Members of the Young Alumni Council are excited to highlight young alumni who embody the Darlington mission and motto through a series of Darlington Connects blogs. This month our featured young alumnus is Aisling (Fields) Walding ('18), assistant director of Sweet Grown Alabama. We hope you enjoy getting to know these young alums who have chosen to "learn with passion, act with integrity, and serve with respect."
Were you day or boarding student?
Boarding
Where are you located?
Ozark, Alabama
Where do you work and what is your title?
Sweet Grown Alabama, Assistant Director
Tell us how you got to this point.
All my life, I enjoyed agriculture and took notice of the work farmers do for our communities to help feed and clothe us. Growing up in Georgia, I always knew of the marketing program Georgia Grown, but moving to Alabama to attend Auburn University in the College of Agriculture, I had the chance to learn about Alabama's branding program, Sweet Grown Alabama, through a mentor program. I was an intern for the organization and accepted a job as their assistant director in March of 2022 prior to graduation in May 2022.
Describe a typical day in your life.
Working with farmers and our state's agricultural industry groups, my days are ever-changing. One day I may be on a farm, taking pictures and covering a story about crops or livestock, the next I may have a photo op with the governor. No two days look the same. I handle our social media, newsletter, and host events like our annual farm to table dinner or pop-up farmers markets. I attend conferences like the Alabama Cattlemen's Association Convention and Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference to network with other stakeholders and gain new farmers who can benefit from my program.
Why did you choose this path?
Advocating for farmers and communicating what is really going on in agriculture to consumers who may have no idea why farmers do what they do is so important to the local economy. Agriculture has over a $70 billion impact on the state of Alabama but the average person is so far removed from the farm. I want people to know that squash, strawberries and beef don't come from Walmart. They come from a family farm.
What's your favorite thing about what you do?
My favorite thing about what I do is helping a local farmer sell more of their product. Watching their business expand puts a smile on my face.
What makes you passionate about this?
My husband and I live on a cattle farm and have commercial chicken houses. We know what the day to day looks like for most of the farmers I work with. I am able to understand them on a real level and it gives me more pride in what I can do for them.
What are some difficulties that you face but still make everything worth it?
It can be hard encouraging people to buy local when your large chain grocery stores make it so easy to purchase from. Trying to explain that your local farmer can't meet all your demand but you can go to a farmers market and get some things then get what else you need at the store is hard. Consumers want it to be easy; they want a one-stop shop.
Recent accomplishment, achievement, service project, promotion, or recognition?
I graduated in February from the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program and have been asked to serve a two-year term on their Alumni Council. I'm also the Dale County Alabama Cattlewomen's Association president and board member.
What have you learned?
Loving your job and what you stand for makes going to work so much more fun. Having a career you can feel good about and know you're making a difference helps you to feel like you aren't wasting your time. I wake up every day knowing I am doing something meaningful.
How do you feel you exemplify Darlington's mission or motto?
Learning with passion comes easy when you are passionate about what you are learning. I have a great deal of passion for Alabama farmers and what they mean to our state. I learn something new from them every day. They teach me so many things about being a community member and working hard for little gain.
What advice, now, would you give to your younger self when you were at Darlington?
Take advantage of everything. Connections take you so much further than anything else in life, so put yourself out there and meet people.
Advice for anyone wanting to follow your paw prints?
Don't think you can't do something at such a young age. You can work wherever you want to and be whoever you want, but you have to put in the work. You can't just go to college and expect a job when you get out. You have to have internships, get a mentor, and have a big resume.
How can current students or other alumni connect with you?
Instagram: @aislingwalding; LinkedIn: Aisling Walding; Email: aislingwalding@gmail.com; Website: https://www.sweetgrownalabama.org/
Aisling is happy to connect with anyone in the Darlington Community who would like to know more about her career in agriculture. If you know of someone or you would like to be featured, please contact us at connect@darlingtonschool.org.
