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Neighbors A Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation

VOLUME 36, NUMBER 5

MAY 2011

Growing Downtown

The new Hampstead Institute Downtown Farm is gearing up for a busy first season, promoting education, sustainability, tourism and economic development in Montgomery and the River Region. • 16

King Cotton’s Return

The best cotton prices in generations have Alabama farmers expecting to plant 410,000 acres this year, up 70,000 acres from last year and the largest total acreage since 2006. • 5

Layoffs Hit Ag Department

ON THE COVER PROMISE OF SPRING — Jetson Brown, farm manager of the new Hampstead Institute Downtown Farm in Montgomery, has some big plans in store this spring for bringing agriculture to the city.

Photo by Darryal Ray

N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Commissioner John McMillan says the layoffs at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries have been a “painful and unpleasant experience for all.” • 8

A Different Way Of Thinking

Temple Grandin, whose revolutionary designs of livestock handling facilities have changed the industry, says it “takes all kinds of minds working together to get things done.” • 20 3

DEPARTMENTS 4

President’s Message

8

Federation Digest

24

Ag Briefs

26

Alabama Gardener

28

Country Kitchen

30

Classifieds

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President’s Message N

inety years ago, farmers throughout the state united to form an organization that would come to be known as the Alabama Farmers Federation. They were bound by a common desire to improve the quality of life for members and an understanding that they could accomplish more together than apart.

Today, the Federation is still driven by these core Jerry Newby principles. All of our programs — from commodities and Young Farmers to governmental affairs and the Women’s Leadership Division — are focused on strengthening agriculture and making life better for our members. The success of these programs, however, is dependent on a robust membership.

The Federation’s 420,000-plus members strengthen our voice in Washington and Montgomery; they support our education and promotion efforts; and they give us the ability to negotiate valuable member benefits.

Our farmer leaders understood the power of membership in 1946 when they invested their own money to start a fire insurance company to protect their homes and barns. They believed so strongly in the organization’s mission that they recruited their friends and neighbors to become members and customers.

Over the years, thousands of Alabama families have joined our organization for Alfa’s insurance products. Consequently, we have become less focused on membership development, and we have sometimes struggled to communicate the value of membership to Alfa customers.

To re-energize our efforts to recruit members, improve communication and enhance benefits, we recently formed a Membership Growth Committee and hired a new director of membership.

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The committee includes county leaders who represent a variety of commodities, generations and geographic regions. They are charged with recommending programs and activities that county Farmers Federations can undertake to strengthen membership. They also will explore state and county initiatives that add value to membership.

Meanwhile, the new membership director will work with both the Federation and Alfa Insurance to develop new benefits and increase the use of those programs.

We will leverage technology to identify the needs and preferences of our members, and then implement programs to address those needs. We also will capitalize on the rich heritage of the Federation as we work to motivate members to take greater ownership in the organization.

With fewer than 2 percent of Americans now living on farms, we must embrace the Farmers Federation’s foundational principle of strength through unity. We also hope to rediscover the passion those early pioneers had for sharing the importance of the Federation with their friends and neighbors.

The Bible says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

Since 1921, this basic truth has guided the work of the Alabama Farmers Federation. As we look to the future, we are committed to strengthening membership in order to help everyone involved in the organization.

If you have an idea about how to enhance membership, please share it with a our Membership Growth Committee (page 12) or our new membership director (page 13).

To learn more about Alabama Farmers Federation member benefits, visit www.AlfaFarmers.org/ benefits. n 4

VOLUME 36, NUMBER 5

________________________________________ Darryal Ray, Editor Debra Davis, Associate 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 Donnie Garrett, Centre Darrel Haynes, Cullman John E. Walker III, Berry Marshall Prickett, Wellington Richard Edgar, Deatsville Dickie Odom, Boligee Garry Henry, Hope Hull Carl Sanders, Brundidge David Bitto, Elberta Sammy Williams, Columbia Debbie Freeland, Grand Bay Ben Haynes, Cullman Neighbors (ISSN 0162-3974) is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116. 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 N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

By Jeff Helms

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labama farmers expect to plant more cotton and corn this year and less soybeans and peanuts, according to the Alabama Agricultural Statistics Service’s prospective planting report.

The survey of about 1,000 farmers calls for a 21 percent increase in cotton acreage and an 8 percent reduction in peanuts, compared to last year. Houston County Farmers Federation President George Jeffcoat said record-high prices have made cotton a more attractive option for those who already own harvesting equipment.

“I’m down about 10 percent on peanuts and up about 15 percent on cotton,” said Jeffcoat, who farms 2,500 acres in the Gordon community. “The price of cotton is as high as I’ve ever seen, and at these prices, cotton is the better option.”

Jeffcoat noted that forward contracts for peanuts are running in the $550-$600 per ton range. But with

N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

some farmers contracting cotton at $1.25 a pound, Jeffcoat said one sample budget indicated peanuts would need to bring $750 a ton in order to compete.

Across Alabama, farmers are expected to plant 410,000 acres of cotton, up 70,000 acres from last year and the largest total acreage since 2006. Peanut acreage is expected to drop 15,000 acres to 175,000. Farmers also plan to grow fewer soybeans, down 40,000 acres to 310,000. Higher prices for corn, however, will increase plantings to 280,000 acres, up 10,000 acres or 4 percent. Meanwhile, farmers are hoping spring rains and favorable temperatures will lead to a bumper wheat harvest. Last fall, Alabama producers planted about 190,000 acres of wheat, up 40,000 acres or 27 percent from the previous year.

Cherokee County Farmers Federation President Robert Earl Acker said high prices have led to major changes on his farm this year.

“I’ve got 170 acres of wheat

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this year, and I didn’t have any last year,” Acker said. “I’m going to have about 1,100 acres of cotton this year, where I had about 1,100 acres of soybeans last year.”

Acker also hopes to plant about 100 acres of corn and will follow his wheat with about 200 acres of soybeans. It’s the high cotton price, however, that’s having the biggest impact on farmers’ decisions. In Cherokee County, most farmers are planting about 15 percent more cotton, he said, and it’s hard to find a used cotton picker for sale.

“Cotton is back to where you can make a profit on it now,” he said. “I’ve never sold cotton for more than a dollar (per pound) before, and I’ve already sold a good portion of this year’s crop for over a dollar.”

Optimism about cotton prices is having an impact on planting intentions across the South. Nationally, farmers expect to plant about 12.3 million acres of cotton, up 14 percent from 2010. Corn is set to

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top 92 million acres, up 5 percent, and wheat is expected to be up 10 percent to 41.2 million acres.

