Farm Bill Talks Heat Up as September Deadline Nears |
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A spring filled with listening sessions, farm visits and stakeholder meetings has set the stage for D.C. decision-makers to build a bipartisan farm bill that better serves farmers.
But the tall task has a tight timeline and even tighter party lines, said the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Mitt Walker. Current farm bill legislation, passed in 2018, expires Sept. 30.
“Following quite a few hearings and listening sessions across the country and in D.C., Senate and House ag committees are hard at work to meet the approaching deadline,” said Walker, who manages national affairs for the state’s largest farm organization. “Not only is the timeline tight, funding could be tight as well, but we are pushing hard for an increase of resources to strengthen farmers’ safety net with a focus on raising reference prices.”
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Federation Leaders Gather in Chattanooga |
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The 2023 Presidents Conference was July 6-9 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. County Farmers Federation presidents and state board members brought their ideas to Alabama Farmers Federation leadership and Alfa Insurance executive management.
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Legislature Convenes for Special Session July 17 |
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Gov. Kay Ivey called the Alabama Legislature to a special session beginning Monday, July 17. It is expected to be complete July 21.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling throwing out Alabama’s 2021 Congressional district map (above). The 5-4 decision in effect requires state lawmakers to redraw the map to include two districts where demographics provide an opportunity for a Black person to be elected.
A reapportionment committee, including members of both the House and Senate, will meet in three public hearings to debate map proposals and grant preliminary approval of a new map. In June, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, announced House members selected for the committee, while Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth announced the Senate committee members.
Key Dates and Locations for Redistricting
Monday, July 17
Start of Special Session
Friday, July 21
Deadline for Legislature to Approve New Map
Monday, Aug. 14
Federal District Court Hearing
Hugo L. Black United States Courthouse
Birmingham
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Alfa Farmers Market Held July 13 in Montgomery |
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Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance held its annual pop-up farmers market July 13 at the home office.
Farms who shared local goods with employees included:
- Boozer Farms, Chilton County
- Hornsby Farms, Lee County
- Blue Ribbon Dairy, Elmore County
- Rock House Farms, Cleburne County
- Southern Sweet Bee LLC, Montgomery County
- Extreme Green Farms, Lee County
- Pecan Place Farms, Lowndes County
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The Alabama Farmers Federation State Forestry Committee tour was July 12 in Clay County. The tour started at committee chair Lamar and Felicia Dewberry's cabin. Afterward, the group toured Wellborn Cabinet Inc., a cabinet manufacturer based in Ashland that offers American-made kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. |
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The Federation State Pork Committee met July 12 at Full Moon Bar-B-Que in Bessemer to set goals and elect pork producer delegate candidates for the 2024 National Pork Producers Delegate Body. |
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Alabama Produce Just Tastes Better |
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From the juiciest tomatoes and sweetest strawberries to the ripest peaches and freshest lettuce, fruit and vegetable farmers feed Alabama one bite at a time.
“There is no better way of life than being a farmer,” said Pete Baker, owner of Four Mile Farms Produce in Talladega County. “We know we are actually feeding somebody, and they are enjoying our product.”
Farmers like Baker and Ralf Du Toit of Extreme Green Farms in Lee County said they strive to give consumers their absolute best — the best product, best service and best quality.
“It is very satisfying to see a customer happy with a product they bought from your operation,” said Du Toit, whose farm focuses on hydroponic lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. “People love local.”
Baker and Du Toit are members of the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), a partner organization of the Alabama Farmers Federation. Through the years, these AFVGA members have gleaned tips for consumers — and farmers looking to diversify into specialty crops.
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Ag Law & You: Liability for Loose Livestock |
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“The cows are out.”
That’s a phrase no farmer wants to hear, as any situation involving escaped livestock can be bad for all involved — from the farmer to law enforcement to those who live or are traveling nearby.
For the farmer, loose livestock can present a variety of problems. This includes being potentially liable for damage livestock may cause while trespassing. Loose livestock can also be subject to injury or total loss. Farmers may even face criminal liability for failing to contain their livestock.
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Dairy Educational Session Set for July 26 |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation Dairy Educational Meeting is July 26 at 10 a.m. at Darrell Rankins' farm in Chambers County.
Dairymen and others with interest in the industry are invited to attend.
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Sweet Grown Alabama Day June 22 |
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Support local farmers by participating in Sweet Grown Alabama Day.
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Alabama forest landowners can apply for Southern pine beetle (SPB) prevention cost-share funds through Aug. 31. The SPB program will help landowners implement forest management practices that will reduce SPB damage and outbreaks in the state. The program is administered by the Alabama Forestry Commission and funded through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service. Click here to learn more.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service reported the following planting information for 2023 Alabama crops compared to 2022 acreage:
- Corn: 360,000 acres, up 20%
- Cotton: 380,000 acres, down 13%
- Peanuts: 170,000 acres, up 3%
- Soybeans: 400,000 acres, up 11%
- Winter wheat: 210,000 acres, up 17%
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The 2023 Alabama cotton crop had a late and slow start. Spring rains and cool temperatures caused planting delays, then slowed emergence and seedling growth. Early June brought extended dry weather. The abundant rainfall in late June made crop management more difficult. These prolonged heavy-rain events prevented weed, insect and disease control applications, which hindered the cotton crop in its early stages. The end of June brought high temperatures and humidity, creating additional challenges. These combined conditions have forced cotton producers to adjust their management plans. Click here to learn more from Alabama Extension.
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July 16-21 - Alabama Farmers Federation Beef Tour in Wisconsin
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Sep. 7 - Alabama Farmers Federation Heritage Cooking Contest in Montgomery
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Oct. 17-19 - Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, with Alabama as this year's spotlight state.
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Simply Southern TV Features New Episodes |
Enjoy brand new episodes of Simply Southern.
July 15/16/19: Legislators show beef cattle in the livestock show ring, Barrel Racing Champion Noah Mills, Alabama Farm Credit piece featuring Sammy Jackson, the National Poultry Technology Center at Auburn University and a Southern Bite recipe for Southern Ambrosia, sponsored by Priester's.
July 22/23/26: Monroeville Main Street, Mark’s Mart, Rural Roundup, and a Southern Bite recipe for Mom’s Secret Ingredient Mashed Potatoes
*National network preemption means this episode will air Saturday, July 29, at 8 a.m. on WPMI in Mobile and on Sunday, July 30, at 10:30 a.m. on WAFF in Huntsville.
To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”
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