Farm-City Awards Honor Rural, Urban Connection | |
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Agritourism was on display during the annual Farm-City Awards Program April 11 in Auburn.
Detailed activity reports, bright posters, well-worded essays and vibrant videos showcased hours of hard work and dedication by students and Farm-City committees across the state.
Over 350 students, county committees and families came together to celebrate year-long achievements and creative exhibits showcasing the 2023 theme, “Agritourism: Connecting Alabama Farms and Communities.”
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Sirmons Win Farm of Distinction | |
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Joel and Patti Sirmon of Baldwin County were awarded the 2024 Alabama Farm of Distinction. The Sirmons grow cotton, corn, peanuts and sweet potatoes in the Belforest community. They will represent Alabama during the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest this fall.
As the Farm of Distinction, the Sirmon family received an engraved farm sign from the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance; a John Deere Gator from SunSouth, TriGreen Equipment and John Deere; a $1,000 gift from Alabama Farmers Cooperative; and $1,000 from First South Farm Credit.
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Corbitt Dyess of Mulkey Elementary School in Geneva County scored first place in the 2023 Alabama Farm-City Committee Poster Contest for Kindergarten through Third Grades. | |
Micah Blankenship of Ariton Elementary School in Dale County scored first place in the 2023 Alabama Farm-City Committee Poster Contest for Fourth through Sixth Grades. | |
Caleb Cook of Billingsley School in Autauga County scored first place in the 2023 Alabama Farm-City Committee Essay Contest for Seventh through Ninth Grades. | |
Noah Price of Alabama School for the Blind in Talladega County scored first place in the 2023 Alabama Farm-City Committee Essay Contest for 10th through 12th Grades. | | |
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Emily McDaniel of Corner High School in Jefferson County scored first place in the 2023 Alabama Farm-City Committee Video Contest. | |
Women in Ag Bloom during Leadership Conference | |
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Fellowship, fun and flower bouquets were farmer favorites during the 2024 Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Conference April 10-12 in Auburn.
The annual event was filled with leadership development and connection building, said Federation State Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) Chair Debbie Dunn.
“Our women were blooming,” said Dunn of Geneva County. “The flowers brought out the personality of our attendees and set a joyful precedent for the week.”
Thanks to sponsorships from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit, a fresh light was brought to the conference. Happi Harvest flower farm in New Brockton provided a flower bar, while a pink, shimmering backdrop with larger-than-life flowers made for the perfect place to capture special moments.
Additionally, the conference included educational sessions on farm taxes and professional organizing; legislative updates from the Federation’s Brian Hardin and Mitt Walker; the Farm-City Luncheon; and an inspiring keynote from author Lisa Ditchkoff.
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Dobson Wins Runoff for Congressional District 2 | | |
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Alabama FarmPAC-endorsed candidate Caroleene Dobson won the Republican Primary runoff April 16 with 58% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State’s office.
Dobson, a political newcomer who has deep roots in the Federation and farming community, faced former Alabama State Sen. Dick Brewbaker in the race Tuesday. She will face Democratic candidate Shomari Figures Nov. 5 in the general election.
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Farmers Encouraged to Nominate Experts for Annual Awards | |
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Alabama farmers are encouraged to nominate research and Extension personnel whose work tangibly impacted their farms for two awards from the Alabama Farmers Federation. Nominations are due June 7.
The Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture & Forestry Research will recognize Auburn University faculty for creative and original research. The winner receives up to $10,000 in program support, which can fund graduate students or research operations.
The Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension will honor Alabama Extension staff developing or implementing solutions for stakeholder-identified problems. The winner receives up to $5,000 for programming costs.
Winners will be recognized in August during the Federation’s Farm & Land Conference in Montgomery.
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Avian carriers are responsible for spreading the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) among dairy cattle in eight states: North Carolina, Texas, Idaho, Michigan, South Dakota, New Mexico, Kansas and Ohio. The virus has mainly impacted older cows and led to a decrease in milk production. Despite the spread, pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption. Pasteurization effectively eliminates harmful pathogens, including HPAI. To combat HPAI and protect both animal health and public safety, biosecurity measures and enhanced surveillance efforts are crucial.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
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Alabama farmers reported fruit production is up after a difficult 2023 season. Farmers in central and south Alabama had a heavy strawberry harvest last week. A Chilton County farmer reported a potential bumper crop for peaches, though some early varieties may not fair as well in north Alabama. South Alabama blueberry farms are expecting up to a 40% loss due to a freeze in March.
Visit SweetGrownAlabama.org to find farm-fresh produce.
Submitted by Blake Thaxton
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Gov. Kay Ivey announced the creation of a state-of-the-art sawmill in Coosa County April 11. Two Rivers Lumber Company LLC plans to invest $115 million to build the sawmill as the company’s second location in Alabama. Click here to read more.
Submitted by William Green
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The Auburn University Official Variety Testing (OVT) Program contracted with Medius Ag in 2021. This third-party agricultural data management company will store, manage and maintain Auburn OVT data in an online database available to all stakeholders. As of April, Alabama farmers can access the North Carolina (NC) State and Clemson University information through the Medius platform. NC State is sharing corn, wheat and soybean data, while Clemson is sharing data on corn, wheat, soybean and cotton. Click here to learn more. | |
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Gov. Kay Ivey hosted the annual One-Shot Turkey Hunt earlier this month. Paul McCaleb was crowned grand champion. Proceeds benefit scholarships, Hunters Helping the Hungry, youth dove and duck hunting, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman and mentored hunting programs. Click here to read more.
Submitted by William Green
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Utsey Retires after 34 Years Serving Members | | |
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After three decades serving Alabama Farmers Federation members, Robert Utsey retired from field work March 28.
