Chilton County has been a popular destination for political candidates in recent weeks.

Luther Strange visited several businesses during a tour of the county on July 3, a little more than a week after Mo Brooks made an appearance at the Peach Festival Auction. Both are running to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate.

Strange’s first stop in town was at Todd’s Produce, where he toured the facility and talked to owner Dordie Hayes and her family about the current agricultural economy in Chilton County.

“The peach crop was devastated this year, and we’re trying to get assistance for the peach farmers in Chilton and Autauga counties,” Strange said. “It’s important not only to stop by and say hello to some friends, but also to see what we can do to help.”

Strange is on the Agricultural Committee and is the first senator to serve on the committee in more than 20 years.

“Agriculture is the biggest part of our state’s economy,” Strange said.

According to Strange, agriculture economy, economic development and jobs are especially at the forefront of people’s minds when he visits counties, such as Chilton County, in the center of the state.

“As a small business owner, we like for somebody to listen,” Hayes said. “He understood about our crop and seemed to be concerned about it.”

As part of his visit to Todd’s Produce, Strange ate some homemade peach ice cream and also was presented with a gift basket that included peaches, jams and a souvenir mug and hat.

“The Fourth of July is always a good time to stop and have ice cream,” Strange said. “I’ve always gotten great support in Chilton County and traveling back and forth from north Alabama to south Alabama, it is the perfect place to stop and relax.”

Strange dug into the gift basket and put on the hat, before wrapping up his visit.

He then made the short trip down the road and stopped at Durbin Farms as part of his scheduled stops on the day.

“The people here [Chilton County] are super friendly and it’s nice to get their thoughts on what’s going on, so that I can really find out what people are thinking in the real world,” Strange said.