March 2012 Neighbors

Live. Drive. Save.

With Alfa’s™ new auto discount for life insurance customers, you can save money while protecting those you love. Find out how you can provide peace of mind for your family, no matter where the road leads. For all of your insurance needs, call Alfa®.

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In This Issue A Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation MARCH/SPRING 2012

‘Y’all Eat Yet?’ Albertville cowboy chef Johnny Nix takes campfire cooking to a new level, one that’s just as simple as it is tasty. • 18

Service And Strength Alfa Insurance lived up to its slogan of service and strength as it quickly responded to policyholders following the Jan. 23 tornado outbreaks. • 6

Smoke Detectors Save Lives Alfa offers discounts for homeowners with smoke detectors, but one Alfa agent can give a better

ON THE COVER A culinary cowboy from Albertville makes five-star cuisine using cast iron cookware and an open flame.

Johnny Nix has become famous for the delicious meals he prepares and for his signature invitation: “Y’all eat yet?”

Photo by Melissa Martin

MARCH/SPRING 2012

reason — a smoke detector saved his

DEPARTMENTS

family’s life. • 22 4

President’s Message

Hog Wild

30

Alabama Gardener

Researchers at Auburn University are working

32

Country Kitchen

34

Classifieds

to control the exponential growth of wild hogs, which are causing millions of dollars in damages for Alabama landowners. • 26

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VOLUME 37, NUMBER 3

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ith politics becoming increas- where juries awarded exorbitant ingly partisan and negative, damages, and the higher courts it’s easy to become discourupheld those verdicts. aged with the electoral process.

In the last two decades, however, Voters often stay home rather voters elected conservative judges than go to the polls because they who strictly interpret the law, and feel their “vote doesn’t matter” or the Alabama Legislature passed a “all politicians are the same.” number of tort reform laws. As a While this attitude is somewhat result, Alabama is now open for understandable, voter apathy is one business. of the most dangerous threats to our Our state has become a leader liberty. When we fail to participate in attracting industry, creating jobs in government, it is tantamount to and encouraging economic develwaving the white flag of surrender. opment. But if the economy is to Elected officials are no longer held remain strong, we must continue to accountable; honest, civicelect judges who rule fairly minded leaders may never and justly — regardless of the have the chance to serve; parties involved. and, worst of all, ordinary In addition, we have an citizens lose their voice in opportunity this month to government. have a voice in who will repFranklin D. Roosevelt resent Alabama in Congress, once noted, “Nobody will who will make decisions Jerry Newby ever deprive the American affecting the education of our people of the right to vote except children and who will lead the Pubthe American people themselves, lic Service Commission as it considand the only way they could do this ers regulations affecting businesses is by not voting.” and utilities.

While not everyone agreed with All of these races are vitally FDR’s policy positions, it’s hard to important to our state. Unfortuargue with his statement about the nately, if past elections are any importance of voting. indication, only about one-third of Here in Alabama, we have an Alabama voters will go to the polls. opportunity to exercise our right to This is a shame. No matter how vote on March 13. And while some disillusioned we get with the politiof the contenders in the presidential cal process, we must never forget race have already called it quits, that more than 1.3 million of our every vote still counts. fellow countrymen gave their lives On the second Tuesday of this since the American Revolution to month, Alabama voters not only preserve our right to vote. will decide Alabama’s preference for On page 5 of this magazine is a the Republican presidential nomilist of the candidates in contested nee, they also will choose nominees races who are endorsed by FarmPac, in contested races for the Alabama the political action committee of Supreme Court, U.S. Congress, Pub- the Alabama Farmers Federation. lic Service Commission and Board These candidates were chosen by of Education. county leaders throughout the state.

Perhaps none of these races We hope you will consider these is more important than those for endorsements when you go to the Alabama Supreme Court. In 1993, polls. Regardless of the candidates Forbes magazine used rather coloryou support, however, we encourage ful language in describing Alabama you to vote. As Americans, it’s not as a haven for jackpot justice. Trial only our right, it’s also our duty. n lawyers sought favorable courts w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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Debra Davis, Editor Mike Moody, Graphic Designer ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan, Executive Director Jeff Helms, Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS Jerry Newby, President, Athens Hal Lee, Vice President/North, Hartselle Dean Wysner, Vice President/Central, Woodland Ricky Wiggins, Vice President/Southeast, Andalusia Jake Harper, Vice President/Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn, Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Joe Dickerson, Lexington Ted Grantland, Somerville Waymon Buttram, Geraldine Darrel Haynes, Cullman John E. Walker III, Berry Dell Hill, Alpine Richard Edgar, Deatsville Dickie Odom, Boligee Garry Henry, Hope Hull Carl Sanders, Brundidge David Bitto, Elberta S. Steve Dunn, Samson Rita Garrett, Centre John Bitto, Elberta 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 member benefits of the Alabama Farmers Federation, visit the Web site 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.

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Wendy McFarland, McFarland AdVantage, 133 Bridlewood Lane, Hope Hull, AL 36043. Phone: (334) 652-9080. Email: mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com. Classified ad and editorial inquiries should be directed to the editor at (334) 613-4410.

ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER: Ad­vertise­­­­­­­ ments contained in Neighbors do not represent an endorsement by the magazine or the Alabama Farmers Federation.

EDITORIAL MATTER from sources outside of the Alabama Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for the information and interest of our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Alabama Farmers Federation policies. Publication of material does not necessarily imply its endorsement by the Alabama Farmers Federation.

ADDRESS editorial, advertising and change of address correspondence to Neighbors, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001. www.AlfaFarmers.org A member of American Farm Bureau Federation MARCH/SPRING 2012

ENDORSEMENTS

F

armPac, the political action committee of the Alabama Farmers Federation, has announced its endorsements of candidates for the March 13 Democratic and Republican primaries. Our philosophy is to support candidates with moral character who will fight for accountability, fairness, security and opportunity. The committee did not make endorsements in every race. The committee has endorsed other candidates from both parties who do not have opposition in their respective primaries. Those endorsements will be published prior to the Nov. 6 general election.

