Chicks soybeans soyb eans
©2012 United Soybean Board [44373]
So do pigs, cows and fish. In fact, animal ag is your number one customer – consuming 98 percent of your soybean meal. That’s one good-looking figure.
VOLUME 43,
NUMBER 3
A Membership Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation
March/Spring 2018
_____________________________________
Debra Davis, Editor Mike Moody, Graphic Designer ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan, Executive Director Jeff Helms, Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS Jimmy Parnell, President, Stanton Rex Vaughn, Vice President/North, Huntsville Dean Wysner, Vice President/Central, Woodland George Jeffcoat, Vice President/Southeast, Gordon Jake Harper, Vice President/Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn, Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Brian Glenn, Hillsboro Donald Hodge, New Market Donald Sewell, Southside Rickey Cornutt, Boaz Joe Anders, Northport Phillip Hunter, Chelsea Joe Lambrecht, Wetumpka Meador Jones, Gallion Bill Cook, Montgomery Steve Stroud, Goshen Sammy Gibbs, Atmore Chris Carroll, Ariton Debbie Roberts, Fayette Ben Maples, Elkmont
13
In This Issue 5
Neighbors (ISSN 0162-3974) is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 or (334) 288-3900. For information about Alabama Farmers Federation member benefits, visit the website www.AlfaFarmers.org. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and additional mailing offices. Printed in the U.S.A.
Squeals Abound
10 Best Peanut Butter Dessert 13 Girls Ranch Gratitude
10
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Neighbors, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001.
18 The Future Of FFA 27 Alabama Cowboys On TV
MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES: , 800-392-5705, Option 4 or BWatkins@alfafarmers.org
36 Rich Peanut Recipes
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com
On The Cover
DISCLAIMERS: Advertisements in Neighbors do not represent an endorsement by the magazine or Alabama Farmers Federation. Editorial information from sources outside the Alabama Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Alabama Farmers Federation policies. Publication of information does not imply an endorsement by the Alabama Farmers Federation. www.AlfaFarmers.org
A member of American Farm Bureau Federation March/Spring 2018
27
Etowah County’s Darcie and Frasier Johnson practice with their show hogs in preparation for upcoming competitions. Photo by Debra Davis
Trying to grow your business? Advertise in neighbors magazine Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com 3
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
{
{
Show them you care.
Auto Home Life
#AlfaCares
Homegrown Hogs Generate Joy For Gadsden Farm Family Raising and showing hogs is a family tradition on Rickey Frasier's farm in Etowah County. From left are Rickey and wife Tanya, their son-inlaw and daughter, Matt and Julie Johnson, and their children, Darcie, 5, Frasier, 3, and Finn, nine months.
By Debra Davis
S
queals are seldom in short supply around Rickey Frasier’s farm near Gadsden. Whether coming from his three rambunctious grandchildren or the pigs in his barn, both make him smile. “When I was growing up, my daddy had hogs, and I was glad when he finally got rid of them,” said Rickey, the Etowah County Farmers Federation vice president. But when his children wanted to start showing hogs, they put him back in the business. “You do a lot of things for your children and grandchildren,” he said with a grin. Rickey and wife Tanya’s children are former stars on the show hog circuit. They reminisce about their late son, Noah, an avid
March/Spring 2018
showman who died in a car accident as a teenager. They’re equally proud of their daughter, Julie, also an accomplished showman. Julie and husband Matt are passing on the family tradition to their children. Darcie, 5, and Frasier, 3, practice with their hogs, Pork Chop, Goofy and Mickey, by walking them around the barnyard each day with careful tutelage from their mom and granddad. “They actually do the work,” Rickey said proudly. “Of course we help them when they need it, but it’s important they learn to handle the hogs on their own. It’s a little challenging sometimes, but they’re learning something every day they're out here.” 5
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
Frasier Johnson, 3, trains his show hog, Goofy, for upcoming competition.
Julie agreed. “They walk their hogs every day except Sunday unless it’s freezing outside,” she said. “I think children learn a lot from showing hogs — I know I did. It teaches responsibility and how to take care of something that depends on you. They learn dedication, how to be a good winner and how to be a good loser.” It’s Frasier’s first year showing, and his hog, Goofy, is nearly chest high to the toddler. He walks behind the 180-pound porker with a show stick, gently tapping to guide the hog in the right direction. Darcie is starting her third year in the show ring. She shares her mom’s competitive spirit and uses all the concentration she can muster to get her hog, Pork Chop, to cooperate. Don’t be fooled by pink striped overalls and a big hair bow, though. Darcie's serious about showing hogs. But it’s not prize money she treasures most when she
and Frasier enter local and regional shows. “I love the ribbons and the stickers I get from the bank when I take a check there,” she said. Even 9-month-old Finn is part of the lessons. Wiggling in his granddad’s arms, his eyes dart to keep up as his siblings scramble about steering the hogs. The show hogs of his children and grandchildren helped spark another business venture for Rickey, who raises beef cattle and hay and recently retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. of Gadsden. He raises 45 to 50 hogs a year for customers who prefer homegrown pork. It usually takes about five and a half to six and a half months for a 35-pound feeder pig to top out at 250 pounds, Rickey said. Finished hogs sell for $200, including hauling to the processor. The buyer pays the butcher for the custom processing. Repeat customers are common, Rickey added. Becky Bagley of Coats Bend near Gadsden has bought hogs from the Frasiers for nearly 15 years. She said their pork can’t be beat. “The flavor is wonderful,” she said. “Once you’ve had it, you won’t ever want store-bought sausage, and you won’t find anyone better to do business with than the Frasiers. They are wonderful people who do everything the right way.” n Darcie Johnson, 5, hurries to keep pace with her show hog, Pork Chop, during a recent practice session.
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
6
March/Spring 2018
Relationships That Pay Dividends.
“Growing a good, wholesome product is important to me. So is doing business with a company I trust, and I trust Alabama Ag Credit.” — Monica Carroll, Dale County 4-C Land & Cattle Co.
Monica Carroll and her daughter Brittany.
FINANCING LAND & FARMS
Land Purchasing and Refinancing Serving north Alabama
AlabamaFarmCredit.com 877-681-6087
New and Used Equipment Purchases Livestock Financing Varying Terms and Rates
Serving south Alabama
AlabamaAgCredit.com 800-579-5471
Call Alabama Farm Credit or Alabama Ag Credit to learn how low rates and relationship lending help farmers harvest savings that pay dividends.
Soggy Autumn, Wet Winter Hurt Southeastern Pecan Crop By Mary Johns
W
hen Baldwin County pecan grower Gary Underwood thinks back on 2017, he’ll remember rain — over 100 inches of it. “Alabama’s pecan industry took a hard blow since it was so wet,” said Underwood, whose pecan orchards cover 115 acres in Summerdale. “The early crop was fine and good quality. Then Hurricane Nate went just west of us (in early October). We didn’t have hurricane-force winds, but the storm was active enough it beat the pecans together, and some were bruised.” The rain rarely seemed to stop after Hurricane Nate, with another 20 inches during harvest season. “We couldn’t get in the field, so the pecans just sat on the ground,” he said. “Some of those started to rot because they’d been on the ground since the hurricane. We lost a third or more of the crop due to issues with Hurricane Nate, and the quality of what we did harvest was lowered.” Underwood sells pecans directly to customers. As a quality control measure, his pecans are cracked and sifted through before they’re sold. “When you retail to the ultimate consumer, quality is
Gary Underwood, left, helps sift harvested pecans to remove bad nuts. Rough weather during harvest season negatively impacted the 2017 crop.
everything,” he said. “We don’t want them cracking 10 pounds of in-shell pecans and then have nearly a pound of them be bad. We go through the product to make sure people get what they pay for.” The most active hurricane season this decade negatively impacted the pecan crop in other southern states, with Hurricane Harvey flooding Texas and hurricanes Irma and Maria in Florida and Georgia. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates the Southeast lost about
30 percent of its pecan crop. “Georgia and Texas are in the top three pecan-producing states in the country,” said Mac Higginbotham, Alabama Farmers Federation Horticulture Division director. “Thankfully here in Alabama, our orchards didn’t lose many trees, so we expect the industry to rebound next year.” Experts don’t anticipate a negative impact for consumers since U.S. production is expected to increase from 270 million in-shell pounds last year to 300 million this year. That's thanks to record pecan production in some Southwestern states. In Summerdale, the trees are still standing strong, so Underwood has high hopes for 2018. “I think they’ll come back with a full crop,” he said. “And the weather is something you can’t control.” Watch Simply Southern TV's feature on the pecan crop by visiting SimplySouthernTV.net. n The USDA estimates the southeastern U.S. lost about 30 percent of its pecan crop. However, national production is higher than last season thanks to record yields in other areas.
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
8
March/Spring 2018
“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.” — J. Fitzgerald, VA
We’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland. Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to do it all. It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to provide total comfort and relaxation not found in other chairs. It can’t be beat for comfortable, long-term sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining and – yes! – peaceful sleep. Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of positions, including the Trendelenburg position and the zero gravity position where your body experiences a minimum of internal and external stresses. You’ll love the other benefits, too: It helps with correct spinal alignment, promotes back pressure relief, and encourages better This lift chair puts you posture to prevent back and muscle pain. safely on your feet!
