Ag Committee Releases Farm Bill Proposal 

Alabama farmers are hailing the proposed 2026 Farm Bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. G.T. Thompson, R-Pa., chair of the House Ag Committee.

The bill’s text was released Feb. 13 and builds on a strong foundation of farm-focused provisions passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill last summer. Thompson’s farm bill would address many of the remaining, soon-to-expire provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, including issues related to animal welfare, research and specialty crops. 

Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell thanked Thompson for his efforts to help farmers burdened with low commodity prices, high input costs and other difficult economic conditions.

“Farmers across this country are hurting,” Parnell said. “We appreciate Chairman Thompson’s work to provide real solutions to help the men and women who work tirelessly on their farms and in their fields. I’m asking members of Congress to rally together, to solve the crisis in farm country.”

EPA Rescinds GHG Endangerment Finding

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the rescission of its 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, which had enabled regulation of emissions from new vehicles and engines. This marks the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history and is projected to save Americans over $1.3 trillion.

Absent this finding, the EPA no longer has authority under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act to set greenhouse gas (GHG) standards.

The agency also repealed all GHG emission standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

As a result of these changes, engine and vehicle manufacturers no longer have any future obligations for the measurement, control and reporting of GHG emissions for any highway engine and vehicle, including model years manufactured prior to this final rule.

This final action is only related to GHG emissions and does not affect regulations on any traditional air pollutants.

AFVGA Honors Farmers, Celebrates Industry

The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) hosted its Annual Conference and Trade Show Feb. 4-6 in Gulf Shores.

Nearly 300 farmers, exhibitors and industry professionals gathered to learn and network with fellow farmers. During the conference, AFVGA honored farmers for outstanding achievements and innovative ideas.

AFVGA Exceptional Achievement Award: Larry LouAllen

Lawrence County’s Larry LouAllen is passionate about serving fellow specialty crop farmers. 

For decades, LouAllen has been instrumental in the horticulture industry. He’s served on the AFVGA board for 12 years, where his voice has guided policy decisions that impact specialty crop production. 

His servant leadership earned him the AFVGA Exceptional Achievement Award, the association's highest honor. This award recognizes an individual, family or organization who is actively involved in horticulture.

The fourth-generation farmer grows fruits and vegetables while raising ornamental plants and cattle at LouAllen Farms in Moulton. The family has converted an old horse barn into a farm store, where they sell Sweet Grown Alabama products to hundreds of customers each year. Special products include cornmeal grown and ground on the farm. Read more about LouAllen.

AFVGA Service to Horticulture Award: Don Wambles

A native of Elba who’s called Pike County home since the 1970s, Don Wambles joined the Alabama Farmers Market Authority in 1995 after an early career growing row crops and raising cattle.

Those firsthand farming experiences proved critical as he steadied a shaky agency and gave life to the organization’s mission: Help Alabama farmers.

Wambles became a fearless proponent of specialty crops, often going to bat for Alabama horticulture on state and national stages.

He led the clarion call for a senior nutrition program that would provide fresh fruits and vegetables — grown and sold by Alabama farmers — to elderly Alabamians.

His dedication, expertise and impact earned Wambles the Service to Horticulture Award, presented by AFVGA. The award honors a university, Extension or government agency staffer who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to Alabama’s horticulture industry. Read more about Wambles.

AFVGA Grow Forward Award: The McKathans

Covington County’s Sidney and Sheryl McKathan claimed the AFVGA inaugural Grow Forward Award. They netted a $5,000 prize, courtesy of First South Farm Credit.

The Grow Forward Award was established to honor fruit and vegetable growers who are shaping the future of specialty crop production through bold ideas, strategic thinking and strong leadership. 

The McKathans' farm, Pleasant Pastures, began in 2019 with honeybee hives. Since, it has grown into a well-loved specialty crop and agritourism operation in Andalusia. Pleasant Pastures implemented strawberry, pumpkin and summer produce U-pick offerings in 2025. Their most precious crop is children Elish and Ashley Nix, who serve as helping hands on the farm. Read more about the McKathans.

