Cattle Expert Corbitt Wall to Headline Young Farmers Conference | |
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Feeder Flash YouTube star Corbitt Wall is joining an impressive slate of speakers for the Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Conference Feb. 9-11 in Gulf Shores.
The livestock market analyst is known for honest insights into cattle markets — and routinely scores thousands of views on his Feeder Flash video updates, which are released daily.
A fourth-generation cattle farmer from Canyon, Texas, Corbitt will speak during Educational Session I on Feb. 10 and is sponsored by Elite Livestock Sales. Other sessions that day cover ag law, estate planning, accounting, Alfa Insurance farm policies and more.
Further conference highlights include:
- Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) judging and finalists announcement
- Social receptions
- Keynote address by Braxten Nielsen
- Live auction benefiting the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation
Questions? Email Hunter McBrayer at hmcbrayer@alfafarmers.org.
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Extension Hosts Ag Outlook Conference | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed Alabama farmers, economists and industry professionals to the Federation home office Dec. 13 in Montgomery for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System's Ag Outlook Conference.
Extension agricultural economist Adam Rabinowitz said this conference is an important way for producers to gain insight into agriculture and forestry.
“Speakers addressed very timely issues, including agricultural labor, farm financials and marketing risk management," Rabinowitz said. "It’s a great opportunity to understand how national issues and trends affect Alabama agriculture and our state’s producers.”
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Federation Staff Visit D.C. | |
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Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Federation National Affairs Director Mitt Walker and Federation Commodity Director Blake Thaxton spent time on Capitol Hill with the Alabama delegation and American Farm Bureau Federation representatives Dec. 11-13.
Parnell is pictured with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala.
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The House recently passed a bill allowing whole milk to be served in school cafeterias for the first time since 2012. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, introduced earlier this year by U.S. Rep. G.T. Thompson, R-Pa., revises Obama-era requirements for milk. If approved by the Senate and signed into law, students would have the options of whole, reduced-fat, low-fat and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk in school cafeterias. Click here to read more.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
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U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., introduced S.2786, the Farmers Market Expansion Act, to combat the issues he heard from producers and provide additional nutrient-rich options for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) eligible seniors at no additional cost. The bill will open a new market for tree nuts and increase demand, putting more revenue in growers’ pockets to cover expenses and continue producing. This legislation will allow common tree nuts to be purchased using SFMNP coupons at farmers markets, farm stands and within community-supported agriculture boxes. Click here to read more.
Submitted by Blake Thaxton
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Like any great gift, peanuts and peanut butter combine the practical with pizzazz — providing protein, fiber, heart-healthy fats and a diverse assortment of 19 vitamins and minerals. Click here to see holiday peanut potluck recipes.
Submitted by Kaye Lynn Hataway - Alabama Peanut Producers Association
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The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Dec. 15 that two additional cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in hunter harvested, white-tailed deer have been confirmed in northern Lauderdale County in northwest Alabama. The two additional deer bring Alabama’s total number of confirmed CWD cases to five. Click here to read more.
Submitted by William Green
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AFBF Addresses Increased Wage Rate Issue | |
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Wages for H-2A guest workers are set to increase in 2024, following the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Farm Labor Report. Alabama's Adverse Effect Wage Rate will be $14.68 next year. Click here to read more.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has taken recent action to address the issue. AFBF President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to numerous members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Duvall requested immediate congressional action to provide short-term wage relief to our hardworking farm families. AFBF urged a freeze of the current H-2A wage rates at January 2023 levels for the next three years. Additionally, AFBF called for a rescission of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology for H-2A Employees in Non-range Occupations in the U.S. These actions must be advanced at the earliest possible opportunity.
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Cherokee County Farmer Featured on AFBF Podcast | |
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Hank Richardson of Cherokee County joined American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall for a special Farmside chat.
Poinsettias are a staple for many homes and businesses throughout the holidays. Richardson, who owns Dixie Green in Centre, grows poinsettias annually.
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AFVGA Conference Feb. 14-16 in Gulf Shores | |
Clay County Cabinets Fill Homes across America | |
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Cabinets crafted in one tiny Alabama town form the heart of homes across America — and those kitchens come together thanks to the heart of Wellborn Cabinet.