The report predicts total U.S. acreage for soybeans and peanuts will fall by 1 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

Tight global supplies and strong global demand are driving the shift in acreage, said Todd Davis, crops economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“Uniformly throughout the South, cotton acreage increased,” Davis said. “But in cotton, about 50 percent of our production, or planted acres, comes from Texas, so Texas is like our major league home run hitter. But if things don’t pan out due to weather or other factors, that could be like our home run hitter striking out.”

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Currently a large part of Texas is rated as having moderate to severe drought.

“This will be of great concern if the dry weather persists into the growing season, Davis explained.

“If Texas experiences cotton production problems this year, stocks will be tight.”

Although farmers are glad to see the higher prices for their crops, they are quick to point out that production costs continue to skyrocket.

“I filled up my diesel fuel tanks at the end of February, and the price has gone up 40 to 50 cents a gallon since then,” Jeffcoat said, adding that fuel prices are probably up at least $1 a gallon since last fall.

The costs of seed and fertilizer also are up. This has caused some farmers, like Acker, to hold off purchasing all of their production materials in advance. Persistently dry weather in Cherokee County since 2006 (except for the fall and winter of 2009-10) has left farmers in Acker’s area strapped for cash.

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“Last year, I barely made a bale of cotton per acre, and I averaged right at 15 bushels of soybeans per acre,” Acker said. “I was hoping for two bales of cotton and 30 bushels of beans, so I basically made a half a crop, and you can feel it right now money wise.”

Still, both Jeffcoat and Acker are optimistic that 2011 will be an historic year for Alabama farmers.

“It looks really good to me, even though the input (costs) are up,” Jeffcoat said. “If we can make a crop and get the average rainfall, I think we can make some money this year on both cotton and peanuts. We’ve just got to be conservative.

“It looks better this year than it has in the past two or three years,” Jeffcoat added. “When I’ve budgeted the last two or three years, if you could break even, you were doing well. This year, you can budget for a profit, if we don’t have a drought.”

Acker said the upturn in commodity prices has renewed his optimism.

“God gives us hope and faith,” he said. “I have faith that it is our time to have a good crop, and I think He is going to come through for us.” n

N NE E II G GH HB BO OR RS S •• M MA AY Y 2 20 01 11 1

Federation Digest State Ag Department Completes Layoffs Amid 2011 Shortfalls

C

alling it a “painful and unpleasant experience for all,” Commissioner John McMillan announced the final round of layoffs at the Department of Agriculture and Industries was completed March 29 with 52 employees receiving layoff notices and another 10 retiring.

The layoffs became effective April 30.

“To those of you who will be leaving us between now and the end of April, I offer you my heartfelt best wishes,” McMillan said in a March 29 letter to employees.

“We have lost valuable co-workers through no fault of their own, which is regrettable. To those who will remain with us, I can only tell you that we have many challenges ahead, and I look forward to working with you.”

McMillan, who had previously warned that strong austerity measures were likely in the face of the state’s budget cuts, said the layoffs do not include hourly employees and those on probationary status. It was not known how many employees met that description.

“Since coming into this office in January, we have been candid and open with employees that the Department of Agriculture & Industries is in poor fiscal health,” McMillan said after the first of three rounds of layoffs.

“We live in extraordinary times when government at all levels is w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Ag Literacy A barn bookcase built by the Good Hope Agriscience Department, sponsored by the Cullman County Women’s Leadership Committee and books about agriculture sponsored by Cullman County Board members will rotate throughout Cullman County schools to help promote agriculture literacy and awareness with students and teachers. From left are Cullman County Farmers Federation Board Member and Good Hope High School agriscience teacher David Bice, County Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Nancy Garrison, County Women’s Leadership Committee Member Pat Hicks and County Federation President Kenneth Neal.

low on funding. Our situation is no different.”

With 15 percent proration, McMillan said the department’s share of the general fund means an immediate cut of $2.3 million with another $4.7 million cut likely for the 2012 fiscal year.

“The task of rebuilding this Department will be formidable, but we will succeed,” McMillan said in his letter. “I have every confidence in our ability to achieve 8

great things together. By taking this action earlier than other departments, we have more time to put our house in order with less disruption and fewer layoffs than had we waited.”

The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries is responsible for protecting the safety of the state’s food supply and is the regulatory agency for the state’s $5 billion agriculture and agribusinesses industries. n N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

A New Chapter in a Long History The Land Bank — it’s a familiar name around rural Alabama, a name that people have come to know and trust. When you need a rural land loan, people turn to the Land Bank for financing. Now the Federal Land Bank Associations of Alabama have new names — Alabama Farm Credit and Alabama Ag Credit.

You might wonder why, after more than 90 years, we’d mess with a good thing. The answer is simple: to make

it better. We’re changing our names because we are expanding our line of loan products to include operating loans, equipment loans and lines of credit. Our customers can now get all their rural and agricultural loans in one place, from the lenders they already know and trust.

We’re excited about all the new options we can offer new and existing customers. Contact us today to ask how we can help you.

Alabama Farm Credit

formerly Federal Land Bank Association of North Alabama

1-888-305-0074 www.AlabamaFarmCredit.com

Alabama Ag Credit

formerly Federal Land Bank Association of South Alabama

1-800-579-5471 www.AlabamaAgCredit.com

FFA Chapters Reaching Out To Alabama Farmers

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FA chapters in Alabama have joined with chapters in six other states to make new and stronger connections with their local farmers and earn their share of more than $225,000 in incentives provided by Monsanto.

The 2011 FFA Chapter Challenge encourages members of FFA chapters in Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Missouri to reach out to their community’s farmers, learn about their operations, engage them and bond them with FFA. Confirmation of each participating chapter’s connection with local farmers must be registered by farmers online at FFAChapterChallenge. com or by calling the National FFA Organization at 800-293-2387.

The deadline for farmers to confirm connections is May 1. FFA chapter winners will be announced

by May 15.

The top 125 FFA chapters that make the most connections with farmers will receive a $1,500 certificate of credit from the National FFA Organization. Chapters can use

the credit throughout the year to buy FFA member jackets, merchandise, awards, banquet supplies and more.

Chapters can also use the funds to pay member costs associated with attending the organization’s largest annual events, the Washington Leadership Conference and national FFA convention.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to reach out to people in their community who make their living in agriculture and forge strong, meaningful relationships,” said Rob Cooper, executive director of the National FFA Foundation, which secures funding through corporate sponsorships and private contributions for FFA and agriculture education in general. “Monsanto’s support of this initiative will most definitely help build support of local FFA chapters and ultimately help develop tomorrow’s agriculture industry leaders.”

Only FFA chapters in the seven states are eligible to participate.

More than 1,700 FFA chapters and their combined 117,824 FFA

members can take part in the FFA Chapter Challenge.

