Big news for Alabama! The future Alabama Farm Center at Hallmark Farms just scored an $11 million grant to transform a former mining site into a vibrant agricultural hub.
The Alabama Department of Workforce’s Abandoned Mine Land Program has allocated $11 million to support the reclamation of the future Alabama Farm Center located in Warrior, Alabama. This funding comes from the federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program for the 2024 fiscal year.
Alabama is one of six Appalachian states chosen to receive this crucial funding aimed at addressing high-priority abandoned mine land sites. The Hallmark Farms project is set to breathe new life into a property once associated with coal mining, converting it into an agricultural exhibition center designed to enhance education, tourism, and economic growth in the area.
Purchased by the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corp. for $13.5 million in March 2025, this expansive site spans approximately 500 acres along Interstate 65. The grant will specifically tackle the removal of hazardous coke ovens, mine portals, subsidence areas, and polluted waterways, ensuring the land is restored for safe public use.
When the reclamation efforts are completed, the Alabama Farm Center will serve as a venue for livestock shows, rodeos, educational programs, and an annual state fair, contributing to the region’s agricultural sector.
“The AMLER grant represents a significant investment in Alabama’s future, turning blighted lands from our mining past into vibrant hubs of opportunity,” stated Greg Reed, secretary of the Alabama Department of Workforce. He highlighted the importance of collaboration with the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corp. and local stakeholders to address environmental dangers while promoting agricultural innovation and community development at the Alabama Farm Center.
This initiative not only aims to restore the environment but also promises to create lasting economic benefits for the surrounding communities, marking a new chapter in Alabama’s agricultural landscape.