“Regardless of your party preference, we encourage you to vote March 13,” said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jerry Newby. “We are a non-partisan organization and have members who have sought our recommendations in both primaries. We hope this guide will be of assistance if you are not familiar with the candidates. No matter who you support, we encourage you to exercise your right by voting in the primaries March 13.”

Offices To Be Voted For Republican

Alabama Supreme Court, Chief Justice

Chuck Malone

Alabama Supreme Court, Place 1

Tommy Bryan

U.S. Representative, 1st District

Jo Bonner

U.S. Representative, 5th District

Mo Brooks

U.S. Representative, 6th District

Spencer Bachus

Public Service Commission, President

Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh

Alabama Board of Education, District 1

Tracy Roberts

Alabama Board of Education, District 7

Jeff Newman

Paid for and distributed by the Alabama Farmers Federation P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, AL 36191 MARCH/SPRING 2012

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SERVICE and STRENGTH Alfa Responds

that was completely blown off its foundation.

After surveying the damage, Headley wrote the Mullens a check to help them with temporary housing and storage for their belongings.

Alfa adjusters were also busy in Tuscaloosa and Chilton counties where heavy damage occurred.

Surveyors with the National Weather Service identified the tornado that tore through Paradise Valley as an EF3, with winds of 136 mph to 165 mph. The two storms in Tuscaloosa County were both rated as EF2-strength tornadoes that caused moderate to heavy damage. ”Nothing like this has ever happened to us.” Juliet said. “We just feel lucky to be alive. It’s amazing that no one on our street was killed. That’s not the case just a little ways from here.”

Heavy damage also was reported in areas of Chilton County where a three-story cattle barn collapsed and numerous homes and businesses were damaged.

What awaits Alabamians in terms of spring storms is an educated guess at best, but experts are predicting a severe storm trend will continue throughout the season, with record-high temperatures partially to blame.

According to the National Climatic Data Center, almost 2,800 record-high temperatures were either tied or broken across the country in January (compared with about 160 daily record lows that were either tied or broken).

Greg Forbes, Weather Channel severe weather expert, says the climate pattern ­— La Niña — tends to produce large tornado outbreaks from January to April across the country. La Niña refers to cooler-than-average tropical Pacific Ocean water that affects weather and climate around the world.

To report a claim, contact a local Alfa service center or call 1-800-964-2532. Policyholders also may file claims online at www.AlfaInsurance.com.

Policyholders who have a claim are encouraged to make temporary repairs to their property to prevent additional damage and should save all receipts. Additionally, policyholders should only do business with reputable companies.

To see a video of the interview with the Mullenses visit AlfaFarmers.org and click the video link at the bottom of the page. n

A three-story barn in Maplesville lies in ruin after a tornado ripped through the area.

By Debra Davis

A

lfa Insurance continues to work hard to serve policyholders impacted by the Jan. 23 tornadoes that hit Chilton, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties. As soon as it was safe, Alfa began to mobilize extra resources to handle claims, and adjusters were in the hardest hit areas within hours of the storm. As of Feb. 7, Alfa had received nearly 900 claims from the storms.

Mark and Juliet Mullens were trying to salvage some of their belongings from their home in the Paradise Valley subdivision in the Clay-Chalkville area of Jefferson County by mid-afternoon following the storm. Their neighborhood in shambles, their home heavily damaged, they said they weren’t sure where to start.

Alfa Claims Adjuster Dan Headley made his way through the debris-strewn streets in their neighborhood to help.

“Everything we have is with Alfa,” Mark told Dan. “We’re glad to see you.”

The Mullens have lived on San Marcos Drive for 32 years and have been Alfa customers most of that time.

Their house received heavy damage from the storm, much of it caused by giant trees uprooted throughout their neighborhood. Their front lawn was covered with debris from their across-the-street neighbor’s home w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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MARCH/SPRING 2012

Homes in the Paradise Valley subdivision were heavily damaged by the Jan. 23 storm.

From left, Alfa policyholders Mark and Juliet Mullens accept a check from Alfa Adjuster Dan Headley.

Alfa activated its mobile response center to assist policyholders in hard-hit areas.

MARCH/SPRING 2012

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Ellis Retires From Alfa After 36 Years Of Service

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lfa Insurance Executive Vice President of Operations C. Lee Ellis III retired Feb. 1, after 36 years with the company. Alfa President and CEO Jerry Newby praised Ellis for his leadership and exemplary service to policyholders.

“Lee embodies the wise, conservative management philosophy that has made Alfa a strong company,” Newby said. “Under his leadership, we have not only grown the Alfa companies and set records for production, but we also have implemented initiatives that allow us to better serve Alfa’s customers. In the last 12 years, Alfa has made major strides in embracing new technology and has established procedures to ensure it is prepared to deliver the company’s promise to policyholders, no matter how severe the disaster.”

Ellis joined Alfa in 1975 as an investment officer. He rose through the ranks of the company, serving as an assistant vice president, vice president, senior vice president, and Executive Vice President of Investments and Chief Investment Officer, before being named Executive Vice President of Operations in 1999. A Montgomery native, Ellis earned a degree in political science from the University of North Carolina.

MARCH/SPRING 2012

In announcing his plans, Ellis spoke fondly of the employees, board members and local leaders he’s worked with during his tenure with the organization.

“I have enjoyed many wonderful moments throughout my career, but the best part has definitely

been building relationships with the many exceptional employees and friends that make up the Alfa family,” he said. “I feel exceptionally blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with a company that promotes strong values and community service, and I am grateful to have built many lifelong relationships in the process.”

Under Ellis’ leadership, Alfa 9

grew its life insurance portfolio from $12 billion in force in 1999 to $27 billion today.

Ellis also led efforts to expand Alfa’s property and casualty business beyond Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi with the acquisition of Alfa Alliance Insurance Corp., and Alfa Vision Insurance Corp. Today, Alfa and its affiliates provide insurance and other financial services in 11 states.