Easy-to-use remote for massage, heat, recline and lift And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the multiple massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! It even has a battery backup in case of a power outage. Shipping charge includes white glove delivery. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! You get your choice of fabrics and colors – Call now!
The Perfect Sleep Chair®
1-888-871-8611 Please mention code 108556 when ordering.
Long Lasting DuraLux Leather
Tan
Chocolate Burgundy
Black
DuraLux II Microfiber
Burgundy Cashmere
Fern
Chocolate
Blue
Indigo 46471
Sit up, lie down — and anywhere in between!
© 2018 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
Peanut Butter Fudge Cake Is Crowning Achievement For McKinney Cakes
I
t’s one layer of chocolate cake, topped with 12 ounces of crunchy peanut butter and smothered with 7 ounces of chocolate butter cream icing. When Peggy McKinney repeats those steps and adds a few chocolate frosting flourishes on top, she’s created another of her awardwinning peanut butter fudge cakes. The dessert recently was named Bama’s Best Peanut Butter Dessert in a contest sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA). “It’s very simple; we make this wonderful fudgy cake, and then we just put peanut butter and chocolate in between,” McKinney said. “If you like chocolate and peanut butter, this cake just sends your taste buds into orbit.” McKinney officially began her business — McKinney Cakes — in 1997, but she’s baked cakes for weddings and special events since 1974. She got her start when her mother bought her a decorator kit, which McKinney used to make her son’s third birthday cake. “I complained about bakery cakes because I just didn’t think they were cute enough for my precious child,” McKinney said. “I was hooked after making that first cake. It’s just a joyful business.” The peanut butter fudge cake is a favorite for grooms in and around Montgomery. Devoted customers have driven from as far away as New Orleans; Tampa, Florida; and Durham, North Carolina, for the famous confection. After decades in the business, McKinney Cakes is a generational tradition. “Thirty years ago, Peggy made my wedding cake. I came back in 2015 because my daughter was
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
McKinney Cakes employees Gwyn Bruner, Peggy McKinney and Karen Simmons accept their plaque and $300 prize from Simply Southern TV co-host Mary Johns. Bama's Best Peanut Butter Dessert Contest was sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association.
Bama’s Best
PB
Dessert Lead 1 McKinne erboard y Cakes, Mon tgomery Peanut B utter Fudge Cake 2 Acre, Aub urn Peanut B utter Pie 3 Bright St ar Restauran t, Bessemer Peanut B utter Pie 4 Let’s Do Lunch, Dec atur Fudge Bro wnie with O ld Fashione Stirred Pean d ut Butter Ic ing 5 Pikeville Store & Gri ll, Scottsboro Peanut Butte r Pie
getting married, and we wanted Peggy to do her wedding cake, too,” said Gwyn Bruner, a customer who’s now the bakery’s bookkeeper. “She just puts her heart and soul into every cake she makes.” The legendary peanut butter fudge cake won the honor of Bama’s Best Peanut Butter Dessert through a "Simply Southern TV" contest hosted on the show’s Facebook page. “When I shared it on Facebook, there was just an instant response,” said Karen Simmons, McKinney’s daughter. “People love this lady, and they love her cake. I think she really deserves this honor.” Over 1,000 votes were cast for McKinney Cakes. As winner, she received $300 and a plaque courtesy of APPA. With over 40 years of baking under her belt, McKinney said the smiles of happy customers with her cakes keeps her going. And she has no plans to hang up her spatula 10
anytime soon. “I am not going to retire,” McKinney said. “I’ve never written down my recipe, but I joke that I plan to put it on my tombstone. Then, people will drive by the cemetery wondering ‘Why is there that long line of people?’ and it’ll be folks waiting to copy down that peanut butter fudge cake recipe.” To order the award-winning cake, call McKinney Cakes at (334) 263-2161. Find out more about other offerings on the McKinney Cakes Facebook page. Catch the "Simply Southern TV" feature on Bama’s Best Peanut Butter Dessert in show 313, which airs March 25 and reruns June 24. n March/Spring 2018
RENEW Your Driveway
NEW and IMPROVED DR® Field and Brush Mowers
Faster…Easier... Lower-Priced!
...with the ALL-NEW DR® POWER GRADER!
Mow fields, brush, even saplings with neverbefore ease.
Starting at just
799
NEW WIDE CUT MODELS for faster mowing!
ROUGH CUT & FINISH MOWERS— the most complete selection available.
The All-NEW DR® Powerwagon!
Larger Capacity, Lower Prices!
More Power! Lower Prices!
Perfect for SPRING CLEAN-UP! Rated #1 in Vacuum Power
• Chip big branches up to 5.75" thick! Starting at just • Self-feeding models available. No more force-feeding! $69999 • Powerful engines spin big PTO fly-wheels (up to 62 lbs.), MODELS generating massive chipping force! AVAILABLE! • Models that shred yard and garden waste as well as CHIP branches.
6 MONTH FREE EASY SHIPPING TRIAL FINANCING SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY. CALL OR GO ONLINE FOR DETAILS.
DRchipper.com
SELF-PROPELLED! More powerful engines make transporting big loads EASY—even going uphill! Electric-start models available. NEW LOW PRICES! New models at up to $300 less! 18A25E © 2018
DRleafvac.com
18A25D © 2018
Stores Flat in Minutes
HAULS UP TO 800 LBS!
LOWEST PRICES EVER!
Converts to an All-Purpose Trailer
CONVERTS TO A FLATBED quickly for carrying long loads.
Powered dumping available!
DRpowerwagon.com
Call for a FREE DVD and Catalog! Includes product specifications and factory-direct offers.
TOLL FREE
800-460-8023
18A25C © 2018
Now at the Lowest Price Ever
DR® LEAF VACUUMS have Now Starting proven in laboratory testing to at Just 99 achieve the most vacuum power $ 999 versus competitors. And now, with our All-New PILOT Model FREE combines this same amazing yard SHIPPING clean-up power with an equally amazing new price!
DRfieldbrush.com
18A25B © 2018
NEW LOW PRICES reduced up to $500!
All New DR® CHIPPERS
World’s Most Powerful Leaf Vacuum...at a New LOW PRICE!
ATTENTION: TRACTOR AND ATV OWNERS! NEW MODELS starting at $139999
NEW POWER STEERING for easier handling! 18A25A © 2018
SAVES YOU MONEY—loosens and redistributes 99 $ existing material, saving you from purchasing new gravel or stone. EASY TO USE—tows behind your ATV or riding mower, filling in potholes and ruts. PRECISE CONTROL of grading depth is adjustable from your driver’s seat. AMAZINGLY DURABLE carbide teeth last 10X longer than steel on ordinary box scrapers. DRpowergrader.com
AL
LA MS
WHATEVER The Farm MEANS TO YOU, LET FIRST SOUTH FINANCE IT. When it comes to finding your place in the country, First South is the
lender for you. We’re ready to help you with a loan for that perfect piece of land - for whatever The Farm means to you.
Your Rural Lender | FIRSTSOUTHLAND.COM | 800-955-1722
Home On The Ranch Tallapoosa County Ranch Gives Girls Hope
By Marlee Moore
Melisa Montgomery, right, donates cattle feed and minerals to the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch, a place she credits with changing her life. Montgomery's donations benefit girls like Jade, left, who live on the ranch.
T
hanksgiving 1996. Melisa Montgomery — 12 years old, broken, hurting — was one day into a 7-year stretch living at the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch. She ate the requisite Turkey Day meal with strangers and had a choice — embrace ranch life or trash her chance at a fresh start. Over 21 years later, Montgomery gives thanks for her life-altering experience by supplying cattle feed and minerals to the ranch. “I loved the people and what they taught me,” said Montgomery, 33, who owns Lee County Feed & Seed in Beauregard. “If I didn’t come to the ranch as an eye opener, I would have a terrible relationship with my family. I wouldn’t have my husband and kids."I know without a doubt I would be on a different, terrible path.”
March/Spring 2018
For the average Joe, the Camp Hill ranch, one of four across the state, might surface images of juvenile delinquents, a picture Jimmy Harmon contradicts. “We are a home for abused, neglected and abandoned kids,” said Harmon, a second-generation ranch director raised on the Baldwin County Boys Ranch. “We are the orphanage of our generation.” The ranch is home to around 18 girls — victims of abuse or children of addicts or incarcerated parents. Group homes with up to 10 girls are led by couples like Thomas and Candice Gulley. During six years as house parents, the Gulleys nurtured 66 girls, only four of whom previously had 13
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch Director Jimmy Harmon, right, relies on farmers like Chris Langley for ranch operational advice. Langley and other farmers donate time, funds and equipment to help revitalize the ranch.
positive male role models. “They come from these broken places, but if you can introduce them to the savior, he can heal that brokenness,” said 36-year-old Candice. “Instinctively, you want to nurture them and make up for what they’ve lost, but they have to start from here and grow. Structure is something they crave, and they don’t even realize it.” Lending structure are 5:30 a.m. wake-up calls, devotions and limited TV time. There are also daily chores, including caring for horses, chickens and a 15-head cattle herd. Cattle are vital to the ranch, which has undergone a revival since Harmon arrived three years ago. Animals teach the girls responsibility and are a boon to the ranch’s finances. With monthly food funds totaling $60 per girl, a herd of just 25 replacement heifers could bolster the budget by up to $15,000 annually, Harmon said. Thanks to farmers like Chris Langley, Harmon’s dream of revitalizing the ranch is a reality. The Chambers County farmer has provided hay, built fence, supplied crews to clear land and furnished a bull. “When you call it a ranch, you need livestock to go with it,” Langley said. “It’s amazing how kids can unload their thoughts and talk to an animal like they won’t to a human.” Other farmers pitched in, too, donating culled dairy calves and hosting fundraisers. “When we run into something we don’t know, we call a farmer,” Harmon said. “For every dollar we don’t spend on our calves, it’s more food on the table.” That money benefits girls like Teya, who came to the ranch in 2014 because of verbal and emotional abuse. “I cried I was so relieved,” said the now-20 year old.
