April 30, 2021 | Regular Session
AgCast Features Updates From The External Affairs Team

External Affairs Department Director Matthew Durdin, right, along with, from left, Director of Agricultural Legislation Preston Roberts, Director of State Legislative Programs Casey Rogers and Agriculture Counsel John Allen Nichols, discuss gambling, farm wineries and more on a special edition of Alabama AgCast. Click here to listen.
Agricultural Education Fares Well in ETF Budget
Agricultural education, career technology and other programs important to Alabama Farmers Federation members fared well in the Education Trust Fund Budget (ETF), which passed the House of Representatives Tuesday and received Senate concurrence Thursday.

The $7.67 billion spending package is $455 million more than last year’s approved budget. It includes a 2% pay raise for teachers and education employees as well as increases for Alabama's prekindergarten program, community college system, local boards of education and four-year colleges.

The ETF authorizes funding for Alabama’s career tech initiative as well as other Federation priorities including Classroom in the Forest and Ag in the Classroom. Auburn University funding included $250,000 for the second year to revive a livestock judging program within the College of Agriculture. Appropriations for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station were up about $2 million each.
Small Farm Winery Bill Passes House of Representatives
Farm wineries in Alabama may soon have more options for marketing their products under legislation approved Thursday by the House of Representatives.

SB 294 by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, would allow licensed small farm wineries to sell their products directly to retailers and consumers. The proposed law applies to farms producing fewer than 50,000 gallons of wine a year from fruit that’s at least 50% Alabama grown. 

The measure passed the House by a vote of 88-1. It now goes back to the Senate for concurrence with House changes before heading to the governor for her signature. 
Farm, Forest License Plate Legislation Sent To Gov. Ivey
The House of Representatives concurred with Senate changes to legislation easing tag restrictions for farm and forest product haulers Tuesday. The bill was forwarded to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature.

HB 460 by Rep. Wes Allen, R-Troy, would lift limits on the purchase of F4 farm tags for larger trucks. It also would allow log trucks to utilize L tags and be exempt from the International Registration Plan. Currently, forest product haulers over 42,000 pounds must carry a commercial license plate. Existing rules put Alabama farmers and loggers at a competitive disadvantage with their counterparts in neighboring states. 
A Century of Service as the Voice of Alabama Agriculture
1978 To finalize the property tax system in Alabama, Alabama Farm Bureau championed the “current use” tax valuation system. Through the “current use” system, agricultural land is valued at its current use, instead of the speculative market value. This classification helps many farmers remain in production even today, when they farm in fringe suburban areas where speculative land value would make property taxes prohibitively costly. (Photo courtesy Alabama Department of Archives and History.)
Your Voice Is More Important Than Ever

With COVID-19 precautions limiting access to the State House for the public and Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs team, it's vital members develop and maintain strong relationships with legislators in the district. Contact the External Affairs team (below) if you have questions or need assistance contacting your senator or representative.

Capitol Connection | Alabama Farmers Federation | (334) 288-3900 | Alfafarmers.org

Questions?
 Matthew Durdin - Director, External Affairs Department
 Preston Roberts - Director, Agricultural Legislation
Casey Rogers, Director, State Legislative Programs
John Allen Nichols, Agriculture Counsel
Beth Chapman, Beth Chapman and Associates, LLC