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January 2021 | Volume 46 | Number 1 Debra Davis | Editor Marlee Moore | Associate Editor Laura Unger | 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 Jon Hegeman | Vice President | Central, Anniston George Jeffcoat | Vice President | Southeast, Gordon Jake Harper | Vice President | Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn | Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Brian Glenn | Hillsboro Mark Byrd | Danville John Bert East | Leesburg Tim Whitley | Horton Joe Anders | Northport Phillip Hunter | Birmingham Joe Lambrecht | Wetumpka Jimmy Holliman | Marion Junction Bill Cook | Montgomery Steve Stroud | Goshen Mark Kaiser | Seminole Thomas Adams | Newville Kathy Gordon | Dadeville Brady Peek | Athens 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. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Neighbors P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001 MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES 800-392-5705, Option 4 or BWatkins@alfafarmers.org ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com 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.
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In This Issue 4 | Parnell Reelected As
Federation President
28 | Classic Recipes From
The Farmhouse Kitchen
5 | Federation Celebrates 99th Annual Meeting
11 | Plans Underway For
Centennial Celebration 21 | Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest Winners
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On The Cover
Some farm kids are raised in a barn. For Shelby and Brody Griffin, “raised in a silo” is more appropriate. The kids and parents Lindsey and Brandon Griffin are slowly renovating the seven-story structure on their Bibb County farm. Photo By Marlee Moore
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www.AlfaFarmers.org
EDQAM A member of American Farm Bureau Federation
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Alabama Farmers Federation 99th Annual Meeting
Federation Elects Leadership During 99th Annual Meeting By Debra Davis he state’s largest farm organization reelected President Jimmy Parnell T to his fifth two-year term during the
Alabama Farmers Federation’s 99th annual meeting in Montgomery Dec. 7. Parnell, a fifth-generation farmer from Stanton in Chilton County, is a partner in his family’s cattle and timber business. He thanked the voting delegates representing all 67 counties who unanimously reinstated him. Parnell ran unopposed and also serves as Alfa Insurance president. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead this organization into its 100th year,” Parnell said. “Throughout history, farmers have faced obstacles, and the past year brought special challenges. Despite those, farmers continued to feed and clothe America and the world. Our organization faced its challenges head on and continued to work for farmers every day. As we chart a course for the next century of this organization, we are still led by men and women who are dedicated to serving farmers and promoting the economic, social and educational interests of Alabamians.” Parnell, 56, is a former State Young
Farmers Committee chairman and served on the Federation’s state board from 1999-2008. He was Chilton County Farmers Federation president from 2006-2012. Joining Parnell in leadership roles were North Area Vice President Rex Vaughn, 61, of Huntsville in Madison County and Southeast Area Vice President George Jeffcoat, 71, of Gordon in Houston County. Both raise cattle and row crops. Vaughn was reelected to his fifth two-year term. His area covers Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston counties. Jeffcoat was also reelected to his fifth two-year term. His area includes Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Coffee, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Macon, Pike, Russell and Tallapoosa counties. Elections were held for four district board positions, which have three-year terms. John Bert East, 69, of Leesburg in Cherokee County was elected to serve District 3, which includes Cherokee,
2021 Board of Directors Elected
John Bert East District 3 4
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Phillip Hunter District 6
Bill Cook District 9
DeKalb, Etowah and Jackson counties. He is a row crop and cattle farmer. Phillip Hunter, 51, a nursery owner in Shelby County, was reelected District 6 director. The district covers Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega counties. Bill Cook, 69, of Montgomery County was reelected as District 9 representative, which covers Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Lowndes, Montgomery and Wilcox counties. Cook grows timber and operates a lawn care business. Thomas Adams, 43, of Newville in Henry County was elected to the District 12 board seat. He represents Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties and raises row crops, cattle and poultry. Reelected to a one-year, ex-officio term on the state board was Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Kathy Gordon of Montgomery County. State Young Farmers Committee Chairman Brady Peek of Athens in Limestone County will also serve a one-year, ex-officio term. The Federation has more than 330,000 member families representing all 67 Alabama counties. It is an affiliate of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Jimmy Parnell President
Rex Vaughn North Area Vice President
George Jeffcoat Southeast Area Vice President
Thomas Adams District 12
Kathy Gordon Women’s Leadership Committee Chair
Brady Peek State Young Farmers Committee Chair alfafarmers.org
New 2021 County Presidents Elected
Alabama Farmers Federation District Director Brian Glenn of Hillsboro in Lawrence County, standing right, talks to Mobile County Farmers Federation President Art Sessions of Grand Bay during the Federation’s 99th annual meeting in Montgomery. Members wore masks and practiced social distancing as they discussed policy and elected leaders of the state’s largest farm organization.
