|
When
he started, it was a way to make money during the off-season of the
rodeo. Now he works year round at fence building.
A
loyal Co-op customer, Edwards tries to purchase most of his supplies
from area Co-op stores. Much of his work is done in Marion and Walker
counties. He said managers Steve Lann, Marion Co. Co-op, and Ricky
Aldridge, Walker Farmers Co-op, are always ready to help with materials
and deliveries.
Edwards
said he does all types of fence work—electric, barb wire, field
fencing—and works large and small jobs.
He
jokes that most folks put up fences to keep things in, but in Pickens
County he once put up a fence to keep wild hogs out.
He
works by-the-foot and builds the fence to suit the owner.
Edwards
offers design help if there is no existing fence or if the current
design is inadequate. He even helps folks design barns and feed lots.
"He
really knows what he’s doing," said Aldridge, who is the current
E.P. Garrett Award (AFC’s Manager of the Year) winner. "He can
build anything to suit the owners."
Out With
the Old, In
With the New
Edwards
said replacing old fencing keeps him busy these days.
"So
many fences have deteriorated that were built 40 to 50 years ago,"
said Edwards. "People are having to replace the fences their
parents built when the land was converted from farmland into
pasture."
Many
of these older fences are being supported by hedge bushes or other small
trees. As the area is cleaned up, owners find the fence is in such bad
shape that it can’t support itself without the hedge.
Conversely,
Edwards said about half of his business is constructing fencing for
owners who have received Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
money through the National Resources Conservation Service.
Rodeo
Habit
Even
though constructing fences has become a full-time operation for Edwards,
he still finds time to put on rodeos.
In
1994 Edwards started his own rodeo company. He worked for several years
at his own expense. Sometimes it was profitable, sometimes it wasn’t.
"I
had finally decided to sell the rodeo," said Edwards. "It had
gotten so unpredictable. I would spend a lot of money to stage a rodeo
and then it would rain and no one would show up."
Just
as he was ready to sell, he got two calls from people who wanted to hire
him to put on a rodeo.
"I
thought, this could be it," said Edwards. "And it worked out
great."
Now
he puts on 15 rodeos a year, mostly for civic groups who are trying to
raise money. "Everybody wins," he said. "I get paid for
my trouble and the group gets to make money for their cause."
Edwards
provides everything needed for a complete rodeo—arena, bleachers,
stock, etc. Triple E Rodeo has 12 employees, including Trull, who is
secretary of the rodeo. She also ropes.
Each
rodeo requires 10 to 11 bulls, seven to eight horses, and 26 roping
steers. Edwards said he keeps enough stock so that he can rotate the
animals through the rodeos to keep them fresh.
He
relies on Walker Farmers Co-op for much of his rodeo supplies, including
minerals and animal health supplies.
In
addition to providing animals for his own rodeos, Edwards furnishes
bucking bulls for five to 10 shows per year, mostly on the coast.
Break the
Habit?
Edwards
said he still gets a notion to sell the rodeo every once in a while, but
his kids veto the idea right away.
"They
love the rodeo," said Edwards. "It’s something we can all do
together."
Edwards
said son Colt, 7, wants to rope one day but is satisfied with making new
friends at each event. Daughter Riley, 5, carries the flag at each
rodeo. Edwards’ wife, Lisa, completes the family unit.
Contact
Information
Persons
interested in contacting Edwards may reach him on his cell phone at
(205) 282-1562. His home phone number is (205) 387-0608.
Susie
Sims is a freelance writer from Haleyville. |
