Alabama FarmPAC Issues Election Voter Guide | |
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Alabama FarmPAC has released a 2024 general election guide as a resource for voters when polls open Tuesday, Nov. 5.
A political action committee of the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama FarmPAC selects candidates through a grassroots endorsement process that originates at the county level.
Federation leaders encourage members to exercise their right to vote. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Rural Families Rally Around Dobson in District 2 Race | | |
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As the Nov. 5 election draws close, rural families have continued to rally around Caroleene Dobson, the Republican nominee for Congressional District 2.
Dobson is a working mom of two whose relatable personality, fresh perspective, Christian beliefs and background growing up on a cattle farm in Monroe County resonate with community members across the district. That includes young parents like Hannah and Dillon Turk of Semmes.
“My favorite thing about Caroleene is that she’s God-fearing,” Hannah said. “The first thing she does when faced with a problem is pray about it. We’re supporting Caroleene because we are confident she will fight for our farmers and our children. She personally knows the fears and concerns parents face in today’s world and is an inspiration to me as a mother. I know what she’s willing to sacrifice so she can fight to bring back the American dream for our children.”
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Farm Aid Introduced in Congress | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation and members of Alabama’s Congressional delegation are supporting the Bipartisan Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act of 2024 (FARM Act) recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss.
If passed, the legislation would provide financial support to farmers when their revenue falls below the cost of production for the 2024 crop year. Congress is in recess and likely won’t vote on the bill until December.
Commodities eligible for relief include barley, corn, cotton, dry peas, grain sorghum, oats, peanuts, soybeans, other oilseeds and wheat.
Payments will be calculated by a formula: (U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Projected Crop Cost – National Projected Returns) x Eligible Acres x 60% = FARM Act Payment.
Federation National Affairs Director Mitt Walker noted that because peanuts are not reported nationally on the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), the FARM Act peanut price could change.
“With peanuts being the main Alabama row crop not reported on the WASDE, the bill states the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will set a projected return for that commodity,” Walker said. “Despite this, we are working on ways to offer a price that will allow the FARM Act to adequately help peanut producers.”
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Beef
A recent release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture includes a breakdown of the number of steers and heifers on feed. The heifers on feed numbers show that herds are beginning to be rebuilt. The report indicated 40,000 fewer heifers on feed Oct. 1, 2024 than Oct. 1, 2023. That is less than 1% below last year. Click here to learn more.
Submitted by Chris Prevatt
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Corn
Tar spot, a fungal disease of corn, has been found on decorative cornstalks displayed at five chain-store locations in Alabama. The affected cornstalks all came from Canada. Though producers and other professionals scout for the disease regularly during the growing season, tar spot has not yet been reported in cornfields in Alabama.
For homeowners who have purchased decorative cornstalks that may carry the fungus, Alabama Cooperative Extension System experts recommend placing stalks in a garbage bag and disposing of them through the trash collection service. Do not toss the infected cornstalks into a commercial field or backyard garden, where the pathogen may be introduced into the environment. It only takes one case for the disease to gain a foothold in Alabama. Click here to read more.
Submitted by Carla Hornady
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Flowers
The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is hosting a cut-flower production workshop Dec. 3 in Chilton County. Topics include Alabama Cooperative Extension System's cut-flower research program, irrigation, fertigation, pest management and more. RSVP to Deborah Long at (334) 613-4268 or dhlong@alfafarmers.org by Nov. 26. Click here for details.
Submitted by Blake Thaxton
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Fruit & Vegetable
The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is hosting a regional membership meeting and networking event Dec. 3 in Chilton County. Dinner will be provided. RSVP to Deborah Long at (334) 613-4268 or dhlong@alfafarmers.org by Nov. 26. Click here for details.
Submitted by Blake Thaxton
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Peanuts
The National Peanut Board has introduced a new way to help parents introduce peanuts to their children. "Little Peanut" is a lovable plushie peanut that grows with families in every stage of life — from introducing peanut foods when starting solids in infancy to eating well-rounded school lunches and beyond. Click here to learn more.
Submitted by Kaye Lynn Hataway, APPA
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Fire Danger Advisory Issued for Alabama | | |
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With worsening drought and no significant accumulation of rain in the long-range forecast, the Alabama Forestry Commission placed all counties in Alabama under a Fire Danger Advisory Oct. 30.
