Supreme Court Redistricting Ruling Creates Uncertainty for Lawmakers |
|
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling Thursday, potentially throwing out Alabama’s Congressional district map. The ruling will likely send shockwaves through the Legislature and Congress in the coming months.
The 5-4 decision requires state lawmakers to redraw the map to include two Black-majority districts. Alabama’s population is about 27% Black.
Alabama Farmers Federation staff members are monitoring to see how the ruling will impact state and national politics.
|
|
Rural Alabama Experiencing Strong Economic Development |
|
|
|
Alabama farmers living in rural communities could soon feel the impacts of strong economic development throughout the state.
The Alabama Department of Commerce released a report June 1 stating corporate investments into rural communities in 2022 topped almost $1.8 billion, creating 1,900 jobs.
The 2022 Rural Economic Development Impact Report consists of data from 40 targeted counties with fewer than 50,000 residents. In total, there are 43 new growth projects across rural counties. Since 1987, the Alabama Enterprise Zone Act has provided tax incentives to companies that invest in rural communities.
|
|
Guest Workers Essential to Alabama Agriculture |
|
|
|
Shouts of laughter blend with a medley of Spanish and English banter on a growing number of Alabama farms during busy seasons.
The lighthearted camaraderie is in sharp contrast to the dim future many farms face without the state’s 2,100 legal, seasonal guest workers.
“We wouldn’t have any help,” said Lance Byrd of Green Valley Farms in Montevallo. “We’d have to downsize, and we’d have to manage with the people we could get in a day and time where everyone is fighting for employment. This is a problem money does not solve because people don’t want to do the work.”
While agriculture is flush with advancements and automation, intense hands-on work is necessary for many commodities. The monotonous labor often dissuades American workers from staying on the payroll — or attempting the work at all, said the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Blake Thaxton.
|
|
Southeast Department of Agriculture Leaders Visit Alabama |
|
Alabama welcomed Department of Agriculture leaders from across the Southeast to Montgomery June 4-7.
|
|
Young Farmers Host Golf Tournament |
|
The Young Farmers Golf Tournament benefiting the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation was June 5 at Wynlakes Golf and Country Club in Montgomery.
This year's event welcomed 21 golf teams and numerous sponsors. Proceeds support ag literacy projects, scholarships, livestock shows and more.
|
|
FFA Convention Brings Students to Capital City |
|
The 95th annual Alabama FFA Convention was June 7-9 in Montgomery. Over 1,500 members, guests and FFA advisers gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of students in agriscience education.
The Alabama FFA Foundation inducted six individuals into the FFA Wall of Honor June 7. Honorees include:
- John Colquitt, nominated by Caleb Colquitt
- Scott Crosby, posthumously, nominated by Kinston FFA
- Jerad Dyess, nominated by Enterprise FFA & Alumni
- Kim Jordan, nominated by Central High School of Clay County FFA
- Preston Roberts, nominated by Alabama Farmers Federation
- Gerald Smitherman, nominated by Thomas Hall, family and former students
Additionally, Federation Broadcast Director Kevin Worthington, Creative Technical Director Mike Moody and Graphic Designer Laura Unger received Honorary FFA State Degrees for outstanding contributions to agriculture and FFA.
|
|
Roberts Visits Boys State Conference |
|
Boys State attendees visited Alabama Cattlemen's Association earlier this month for an agribusiness discussion during their weeklong deep-dive into government, professional development and networking.
During their visit, attendees heard from Alabama Farmers Federation Director of Agricultural Legislation Preston Roberts about the important role young people play in the agricultural industry.
|
|
Johnson to Lead Peanut Promotion, Research Efforts |
|
|
|
Alabama’s 900-plus peanut farmers have a new champion in their corner. Libbie Johnson joined the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) as executive director June 5.
Johnson hails from Florida Extension, where she gleaned over 20 years of industry experience and built relationships critical to her new role.
As executive director, Johnson will oversee peanut checkoff projects related to research, promotion and education. She’ll also work with land-grant universities and farmers on research trials; advocate for the protein-packed legume with decision-makers in Washington, D.C.; and expand the peanut industry’s footprint in Alabama, in addition to overseeing staff in APPA’s Dothan office.
|
|
Commodity-Specific Educational Tracks New to Farm & Land Expo |
|
In addition to the annual Friday farm tours, commodity-specific educational sessions will take place Saturday, Aug. 12.
Three rounds of seminars will focus on:
- Livestock & Forage
- Filling in the forage gaps
- Bull selection
- Implementing a seven-day fixed time Al protocol
- Poultry
- Georgia Poultry Producer Services
- Mortality disposal programs
- American Farm Bureau Federation updates
- Row Crops
- Profitability of controlled-release fertilizer in modern and sustainable agriculture
- Exploring emerging carbon markets
- Drone applications
- Forestry & Natural Resources
- Deer population ecology and management
- Mapping tools
- Rural development and the forest products industry
- Specialty Crops
- Options for diversification into vegetables
- State-of-the-art mechanization and automation in horticulture
- Commercial beekeeping and pollination services
To learn more details about the commodity workshops, click here.
|
|
Youth Loans Give Young Generation Opportunities in Ag |
|
Cattle, family and Farm Service Agency (FSA) Youth Loans have been the center of the Burgess family’s farm in Blount County for the past eight years.
“I am a 4-H Extension agent, and my main expertise is in youth development,” said Amy Burgess, an alumna of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s premier leadership initiative, Agricultural Leaders For Alabama. “I have worked with FSA Youth Loans for many years, signing off on lawn, swine and cattle projects. I knew that when my kids got older, we would take advantage of this opportunity. The FSA Youth Loans are a great way for kids to get involved in an ag project, build their own credit and learn money management.”
Amy and husband James helped their oldest child, Abby, start the loan process when she turned 10. Abby, now 18, has since helped the family dive into Simmental cattle production using the maximum FSA Youth Loan amount of $5,000 to purchase better genetics and stock. Her brothers, 14-year-old twins Cooper and Will, followed in their sister’s footsteps at age 10, too — with a twist.
|
|
-
A recent Agri-Pulse article explored raising reference prices based on a commodity’s relative input costs, suggesting the approach could benefit some Southern crops over commodities such as soybeans and corn. Click here to read more.
-
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and its partners have teamed together to tackle drought impacts in real time thanks to the Alabama Drought Reach Program. This new system will allow professionals to capture information on drought’s effects on Alabama agriculture more efficiently and accurately. Click here to learn more.
-
Corn prices are lower than 2022 prices, but they are still above the five-year average. When looking a little closer at what is happening this year, cash corn prices have trended down since the beginning of the year. This is a negative for the corn farmer — but a positive for the cattle producer. The futures markets also show a projected weakening in corn prices going forward this year. December futures have trended downward since the beginning of the year. Click here for more information.
|
|
-
June 28-29 - GNS Tour in north Alabama and central Tennessee.
|
Simply Southern TV Reruns Feature New Segments |
It’s your last chance to catch up on the first half of season 9 of Simply Southern. New episodes begin July 1 and 2.
June 18 and 21: Circle J Dairy, Harrison Brothers Hardware, Rural Roundup and a Southern Bite recipe for Tomato Cracker Salad. *Schedule Change: WLTZ in Columbus, Georgia, will air this show Sunday, June 18, at 9:30 a.m.
June 24/25/28: A “Best Of Southern Bite” show, featuring favorite recipes from past seasons along with a new segment where Stacey Little makes One Pot Chicken Ratatouille, sponsored by Sweet Grown Alabama.
To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”
|
|
This Week on Alabama Ag Cast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
