Around 800 farmers with the Alabama Farmers Federation made their way around central Alabama Friday as part of the organization’s annual commodity conference.

Out of those 800, about 100 of them made a trip to Dallas County and stopped at the Central Alabama Farmer’s Co-Op with lunch from Lannie’s Bar-B-Q.

The group was one of five that toured the state learning new farming techniques from experts and friends along the way.

“They’ll learn from different land owners what they’re doing on their property and learn from each other,” said Rick Oates, forestry commodity director for the federation.

Oates said the tours have been going on for more than 40 years, with locations changing annually. This year, the conference was based out of Montgomery.

Oates’ group had the opportunity to tour Robert F. Henry Lock and Dam, a seed tree nursery and a catfish farm.

“I think they all really enjoy it. We had a talk at the nursery about economics of growing trees,” Oates said.

The learning and idea sharing isn’t limited to the stops on the tour either, Oates said.

“When they get around and spend four, five or six hours on a bus, they talk about what they’re doing on their property and how they manage it and things,” Oates said.

“So they’re not only learning from the experts that we bring in, but just learning from each other what they do.”

Oates said the group will also have seminars Saturday to help further their education on various topics.

“Most of these people on this trip are forestry land owners, so it gives them an opportunity to learn a little bit about forestry and how to better grow trees on their property or just better manage what they have on their property.”

John Suddeth, owner of Suddeth Farms in Winston County, has been a member of the federation for 20 years and has participated in the conference many times.

Suddeth said he comes back every year because he always learns so much, and he enjoys participating in different tours throughout the state.

“I really have enjoyed the whole entire program,” Suddeth said.

“It’s a very good tour, and it’s been a learning experience for me.”

Suddeth said seeing old friends is another — and one of the best — benefits of the conference.

“I learn the latest in farmer practices and also I see some friends that I’ve developed,” Suddeth said. “I taught agribusiness for 35 years [at Winston County High School], and I see some of those folks I’ve worked with and former students along with teachers and farmer friends I’ve met over the years. It’s just a really rewarding experience.”