“You know how people say the weight was lifted off their shoulders? When I got here, I could let it all go. I was free.” When Teya arrived, she desperately needed knee surgery. Within months, she had the surgery, which her birth father had ignored, and she found a new calling — helping others as a physical therapist. She also gained a new family. Today, she calls her first house parents Mom and Dad. “No matter your age, you’re responsible for something and are always learning,” said Teya, who plans to attend Auburn University after completing her associate degree. “The younger you come here, the harder it is. But we’re being taken care of by people who love us.” It’s a sentiment Montgomery echoes. The ranch allowed her to attend college, renewed family connections and introduced her to her future maid of honor in her wedding — her social worker. “Even when I got in trouble, I loved the ranch,” she said. “They taught me to pick up my own pieces.” The Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch is a United Way agency. For more information, visit boysandgirlsranches.org/Tallapoosa. n
Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch • Average stay is 15 months • Around 18 girls in three group homes • Median GPA is 3.47 • 100 percent graduated high school since 2014 • 75 percent finished college/trade school w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
14
March/Spring 2018
B Bu igg tt er on s
ts o N rac
nt
Co
“My friends all hate their cell phones… I love mine!” FREE Car Charg Here’s why. er
Say good-bye to everything you hate about cell phones. Say hello to the Jitterbug Flip. “Cell phones have gotten so small, I can barely dial mine.” Not the Jitterbug® Flip. It features a large keypad for easier dialing. It even has a larger display and a powerful, hearing aid compatible speaker, so it’s easy to see and conversations are clear. “I had to get my son to program it.” Your Jitterbug Flip setup process is simple. We’ll even program it with your favorite numbers. “What if I don’t remember a number?” Friendly, helpful Personal Operators are available 24 hours a day and will even greet you by name when you call. “I’d like a cell phone to use in an emergency.” Now you can turn your phone into a personal safety device with 5Star® Service. In any uncertain or unsafe situation, simply press the 5Star button to speak immediately with a highly-trained Urgent Response Agent who will confirm your location, evaluate your situation and get you the help you need, 24/7. “My cell phone company wants to lock me in a two-year contract!” Not with the Jitterbug Flip. There are no contracts to sign and no cancellation fees.
Order now and receive a FREE Car Charger – a $25 value for your Jitterbug Flip. Call now!
$14.99/mo1
Monthly Plan Monthly Minutes Personal Operator Assistance Long Distance Calls
$19.99/mo1
200
600
24/7
24/7
No add’l charge
No add’l charge
FREE
FREE
Nationwide Coverage
YES
YES
30-Day Return Policy
YES
YES
Voice Dial
2
More minute plans and Health & Safety Packages available. Ask your Jitterbug expert for details.
“My phone’s battery only lasts a short time.” Unlike most cell phones that need to be recharged every day, the Jitterbug Flip was designed with a long-lasting battery, so you won’t have to worry about running out of power. “Many phones have features that are rarely needed and hard to use!” The Jitterbug Flip contains easy-to-use features that are meaningful to you. A built-in camera makes it easy and fun for you to capture and share your favorite memories. And a flashlight with a built-in magnifier helps you see in dimly lit areas. The Jitterbug Flip has all the features you need.
5Star Enabled
12:45P Mon Feb 26
Available in Red and Graphite.
Enough talk. Isn’t it time you found out more about the cell phone that’s changing all the rules? Call now! Jitterbug product experts are standing by.
Call toll-free to get your
Jitterbug Flip Cell Phone
Please mention promotional code 108558.
1-888-763-5161
www.JitterbugDirect.com 47669
We proudly accept the following credit cards:
IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc.Your invoices will come from GreatCall. 1Monthly fees do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges and are subject to change. Plans and services may require purchase of a Jitterbug Flip and a one-time setup fee of $35. Coverage is not available everywhere. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. 5Star Service will be able to track an approximate location when your device is turned on, but we cannot guarantee an exact location. 2We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone and the activation fee (or setup fee) if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable. There are no additional fees to call GreatCall’s U.S.-based customer service. However, for calls to a Personal Operator in which a service is completed, you will be charged 99 cents per call, and minutes will be deducted from your monthly rate plan balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Personal Operator. Jitterbug, GreatCall and 5Star are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Copyright ©2018 GreatCall, Inc. ©2018 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
Big On The Pig Help us find Bama’s Best Pork Ribs! Prize includes
• A plaque for braggin’ • $500 from the Alabama Pork Producers for spendin’ • A feature in June Neighbors magazine for sharin’
Nominate your go-to restaurant for ribs on the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Facebook and Instagram posts through April 2. A panel of pork-loving judges will smoke out the Final Four restaurants during judging later that month.
Questions?ContactGuyHallwithAlabamaPorkProducersatghall@alfafarmers.org.
ADVANCED HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY For Less Than $200 “I was amazed! Sounds I hadn’t heard in years came back to me!” — Don W., Shermer, TX
How can a hearing aid that costs less than $200 be every bit as good
as one that sells for $2,250 or more? The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in Advanced Hearing Aid Technology, those cost reductions have not been passed on to you. Until now... The MDHearingAid® uses the same kind of Advanced Hearing Aid Technology incorporated into hearing aids that cost thousands more at a small fraction of the price. Over 250,000 satisfied customers agree: High quality FDA registered hearing aids don’t have to cost a fortune. The fact is, you don’t need to spend thousands for a medical-grade hearing aid. MDHearingAid gives you a sophisticated high-performance hearing aid that works right out of the box with no time-consuming “adjustment” appointments. You can contact a hearing specialist conveniently on-line or by phone—even after sale at no cost. No other company provides such extensive support. Now that you know...why pay more?
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR
45-DAY RISK-FREE TRIAL!
Hearing is believing and we invite you to try this nearly invisible hearing aid with no annoying whistling or background noise for yourself. If you are not completely satisfied with your MDHearingAid , return it within 45 days for a FULL REFUND .
For the Lowest Price Call
800-516-3252
MDHearingAid200.com Use Code
DH63
DOCTOR DESIGNED | AUDIOLOGIST TESTED | FDA REGISTERED
and get
Nearly Invisible
BIG SOUND. TINY PRICE.
BATTERIES INCLUDED! READY TO USE RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX!
FREE Batteries for 1 Year
Plus FREE Shipping ©2018 MDHearingAid, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Crenshaw County’s Catrett Challenges Traditional Face Of Agriculture By Mary Johns
C
ameron Catrett is no stranger to leading champion heifers and steers she bred and raised around a show ring. For the 2017-2018 academic year, she’s also leading the Alabama FFA Association as state president. A 17-year-old senior at Brantley High School, Catrett is the first state FFA president from Alabama’s South District since 1995 and the first ever from Crenshaw County. “It’s fun to serve in this capacity, not only for my district, but also as a female in FFA,” Catrett said. “FFA gives students a direction in life, no matter their background.” While FFA once stood for Future Farmers of America, farming is not only in Catrett’s future plans; it’s part of her past and present. She and her older sister, Cassidy, are fourthgeneration beef cattle farmers on land that’s been in their family since the 1940s. “I started exhibiting cattle when I was 8 years old, and that’s when I started to build my own herd,” Catrett said. “I started with just one show steer and one show heifer, and I haven’t stopped since.” Currently, Catrett’s herd includes about 30 mostly purebred Shorthorns with a mix of Simmentals and Limousin. Her cattle are pastured with others owned by her sister and parents, Perry and Ashley. FFA provided Catrett opportunities to learn new beef management practices. She became Beef Quality Assurance certified through her high school FFA chapter and earned a grant to use embryo transfer with some of her cows. “Cameron and Cassidy have learned so much, and they even push me,” Perry said. “Our cattle have definitely benefited from what they’ve learned. It makes me swell with pride to know my daughters share my passion for agriculture.” w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
Alabama FFA State President for 2017-2018 Cameron Catrett is no stranger to earning awards for her agricultural work, whether showing the champion steer at the Alabama Junior Beef Expo (above) or being named the state’s 2017 FFA Star Farmer (left).