Utsey began his career with Alfa Insurance in 1989 as a claims adjuster. In 2007, he followed in the footsteps of his father-in-law, Roy Rigney, when he became organization director for Federation Area 9.
The Washington County native brought a steady work ethic, can-do attitude and familiarity with rural Alabama to the job. For 16 years, he was the liaison between the Federation and its member-leaders in Butler, Clarke, Choctaw, Crenshaw, Marengo, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox counties.
He is pictured with his wife, Shannon.
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ADAI Opens New Pesticide, Chemical Labs | |
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The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) recently celebrated the opening of its newly constructed Pesticide Residue and State Chemical Labs in Auburn. Gov. Kay Ivey, Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate, Auburn University President Christopher Roberts, members of the Alabama Legislature and local officials cut the ribbon on the building April 15.
This ribbon-cutting ceremony represents a significant milestone for ADAI as it unveils state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with the latest technology and expert personnel. At the new facilities, staff will conduct research and analyze and test pesticide residues and chemical compositions in agricultural product samples collected from across Alabama.
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Fair Seeks to Replace Equipment after March Fire | |
The Alabama National Fair held a press conference at the fair grounds in Montgomery April 16 to support efforts to replace equipment and a storage building destroyed by a fire March 16. Alabama Farmers Federation Director of Communications Jeff Helms and Federation Commodity Director Colton Christjohn, who oversees livestock shows at the fair, attended. Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Rick Pate also attended. They are pictured alongside corporate sponsors and Montgomery County Kiwanis Club leaders during the conference. | |
Federation Work Earns State PR Awards | |
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Award of Excellence: Sunbelt Spotlight State
Contributors include the Federation's Matt Wilson, Marlee Jackson, Mary Wilson and Kevin Worthington.
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Farmers Buckle Down as USDA Predicts Income Dip | | |
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Just two years after the roller coaster of net farm income reached a record peak, farmers are buckling in for a bumpy ride as profitability is predicted to plummet.
National net farm income is forecast to drop to $116 billion, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Adjusted for inflation, USDA’s prediction is a whopping 40.9% decrease from 2022’s historic high income of $185.5 billion.
“We’ve had $3 and $4 corn before, but we didn’t have these elevated fertilizer, chemical, seed and repair costs,” said John Bevel, who grows row crops in Marshall and Jackson counties. “2024 is not looking very good unless you have really high yields.”
In 2024, the national agency expects a decrease in agricultural exports for the third time in five years. The anticipated $8.3 billion decline means exports will total just $170.5 billion. Meanwhile, farm debt is expected to reach $27 billion, a 5.2% increase.
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Controlled Burns Build Back Better Browse | | |
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Smoke rises and flames snap, crackle and pop through forest undergrowth as Scott Woodall uses a drip torch to ignite a controlled burn in remote Jackson County.
“Fire can be used to promote better wildlife habitat and knock back competition so desired trees and plants can capitalize on the water and nutrients not being consumed by unwanted vegetation,” said Woodall, founder of Sportsman’s Wildlife and Timber, a habitat management company for local landowners.
Controlled burning, a practice originally attributed to Native Americans, is growing in popularity, said Woodall.
For many, fire that spreads across acres is associated with uncontrolled blazes in places like California where lack of planned burns has left land coated in ready fuel. Fire in that vein is unlikely in Alabama, Woodall said.
“I don’t believe the climatic conditions exist normally for us to be at quite as high of a risk like they are on the West Coast,” Woodall said. “Active forest management helps mitigate those issues.”
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Women's Ag Communications 101 | | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation State Women's Leadership Committee is hosting a communications workshop May 21 at the Federation home office in Montgomery.
Topics include media relations, social media, speaking to legislators and more.
The workshop is free, but registration is required. Email Federation Women's Division Director Kim Earwood to reserve a spot by May 10.
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The Young Farmers of Alabama Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions will be Aug. 3 during the organization's Farm & Land Conference in Montgomery.
Applications to compete can be found here. The deadline to enter is June 1.
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The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reverse its decision to cancel livestock and crop surveys that are crucial to the success of America’s farmers and ranchers. The National Agricultural Statistics Service recently announced it would no longer provide a July cattle inventory survey, as well as county-level estimates for crops and livestock and the objective yield survey for cotton. Read AFBF's letter here.
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The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 11th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers and rural communities. Click here to learn more.
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The Environmental Protection Agency announced implementation of measures to protect federally threatened and endangered species from the effects of chlorpyrifos, diazinon and malathion. The measures include changes to labeling requirements and issuing Endangered Species Protection Bulletins. Click here to read more.
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Alabama A&M University joined 14 forestry schools in Gainesville, Florida, for the Southern Forestry Conclave. There were 23 forestry-related events featuring traditional timber sports and academic forestry skills. Alabama A&M placed in several events. Click here to read more.
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It’s time to revisit your favorite segments from the first half of season 10 of Simply Southern.
Show 1003 on April 20/21/4: Deer damaging crops in Alabama, the Joy to Life Foundation’s Walk of Life, What’s in Season for April with Sweet Grown Alabama, Discover Extension segment on Operation Grow, and a Southern Bite recipe for 30-Minute Cheese Tortellini Soup.
Show 1004 on April 27 and 28 + May 1: Jefferson Country Store (with a short update on this establishment), Bill’s Boots and Vicky’s Bags, gardening this time of year with Extension’s Mallory Kelley, and a Southern Bite recipe for Easy Apple Galette.
To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”
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May 21 - Women's Ag Communications 101 Workshop in Montgomery
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