Federation Summer Conference Centered on Family, Fellowship | |
Balloons, lights, live music and constant chatter brought life to Montgomery’s Union Station Train Shed Aug. 1 during the Alabama Farmers Federation Family Reunion.
The farmers’ fun set the stage for the organization’s annual Farm & Land Conference, where over 700 attendees gathered in the Capital City to cultivate knowledge through tours, seminars and contests.
Participants scattered from Auburn to Uniontown and from Montevallo to Union Springs for farm tours Day 2. Stops included ArborGen, Autauga Farming Co., Bell Place Farms, Blue Ribbon Dairy, Bonnie Plants, Cleveland Land & Cattle, Dobbs Equipment, Green Valley Farms, Harvest Select’s catfish farm, Looney Farms, Parnell Farms, Petals from the Past, SweetCreek Farm Market and Whippoorwill Vineyards.
Commodity-specific educational tracks and guest speakers guided Day 3’s agenda. Mark Purdy of Aimpoint Research addressed the farmers and discussed food security. Federation staff hosted an ag policy discussion on proposed Alfa Health Plans, while Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Beau Brodbeck spoke on H-2A labor laws.
Encouraging words from Caroleene Dobson, Alabama FarmPAC-endorsed candidate for Congressional District 2, closed the conference.
| |
Contests Honor Creative Creations of Skilled Sewers, Crafters | |
A steady stream of Alabama Farmers Federation members cycled through displays of quilts, table runners and wreaths, hoping to see winning ribbons hanging next to entries created by peers from their home counties.
Across five sewing and wreath-making contests, 13 talented seamstresses and crafters received top prizes Aug. 3.
The annual contests are sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Women’s Leadership Division and took place during the Federation’s Farm & Land Conference.
“These contests are always the heartbeat of our Women’s events," said Women’s Leadership Division Director Kim Earwood. "It’s great to see the creativity of our members, but the best thing is that the display of entries gives our people the chance to gather in the exhibit hall, swap stories of their sewing successes and failures, and celebrate the efforts of talented, like-minded folks."
| |
Young Farmers Capture Contest Victories in Capital City | |
A top crop of young farmers walked away victorious during contests at the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Conference Aug. 3.
All finalists received a custom Young Farmers of Alabama Yeti cooler, compliments of the Federation. Winners will represent Alabama during the American Farm Bureau Federation competition in San Antonio, Texas, in January 2025.
| |
Outstanding Young Farm Family | |
Whit and Amanda Lovelady from Talladega County were named Alabama’s Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF). The Loveladys raise cattle and hay with their children Annagrace and John Luke.
As the OYFF, they will receive over $70,000 in prizes including $40,000 toward a new Ford truck compliments of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere 835M Gator sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and a year’s lease on a John Deere tractor courtesy of John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen.
Garrett and Robin Dixon of Lee County were named first runner-up. They raise row crops with their children Chandler Jane and Cash. They will receive use of a Kubota M series tractor courtesy of Kubota.
Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County were named second runner-up and earned a custom chemical package from Corteva Agriscience. The Wendlands raise row crops and hay and have three children, Mills, Smith and Rhett.
The runners-up also received $500 each from perennial sponsors Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.
| |
Excellence in Agriculture | |
Excellence in Agriculture winners Will and Ali Gotcher of Colbert County competed against 11 contestants and will receive a zero-turn Grasshopper lawn mower sponsored by Corteva Agriscience.
This event allows participants to showcase agriculture’s role in their lives and present solutions to major industry hurdles. Will works at Spruell Farms, while Ali is a regional Alabama Extension agent.
First runner-up was Caleb Beason of Franklin County, with Josh and Bailey Williams of Tallapoosa County as second runner-up.
| |
|
Twenty-three young farmers competed in the Discussion Meet, which simulates a committee meeting where participants discuss solutions to agricultural issues.
The four finalists are Will Meadows of Houston County; Erin Tolleson of Marshall County; Levi Noles of Randolph County; and Chase Hammock of Talladega County.
The Final Four will compete during the Federation’s annual meeting in December. The winner will receive a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit.
| |
Beef
August’s feeder cattle futures contract paints a picture of continued volatility as stress from the global financial system and war in the Middle East create uncertainty in financial markets. From July 27 to Aug. 6, feeder cattle futures declined by 7%, or $16.85/cwt. This decline is equivalent to $134.80 per head on an 800-pound feeder steer. While prices have declined, feed cattle cash prices are still up by more than 33%, or $60/cwt, over the last 18 months. View the chart here.
Submitted by Chris Prevatt
| | |
Dairy
Dairy cow slaughter experienced an increase following the July Fourth holiday but remains lower than last year and the five-year average. Over the past eight weeks, culling is down 18% year-over-year, with regional differences indicating a shift in milk production trends. The decline in slaughter supports higher cull cow prices and affects lean beef supply. Wholesale lean beef prices, dairy cow and heifer prices have risen, causing a stress in packing plants.Click here to read more.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
| | |
Fruit & Vegetable
The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is hosting a networking event Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. at Reeves' Peach Farm in Hartselle. RSVP by Aug. 9 to Deborah Long at dhlong@alfafarmers.org or (334) 613-4268.
