Farmers Applaud Harvest Fuel Relief Program | | |
Alabama farmers applaud a recent Trump Administration announcement authorizing $8 billion in farm relief during a season of temporary market disruptions and increased input costs.
“We appreciate President Trump recognizing the challenges farmers face with higher fuel costs, particularly during harvest season,” said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “As the president works to improve the profitability of American agriculture long-term, he has demonstrated time and again his willingness to provide relief when needed.”
Similar to the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, the Harvest Fuel Relief program will provide simple, proportional support using a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2026 crop year.
Commodity-specific payment rates for Title I commodities will be released in November. Payment methodology for other eligible commodities will be announced later.
Producers of non-Title I commodities, including specialty crop growers and fishermen, are encouraged to provide data related to increased fuel costs by emailing HarvestFuel@usda.gov.
| | Tuberville Discusses Hurricane Damage, Farmers Encouraged to Report Losses | | |
Cotton from a once-bumper crop littered the ground in Conecuh County Oct. 15 as farmers and state officials joined U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville to assess damage from Hurricane Isaias.
“It’s good to be here on a tough day, but a beautiful day the Lord has given us,” said Tuberville, who is the Alabama FarmPAC-endorsed candidate for governor. “Mother Nature sometimes acts in funny ways. Almost a week ago, we had this hurricane come through, and there is a 200-mile path in southern Alabama that has damage.”
Alabama Farmers Federation hosted the tour at Chris and Will Booker’s farm that former Federation Southeast Area Vice President Ricky Wiggins rents for cotton.
Cotton and timber suffered most from the Category 3 storm. Average losses ranged from 20-50% with Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe counties hardest hit. The Alabama Forestry Commission estimates timber damage in the three-county area of over $30 million.
Federation President Jimmy Parnell said there are a number of spots with more damage than others.
“I look at the entire state and feel like we were blessed,” Parnell said. “When talking about hurricanes, you normally see a path of total destruction. We don’t see that with this one, but where it is bad…it’s bad.”
Several federal programs have already triggered to help farmers, and a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster declaration is expected soon to clear the way for future help.
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Monica Carroll encouraged farmers to document and report damage, plus contact their local FSA office.
“Behind every damaged field is a family farm whose livelihood depends on the harvest,” Carroll said. “This administration understands the challenges farmers face between production costs, drought and hurricanes. We appreciate Sen. Tuberville fighting for the farmers-first agenda.”
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Madaris Family Represents Alabama at Sunbelt | |
Lowndes County cattleman Chuck Madaris represented Alabama well during the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest Oct. 20. He and six other regional farmers were honored during the perennial-favorite event in Moultrie, Georgia.
He and wife Katie, plus son Charlie Madaris, daughter Kathleen Evans and son-in-law Bradfield Evans, operate CK Cattle in Hope Hull — one of Alabama's premier seedstock operations.
As Alabama’s winner at Sunbelt, the Madarises receive $2,500 and other prizes. Florida dairyman Woody Larson took home the top prize.
Earlier this year, CK was named Alabama Farm-City’s Farm of Distinction. Prizes included a John Deere Gator from SunSouth and TriGreen; $1,000 each from Alabama Farmers Cooperative and First South Farm Credit; a Grasshopper zero-turn mower from Alfa Farmers Member Perks; and an engraved farm sign from Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance.
| Marques Visits With Wiregrass Farmers | | |
Wiregrass farmers shared concerns about rising production costs, low commodity prices and federal agricultural policy during a recent roundtable in Dale County hosted by State Rep. Rhett Marques and U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga. Marques is the Alabama FarmPAC-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate.
Participants emphasized the importance of passing a new farm bill to provide stability for farm families navigating difficult economic conditions.
Following the roundtable, Marques and Scott toured 4C Farms owned by Alabama Farmers Federation Southeast Vice President Chris Carroll and wife Monica.
| | Skilled Students Tackle Ag Issues | | |
College competitors from across Alabama descended on Lee County Oct. 2 to tackle a topic weightier than football — the future of farming.
The Alabama Farmers Federation’s Collegiate Discussion Meet challenged 18 students from five colleges and universities to collectively uncover solutions to pressing agricultural issues. Auburn University’s (AU) Jackson Cleary of Calhoun County took top honors.
“The last topic was how Farm Bureau could help with supply chain issues in the meat processing industry,” Cleary said. “To be honest, I didn’t even know that was an issue, but I did some digging, and I think we discussed ways Farm Bureau could help. That’s one of the biggest takeaways from every discussion today — it was eye opening.”
