Alabama Farmers Take Concerns To Capitol Hill |
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Over 80 Alabama Farmers Federation members met with decision-makers and officials in Washington, D.C., March 1-4.
During the Washington Legislative Conference, farmers heard from top U.S. Department of Agriculture officials; met with members of Congress and their staff; and enjoyed a Congressional Barbecue featuring Bishop's Barbecue from Colbert County.
One group of farmers (pictured) shared their concerns about ag labor, rising input costs and the farm bill with U.S. Rep. G.T. Thompson, R-Pennsylvania, the ranking member of the House Ag Committee. From left are Suzie Rhodes, Autauga County; James Martin III, Coffee County; Thompson; Phillip Hunter, Talladega County; Dorman Grace, Walker County; and Mark Byrd, Morgan County.
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Young Farmers Fellowship, Learn In Gulf Shores |
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Nearly 400 young leaders from across Alabama gathered in Gulf Shores March 4-6 for the Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Conference.
Educational sessions ranged from ag labor and farm safety to social media marketing, finances and estate planning. Katie Britt, the FarmPAC-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate, met with young farmers during the opening dinner.
Outstanding Young Farm Family finalists were also named during the conference. They are Mitchell and Rebecca Henry, Lawrence County; Carla and Daniel Trantham, Calhoun County; and Anna and Brady Peek, Limestone County. They'll compete for more than $70,000 in prizes this summer. The winner will be announced Aug. 6.
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Farm Package Nears Vote In Alabama Legislature |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation's External Affairs Department is working with sponsors and legislative leaders to bring a Farm Package to a vote in the Senate and House. The package includes:
Grain Bin Tax Clarification
HB 400 by Rep. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, and SB 275 by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, would eliminate inconsistencies and confusion across jurisdictions by clarifying the ad valorem tax exemption for grain bins.
Sweet Grown Alabama Act
HB 412 by Rep. Van Smith, R-Billingsley, and SB 274 by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, would empower family farms and stimulate local economies by clarifying the inclusion of value-added agricultural products in existing sales tax exemptions.
Business License Clarity
HB 415 by Rep. Gil Isbell, R-Gadsden, and SB 273 by Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, protects family farms by expressly prohibiting the requirement of a county license or fee for operations related to the disposition of the farmer’s products.
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Soybean Farmers Visit With African Delegation |
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The State Soybean Committee met with an African Aquaculture Trade Team March 8 in Montgomery to discuss the use of soy in aquaculture.
The six-member delegation is part of the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (part of the American Soybean Association). During their two-week trip to the U.S., the group is making stops in California and along the Gulf Coast.
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A wild, hunter-harvested duck in Limestone County tested positive for Eurasian H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) last week. HPAI has not been discovered in Alabama's commercial poultry flocks. Click here to learn more.
Codie Hancock joined the Alabama Farmers Federation’s premier event-planning team March 3. As a Destinations Department meeting planner, she will help coordinate event logistics for the Federation and Alfa Insurance. Click here to learn more.
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol registration closes March 31. The program promotes sustainable cotton production and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics – land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. Click here to learn more.
College students majoring in a field related to forages or livestock can apply for the John E. Baylor Memorial Forage & Livestock Scholarship. Applications close April 1 for the program, sponsored by The Forage Foundation. Click here to learn more.
Specialty crop block grant applications are due April 12. Eligible projects enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets. Click here to learn more.
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April 1 — Applications open for the Eugene Blair Starter Flock Program. To apply, contact Graysen Biensch at gbiensch@alfafarmers.org.
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Catch New Episodes Of Simply Southern TV |
Be sure to tune in for new episodes of Simply Southern. Programs air over the weekend on broadcast stations in Alabama. Click here for days and times in your area. The same episode then airs the following Wednesdays nationwide on RFD-TV.
Upcoming episodes include:
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March 12/13/16: FFA Day on the Hill, playing pickleball, grand opening of Coastal Growers Shelling Plant in Atmore and a recipe for Tomato Cobbler with Pimento Cheese Biscuits from SouthernBite.com, sponsored by Sweet Grown Alabama
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March 19/20/23: Foundry Farm, Chris’ Hot Dogs, Ask A Farmer about animal and plant efficiency with Walker County’s Dorman Grace and a recipe for Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies from SouthernBite.com, sponsored by Alabama Peanut Producers Association
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