Catrett is quick to credit her sister with pushing her to achieve success in the show ring and FFA. “I was my sister’s shadow,” Catrett said. “When Cassidy started showing cattle, I wanted to do it. When she was elected state FFA secretary in 2015, I knew I wanted to run for office. No one really thinks two young girls can start their own herd, haul their own cattle and create a market for themselves. But it’s always fun to face those challenges with Cassidy.” Agriculture is a big part of Catrett’s future. She plans to attend Mississippi State University or Oklahoma State University, both land-grant institutions, and hopes to go to veterinary school. No matter where life takes her, Catrett is dedicated to educating others about agriculture. “As farmers, we have to put our story into realworld terms for consumers so they can understand how we raise our livestock and produce the products they eat,” she said. “As a young woman, I am excited about the opportunity to change the face of agriculture.” See Simply Southern TV episode 407 for a show featuring Catrett. Visit SimplySouthernTV.net. n 18
March/Spring 2018
You Choose...
FDA Registered Hearing Aids ONLY $299
45-DAY
FREE
TRIAL EarMate-4220
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Buy direct from manufacturer 100% Risk-FREE offer 45-day home trial FREE shipping Payment plans available Licensed professionals
PER AID
Apollo-6200
The EarMate®-4220 and the Apollo-6200 are the perfect FDA registered digital hearing aids if you want the BEST technology for the BEST price.. Both models are perfect for those with mild to moderate hearing loss and feature American Made electronics to give you advanced technology for crisp, clear sound. Conversations remain clear in noisy environments with layered noise reduction technology and feedback cancellation virtually eliminates squeal. The EarMate-4220 and Apollo-6200 both feature a discreet design giving you the most natural sound with total comfort. High-quality American Made electronics
Advanced technology
●
100% Digital
The typical hearing aid costs at least $2,000 but your price is nowhere near that with this special offer! Try our EarMate-4220 or the Apollo-6200 with NO MONEY DOWN completely Risk-FREE for 45 days in the comfort of your own home and see if it’s everything we’ve promised. Call today: 1-888-847-1189 and mention promo code 89-907.
Try our EarMate-4220 or Apollo-6200 hearing aid risk-free for 45 days. Since 1979
Professional and affordable hearing help, for life!
If you like it then pay only $299 per hearing aid!
• Hearing aids by mail for 39 years • Over 750,000 satisfied customers “I can hear and understand better at church and at home.” J.B. – Fort Payne, AL
By phone (Mon-Fri • 8 am - 5 pm Central Time)
1-888-847-1189
“I have been wearing hearing aids for 35 years and these are the best I’ve had.” W.J. – Sipsey, AL
Offer expires: 6/30/18
Promo code: 89-907
Order online
www.HearingHelpExpress.com/89907 © Hearing Help Express®, Inc
45-DAY RISK-FREE HOME TRIAL
A+ Rating Better Business Bureau
Licensed hearing aid dispensers on staff
100%
Satisfaction
GUARANTEED
LIMITE D 1 YEAR WARRANTY
PROTECTION
ANTEED GUAR
FREE Summer Institute
May 30 - June 1, 2018 • Mobile, Alabama Attention Teachers and Other Education Specialists
Farm Tours • Workshops • Teaching Strategies
Professional Development Hours Toward Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Apply Online at AlabamaAITC.org REGISTRATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2018
Tired of struggling on the stairs? Can be placed virtually anywhere in your home.
Introducing the Affordable Easy Climber® Elevator Home Improvement that actually improves your LIFE!
SAFE
America’s Most Popula r Home Elevator
u Equipped with weight, balance and obstruction sensors u Works even in a power outage
VERSATILE
u Can be placed almost anywhere in your home u Quick professional installation
Imagine the possibilities
CONVENIENT
u Footprint is slightly larger than a refrigerator u Compact and Quiet
Revolutionary elevator can give you– and your home’s value– a lift
“We are tickled about our new elevator. This is the first time I’ve seen the second floor of my home! It’s like an early Christmas present.” Stan W. US war veteran and retired professor
team without an expensive shaftway. Its small “footprint” and self-contained lift mechanism adds convenience and value to your home and quality to your life. It’s called the Easy Climber® Elevator. Call us now and we can tell you just how simple it is to own. For many people, particularly seniors, climbing stairs can be a struggle and a health threat. Some have installed motorized stair lifts, but they block access to the stairs
• •
No more climbing up stairs No more falling down stairs Plenty of room for groceries or laundry Perfect for people with older pets Ideal for Ranch houses with basements
and are hardly an enhancement to your home’s décor. By contrast, the Easy Climber® Elevator can be installed almost anywhere in your home. That way you can move easily and safely from floor to floor without struggling or worse yet… falling. Why spend another day without this remarkable convenience? Knowledgeable product experts are standing by to answer any questions you may have. Call Now!
Call now to find out how you can get your own Easy Climber Elevator. Please mention promotional code 108555. For fastest service, call toll-free.
1-888-365-1814
Residential installations only. Not available in all areas. Call to see if you qualify. © 2018 Aging in the Home Remodelers Inc.
82838
Elevators have been around since the mid 19th century, and you can find them in almost every multi-story structure around… except homes. That’s because installing an elevator in a home has always been a complicated and expensive home renovation project… until now. Innovative designers have created a home elevator that can be easily installed almost anywhere in your home by our professional
• • •
FOOTMEN OF DIXIE
Russell To Chair Forestry Commission
M
ontgomery County landowner Jane Russell was elected chair of the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) during a Jan. 11 board meeting. Katrenia Kier of Madison County was elected vice chair. A past chair of the Alabama Farmers Federation State Forestry Committee, Russell was appointed to the seven-member commission in 2014. She is also former president of the Montgomery County Farmers Federation. “Serving as chair is a privilege, and I take it seriously,” said Russell, a retired teacher who raises timber and cattle in Lapine with husband Tom. “I am so excited about the future of the forestry commission and am going to work hard to serve our foresters, rangers and the state of Alabama.” Kier was appointed to the commission in 2016. She owns a real estate brokerage firm in Huntsville established by her late husband, Richard Kier. Other AFC commissioners include Jerry M. Dwyer of Auburn, immediate past chair; Stephen W. May III of Sawyerville; Dr. Bill Sudduth of Tuscaloosa; Robert N. Turner of Sulligent; and Joseph H. Twardy of Auburn. The board, appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate, sets policy for the AFC, the state agency charged with protecting and sustaining Alabama’s forest resources. n Grower Direct
By Sean Dietrich, Sean of the South
G
od bless the South, and God bless its waiters and waitresses. Noble footmen of Dixie. There, I said it. When I worked in a restaurant, I once served a Detroit couple. They were picky. I waited on them hand and foot, doing everything except pedaling a unicycle while juggling Ginsu chainsaws. They tipped me thirty-five cents and a Tootsie Roll. The manager shook his head and said, “Cheap yankees; they never tip.” He was right, God love them. You know what else northern suburbanites seldom do? They don’t sit on porches. My buddy from New Jersey thinks porches are for cigarette smokers. “Jersey houses don’t even have front porches,” he said. This unsettles me, because folks like my wife and me are always on porches, even when we happen to live in trailers. And well, the South has a lot of those, too. You might’ve seen some before. We’re not ashamed of our mobile homes. We think they’re sassy displays of ambulatory engineering. Especially my aunt Jessie’s old single wide, with its flamingos and beer-can wind chimes. Some folks think only stupid people
live in trailers. Well, that’s ridiculous. We’re not stupid, just slow. In fact, it took me 10 minutes to write this sentence. My old literature professor — a miserable buzzard from Chicago — tongue lashed me for being slow arriving for class. He yelled at me before the entire student alumni, “Don’t you know what time class starts?” “No sir,” I said bone-crushingly slow. “You must’ve gone over that before I was here.” So, he gave me a D. Now there was a man who despised the South. Too bad for him, because the best thing about the Land of Cotton is our slowness. We love naps, porch-sitting, and barbecues. Big barbecues with pork butt, baked beans, potato salad, and our drunk aunt Jessie. If you’re a northerner, you should come join our fun, you’ll love it. We carry on famously. All we ask is that you help with the dishes. Don’t worry about leaving a tip— God forbid. But would you mind giving Aunt Jessie a ride home? n
Grow half-dollar size
Muscadines
and Blackberries. We also offer over 200 varieties of Fruit and Nut Trees plus Vine and Berry Plants.
Columnist and novelist Sean Dietrich shares tales of common people, the human spirit, traditional regional music and life in the American South through his podcast series at SeanDietrich.com.
Ison’s Nursery
Since 1934
Free Catalog
PO Box 190 Brooks, GA 30205 1-800-733-0324 • isons.com
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
22
March/Spring 2018
SUPER COUPON
850 Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com SUPER COUPON
8750 MAX. STARTING/ 7000 RUNNING WATTS 13 HP (420 CC) GAS GENERATOR
Customer Rating
SUPER QUIET
• GFCI outlets NOW
HONDA $
$
MODEL: EM6500SXK2AT
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
Customer Rating
$129
99
COMPARE TO
KOBALT
$
19499
299
MODEL: SM3055LW
SAVE $ 169
$79
ITEM 61969/61970 69684 shown
$
97
99
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
• Weighs 86.4 lbs. • 21" L x 10-1/8" H
$29 9 $ 39999 COMPARE TO
WARN
$
699
99
MODEL: 56467
14998
MODEL: HD00120
ITEM 62326/61282/61253 shown
Customer Rating
$16999
SAVE $980 SNAP-ON
SAVE $400
99
COMPARE TO
OPTRONICS
$5 9 $
3359 SAVE 70%
5755
MODEL: H-21
ITEM 62515/66911 shown
SAVE 65%
2999
BUFFALO SAVE TOOLS $ 59% 43
16
MODEL: HDFDOLLY
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
$
Customer Rating
NOW
$89
• Weighs 5 lbs.
