January 26, 2022
Alabama Finance Director Visits With State Board
Alabama State Finance Director Bill Poole visited with Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance board members Jan. 24 about plans for investing federal relief money, as well as stewarding growth in state budgets.

From left are Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan, Poole and state board member Joe Anders of Tuscaloosa County.

Earlier in the day, Poole sat down with External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin for a video for the Capitol Connection newsletter. Click here to access the weekly Capitol Connection.
Young Farmers Connect In The Capital City
The Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee met Gov. Kay Ivey Jan. 26 on the Capitol steps in Montgomery.

The visit was part of the committee's first meeting of 2022, which included dinner with legislators from their home districts and meetings at the State House, where they participated in grassroots advocacy.
Ag In Action
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which challenges EPA’s overreach of its Clean Water Act jurisdiction. Click here to read American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall's comments.

A new meat-processing facility will be built by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PBCI) in Atmore, the tribe announced Jan. 20. The state-of-the-art facility will process up to 125 cattle per week. Click here to read more.

Two Alabama farmers are beginning two-year terms on American Farm Bureau Federation’s Advisory Committees. Jeremy Calvert from Cullman County will serve on the Labor Committee, while Joe Murphy from Pike County will serve on the Market Structures Committee. They will participate in advocacy fly-ins and media interviews and help develop comments on proposed regulations while providing input into the resolutions process.

Alfa Insurance and Western National Mutual Insurance Company announced an agreement Jan. 24 for Alfa to purchase Legacy Insurance Services Inc., pending final regulatory approval. Click here to read more.
Quick Clicks
Farmers who updated irrigation in 2021 could be eligible for irrigation tax credits. Applications are due Jan. 31. Click here to apply.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program Conservation Incentive Contracts and Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Initiative applications are open through Feb. 25. Click here to learn more.

National Water Quality Initiative applications are due Feb. 25. This program allows farmers in priority watersheds to apply for financial assistance to install conservation practices that protect water quality. Eligible watersheds are located within Blount, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Marshall and Morgan counties. Click here to learn more.

Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage enrollment closes March 15. Click here to learn more.
Events & Deadlines






  • Feb. 9 — FarmPAC Meeting / Taste of Alabama legislative reception in Montgomery



  • Feb. 22 — Sod Checkoff Information Meeting in Montgomery. Contact the Federation's Blake Thaxton at (334) 613-4309 to learn more.






Simply Southern Debuts New Episodes
Brand new episodes of Simply Southern continue. Tune in from anywhere to national cable network RFD-TV on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Central to catch the show. Click here for other stations and times.

  • Wednesday, Jan. 26: Punta Clara Candy Kitchen; Foley Railroad Museum; careers that support farmers; and a recipe for Classic Macaroni and Tomatoes

  • Wednesday, Feb. 2: Vista Farms, Fannie’s Restaurant and the Farm-To-School program; Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum; treating peanut allergies; Extension’s Smart Yards segment on pollinators; and a recipe for Five Ingredient Beef Enchiladas

  • Wednesday, Feb. 9: Wadsworth Christmas Tree Farm; Folklore Brewing; Ask a Farmer about satsumas with Jeremy Sessions of Mobile County; and a recipe for Easy Chicken with Cream Pan Sauce, sponsored by Alabama Poultry & Egg Association