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By Marlee Jackson 

Special to The Lowndes Signal

Rick Pate’s down-to-earth demeanor and preference for practical solutions has helped him lead the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) for the last six years.

As Alabama’s Ag Commissioner, Pate has balanced regulatory responsibilities while investing in programs to help farmers. Many of those producers were on hand today when Pate received the Alabama Farmers Federation Service to Agriculture Award during the organization’s annual meeting in Montgomery.

Pate said he is humbled to accept the award, though he quickly turns the praise toward ADAI’s 350 employees.

“They’ll give the award to me, and it’ll say I’m winning, but it’s not about me,” said Pate, who was raised on a Lowndes County poultry and cattle farm. “People have told me what a good job I’m doing, and that’s because of the people at the department and the job they’re doing. We’re a team.”

Pate’s leadership strengthened ADAI’s ties with stakeholders such as the Federation. Successful program results included relief for poultry producers following the COVID-19 pandemic, assistance for cattle farmers after Hurricane Michael, reduced administrative fees for Sheep and Goat and Peanut checkoffs and renewed commitment to the Boll Weevil Eradication Program.

A few of Pate’s other accomplishments include the health program, A Healthy You, A Healthy Farm; seafood processing grants; food bank donations and a new Pesticide Residue Lab in Auburn.

His greatest legacy, however, may be Sweet Grown Alabama — the state’s nonprofit agricultural branding program launched in 2019 and now 400 members strong. Pate brought together agricultural leaders to establish the independent organization, ensuring Sweet Grown Alabama continues after his tenure at ADAI.

“We set up Sweet Grown Alabama not knowing COVID would hit,” Pate said. “Everyone in 2020 was talking about supply chain issues. I thought, ‘Gosh, if you’ll quit buying your tomatoes in Mexico and your watermelons in California and your strawberries in Arizona, we could solve 95% of supply chain issues.’”

The program’s searchable database connects consumers to local farmers. Sweet Grown Alabama also links school nutrition directors to Alabama-grown goods, which has expanded the state’s Farm-to-School program.

Federation President Jimmy Parnell said Pate’s focus on farmers resonates with members.

“There’s just something about Commissioner Pate that our members like,” Parnell said. “He’s friendly. He has good business sense. He cares about agriculture and has hired employees who care about agriculture. I am convinced he’s one of the strongest ag commissioners this state has seen.”

Pate often shares the story of Alabama agriculture at speaking engagements. He is a frequent guest at civic club meetings, represents the state during trade missions and works closely with elected officials. Pate routinely visits farms, too.

His wife, Julie, occasionally joins him on the road. Their sons, Richard and James, have fulfilling careers in construction project management and medicine, respectively. Six years ago, Pate craved that same work satisfaction after four decades in the landscape business.

Encouraged by a farmer friend, Pate sought statewide office.

“This job just lined up perfectly with the skill sets I had, the things I loved and the people I cared about,” he said. “It’s never felt like work.” 

Marlee Jackson is Publications Director at the Alabama Farmers Federation.