249
$ 99 CHICAGO PNEUMATIC MODEL: CP7749 COMPARE TO
$
99
Customer Rating
ITEM 61899/63095/63096 63098/63097/93888 shown
119
99
ITEM 62835
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
MECHANIC'S GLOVES Customer Rating
COMPARE TO
MECHANIX $ 99
14
MODEL: 5075800
NOW
$39 9 5
$ 99 ITEM 62434, 62426, 62433, 62432, 62429, 62428 shown
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 6/28/18.
hft_neighborsmag_0318_M-REG140798.indd 1
SUPER COUPON
NOW
$1 9 9 9
COMPARE TO
COLEMAN
$
4999
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
SUPER COUPON
29 PIECE TITANIUM DRILL BIT SET Customer Rating
• Boom extends from 36-1/4" to 50-1/4" • Crane height adjusts from 82" to 94"
NOW
$99 9
NOW
$9 99 9
ITEM 69512/61858/69445 shown
$
179
99
COMPARE TO
DEWALT
Model 2800
ULTRA-LIGHT, CRUSH PROOF WEATHER-RESISTANT LOCKABLE CASE Customer Rating NOW
29
99
COMPARE TO
PELICAN
74
MODEL: 1400
69%
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
60
$
SAVE 83%
MODEL: DW1369
1799
ITEM 62281 61637 shown
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
TORQUE WRENCHES
• Accuracy within ±4%
$229 9
• 13-3/4" L 11-1/2" W 5-7/8" H $ 56 SAVE
$
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
$
ITEM 62314/63066 66383 shown
MODEL: 2000020293
1 TON CAPACITY FOLDABLE SHOP CRANE
SAVE $ 80
ITEM 63255 63254 shown
SAVE $ 99 60% 29
SAVE $ 39
98
SUPER COUPON
SAVE 73%
MODEL: 20600
HEAVY DUTY FOLDABLE Customer Rating ALUMINUM SPORTS CHAIR
Customer Rating
10 "
SAVE $ 99
17933
SUPER COUPON
1099 $79 9
SAVE 51%
ft.
7999
99
LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
1/2" HEAVY DUTY COMPOSITE PRO AIR IMPACT WRENCH
SAVE $ 160
$
8
MODEL: WG309
NOW
SUPER COUPON
950 TORQUE FT. LBS. BOLT BREAKAWAY
$
to
ITEM 68862/63190/62896 shown
Customer Rating COMPARE TO
$
BRIGGS & STRATTON
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
18" x 12" MOVER'S DOLLY
• 1000 lb. capacity
ft.
99
WORX ITEM 63100
SUPER COUPON
$1 99 9 $
6
COMPARE TO
MODEL: TL21RK
COMPARE TO
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
7 AMP ELECTRIC POLE SAW 9.5" BAR
NOW
$
ITEM 61427 63308/64060/64061 95272/64059 shown
SUPER COUPON
NOW
• 350 lb. capacity
GPL
ITEM 64032/64030 64033 shown
1,150
MODEL: KRSC33APBO
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
STEP STOOL/ WORKING PLATFORM
$799 9 $9999
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
NOW
SUPER COUPON
COMPARE TO
$
1750 PSI ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHER
NOW
19999
COMPARE TO
SUPER COUPON
• 1.3 GPM Customer Rating • Adjustable spray nozzle
ITEM 64031
YOUR CHOICE OF COLOR
12 VOLT MAGNETIC TOWING LIGHT KIT
Customer Rating
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
Customer Rating
$
• 8100 cu. in. of storage • 700 lb. capacity • Weighs 139 lbs.
SUPER COUPON
$9 $ 1899
ITEM 64046/64045/63770 shown
HUSKY
LIMIT 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/28/18.
SUPER COUPON
30", 5 DRAWER TOOL CARTS
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
12,000 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH REMOTE CONTROL Customer Rating AND AUTOMATIC BRAKE 99
COMPARE TO
SUPER COUPON
Battle Tested
NOW
ITEM 69080/69030/69031 shown
$
99
SAVE $ 69
ANY SINGLE ITEM*
• Thumb Lock • Rubber Wrapped Case
20"
NOW
Blade sold separately.
6
MODEL: L4825HV
.
SUPER COUPON
RAPID PUMP® 3 TON LOW PROFILE HEAVY DUTY STEEL • Weighs FLOOR JACK 73 lbs.
guide
COMPARE TO
KOMELON $ 98
Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/28/18 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
Customer Rating • Laser
NOW
COMPARE TO
SUPER COUPON
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW $
169
$ 99 DEWALT MODEL: DWFP55126 ITEM 62511/62894/62380/68149/67696 shown
ITEM 68530/63086/69671/63085 shown ITEM 68525/63087/63088, CALIFORNIA ONLY
ANY PURCHASE
LIFETIME WARRANTY
1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE
99 12499 $9 9
SAVE $ 70
Wheel kit and battery sold separately.
$
WITH
• Air delivery: 2.5 CFM @ 90 PSI, 3.4 CFM @ 40 PSI NOW
$52999 2,700 $ 59999 SAVE 2170
20% OFF
FREE
SUPER COUPON
6 GALLON, 1.5 HP, 150 PSI Customer Rating PROFESSIONAL OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSOR
COMPARE TO
SUPER COUPON
DRIVE 1/4"
ITEM 2696/61277/63881
3/8"
807/61276/63880
1/2"
62431/239/63882
LIFETIME WARRANTY
Case contents and locks not included.
ITEM 63926
SAVE 88% COMPARE TO $ 8497 HUSKY
MODEL: H2DTWA
Customer Rating
YOUR CHOICE
$999 $
1999
Item 239 shown
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/28/18*
At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
1/31/18 8:58 AM
Sixteen Commodities In The Spotlight At Farmers’ Meeting By Marlee Moore
O
ver 600 farmers representing 16 commodities were in the Capital City Feb. 6-8 to soak up industry insights and elect leaders. It was Baldwin County farmer Eric Street’s third year attending the Alabama Farmers Federation Commodity Organizational Meeting in Montgomery. The self-proclaimed information junkie said knowledge gleaned at the meeting helps improve his farm, primarily a row crop operation. “We’re meeting new people, learning different technologies and finding out what’s happening in the world of farming,” said Street, whose farm with brother Toby includes cattle and pecan trees. “The more seasoned farmers I talk to, I always come away with good information. I can pick their brain about things like yields, newer technology, resistant weeds and fertility programs.” Farmers heard from USDA’s Alabama Farm Service Agency Director David McCurdy, Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Max Runge and USDA Alabama Rural Development Director Chris Beeker at lunch presentations. The Federation’s Brian Hardin said the meeting is a great chance for boots-on-the-ground farmers to network with leaders and each other. “Thanks to our great speakers in the sessions and at lunch, Alabama
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
Above: From left are Federation Cotton, Soybeans and Wheat & Feed Grain Divisions Director Carla Hornady, Baldwin County farmer Eric Street, Federation President Jimmy Parnell and Alabama Soybean Producers Chairman Colt Clemmons of Lauderdale County. Left: Attendees heard researchers and industry experts during three days of meetings. From left are Jackson County’s Clay Hastings, Marshall County’s John Bevel, Marshall County Farmers Federation President David Ellis and DeKalb County’s Ben Johnson.
farmers are learning applicable information to increase yields and performance and the importance of diversification on their farms,” said Hardin, the Federation’s Governmental and Agricultural Programs Department director. “Our goal is for Alabama agriculture to prosper and grow, and this meeting is a way to help achieve that objective.” Researchers and industry leaders made presentations to the Federation’s Bee & Honey; Beef; Catfish; Cotton; Dairy; Equine; Forestry; Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod; Hay & Forage; Horticulture; Meat Goat & Sheep; Pork; Poultry; Soybeans; Wheat & Feed Grains; and Wildlife Resources divisions. The Alabama TREASURE Forest Association 24
board of directors met Wednesday afternoon, while the Alabama Peanut Producers Association annual meeting and trade show was in Dothan, Feb. 8. Matt McMichen of Cherokee County received $10,000 during the Feb. 6 meeting for winning Alabama’s 100-Bushel Soybean Challenge. The Alabama Soybean Producers sponsored the contest, where McMichen set an official state record for soybean yield per acre. State commodity committees elected to three-year terms during the meeting. Outgoing committee members were honored as well. View the full lists of new members and honorees at AlfaFarmers.org. n March/Spring 2018
on
o ct N tra e n Fe o N ly th
M
New amplified phone lets you hear AND see the conversation.
Co
Breakthrough technology converts phone calls to captions.
The Hamilton® CapTel® Captioned Telephone converts phone conversations to easy-to-read captions for individuals with hearing loss.