This advisory is effective immediately and will remain in place until enough precipitation is received to improve drought impacts. Dead pines in forests which were devastated by Southern pine beetles this summer add to the increased wildfire potential while also challenging containment efforts.
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Federation President, Alabama House Speaker Honored at National FFA Convention | |
Celebrations of agriscience students and agricultural stakeholders took place during the 97th National FFA Convention Oct. 23-26 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell and Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, received the Honorary American FFA Degree during the fourth general session Oct. 25.
Parnell’s leadership of the state’s largest farm organization has impacted FFA and agricultural education in Alabama for generations to come. He carries his passion for future agriculturists with him to Washington, D.C., where he serves on the American Farm Bureau Federation board of directors.
In continued support of Alabama FFA, Ledbetter championed a legislative appropriation in the state’s Education Trust Fund budget that granted affiliate membership to school chapters. The funding he secured provides FFA memberships for all students enrolled in agricultural classes.
Additionally, Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, and Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, joined the Alabama delegation and visited with FFA members, agriscience educators and representatives from Auburn University’s College of Agriculture.
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Federation Launches Alfa Health Plans Resource | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation recently launched AHealthyOption.org, an easy-to-use resource highlighting the need for affordable, convenient, quality Alfa Health Plans. The website houses stories and testimonials from real farmers and small-business owners who are championing cost-effective health care coverage.
Legislation that would allow creation of Alfa Health Plans will be introduced in the 2025 Legislative Session. Similar legislation in nine states has lowered members’ health coverage costs by as much as 30%.
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Educators Tour West Alabama Catfish Farm | |
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Twenty family and consumer sciences teachers visited Catfish Country Oct. 24. Bill and Townsend Kyser led the group on a tour around Kyser Family Farms in Greensboro, where the educators saw catfish harvest and feeding.
After, attendees — including special guest U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile — visited the Alabama Fish Farm Center for lunch and enjoyed fried U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.
Stacey Little of Southern Bite then presented a cooking demonstration and shared his favorite way to prepare blackened catfish.
The educators were eager to take what they learned back to their Alabama FCCLA students, who will compete in a catfish culinary competition early next year with fish sponsored by the Alabama Catfish Checkoff.
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Britt, Carl Visit Alabama Farmers | |
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Alabama’s delegation to Washington, D.C., continues to build relationships with the state’s farmers.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., met with Alabama farmers and members of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association Oct. 24 at the Alabama Farmers Federation home office.
Meanwhile, farmers in Monroe and Washinton counties visited with U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile. Carl met with George Laurie of Laurie Farms in Uriah and Jimmy Ferguson of Ferguson Blueberry Farms in Chatom.
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Attend the Federation's 103rd Annual Meeting | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation 103rd annual meeting is Dec. 8-10 in Montgomery.
- Housing accommodations must be submitted by Nov. 4. Meal ticket orders are due Dec. 2.
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Special entertainment by Neal McCoy is Dec. 8. Members can order tickets through Ticketmaster. Use code ALFA24 to purchase.
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Alabama farmers who donate $100 or more to Alabama FarmPAC can meet Will Cain of Fox News at the annual meeting Dec. 9 during a special, invitation-only reception.
- Following the reception, Cain will bring the keynote address during General Session III.
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Important provisions of the federal Corporate Transparency Act became active this year, requiring corporate entities to report beneficial ownership information. Click here to learn more.
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Alfa Insurance is updating its farmowner policy administration system, giving customers the option to access policy documents online. Farmowner customers interested in signing up for eDocs are encouraged to contact their local Alfa service center, Federation area organization director or the Alfa Customer Resource Center at (800) 964-2532. Click here to read more.
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Southern Ag Today discussed how recent decisions in Kansas and Maryland impact the interpretation of right-to-farm laws. In Kansas, a hog operation's expansion conflicted with trespass laws, disallowing a right-to-farm defense. In Maryland, a farm's switch to biosolids fertilizer was upheld as lawful under right-to-farm, despite neighboring complaints. These cases highlight how right-to-farm protections vary by state, stressing the importance of farmers to understand state-specific laws. Click here to read more.
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