Federation Holds 99th Annual Meeting By Debra Davis till farming. S That was the theme of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 99th
annual meeting in Montgomery Dec. 6-7 where members of the state’s largest farm organization gathered to elect leaders, discuss policy and chart a path into the next century. COVID-19 brought many changes to the meeting. Programs were shortened, members practiced social distancing and wore protective masks; however, Federation business continued in many ways as it has for nearly a century. “I love what I do, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you,“ said Federation President Jimmy Parnell, who was reelected to his fifth two-year term. Parnell praised the work of farmers who persevered through a pandemic, trade issues and storms in 2020. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall attended the meeting and echoed Parnell’s remarks. “We want to let the general public know we’re still farming, and let them know the challenges the pandemic has brought,” Duvall said. “We want them to know how wonderful it is to live in a country with food security because of what you do each day.” In addition to elections for
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Federation state officers and board members, elections also were held for the Women’s Leadership and Young Farmers state committees. Outstanding county Federation boards, committees and individual leaders were recognized during the conference, as were new and outgoing county Federation presidents. Individual Leader Awards were presented to those instrumental in establishing or supporting county-level programs. Those included : n Young Farmers Award — Abby Stewart of Clay County, Chris and Jordyn Upchurch of Clay County, and Andrew Pinyan of St. Clair County n Women’s Leadership Award — Faye Dial of Clay County and Emily Taylor of St. Clair County n Commodity Division Award — Hobert Harris (posthumously) of Cleburne County n Public Relations and Communications Award — Brooks Wall of Shelby County n Local and Community Service Award — Jan Parker of St. Clair County and Jerry Mobley of Winston County Jimmy Jimmerson of Cleburne County was recognized with the Senior Leader Award for service to agriculture,
Chris Langley Chambers County
Lynn Harrison Chilton County
Todd Williamson Escambia County
Ed White Henry County
Pete Wheeler Lowndes County
Charles Butler Madison County
Toni Flowers Montgomery County
Stewart Koon Pickens County
Dean Wysner Randolph County
his community and the Federation. Thirty-six counties were recognized with a County Award of Excellence for Federation activities. They were Baldwin, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Choctaw, Clay, Coffee, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, DeKalb, Elmore, Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Houston, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa and Winston counties. In the Women’s Leadership Division, January 2021
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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall addressed Alabama members during the state organization’s 99th annual meeting.
four county organizations were honored for outstanding work for the past year. Those were: Region 1, Marion County; Region 2, Jefferson County; Region 3, Clarke County; and Region 4, Barbour County. Other special events were held during the conference, including a tribute breakfast to honor Federation leaders who passed away in 2020. In the opening general session of the meeting, Bill Alverson, former assistant dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture, received the Service To Agriculture Award, the highest honor given by the Federation.
Young Farmers contestants and winners were announced and recognized during the annual meeting. Winners will represent Alabama in contests with other state young farmer winners at the National Young Farmers & Ranchers competition during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s virtual convention Jan. 8-14. The meeting concluded with the announcement of plans for the organization’s centennial celebration that will culminate at the Federation’s 100th annual meeting Dec. 5-6, 2021, in Montgomery.
Young Farmers Contests Culminate In Prize Presentations By Marlee Moore erry Allen Newby of Limestone JDiscussion County secured the title of state Meet winner following an
intense final round of conversation about international trade. The Young Farmers contest was held during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 99th annual meeting in Montgomery Dec. 6. Newby was presented his prize — a four-wheeler sponsored by First South Farm Credit — and was honored on stage at the closing session Dec. 7. “Discussion Meet is a good leadership tool that teaches you how to have roundtable discussions and problem solve,” said Newby, a row crop and cattle farmer from Athens. “Participating in this contest makes me dive deeper into studying topics that are vital to American agriculture.” Other Discussion Meet finalists were Garrett Dixon of Salem in Lee County, Brady Peek of Athens in Limestone County and Ali Cantrell of Hope Hull in Montgomery County. The Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) and Excellence in Agriculture contest winner were named earlier this year and were recognized at the meeting. OYFF Ben and Bethany Johnson of Randolph County received a prize package worth more than $60,000. Prizes include $35,000 toward a Ford truck courtesy of Alfa Insurance; a lease 6
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As the Outstanding Young Farm Family, Ben and Bethany Johnson received a prize package worth more than $60,000. From left are Alabama Farm Credit’s Mel Koller; Bethany, Blakely, Brooks and Ben Johnson; Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell; and Alabama Ag Credit’s Doug Thiessen.
on a John Deere tractor from AgPro, SunSouth and TriGreen; and a John Deere Gator sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit. The Johnsons raise poultry, cattle, row crops and hay in the Omaha community near Woodland. They also own a fertilizer-spreading business. They have two children, Blakely and Brooks, and are expecting another son in April. OYFF contestants earn more than half their income from production agriculture and compete via interviews
and on-farm judging. Excellence in Agriculture contest winner Emmanuel Bankston of Henry County received his prize package during the annual meeting. Prizes included a zero-turn mower sponsored by Corteva Agriscience and a computer package from Valcom/CCS Wireless. Excellence in Agriculture contestants derive more than half their income off-farm and showcase their passion for agriculture through a presentation and application. Bankston is operations alfafarmers.org
Young Farmers, Women Elected To State Committees By Marlee Moore wo committees whose members T help lead the state’s largest farm organization filled their rosters during
Excellence in Ag winner Emmanuel Bankston of Henry County received a lawn mower from Corteva Agriscience. From left are Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Bankston and Corteva’s Cullen Wiggins. Bankston also nets a computer package from Valcom/CCS Wireless.