Ellis said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family, expanding his work with church and civic groups and exploring other business opportunities. He currently serves on the board of directors and executive committee for Property Casualty Insurers Association of America and is on the board of directors for MidCountry Financial Corp. His civic affiliations include serving as chairman of the board of directors for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and the board of directors for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. He is president of the YMCA Endowment Foundation and a former chairman of the River Region United Way campaign.

Lee and wife, Nancy, have two sons, John and David; a daughterin-law, Summer, and two grandchildren John Clyde and Anna Charles. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Johnson Joins Federation Staff As Director Of News Services

By Melissa Martin

M

ary Johnson has been named director of news services for the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Public Relations and Communications Department.

As director of news services, Johnson will be involved in media monitoring, issues management, public speaking, promotional activities and writing.

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“I am thrilled to be joining the Alabama Farmers Federation and to work alongside such a talented group of people,” said Johnson, whose official Johnson start date was Jan. 16. “I very much look forward to collaborating with the farmers of Alabama to ensure their important issues and concerns are addressed.

This opportunity is truly a blessing.”

Federation Communications Director Jeff Helms said Johnson’s background in agriculture and communications made her an excellent choice for this new position.

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10

prospective members and the general public,” Helms said. “Her farm background, coupled with experience in broadcast journalism, will help Mary as she works with the Governmental and Agricultural Programs Department and news media on agricultural issues.

She also will be developing tools to help the Federation staff and county Farmers Federations with promotional efforts, and she will be contributing to our publications, website and broadcast channels.

We are blessed to have an experienced, professional public relations team with a wide variety of talents.”

A native of Kentucky, Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting with a minor in geography from Western Kentucky University. She and her husband, Josh, live in Prattville. n

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Melissa Martin

B

aldwin County is home to some of the South’s most beautiful beaches and some of the state’s most productive farmland.

It’s also home to third-generation farmer John Bitto, chairman of the Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee, who wants to promote agriculture as a possible profession for more young people.

Growing up on a farm established by his grandfather and working the land alongside his father, Baldwin County Farmers Federation President David Bitto, John has seen his share of hard work, but adds that any day on the farm is a good day.

“My father has run the family farm for over 40 years, and I’m glad I could come back after college and help the farm stay in the family,” said John, an Auburn University graduate and Elberta native. “I’ve been farming full time for almost seven years.”

A labor of love for this Baldwin County family, the Bittos’ raise peanuts, cotton, soybeans, corn, wheat, oats, sorghum and beef cattle. One element behind a young farmer’s success is to be involved in an organization that respects and supports agriculture, John said.

That’s among the reasons he’s been an active member of the Federation’s Young Farmers organization since 2003 and was elected chairman of the statewide organization in December.

“There are so many challenges facing young farmers today,” said John. “High input costs, the lack of availability of good farm land and the difficulty of entering the profession if not already involved in a farming family all are things that could discourage many from even trying to farm. And even if they’re w ww ww w.. AA ll ff aa FF aa rr m m ee rr ss .. oo rr gg

Baldwin County Young Farmer Focuses On The Future

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able to start, there’s no guarantee that the rising costs will allow them to be successful.”

With so few farmers, it’s important to support each other, John said. Federation Young Farmers Division Director Brandon Moore echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the importance of pursuing agriculture as a profession.

“Today’s generation of young agricultural producers understands the importance of professional development, networking and having a voice in the state’s largest farm organization,” said Moore.

“The Young Farmers Division seeks to provide opportunities for our state’s next generation of farmers and agricultural leaders.”

Growing up on the farm, it was only natural John would choose to share his life with someone who had his same passion for agriculture. Though her role on the farm isn’t full time – she works as an orthopedic trauma physician assistant – Jenn has a clear love for agriculture and a strong determination to be a good steward of the land.

“My wife is a huge supporter of our family farm,” said John. “She’s also involved in the Baldwin County Young Farmers Committee.”

As this year’s state committee chairman, John said he hopes to encourage other young farmers to pursue agriculture and take an active role in emphasizing the importance of farming.

“I also want to educate people on what farming truly entails… providing safe, nutritious and affordable food to people around the world,” he said.

For information about the Young Farmers program, contact Moore at (334) 612-5159 or bmoore@alfafarmers.org, or visit AlfaYoungFarmers.org. n

M M AA R RC CH H // SS PP R R II N NG G 22 00 11 22

“I want to continue to promote agriculture and build on the strength of the Young Farmers Committee.”

- John Bitto

M M AA R RC CH H // SS PP R R II N NG G 22 00 11 22

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Applications Sought For Ag In The Classroom Summer Institute

By Mary Johnson

A

pril 15 is more than just tax day. It’s also the last day to submit an application for this year’s Alabama Ag in the Classroom (AITC) Summer Institute, a grassroots program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The program teaches educators about agriculture and introduces them to new strategies for incorporating agriculture into their classrooms activities.

Eligible applicants include K-6 teachers, media specialists and administrators.

The 2012 program will be at the Marriott Grand National in Opelika, June 12-14. Tuition to the institute is free and teachers can receive continuing education credits for the workshop.

Attendees get their hands dirty with agricultural activities and field trips to working farms. They also receive take-home educational materials and teaching strategies to incorporate agricultural education into their classrooms and schools.

Activity skills used include lan-

guage arts, science, social studies and mathematics.

“It’s very important to expose children to agriculture in the classroom because nowadays many children never learn about rural life or the importance of farming,” said AITC Chairman Kim Earwood, who also serves as director of the Alabama Farmers Federation

Women’s Leadership Division.

Past participants say the workshop is one of the best they have ever attended.

“I’ve been absolutely wowed,” second-grade teacher Lydia Davis of Indian Valley Elementary School in Sylacauga said following last year’s institute. “The impact it has had on me is phenomenal. Going to the

farms is wonderful. When I saw the seed, the tractor and the soil and then saw the pride in the farmer’s eye as he showed us what he did, it was so impactful. I can’t wait to share it with my students.”

Sponsors of the program include the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alfa Insurance, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, Alabama Poultry Contract Growers Association, Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, Alabama Farmers Federation State Soybean Committee and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. Proceeds from the sale of ag tag license plates also benefit the program.