The chapter that makes the most connections among the top 125 chapters that participate in the 2011 FFA Chapter Challenge will be awarded a grand prize — an all-expenses-paid trip for six FFA members and one adult advisor to October’s National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. The grand prize has an actual retail value of $6,500.

For more information about the 2011 FFA Chapter Challenge, sponsored by Monsanto as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, visit FFAChapterChallenge. com.

Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization provides agricultural education to more than 523,000 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,487 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st U.S. Congress, and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture.

For more, visit FFA.org. n

A.M. Best Affirms A+ Superior Ratings Of Alfa Companies

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.M. Best Co., the leading provider of ratings and financial data for the insurance industry worldwide, has affirmed the financial strength ratings of A+ (Superior) of Alfa Insurance® and Alfa Life Insurance Corporation.

“These ratings recognize Alfa’s commitment to growing its business while managing risk in a way that ensures the company can continue providing fast, fair claims service,” said Alfa™ President Jerry Newby. “The financial strength of the company allows our agents, adjusters and customer service representatives to deliver on our promise of exceptional personal w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

service to our policyholders.”

These ratings reflect the company’s financial strength, diverse distribution system and leading market position within the Alabama personal lines insurance industry. Alfa’s attention to customer service has resulted in a high degree of customer satisfaction and loyalty that has helped Alfa become one of the top 75 insurance carriers in the United States according to A.M. Best.

In addition, Alfa’s overall standing in the U.S. insurance industry has been bolstered through geographic expansion that has allowed the company to service customers 10

in other states. The A+ (Superior) rating was extended to Alfa Alliance Insurance Corporation, which markets Alfa insurance products in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, and Alfa Vision Insurance Corporation, which writes automobile insurance in eight states.

With more than a million policies in force, Alfa and its affiliates provide insurance and other financial services in 12 states. For more information, visit AlfaInsurance. com or call 1-800-964-2532. n

____________________________________ For the latest A.M. Best Co., rating, access www.ambest.com.

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Membership Growth Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting

By Debra Davis

O

ptimism and excitement was the tone of the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Membership Growth Committee appointed by Alabama Farmers Federation President Jerry Newby, which met at the Federation home office in Montgomery, March 29.

Federation Secretary-Treasurer Steve Dunn of Conecuh County serves as chairman of the committee, which includes 20 other organization leaders from throughout the state. Dunn said he’s excited about the opportunity to work with such a talented group of From left, Marc Pearson, the Federation’s new membership director, meets people from throughout the state. with fellow members of the newly formed Membership Growth Committee “This is a good team of lead— Chairman Steve Dunn, Federation Controller Terrie Channell, Rex Vaughn, president of Madison County Farmers Federation and Women’s Leadership ers who are committed to the Director Debbie Freeland of Mobile County. organization, have a passion for it and have a lot of knowledge members at their first meeting. “It strength as the voice of Alabama about it,” Dunn said. “Our main sustains our programs and gives us agriculture. We value your ideas goal is to ensure that and opinions, and we encourage our membership feels you to share them openly as we like it is a part of this meet together. No idea is bad and organization. Whether no question is out of bounds. The those members are Rex Vaughn . . . . . . . . . . Madison County success of this committee depends farm members or on you sharing your thoughts Jennifer Cruise. . . . . . . . Morgan County policy holders, we want freely.” them to know they are Will Gilmer . . . . . . . . . . Lamar County In addition to identifying areas important and that their Randy Gilmore. . . . . . . . Jefferson County for membership growth and retenmembership has value tion, the committee took home Delle Bean . . . . . . . . . . . Calhoun County to them.” assignments in preparation for The committee Dennis Maze . . . . . . . . . Blount County their next meeting, June 30. will work closely with Lamar Dewberry . . . . . . Clay County “Each person is to contact Membership Direcanother state Farm Bureau and Terry Wyatt . . . . . . . . . . Shelby County tor Marc Pearson, who find out what that state is doing formerly worked in Richard Edgar. . . . . . . . . Elmore County for membership there,” Dunn said.

Alfa’s Marketing Ser“So when we meet again, we will Andy Wendland. . . . . . . Autauga County vices Department. The have 21 other ideas to consider.

Pat Buck. . . . . . . . . . . . . Sumter County committee will report “I think we’ll see some results its findings and recPeggy Walker . . . . . . . . . Tuscaloosa County with so many good people all ommendations to the working on this committee. I’m Shep Morris . . . . . . . . . . Macon County Federation state board optimistic about what we can John Dorrill . . . . . . . . . . Pike County of directors. accomplish.”

Newby said the comSammy Williams. . . . . . Henry County Dunn said ideas about membermittee members have ship growth and retention, as well Gloria Jeffcoat . . . . . . . . Houston County an important task ahead as member benefits, aren’t just Meador Jones . . . . . . . . . Marengo County of them. limited to the committee, how“Membership is the Richard Holladay. . . . . . Lowndes County ever. lifeblood of our organi“We will welcome any recomSammy Gibbs. . . . . . . . . Escambia County zation,” Newby said as mendations from our members and Debbie Freeland. . . . . . . Mobile County he addressed committee other county leaders,” he said. n

Committee Members

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N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Alfa Insurance’s Pearson Promoted To Director Of Membership

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lfa Insurance® has announced the promotion of Marc Pearson, formerly of the Marketing Services Department, to a new position focused on the retention and growth of Alabama Farmers Federation members.

“Membership growth is important for the Alabama Farmers Federation as well as the Alfa companies,” said Alfa and Federation President Jerry Newby.

“Our members are the foundation of Alfa’s customer base, and our insurance products are the greatest benefit of membership. By dedicating a full-time director to work on membership, we will add value to our membership package and be able to provide better customer service to Alfa policyholders.”

Pearson met with the Federation’s new Membership Growth Committee on March 29. His first official day as membership director was April 11.

“I am very excited and honored

to serve Alfa in this new role and help grow membership in the Alabama Farmers Federation,” Pearson said.

“I understand the responsibilities at hand, and we will Pearson be focused on the many aspects of our member benefits program. Through hard work, creativity, enthusiasm and a wellexecuted strategy, we will succeed.”

Pearson reports to Joe Cantrell, Alfa’s new vice president of strategic marketing, but he will work closely with the Federation staff in evaluating existing member benefits and implementing new membership development programs. Cantrell noted that Pearson will be responsible for designing a plan to recruit and retain members by highlighting the value of Alabama Farmers Federation membership.

“We look forward to working

with Marc to grow membership,” said Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan. “His knowledge of the organization and respect for its mission makes Marc an ideal fit for this job. I’m confident his work will build on the foundation established by the Federation staff who’ve worked on member benefits and will complement the efforts of our leaders to grow membership at the county level.”