Jerry Allen Newby of Limestone County received a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit as the winner of the Discussion Meet contest. From left are Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Newby and First South Farm Credit’s Mike Pigg.
superintendent for Golden Peanuts in Headland. All Young Farmers contest finalists received a $500 Red Land Cotton gift certificate, courtesy of the Federation. As state winners, Newby, Bankston and the Johnsons will represent Alabama during American Farm Bureau Federation virtual contests in January. alfafarmers.org
elections Dec. 6. The Alabama Farmers Federation’s Young Farmers and Women’s Leadership committees elected officers during the group’s 99th annual meeting in Montgomery. Brady Peek of Limestone County will lead the State Young Farmers Committee while Kathy Gordon of Montgomery County was reelected State Women’s Leadership Committee chair. They will serve one-year, ex-officio terms on the Federation’s state board. Young Farmers tapped Mitchell Henry of Lawrence County, the North Alabama At-Large representative, to serve as vice chair. Chase Hammock of Talladega County, the District 3 leader, was named secretary. Henry was also reelected to serve North Alabama At-Large. The area includes Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston counties. Henry is a cattle farmer and lives in Moulton. Leah McElmoyl of DeKalb County was reelected to serve District 2, which includes Blount, Cherokee, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Marshall and St. Clair counties. McElmoyl is a cattle farmer and attorney and lives in Geraldine. Wallace Drury of Hale County was elected to serve District 4. The catfish and cattle farmer from Greensboro will lead an area including Bibb, Greene, Fayette, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties. District 6 representative is Jonathan Edgar of Elmore County. District 6 includes Autauga, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Elmore, Lee, Macon, Montgomery and Russell counties.
2021 Young Farmers Committee
Brady Peek Chair, District 1
Mitchell Henry Vice Chair, At-Large
Leah McElmoyl District 2
Chase Hammock Secretary, District 3
Wallace Drury District 4
Kellee Griffith District 5
Jonathan Edgar District 6
Jonathan Sanders District 7
Dillon Turk District 8
Garrett Dixon At-Large
Ben Johnson OYFF Winner January 2021
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Edgar is a row crop farmer from Wetumpka. Dillon Turk of Semmes in Mobile County is in the nursery business and will serve District 8. The area includes Baldwin, Butler, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties. On the State Women’s Leadership
Committee, Lydia Haynes of Cullman County was reelected to serve Region 1 and will serve as vice chair. Region 1 includes Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston counties. Ann Whatley of Lee County was
2021 Women’s Leadership Committee
Regina Carnes Region 1
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Debbie Roberts Region 2
Delle Bean Region 2
named secretary. She was reelected to represent Alabama at-large. Debbie Freeland of Mobile County was reelected to serve Region 3. The area includes Baldwin, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Sumter, Washington and Wilcox counties.
Kathy Gordon Chair, Region 3
Lydia Haynes Vice Chair, Region 1
Ann Whatley Secretary, At-Large
Debbie Freeland Region 3
Debbie Dunn Region 4
Jo Ann B. Laney Region 4
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State’s Largest Farm Organization Celebrates Centennial Year By Jeff Helms his month marks 100 years since T farmers gathered in Auburn to organize what is now the Alabama
Farmers Federation. To commemorate the centennial, the Federation kicked off a yearlong celebration at its annual meeting in December. “A century ago, our founders came together around shared values to provide a unified voice for Alabama agriculture,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “A hundred years later, our organization is among the most influential farm groups in America. Federation leaders are at the forefront of public policy discussions, agricultural education, promotion and marketing. During this centennial, we are embracing the opportunities ahead with renewed vision to strengthen farming, forestry and our rural communities.” Throughout 2021, the Federation will honor the past as it prepares for the future. Centennial activities are being planned for events including the Young Farmers Conference, Women’s Leadership Conference, Alabama Farm and Land Expo and annual meeting. In addition, the Federation and its economic development partners expect to break ground on the Alabama Farm Center at Alfa Centennial Park in Chilton County. The 500-acre complex will be home to arenas and multi-use spaces for hosting state, regional and national events including livestock exhibitions, trade shows and entertainment. During the year, Neighbors magazine will include special features about the Federation’s heritage. “Each month, we will highlight the people, programs and past accomplishments which have defined the Federation’s first 100 years,” said Publications Director Debra Davis. alfafarmers.org
Created by farmers, led by farmers and dedicated to serving farmers, the Alabama Farmers Federation was formed to promote the economic, social and educational interests of Alabamians. Its organizational roots are intertwined with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The two organizations were initially housed in joint offices throughout the state. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service’s Fred Stewart, seated at the desk, was the first farm agent in Limestone County, 1914-1928, and the first Director of the Alabama Extension Service Experimental Station near Belle Mina from 1928-1954. As the first county agent, he traveled by horseback helping farmers with their crops.
“We have upgraded the cover of all 2021 issues and are planning a special, commemorative edition of Neighbors in December as a historical keepsake.” While the Federation is reflecting on a century of service, Alfa Insurance will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Founded in 1946 by Federation members who needed affordable fire insurance for their homes and farms, Alfa is now a $4-billion company with more than a million policies across three states. “Alfa draws strength from its roots in the Alabama Farmers Federation,” said Parnell, who also is president of the insurance company. “Our core values of faith, family, community and integrity
were cultivated in the fields and forests of our founders. Today, we are guided by those same values as we serve our policyholders, respond to claims and demonstrate how Alfa Cares.” Alfa’s diamond celebration will include special activities at its home office in Montgomery and recognition during programs for agents, customer service representatives, claims adjusters and managers. Follow the Federation and Alfa on social media for details about anniversary observances. Look for centennial and diamond editorial content in upcoming issues of Neighbors magazine. January 2021
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The decision to become a farmer in 2021 is a bold one. You can’t count on the rain. Or on crop prices. What you can count on is yourself. And the help of your fellow farmers in the Alabama Farm Credit cooperative. So, how will we take on the future and win? The same way farmers have always faced challenges. Together.