Lodging, meals and workshop materials are provided for AITC participants. Applications are available online at AlabamaAITC.org and must be received by April 15.

There is no fee to apply or attend.

For additional information contact Earwood at (334) 612-5370 or e-mail kearwood@alfafarmers.org.

Mail applications to: Kim Earwood, Alabama Ag in the Classroom, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191 or fax to (334) 284-3957. n

Teachers toured a farm in Lawrence County at last year’s AITC Summer Institute.

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Farm Living With A Feminine Flair Brings Garrett To Leadership Role

By Debra Davis

R

Donnie and Rita Garrett enjoy life on their farm in Cherokee County.

Photo by Andrea Eubanks. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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ita Garrett has many fond memories of Cherokee County. It’s where she grew up on a family farm in Sand Rock as one of 10 children. It’s where she met and married her husband, Donnie; and it’s where they raised their daughter, Andrea, on their own farm.

“It’s hard for me to put into words, but when I’m out on the farm there’s a closeness to nature that’s hard to explain,” she said.

“It’s rewarding to know that with God’s help we’re producing food and fiber on our farm that will touch so many other families just like mine.”

Rita was elected chairman of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s State Women’s Leadership Committee in December following five years as a state committee member that included service as secretary-treasurer and vice chairman. She works full time as the accounts payable clerk for the City of Centre, where she also serves as a municipal court magistrate. Prior to that, she enjoyed a successful career in finance, retiring as an MARCH/SPRING 2012

State Board as a district director.”

Rita’s involvement included serving as county Farm-City chairman and working on various other county-sponsored events.

“I am so humbled and honored to have been elected state chairman of such a hard-working group of women,” Rita said. “The other members of the State Women’s Leadership Committee are all such wonderful leaders, and we all help each other. We do a lot more than just cooking and sewing. We help with politics, develop policy and promote agriculture as a whole.”

In addition to their involvement with the Farmers Federation, the Garretts are active members of the First United Methodist church of Centre. They are especially proud of their daughter Andrea Eubanks and her husband, Seth, who Rita says bring immeasurable joy to their lives.

As this year’s chairman, Rita said she wants to encourage more young women to become involved in the Women’s Leadership Committee while at the same time encouraging all young people to appreciate and respect agriculture as a profession.

“Really, that’s why the Farmers Federation is such a wonderful organization,” she said. “We all have different backgrounds and life stories, but we’re all working together for the good of the organization.” n

Photo by Andrea Eubanks.

assistant vice president and security officer for a local bank.

While Rita loves her city job, she said her passion is the farm.

“There’s a lot of days that I take lunch to Donnie on the farm just to get to be with him and see what’s going on at the farm,” she said. “It’s like an escape for me.”

The Garretts’ farm is much different from the one where Rita grew up. They grow cotton, soybeans, corn and wheat. The farm she grew up on was diversified in its own way.

“When I was a child, we produced most all our own food,” she said. “We grew vegetables, had several fruit trees and grew our own peanuts and corn for popcorn.

I’ve milked a cow and churned butter and even picked cotton by hand. I’ve been involved in agriculture all my life.”

With all that background in agriculture, marrying a farmer seemed a perfect fit, as did her eventual involvement with the Farmers Federation.

“Donnie was asked to serve on the Cherokee County Farmers Federation Board 23 years ago,” Rita said. “We both became active on the county level. He served as vice president and was later president for six years. He also served three years on the Federation’s MARCH/SPRING 2012

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w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

By Melissa Martin

C

ampfire cooking is often limited to simple dishes like beans, chili or stews, but culinary cowboy Johnny Nix of Albertville proves that a small fire and a little cast iron can yield five-star cuisine. Interested in sampling Johnny’s food? Just wait to hear his signature invitation: “Y’all eat yet?”

Johnny, an Alabama native, has been cooking over an open flame for more than 25 years. A few years ago, television brought his food with flair to living rooms around the country. Though he loves demonstrating the ease of cooking anything from biscuits and peach cobbler to gumbo and pecan-crusted chicken, his claim to television fame was far from intentional. In fact, the idea for his show spun from an unusual place — a trail ride in Missouri.

“Our tickets for the trail ride included meals, but [my wife] Wanda and I got to noticing that after the first night, the food just wasn’t that good,” recalls Johnny.

“The second night, we had stuff in the trailer, so we just started cooking our own food. In no time, more and more people started coming to our campsite and eating with us instead.”

During that trail ride, more than 200 people — including a producer from RFD-TV — found Johnny’s food delicious and his enthusiasm for campfire cooking contagious. The chance meeting led to the start of Campfire Café, a popular half-hour program that aired on RFD-TV from 2002-2006. During that time, Johnny cooked with several country music stars — Joe Diffie, John Conlee, Mark Chesnutt, The Kentucky HeadHunters and Jett Williams — and two well-respected chefs, the “Galloping Gourmet” Graham Kerr and Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef, Art Smith. While Johnny says he enjoyed cooking with some big names over the years, one encounter really stands out.

“I’ve had the privilege to cook with some great chefs around the campfire,” said Johnny, “but cooking with legendary country singer Ray Price… boy, that sure was somethin’!”

Johnny and Wanda, who works primarily behind the scenes, parted ways with RFD in 2006. Though they took a break from television, this dynamic duo continued sharing their love for food through cooking demonstrations at various events around the country.

From trail rides to trade shows, “Y’all eat yet?” became a signature phrase audiences looked forward to hearing.

Countless requests were made for Johnny to return w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

to TV, and Johnny and Wanda listened. Last April, Cookin’ Outdoors with Johnny Nix aired on the Blue Highways cable network and is Johnny’s current outlet for sharing his knowledge of cowboy-style cooking.

Wanda films and edits each segment, manages their personal website and helps market the program. She notes that one of her favorite things to do is read fan mail.

“Viewers love his simple, step-by-step instructions and non-intimidating demeanor,” says Wanda. “They always tell us how easy he makes everything sound, and they just love his Southern drawl.”