Pearson joined Alfa in 2001 and has worked as director of Integrated Marketing Communications. There, he gained valuable experience promoting Alfa through print, social media and Web content work. Prior to joining Alfa, he worked as a journalist at several newspapers across the Southeast.

Pearson earned his bachelor’s of science degree in print journalism from Troy University. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Prattville, Ala., and have two daughters, Emily, 5, and Libby, 3. n

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N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Roby Tells Farmers, ‘You Help Create Jobs’

By Debra Davis

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.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Alabama, told members of the Alabama Farmers Federation in Washington that farmers and other businesses create jobs, and she promised to help reduce government regulations that stand in their way of doing that.

About 150 Alabama farmers participated in the Federation’s Annual Washington Legislative Conference in the nation’s capitol March 15-18.

Roby, a freshman congresswoman, serves on the House Agriculture Committee. She has been vocal about reeling in the authority of regulatory agencies.

“We in Congress are very frustrated with this agency (Environmental Protection Agency) and others that are overreaching their authority,” Roby said. “Every committee is intent on hearing from these agencies and reviewing how they are overburdening our farmers and small businesses. Those agencies are preventing job creation in the United States of America.

“We know that you (farmers) help create jobs. The government doesn’t create jobs, and we won’t allow this kind of activity to go unchecked.”

Those remarks and others

by Roby generated thunderous applause from the Alabama group.

Monica and Chris Carroll of Ariton in Dale County attended the conference and said they were encouraged by Roby’s remarks. The Carrolls have a diversified farm that includes poultry, beef cattle and vegetables.

“We’ll be out of business if the government keeps hitting us with so many regulations,” said Monica Carroll. “It’s very important that members of Congress remember that small businesses and agriculture are what drive the country.”

Following Roby’s talk, Mary Kay Thatcher, director of public policy

N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Top photo: From left, Debra Dunn of Geneva County, Stanley Usery, Melanie and Tommy Maples of Limestone County and Steve Dunn of Geneva County were among 150 Alabama farmers in Washington March 15-18. Left photo, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., addresses members of the Federation as Federation President Jerry Newby looks on.

with American Farm Bureau Federation, briefed conference attendees on the federal budget situation and its impact on the farm bill.

“We are going to have to make some changes, and it’s going to be difficult,” Thatcher said.

The farm bill is supposed to be rewritten in 2012, but Thatcher said budget cuts could force lawmakers to reopen the existing bill later this year. She predicted conservative lawmakers could force budget reconciliation in May when the government is expected to hit its debt ceiling. Rather than raising that limit, Congress could direct agencies to implement across-theboard cuts.

Although farm bill spending is a tiny fraction of the overall budget, 15

it will likely see deep cuts even if Congress waits until 2012 to rewrite the policy. One reason for the grim outlook is that $18 billion in farm bill spending has been given up since it was authorized, effectively lowering the baseline for the 2012 bill. In addition, funding for 37 programs within the farm bill runs out this year, and supporters of those programs will also be fighting for dollars when negotiations begin next year.

Thatcher noted that 75 percent of farm bill spending is for nutrition programs like food stamps. Only 7 percent goes to traditional commodity programs; another 7 percent is for conservation, and 9 percent goes to crop insurance. n

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By Melissa Martin

T

he son of a landscape architect, Hampstead Farm Manager Jetson Brown has a passion for farming — one that is deeply rooted in the soil of Montgomery’s newest urban renewal project.

But despite his growing success as a farmer, tending to the land was far from his first career choice.

“I went to California for art school … sculpture, specifically” said Brown, 28. “I grew up gardening, but I didn’t get into agriculture until after college. I started going to farmers markets a lot and talking to the farmers, hearing their stories.

After I visited several farms, I became very interested in the growing process and in local produce.

The University of California in Santa Cruz offered an extension program to study agroecology and sustainable food systems and after I checked it out, I signed right up. I’ve been farming ever since.”

With an interest in food and food politics, Brown’s hobby of gardening quickly evolved into a passion for farming that led him from a farm on the West Coast to the Hampstead Institute Downtown Farm in Montgomery’s Overlook Park between Maxwell Boulevard and the Alabama River.

“I was in Petaluma managing an urban, educational farm, but I really wanted to move back to the South,” recalls Brown. “As much as I enjoyed farming there, I enjoy the South much more. When I heard about this position, it sounded like a really neat opportunity, so I sent in my application right away.”

A collaboration between the City of Montgomery and the Town of Hampstead in east Montgomery, the downtown farm location allows residents a chance to buy healthy, local produce in an area close to the heart of the city.

Construction and infrastructure were largely w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

16

N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

funded by the City of Montgomery, but funding for the $100,000 budget has come from private entities and grants. Of this total, the Montgomery County Farmers Federation gave $7,500, and the Alabama Farmers Federation matched its $7,500 donation. The Federations’ $15,000 donation sponsors the farm’s office ­— a vintage, red caboose that’s been relocated to the site and fully restored.

“We just felt like it was an opportunity we needed to be a part of,” said Bill Cook, president of the Montgomery County Farmers Federation. “It was a unanimous decision.”

Also a decision of the Montgomery County Farmers Federation was the nomination of Amy Belcher to the Hampstead Institute Board of Directors. Belcher, who also serves as the Communications Director with the Department of Agriculture, was more than pleased to become a part of this new venture.

“With my family’s rich heritage in agriculture, I have a sincere interest in this project,” Belcher said. “The Hampstead Institute Downtown Farm provides a wonderful opportunity to reconnect children and adults with agriculture. Farmers have a natural love of the land, but those who no longer have a direct connection to a family farm have lost the chance to have that experience. In a day and time when people are sometimes as many as four generations removed from the farm, it is vital to educate them about where their food comes from.”

Though construction is still underway at Hampstead, for now, the view from the caboose looks out across 24 raised beds, an area of rampant kudzu overgrowth, a functioning water tank and an Aermotor windmill.

“Attached in the front [of the caboose] will be a porch, which will act as the wash station and the place people

N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

can come and buy vegetables in the future,” Brown said. “It’ll also have a butterfly roof to collect rainwater, mostly for demonstrative purposes. And, of course, the covered porch will be a place for people to come and get out of that hot summer sun!”

The twinkle in Brown’s eye as he gazes out across the developing area isn’t a reflection of the sun off the river, but rather his vision of the future of Hampstead Institute Downtown Farm — from the raised beds with new soil and irrigation systems, to the bustling crowds of River Region residents searching for the freshest of fruits, vegetables and innovative growing techniques.

“I’m planning to have a big variety of vegetables and fruits, but not corn, melons or gourds because of space restrictions,” explained Brown. “There’s also a great potential for some flowers in the future.” Though he wants the downtown farm to offer a great selection as a health benefit to area residents, that isn’t his only intention.

