Wayne Ford served the citizens of Alabama for 32 years with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The Lineville native received his AA from Southern Union State Junior College, his BS in Forestry from Auburn University, and his MS in Agriculture and Extension Education from Mississippi State University. He began his career as an assistant county agent in Bibb County in 1979 and retired in 2011 as the County Extension Coordinator of Tuscaloosa County, impacting numerous lives along the way.
When asked about the best advice he ever received, Ford reflected on the words of Extension specialist, Dr. John Jensen, who shared his perspective shortly after Ford began his Extension career. He said to “really earn the approval of farmers, one needs to get out on the farm and get your feet wet.” Ford took this advice to heart and it paid off time after time over the years. He advises new agents similarly, encouraging them to research their primary field and know as much as they can to ensure they are giving accurate advice. He also believes that having a positive attitude and showing respect to everyone are keys to success. Like so many others in Extension, 4-H was the starting point for Ford. After graduating from Auburn University, the first in his family to achieve this milestone, he reflected on his learning experiences as a 4-H’er and knew that a career in Extension was his chosen path. He recognized that one of the main goals of Extension was to help people help themselves, and he walked out this truth every day. Ford looked forward to Monday’s and soon realized that if you love your job, you will never have to “work” again. Ford counts Mr. Lloyd Owens as a major influence in his life. Mr. Owens was his 4-H agent in Clay County, and his teachings, as well as those of Ford’s father, established his foundation and instilled in Ford the drive to succeed in whatever he faced. The accomplishment of which Ford is most proud is the role he played in helping establish the Alabama 4-H Forestry Judging Program. This effort has proven to be one of the most successful 4-H team programs in the history of Extension, earning 19 national championships throughout the program’s history. Ford also reflects fondly on his efforts in coaching 4-H forestry and wildlife judging teams. During his tenure, he coached 20 Tuscaloosa County state championship teams, with 13 of those teams winning the national championship and 4 winning the reserve national championship. |
Ford enjoyed being involved in many organizations during his career. He served as the president of the AACAAS, the ALAE4-HA, the Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa, and the Yellow Creek Volunteer Fire Department. For his work in these organizations and others, Ford has received several honors, including Distinguished Service Awards from the AACAAS and the ALAE4-HA, Distinguished Career Award from ACES, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from AACAAS. He was selected as the AU School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Alumnus of the Year in 2010 and was enshrined into the Alabama Foresters Hall of Fame in 2012.
A major challenge in Ford’s career was staying up to date on the latest agricultural research, with advancements occurring at an ever-increasing pace. Another challenge that he dealt with is one that Extension as a whole still faces – ensuring that the stakeholders of Alabama know who Extension is and the numerous ways that Extension can help. Ford’s service to the community did not stop with his retirement. If anything, he is busier now than when he worked full-time. One project Ford has implemented since retirement is the coordination and construction of the Yellow Creek Volunteer Fire Department Community Safe Room. Additionally, he initiated a project with the Alabama Department of Transportation and the University of Alabama, inventorying and labeling all the different tree species in 23 Welcome Centers/Rest Areas in AL. Since 2012, Ford has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama where he teaches classes in forestry, wildlife, and dendrology. Ford and his wife, Lisa, live on their farm, “Nature’s Haven”. They, along with sons, Forrest and Hunter, raise blueberries, goats, donkeys, and manage for timber and wildlife. |