Wanda and Johnny both say they’re pleased that his show isn’t intimidating to viewers, but they also point out that the simplicity isn’t just for show — it really is 18

MARCH/SPRING 2012

Black Forest Ribbon Cake 14” Dutch Oven - 12 Servings 2 boxes of chocolate cake mix 2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened 2 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 6 tablespoons milk 4 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons cornstarch 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cans chocolate frosting 1 can cherry pie filling

Combine cream cheese, eggs and sugar, and mix until smooth. Gradually add milk, butter, vanilla and cornstarch; beat well.

Mix chocolate cake batter according to directions using required ingredients. Pour half the batter in a well-greased or foil-lined 14” Dutch oven.

Spoon cream cheese mixture over cake batter. Add remaining cake batter. Bake over medium heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, adding top coals after 20 minutes. Bake until knife inserted in cake comes out clean. Cool slightly before removing from Dutch oven, and allow to cool completely before frosting cake. Top with cherry pie filling.

Charcoal: Bake at 350 F for 1 hour. Use 12 bottom/24 top coals.

ready-made fire pit in their backyards, Johnny also sells his custom-made cook sets online, which consist of two side posts, a crossbar, five pot hooks, a lid lifter, fire poker, swing grill, fire pit and utensil hanger.

Why does he go out of his way to send the message that meals made over an open flame are easy and fun?

Johnny says the answer to that is simple.

“Food is one of the best ways to bring people together,” he explains. “We’ve traveled a lot, been all over the country doing this type of cooking. Everywhere we’ve gone, we always made friends along the way. Cooking over a campfire is a great way to interact and have a little fun. After all, it’s important to slow down every once in a while and enjoy life, family and friends. And just remember – it’s just cookin’, not rocket science.”

To view recipes from the show or to purchase Johnny’s cookbooks, instructional DVD or cooking set, visit YallEatYet.com. Check local cable listings for Cookin’ Outdoors with Johnny Nix, or find a schedule at BlueHighwaysTV.com. n

that easy to cook over a campfire.

“Sure, we’re all gonna burn stuff from time to time, but that’s just part of being a cook,” Johnny said. “The biggest hesitation for most people is not being able to ‘read’ the fire. But I always tell them to just follow the smoke. Wherever your smoke is, that’s where your heat is. It’s all in just sitting back, watching this living thing and getting comfortable with it.”

Though he swears by Lodge Cast Iron-brand products, Johnny encourages cooking enthusiasts to make sure they use only high-quality cast iron cookware when preparing fireside dishes. Since not everyone has a MARCH/SPRING 2012

Win a cookbook

www.facebook.com/alabamafarmers

Click the “like” button for a chance to win an autographed cookbook from Johnny Nix. 19

w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

By Miranda Mattheis

A

lfa Agent Freddie Pinion of Oxford, Miss., knows firsthand the importance of having a working smoke detector. On Jan. 13, 2011, his family lost their home to a fire, but he credits the smoke detector for saving their lives.

Pinion and five family members were in the house at the time of the fire. He and his wife, Melanee; their twins Barrett and Bailey, who were 1 ½ -years-old at the time, and Melanee’s parents, Jerry and Betty Barrett, all escaped the blaze.

“My father-in-law awoke before the smoke detector started going off,” Pinion said. “The combination

w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

of the smoke detector and him hollering woke the rest of us up.”

A faulty heater in the garage was the cause of the fire, Pinion said.

“Our house was a ranch-style, so luckily we were on the opposite end of the house,” Pinion said. “It seemed like it took an hour for us to get out, but it was probably only about five minutes.”

In 2010, the number of fire fatalities in Alabama was 122, a 43.5 percent increase over the number in 2009. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), about 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires every year in the United States.

Most victims die from the inhala-

22

tion of smoke and toxic gases, not from burns.

The National Fire Protection Association reports approximately two-thirds of home fire deaths happen in homes without smoke alarms or working smoke alarms.

With such a high death statistic, living in a home without a working smoke detector is a risk families shouldn’t be willing to take.

A working smoke alarm reduces house fire fatality rates by half.

The USCPSC recommends that all smoke alarms be tested once a month and batteries replaced each year. Battery-powered smoke alarms will emit a low-power warning sound that the batteries need to be replaced.

Alfa recognizes the significance smoke alarms play in saving lives and offers discounts to customers who have them in their homes. More than 85 percent of Alfa’s homeowner policies have a home alert discount.

“Smoke alarms are inexpensive, and equally as important as saving your property, they may save your life,” said Rex Seabrook, manager of Alfa’s Property and Casualty Underwriting.

During 2011, less than 1 percent of Alfa’s homeowner policies had a claim from a fire. However, of those claims, more than 20 percent were for a total loss. n MARCH/SPRING 2012

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1/16/12 1:08 PM

Partnership Promotes Clean Water Efforts In Alabama

By Miranda Mattheis

F

armers are the original stewards of the land and understand that clean water is important to their livelihoods and the future of the planet.

As part of an ongoing commitment to the Alabama Clean Water Partnership (ACWP), Alfa recently made its second of three $10,000-donations to the organization’s “Waters to the Sea: Discovering Alabama” project.

ACWP is a non-profit group of federal and state agencies along with state organizations that promote clean water efforts.

“Waters to the Sea: Discovering Alabama” is part of the internationally acclaimed Waters to the Sea multimedia program series and represents a collaboration with the Discovering Alabama public television series, the ACWP and Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education.

This definitive watershed education resource engages students and the general public in learning about watersheds through in-depth, interactive learning experiences rich in regional content that will inspire conservation and stewardship activities.

The goal of Waters to the Sea is to engage both young people and older citizens in learning about Alabama’s rivers, including the history, cultural significance and ecology of watersheds.

“Farmers recognize the important role the Alabama Clean Water Partnership plays in our state,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan. “Alabama’s farmers are good stewards of our land and water resources, and they understand how critical it is that we protect and preserve the state’s water resources. Alfa is proud to sponsor this education project with the Alabama Clean Water Partnership.”

Part of the project consists of w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

a web-based “virtual field trip” and interactive DVD for Alabama residents.

The video focuses on Alabama’s multiple river basins and highlights Alabama’s diverse watersheds along with the issues that affect them.