“I’m really trying to educate the public and get them more interested in local food. I also want to work with local farms and educators and really try to make a good farm community here, bringing in the public as much as possible.”

While Brown and the construction crews have made great progress in the urban farm’s development, achieving the vision of the triangular 2.7-acre facility hasn’t been without its share of obstacles. From the heavy rains in the early part of the year that delayed construction to the old, contaminated soil that had to be trucked out and replaced with toxin-and-lead-free soil, Hampstead Institute has proven to be more than just a little digging and planting. In spite of the troubles, the brightest spot of this country-meets-city project is shared among Brown

17

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and Montgomery residents – unfailing interest in its success.

“I want to give the community of Montgomery a place to come and learn about growing food, to show them how they’re able to work with limited spaces and get them excited about what their state is growing,” said Brown. “But another part of this is the revitalization of the Riverfront. We want to get more people downtown, get more people visiting Montgomery, and revive this area of downtown.”

Brown isn’t the only one who wants to see the area of downtown near the Montgomery Advertiser building expand. Montgomery Deputy Mayor Jeff Downes sees the downtown farm as an amenity for the future development of the Maxwell Boulevard area, including the cityowned area across the street from Overlook Park. The farm will also likely be used as a connection for the Riverwalk, which will continue on toward Maxwell Air Force Base.

Open to the public, even the most

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

inexperienced of growers can learn how to raise and harvest their own food from Brown, volunteers and veteran gardeners. Features of the farm also include u-pick fruits; a shared compost area; garden beds with herbs, flowers, seasonal and decorative crops; an orchard with walking paths; and a hill perfectly suited for star gazing.

“The community garden will have raised beds that are similar to the ones we’re using for production,” explains Brown. “But instead of growing the vegetables, harvesting the vegetables and selling them to the public ourselves, residents who . . . live in the city and do not have access to a yard . . . can come here, rent a bed and grow their own food.”

Because rental bed space is limited at the downtown farm, community members also have the option to come out, learn from others and buy any leftover produce that isn’t sold to area restaurants or markets.

While prices at grocery stores may be cheaper overall than prices at Hampstead, farmers like Brown know that sometimes paying a little extra for good food is worth every penny.

“There are different factors driving down prices at grocery stores, mostly because small farms can’t compete with the efficiency of having large machines,” he said. “But I think people want to know where their food comes from, and they really want to be able to trust the food they’re eating. Buying local is the solution to that — it cuts down on shipping so it cuts down on the carbon footprint, but buying local also reduces the risk consumers face from contamination that could arise during the factory process.”

The Hampstead Institute Downtown Farm will host weekly farmers markets on-site. Produce grown at the downtown location will also be sold to Earth Fare and area restaurants on availability. n

____________________________________ For more information about the Hampstead Downtown Farm Institute, visit hampsteadinstitute.org/ downtownfarm.

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N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

By Debra Davis

A

utism is a big part of who Dr. Temple Grandin is, but the internationally known animal scientist said it doesn’t “define” who she is. She said she considers herself a teacher above all else.

Grandin was at Auburn University March 31, where she spoke to students and faculty about her autism and the importance of recognizing and encouraging different kind of “thinkers.”

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

“It takes all kinds of minds working together to really get things done,” said Grandin, who is the subject of an Emmy Award winning movie about her life called Temple Grandin.

Grandin didn’t speak until she was 4, but a determined mother and teachers who recognized her different way of thinking helped her realize that she could learn.

“I am a total photo-realistic, visual thinker,” she said.

“Most people who are visual thinkers don’t see things the way other people do. People like me learn much better from hands-on experience instead of from reading or listening to someone talk. We need to visualize what we are learning, whereas there are some people who think in patterns and they may be really good at math or engineering. But the world needs all kinds of people working together to get things done.”

Grandin spoke often about the need for America to re-evaluate occupations that have moved away from getting their hands dirty.

“Programs like FFA and 4-H are so very important, and I’m absolutely shocked at the fund20

ing cuts being made to those,” she said. “School officials are taking so many of the hands-on classes out of the schools, like woodshop, auto mechanics, welding, music and art. Those are some of the classes where the kids are a little geeky or may have a touch of autism but they can really excel there because they can work with their hands.

They can turn those classes into a really good career.”

Young people need the exposure to vocational training, including those involving agriculture, she said.

“One of the reasons I went into working with livestock is when I was 15, I had a chance to go out and visit my aunt’s ranch,” Grandin said. “You’ve got to be exposed to different industries and things in order to get interested in it. If I hadn’t gotten exposed to cattle out on my aunt’s ranch, I would not have gotten interested in it.”

Today’s public is far removed from what really happens on a farm and often times when they are exposed to agriculture, it is presented in a negative light, she said.

“Alabama has a lot of poultry farms, nurseries and cattle, and we need to get kids out working on them to get excited about going into those businesses,” she said.

“There’s a hunger to get back in touch with agriculture and the land. You see it with the increased interest in buying local food, organic food and natural food. That’s a good thing. But we need to expose N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

AU Meats Lab Manager Barney Wilborn, left, discussed Auburn University’s meats lab and livestock handling facilities with Dr. Temple Grandin, center, and Dr. Wayne Green, head of Auburn’s animal science department, right.

them before they are grown and have already made a career choice. That’s why programs like 4-H and FFA are so important.”

Grandin said farmers need to do a better job of showing the world how they care for their land and animals. She said some major farms now have video cameras that stream live to the Internet so that consumers or anyone else can see what is happening there.

“If you would squirm to show a video of your farm to your wedding guests, then maybe you need to be changing what you’re doing and how you’re doing it,” she said.

More than half the cattle in North America are handled in humane systems Grandin designed.

N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Although she is a big proponent of humane treatment for animals, she admittedly is a meat eater and has no intentions of changing that.

“I feel very strongly that we owe animals a decent life,” she said.

She has written several books, including a bestseller she wrote with Catherine Johnson titled Ani21

mals in Translation – Creating The Best Life For Animals. Other books she has written include Livestock Handling and Transport, Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals, and Improving Animal Welfare: A Practical Approach. She has produced several DVDs that include animal handling demonstrations, and many of her demonstrations can be found on YouTube. She also has written books on autism, including Thinking In Pictures.

Links to her books and videos are available at her website, Grandin. com.

Although Grandin has become famous by using her unique perspective and way of thinking to revolutionize the livestock industry, she says she doesn’t want to be remembered for her autism.

“I want to be remembered as a teacher,” she said. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Pork Board Announces New Campaign: Be Inspired

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ith a new focus on reaching creative, flavorseeking home cooks who already prepare, eat and love pork, the National Pork Board recently announced a new branding position celebrating pork’s ability to offer a wide range of options in the kitchen.

