Updates for Alabama Farmers

Dec. 11, 2025

Farmers Praise Trump Aid Package

Alabama Farmers Federation is praising the recent announcement by President Donald J. Trump of $12 billion in aid for farmers impacted by rising costs and lower commodity prices.

“This announcement is yet another demonstration of President Trump’s commitment to the American farmer,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “As he works to level the playing field for U.S. agriculture on the world market, these relief payments will help farmers weather the storm of low commodity prices brought about by the Biden Administration’s neglect of international trade for four years.”

This aid package follows Emergency Commodity Assistance Program and disaster payments issued earlier this year and passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which included updates farmers sought in a long-overdue farm bill.

The bulk of the aid package — about $11 billion — is set aside for the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which will provide one-time payments to row crop farmers by Feb. 28. Eligible farmers will know by the end of December how much aid to expect, which will allow them to meet with lenders and makes plans for the upcoming crop year.

The remaining $1 billion will be held as the U.S. Department of Agriculture evaluates negative trade impacts on specialty crop producers and how funds can help offset losses.

Hear more on the Alabama AgCast.

Fighting for Farmers: Federation Marks Banner Year at 104th Annual Meeting

After a banner year fraught with battles on Capitol Hill and in weather-worn fields, Alabama farmers celebrated resiliency, resolve and their reliance on a higher power Dec. 7-8 in Montgomery.

Themed “Fighting for Farmers,” the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 104th annual meeting welcomed more than 1,300 farmers to the Capital City.

There, conservative firecracker and FOX News commentator Tomi Lahren energized the robust audience. She encouraged “forgotten Americans” to engage in the political arena as the calendar flips closer to midterm elections.

Additionally, awards ceremonies honored farmers for local and statewide impact. Retiring Southwest Area Vice President Jake Harper of Wilcox County received the Service to Agriculture Award, while three Senior Leader Awards were presented to Dennis Maze, Blount County; David Herring, Franklin County; and LD Fitzpatrick, Montgomery County. Eligible honorees include farmers who served as county president, State Women’s Leadership Committee chair or on the state board and are over 70 years old.

Four Individual Leader Awards highlighted county-level impact. Those recognized were Matt Webb, Jackson County; Scott Woodall, Jackson County; Jimmy Green, Macon County; and Dr. David Evans, St. Clair County.

The excitement around Alfa Health Plans continued as Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, were recognized for their tireless advocacy.

The Federation paid respect, too, to leaders lost in the last year during the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF) Tribute Breakfast. Members also raised $11,750 via a silent auction to continue AFAF’s work in agricultural education.

Leaders Elected to Federation State Board

The Alabama Farmers Federation made history Dec. 8 when farmer-delegates elected the organization’s first female officer to its state board while honoring a longtime vice president.

As Southwest Area vice president, Hope Cassebaum of Baldwin County will also serve on the Alfa Insurance board. She replaces Jake Harper of Wilcox County, who served 32 cumulative years on the board and could not seek reelection due to term limits.

Cassebaum, a row crop, cattle and specialty crop farmer, will now serve an area that includes Baldwin, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Sumter, Washington and Wilcox counties.

Elected as Central Area vice president was Calhoun County’s Jon Hegeman. He will continue serving Autauga, Bibb, Calhoun, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Lamar, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties in his fourth term. Hegeman is a greenhouse owner.

Conecuh County’s Steve Dunn was chosen to serve his 14th two-year term as secretary-treasurer. Dunn is a row crop and cattle farmer and covers all 67 counties.

Additionally, four district directors were elected to three-year terms. They are:

District 2 - Charles Butler, Madison County
District 5 - Will Gilmer, Lamar County
District 8 - Stewart Koon, Pickens County
District 11 - Mark Kaiser, Baldwin County, reelected

Cullman County’s Lisa Lake and Morgan County’s Forrest Anders will serve one-year, ex-officio terms on the state board. The two were elected chairs of the State Women’s Leadership Committee and State Young Farmers Committee, respectively.

Young Farmers, Women Elect State Leadership

Young Farmers and Women’s Leadership delegates focused on the future as they rallied to elect state committee leaders at the Alabama Farmers Federation's 104th annual meeting in Montgomery Dec. 7-8.

Young Farmers Recognized for Achievements

Exceptional Young Farmers were honored at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 104th annual meeting Dec. 8 in Montgomery as a competitive contest season closed.

Statewide winners in Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture and Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) received prizes after besting other competitors ages 18-35 in the Alabama Young Farmers contests.

All three winners will compete for national titles during American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention in Anaheim, California, in January.

Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County received a prize package worth more than $80,000 as Alabama’s 2025 OYFF contest winner. They earned $40,000 toward a Ford vehicle courtesy of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and a year’s lease on a John Deere tractor from John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen. The Wendlands raise row crops, cattle and hay in Autaugaville. They have three children, Mills, Smith and Rhett.