The DVD features video clips and interactive educational activities.

The funding provided by Alfa will specifically be used for an

24

animal agriculture module that focuses on best management practices and water conservation used by farmers. The goal is to highlight different areas of animal agriculture and show the general public how farmers use these best practices.

For more information on the Alabama Clean Water Partnership and its projects, visit www.cleanwaterpartnership.org. n

MARCH/SPRING 2012

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w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

By Jamie Creamer

That’s largely because wild pigs are extremely prolific year-round breeders that can reach sexual maturity as early as 6 months of age and from that point forward bear two litters of, on average, six piglets each a year. With a gestation period of 115 days—“three months, three weeks and three days,” Pitchford says—a typical sow will have farrowed as many as two dozen piglets by age 2. The current wild pig population nationwide is estimated at 4 million, and counting.

Enter the multidisciplinary research team at Auburn and its quest for an inexpensive oral birth control method that is highly effective in blocking fertility in wild pigs but not in other animals, says study leader Tatiana Samoylova. The associate research professor in Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine calls that “a species-specific immunocontraceptive.”

F

or Auburn University agricultural business alumnus David Pitchford, learning that researchers at his alma mater are well on their way to developing an oral contraceptive for wild pigs is cause for celebration.

“That’s the most exciting thing I’ve heard in a long while,” Pitchford says from his Henry County farm. “Right now, there is no feasible way to get rid of them. Something like that (the contraceptive) would be the only way to have an impact.”

Pitchford speaks from experience. Since spying the first wild pig in a pasture on his southeast Alabama farm on Thanksgiving Day 2008, he has seen the population of the rooting, crop-ravaging animals explode, and neither shooting nor trapping puts a dent in it. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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MARCH/SPRING 2012

“An immunocontraceptive works in the same way a vaccine does against a disease,” Samoylova says. “In this case, it would stimulate the animal’s own immune system to produce antibodies that interfere with certain events in the reproductive process.

“Current control programs that focus on wild pig eradication via trapping and shooting are expensive and ineffective,” she says. “Contraceptive vaccines can, over time, significantly reduce populations to manageable numbers and are more acceptable means of population control to the general public.”

In the project’s first three years—funded by grants from the Alabama Farmers Federation, the AAES and the vet college—the scientists developed and tested multiple antigens that can lead to infertility in wild swine. In lab testing, the most promising proved to trigger the production of anti-sperm antibodies.

“Those antibodies potentially could interfere with sperm delivery or genital-tract functioning, resulting in contraceptive effects,” Samoylova says.

Work on the project is ongoing, but Samoylova says new sources of funding will be necessary to continue with the next phases of the study, in which the researchers will focus on identifying a bait that is highly attractive to wild pigs, developing a commercially viable species-specific immunocontraceptive that can be delivered in that bait and conducting extensive field tests on the product.

Samoylova’s coinvestigators in the project are College of Veterinary Medicine researchers Nancy Cox, Valery Petrenko and Skip Bartol and, from the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Steve Ditchkoff.

MARCH/SPRING 2012

For the record, Ditchkoff says “wild pigs” is the preferred term among wildlife ecologists and is used to include both feral hogs, which actually are domesticated swine that have escaped captivity, and non-native wild boars that were first introduced into the U.S. from Eurasia in the early 1900s for sport hunting purposes.

As an exotic species, wild pigs have no known natural predators here, a factor that exacerbates the wild pig problem.

And it is a problem, not only in Alabama, where the swine have bulldozed their way into all of the state’s 67 counties, but in at least 43 other states.

For Pitchford and other Alabama farmers, these aggressive, highly intelligent and ever-ravenous creatures are a plague, causing an estimated $44 million in crop losses statewide in 2009, mainly in corn and peanuts.

But the damage they inflict with their rooting, wallowing, trampling and gluttony extends far beyond the farm gate, to forests, water supplies, soils, turfgrass, native flora and fauna, reptiles, ground-nesting birds, young livestock and the overall environment. They also can transmit a number of serious diseases to livestock and to humans.

The use of immunocontraceptives as a nonlethal method for controlling the populations of nuisance or destructive wildlife species is not a brand-new concept. Such a vaccine has been approved for whitetailed deer, and, in addition, Samoylova and other scientists across the country are working on similar products for feral dogs and cats. Those vaccines, however, are not species-specific and must be injected into the animals. n 27

w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Wildlife Bandits Harbor Hidden Dangers

By Chas Moore

N

ot isolated to rural settings, raccoons are quickly becoming pests for residents of rural and municipal areas alike. Though the soft, round, black eyes set off by bandit-like stripes don’t seem intimidating, wildlife biologists encourage all who encounter the nocturnal animal to play it safe.

Because they live right alongside people, raccoons are a potential hazard to humans and pets. Generally afraid of humans, most will scurry at the sight of a person; however, their calling card of ransacked garbage cans, gardens and pet food containers can leave behind a wake of destruction. Remedied by a simple clean-up, a little nuisance isn’t what most experts are concerned about – it’s the diseases raccoons carry with them.

Two major diseases affect raccoons and pose threats to humans and their pets: rabies and canine distemper. Deadly to both humans and animals, rabies occurs primarily in carnivores and omnivores and is easily transmitted from affected animals to others through saliva and blood. Animals affected with rabies will display clinical signs of the disease, with symptoms ranging from aimless wandering, lack of coordination, weak hind legs and lethargy to a drive to attack whatever is moving, including itself.

Dilated pupils and seizures are also common symptoms.

Lethal to animals, canine distemper has many signs similar to rabies such as the lack of fear of humans, but frequent convulsions are likely the most distinct signs of the diseases. Body tremors and a white, mucus-like discharge dispensed from the nose and eye area of the infected animal are also signs. Canine distemper accounts for 60 percent of reported “sick” raccoons, which makes it a significant threat to surviving raccoon populations. It is transmissible to gray foxes, coyotes and pets, all through casual contact.