With PORK® now as the brand, the new campaign of Pork® Be Inspired shows pork’s place in almost any menu, cuisine and lifestyle based on pork’s unique combination of flavor and versatility as the source of kitchen inspiration.

The new, fully integrated campaign features an updated look and feel, along with a new consumer target: the more than 82 million Americans who already cook, eat and love pork.

Moving from a functional to a more emotional positioning, the campaign voice is proud, energetic, approachable and unapologetically optimistic about the unique attributes of the world’s most popular protein. Evoking the taste of backyard barbeques, new and attainable flavor combinations or mid-week meals on the go, the bold product imagery celebrates one juicy, tender, flavorful pork meal after another.

“Our research shows that pork’s top consumers are looking for more than basic education; they’re looking for inspiration. With its great taste and versatility, pork is the ideal catalyst to inspire great meals,” said Ceci Snyder, Vice President of Marketing at the National Pork Board. “While our new target represents our biggest fans, we believe they have the potential and desire to enjoy pork more often — and to inspire others to do the same.”

The new campaign includes national advertising, public relations, w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

social media, retail and food service marketing, as well as activation by state pork associations. Enthusiastic about this renewed approach, 2011 advertising media spending has more than doubled that of recent years.

All elements will showcase inspiring new ways to enjoy pork more frequently, with a range of meal and menu options.

Recent consumer segmentation research from the National Pork Board found that 82 million Americans are “Pork Champions” — men and women who are predominantly medium-toheavy fresh pork eaters with a strong passion for pork that they are eager to share.

This group: • Represents about 28 percent of U.S. households but accounts for roughly 68 percent of all in-home fresh pork consumption and 50 percent of all away-fromhome fresh pork consumption.

• Enjoys cooking and experimenting with new flavors • Understands how to cook pork.

Nearly 25 years ago, The Other White Meat® campaign was conceived to reposition pork as a healthful protein source. Today, Pork Be Inspired goes beyond basic cooking education and health to promote a deeper, more personal level of engagement with existing pork consumers.

However, The Other White Meat campaign will play a role as a heritage brand, with use on the consumer website and in nutrition communications. The Other White Meat campaign will not be featured in advertising.

“Our new campaign communicates to the legion of pork fans that pork is delicious, versatile and can stand on its own,” added Snyder. “Pork is what consumers write on their shopping list or order in a restaurant. To those that love pork, it requires no comparison to the other meats. The range of meals drives new ideas — and appetites — for pork. n

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Ag Briefs Donald Ball Receives 2010 Deese Award

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he Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) recently honored Donald Ball as the 2010 Richard Deese Award recipient during its annual meeting and awards program held in conjunction with the 68th Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Convention in Montgomery.

The Richard Deese Award was established in 1986 to honor Deese, an Extension animal scientist in charge of the BCIA program in the 1970s and early 1980s. The award is presented to individuals who uphold the principles of performance testing and genetic improvement of beef cattle in Alabama.

Since 1986, cattle producers, Extension workers and beef industry supporters have received the award.

Ball served as an Alabama Cooperative Extension System forage specialist and professor in Auburn University’s Department of Agronomy and Soils for 34 years and retired in December. He is regarded as one of the top forage specialists in the nation.

Ball is the author of numerous articles, publications and books on forage crops. He has also received many other honors including being inducted into the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame in 2009.

He has provided forage instruction to livestock producers

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Ag Day Alabama Farmers Federation Commodity Department staff members were on the Auburn University campus during the annual College of Agriculture Ag Industry Day, March 31. Students were introduced to the Federation and the value of membership. Federation Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod and Horticulture Divisions Director Mac Higginbotham greets AU graduate student Blake Thaxton, a horticulture major.

in more than 2,000 various meetings, traveling more than a million miles across Alabama to speak in auditoriums, meeting rooms, tents, homes, businesses, sale barns, schools, equipment sheds, pastures, and churches.

Ball is a native of Owensboro, Ky., and was raised on a crop and beef cattle farm. He received a bachelor of science in agriculture and biology 24

from Western Kentucky University and master of science and doctorate degrees in agronomy from Auburn University.

The Alabama BCIA is a nonprofit organization seeking to promote, educate and facilitate the use of performance data, record-keeping and marketing opportunities to improve the Alabama cattle industry. Formed in 1964, BCIA cooperates with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System under a formal agreement. n N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Good yields take time.

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E

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he roads and highways in Alabama connect us to where we need to go.

They may take us to the beach for a well-earned vacation; or to the local supermarket for tonight’s dinner. But some roads and highways take us to where we work. Most of us drive cars, trucks and SUVs, but some choose a different vehicle. They are farmers.

The many farmers of Alabama legally use the roads and highways to get from barn to field with their tractors, harvesters and combines. Typically, these vehicles travel well below the speed limit. This is where the sign comes in.

On vehicles that can legally share the road but cannot keep up with the flow of traffic, you will find an orange-and-red triangle called a “Slow-Moving Vehicle” sign. This tells you from a distance that the vehicle ahead of you is traveling at a slow rate of speed.

Please beScareful you see this sign on a vehicle. Many accidents and U R Vwhen IVE even deaths have occurred as a result of a fast-moving vehicle meeting a farmer tryingAtoSign get to work.

Watch out for farmers. Good yields take time.

Of Progress

Farmer At Work

A Sign Of Progress

Farmer At Work

A message from the Alabama Department of Public Safety, the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Farmers Federation.

Alabama Gardener

By Lois Chaplin

T

ake a good look at the leaves of plants all around you. There are giant leaves, tiny leaves, round leaves, strap leaves, needle leaves, green leaves, red leaves, gray leaves, yellow leaves, black leaves, etc., etc.

The types are nearly endless.

This means that opportunities to use leaves are endless, too. Use the different colors, sizes, shapes and textures of leaves from trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals in contrast to each other to develop artful combinations. Turn nice plants into extraordinary compositions by simply playing the difference among leaves against each other for impact in your garden.

Here are some general rules: • Mix textures. Big leaves have a coarse texture and little leaves have a fine texture. Put a coarse texture with a fine one, and it is almost impossible to go wrong.

For example, caladiums and ferns are a great combo for shade. But the idea is not limited to small plants — it works for any, including large shrubs and even trees.

On a large property, a trio of finetextured trees such as Cypress, Junipers, Cryptomeria or bald cypress are beautiful backdrop for items with bigger leaves such as smoketree, camellias, fatsia, hydrangeas, hardy banana and anise.

• Mix shapes. In a principle borrowed from indoor flower arranging, put plants with rounded, spiked, and frilly leaves together.

For example, you can choose hosta or coleus (rounded); choose a second plant with spiked leaves

The broad leaves of banana trees add interest and variety.

such as Nippon lily or cast iron plant; and choose a third plant with frilly leaves, such as a fern.

