Alabama in the Spotlight during Sunbelt Ag Expo | |
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Alabama agriculture was in the spotlight during the annual Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia Oct. 17-19.
Thousands of visitors from across the Southeast visited the Spotlight State exhibit which highlighted Sweet Grown Alabama. Additionally, Darrel Haynes of Cullman County was recognized as Alabama's candidate in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest during the annual luncheon Oct. 17. Sweet Grown Alabama Director Ellie Watson presented the keynote address — noting the incredible farmers that make up the Sweet Grown Alabama membership.
The three-day event was a success thanks to many sponsors and donors from across the state.
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Darrel and Lydia Haynes of Cullman County cut the ribbon to the Spotlight State Building to kick off the week at Sunbelt Ag Expo. | |
Darrel Haynes represented Alabama during the 2023 Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest. He and wife Lydia are pictured with Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell and wife Robin. | |
Sweet Grown Alabama Director Ellie Watson spoke to over 1,000 attendees during the luncheon Oct. 17. | |
Dozens of sponsors played an integral role in the success of the Spotlight State. | |
Fire Alert Reinstated to Include all 67 Counties | | |
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The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has re-issued a fire alert for all 67 counties in the state. In the 32 northern counties (roughly north of I-20), no burn permits will be issued till further notice. In the 35 southern counties (south of I-20), certified prescribed burn managers will have the option to obtain a one-day burn permit. There are no exceptions to this rule.
During the past seven days, AFC wildland firefighters have responded to 111 wildfires that scorched more than 1,881 acres of forest land in Alabama. Drought conditions are expected to worsen as no rain is forecast for the next week, and October is historically the state's driest month.
To report a wildfire, call AFC at (800) 392-5679. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state or any other forestry-related issues, contact your local AFC office or visit the agency website at www.forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/Fire/Totals.aspx.
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The Alabama Farmers Federation recently joined 226 agricultural groups to express significant concerns with the draft herbicide strategy framework through the Environmental Protection Agency. The framework would reduce exposure of federally listed endangered and threatened species and designated critical habitats from the use of conventional agricultural herbicides as proposed. This complex, unworkable proposal would result in significant new and costly regulatory burdens for millions of U.S. agricultural producers. Others would simply be unable to comply with the proposal, undermining their continued access to herbicides. | |
The Southern Area Decision Support Group has completed a wildfire risk analysis and report for fall. This wildfire risk assessment evaluates critical factors from the summer season and assesses the potential activity for the current fall fire season in response to an above-average summer fire season and prolonged drought in the Southwest portion of the Southern Area Geographic Area. The outlook period for fall wildfire activity extends from late September through November. Click here to view the assessment. | |
Working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service was life changing for a women-owned business in rural Indiana. Selling homemade peanut butter began as a team fundraiser idea for soccer moms Carol Podolak and Joy Thompkins. Seven years later, the mom duo is winning big with international buyers as BNutty. Their small, women-owned business of gourmet nut butters ranging in flavors from Totally Toffee and Simply Salted Caramel to Cinnamon Sugar Cookie now has fans across the globe. Click here to read more. | |
The National Pork Board (NPB) recently released its quarterly sustainability report. NPB helps pork producers share their sustainability stories to promote individual businesses while supporting national production.Click here to read the report. | |
Alabama National Fair Preserves Decades of Tradition | | |
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Smells of fresh pine shavings and a buzz of excitement hung in the air around Teague Arena as youth showmen and their parents prepared for the 70th Alabama National Fair. Exhibitors from across the state attended the annual event Oct. 6-15 to show off prize-winning livestock while displaying their hard work, practice and showmanship.
“Showing is an 80-year family tradition for us,” said Destinee Bearden Patterson, whose children participated in the Youth Dairy Show. “The smiles, family and camaraderie the dairy show brings are like a big family event for us. We call this our dairy family reunion.”
Patterson said it is essential livestock shows continue, even if their popularity has waned.
The Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance annually sponsor livestock shows at the Alabama National Fair, one of many fairs supported by state and county Farmers Federations each fall.
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State Celebrates Inaugural Extension Week | |
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Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed Oct. 23-28 Alabama Extension Week. During this inaugural celebration, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) encourages citizens all over the state to engage and see what ACES has to offer by attending a local Extension Week event or visiting a county Extension office.
The Alabama Farmers Federation is shining a spotlight on its continued partnership with ACES, which has made a difference in the state of Alabama since 1914. Extension agents and specialists bring research-based wisdom to communities in every corner of the state, enriching lives and providing solutions for everyday challenges.