To avoid injury or disease transmission, wildlife biologists suggest avoiding contact with all raccoons – especially those displaying symptoms of illness. To keep pets safe, feed them in areas where wild animals cannot enter, and don’t leave garbage in accessible areas. Dogs used to hunt raccoons should be vaccinated against rabies, as should household pets.

Visit OutdoorAlabama.com for more information on raccoons. n ________________________________________________ Chas Moore is a wildlife biologist with the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Photo by Dorie Parsons. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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MARCH/SPRING 2012

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w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

By Lois Chaplin

logical diversity and interfering with natural succession. They can alter soil characteristics, hydrologic conditions and flooding regimes.

Invasive plants also can choke waterways, lakes and ponds. They can affect fire intensity and frequency.

They compete for native pollinators and may repel or poison native insects. They may harbor plant pathogens that affect desirable plants.

Bottom line: They can do great economic damage.

For a good overview and the most localized information about invasives, look at the website for the National Association of Exotic Plant Pest Councils (www.naeppc.org). The map on the site’s home page connects to the Alabama state chapter, where a list of Alabama’s invasive plants or those on a watch list can be downloaded.

The Alabama Invasive Plant Council, a non-profit organization, meets regularly with the next meeting scheduled in Auburn, May 8­­­­–10. The web address is www.se-eppc.org/alabama.

Many of Alabama’s introduced plants, such as camellias, bring great pleasure.

However, as a gardener or homeowner, it’s good to learn the few exotics that have the potential to cause problems so gardeners can know what not to plant.

A few garden plants on the Alabama list include purple loosetrife (Lythrum salicaria), oriental bittersweet vine (Celastrus orbiculatus), elaeagnus (Elaeagnus pungens, Elaeagnus umbellata), Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) and popcorn or tallow tree (Triadica sebifera). Strike these and other potential nasties from the list of possible additions to a garden and enjoy gardening this spring. n

A

re there any invasive plants in your garden? It’s not unusual for gardeners to unknowingly cultivate plants that can escape into areas where they have no business. The problem of invasive plants is widespread enough that a search for “invasive plants” brings up more than 2,000 book titles on Amazon and more than 2 million pages on Google!

What are invasive plants? They are usually exotics (non-natives) introduced from another country or another ecosystem. They become invasive by spreading over large areas, and persisting, often choking out native vegetation and causing economic or environmental harm.

Does kudzu ring a bell? Other bad ones include cogongrass, cattail and Johnson grass. These plants first got to new places by human introduction rather than by natural dispersal and then became weeds of the worst kind, spread by their own runners, or wind, animals and sometimes humans.

One of the prettiest offenders is Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana), a popular landscape tree. Although widely planted as an ornamental, it is escaping into the wild and reseeding in a mean, thorny form. When in bloom this month, Bradford (also called callery pear) can form thickets in open areas, especially along highways and disturbed land near cities. They can be seen on a stretch of Hwy 280 from I-459 to Sylacauga in the spring. The other 50 weeks of the year its green leaves go unnoticed from the road.

Another invasive is Chinese privet, originally introduced as an ornamental shrub, and still widely grown as a clipped hedge, especially on older properties.

Today, it grows wild and unwelcomed on thousands of acres in the woods and roadsides of Alabama.

Invasive plants devalue property in many ways.

They can choke out local plants reducing native bio-

_______________________________________ Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

GET GROWING AT THE CO-OP. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

WWW.ALAFARM.COM 30

MARCH/SPRING 2012

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By Kellie Henderson

S

hy and polite, nine-year-old Sydney Ginther of Headland might be the last little girl one would consider a threat. But this past year when she donned her oven mitts and spatula in preparation for the National Peanut Festival’s student division recipe contest, she proved to be one tough cookie – or cheesecake bite.

“It was my third year entering the competition, and the first time I made this recipe was for the contest,” said Sydney.

Sydney’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bites took the student grand prize at the annual event in November, and she said her recipe has been in demand ever since.

“My brother and sisters and cousins all want to taste them since I won. The [Peanut Festival Pageant] queens tried them too, and they said they were good,” she adds.

Sydney said she enjoys cooking and baking, and was encouraged by her mom, Amanda, to enter the contest, just as her older sister had done previously.

“My sister was kind of jealous,” Sydney said with guileless honesty.

“I can’t compete next time since I won the grand prize, but I want to try again the next year,” she adds.

Adult grand prize winner Mollie Enfinger of Dothan is likewise no stranger to the annual culinary competition, and while she had taken first place in previous years, Mollie said she was still shocked to hear her Luscious Peanut Coconut Pie was the grand prize winner in the adult division.

“Of course, you do your best,

w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

and you always hope to win, but it was still very unexpected to hear my name called,” said Enfinger.

“I’ve been entering the peanut cooking contest for eight years, and my mother had competed for years, so it’s something we do as a family, selecting and trying new peanut recipes,” she explains.

In addition to her prize-winning pie, Enfinger also took top honors in the miscellaneous division with her Nutty Egg Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce, a dish outside her

cooking comfort zone, she says.

“I mostly bake and make sweets, so I don’t do a lot of cooking in the usual sense,” says Enfinger, adding that she too intends to participate in the peanut cooking contest again when she’s eligible.

In celebration of March as National Peanut Month, these recipes earned top prizes at last year’s National Peanut Festival.

Visit www.AlfaFarmers.org to view the complete list of recipes. n

LUSCIOUS PEANUT COCONUT PIE 2011 NATIONAL PEANUT FESTIVAL RECIPE CONTEST ADULT GRAND PRIZE WINNER Mollie Enfinger, Dothan 2 deep-dish pie crusts ¾ stick of butter 1 (7-ounce) bag of coconut 1 cup chopped toasted, salted peanuts 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese ¼ cup creamy peanut butter 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1 (16-ounce) container whipped topping 1 (12-ounce) jar caramel ice cream topping

Prepare and bake pie crusts according to directions for 2 one-crust pies and allow to cool.

In a skillet melt butter; add coconut and peanuts.

Brown and set aside.

Combine cream cheese, peanut butter and milk using a mixer. Fold in whipped topping. Layer ¼ of cream cheese mixture then drizzle with caramel. Layer ¼ of coconut mixture and repeat the layers for one pie.

