Pike Countian Receives State Horticulture Service Award

By Marlee Jackson

A native of Elba who's called Pike County home since the 1970s, Don Wambles joined the Alabama Farmers Market Authority in 1995 after an early career growing row crops and raising cattle.

Those firsthand farming experiences proved critical as he steadied a shaky agency and gave life to the organization's mission: To help Alabama farmers.

Wambles became a fearless proponent of specialty crops, often going to bat for Alabama horticulture on state and national stages. He led the clarion call for a senior nutrition program that would provide fresh fruits and vegetables - grown and sold by Alabama farmers - to elderly Alabamians.

His dedication, expertise and impact earned Wambles the Service to Horticulture Award, presented by the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Feb. 5 during the association's annual conference and trade show in Gulf Shores.

The award honors a university, Extension or government agency staffer who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to Alabama's horticulture industry.

The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference and Trade Show was Feb. 4-6 in Gulf Shores. During the conference welcome lunch, AFVGA Executive Director Blake Thaxton and AFVGA President Taylor Hatchett honored 2026 award winners. Pike County's Don Wambles received the Service to Horticulture Award. Don Wambles is the 2026 Service to Horticulture Award recipient, an honor presented by the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association for his many years of service to the Farmers Market Authority and farmers of Alabama.

"I'm truly humbled by this," Wambles said. "It's an honor to be recognized by (the farmers) who I went to work for every day for 30 years. Every decision I ever made, I asked myself three questions: Is this going to glorify God? Is this going to bring honor to my family? Is this going to help a farmer?"

Throughout his career, Wambles' wins also included harnessing COVID-19 relief funds to connect farmers and food banks; growing a successful Farm to School program; and increasing the state's farmers markets.

In total, he funneled more than $38 million into Alabama's farm economy.

Wambles' leadership extends beyond specialty crops. He's a former Pike County Farmers Federation president, served on the Alabama Farmers Federation state board and is the current Alabama FarmPAC advisory trustee for Pike County.

A man of deep faith, Wambles serves at Southside Baptist Church and through the Alabama Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team. He and his wife, Linda, have been married nearly 50 years and have two children and four grandchildren.

"I made a pledge 30 years ago that whenever I left state service, I would still be the same Don Wambles I was the day I started," said Wambles reflecting on his recent retirement. "I love agriculture, and I love you Alabama farmers."

AFVGA is an affiliated association of the Alabama Farmers Federation.