Alabama farmers have until Jan. 31 to apply for more than $14,000 in cash and prizes as part of the Alabama Farm-City Committee’s Farm of Distinction competition.

State Farm-City Chairman Jeff Helms said the contest honors farms that excel in productivity, environmental stewardship, overall appearance, efficiency and leadership by the farm owners.

“Alabama is blessed with some of the most diverse and innovative farms in America,” Helms said. “From catfish and cattle to peanuts and poultry, these businesses demonstrate the dedication and adaptability of our state’s farmers. As the Farm-City Committee works to increase understanding among rural and urban residents, it’s fitting we spotlight some of our state’s top farms.”

The Farm-City Committee will select up to six finalists from the applications received, and a panel of judges will visit those farms in February. The winner will be announced at the Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon April 3 in Birmingham.

Each finalist will receive a $250 gift certificate from the Alabama Farmers Cooperative. The overall winner will receive an engraved farm sign from the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance; a John Deere Gator from SunSouth, TriGreen and Snead Ag Supply dealers; a $1,000 gift certificate from Alabama Farmers Cooperative and a $2,500 cash award from Swisher International. Alabama’s Farm of Distinction will represent Alabama in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Ga., Oct. 14-16.

For applications and more information visit www.AlabamaFarmCity.org.