W W W. A L A B A M A FA R M C R E D I T. C O M
Together We Grow.
THE SAME ASSOCIATION THAT HAS SPENT 100+ YEARS SERVING THE AG COMMUNITY HAS A FRESH NEW LOOK.
Plot Combine Donation Improves Research Efficiency
The Federation’s Carla Hornady and Auburn researcher Jenny Koebernick with the plot combine made possible thanks to Alabama soybean and wheat and feed grain farmers.
By Marlee Moore 2019, Auburn University (AU) staff Iandnspent about 2,400 hours harvesting processing research plots in
Shorter, Alabama. They slashed that number to less than 60 in 2020, thanks to investments from the Alabama Soybean Checkoff and Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Checkoff. The checkoffs, funded and managed by farmers, will respectively contribute $177,022 and $243,200 over five years to rent a new R1 Almaco rotary combine for AU’s E.V. Smith Research Center. Compared to older equipment, this plot combine harvests faster and at higher moisture, uses less labor and maintains greater seed purity, said AU’s Dr. Jenny Koebernick. “This combine saved us months of work,” said Koebernick, a soybean breeder and assistant professor in AU’s Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences. “My role is to add value to soybeans, which will trickle down to farmers. With this combine, I can evaluate large numbers of genetic material, which could not have been done with the older equipment. I greatly appreciate the generosity of the College of Agriculture and the Soybean and Wheat and Feed checkoffs.” A plot combine is a scaled-down version of machinery most farmers use. Its small size is ideal for research plots, a alfafarmers.org
fraction of the size of most fields. The two-row rotary combine has a helical rotating drum instead of the standard threshing drums with rasp bars. Fewer moving parts means fewer breakdowns, Koebernick said. Its onboard packaging unit bags samples, eliminating need for a second worker in the combine. The specialordered sample bags have barcodes, reducing post-harvest handling. The seed doesn’t require hand-cleaning, either. The bright blue combine boasts large magnetic signs with Alabama Soybean Checkoff and Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Checkoff logos. In agreements with the College of Agriculture, both checkoffs pay “rent” on the combine and standard head. The college has invested $192,000 — a third of the combine cost. The Soybean Checkoff rents soybean sieves and concaves. Similarly, the Wheat & Feed Grain Checkoff rents the corn head, plus small grain and corn sieves and concaves. “Investing in projects and research pays off,” said Lauderdale County farmer Colt Clemmons, who chairs the Alabama Soybean Committee. “This combine is critical to ensuring researchers make good use of their time and talents, which helps us as farmers. The Soybean Committee is conscientious of the decisions we make and how these investments benefit
growers.” Stanley Walters, a Perry County farmer who leads the Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Committee, said effective trials ensure farmers make worthwhile management decisions. “I’m always delighted when we can provide long-term assets that are a viable return on checkoff dollars to Alabama farmers,” Walters said. “If we didn’t have adequate machinery, our research would be at risk. If you can’t harvest in a timely manner, you lose valuable data.” More than 20 researchers’ projects utilize the new R1 combine for nearly 10,000 research plots. As AU hires more faculty members, the plots — and research benefiting farmers — will grow. One of 13 outlying units, E.V. Smith conducts trials on corn, cotton, soybeans, peanuts, carinata, sorghum, oats, barley and wheat. E.V. Smith’s older SPC40 combine was moved to the Brewton Agricultural Research Unit.
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Alabama Farmers Welcome Peanut Butter Plant Expansion
Pike County peanut farmer Billy Hixon said the expansion of Golden Boy Foods in his home county is great news for area farmers and the peanut industry. The company is one of the largest manufacturers of peanut butter in North America.
