The Hallmark Farm Cooperative District Board ceased to exist Thursday when the Jefferson County Commission ratified the board’s action this week to dissolve.

“The Hallmark Cooperative District is now disbanded,” Commissioner Joe Knight said. “We will go through the legal process of filing the proper paperwork. The AECC (Alabama Exhibition Center Corp) is now in charge of that.”

The cooperative was established to handle sale of the Hallmark Farm, a 567-acre property off Interstate 65 near Warrior. The farm was bought in March by the AECC with plans to develop a $158 million Alabama Farm Center. Knight said there is not a set timetable for the AECC to begin construction of a center.

“They’ll be in touch with us,” Knight said. “We’ll work with them every way we can.”

Commission President Jimmie Stephens concluded the meeting by saying that his doctors have declared him cancer free. He announced the completion of his cancer treatments at a recent commission committee meeting.

“Words cannot adequately express what your prayers, encouragement and countless acts of kindness have meant to me and my family throughout this journey,” he read from a prepared statement. “Your support provided strength on the difficult days and reminded me of the deep well of goodness that exists in our community.”

Acknowledging the medical team at UAB and MD Anderson Cancer Center, the commission president said the experience renewed his faith in God and reaffirmed his belief in the power of compassion and human connection.

“It has reminded me that, even in our most challenging moments, we are never truly alone,” Stephens said.