A long-recognized picturesque landmark in north Jefferson County is being prepared for a new use.
Plans are advancing to transform Hallmark Farms into the Alabama Farm Center, a large agricultural and exhibition complex expected to support economic activity while providing space for education and public events.
Hallmark Farms, visible from Interstate 65 near Warrior, was developed in 1976 and originally served as the home of Ted and Mary Hallmark, whose coal-mining equipment business played a role in Alabama’s industrial economy.
After the founders’ deaths, the property experienced years of uncertainty before redevelopment plans began to take shape under public and nonprofit ownership.
The Alabama Farmers Federation says the project reached a key milestone with the award of $11 million in federal funding through the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program. The funding will be used to reclaim abandoned mine land features on the property, enabling development on land previously affected by legacy coal mining.
Once reclamation work is completed, the site is planned to host the Alabama Farm Center, which is expected to include facilities for livestock shows, rodeos, educational programs and an annual state fair.
Organizers say the center is intended to support agricultural education while also serving as a venue for statewide exhibitions and events.
According to the Alabama Farmers Federation, the project is projected to generate approximately $2.2 billion in direct economic impact over 20 years and support the creation of up to 850 jobs, positioning it as a significant long-term development for north Jefferson County.
The AMLER program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and is designed to pair land reclamation with economic redevelopment in communities affected by historic mining activity.
Alabama was one of six Appalachian states selected to receive AMLER funding in the current cycle.
Project leaders cite Hallmark Farms’ central location and existing infrastructure as factors in its selection for redevelopment, along with local support for economic growth. The project also aligns with broader efforts to repurpose former industrial sites for new economic uses.
As redevelopment progresses, Hallmark Farms is expected to transition from a historic private estate into a public-facing facility with a statewide role, blending agricultural programming, education, and event space within a reclaimed landscape.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
