November 3, 2021
Hay & Forage Producers Meet In Montgomery
The State Hay & Forage Committee met Oct. 26 at the Alabama Farmers Federation home office.

These leaders discussed upcoming elections, brainstormed producer education and met new Hay & Forage Division Director Graysen Biensch. 

Clockwise from left are Joe Williams, Dale County; Bradley Gibbs, Cleburne County; Mahlon Richburg, Lee County; Jack Robertson, Chambers County; Joe Ching, Mobile County; Steve Stroud, Pike County; and Biensch.
Thaxton Joins Federation GAP Department
Blake Thaxton joined the Alabama Farmers Federation as a commodity director Nov. 1, bringing nearly a decade of horticulture industry expertise to his new role.

Thaxton said he looks forward to growing his relationships with specialty crop farmers as director of the Federation’s Bee & Honey and Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod divisions. He’s also executive director of the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA).

Thaxton was most recently a Southeast sales representative for Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

Commodity Committee Election Forms Due Nov. 5
Alabama Farmers Federation commodity committee election forms are due Nov. 5 to wgolson@alfafarmers.org. Elections are Dec. 5 in Montgomery during the annual meeting. Three sessions take place from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel.

The Federation has 15 commodity committees comprised of farmers from counties across Alabama. Committees guide policy discussions, represent fellow growers and, when applicable, help manage checkoff funds.

To learn more about being nominated for a commodity committee, contact your local area organization director or county Farmers Federation president.
Ag Announcements
Upcoming Events
  • Nov. 6 — Horse U educational program for youth and adults at Auburn University. Visit the Facebook Event for more information, including how to register.

  • Nov. 10 — Registration closes for Jr. Beef Expo. DNA kits are due Nov. 19. Visit JrBeefExpo.com to register.

  • Nov 19-25 — Alabama Farm-City Week

  • Dec. 2 — Alabama Forage Conference in Russellville. Click here to register.

  • Dec. 4 — Inaugural AgDash 5K in Montgomery benefiting the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation. Click here to reserve your spot.

  • Dec. 4-6 — Alabama Farmers Federation annual meeting and centennial celebration in Montgomery. Click here to register.

  • Jan. 18 — Alabama Soybean & Corn Association Meeting in Montgomery.

  • Jan. 18-19 — Row Crops Short Course, following the Soybean & Corn Meeting in Montgomery. Click here to register.
Landowner, Leadership Conferences Meet In Columbiana
The Alabama Landowners Conference was Oct. 21-22 in Columbiana at the Alabama 4-H Center. Day 1 included presentations from speakers on longleaf management; turkey management; forest health; and pesticide applicator licenses, in addition to a tour of Westervelt longleaf stands in Shelby County.
The Alfa Youth Leadership Conference was Nov. 1-2 at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana. The conference for 9th- and 10th-grade students taught them how to advocate for agriculture, identify their potential and step into leadership roles.

Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer, pictured, helped lead the nearly 100 attendees at the event, sponsored by the Federation, county Farmers Federations and Alabama Farm Credit.
Watch Simply Southern Wednesdays On RFD-TV
Be sure to tune into RFD-TV on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Central for Simply Southern TV, a production of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

Upcoming shows include:

  • Nov. 3 - artist Jessie Lavon, Service Dogs of Alabama, Ask A Farmer with Wallace Drury from Hale County and Southern Bite’s recipe for Lemon Pepper Catfish.

  • Nov. 10 - Ten Mile Creek Nursery, Combat Park, the World Champion Livestock Auctioneer and Southern Bite’s recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes

  • Nov. 17 - Changes in agriculture with the Brady family of Perry County, fly fishing in Alabama, Hunt & Lovvorn Beef, and Southern Bite’s recipe for Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Meringue Pie

Visit www.simplysoutherntv.net and click on “Where to Watch” to find the show on other stations near you!
In Memory