A simple idea… made possible with sophisticated technology. If you have trouble understanding a call, captioned telephone can change your life. During a phone call the words spoken to you appear on the phone’s screen – similar to closed captioning on TV. So when you make or receive a call, the words spoken to you are not only amplified by the phone, but scroll across the phone so you can listen while reading everything that’s said to you. Each call is routed through a call center, where computer technology – aided by a live representative – generates voice-to-text translations. The captioning is real-time, accurate and readable. Your conversation is private and the captioning service doesn’t cost you a penny. Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) is regulated and funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is designed exclusively for individuals with hearing loss. To learn more, visit www.fcc.gov. The Hamilton CapTel phone requires telephone service and high-speed Internet access. WiFi Capable. Callers do not
need special equipment or a captioned telephone in order to speak with you. Finally… a phone you can use again. The Hamilton CapTel phone is also packed with features to help make phone calls easier. The keypad has large, easy to use buttons. You get adjustable volume amplification along with the ability to save captions for review later. It even has an answering machine that provides you with the captions of each message.
SEE what you’ve been missing!
“For years I avoided phone calls because I couldn’t understand the caller… now I don’t miss a thing!” See for yourself with our exclusive home trial. Try a captioned telephone in your own home and if you are not completely amazed, simply return it within 60-days for a refund of the product purchase price. It even comes with a 5-year warranty.
Captioned Telephone Call now for our special introductory price! Call now Toll-Free
1-888-854-8466 Please mention promotion code 108557. The Captioning Telephone is intended for use by people with hearing loss. In purchasing a Captioning Telephone, you acknowledge that it will be used by someone who cannot hear well over a traditional phone. Hamilton is a registered trademark of Nedelco, Inc. d/b/a Hamilton Telecommunications. CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc.
81135
Do you get discouraged when you hear your telephone ring? Do you avoid using your phone because hearing difficulties make it hard to understand the person on the other end of the line? For many Americans the telephone conversation – once an important part of everyday life – has become a thing of the past. Because they can’t understand what is said to them on the phone, they’re often cut off from friends, family, doctors and caregivers. Now, thanks to innovative technology there is finally a better way.
BURN SAFELY with the Stainless Steel
The annual meetings of the policyholder members of Alfa Mutual Insurance Company, Alfa Mutual Fire Insurance Company and Alfa Mutual General Insurance Company will be held at the Executive Office of the Company, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama, 36116, on March 26, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., to consider and act upon the following:
BurnCage™ PERFECT FOR: • Sensitive financial documents • All burnable household waste* • Old leaves and branches STAINLESS STEEL CONSTRUCTION is lightweight, durable, and portable PERFORATED LID and sidewalls maximize airflow and trap embers.
NOW IN 3 SIZES!
1600° TEMPERATURES mean more thorough burning with less ash.
MAX
NEW
BurnCage™
2X
THE VOLUME OF THE ORIGINAL
No more UNSAFE and UNSIGHTLY rusty barrel!
Call for FREE Information Kit and Factory Direct Coupon! TOLL-FREE
800-460-8023
Keplinger Aluminum Burial Vault Co. Save up to $3,000 on Premium Quality Burial Vaults as low as $1,275!
Call 205-285-9732 today!
1. To elect directors in accordance with the bylaws. 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
18A28X © 2018
* Always check local ordinances before burning.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETINGS OF ALFA MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY ALFA MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY & ALFA MUTUAL GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY
The record date fixed for determining members entitled to vote at said meeting is the close of business on February 5, 2018. If a member has authorized the Company’s Board of Directors to vote as his/her proxy at said meeting and wishes to revoke such proxy, such member may do so by written notice to the Secretary of the Company, by registered mail to the address set forth above, at least 10 days prior to said meeting.
BurnCage.com
— Angela L. Bradwell, Secretary
Jeff Register Building & Truss
When building home security systems into your new home, know that the provider is licensed by the State of Alabama. Be smart. Be safe. Be secure.
RegisterFarmBarns.com
Licensedsecurity.org
40’ x 60’ x 12’ - Installed Roof only, closed gables - $7,642 Roof only, open gables - $6,850 30’ X 40’ X 10’ - Installed Roof only, open gables - $3,950
Locations: Gulfport, MS Canton, MS Highland Home, AL
Prices do not include tax and delivery.
Office (228) 678-0971 Cell (228) 234-9115 JRegister@registermetals.com w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
26
March/Spring 2018
Real Life Lands Alabama Cowboys On Reality TV Show By Jill Clair Gentry
A
nyone who’s raised cattle knows the cowboy lifestyle would make for compelling television — but not many cowboys would dream of inviting producers and film crews into their lives. But that’s exactly what 28-yearold Cody Harris and wife Misty have done. As more viewers tune into “The Cowboy Way,” which airs on INSP network Thursdays at 7 p.m. CST, their dream of providing the rest of the nation a peek into their way of life has become reality. The show follows three young Alabama Thursdays at 7 p.m. CST cowboys and their families INSP Network as they make a living raising cattle, producing Cody and Misty Harris live in Robertsdale with their 11-month-old son, Carter. In addition to rodeos and training horses. Filming producing rodeos and running a fence-building business, the couple’s newest venture is Full Moon a TV show that revolves around Cattle Co., a custom beef operation. unpredictable animals isn’t an easy athlete who won several calf-roping the TV and find good, Christian, task, Cody said. championships, is no stranger down-home Southern values “Animals don’t always do what to reality TV. He was a cast anymore. I feel like God opened the you want them to do, so it’s not member of the first season of “The door for us to do this so we could easy to catch all this stuff,” Cody witness to people and show them said. “You don’t stage roping a bull. Bachelorette”-style “Sweet Home Alabama” that aired in 2011, and how we live.” We easily shoot over 100 hours of his friend, Bubba, was on the third The show’s second season is footage for a 42-minute episode.” season. That show’s producer loved airing now, and the third season The Harrises, who live in the cowboys and proposed filming premiers April 2 at 7 p.m. CST. Baldwin County near Robertsdale, a pilot for a show about their Response for the show has been co-star in the show with two lifestyle. overwhelmingly positive, Misty Geneva County cowboys, Bubba “We didn’t agree to do this said. The couple, who are Alabama Thompson and Chris “Booger” because we wanted to be famous,” Farmers Federation members, Brown. Cody said. “You just can’t turn on receives countless letters and Cody, a former pro-rodeo
The Cowboy Way
March/Spring 2018
27
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
Cody Harris, right, met Bubba Thompson, center, and Chris “Booger” Brown, left, at a cowboy church in Geneva County when he was traveling as a professional rodeo athlete. The three remained friends and now co-star in “The Cowboy Way” on the INSP Network.
Facebook messages from viewers thanking them for being part of a show that promotes family values. “There’s so many people being blessed by this show that it’s worth us trying to juggle it all,” Cody said. “We just want to represent the state of Alabama well.” Cody and Misty have a lot to juggle. In addition to filming the show, the young couple manages
a custom beef operation, a fence building business and a rodeo production company — all while raising their 11-month-old son, Carter. “We pretty much started all of these things around the same time, and balancing business and family is crazy, but it’s been a blessing,” Cody said. “We weren’t given any of this. We have built our
businesses from scratch. We want to work hard now so when our children are adults they can step into this alongside us if they want to.” Misty, who is a registered nurse, left her career to pursue the lifestyle she and Cody want to build for their family. There are fewer young families who choose to make their living through agriculture, and that’s what makes “The Cowboy Way” intriguing and inspiring for so many viewers, she said. “We’re all young and choosing to do this, starting from scratch. Our viewers are impressed by that because families like ours are a dying breed,” Misty said. “We’re just taking it one day at a time and giving it everything we’ve got.” n
Visit fordfarmbureauadvantage.com to take advantage of this offer today!
500
$
BONUS CASH
Members get $500 Bonus Cash* toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2017/2018 Ford vehicle! 2018 FORD EXPLORER
Don’t forget about the Alabama Farmers Federation Sweepstakes!** Text the word SWEEPS to 46786*** to enter! *Program 36238: $500 Bonus Cash offer exclusively for active AL, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO, NE, NM, NC, ND, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. Offer is valid through 1/2/2019 for the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2017/2018/2019 model year Ford vehicle. Not available on Mustang Shelby GT350®, Mustang Shelby® GT350R, Ford GT, Focus RS and F-150 Raptor. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase. Limit one $500 Bonus Cash offer per vehicle purchase or lease. Limit of five new eligible vehicle purchases or leases per Farm Bureau member during program period. See your Ford Dealer for complete details and qualifications. **NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. MUST BE LEGAL U.S. RESIDENT OF ALABAMA, 21 YEARS OR OLDER WITH VALID DRIVERS LICENSE TO ENTER AND CURRENT ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION MEMBER. Sweepstakes ends 5/31/18. For entry and official rules with complete eligibility, visit www.fordspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/sweeps. ***Autodialed marketing messages will be sent to the number provided. Consent is not a condition of purchase or entry. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
28
March/Spring 2018
As an Alfa Farmers member, you are eligible for a $500 rebate. At Harbin, we are going a step further and offering all Alfa Farmers members an additional $500.
