg Company. Ralph Bradley started with a small egg processing plant in the Ball Play Community in the late sixties. He soon built Weiss Lake Egg Company on Hwy 411 just outside Centre and opened in September 1971. Their home label was “Weiss Lake Pride” and is still being used today. They’ve packed for several brands over the years. In 2010 a new processing plant was built near the Ball Play Community and they also built a complex that houses over 300,000 birds. The company has employed many over the years and currently employs around 25. The second and third generations of Bradley’s now own and operate the company. “Weiss Lake Pride” can be found in local grocery stores.
The LC Class met with Rich Lindsey, co-owner, of Cherokee Cotton Gin. Rich shared with the group the importance of Agriculture in Cherokee County and the Cotton industry for both local and the world’s production. Agriculture has a $122 million economic impact for Cherokee County. Cotton is a major commodity for our county. Over 14,800 acres were planted in Cotton in Cherokee County this year. We toured the cotton gin and learned about the process of removing the trash and seeds. The Cherokee Cotton Gin is the only operating gin in our county and is a seasonal operation that serves five counties.
A special thanks to Beth Farmer with the USDA Farm Office and Danny Miller of the County Extension Service for providing handouts and information about Agriculture in Cherokee County. Cherokee County has 890 farms that report crop acreage such as cotton, corn, soybeans and wheat. We are a diverse county for agriculture. We also have cattle, horses, buffalo, goats, sheep, hay, poultry, swine, deer, bees (honey), fish, fruits and vegetables. Other Agriculture industries here are Horticulture and forestry. There are many local businesses related to the Agriculture Industry in Cherokee County.
The class visited Orbix Hot Glass where they got the opportunity to “Blow Your Own Ornament.” Cal and Christy Breed, owners, shared their story of how and why they choose Lookout Mountain at Little River Canyon to make it their home and build their business. Cal is a world renown glass blower and has his work in many galleries and shops. Orbix Hot Glass is open on weekends for the public to come and “Blow Your Own Ornament” October
through December. Their gallery and gift shop is full of beautiful pieces.
Leadership Cherokee class meets the second Tuesday of each month for eight months. The program is sponsored by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.
To learn more about the program visit www.leadershipcherokee.com
Pictured from left to right are Rich Lindsey, Cherokee Cotton Gin; Khara Wynn, The Wynn Agency-Farmers Insurance; Gina Lan, The Southern Bank Company; Scott Wynn, The Wynn Agency-Farmers Insurance; Kalyn Cabral, Main Street Family Urgent Care; Christa McDaniel, Cherokee Medical Center; Brenda Loveless, Retired Educator; Lori Gilmore, Cherokee Manor Apartments; Deb Pfledderer, Community Foundation of North Alabama; Bill Holland, Independent Contractor; Laure Clemons, Extended Family; Dustin St Clair, Revenue Commissioner; Sylvia New, Cherokee Manor Apartments; Kathy Marko, Cherokee County Historical Museum, State Representative Richard Lindsey, local farmer and business owner. Class members not pictured: Barry Kerr, Kerr’s Redi Mix; and Jamie LeCroy, Peoples Bank of Alabama.
Thereasa Hulgan, Executive Director, TMP
Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
801 Cedar Bluff Road, Bldg A
Centre, AL 35960
256-927-8455
“Chamber Members Support Chamber Members”
HOME OF BEAUTIFUL WEISS LAKE