Retiree’s Voice Resonates Through Stories

For 30 years, Kevin Worthington was the voice of the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance — the warm resonance and punctuating lilt of his words creating the soundtrack for countless videos. 

Reflecting on his recent retirement, however, the former broadcast director is most proud of amplifying farmers’ voices. 

“It was always a joy for me to be able to tell the general public what the farmers were feeling, what they were going through and what they needed at certain points in time,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine coming to work where my job was just to promote a company. At Alfa, I got to promote agriculture, and it was a joy.”

Worthington selflessly advanced the Federation’s mission under three state presidents and helped the organization celebrate both its 75th and centennial anniversaries. He first met current Federation and Alfa CEO Jimmy Parnell during an Outstanding Young Farm Family interview in the mid ‘90s.

“Kevin didn’t just tell farmers’ stories. He is our friend,” Parnell said. “It’s hard to imagine watching a Federation or Alfa video and not hearing his voice. He is a talented videographer, writer and editor, but the reason Kevin is loved by our members is because he cares about them and what agriculture means to this country.”

Sign Up for Legislative News

The Alabama Farmers Federation provides legislative news and updates concerning farmers and Federation members in the Capitol Connection newsletter.

Sign up to receive news every Friday during the session.

In the Markets With Chris Prevatt

Corn Market Update

CME corn futures (nearby) are trading near $4.26 per bushel. In recent weeks, corn prices have been underpinned by exceptionally strong U.S. export demand, highlighted by weekly sales that surged past 2 million metric tons. That fundamental support is strengthened by emerging reports of severe mold damage in China’s domestic corn harvest following excessive rains, which is compromising grain quality and tightening supplies. As Chinese domestic prices rise, the widening price gap between U.S. and Chinese corn creates a compelling opportunity for the world’s largest feed consumer. While China has already increased purchases of Australian barley and U.S. sorghum to compensate, the systemic nature of its crop degradation suggests a high probability that buyers will eventually pivot toward U.S. corn to fill the gap. For U.S. producers, the current price gains remain subtle, but the combination of record export data and China’s deteriorating inventory points to a firmer price floor for corn as the market moves toward the spring planting window. Learn more.

Soybean Market Update

The recent $0.84 rally in CME soybean futures (nearby) to $11.48 per bushel over the last two weeks represents a premium driven by optimism surrounding a potential one-year extension of the U.S.-China trade truce. Markets are currently buoyed by claims of an additional 8 million metric ton purchase, yet farmers should remain cautious until those verbal commitments translate into confirmed export inspections. This upward momentum faces a formidable ceiling as U.S. Department of Agriculture raises Brazil's soybean crop forecast to record levels, ensuring a massive influx of South American supply on the market. The convergence of the Chinese New Year and the start of Ramadan suggests a looming seasonal lull in global buying activity that could leave the market vulnerable once the initial headlines fade. Learn more.

Farmland Preservation Committee in Action

The Alabama Farmers Federation established a committee of farmers from across the state to study strategies for combatting the loss of active agricultural land. The committee met Feb. 17 to prepare its plan of action.

They heard from Auburn University's Dr. Josh Duke and South Carolina Farm Bureau (SCFB) Executive Director Gary Spires. Duke gave an overview of farmland conservation across the country, while Spires provided insight on the SCFB Land Trust.

The committee discussed different farm conservation programs, the reception among participants in those programs and the paths each state took to establish those programs. The committee’s current goal is to learn more about a very broad topic and determine the interest in establishing a program in Alabama. Additional meetings have been put on the books for further discussion.

Farmland Preservation Committee members include: 

• Mark Byrd, chair – Morgan County
• Joel Sirmon – Baldwin County
• Daniel Trantham – Calhoun County
• Tim Little – Chilton County
• Steve Lake – Cullman County
• Thomas Adams – Henry County
• Ben Looney – Limestone and Lowndes counties
• Darren Hammonds – Lowndes County
• Dillon Turk – Mobile County

Clay County Couple Named AACD Conservation Farmers of the Year

Clay County's Lamar and Felicia Dewberry were named 2025 Conservation Farmers of the Year by the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) in recognition of their long-term commitment to conservation, sustainability and landowner education.