Drew Wear of Lawrence County won the statewide Discussion Meet contest. Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting where participants discuss solutions to agricultural issues. Wear, a poultry farmer, made the Final Four during competition at the Farm & Land Conference earlier this year. Wear received a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit.

Josh and Bailey Williams of Tallapoosa County were honored as 2025 Excellence in Agriculture contest winners. The Williamses received a zero-turn mower from Corteva Agriscience and were named the winners at the Farm & Land Conference earlier this year.

They raise cattle in Eclectic. Josh is a career technical education director, and Bailey is a speech language pathologist.

Garrett and Robin Dixon of Lee County were recognized as first runner-up in Alabama’s 2025 OYFF contest. They earned a 250-hour lease on a Kubota M series tractor from Kubota. The Dixons raise row crops and cattle in Salem. They have two children, Chandler Jane and Cash.

Jacob and Misty Porter of Clay County were recognized as second runner-up in Alabama’s 2025 OYFF contest. They earned a custom chemical package from Corteva Agriscience. The Porters raise poultry, cattle and hogs in Lineville. They have two children, Olen and Asher.

Farmers Elect Peers to Commodity Committees

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Alabama farmers gathered in the Capital City Dec. 7-8 to fine-tune commodity-specific leadership, charting the course for a productive new year.

Those Alabama Farmers Federation commodity committee elections were held during the organization’s 104th annual meeting in Montgomery.

Farmers voted in elections for bee & honey; beef; cotton; dairy; equine; forestry; greenhouse, nursery & sod; hay & forage; pork; poultry; sheep & goat; soybean; wheat & feed grain; and wildlife.

Retiring members of state commodity committees were honored for serving the maximum nine years. They were:

Cody Young, Barbour County, cotton
Sammy Roney, Houston County, cotton
Matt Green, Russell County, dairy
Dr. Phil Hardee, Monroe County, forestry
Heather Wright; Dallas County; greenhouse, nursery & sod
Jack Robertson, Chambers County, hay & forage
Jeff Lassiter, Choctaw County, hay & forage
Jimmy Parker, Cullman County, sheep & goat
John Tucker, Lawrence County, soybean
David Ellis, Marshall County, soybean
John Bevel, Marshall County, wheat & feed grain
Leo Allen, Choctaw County, wildlife
Bob Plaster, Lee County, wildlife

View election results.

Farmers Honor Longtime Vice President

Jake Harper of Wilcox County was presented the Alabama Farmers Federation Service to Agriculture Award Dec. 8 during the organization’s 104th annual meeting in Montgomery. The Service to Agriculture Award is the Federation’s highest honor.

Harper, a cattleman and timber landowner who lives near Camden, has served 32 cumulative years on the organization’s state board, most recently as Southwest Area vice president.

In addition to his Federation service, Harper is a longtime local Soil & Water Conservation District board member; has served multiple terms on the Federation State Forestry Committee; and is on the Forever Wild Land Trust board. He’s also past president of the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts and Alabama TREASURE Forest Association. The Harpers attend Camden Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church.

While this season of change is admittedly emotional, Harper and wife Pam said they look forward to adventures ahead, including greater freedom as Papa and Gigi to grandsons Cal, Banks and Wil, plus time with Jacob and wife Landon; Morgan and wife Patricia; and Claudia and husband Bannock Farrens.

As board members have changed, Harper has been a steady source of insight to incoming leaders. His influence is undeniable — though he humbly sidesteps the compliment.

“I have learned a lot, and I hope I’ve given just a little to the Federation,” he said. “It’s just really matured me in what I saw, what I learned and who I met. The outstanding men and women who have served on the board have been admirable individuals.”

Beef

A recent report by Alabama Farmers Federation Beef Division Director Chris Prevatt highlights the dramatic fall of feeder cattle prices in October and November. View the report.

Cotton

Farmers are encouraged to attend the free Wiregrass Cotton Expo Jan. 22 at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan. Attendees can peruse the latest in cotton farming technology with more than 30 vendors. Learn more.

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., discussed the Buying American Cotton Act during a Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing with Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer. Listen to Britt's comments.

Corn

Hansen-Mueller Co., a grain dealer who failed to pay Alabama producers for grain delivered on its behalf, has filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and is in the process of liquidating assets. Company leaders said they hope to restructure and remain in business. The court has set the deadline of Jan. 26 to file a proof of claim. Read more.

Dairy

The Dairy Alliance is accepting applications for its 2026 Southeast Dairy Ambassador Program through Jan. 1 High school and college students ages 16 and older are invited to apply to help promote dairy at public events. Learn more.

Fruit & Vegetable

Registration is open for the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Annual Conference & Trade Show Feb. 4-6 in Gulf Shores. Register and view agenda.

