Autauga County farm family named America's top young farm family

Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autaugaville were named the Achievement Award winners at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention on Jan. 12, 2026, in Anaheim, California, earning recognition as America’s top young farm family. The honor highlights the Wendlands’ work at Autauga Farming Co. and their combined roles in civic service, Farm Bureau involvement and agricultural advocacy.

Autauga Farming Co., known locally as AFC, operates a diversified operation that includes row crops, cattle, hay and timber. The Wendlands also run a fertilizer business and offer custom farming services, providing inputs and fieldwork support to other producers in the region. Lauren Wendland balances her farm responsibilities with a career as a family nurse practitioner in Selma, underscoring the couple’s multi-faceted contributions to both local health services and agriculture.

The award recognizes a mix of on-farm production, business entrepreneurship and community engagement. The Wendlands’ multi-generational ties to the land and active participation in the Autauga County Farmers Federation and the Young Farmers program were central to their selection. Beyond prestige, the Achievement Award includes a substantial prize package that can be reinvested in operations, local services and outreach efforts.

For Autauga County, the recognition delivers both symbolic and practical benefits. Symbolically, the national spotlight reinforces the county’s identity as an agricultural community with deep family roots. Practically, AFC’s fertilizer and custom farming services are likely to gain greater visibility among nearby growers who rely on timely inputs and labor during peak seasons. The combination of diversified income streams from crops, livestock, timber and a local business contributes to financial resilience for the Wendlands and for suppliers and customers who work with them.

The award also amplifies the Wendlands’ platform for advocacy. Greater visibility with Farm Bureau networks can translate into more opportunities to shape policy discussions about rural services, farm support programs and workforce challenges that matter to Autauga producers. Lauren’s dual role in healthcare may further frame local conversations around access to medical services for farming families and rural workers.

This national recognition is a reminder that local farms can combine tradition with entrepreneurship to compete on a larger stage. For residents, the Wendlands’ achievement means more attention on Autauga County agriculture, potential new business linkages for local producers and a boost to community pride as the couple returns home with national acclaim and resources that could be put to work in the county.