peanut butter plant in Troy will A more than double its production next year — an expansion that’s welcome news for Alabama farmers. Construction of a $13.3 million expansion at Golden Boy Foods was announced in November and is expected to be completed this spring. The development includes modifications to the plant’s existing facility and a new 170,000-square-foot building. The project will increase production by 150% and create 67 full-time jobs. “Golden Boy Foods is excited to expand our Troy nut butter facility,” said Robert Jacobs, the company’s Troy plant manager. “A key factor in selecting to expand the Troy facility has been the outstanding business relationship we have shared with local and state officials since the inception of the plant in 2011. The work ethic we have found is second to none.” Alabama ranks second nationally in peanut production behind Georgia. State peanut farmers said they are
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excited about the growth in local peanut butter production. Golden Boy production sites in Georgia and Nevada were also considered for the project. “The expansion is great news for the peanut industry,” said Billy Hixon, an Alabama Peanut Producers Association board member who farms in Pike County. “It will have a positive impact on our local economy by adding more jobs. More importantly, it’s a big win for the peanut industry as a whole. Peanut butter consumption is up, and this growth will help meet that demand.” Gov. Kay Ivey announced the expansion Nov. 12. “Southeast Alabama is peanut country, and I welcome Golden Boy Foods’ decision to expand its
peanut butter manufacturing operation in Troy,” Ivey said. “By selecting Sweet Home Alabama, I know the company has picked the right place to pursue its growth plans.” The expansion includes a $12.5 million investment by the Troy Industrial Development Board to purchase land and construct the building to accommodate the company’s growth plans. Golden Boy Foods is one of the largest manufacturers of private label and contracted manufactured nut butter in North America, as well as a significant supplier of nuts, fruits and trail mixes to major North American retailers. The company last expanded in Troy in 2016 and now has 112 employees there. Golden Boy Foods manufactures a variety of peanut butter using specific client recipes and packaged under client labels. alfafarmers.org
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Home Sweet Silo: Griffin Family Fashions New Use For Farm Structure By Marlee Moore ome farm kids joke they S were raised in a barn. For Shelby and Brody Griffin, “raised in
a silo” hits home. Their parents, Lindsey and Brandon “Griff” Griffin, reimagined and renovated a 76-foot-tall concrete grain silo on the family farm in Bibb County. It took three years, but the Griffins moved into the first two stories of their home sweet silo in 2010. “The guys kept talking about how the silo would be a cool bachelor pad,” said Lindsey, 36. “I was really into architecture and realized it would be a cool house.” First step: Hire a structural engineer to ensure the silo’s safety. The silo was built in the early ‘70s by former dairyman Barry Griffin, Griff’s father. The 6-inch-thick walls have rebar every 3 inches horizontally and every 8 inches vertically. “The engineer said everything we add to the house strengthens it,” said Lindsey, referring to I-beams supporting the silo’s seven floors. Before renovations began, the Griffins removed 13 feet of silage stored in the structure. Their do-it-yourself attitude took a detour only when contracting with crews to install sheetrock and pour a concrete slab on the first floor. Lindsey designed each 452-square-foot floor. Barry fashioned the banisters farmhouse table, rounded window frames and custom, curved cabinets. As construction challenges continually popped up, Barry’s familiar refrain caught on. “The impossible just takes longer.”
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Griff’s engineering background (he works at the Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa) and metalworking skills brought the floating, spiral stairwell to life, where twisted iron railings connect the four finished floors. Visitors enter through a solid oak, curved door into the living room. A bathroom and laundry complete the first floor. A flight of stairs guides guests to a kitchen overlooking a pasture of bison, part of Griffin Farms Pumpkin Patch, the family’s West Blocton agritourism attraction. That view didn’t come easy. When cutting the kitchen windows from the bucket of a tractor, Barry was nearly crushed by the falling 1,000-pound concrete chunk. Upper windows earned a different treatment. Bucket trucks lifted Barry and Griff, who drilled holes in each corner and in the center. The areas were then bolted and cut.
Lindsey Griffin designed the interior of her silo house. The secondfloor kitchen and dining room sports poured concrete countertops and specially made cabinets that curve with the walls.
For now, Lindsey and Griff use the third floor as a master bedroom, with goals to convert the seventh story to their bedroom. Shelby and Brody share the fourth floor overlooking Shelby’s favorite animals — sheep. The Griffins will work on Brody’s future fifth-floor room now that pumpkin season is over. Every nook and cranny counts in the Griffin household. Space above the stairs was repurposed into a loft library in Shelby’s room. Closets were crafted below stairs, too. The unusual home was a first for Alfa Insurance agent Brad Rooker. The Griffins were loyal Alfa customers, so when they called wanting a one-of-a-kind policy, Rooker was up for the tall order. “When I first found out about the house, I was just hoping I could find a way to insure it,” Rooker said. “I spoke to five different people in the Underwriting Department before I alfafarmers.org
Brandon, Lindsey, Shelby and Brody Griffin have an unusual farmhouse in West Blocton. The farm family is slowly renovating the seven-story concrete cylindrical space.
figured out where to start. I had to get photos of everything, then I had to get the value of the building, which was a process. It’s a really cool house, and they are awesome folks.” Although the silo house is near Griffin Farms Pumpkin Patch, many visitors don’t know about the remarkable residence. A couple years ago, Lindsey gave a tour of the house on Facebook Live — which reached 23 million views. The feedback was positive, other than comments such as, “I couldn’t do the stairs.” In the video, Lindsey addressed fire safety (they have smoke alarms on every floor and fire escape ladders). There’s also a carbon monoxide detector in the laundry room. When Lindsey and Griff began the project in 2007, there weren’t many silo house designs online, although samples like million-dollar windmill renovations surfaced. “When we have extra money, we add to the house. Most money gets poured into the farm because that’s more about the future,” Lindsey said. “We’ll stay here as long as we’re able and then pass it on to the kids.” January 2021
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Join us for a weekly conversation about news and information affecting Alabama farmers and forest land owners.
New episodes available every Wednesday. Subscribe to Alabama AgCast wherever you listen to podcasts or visit alfafarmers.org/agcast.
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HEAVENLY BODIES
feel good. Maybe it’s the way the sun is hitting this farmland I’m driving past. The fields. The blue skies. Or maybe it’s the way my waitress kept smiling at me this morning. I was at a truck stop eating breakfast. Shaniqua was my server. It was on her nametag. “I’m happy today,” Shaniqua said. “Just told my husband he’s gonna be a daddy. He started crying. He’s a big ole teddy bear.” She was pure euphoria. I wish I would’ve had a wallet full of fifties. Maybe it’s the semitruck ahead of me in traffic. There’s a giant tarp, tattered, flapping in the wind. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. The driver knows this because his hazards are on. He’s driving slow — looking for a place to pull over. God love him. There’s a sticker on his bumper which reads: “How Am I Driving?” and a phone number. I dial before I hit Pintlala, Alabama. “Hello,” the woman’s voice says. “Yeah, I’d like to report that one of your drivers is quite exceptional.” “You wanna what, sir?” “That’s right, just wanna inform you that one of your drivers deserves a fat raise.” More silence. “Is this real?” “It is.” “Okay, I’ll write it down, sir.” “Happy New Year, ma’am.”