“You can’t beat the people here in Clay County,” said Paul Wellborn, who founded the company in 1961. “It makes us feel good that we can achieve a quality product, put it on a truck and send it all over the country. We attribute that to our people.”
Wellborn’s thousand-plus workers fashion 100% American-made cabinets in Ashland. Its sprawling 2-million-square-foot facility just off Highway 77 houses each step of the woodworking process, from sawing lumber to cabinet construction to transportation.
While Wellborn also makes cabinets with other materials, wood towers above the competition. Most wood is sourced from a 60-mile radius of Wellborn’s on-site sawmill. Specialty lumber like maple and cherry is trucked in from out of state.
Once hewn, the lumber is stacked, graded and processed in a kiln, where it dries to a low-percent moisture, with steam occasionally added to increase board flexibility.
Similar-grain boards are matched by hand. Those boards are glued, dried and cut to size. Molding, framing and other details follow.
Wellborn workers use skilled hands, keen eyes and years of experience to inspect, sand and review again each piece as wood gradually becomes doors, drawers and cabinet frames.
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Gin Overcomes Odds, Serves Farmers after Storm | | |
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The steady rumble of ginning cotton accompanied a flurry of activity as Milstead Farm Group started its season Oct. 19.
It was business as usual — and a modern miracle, considering a tornado tore through the gin seven months earlier.
“Failure was not an option,” said Milstead Farm Group President Shep Morris. “Our customer base has really been pulling for us.”
The Shorter facility annually gins 50,000-60,000 bales. It’s a critical hub for farmers across central Alabama, said Morris.
The Macon County farmer lives just two miles from the gin and heard the storm as it ripped across the region March 27 at 2:57 a.m. He checked in with family (son Shep Morris Jr. lives a mile from the gin and was OK, minus needing a new roof) before calling Milstead Farm Group Manager Joey Scarborough, who lives in nearby Tallassee.
Downed, hot power lines prevented Morris and Scarborough from crossing the railroad to check out the gin. They shined a spotlight across the pavement and brush, expecting minor damage.The gin was crumpled.
Months of hard work, faith and support allowed the gin to open for business.
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For the tax year beginning on or after Jan. 1, overtime pay received by a full-time hourly wage paid employee for hours worked above 40 in any given week are excluded from gross income and therefore exempt from Alabama state income tax. Tied with this exemption are employer reporting requirements to Alabama Department of Revenue. Employers are required to report the total aggregate amount of overtime paid and the total number employees who received overtime pay. Click here for more information and guidelines.
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U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., recently joined colleagues in sending two letters opposing the slow rollout of the Biden Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, which implemented payment limits that unfairly harm producers who have undergone significant losses. Click here to learn more.
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U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also submitted a comment letter in strong opposition to the Biden Administration’s proposed H-2A regulation. Tuberville outlined how the rule will hurt farmers who rely on seasonal workers through the H-2A guest worker program. View the letter here.
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Simply Southern TV Nears End of Season 9 | |
Season 9 of Simply Southern will come to a close at the end of 2023, but you won’t want to miss the first ever Christmas special. We’re excited to bring you new episodes starting Jan. 7 as we begin season 10.
Dec. 23 and 24 on broadcast channels only: Our first Christmas special featuring Robert Moore Christmas Town in Mobile, Youth Leadership Conference attendees making Christmas toys for Children’s of Alabama, poinsettias from Dixie Green in Cherokee County, and a Southern Bite recipe for Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls.
Dec. 27 on RFD-TV only: The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the importance of H-2A guest workers for Alabama’s farmers, an interview with the Federation’s Blake Thaxton, and a Southern Bite recipe for Peanut Butter Chess Pie, sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association.
Dec. 30 and 31 & Jan. 3: A best of show featuring Sweet Grown Alabama farms including Dayspring Dairy, Foundry Farm and Sullivan Creek Ranch plus a Southern Bite recipe for Baked Ham and Pimento Cheese Egg Cups, sponsored by the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association.
To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”
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Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall Joins AgCast | |
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Feb. 1 - Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show in Dothan. More information to come.
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Feb. 6 - Alabama Legislative Session begins
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Season Greetings from the Federation | |
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As the 2023 season comes to a close, the Alabama Farmers Federation thanks our Cultivator readers. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
The Cultivator will return Jan. 9.
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