Discover Alabama Extension at www.aces.edu/discover.
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Consumers Crave Sweet Grown Alabama Sweet Potatoes | |
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Alabama’s official state vegetable took center stage as Auburn University (AU) and Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) researchers recently scaled the impact of the state’s agricultural branding program.
The survey showed consumers are willing to pay a $1.01 premium for locally grown sweet potatoes labeled Sweet Grown Alabama. That indicates the membership organization’s influence, said Sweet Grown Alabama Director Ellie Watson.
“This is a huge win for Sweet Grown Alabama and all of our sponsors,” Watson said. “This shows the dollars we spend on marketing are bearing fruit. The goal of Sweet Grown Alabama is to put money back into our farmers’ pockets.”
AU’s Joshua Duke, Jose Garcia Gamez, Julia Holley, Samir Huseynov, Adam Rabinowitz and Wendiam Sawadgo led the research.
“We wanted to see how consumers view Sweet Grown Alabama and the produce that is sold,” Sawadgo said. “We used a methodology that focused on real-world experiments.”
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Pumpkin Patch Provides Fun for Rural Community | |
Orange orbs scattered across green fields draw the eyes of travelers down Highway 43 in Washington County to Richardson Farms Pumpkin Patch.
There, Anna Richardson’s dream is coming to life.
“I used to tell my husband and three sons I wanted to do a pumpkin patch when I retired,” said Anna, a former teacher. “When I found out Ross (Henderson) was interested in doing a patch, I got excited.”
Anna’s belief in Ross, her daughter-in-law Miranda’s brother, was well placed. In 2022, hay towers and rides, a cow train, corn pits with slides, swings, zip lines and other fun amenities for kids and adults were assembled. Families could purchase pumpkins, and cotton, corn and peanuts were planted close by to showcase crops grown on south Alabama farms.
“The first year was trial and error,” Anna said. “We were able to learn a lot, listen to our guests and better prepare for this coming season.”
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West Alabama Program Helps Landowners Fight Invasive Species | |
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Biodiverse ecosystems, invasive species and a community need led to a life-changing program in Sumter County, thanks to professionals at the University of West Alabama (UWA).
“Conservation is a big deal in Alabama,” said UWA’s Dr. John McCall. “Invasive species were a big deal, are a big deal now and are going to continue to get bigger.”
To combat the issue, teams at UWA and the Sumter County Soil and Water Conservation District designed the Partners Against Invasive Species (PAIS) program. UWA was named a Non-Land-Grant Agriculture College six years ago, which opened the door for new opportunities — including a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that funded PAIS.
The boots-on-the-ground program is paying off. Since 2018, program participants have captured 2,000 wild hogs and sprayed 6.3 million square feet of cogongrass.
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Alabama farmers can use the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports system to note drought-related conditions and impacts within the U.S. and its territories. This is a nationwide service provided by National Drought Mitigation Center. Reports will become part of the permanent record, appearing on an interactive map visible to the public, including authors of the U.S. Drought Monitor and the media. Click here to access the form.
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Leaders today elected U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., as Speaker of the House. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall noted that Johnson has a history of supporting America's farmers and ranchers. Click here to read more.
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Simply Southern TV Features New Episodes | |
Tune in to Simply Southern for stories about agriculture, rural living and the good things going on in Alabama!
Oct. 29 & Nov. 1 — Ag Olympics, the Enlisted Heritage Hall in Montgomery, a review of Alabama’s 2023 legislative session and a Southern Bite recipe for Southern Fried Apples.
*Note for those who watch on WLTZ out of Columbus, Georgia: Instead of airing on the normal day and time, this show will air Sunday, Oct. 29, at 9:30 a.m. Central due to national network pre-emption.
Nov. 4/5/8 — Smocking with Franklin County’s Carol Glass, Boarhog’s BBQ, What’s in Season for November with Sweet Grown Alabama, and a Southern Bite recipe for Shortcut Tomato Focaccia, sponsored by Sweet Grown Alabama.
To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”
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Farmers Benefit from Deer Depredation Permits | | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation’s recent Deer Population Study Committee is encouraging farmers to use White-Tailed Deer Depredation Permits in their fight against deer nibbling, gnawing and devastating crops.
Issued by Alabama’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), the permits allow farmers, or their designated agents, to harvest a set number of deer throughout the growing season.
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Nov. 13-14 - Alfa Youth Leadership Conference
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