Maybe it’s the way my dog is sleeping in the passenger seat — snoring. Why can’t I be more like a dog? It takes so little to satisfy them. A belly rub, dry food, a quick roll in a foul-smelling substance, and (snap!) euphoria. I love that word. Euphoria. For years, I used it wrong. I thought it was a continent that Napoleon conquered after he sailed the Ocean Blue in 1897. But I know what the word means now. It means: The way summer air turns into winter air, almost overnight. Or how you feel when you see people you grew up with, shopping in a store. Or when you see sharp kids who will one day grow up to be astrophysicists — or if they’re lucky, truck drivers. And farmland. Average scenery that isn’t average if you know how to look at it. Pastures that make you say, “Ain’t that pretty?” even though your thirdgrade teacher threatened to gut you with a pitchfork for using “ain’t.” An old man once told me: “Good days get harder to come by the older you get. Just wait. One day, everything on your body hurts, and life is lousy.” Maybe. But that doesn’t change the prettiness of today. It doesn’t erase the small farms along the highway. Or the sparkling frost on my truck hood. Heaven is real. Sometimes it’s hard to see. But not when I look at Shaniqua. ■
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. 20
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alfafarmers.org
Tells Story Of Agriculture 1st place
Farm Life & People’s Choice “Three Generations”
Hayley Walters Lee County
Often, days are spent fixing life than multiple generations working together. Judges’ comments: Nothing better illustrates farm This entry’s meaningful details sharing knowledge and training the next generation. something that’s broken. Always, days are spent it’s no less important. but st, equipment. It may not be as glamorous as harve capture the essential day-to-day work of repairing
ith nearly 400 entries by over W 250 people, the Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest captured the
diverse story of agriculture. Submissions ranged from backyard birds to gardens’ bounty and from cattle to row crops. The Alabama Farmers Federation sponsored the contest to encourage members to appreciate their surroundings, particularly in a difficult year, said Marlee Moore. “I hoped this contest would inspire Alabamians to have a moment of thanks for those who work daily to provide the alfafarmers.org
safest food, fiber and fuel in the world,” said Moore, the Federation’s multimedia content director, who organized the contest. “There’s a reason we call our state ‘Alabama the Beautiful.’ Through this contest, people captured her beauty and the fierce spirit of farmers and property owners who care for the land. We appreciate everyone who submitted photos; the entries amazed our judges, and the People’s Choice Award contest on Facebook blew away all our expectations. People were invested in cheering on their favorite photo and
photographer while also soaking up the other beautiful photos submitted.” First-place winners received $150; second received $100; and third $50. In addition to professional judging, a People’s Choice Award contest was held on Facebook. The most popular photo was submitted by Hayley Walters and netted over 2,100 reactions. Walters earned an extra $150.
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1 st place
Animal Agriculture
“Home Is Whe re The Herd Is ”
Rebecca Hen ry
Lawrence Cou nty
photographing livestock. This strong entry Judges’ comments: There’s nothing easy about rules to achieve a creative effect. Backlighting and demonstrates how good photographers can break s ont. The viewer’s attention is drawn to the curiou a shallow depth of field bring the cattle to the forefr s, cloud by of the subjects, which are framed beautifully (sly, in terms of the cow on the left) expressions shadows and a tree line.
2nd placee
Farm Lif
’ Monday” “Peanut Pickin is
Chelsea Dav
ty Barbour Coun
2nd placle
Anima Agriculture
e Mine” “These Eggs Ar
Courtney Cox Pike County
3rd place
Farm Life
“Ava and Annelle”
Kelsey Lear
Clarke County 22
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3 rd place
Animal Agriculture “B
elle Belle The Goat” C
aitlyn Seymor e
Winston Cou nty
alfafarmers.org
1st place Crops
Sunset “Cotton Field
an Michael Freem
”
Lee County
2nd place Crops
“The Start”
ock Chase Hamm ty Talladega Coun
3 rd place Crops
“Left Behind”
Wendy Yeager Dallas Count y
Judges’ comments: Capturing an image like this is about more than luck or timing. The positioning of the cotton boll on the right side creates leading lines from both the ground and horizon. The contrast of bright white cotton against a fiery auburn sunset makes this entry suitable for framing. alfafarmers.org
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stock-to-use ratios decreased, driving prices higher because of increased exports. Soybean projections lingered near $8.20 per bushel in July, climbing to $9.80 in October. Sales to China are increasing as a result of trade agreements, with prices near $11 per bushel.
Cotton And Peanuts
Factory closings during the pandemic weighed heavily on the cotton industry, but prices rebounded from a 20-cent drop and settled near 70 cents per pound. “There was a lot of volatility in the cotton market in 2020,” Sawadgo said. “Early in 2020, prices were low due to low demand and supply chain disruptions.” Peanut yields were up in 2020. While markets were slower, prices remained similar to those in previous years.
