April 23, 2025

Alfa Health Plans Legislation Heads to Senate Floor for Final Vote

Alfa Health Plans legislation to provide an affordable health care option for Alabama farmers was approved by the Senate Banking and Insurance (B&I) Committee April 22 after a public hearing April 16.

HB 477 by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, and companion bill SB 84 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would authorize the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer Alfa Health Plans as a possible cost-cutting, member benefit option. HB 477 is modeled after Farm Bureau plans passed in 10 other states. The legislation overwhelmingly passed the House April 10 and will be on the Senate floor soon.

Farmers shared their need for Alfa Health Plans directly with state lawmakers during the public hearing.

As a farm wife and mom to three young boys, Jefferson County’s Christy Nelson told lawmakers her family needs Alfa Health Plans for peace of mind and to support their growing business. 

“With the option of an Alfa Health Plan, we could have peace of mind knowing that we can afford great health care while continuing to grow our business, and this momma can cross one less worry off her list,” Nelson said. “We are penalized for growing our business. Rather than supporting farmers and small business owners, the current system discourages investment, job creation and success. I ask you to stand with Alabama farm families like mine and approve Alfa Health Plans legislation without further delays or amendments.”

Learn Who Alfa Health Plans Could Help

Elmore County Family Wins Farm of Distinction

Bar Neal Farms of Elmore County was named the 2025 Farm of Distinction during the Alabama Farm-City annual awards luncheon in Auburn April 17.

Bar Neal is the epitome of a diversified family beef cattle business. Dr. Nealy Barrett farms alongside wife Jennie, son Justin and his wife Jordan. Grandkids Brantley, Nealy and Hardy are their best ranch hands.

Today, the farm covers 2,600 acres and includes a 600-unit cow-calf operation under the Bar Neal banner; 3,500-4,000 stockers a year through B&B Cattle Co.; 1,500-2,000 head in retained-ownership with feedlots and grazing partners through JNB Livestock; and 100 head of custom beef sales a year through River Bend Beef. Jennie handles accounting for Bar Neal and B&B, while Jordan manages the books for JNB and River Bend. 

As Farm of Distinction winners, the Barretts will receive an engraved farm sign from Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers Federation; a John Deere Gator from John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen; $1,000 from First South Farm Credit; and a $1,000 gift card from Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

Farm-City Honors Exceptional Students, Volunteers

Alabama Farm-City celebrated the multiplying effect of county committees’ work in schools and communities during its annual awards luncheon April 17 in Auburn. The program concluded the yearlong theme “Our Community Counts on Farmers,” a nod to the most recent Census of Agriculture.

Over 350 students, county leaders and industry representatives attended the event, held in conjunction with the Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Conference.

Alabama Farm-City Committee Chair Jeff Helms hailed volunteers’ work to connect rural and urban dwellers. 

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of Alabama Farm-City,” said Helms, also the Federation Communications Department director. “Their generous gifts of time, talent and creativity have an immeasurable impact on their communities. They understand it is vital to show citizens of all ages just how important agriculture is to our state. Every year, I’m amazed at their ability to rally around a common cause and cultivate connections with neighbors.”

Winners Include:

• Lincoln Moore: Etowah County - Poster Contest, Kindergarten-Third Grade
• Addi Waldrop: Jefferson County - Poster Contest, Fourth-Sixth Grade
• Olivia Gregory: Pike County - Essay Contest, Seventh-Ninth Grade
• Maeleigh Gray: Geneva County - Essay Contest, 10th-12th Grade
• Isabel Arriaga: Lawrence County - Video Contest, Ninth-12th Grade
• Dale County: Best Farm-City Committee Division I (pictured above)
• Geneva County: Best Farm-City Committee Division II (pictured above)
• Dan and Pat Presley: Volunteers of the Year, Coffee County
• Landon Marks: Service Award, Cherokee County

Women in Ag Encouraged to Communicate, Engage and Connect During Annual Conference 

Communicate. Engage. Connect.

These three words left 200 women in agriculture inspired at the Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Conference in Auburn April 16-18. 

Federation State Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) chair Rachel Chastain encouraged attendees to remember there is a place for everyone in agriculture and the state’s largest farm organization. 

“That is what makes the Federation so special,” said Chastain, a Talladega County farmer and agriscience educator. “You can come here and not have to be bashful of your relationship with Jesus. It is a true foundation of our organization.” 

Keynote speaker Megan Smalley, author of "Give Grace" and owner of Scarlet & Gold Boutique in Auburn, reinforced the value of living a faith-forward life in her presentation. 

In addition to Smalley’s keynote, the conference included a welcome session, four breakout workshops and a networking event. 

Cognitive coach Judi Pritchard delivered a powerful message on dementia, while Stacey Little of Southern Bite filled the room with laughter during his kitchen hack demonstrations. 

This year, a treasured conference agenda item was the Farm-City workshop, which allowed women to discuss ways to incorporate new activities in their counties and classrooms.

A farm-focused panel that included Choctaw County's Cheryl Lassiter, Calhoun County’s Carla Trantham, Cullman County’s Lisa Lake, Dale County’s Monica Carroll and Mobile County’s Debbie Miller added flair to the event, while a tailgate-themed networking event pushed attendees outside of their regions to idea share. 

Taylor Named Head of AU Ag Econ Department

Mykel Taylor was named head of the Auburn University (AU) Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, effective April 15. She previously served as interim head of the department.

Taylor joined the AU faculty as an associate professor and the Alfa Endowed Eminent Scholar in 2021.



“I’m excited for the opportunity to serve Auburn University’s students, faculty and staff, as well as the state’s stakeholders,” Taylor said. “I look forward to assisting the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology in upholding the land-grant mission of teaching, research and extension for the benefit of the agricultural industry and communities across Alabama.”

Nominate Experts for Annual Awards

Alabama farmers are encouraged to nominate research and Extension personnel whose work tangibly impacted their farms for two awards from the Alabama Farmers Federation. Nominations close June 6.

The Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture & Forestry Research recognizes Auburn University faculty for creative and original research. The winner receives up to $10,000 in program support, which can fund graduate students or research operations.

The Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension honors Alabama Extension staff developing or implementing solutions for stakeholder-identified problems. The winner receives up to $5,000 for programming costs.

Winners will be recognized in August during the Federation’s Farm & Land Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Strong Introduces Legislation to Study Viability of Growing Winter Canola

U.S. Reps. Dale Strong, R-Ala., David Kustoff, R-Tenn., and Tracey Mann, R-Kan., recently introduced the Winter Canola Study Act. This legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) to study the gap in crop insurance coverage for double-crop grown winter oilseeds, such as canola.  

Additionally, the bill recognizes economic and environmental benefits of double-crop grown canola and emphasizes investing in oilseeds to provide a more robust market for farmers, effectively boosting rural communities, creating jobs and strengthening energy security. 

"The Winter Canola Study Act would give north Alabama farmers crucial new information and broaden the opportunity to plant winter canola as an alternative double crop option,” Strong said. “I am proud to work on behalf of farmers by joining Representative Kustoff and my colleagues in introducing this legislation. This research would help create a more competitive market for farmers while supporting the hard work they do to provide our food, fiber and fuel.” 

Emergency Commodity Assistance Program Dashboard Released

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently created a public-facing dashboard for the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP).

The dashboard, updated weekly, includes numbers for applications that have been approved and paid. It does not include any application that has been initiated or signed by an applicant but not approved.

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