That's $1,000 in instant savings! Visit www.harbinautomotive.com today to view our entire inventory.
with
with
www.harbinautomotive.com
(800) 239-9111
Federation members are now eligible to receive $500 Bonus Cash* toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2016/2017/2018 Ford and $750 Bonus Cash* toward the purchase of a new intelligently designed 2016/2017/2018 Lincoln vehicle! Visit fordspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/al and chose your vehicle of interest, Ford or Lincoln, to take advantage of this exclusive special offer today! *Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be an eligible Alabama Farmers Federation member for at least 30 consecutive days and a resident of the United States. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Limit one $500 Bonus Cash offer per vehicle purchase or lease. Limit of five new eligible vehicle purchases or leases per member during program period. Visit fordspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/al for full program details, or see your Ford dealer today!
BEEF IT UP
Our farmers help feed catfish, poultry and horses, too.
WHEAT & FEED GRAIN PRODUCERS
GrainsofTruth.net
4
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT
Tony Beck
March/Spring 2018
When Tony Beck makes a commitment, he gives it his all. The new Crenshaw County Farmers Federation president raises poultry and Angus cattle, in addition to baling haylage and peanut hay on his farm in Ivy Creek. Beck, 52, also is an Anipro/ Xtraformance Feeds dealer and serves on the Crenshaw County FSA Committee. He attends Rutledge United Methodist Church.
1 2 3 4
31
What’s your agricultural history?
When I was 15, we moved back to Crenshaw County. I moved to my grandfather’s cattle farm in 1987, which I bought in 1989. The farm has been in the family since at least the ‘40s, and we’re still tracing it further back.
Why did you build Chicken houses?
I thought that was the only way I could stay on the farm. It fit well with the cattle I already had. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
Does farm life ever stress you out?
In the summertime it can be stressful. When you’re growing nearly 70,000 chickens at once, you tend not to want to leave home.
what’s your best piece of advice?
In the last few years, I’ve had six bypasses. That’s taught me to enjoy every day, to take life one day at a time.
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
Maintaining Pond Fertility Is The Key To Good Fishing By Maggie Lawrence
L
ooking to enjoy spring and summer fishing in a privately owned pond? Dr. Rusty Wright, an Alabama Extension fisheries specialist at Auburn University, has advice on correctly fertilizing ponds. Infertile ponds seldom produce more than 100 pounds of fish per acre. Well-managed ponds can maintain 300-400 pounds of fish per acre. Get A Water Sample Test pond water for alkalinity and hardness. “Check with your county Extension office to get a sample tested,” Wright said. “Keeping alkalinity and hardness above 20 parts per million with liming is important to allow fertilizer to work or just have a healthy productive pond.” Regional Extension agents can help interpret results and offer guidance on correctly liming and fertilizing a pond. Pond fertilization helps shade out weeds, preventing light from reaching the pond bottom. Wright cautions to make sure
March/Spring 2018
weeds aren’t growing before starting a fertilization program. “If you fertilize a pond with weeds in it, you’re going to strengthen the weeds already there,” he said. Right Time To Fertilize Wright said begin fertilizing when water temperatures hit about 60 degrees, usually late February or early March in central Alabama. Once fertilization begins, keep it up. If fertilization stops, fish may become stunted from reduced food supplies, and fish may be more susceptible to disease. Several fertilizer types are available, including liquid and powder fertilizer. “Fertilize every 10-14 days until water clarity is between 18-24 inches, using a gallon of liquid fertilizer per acre, or 4-6 pounds per acre if using powder fertilizer,” Wright said. “Maintain that water clarity through the summer, only fertilizing when the water gets clearer than 24 inches.” Use care in applying fertilizer. Dilute liquid fertilizer with water
33
according to label instructions, and mix slowly in the prop wash of a boat, he said. If spreading from shore, dilute it more (at least 2-3 parts water to one part fertilizer) and pour it out, he added. “With powder, make sure there are no lumps in it, go to the up-wind side of the pond in a few spots and scatter it across the surface,” Wright said. Harvest Small Bass Wright’s final advice for maintaining a healthy fish population is to do a good job harvesting small bass. “April and May are when fishing should be at its best for largemouth bass, so you can get quite a bit of harvesting done then,” Wright said. He recommends taking out 10 pounds of bass an acre annually if the pond isn’t fertilized and 20 to 25 pounds per acre for fertilized ponds. Harvesting small bass, 14 inches and under, ensures remaining bass have adequate food. That helps increases the chances of catching bigger fish, he said. n
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
By Lois Chaplin
A
nyone who wants to grow something good to eat will be happy with a fig tree, one of the easiest fruit trees to grow at home. It’s fast growing with few problems, grows in clay or sand, grows in containers and prunes easily. If ever there was a beginner fruit, this is it. Some attention is best, but plenty of ignored fig trees in old Alabama gardens are still bearing. The only requisites are full sun and well-drained soil. Unlike many fruits, the common figs growing in this area don’t need two different varieties for cross-pollination. However, varieties have differences, so if space allows, more than one will be tempting. Figs begin ripening in early summer and continue into fall, depending on variety. The various fruit colors range from light green to tan to purple. Some have strawberry-red interiors, which glimmer atop a salad or a log of goat cheese. Some are a little sweeter and syrupy, while others are more dry and sugary — perfect for drying and preserves. Gardeners find green figs are less visible and less bothered by birds. The bottom of some varieties have a small opening called an eye. Water and insects can get into the fruit through the opening, causing it to rot, so it’s best to grow a variety with a “closed eye.” It’s important to choose varieties adapted to hot, humid weather. Good local garden centers offer those best for specific areas, but this caution is for when readers are tempted by the many available varieties. Some tried-and-true names in Alabama include Alma, Brown Turkey, Celeste, Hunt, LSU Purple and LSU Black. Once established, a tree lives for decades, but extreme cold can kill one. Celeste, Brown Turkey and Chicago Hardy are good choices for north Alabama. A tree grown in the ground can reach 15-20 feet tall and equally wide, especially in south Alabama, but most gardeners prune them to keep fruit within easy reach. This also makes trees more productive. Some gardeners prefer fancy pruning, shaping a tree into an espalier or carefully sculpting a multi-trunked bush form with an open center that’s easy to pick. Figs are so forgiving. If one February they aren’t pruned, keep in mind old trees survived for years with no pruning. Maintain a three-foot circle of mulch around trees
planted in the ground to avoid damage from a mower and to help keep the soil moist in dry weather. The first year, trees need regular watering but become drought tolerant as vigorous roots establish. Feed them in early spring and again in summer with a good fruit tree fertilizer containing micro nutrients. For container trees, select the largest pot possible because a tree will grow and fruit in relation to the size of its root system. Use a premium potting mix to support healthy roots and good drainage. Figs don’t like wet feet. Plants in containers need protection from cold, so cover or move to a garage if the temperature dips into the mid teens. Learn more about growing figs in Alabama by visiting the Alabama Cooperative Extension System website ACES.edu or those for Florida, Louisiana, Georgia and Tennessee, where growing conditions are like Alabama. Growers who start with a three-gallon or larger plant may see a few figs the first season. Eventually, there will be more figs than they can eat. n Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.
COLD WEATHER - WARM SAVINGS • WWW.ALAFARM.COM w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
34
March/Spring 2018
March/Spring 2018
35
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
I
t’s tempting to underestimate peanuts. Boiled peanuts, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cocktail nuts and desserts are what most Americans think of when considering peanuts. But because this humble legume can be used in both sweet and savory flavor profiles, there’s no limit to its use in all kinds of dishes. Peanuts also are a guilt-free ingredient — packed with protein, antioxidants, mono-unsaturated fats and several essential vitamins and minerals. They’re also linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, gallstones and weight gain. In addition, peanuts are a boon to the Southern economy. Alabama farmers harvest more than 400 million pounds of peanuts annually, and half the peanuts grown in the U.S. are harvested within 100 miles of Dothan. Baldwin County’s Mark and Sabrina Kaiser are fourthgeneration peanut farmers. Mark’s family immigrated to the U.S. from Hungary and began farming in Baldwin County in the early 1900s. His grandfather became involved with the Alabama Farmers Federation in its infancy, and the Kaisers have been active members since. Mark currently serves on the county Federation board and on the Alabama Peanut Producers Association’s board. “I’ve always loved working on the farm with the family,” Sabrina said. “These days I still do the books for the farm, but years ago, I had another job and worked on the farm, too. Mark would call me while I was at work and tell me they needed help. My boss was understanding, so I’d leave my job and go work on the farm.” Sabrina enjoys cooking with and eating peanuts, too. “For as long as I can remember, my mom made chocolate peanut butter balls,” she said. “I always helped her roll the balls and dip them in chocolate.”
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
By Jill Clair Gentry
CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS Courtesy of Sabrina Kaiser Start-to-finish: 1 hour, 15 minutes (30 minutes active) 2 cups creamy peanut butter 3/4 cup salted butter, softened 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar (amount may vary) 2 1-pound packs chocolate candy coating
Mix peanut butter, salted butter and vanilla in a large bowl. Add powdered sugar, a little at a time. Stop adding powdered sugar when you can form the mixture into a ball without it sticking to your hands. Cover and let sit in refrigerator 15 to 25 minutes until firm. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Cover and refrigerate again for 15 to 20 minutes. Melt chocolate according to package directions. Dip peanut butter balls, one at a time, into melted chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip. Place dipped peanut butter balls onto wax paper until hardened.