2021 Projections
By Katie Nichols
labama farmers faced a myriad A of challenges in 2020. Through a global health crisis and devastating
natural disasters, producers pushed forward to harvest season. Alabama Cooperative Extension System Economist Wendiam Sawadgo said despite challenges, agricultural markets ebbed and flowed — as is customary. COVID-19 left a lasting impact on market prices. However, markets received an added boost from China trade agreements. “Producers will find commodities selling for prices similar to prices last year, thanks in part to exports to China,” Sawadgo said. “Yield projections for corn, cotton, soybeans and peanuts are up from 2019 in Alabama. This is in line
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with the yield increases we expect to see nationally for corn and soybeans.” Continuing exports to China may impact market prices. Sawadgo said this is something to watch closely in 2021.
Corn And Soybeans
Sawadgo said corn production was up slightly in 2020. However, since the 2019 ending corn supply was lower than originally thought and the corn stock continues to decline bolstered by exports to China, 2020 corn prices rose to $4.20 per bushel, up from summertime projections of $3.20 per bushel. Soybean exports are the highest in a decade. The stock-to-use ratio for soybeans was up from 2018 to 2019, driving prices lower as supply was high relative to demand. In 2020, however,
“Cotton has recovered compared to early 2020. It might be hard for prices to rise too much, given the high world supply of cotton and lowered demand,” Sawadgo said. “The story is the same for peanuts, where prices are likely to be similar to the past few years.” He said producers can expect corn prices near $4 per bushel. A significant increase from past soybean prices may be on the horizon. Sawadgo said projections surpassed $10 per bushel for the 2021 crop. “This crop is in really good shape due to high demand, and prices are currently near four-year highs,” he said. “Farmers might plant more soybeans because of higher prices.” Sawadgo said there are other significant agricultural economic influences to consider. Macroeconomic recovery from COVID, trade and policy will all majorly impact the economy going forward. Worldwide economic recessions could hamper expectations, as other countries may not purchase as many products. Sawadgo said producers could continue to see high prices if strong exports continue.
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By Lois Chaplin ver the years, I’ve worked to get the most from our vegetable O garden. The hardest part is managing
the soil and weeds. It’s an ongoing process, so I’m continuously trying to figure out the easiest way to keep our garden fertile and manageable. A raised bed with a neat edge helps greatly. It provides depth to hold added organic matter and mulch, and the edge is a barrier to weeds. Last fall, we started eight 6-by-16-foot beds (made from 4-by-6-inch timbers) on ground with aggressive coastal bermudagrass and broadleaf weeds. Bermuda spreads quickly and roots deeply, so we sprayed it with grass suppressant. Some survived, but I can smother the weakened rhizomes with wet, corrugated cardboard and organic matter. To do that, we lay disassembled boxes (with plastic tape and labels removed) flat on the ground overlapping each other and butting up
Alabama
to the edging. (Hint: Water dry ground before laying down cardboard, then sprinkle on top.) Pile organic matter on the soaked cardboard. This may be a combination of homemade or municipal compost, leaf mold, worm castings, bagged cow or mushroom compost, coffee grounds, composted farm manure free of lingering herbicides, bagged soil conditioner — any good organic matter. Finally, the organic layer is topped with a 4-inch layer of leaves. Wood chips also work. The edging doesn’t have to be timber. Concrete block, stone, cut logs, bricks and landscape edging work, too. Gardeners are resourceful! Once the beds are filled, it’s time to kick back. This is the lazy gardener part. Instead of tilling, wait for worms to work. Worms in the soil are likely to find the cardboard. They love it. In time, they move organic material deep into the ground and open passages for aeration and drainage. In our garden, worms have increased the depth of the
friable topsoil by at least 6 inches in four years. This lazy way isn’t instant, but it’s relatively easy. Give a bed at least four months of warm, moist weather. When a bed isn’t growing a crop, ground cover such as winter rye or clover adds organic matter because of extensive roots. In the summer, a legume cover crop such as black-eyed peas yields a nice harvest and adds nitrogen when gently worked back into the soil. Living roots in the soil encourage helpful microbial activity. It’s a known adage: Feed the soil, and it will feed your plants. This principle is covered in The Soil Health Institute documentary “The Living Soil,” available on YouTube. Although geared toward Midwest farming, some principles apply to home gardens. Healthy soil contains thousands of microbes and fungi that form healthy associations with plant roots. They help make nutrients available, reduce need for supplemental fertilizer, and the good microbes battle bad ones that cause soil-borne disease. Since chlorine doesn’t distinguish between good microbes and bad ones, we’ve added a chlorine filter to our water for the garden. Like most gardeners, we’d rather have rainwater, so we hope to get a big collection tank. Obviously, all this is work on the front end, but long term, it’s an easy and productive system. On ground that is literally hard as brick, it’s fine to till before laying down cardboard and organic matter. This one-time tilling gives the hard ground a head start. Finally, always keep a layer of mulch on the bed surface to prevent weeds. We use chopped leaves, which are free and break down easily. Years ago the Natural Resources Conservation Service was born out of the Dust Bowl to preserve our topsoil, a valuable resource. We gardeners can do that (and get tomatoes!) with a few lazy raised beds. Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.
