April 2007
Walker County Man is Go-To Guy for Fencing He Builds Fences to Support His Rodeo Habit

Kellie Trull and Chris Edwards in front of fencing they recently constructed in the Hackleburg area. By Susie Sims Take a few minutes and watch Chris Edwards at work. He makes it look easy. But not many folks would trade even a day’s work with the Walker County man. Most people hire Edwards to get out of doing the work. He doesn’t mind. He has become the go-to guy when it comes to fencing in his area. He and his right-hand man, or woman in this case, can build a quarter-mile of fence in a day on good ground. Edwards’ only help on the fence line is Kellie Trull. She has been helping him build fences for four years. Edwards said he has had lots of help over the years, but much of it has not been dependable. "You can’t keep people," said Edwards. "They work a day or two and then you never see them again."   Fence builders Kellie Trull and Chris Edwards drive corner posts into the ground.   He said he gave up trying to have a larger crew, even on big jobs. He and Trull can do the work without having to manage the extra workers. They use a hydraulic post driver and the rest, of course, must be done the old-fashioned way—by hand. Edwards said he tries to deliver a quality fence that will serve the owner for many years with little or no maintenance. As an experienced fence builder, Edwards said many folks turn to him because they are not able to construct the type of fence they need. "Some folks are not able physically to do the work themselves or they need help with the design of the fence," said Edwards. "We build them to last." Edwards started building fences with Garry Rowland years ago. They would work during the winter months. Edwards has been building for himself for the past nine years. 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.