February 10, 2022
Officials, Farmers Enjoy Taste Of Alabama
Elected officials rubbed shoulders with farmers Wednesday evening over platefuls of Alabama-grown foods at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Taste of Alabama legislative reception in Montgomery.

The event whets the appetites of lawmakers while connecting them to farm families who raise the state’s food and fiber.
A.L.F.A. Leaders Class Visits D.C. Decision-Makers
Conversation centered on labor issues and the cattle price index as members of Agricultural Leaders For Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders) Class V met with decision-makers in Washington, D.C., Feb. 1-4.

Before flying into Reagan National Airport, the group researched hot topics in agriculture. A visit with AFBF staffers cemented their ability to jumpstart conversations with officials.
Governor Greets FFA Students In Capital City
The crimson cross of Alabama’s state flag contrasted with corn gold and national blue Feb. 8 as about 150 FFA members climbed the Capitol steps for FFA Day on the Hill.

Gov. Kay Ivey braved the morning cold to welcome students before they moved to the Capitol Auditorium for presentations from state lawmakers.
Ag In Action
American agricultural exports were at their highest-ever levels in 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports. Final 2021 trade data show exports of U.S. farm and food products to the world totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18% and eclipsing the previous record, set in 2014, by 14.6%. Click here to read more.

More than 400 attendees were able to fine-tune their farming operations with information gained at the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show Feb. 3 in Dothan. The show was sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association and National Peanut Board. Click here to read more.
Quick Clicks
Financial assistance to reduce cogongrass in Alabama will be available Feb. 14. Administered by the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Cogongrass Mitigation Program seeks to reduce the number of infested acres, eliminate cogongrass’s damaging effects on existing ecosystems and improve the productivity of impacted sites. Click here to read more.

The newly updated Southeast U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook is available at vegcrophandbook.com. In its 23rd edition, the handbook provides growers, crop advisors, county educators, Extension agents and specialists with practical resources related to variety selection, planting dates, fertilizer recommendations, cover crop selection, grafting and more.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program applications close 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. 16 — Federation New Commodity Committee Member Orientation in Montgomery



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








  • April 7 — Alabama Farm-City Awards Program and Luncheon in Birmingham

Simply Southern Airs Weekly
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, Feb. 16: Alabama Pecan Co. in Samson; the Cotton Cluster Dog Show in Decatur; Bonnie Plants new headquarters in Opelika and Union Springs expansion; and a SouthernBite.com recipe for Bama Butter Cake

  • Wednesday, Feb. 23: Alabama 4-H Center’s Jonathan Harrison on Next Level Chef; Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers; Autauga County’s John Boutwell in Ask A Farmer; and a SouthernBite.com recipe for Quick and Easy Vegetable Beef Soup