Houston County 4-H Partner
Inducted November 10, 2011
Joe Carothers has made a significant impact in the lives of youth in agriculture in the Houston County area. A graduate of Winfield High School, Marion County, he successfully managed a dairy herd and achieved numerous honors in the dairy project in both 4-H and FFA. He showed the state champion Guernsey cow and cultivated a top-producing dairy herd.
His 30-year career as an agriculture teacher brought many rewarding moments as he touched and changed the lives of his students at both Cottonwood High School and Ashford High School. Through 4-H, his students participated in traditional events such as tractor driving, livestock showing and judging, parliamentary procedure, and project achievement.
The Tri-States Beef Expo held in Dothan has relied on Carothers’ skills for many years. He has provided crucial expertise at the show, including preparing youth to show in the event, managing classes of beef cattle, and finding donor support for the event to continue and thrive.
He has been a member and past president of the Tri-State Beef Expo board of directors. He has also chaired the Houston County Steer Show and supported the Houston County Heifer Show. He is the sponsor of the Supreme Heifer Bred and Owned Award.
Carothers is on the National Peanut Festival Livestock Show Committee. He initiated the Junior Beef Cattle Show at the National Peanut Festival in the early 1990s for youth exhibitors.
He is a member of the Houston County Farmers Federation and past president of the Choe Pea River Water Management Association. The board of directors provides funding for Groundwater Education Day for 1,200 Houston County fourth-graders each year.
Carothers served 30 years in the Alabama Legislature House of Representatives. A 1959 Auburn University graduate, he served two years in the military before marrying Barbara Bums and raising their two sons, Robbins and Merritt, and enjoying three grandchildren.
Nominated by: Houston County Extension
