of J . Calvert Farms , another multigenerational farmer , was the first to grow peaches and peanuts in Cullman County .
They are also among the few area farmers to do “ no-till ” farming . Instead of plowing the soil , they plant it with a cover crop that they then crop down and plant into that .
“ It leaves a mulch that holds back weeds and stops erosion , and it ’ s a lot better for the soil ,” said Calvert . He said they are also “ really big ” on rotating crops . “ We never put the same crop in the same place twice without skipping some years .”
There ' s a reverence and a strong sense of responsibility that Cullman County growers have for the work they do .
“ People who ’ ve never been in it struggle to understand this ,” said Kyle Morris of his cattle farm , Mulberry Bend Cattle . “ During the summer , when you ’ ve worked 18- 20 hour days and it ’ s hard work , you look out and know this is your section of God ’ s earth that you ’ ve been commissioned to take care of . You are responsible for this land and these animals .”
“ This life is not for everybody ,” said Calvert . “ It ’ s not only hard physically , it ’ s hard mentally .”
But , he added , “ It can be done and somebody has to do it if the nation wants to eat . We take what we do very seriously .”
“ So many farmers in other parts of the country , their attitude is one of ownership ,” said Darrell Haynes . “ My attitude is that I don ’ t own anything . I get to touch a lot of God ’ s stuff . That ’ s my attitude . I get to touch something that belongs to God . When I go home at night and I ’ m talking to God , I ’ m hoping that he is pleased with what I did taking care of his stuff that day .” S
A local farmer anonymously donated 8,400-pounds of sweet potatoes to Cullman Caring for Kids Food Bank in April as the Coronavirus pandemic left many out of work and in need of help . Photo by Amanda Shavers .
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