March 20, 2025

Farmers Can Apply for Row Crop Aid

Row crop farmers impacted by poor economic conditions can now apply for the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program. Applications close Aug. 15.

Alabama Farmers Federation’s Mitt Walker said eligible farmers will receive a prefilled application via mail that notes individual payment calculations but can also apply online or in a Farm Service Agency office.

“We appreciate Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for implementing this process, which should quickly get much-needed assistance in the hands and bank accounts of our farmers,” said Walker, the Federation’s National Affairs director. “American agriculture is hurting, and few are dealing with tougher times than our row crop guys. With spring planting just around the corner, we’re hopeful this will help farmers get another, hopefully profitable, crop in the ground.”

Initial payments will be 85% of the calculation authorized in the American Relief Act. Congress passed the measure in December, releasing $10 billion in federal aid to help row crop producers combat depressed commodity markets and sky-high inflation.

If funds remain after the first tranche of payments, a second will be issued after Aug. 15.

Click for a fact sheet.

Click for FAQs.

Farmers Relieved as Britt Backs WOTUS Revision

Alabama Farmers Federation recently thanked U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., for her recent commitment to back a clear, concise, commonsense revision to the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

“Sen. Britt understands that our farmers and landowners are wise stewards of the land,” said Federation National Affairs Director Mitt Walker. “For years, our members have sought a rule they can interpret without the need to hire lawyers or consultants. We’re hopeful that, under the Trump Administration, the goal is again in sight.”

Britt was on hand March 12 when Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin revealed the agency’s intent to deliver on President Donald Trump’s promise to review WOTUS.

“There is no issue that when I travel the state of Alabama, literally every single county, that doesn’t come up more than this one,” Britt said during the announcement. “This is what is affecting the men and women that we serve. We hear this every time we go home; we hear this every time they come to D.C., and to get to be a part of actually effecting change, it feels good.”

The WOTUS saga now spans four presidential administrations, beginning with President Barack Obama’s 2015 Clean Water Rule.

Tuberville Files Bill to Help Honey Producers

Legislation filed by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., could spell sweet news for domestic beekeepers and honey producers.

The Honey Integrity Act would protect American producers from being undercut by counterfeit, foreign honey imports, Tuberville said.

“America’s beekeepers and honey producers work tirelessly to ensure we have access to pure, quality honey,” said Tuberville, who serves on the Senate Ag Committee. “But sadly, the lack of uniform standards is creating loopholes foreign honey producers are increasingly exploiting. Our honey producers deserve a level playing field, and Americans deserve to know exactly what they’re putting in their bodies.”

This legislation would instruct the Food & Drug Administration to create a standard identity for honey. The Health & Human Services secretary would also be required to report enforcement against adulterated or misbranded honey to Congress.

U.S. Reps. Greg Steube, R-Fla., and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., have filed companion legislation in the House.

The Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Commercial Beekeepers Association and American Honey Producers Association back the beekeeper-friendly legislation.

Fruit & Vegetable

California strawberry nurseries have been unaffected by Neopestalotiopsis (neo) disease impacting plants. Following this season’s outbreak in Prince Edward Island nurseries, Southeastern growers need a dependable nursery source where fears over neo are not warranted. As of now, California remains that reliable nursery source. Read more from Specialty Crop Grower.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries recently received reports of “unsolicited” seeds being delivered to residents across the state through the U.S. Postal Service. The seeds reported were identified as tomato and onion seeds and tested negative for harmful compounds. Read more.

Submitted by Blake Thaxton

Poultry

Depopulation is used as a disease control tool primarily because highly contagious animal diseases can spread rapidly, causing devastating economic and agricultural consequences. When diseases like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever infect livestock or poultry, they can quickly decimate entire herds or flocks, leading to severe losses for farmers and disruptions in the food supply chain. By culling infected and exposed animals, authorities aim to stop the disease from spreading to other farms, which helps protect both animal health and agricultural industries. Effective disease control through depopulation is often necessary to maintain consumer confidence, prevent trade restrictions and preserve access to international markets as outbreaks can lead to significant economic sanctions on impacted regions. Read more.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reopened the public comment period for its interim final rule on indemnity and compensation protocols following detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry facilities. This rule mandates that affected poultry farms undergo a biosecurity audit before restocking and receiving indemnity payments, emphasizing the importance of robust biosecurity measures to combat the virus. Additionally, farms within a 7-kilometer buffer zone around an infected area must also complete a biosecurity audit to qualify for future indemnity. The public can submit comments through April 14. Read more.

Submitted by Colton Christjohn

Forestry

Alabama landowners are encouraged to participate in the 2024 Costs and Trends of Southern Forestry Practices Survey. The survey provides information to help forest landowners make informed decisions on their property. This questionnaire is used to better understand the cost of current forestry practices and serve as a long-term study about how costs and management practices change over time. The responses from this survey are important in shaping the narrative of forestry practices in the South and influencing policy decisions that affect private forest landowners. Take the survey here.