36
March/Spring 2018
BEEF-STUFFED SWEET POTATOES WITH SPICY PEANUT BUTTER SAUCE Courtesy of the National Peanut Board Start-to-finish: 45 minutes, Serves 4 For potatoes: 4 sweet potatoes 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef or turkey 1/2 large onion or 1 small onion, chopped 2-3 garlic cloves, minced Pinch of cayenne pepper Salt and pepper to taste For peanut sauce: 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter 3 teaspoons warm water 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce Juice of 1 lime 1 teaspoon honey 3 tablespoons warm water Pinch of salt and pepper Garnish: 2 tablespoons unsalted peanuts, chopped
Heat oven to 400 F. Use fork to poke holes in sweet potatoes. Bake in oven (wrapped in foil) for about 45 minutes or wrap in paper towel and microwave about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and start to break
SWEET AND SPICY PEANUT TRAIL MIX Courtesy of the National Peanut Board Start-to-finish: 2 hours (20 minutes active) 2 1/2 cups whole wheat squares cereal, such as Chex or store brand equivalent 1 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts 2 large egg whites 4 teaspoons pure maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less, if desired) 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup dried fruit, such as dried cranberries and raisins, or a mixture 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, optional
Whisk in maple syrup, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cumin and salt. Add egg white mixture to cereal mixture. Toss to coat completely. Heat oven to 250 F. Line Spread mixture in a single a large baking sheet with layer on baking sheet. Bake for 60 parchment paper and coat with minutes, stirring at 30 minutes. cooking spray. Allow mixture to cool for In a large bowl, combine cereal 30 minutes or longer. Combine and peanuts. with dried fruit and chocolate In medium bowl, beat egg chips before serving. Store in an whites with a whisk until foamy. airtight container. into smaller chunks with wooden spoon. Add onions, garlic and seasonings to pan. Cook until meat is fully browned and onions are soft. For the sauce, stir all ingredients
together well. Split sweet potatoes down the middle and fill each one with 1/4 of meat mixture. Pour a fourth of the sauce onto each sweet potato. Top with chopped peanuts.
PEANUT BUTTER AND BUTTERSCOTCH HAYSTACKS Courtesy of Sabrina Kaiser Start-to-finish: 1 hour, 15 minutes (15 minutes active) 1 cup butterscotch chips 1 cup creamy peanut butter 3 cups chow mein noodles, broken into smaller pieces 1 cup salted peanuts
Set up a double boiler, bringing 1 cup water to boil in small saucepan. Reduce heat to a simmer; place a metal mixing bowl on top of the saucepan. In the metal bowl, melt butterscotch chips and add peanut butter, stirring until smooth and well combined. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix chow mein noodles and salted peanuts. Add melted butterscotch and peanut butter. Stir ingredients together quickly. Use a tablespoon to drop onto wax paper. Let cool for at least one hour. n March/Spring 2018
37
w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
BRING IT ALL DISH TV Service TOGETHER + High-Speed Internet
Restrictions apply. Subject to availability.
• Available Everywhere • Internet Speeds Starting at 25 Mbps, Faster Speeds Available.
BEST
DISH is ranked #1 in Customer Service nationally by J.D. Power and our customers.1
VALUE • TECHNOLOGY • SERVICE
INCLUDED!
SMART HD DVR 190 Get 190
Channels including locals.
Alexa Integration — Enjoy Hands-Free TV™ only with DISH and Amazon Alexa.
2 -YEAR
TV PRICE GUARANTEE
59
Access Netflix directly from your Hopper.
$
Voice Remote — Find what you want to watch faster with the voice remote. Requires Internet connected Hopper.
FREE
FOR LIFE
PER MONTH plus taxes
FREE NEXT DAY
+
+
HD
99
All offers require credit qualification, 2-Year commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification. Fees apply for additional TVs: Hopper $15/mo., Joey $5/mo., Super Joey $10/mo.
Built-in Bluetooth lets you stay up late watching TV without disturbing the rest of the family.
FREE
FOR ONLY
INSTALLATION up to six rooms. where available.
FOR 3 MONTHS Not available with certain packages. After 3 months, you will be billed $55/mo. unless you call to cancel.
All offers require credit qualification, 2-Year commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay.
SWITCH TO DISH AND RECEIVE A
50
$
MASTERCARD GIFT CARD
50 GIFT CARD
$
MUST MENTION OFFER CODE AT TIME OF ORDER : CARD50 Courtesy of InfinityDISH with activation, certain conditions apply.
CALL NOW 1-833-295-5611
INFINITYDISH.COM
WE ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK; 8 AM – MIDNIGHT EST, SUNDAY 9 AM – MIDNIGHT EST. OFFER ONLY GOOD FOR NEW DISH SUBSCRIBERS. • SE HABLA ESPAÑOL All calls with InfinityDISH are monitored and recorded for quality assurance and training purposes. Offer for new and qualifying former customers only. Important Terms and Conditions: Qualification: Advertised price requires credit qualification and eAutoPay. Upfront activation and/or receiver upgrade fees may apply based on credit qualification. Offer ends 4/9/18. 2-Year Commitment: Early termination fee of $20/mo. remaining applies if you cancel early. Included in 2-year price guarantee at $59.99 advertised price: America’s Top 120 programming package, local channels, HD service fees, and Hopper Duo for 1 TV. Included in 2-year price guarantee for additional cost: Programming package upgrades ($69.99 for AT120+, $79.99 for AT200, $89.99 for AT250), monthly fees for upgraded or additional receivers ($5-$7 per additional TV, receivers with additional functionality may be $10-$15). NOT included in 2-year price guarantee or advertised price (and subject to change): Taxes & surcharges, add-on programming (including premium channels), DISH Protect, and transactional fees. Alexa Integration: Requires internet-connected Hopper®, Joey®, or Wally™ and Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Spot, Echo Show or Amazon Tap device. Amazon, Alexa, Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Spot, Echo Show, Amazon Tap, and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Premium Channels: 3 Mos. Free: After 3 mos., you will be billed $55/mo. for HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and DISH Movie Pack unless you call to cancel. Other: All packages, programming, features, and functionality and all prices and fees not included in price lock are subject to change without notice. After 6 mos., if selected you will be billed $8.99/mo. for DISH Protect Silver unless you call to cancel. After 2 years, then-current everyday prices for all services apply. For business customers, additional monthly fees may apply. Free standard professional installation only. HBO®, Cinemax® and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc. SHOWTIME is a registered trademark of Showtime Networks Inc., a CBS Company. STARZ and related channels and service marks are property of Starz Entertainment, LLC. Internet: Internet speeds, prices, and providers vary by customer address. Call for details. Internet not provided by DISH and will be billed separately. Mastercard® gift card must be requested through your DISH Representative at time of purchase. $50 Mastercard® gift card requires activation. You will receive a claim voucher within 3-4 weeks and the voucher must be returned within 60 days. Your Mastercard® gift card will arrive in approximately 6-8 weeks. InfinityDISH charges a one-time $49.99 non-refundable processing fee which is subject to change at any time without notice. Indiana C.P.D. Reg. No. T.S. R1903. 1DISH Network received the highest numerical score for customer service and second highest score for overall customer satisfaction among national TV providers in the J.D. Power 2017 U.S. Television Service Provider Satisfaction Study, based on 18,685 total responses, measuring the experiences and perceptions of customers with their TV service provider, surveyed November 2016-July 2017. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
Timber
e l T T a C l an d
s u g n a d e r e T regis dispersal Herd y, april 14 a d r u T dst) sa c ( . m a.
Bill and Carol Freeman, 2017 Alabama Farm of Distinction Finalist (District 2)
Productive, healthy females with excellent EPD’s.
11 rd a y k C o sT n a m l ma a b Cul a l a n, a m l l u C
High performing, docile Angus bull calves.
Selling over 300 Head
Three-in-ones, Pairs, Bred Heifers, Bred Cows, and Commercial Bred Heifers Featuring the AI services of the following breed leaders: Quaker Hill Rampage 0A36 . . . . . . EXAR Stud 4658B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EXAR Resistol 3710B . . . . . . . . . . . . Werner Flat Top 4136 . . . . . . . . . . . CTS Remedy 1T01 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3F Epic 4631 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HA Cowboy Up 5405 . . . . . . . . . . . .
16925771 17908266 17434366 18094501 17331233 17950219 18286467
Timberland CaTTle BIll & CARol FREEmAn 15185 County Road 49 • Vernon, Al 35592 www.timberlandcattle.com office – 205/695-6314 Bill – 205/712-0671 Carol – 205/712-8966
DVAuction
Broadcasting Real-Time Auctions
Carroll T. Cannon, Auctioneer 229/881-0721 lic. # 5233
2018
TEXAS
lonestar BEEF TOUR
May 10-12 • ft. worth
Three-day bus tour based out of Dallas/Ft. Worth. Visit AlfaFarmers.org for details. BEEF EDITION
M a r c h / S p r in g 2 0 1 8