Using one to three plants from each category together in a bed (or even in a container) makes each one stand out.

• Use colors for purposeful work.

Certain colors just lend themselves for specific purposes. For example, yellow and chartreuse green scream for attention.

Employ a chartreuse hosta for punctuation in a bed or to draw one’s eye to a specific place.

Today, there are increasing numbers of gold and chartreuse-leafed trees and shrubs. Look for them.

Variegated foliage yells for attention, too, only it is so busy that it is best to use only sparingly — perhaps in just one or two places. It will also brighten shade. Green and white variegated hostas are a wellknown example. Golden Euonymus is another that either loved or hated, there is no in-between. Red foliage, which also includes shades of orange and purple, offers a visual

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

depth. It also creates a rich contrast to the greens, silvers and chartreuse leaves. Purple smoketree, loropetalum, barberry, coleus, red banana, Tropicana canna, and purple heart are some common reds. Gray or silver foliage is useful to blend throughout a flower border to unify many colors. Although not a common color for woody plants in this area, a few well-known silver annuals and perennials are plectranthus, dusty miller, and lamb’s ear. Weave gray through a mix of clashing colors (including flowers) and it will magically tie it all together.

Finally, consider the background. Mixes of foliage textures are especially showy against a plain background. It might be a fence, wall, or an evergreen hedge. n

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

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N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Birmingham Reading Teacher Named Alfa’s Teacher of the Month

By Melissa Martin

the school and the community are reflective in her approach to being a high-quality, effective teacher,” said Dr. Charles Willis Jr., principal of L.M. Smith Middle School. “She is earnest, resourceful, dynamic, honest and a loyal educator.”

It’s for her enthusiasm, innovativeness and genuine concern for education that Williams earned her designation as Alfa’s Teacher of the Month for May. As May’s honoree, she will receive $1,000 from Alfa Insurance. Her school, a division of Birmingham City Schools, will receive a matching award from the Alabama Farmers Federation.

Williams earned both her bachelor’s degree in communications management and her master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A member of the Alabama Education Association, International Reading Association and National Council for Teachers of English, Williams was recently nominated as Outstanding Teacher of the Quarter with Birmingham City Schools.

During 2011, Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers Federation are honoring one outstanding teacher from each of Alabama’s eight state board districts, two principals and two private school teachers. Application information is available under Alfa Teacher of the Month in the Ag Links section of AlfaFarmers.org. n

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irmingham educator Kristie Williams recognizes that by chasing the past, people are more likely to stumble into the future. To make sure her students are well-grounded, she utilizes her class time focusing on the Williams present.

“Students need to connect what they are learning to something in the real world and be able to see the significance of learning it,” said Williams, literacy coach and reading teacher at L.M. Smith Middle School. “By learning through authentic and relevant lessons, students can transfer skills into future aspirations.”

In addition to building lectures and activities around current affairs, Williams also has a very hands-on approach to L.M. Smith’s overall curriculum. Since 2009, she has served on the school’s Curriculum Design Team; assisted in the development of the Reading/Language Arts School pacing guides; modeled instructional strategies for teachers to improve academic literacy across the curriculum; and coordinated and taught reading intervention programs to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.

“Her love, passion and commitment to the students,

Alfa has great dental insurance.

And that’s the tooth.

Alfa now has dental insurance. All Alabama Farmers Federation members qualify for this dental plan. Alfa Dental is underwritten by Delta Dental Insurance Company, a member of the nation’s largest dental insurance organization. For detailed benefits or quick and easy on-line enrollment, go to alfadentalins.com.

Or contact your local Alfa office or Convenient Monthly Rates Single Family call 1-800-392-5705. $39.11

N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

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$89.64

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Country Kitchen

By Kellie Henderson

T

ammy Doughty of Pickens County says a lot of “tourists” often stop by the farm where she and her husband Jimmy live and work.

“Our place is on a long, straight state highway so there’s a good bit of traffic, and people are interested in the sheep. I always have a few penned up so people who are curious enough to stop can see them up-close, touch them, and ask questions,” she explains.

A native of Fayette County, Tammy grew up on a row crop farm and spent much of her life showing Walking horses.

“After we faced such terrible drought in 2006 and the economy being what it is, we cut way back on the horses. We still board a few horses, but we now have about 100 ewes so the sheep have become the focus of our farm,” says Tammy, adding that she and Jimmy got in the sheep business by accident.

“Our neighbors’ kids had some show sheep, but their show year was up and the kids didn’t want to sell them for slaughter, so we bought them. We still have three of those original four sheep on the farm,” she adds.

And their operation has changed in scope as well as size since those first four sheep came to Jimmy and Tammy’s Cedar Ridge Stables ten years ago.

“We have some Suffolk sheep, which are a wool-producing breed, but Dorper and Katahdin are primarily meat sheep and that’s our principal market,” she says.

Tammy says she enjoys cooking lamb and sharing it with people who’ve never tried it.

“The burgers especially are a great way to introduce people to

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A large garden is part of Tammy Doughty’s family tradition.

lamb, and most people love it when they don’t realize what they’re trying,” says Tammy.

“I come from a long line of cooks, and my family always thought if you get together, you’re supposed to eat,” she says, adding that Sunday dinner continues to be an important tradition in her life.

“Growing up, we always had Sunday dinner after church with one of Daddy’s siblings. Now I love that my niece and nephew know Aunt Tammy has lunch on Sundays,” she says.

Another family culinary tradition Tammy carries on is the large garden.

“We still probably grow 90 percent of our groceries from our garden, and that’s something I also did as a child. Daddy delegated the duties to us kids: we all had to plant, the boys had to hoe, we all had to gather, and the girls had to help can,” she recalls.

Even though farming keeps Tammy busy, she says she still enjoys her time in the kitchen.

“I try to prepare large quantities of food and freeze part of it to be cooked later when I may have 28

less time for preparation — so even though I might not spend a lot of time in the kitchen every day, there’s still a lot of cooking here,” she says.

Tammy also adds that her home has very few cookbooks or cooking magazines.

“Most of my recipes were given to me by family and friends. Other than that I really only use recipes from things like ‘The Country Kitchen’ or small, local cookbooks because I know they are from other country people who have cooked country food for years like I have,” Tammy says.

Sweet Potato Cake

2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups oil 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons cinnamon 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 cups grated sweet potato

Icing: 1 stick butter 1 (8-ounce) package softened cream cheese 1 (1 pound) box powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix sugar, eggs, and oil.

Add remaining ingredients one at a time, adding potatoes last. Spread into three round (9-inch) baking pans or one sheet cake pan coated with non-stick spray.