Repeat layers for the second pie shell. Freeze overnight. Remove two hours before serving. Makes two pies.

32

MARCH/SPRING 2012

SYDNEY’S PEANUT BUTTER CHEESECAKE BITES 2011 NATIONAL PEANUT FESTIVAL RECIPE CONTEST STUDENT GRAND PRIZE WINNER Sydney Ginther, Headland Cheesecake: 1 ½ pounds cream cheese, at room temperature 1 ½ cups dark brown sugar ½ cup heavy cream 2 large egg yolks 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 1 ¾ cups creamy peanut butter Wooden pop sticks

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees.

Line an 8-X8-inch baking pan with foil, letting long flaps overlap on each side.

Spray foil with nonstick spray.

Beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until very smooth. Add the cream and beat slowly; then add the yolks and vanilla, mixing until just combined. Gently stir in peanut butter. Take care not to over beat the mixture – this incorporates too much air and causes the cheesecake to crack.

Pour and evenly spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Open the oven to release some heat, and lower the temperature to 200 degrees. Continue to bake the cheesecake until the outside is set but the center is still loose, for about 45 minutes.

Turn off the oven and cool cheesecake in the oven for 45 more minutes. Cover and refrigerate at least eight hours or overnight.

Lift cheesecake from the pan by lifting up the foil. Transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Stick a wooden pop stick halfway into each bar and freeze for one hour.

Chocolate coating: 5 tablespoons vegetable shortening 12 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Meanwhile, put the shortening and chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth.

Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

Dip the pops into the chocolate mixture, and stand on waxed paper to set, about five minutes. Serve cold (straight from the fridge), or freeze up to 2 weeks. Frozen pops make a cool summer treat, or can be allowed to temper for 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.

CANDIES — ADULT FIRST PLACE Anne Dawsey, Cottonwood Southern Peanut Candy ¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon butter 3 cups sugar, divided 1 cup half-and-half 1/8 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 pound roasted peanuts, chopped

Line a 9-x13-inch pan with foil and grease with 1 teaspoon butter.

In a heavy skillet cook 1 cup sugar over medium- low heat until melted. Do not stir.

In large pan combine half-andhalf and remaining 2 cups sugar over medium heat. When mixture is hot, add browned sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until candy thermometer reaches 236 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ¼ cup butter and baking soda. Add vanilla. Beat until smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes.

When mixture has cooled to 110 F, stir in peanuts. Pour cooled mixture into prepared pan. After mixture is firm, cut into squares.

CANDIES ­— STUDENT FIRST PLACE Casey Richards, Bonifay, Fla. “Cheesy” Peanut Butter Choco Fudge 8 ounces sliced easy-melt cheese (recommend VELVEETA) 1 cup butter 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped peanuts 2 (16-ounce) boxes confectioner’s sugar ½ cup mini chocolate chips

Lightly spray the bottom of a 9-X12inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt cheese and butter together. Add the peanut butter and stir until smooth.

Remove from heat, and add vanilla and nuts. Empty sugar boxes into a large bowl and pour cheese mixture over sugar. Stir until somewhat mixed, then add chocolate chips. Stir until well mixed (candy will be very stiff). Using your hands, remove candy from bowl. Place into prepared pan, then press evenly and firmly into the pan. Pat the top of the fudge with a paper towel (this will soak up the excess butter). Refrigerate until candy is firm. Cut into squares to serve.

Editor’s Note: Recipes published in the “Country Kitchen” are not kitchen-tested prior to publication. Visit www.AlfaFarmers.org for more recipes.

MARCH/SPRING 2012

33

w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

VA C AT I O N R E N TA L S

Classifieds Facts For just $2 per word, your classified ad reaches thousands of subscribers. Ads must be received by the first day of the month prior to publication. NO changes after closing.

PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED FOR ALL ADS. Minimum 10 words per ad. No fax, phone orders or credit cards accepted. For questions, call Paula Culver at (334) 613-4410. Send your ad with payment, payable to Alabama Farmers Federation, to: Classifieds, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, AL 36191-0001.

BEAUTIFUL ONE-BEDROOM CABIN with hot tub. Near Pigeon Forge, $85 per night. Call Kathy at (865) 428-1497.

ALWAYS $65 – Beautiful, furnished mountain cabin near Dollywood. Free brochure, call (865) 453-7715.

SEED FOR SALE

Open Pollinated Corn-Clovers-Bermudagrass WILDLIFE-Conventional Soybeans-Lespedeza

Clemmons & Hamner Seed Inc. Killen, AL

256-757-9996

Pigeon Forge, TN — ­ Cabins, peaceful, convenient setting, (251) 6493344 or (251) 649-4049. www.hideawayprop.com.

GREAT LAKE LIVING, affordable rate, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, deep water. www.vacationsmithlake.com, $75 night. annawisener@yahoo.com or (256) 352-5721.

DESTIN, FL CONDO RENTAL BY OWNER – www.patsdestincondo.com/ wp. 2 bedroom / 2 bath ground level (not a high rise), across from beach with gated access. Call (334) 244-6581 for more info & reservations.

GATLINBURG ­— Elegant 4-bedroom, 3-bath, back porch over creek, 10-minute walk to aquarium. (800) 435-3972. miscellaneo u s BUYING SILVER COINS – 1964 and before, paying 10 times face value. Call (334) 322-2869.

FOR SALE VACUUM SALES & SERVICE – 40 years service. Call (205) 384-0538 in Jasper, AL. THREADFIN SHAD – High-protein forage fish and algae control for Bass lakes and farm ponds. Ultra competitive prices. (205) 361-9863 or (334) 628-4725.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETINGS OF ALFA MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY ALFA MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY & ALFA MUTUAL GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY 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 April 11, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., to consider and act upon the following: 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.

The record date fixed for determining members entitled to vote at said meeting is the close of business on February 23, 2012. 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 20 days prior to said meeting.

---H. Al Scott, Secretary

w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

34

MARCH/SPRING 2012

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Dept. 5952

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$

Card # Name Address City Zip

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