Peanuts

The Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show is set for Jan. 29 in Dothan at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds. The event gives peanut growers the chance to explore products and services from more than 60 exhibitors and speak directly with researchers from local land-grant universities. Learn more.

Poultry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts higher broiler production in 2026, supported by strong hatchery numbers and lower feed costs. Egg production is expected to rise as laying hen inventories recover. Together, these gains will increase overall supply in 2026, which could put downward pressure on prices if demand remains steady. Learn more.

Row Crops

Alabama Extension is hosting its Row Crops Short Course Jan. 20-21 in Prattville. The annual statewide conference shares the latest information from researchers, industry representatives and Extension professionals about row crop management and production in Alabama. Register now.

APPA Seeks National Peanut Board Nominees, Holds Annual Meeting

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) is seeking eligible peanut producers interested in serving on the National Peanut Board. APPA will host its annual meeting and nominations for National Peanut Board during the Alabama-Florida Trade Show Jan. 29 at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds at 5622 Highway 231 S, Dothan, AL 36301.

The APPA annual meeting is at 11:15 a.m. in the Volunteer Building. All members are encouraged to participate.

APPA will hold an election to select two nominees each for member and alternate to the National Peanut Board around 1 p.m. All eligible peanut producers are encouraged to participate. Eligible producers are those who are engaged in the production and sale of peanuts and who own or share the ownership and risk of loss of the crop.

Thomas Adams is the current Alabama National Peanut Board member, and Josh McCoy serves as alternate. Their terms expire Dec. 31, 2026.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires two nominees from each state for each position of member and alternate. The National Peanut Board will submit Alabama’s slate of nominees to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who makes the appointments.

Brantley Named Alabama Extension Director

Auburn University has named Eve Brantley as the 1862 Extension director for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The appointment follows years of Brantley’s leadership within Alabama Extension, where she has served in roles ranging from multi-county agent to associate director. She also served as director of Auburn’s Water Resources Center and has been a long-standing faculty member in the College of Agriculture’s Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences.

Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said Dr. Brantley has the leadership skills to strengthen Extension’s relevance and impact.

"Her experience and relationships within Extension will allow her to hit the ground running as she identifies areas for improvement and develops strategies for success," Parnell said. "Dr. Brantley is well respected among our members for her willingness to listen to their concerns and work alongside the agricultural community to solve problems."

Federation Applauds Alabama Power Decision to Maintain Rates

Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell applauded the Alabama Public Service Commission and Alabama Power's recent commitment to keep customer rates steady through 2027 while maintaining the dependable service customers count on.

“While all Alabamians are dealing with the lingering effects of inflation, farmers have been hit especially hard," Parnell said. "Commodity prices are at record lows, and farmers can’t pass along rising production costs. Keeping electricity rates stable through 2027 is good news for all farmers, particularly those who rely on Alabama Power for everything from poultry house ventilation and greenhouse fans to catfish pond aeration and irrigation pumps.”

Learn more.

Port Authority CEO Visits Federation Office

Alabama Farmers Federation leadership and staff welcomed Alabama Port Authority’s new CEO, Doug Otto, to its home office in Montgomery Dec. 10.

The Port of Mobile plays a critical role in moving goods grown and produced on Alabama farms and in her forests. The Federation is grateful for Mr. Otto’s leadership and looks forward to continuing its relationship on behalf of Alabama farmers.

The 2026 Young Farmers Conference is Feb. 27-March 1 in Gulf Shores. The deadline to apply is Jan. 23. Register for the conference.

Interviews for the Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) competition will be held at the conference, which includes a slate of educational speakers and networking opportunities. OYFF applications are due Jan. 19. Access more information.

AFBF Sponsor Spotlight

The Alabama Farmers Federation appreciates the support of national sponsors of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers program.

Learn more about AFBF YF&R.

Quick Clicks

The Trump Administration is backing Bayer’s bid for Supreme Court review of whether federal law pre-empts pesticide lawsuits filed in state courts. Learn more.

Gov. Kay Ivey recently announced a new tractor assembly plant is coming to Monroeville. Bad Boy Mowers plans to invest $10.5 million to turn the former Vanity Fair distribution center into a plant that will create 50 jobs. Read more.

In Memory

The Alabama Farmers Federation mourns the loss of Doug Rigney, a legend in Alabama agriculture.

His 35 years of service to the Federation touched countless lives and left a lasting legacy.

Doug’s career began as a field service representative and rose steadily through the organization. He served as Young Farmers Division director; director of Field Services; general manager of Alfa Services; assistant executive director; and executive director. His dedication to agriculture called him back after retirement, when he became Alabama’s deputy commissioner of agriculture in 2003.

View obituary.

Season Greetings From the Federation

As the 2025 season comes to a close, the Alabama Farmers Federation thanks our Cultivator readers. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! The Cultivator will return Jan. 7.