August 25, 2021
Farmer Of The Year Judges Visit Triple E Farms
Thomas Ellis of Triple E Farms and Priester's Pecans is Alabama’s candidate for Southeastern Farmer of the Year and hosted judges in Lowndes County Aug. 17.

The winner of the Sunbelt Ag Expo / Swisher Sweets award will be announced Oct. 19 in Moultrie, Georgia.
Senate Ag Committee Puts Boots On The Ground
Senate Ag Committee members put boots on the ground Aug. 19-20 and learned about Alabama’s No. 1 industry.

The legislative leaders toured research units and farms at Auburn University. They explored facets of agriculture including meat processing, livestock judging, raising poultry, equine and turf grass (including a tour at Jordan-Hare Stadium).
Annual Meetings Continue
Annual meetings are rolling along across the state. Coosa County Farmers Federation held its program Aug. 12.

From left are Alabama Farmers Federation Southeast Area Vice President George Jeffcoat, former longtime county President Raymond Shaw, Federation Area Organization Director David Heflin and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.
Quick Reads
Events & Deadlines
  • Sept. 2 — Welcome reception honoring Jonah Biensch, Auburn University's new livestock judging coach, at the Alabama Cattlemen's Association building in Montgomery. RSVP to Sydney Dougherty at sdougherty@bamabeef.org or (334) 256-1867.

  • Sept. 9 — Heritage Cooking Contest in Montgomery

  • Sept. 16 — Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor banquet in Opelika

  • Sept. 25 — Ag Roundup at Auburn University

  • Oct. 21-22 — Alabama Landowners Conference in Columbiana. Register here by Oct. 19.

  • Nov. 1-2 — Alfa Youth Leadership Conference in Columbiana. Register your ninth- or 10th-grader here by Sept. 28.

  • Nov. 18-19 — Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association annual conference in Gulf Shores. Register here by Oct. 4.
Commodity Corner
The Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Checkoff Referendum, held Aug. 10, passed with a 93% approval rate. The voluntary checkoff funds research, education and promotion.
The Federation's State Pork Committee met in Birmingham Aug. 16 to hear updates from the National Pork Board. Stephen Herring and Brian Humphries spoke to the hog farmers about the importance of pork, disease control and the Pork Checkoff.
The Federation's State Equine Committee met Aug. 5 at the Renaissance Montgomery hotel. From left are committee members Larry Laney of Russell County, Toni Flowers of Montgomery County and Angela Sewell of Etowah County.
Simply Southern TV Airs Weekly
Watch Simply Southern TV every Wednesday at 3 p.m. Central on national cable network RFD-TV. For other ways to watch, click here.  

  • Today’s show: Alabama butterfly farmer John Wahl, That’s My Dog Junior, Ask A Farmer about poultry with Corey Hill of Marshall County and Southern Bite’s recipe for Old School Squash and Onions

  • Sept. 1: Celebrating the Federation’s Centennial with the Maples family of Limestone County and their reflections on the Young Farmers program, Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Outstanding Young Farm Family finalists the Peeks of Limestone County and Southern Bite’s recipe for Peanut Brittle 

  • Sept. 8: Defining a TREASURE Forest with the Dewberrys of Clay County, the Birmingham Fencing Club, Outstanding Young Farm Family finalists the Henrys of Lawrence County and Southern Bite’s recipe for Honey Garlic Pecan Chicken, sponsored by Sweet Grown Alabama