Federation State Board Meets Extension Director

Alabama Extension Director Eve Brantley visited with Alabama Farmers Federation state board members and Alfa Insurance leadership Jan. 26 at the Federation home office in Montgomery.

Conversations filled the board room as farmers shared future Extension goals.

Brantley began her role as Extension director in January. 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 University's Water Resources Center and has been a long-standing member of the faculty in Auburn's College of Agriculture.

The Federation is grateful for Dr. Brantley's leadership and its partnership with Extension.

Meet FarmPAC-Endorsed Candidates on AgCast

Alabama FarmPAC-endorsed candidates Corey Hill and Steve Marshall recently joined the Alabama AgCast to discuss their backgrounds, goals and qualifications for office.

Hill is a poultry and cattle farmer who serves as mayor of Douglas in Marshall County. He's the FarmPAC candidate for Alabama commissioner of agriculture and industries.

Marshall, current Alabama attorney general, is the FarmPAC candidate for U.S. Senate.

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.

State Committees Meet at Home Office

The Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers and Women's Leadership committees met at the Federation home office in January to discuss advocacy plans for 2026.

Young Farmers Committee members include:

- Forrest Anders, chair, Morgan County

- Cal Logan, vice chair, Greene County

- Trey Colley, secretary, Baldwin County

- Erin Tolleson, Marshall County

- Jordyn Upchurch, Clay County

- KoryAnn Watt, Sumter County

- Ryan Cox, Chilton County

- Shelby Easterling, Barbour County

- Jacob Porter, Clay County

- Ellie Watson, Autauga County

- Emmanuel Bankston, Henry County

- Drew & Lauren Wendland, Autauga County

Women's Leadership Committee members include:

- Lisa Lake, chair, Cullman County

- Dixie Black, vice chair, Butler County

- Amy Belcher, secretary, Montgomery County

- Shelley East, Cherokee County

- Caitlin Carpenter, Talladega County

- Rachel Chastain, Talladega County

- Melissa Palmer, Elmore County

- Vickie Watkins, Tallapoosa County

- Debbie Miller, Mobile County

Read the Latest Issue of Neighbors Magazine

On the Cover: Morgan County's Forrest Anders is taking the reins as State Young Farmers Committee chair. A row crop farmer, Anders understands the encouragement Young Farmers need to cultivate continued success.

Additional articles:

• Leading Lady: Lake Chairs State Women’s Committee

• Simply Southern, Extension Strengthen Partnership for 2026

• Pork to Plate Program Equips Educators

• Farmhouse Kitchen with Cherokee county's Jill Bailey

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 and farm tours.

Participants will receive professional development hours, plus 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.

Quick Clicks

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently advanced American farmers and equipment owners’ lawful right to repair their farm and other nonroad diesel equipment. EPA’s new guidance to manufacturers clarifies that the Clean Air Act (CAA) supports, rather than restricts, Americans’ ability to make repairs on their own. It clarifies manufacturers can no longer use the CAA to justify limiting access to repair tools or software. For America’s farmers, timely and affordable repairs are essential to planting, harvesting and keeping operations running. Read more.

• The Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor banquet is Feb. 20 in Auburn. Register to attend by today, Feb. 9.

• Ashley Henderson was recently named executive director of the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, bringing extensive experience in water resources and conservation leadership to the agency. Henderson previously served as assistant executive director. Learn more.

New Season of Simply Southern TV

Enjoy more episodes of Simply Southern TV during the show's 12th season.

Feb. 15: Bennett Farms pumpkin patch in Heflin, Tuscaloosa’s Paul W. Bryant Museum, introduction to Alabama Extension Director Eve Brantley and Stacey Little's Garlic Soy Cucumber Salad.

Follow Simply Southern on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news about the show.

In Memory