New Year, Same Commitment To Excellence! E ALAFARM.COM 26
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alfafarmers.org
Full-Circle Return
HERE’S HOW THE SOY CHECKOFF WORKS. The national soy checkoff was created as part of the 1990 Farm Bill. The Act & Order that created the soy checkoff requires that all soybean farmers pay into the soy checkoff at the first point of purchase. These funds are then used for promotion, research and education at both the state and national level.
TO ELEVATORS, PROCES S N A SOR BE L S& L SE DEA S R E LER M R S FA 1/2 of 1% of the total selling price collected per the national soybean act & order
0.5%
Half goes to the state checkoff for investment in areas that are a priority for that state.
PROMOTION
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
ROI TO THE FA RMER by 73 volunteer soybean farmers, the United Soybean Board * Led (USB) invests and leverages soy checkoff dollars to MAXIMIZE PROFIT OPPORTUNITIES for all U.S. soybean farmers.
unitedsoybean.org
Half goes to the national checkoff for investment in USB’s* long-range strategic plan.
Classic Biscuits
Prep Time Cook Time
Makes 10 10 to 12 10 to 12 mins mins biscuits
Ingredients 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter 2 cups self-rising flour 3/4 cup buttermilk or 2/3 cup whole milk 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions Heat oven to 400 F and lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, cut butter into flour using a pastry cutter or two knives until the butter is about the size of small peas. Stir in milk until a dough forms. It should pull away from the sides of the bowl but not be too sticky. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead several times. Fold dough over on itself 6 to 8 times, rolling flat after each fold. Dust with flour if dough becomes too sticky. Carefully pat or roll dough to about a 1/2-inch-thick disk. Cut biscuits with a 2-1/2- to 3-inch biscuit cutter by using a straight-up-and-down motion. Do not twist the cutter. Place biscuits on the prepared baking sheet and brush with melted butter. Rework dough until you’ve cut as many biscuits as you can. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. elcome to 2021. W That feels strange to type — but aren’t we glad it’s here?!
We all know 2020 brought new challenges and experiences, and I hope we’re all excited to tackle a new year. One big, new change in my life was the chance to be a part of “Simply Southern TV” with a new cooking segment to share my favorite recipes and stories. Last summer, the “Simply Southern TV” crew spent over a week in the test kitchen with me shooting 26 segments for your viewing pleasure. We couldn’t be happier with what’s in store for y’all! The new season begins airing Jan. 3 and wouldn’t be possible without a scad of awesome sponsors like the Alabama
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Farmers Federation’s Catfish Division, Pork Division and Wheat & Feed Grain Division; Alabama Peanut Producers Association; Alabama Cattlemen’s Association; Alabama Poultry & Egg Association; and Sweet Grown Alabama. Whenever recipes sponsored by these folks pop up in the Farmhouse Kitchen this year, they’ll receive an extra highlight and link to the “Simply Southern TV” episode so you can get an inside look at preparing some of those delicious dishes. In the South, food means connection — to the ancestors who taught us to cook and to the land that provides a fertile foundation for growing food. It was neat to further connect with food
by working with and for the farmers who grow it. I’m sure thankful these producers were willing to sponsor these segments and that they continue to work to provide safe, healthy, affordable food for you and me. 2021 can’t help but be different, but some things are still the same, including my favorite recipes. This month, I’m throwing it back to three classic, filling, delicious recipes your family will love. From Buttermilk Biscuits to Pecan Chewies to Chicken Bog, there’s plenty for y’all to enjoy! Stacey Little is a foodie, recipe developer and cookbook author whose Southern Bite blog helps families put simple, down-to-earth food on the table while preserving Southern cooking for future generations. See more recipes at southernbite.com. alfafarmers.org
Chicken Bog
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
Servings 8 to 10
Ingredients 1 (4- to 5-pound) whole chicken 2 ribs celery 1 yellow onion 3 cloves garlic Salt Pepper 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1 (14-ounce) package smoked sausage 4 cups long grain rice
Instructions If included, remove and discard chicken innards. Add chicken and neck (if included) to a large stock pot. Wash and coarsely chop celery. Peel and quarter onion. Peel and smash garlic with the side of a knife. Add celery, onion and garlic to the pot. Add enough water to just cover chicken. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then stir. Simmer chicken 40 to 60 minutes or until cooked through, being cautious not to boil. Boiling the chicken will result in dry, tough meat. Once cooked, remove chicken to a plate to cool. Then shred the meat and discard the skin, bones and neck. Set meat aside. Strain broth from the pot through a fine mesh strainer and set aside. In a large Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid, melt butter. Slice sausage in 1/3-inch rounds and add to the butter. Cook over medium-low heat to just brown the sausage. Add 8 cups of reserved broth to the pot and bring to a rolling boil. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Add the rice and stir well. Add shredded chicken. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook 20 minutes, stirring once or twice, or until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Add additional broth if necessary. Serve immediately.
Pecan Chewies
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Servings 10 to 12
Ingredients 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 eggs, well beaten 2 cups self-rising flour 1 cup chopped pecans 2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions Heat oven to 300 F and lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Melt butter, add sugars and blend well by hand. Add beaten eggs; stir well. Add flour and stir until all lumps are gone. Add pecans and vanilla. Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake approximately 40 to 50 minutes, being cautious not to overcook. They will still be jiggly in the middle. Cool completely before slicing into squares. alfafarmers.org
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