Submitted by William Green

Boots Down in DC: Farmers Make Connections in the Capital

As federal lawmakers tackle tough decisions that impact the future of American agriculture, over 150 Alabama farmers spent March 4-7 in the shadow of Capitol Hill sharing their stories and concerns.

Alabama Farmers Federation members visited with legislators and agriculture industry leaders to discuss issues such as a new farm bill with updated reference prices. Other conversations centered around taxes, labor, land development, input costs and young farmers during the Washington Legislative Conference.

The biennial meeting began with encouraging messages from Farm Bureau presidents of Idaho, Mississippi and New York as Federation President Jimmy Parnell hosted a panel discussion.

Farmers sat down with lawmakers, staff members and ag industry leaders. Those included representatives from Auburn University, U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Production and Conservation, JBS America, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, AmericanHort, National Cotton Council and others.

Additionally, members enjoyed a congressional barbecue featuring Alabama-made products including Bishop’s BBQ of Colbert County and Priester’s Pecans of Lowndes County. Alabama Republican U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt stopped by to visit with farmers for photos, food and fellowship. During the dinner, Britt was honored as American Farm Bureau Federation's Outstanding New Member of Congress.

Farmers also had engaging breakfast meetings with their U.S. representatives.

Hear more on the Alabama AgCast.

Livestock Expo Makes Memories in Montgomery

Memories were made in Montgomery during the Jr. Livestock Expo (JLE), an event sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance. Livestock shows are held in conjunction with the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

The Dairy Show was March 7, while Beef and Swine were March 13-15. JLE included 188 exhibitors showing 388 animals.

Martin Ellis Boyd of Coffee County exhibited the Grand Champion Market Animal in the Beef Show.

Harper Starnes of DeKalb County exhibited the Grand Champion Heifer in the Beef Show.

Camden Upchurch of Clay County exhibited the Grand Champion Breeding Bull in the Beef Show.

Mason Patterson of St. Clair County exhibited the Senior Grand Champion Animal in the Dairy Show.

Charlee Stone of Jefferson County exhibited the Supreme Grand Champion Breeding Gilt in the Swine Show.

Tucker Ross of Jefferson County exhibited the Supreme Grand Champion Market Hog in the Swine Show.

Beef Show photos.

Dairy Show photos.

Swine Show photos.

Hear more about JLE on the Alabama AgCast.

Peanut Producers Celebrate Peanut Month

Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate proclaimed March as National Peanut Month March 18, encouraging Alabamians to enjoy peanuts year-round.

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association also celebrated Peanut Day at the Alabama State House this week. Peanut farmers and industry members distributed chocolate-covered peanuts to legislators in thanks for their support of the peanut industry, which contributes $238 million annually to the state’s economy.

More than 900 farm families grow peanuts on 190,000 acres in 34 counties across the state. They produce over 500 million pounds of peanuts annually.

Weekly updates on legislative issues impacting agriculture, landowners and rural Alabama are sent in the Alabama Farmers Federation's Capitol Connection e-newsletter each Friday during the legislative session.

Read last week's issue.

Alfa Health Plans Could Help Alabama Farmers

Farmers and lawmakers continued to discuss the Alabama Farmers Federation’s proposed Alfa Health Plans legislation last week during the Legislature’s constituent services work week.

HB 477 and SB 84 would authorize the Federation to offer Alfa Health Plans to members as an affordable health care option.

Alfa Health Plans would loosen the grip the current insurance model holds on Alabama’s health care market, said SB 84 sponsor Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur.

“We’ve allowed the government regulations and laws, even with good intentions, to strangle innovation and change in health care because, once a model is in place, the market becomes invested in that model and can’t change for fear of losing market share or money,” Orr said. “The regulatory system has created this woefully expensive health care model and will resist change at every turn because so much is invested in the status quo."

Alfa Health Plans would be based on Farm Bureau plans in 10 states, which have lowered health care costs by 30%-60%. One of the many benefits of these plans is the freedom to develop contracts, which give members an affordable option.

“These Farm Bureaus are created for the benefit of their members; consequently, any health coverage they want to provide would presumably be favorable to the members who want to participate,” Orr said. “To me, it’s the best of both worlds. And, it’s a model that has proved itself viable and workable for decades in states that use it.”

While the legislation has faced pushback from the state’s largest health insurance provider, Orr said the fight shouldn’t be between organizations, but rather a focus on providing options to members.

Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin praised Orr for his legislative leadership.

“We thank Sen. Orr for his steadfast support and willingness to fight for affordable health care," Hardin said. "Many Alabama farm families and small business owners are not being served by the current insurance model, earning too much for Affordable Care Act subsidies but not enough to afford full-cost insurance. For these families, Alfa Health Plans are not just about health coverage; they're a financial lifeline for those whose health coverage costs more than their mortgage each month.”

Contact your legislators here.

This Month in Neighbors Magazine

On The Cover: Emmanuel Bankston's roots run deep in the American Farm Bureau Federation. The Henry County farmer has been an active member in three state organizations — South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and now, the Alabama Farmers Federation.