October 20, 2021
Ellis Represents Alabama At Sunbelt Ag Expo
Thomas Ellis represented Alabama well in the Swisher / Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award contest. He and other finalists were honored Oct. 19 during a luncheon at the farm show in Moultrie, Georgia.

The Lowndes County farmer is in the cattle, poultry and pecan businesses. He is pictured with Sunbelt Executive Director Chip Blalock.

Each state winner receives $2,500 in cash and an expense-paid trip to the Sunbelt Ag Expo from Swisher. A Columbia vest from Ivey’s Outdoor and Farm Supply is given to each state winner and nominator. Additionally, Syngenta donates $500 to each state winner’s charity of choice, and Massey Ferguson North America provides each winner with a gift package.
Join Alfa Farmers For Its Centennial Celebration
Registration for the Alabama Farmers Federation's centennial celebration and annual meeting closes Oct. 26. Over 1,000 farmers will gather in Montgomery Dec. 4-6 to celebrate 100 years of Federation history, impact and influence.

Click here to register.

New events include:
  • AgDash 5K
  • Commodity committee elections (see next story)
  • Late-night entertainment with River Dan
  • Centennial Celebration

Regular annual meeting activities will also take place, including:
  • Elections for state board seats and Women's Leadership and Young Farmers committees
  • Award presentations, including the Service to Agriculture Award
  • Discussion Meet finals
  • Tribute Breakfast
Commodity Committee Elections Move To Annual Meeting
The Alabama Farmers Federation is excited to add commodity committee elections to its annual meeting in December. This move eliminates the Commodity Organization Meeting generally held in February.

With the new election format, commodity divisions are free to explore and host new educational and outreach opportunities without constraints of coordinating dates, times and location. The Catfish Division will host its committee election at the Catfish Industry Meeting in early December.

The Federation has 15 commodity committees comprised of farmers from counties across Alabama. Committees guide policy discussions, represent fellow growers and, when applicable, help manage checkoff funds.

Commodity committee election forms are due Nov. 5 to wgolson@alfafarmers.org. Elections are Dec. 5 in three sessions from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel.

To learn more about being nominated for a commodity committee, contact your local area organization director or county Farmers Federation president.
Ag Announcements
Upcoming Events
  • Nov. 6 — Horse U educational program for youth and adults at Auburn University. Visit the Facebook Event for more information, including how to register.

  • Nov. 10 — Registration closes for Jr. Beef Expo. DNA kits are due Nov. 19. Visit JrBeefExpo.com to register.

  • Nov. 20 — Beef U educational program at Auburn University. Visit aub.ie/beef to register.

  • Dec. 2 — Alabama Forage Conference in Russellville. Click here to register.

  • Dec. 4 — Inaugural AgDash 5K in Montgomery benefiting the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation. Click here to reserve your spot.

  • Dec. 4-6 — Alabama Farmers Federation annual meeting and centennial celebration in Montgomery. Click here to register.

  • Jan. 18 — Alabama Soybean & Corn Association Meeting in Montgomery.

  • Jan. 18-19 — Row Crops Short Course, following the Soybean & Corn Meeting in Montgomery. Click here to register.
Ag In Action
U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Alabama, visited farmers in the 1st Congressional District Oct. 11. The ag tour included a visit at Richardson Farms in Washington County, where he met with Washington County Farmers Federation member Rod Richardson. From left are Alabama Farmers Federation National Affairs Director Mitt Walker, Richardson and Carl.
Students from Tuskegee University's Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) club visited the Alabama Farmers Federation home office Oct. 7. The National Society of MANRRS recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Farm Bureau Federation, pledging increased collaboration.
The Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance sponsored livestock shows at the Alabama National Fair Oct. 8-17. Youth exhibitors competed in showmanship contests for beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, sheep and swine, in addition to market animal and breeding shows.

Click here to see show photos on Facebook.
Watch Simply Southern Wednesdays On RFD-TV
Be sure to tune into RFD-TV on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Central for Simply Southern TV, a production of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

Upcoming shows include:

  • Oct. 20 - Flavors of the Black Belt Trails, Burritt on the Mountain, the fight to control wild hog populations and a recipe for Skillet Pork Chops with French Onion Gravy

Visit www.simplysoutherntv.net and click on “Where to Watch” to find the show on other stations near you!
In Memory