Click here for more information.
Submitted by Blake Thaxton
| | |
Forestry
Alabama’s growing forestry industry has a $36 billion annual economic contribution and directly employs 54,265 people. Alabama is the fourth largest producer of lumber in the nation. The industry pays $8 billion in total annual labor income, according to the economic impact analysis by Jacksonville State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research. It showed an almost $7.4 billion increase from $28.9 billion impact in 2019.Click here to read more.
Submitted by William Green
| | |
Peanuts
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) is encouraging producers and consumers to take the Peanut Explorers Challenge.
Peanuts are the key to unlocking new flavors and expanding your palate. Put those taste buds to the test with this quick survey.
Access the test here.
Submitted by Kaye Lynn Hataway, APPA
| | |
Pork
A U.S. Department of Agriculture study confirmed U.S. pork is free from Trichinella (a parasitic worm) based on testing over 3.2 million pork samples. The study highlighted the effectiveness of biosecurity measures taken by U.S. pork producers to prevent Trichinella infection. The research supports the safety of U.S. pork, and it could help reduce trade barriers related to Trichinella concerns in international markets. Click here to read more.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
| | |
Complete the Anonymous Health Care Survey |
If passed, legislation for Alfa Health Plans would offer the following:
-
Affordability: An Alfa Health Plan would provide any Alabama Farmers Federation member a new option for reasonably priced health coverage.
-
Security: Once approved, members can’t be non-renewed, and their rates can’t go up based on individual health changes.
-
Convenience: There’s no open enrollment period. Members can apply or cancel any time.
-
Freedom: Government regulation is driving up health care costs. Health plans give members a market-driven option to reduce expense.
-
Stability: Affordable health coverage is essential to passing on farms and businesses to the next generation.
-
Quality: Health plans have proven successful at lowering costs for Farm Bureau members in other states. Alfa Health would partner with a licensed, third-party administrator to provide comprehensive coverage and personal service from a trusted source.
| |
Alabama Century and Heritage Farm Program Honors Family Tradition | |
Agricultural roots run deep for John Boutwell. His family’s Butler County farm has been in production for over a century. That passion for preservation led to statewide recognition when Cedar Creek Plantation was named a Century and Heritage Farm in 2019.
“Land can be lost,” John said. “That makes you appreciate that it’s been in our family for 100 years. We’ve been put here to be stewards of the land.”
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has administered the Century and Heritage Farm program since 1976. More than 700 family farms have since been honored. There’s a Bicentennial Farm program, too, celebrating farms that have reached 200 years.
Applications for the Century and Heritage as well as Bicentennial programs are due Aug. 23. To apply, visit agi.alabama.gov.
“This accomplishment tells the story of our family,” John said. “Farmland is difficult for farmers to hang on to. It says a lot that we’ve been able to continue the tradition.”
| |
Sign Up for Sweet Grown Alabama's Newsletter | |
|
Alabama farmers are encouraged to sign up for the Sweet Grown Alabama monthly e-newsletter.
Sweet Grown Alabama is a non-profit foundation that enhances marketing opportunities for Alabama farmers by connecting retailers and consumers to Alabama-grown foods and other agricultural products.
The monthly newsletter is filled with farmer testimonials, a guide to produce in season, highlights of local restaurants, recipes and more.
| |
-
Madison County's Seth and Kaylee Hubert of Hubert Family Farms received the 2024 Soul of the South award in the farming & agriculture category. The exclusive celebration brings together industry leaders and a new wave of talent. The Huberts operate an agritourism farm for tulips in spring and sunflowers during fall, and they raise row crops. Click here to read more.
-
The Adopt A Cow program is taking applications for classroom teachers to receive photos, stories and updates on dairy cows to then share with students. Enroll in the free program by Sept. 15. Click here for more information.
-
The National FFA Organization reached a membership milestone of over 1 million members. FFA is a student-led leadership development organization that focuses on ag education. The Alabama FFA Association has 31,591 members. Click here to read more.
| |
The second half of season 10 is underway with brand new episodes.
Aug 10/11/14: Outstanding Young Farm Family second runners-up the Wendlands of Autauga County; the Poppy Project in downtown Prattville; Rural Roundup; and a Southern Bite recipe for Vanilla Wafer Cake, sponsored by Priester's Pecans. *Please note, the show will air at 5:30 a.m. on WPMI TV out of Mobile. For Huntsville viewers, the show will air on Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. on The365, which is available on cable and digitally at channel 48.5.
Aug 17/18/21: Outstanding Young Farm Family first runners-up the Dixons of Lee County; the Children’s Hands-on Museum in Tuscaloosa; a Farm Bill update with Alabama Farmers Federation’s Mitt Walker; and a Southern Bite recipe for Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam. *Please note this show will air at 5:30 a.m. on WPMI TV out of Mobile.
Follow Simply Southern on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news about the show.
| |
-
Sept. 5 - Women's Leadership Division Heritage Cooking Contest in Montgomery.
-
Sept. 24 - Policy Development Meeting in Montgomery. The event is invitation only.
| | | | |