Cleary earned a $1,000 scholarship and will represent Alabama in national competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation Fusion Conference next March in New Orleans. Other final four competitors were AU’s Lydia East of Cherokee County, second and $750; Troy University’s Mackenzie Smith of Marshall County, third and $500; and AU’s Belle Sansom of Baldwin County, fourth and $250.
| | Farmers Applaud Trump Tax Relief for Diesel | |
Alabama Farmers Federation praised President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, which provides tax relief on diesel fuel.
“We appreciate President Trump joining Gov. Kay Ivey in allowing dyed diesel fuel to be used without penalty for highway use,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “With about a dozen states easing enforcement of off-road diesel rules, President Trump’s executive order provides consistency across the country and ensures farmers and timber producers will not be penalized when they cross state lines to market their products.”
The executive order directs the Internal Revenue Service to suspend penalties when dyed diesel fuel is sold for use or used on the highway until Dec. 31.
It also instructs to the secretaries of Agriculture, Treasury and War to determine if federal excise taxes on diesel fuel can be deferred without interest or penalty during the same time period and explore avenues to forgive deferred payments. In addition, the order prioritizes the availability of dyed diesel for farmers by instructing Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to “ensure adequate distribution of dyed diesel for (agricultural) use in high-demand areas.
| Farmers Encouraged to Vote Nov. 3 | Alabama Farmers Federation members are encouraged to support Alabama FarmPAC-endorsed candidates in the Nov. 3 election. View polling locations here. | | Thanksgiving Boxes Feature Alabama Products | | |
The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, Sweet Grown Alabama and Boozer Farms are offering Thanksgiving boxes featuring products from eight Alabama farms.
Each $50 box includes sweet potatoes, apples, satsumas, a pumpkin, pecans, cornmeal, broccoli and seasonal jelly.
Orders are due Nov. 23, with pickup scheduled for Nov. 24. Pickup locations are available throughout the state, including Auburn, Opelika, Birmingham, Wetumpka, Prattville and other communities.
The initiative encourages consumers to incorporate locally grown products into their Thanksgiving meals while supporting Alabama farmers.
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Row Crops
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Alabama farmers have until Dec. 11 to make Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) elections and enroll for the 2026 crop year. The later signup period allows producers to consider 2026 yields when weighing program options, although final marketing year average prices remain unknown. Producers are encouraged to evaluate multiple price and yield scenarios before making an election. Visit local Farm Service Agency offices for more information. Read more.
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Peanuts
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The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) is hosting a peanut harvest photo contest through Oct. 30. Multiple submissions are welcome. All photos must be taken during this year's harvest on Alabama soil. Read more.
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APPA is offering Alabama-grown peanut gift boxes for the Christmas season. Available in assortments of salted, honey roasted, butter toffee and chocolate-covered peanuts, orders must be placed by Oct. 31. Pickup is in Dothan. Purchase here.
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Forestry
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Following a preliminary aerial survey of damage caused by Hurricane Isaias, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) estimates the storm damaged more than 2.5 million tons of timber valued at more than $33.5 million. The initial assessment focused on hardest-hit areas, including Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe counties. AFC pilots conducted an aerial survey on Oct. 13, identifying a damaged area approximately 36 miles long and up to 7 miles wide. The assessment identified 154,783 acres within the impacted area, including 64,795 acres classified as forestland and an additional 40,805 acres classified as woody wetlands. These estimates are preliminary, and additional ground surveys will be necessary to verify the data. Read the report.
| | | Farm to Stay Grants Available for Farmers | | |
Alabama farmers looking to diversify their income via agritourism could receive up to $10,000 through a new grant program from Airbnb and American Farmland Trust.
The Farm to Stay Grant Program will award 25 to 30 grants nationwide, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Funding can help farmers establish agritourism operations, renovate properties for overnight guests or develop on-farm experiences such as tours, workshops and farm-to-table dinners.
Eligible applicants include working, for-profit farms generating more than $1,000 in profit.
Applications open Nov. 30 and close Dec. 4. Farmers are encouraged to apply early. An informational webinar is Nov. 13 at 11 a.m.
| | AAC Members Explore South Alabama | |
Alabama Agribusiness Council (AAC) members and guests toured Murder Point Oyster Co. and the Alabama Port Authority’s Port of Mobile during the organization’s South Alabama Regional Meeting Oct. 2.
Attendees enjoyed lunch at The Lighthouse Restaurant, sponsored by Kalmbach Feeds and a boat tour aboard the Perdido Queen, sponsored by the Alabama Port Authority.
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Nov. 6 - Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation Skeet Shoot in Alpine. Contact Brittany Daniel at BDaniel@alfafarmers.org to reserve a team slot.
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Nov. 9-11 - Alfa Youth Leadership Conference in Columbiana
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Dec. 6-7 - Alabama Farmers Federation annual meeting in Montgomery. The hotel deadline is Oct. 28, while meal ticket orders are due Nov. 30.
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