The Dewberrys manage 912 acres using sound conservation principles. The property includes open land, hardwoods, longleaf pine, mixed pine-hardwood and loblolly pine stands. Several hardwood areas are managed for white oak, providing wildlife mast while supporting future production of white oak staves for the barrel industry.

Lamar has served as president of the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association and Clay County Farmers Federation. He's currently chairman of the Alabama Farmers Federation State Forestry Committee.

Through stewardship, education and family involvement, the Dewberrys exemplify outstanding private land conservation in Alabama. Their recognition as Conservation Farmers of the Year reflects decades of careful planning, responsible forestry, wildlife habitat improvement and a lifelong commitment to leaving the land better for future generations across rural Alabama.

Alabama Agriculture Represented in D.C.

Alabama was well represented last week in Washington, D.C. during American Farm Bureau Federation Issue Advisory Committee (IAC) meetings.

• Agricultural Labor IAC: Alabama Farmers Federation District 6 Director and Shelby County Farmers Federation President Phillip Hunter, chairman
• Farm Policy IAC: Federation National Affairs Director Mitt Walker, state staff
• Wildlife Damage IAC: Federation Wildlife Division Director William Green, state staff

During visits in D.C., Hunter and Walker sat down with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden to discuss agricultural labor and other issues facing Alabama farmers.

Additionally, the Federation's Blake Thaxton had boots on the ground in D.C. advocating for ag labor and specialty crop growers.

Meet FarmPAC-Endorsed Candidate on AgCast

Founding Farmers: Agriculture’s Role in Cultivating the USA

Agriculture has been woven into the very fabric of the United States of America since its founding in 1776.

Around 90% of the colonial population worked as farmers, according to an 18th-century census. Those colonists often practiced subsistence agriculture, stewarding their natural resources while growing the food and fiber on which their families depended.

It’s fitting, then, that some of the country’s Founding Fathers were also Founding Farmers.

One of the most well-known planters-turned-politicians is Thomas Jefferson, who grew tobacco on his Virginia plantation, was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and later elected the third president of the U.S.

While not a farmer, Declaration signer and inventor Benjamin Franklin took a decided interest in agriculture. Mirroring the goal of modern conservationists, Franklin conducted experiments related to restoring fertility in nutrient-depleted soils.

Perhaps the most prominent Founding Farmer didn’t sign the Declaration. Instead, patriot George Washington led the Continental Army as its general during the Revolution. He later served as the young democratic republic’s first president.



Despite his public service, Washington was most at home on his Virginia farm, Mount Vernon. He’s often remembered in the farm community for saying, “I’d rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.”

Register for Women's Leadership Conference

The Women's Leadership Conference is April 8-10 in Auburn at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center. Registration ends March 4.

Teachers Can Apply for Free Workshop

The Alabama Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute is June 10-12 in Prattville. Alabama teachers are encouraged to apply for the free conference by April 15.

The workshop will include integrated agricultural activities for kindergarten through sixth grade, plus farm tours.

Participants will receive professional development hours, innovative materials and teaching strategies that increase student knowledge of the nutritional and economic importance of the food and fiber systems. Activities incorporate language arts, science, social studies and mathematics skills.

Apply for Endowed Scholarships by May 1

College students who are members of the Alabama Farmers Federation in Hale, Jefferson, Shelby and Sumter counties can apply for Federation endowed scholarships until May 1.

Ag News Around Alabama

In the News:

• Updates from D.C. with Mitt Walker
• Cotton jassid insights from Alabama Extension
• Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association conference recap
• Alabama legislature brief with Morgan Desselle
• Commodity news with Maggie Edwards
• Market report with Chris Prevatt

The Alabama AgCast is sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit.

In Memory