August 10, 2022
Farm & Land Expo Held In Birmingham
The Alabama Farmers Federation held the 50th Farm & Land Expo Aug. 4-7 in Birmingham.

Farmers from across the state gathered to tour farms, compete in contests, attend seminars and network with industry leaders.

Farm tours included stops at cattle farms, greenhouse facilities, a lumber mill, a feed mill and Blue Bell Creamery!

The Federation also welcomed several guests from Washington, D.C. for a special farm bill listening session.

Additionally, Young Farmers contests and Women's Leadership contests had great participation.
Calhoun County Young Farmers Score Top Title
Daniel and Carla Trantham of Calhoun County were named Alabama’s Outstanding Young Farm Family.

They are row crop and cattle farmers who run their own feed operation, where they sell over 80 tons of feed and grain weekly.

The Tranthams are raising five children on the farm — Davis, Sadie, Anna Kate, Sawyer and Callie.

They will receive a $70,000- plus prize package, including a trip to Puerto Rico in January 2023 to represent Alabama during the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention.

They are pictured, top, with Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell.
Exceptional Young Farmers Honored
Excellence in Agriculture winner is Josh Melson of Morgan County. As state winner, he will receive a zero-turn mower from Corteva Agriscience and will represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in Puerto Rico in January 2023.

This competition allows participants to showcase the role agriculture plays in their lives and present solutions on agricultural issues. 

Melson, right, is pictured with Federation President Jimmy Parnell.
The four finalists in Discussion Meet are, from left, Garrett Dixon of Lee County, Landon Marks of Cherokee County, Shelby Windham of Dale County and Chapman Bodiford of Limestone County.

This competition simulates a committee meeting where participants discuss solutions to agricultural issues. 

These four will compete at the Federation's 101st annual meeting in December for the chance to represent Alabama in national competition in January and receive a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit.
Women’s Leadership Contests Highlight Creativity
Winners during the Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Division contests during the Farm & Land Expo Aug. 6 were, from left, are Marcy Jernigan of Geneva County, Commodity Wreath; Glenda Stewart of Geneva County, Commodity Lap Blanket (Adult Division); Ruby Nuss of St. Clair County, Hand-Stitched Quilt; Betty Kennedy of Wilcox County, Machine-Stitched Quilt; and Chris Underwood of Geneva County, Machine-Stitched Pillow Cover. Not pictured is Commodity Lap Blanket (Youth Division) winner Hayden Howell of Geneva County.
Outstanding Auburn, Extension Staff Recognized At Expo
Dr. Geoff Williams earned the Rittenour Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Research.

Williams, right, is pictured with Federation Bee & Honey Division Director Blake Thaxton.
Dr. Adam Maggard received the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension.

Maggard is pictured with Federation Forestry Division Director William Green.
Alabama Farmers Talk Peanuts On National Connect Call
Join America's Young Farmers and Ranchers for their Connect Call Aug. 15!

Alabama Young Farmers and industry professionals involved in the peanut industry will give a glimpse into the peanut production process - from planting to harvest and beyond.
Participants include:

  • Emmanuel Bankston
  • Superintendent of Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts Buying Point - Headland, Alabama
  • Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee member
  • Nathan Bartl
  • Partner, Lillian Cattle Co.
  • Josh McCoy
  • Owner/Partner, Chris Thompson Farms & Thompson Peanut Co.
  • Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee member
  • Jonathan Sanders
  • Partner, Sanders Farms
  • American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee
Season 8 Continues On Simply Southern TV
Tune in to new episodes of Simply Southern TV!

  • Aug. 13/14/17: Alabama’s 2022 Farm of Distinction — Mark and Sandy Byrd of Byrd Family Farms; Wiregrass Museum of Art; National Infantry Museum; and a Southern Bite recipe for Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Pie, sponsored by Alabama Peanut Producers Association

  • Aug. 20/21/24: Alabama Farmers Market in downtown Birmingham; spotlight on Jasper with Jasper Main Street and Warehouse 319; and a Southern Bite recipe for Pasta Caesar Salad

Shows air over the weekend on six broadcast stations and on Wednesdays on national cable network RFD-TV. To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”

Be sure to follow Simply Southern TV on Facebook and Instagram.
On The Move In Ag
  • The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed Mariah Waites to the Alfa Health team on Aug. 1. Waites has stepped into the role of Junior Health CSR. She grew up in Shorter and currently resides in Pike Road. She is a member of Church of the Highlands and has one daughter.

  • HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the city of Dothan announced a partnership Aug. 2 to create a Wiregrass Campus in Dothan. This will primarily focus on education, agricultural research and economic development of the Wiregrass region.

  • Canfor Lumber Mill announced it will invest $210 million to build a new sawmill complex in south Alabama. The startup of the facility is anticipated for 2024.
Quick Clicks
Ag in the Classroom Grant grants are now available through CHS Inc., which provides $500 to pre-Kindergarten-12th grade teachers who implement agriculture in their classrooms. Click here to learn more.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the public comment period to Aug. 23 regarding a proposed rule about transparency in poultry growing contracts. Click here to learn more.

Borden Dairy is planning to close its Dothan plant Sept. 30. Click here to learn more.

Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association launched a new website and commercial this month. Click here to view!

James Hardie's Prattville plant held groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion Aug. 2. Click here to learn more.
Events & Deadlines


  • Aug. 15 - Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest launches


  • Aug. 19 - Annual Field Crops Day in Headland at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.



  • Sept. 15 - Ag in the Classroom grant application deadline

  • Sept. 24 - Ag Roundup before Auburn University's Homecoming game against University of Missouri


Let's Talk Cotton
On this week's Alabama AgCast, hear from Federation Cotton Division Director Carla Hornady as she talks with Autauga Quality Cotton Assocation Executive Vice President Jeff Thompson.