Bake in round pans about 25 minutes or in a sheet cake pan for 35 minutes. Cool in pans before turning out for frosting.

Icing: Cream together butter and cream cheese. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spread on cooled cake, spreading between layers and on sides and top for round layers or over the top and sides of a sheet cake.

N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Granny H’s Cornbread 1 cup self-rising cornmeal 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg, lightly beaten 2 heaping tablespoons sugar 2 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise 3 tablespoons cooking oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix together all ingredients except oil. Heat oil in an 8-inch skillet. Pour cornbread mixture into hot oil. Bake about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Chicken and Dressing 6 cups crumbled cornbread 3/4 cup cracker crumbs 1 onion, chopped 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon sage 1 cup chicken broth 2 (10-ounce) cans cream of chicken soup 1/2 cup milk 1 cup chopped cooked chicken

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix cornbread, cracker crumbs, onion and seasonings in a large bowl. Stir in broth, soup, milk and chicken.

Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and bake 30 to 35 minutes.

Note: This recipe can be used to make two (1-quart) casserole pans of dressing, freezing one half of mixture (before baking) for later use.

Country Butterbeans 5 bacon slices, chopped 1 small onion, chopped 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 (16-ounce) package frozen butterbeans 1/4 cup butter 12 cups water 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Cook bacon and onion in a large Dutch oven over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes. Add sugar, cooking until dissolved. Stir in butterbeans and butter. Stir until butter is melted and beans are evenly coated. Add water; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook 2 hours or until beans are tender, liquid is thickened and beans are barely covered. Stir in salt and pepper.

N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Johnny Mazeddi 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni 1 pound sausage 1 pound ground beef 1 medium onion 1/2 red bell pepper 1/2 green bell pepper 1/2 yellow bell pepper 1 cup stuffed Manzanilla olives 1 (10-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 1 (10-ounce) can condensed tomato soup 8 ounces grated cheddar cheese 8 ounces grated Mexican four cheese blend

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. In a large skillet, brown sausage and beef and drain excess fat.

Dice onion, peppers and olives.

Stir with meat, mushrooms, tomato sauce and soup. In a separate bowl, combine cheeses.

In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, layer pasta, meat mixture, and cheese. Bake for 35 minutes or until slightly brown.

Turnip Green Casserole 1 quart cooked turnip greens 1 (10-ounce) cream of celery soup 2 cups cornbread crumbs 1 stick melted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Drain liquid from cooked and seasoned greens. Layer greens, soup and cornbread crumbs into a greased 2-quart baking dish. Top with melted butter and cook for 30 minutes.

Forgotten Chicken 2 (10-ounce) cans cream of celery soup 1 cup uncooked rice 2 cups milk 1 fryer, cut up, lightly salted and peppered 1 envelope dry onion soup mix

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Stir together soup, rice, and milk.

Pour into a baking dish. Place chicken pieces over rice mixture and sprinkle evenly with soup mix.

Cover with a glass lid or tightly cover with foil and cook 2 hours.

29

Hot Dog Pudding 4 hot dog buns 3 eggs 2 cups milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups sugar 1 stick melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Coat a 2-quart baking dish with non-stick spray. Open buns and place split side down in the baking dish, covering bottom of pan with buns.

Beat together eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar and melted butter. Pour egg mixture over buns and let stand about 15 minutes. Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

Baked Doughnuts 1 can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits 3 tablespoons melted butter 1/3 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Separate the dough into 10 biscuits and flatten each into 2 ½-inch rounds. With a 1-inch biscuit cutter, cut a hole in the center of each biscuit round. Dip all surfaces of doughnuts (and holes) in melted butter, then in sugar. Bake 10-to-14 minutes until golden brown.

Potato & Bacon Casserole 4 cups shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed 1/2 cup chopped onion 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 1 egg 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with non-stick spray. Layer half the potatoes, onion, bacon and cheese then repeat layers.

In a small bowl whisk milk, egg and salt. Pour over potato layers. Cover and bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake another 5 to 10 minutes. n Editor’s Note: Recipes published in the “Country Kitchen” are not kitchentested prior to publication. Look for more “Country Kitchen” recipes online at www.AlfaFarmers.org. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Neighbors Classifieds Classifieds Facts For just $2 per word, your classified ad in Neighbors reaches more than 95,000 subscribers. Ads must be received by the first day of the month prior to publication.

NO changes after closing. PREPAYMENT 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 Neighbors Classifieds, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, AL 36191-0001.

MISCELLANEOUS ALABAMA ANTIQUE TRACTOR SHOW AND PULL, BBQ Cook Off, 301 Politic Road, Elmore, Saturday, May 21. (334) 478-0711 tractorshow@elmorefd.org.

FOR SALE ALABAMA-PRODUCED WEIMARANERS Excellent hunting dogs or family pet. www.wiregrassweimaraners.com. Credit cards accepted. (334) 684-1124.

BUCK STOVE VENT-FREE FIREPLACE SYSTEM (gas logs) $200. Call (334) 2883416.

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

CRENSHAW FARMS DAYLILY GARDEN – Opens May 2, over 20,000 plants and Antique “2” Unique Shop also opens. (251) 577-1235 – Exit 31 on I-65 – Stockton.

ATTENTION: Eliminate your grocery bill and earn income too. Interested? Call Stanley at (205) 413-7014, www.mpbtoday.com/wsboyd or Bmpbtoday.com.

CABINS IN THE SMOKIES, PIGEON FORGE, convenient and peaceful setting.

Call (251) 649-3344 or (251) 649-4049 www.hideawayprop.com.

AFFORDABLE BEACHSIDE VACATION CONDOS Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL. Rent Direct from Christian family owners lowest prices on the beach.

Summer special: 4 nights efficiency unit (2 adults & children) $627 includes everything (1, 2, & 3 bedroom units also available).

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

GATLINBURG – Elegant 4-bedroom/3bath, back porch over creek, 10-minute walk to aquarium. (800) 435-3972.

DESTIN, FLORIDA CONDO – Owner rates for 2-bedroom/2-bath across from beach with gated access. Call (334) 2446581 or email greenbush@knology.net.

DOWNTOWN GATLINBURG – 2 bedroom/2 bath condo sleeps six. Block from aquarium. (256) 509-8301 or philliprchristian@yahoo.com. www.vacationsmithlake.com Waterfront, deep water, 3 bedroom/2 bath, two satellite TV’s, boat dock. $75/night, $500/week (256) 352-5721.

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N E I G H B O R S • M AY 2 0 1 1

Q: Why do your #1 customers act like a bunch of animals? ☐ It’s the only way to get some service around here. ☐ They specifically asked for the mayo on the side. ☐ Because your soybeans’ most important customers are animals.

Your soybeans travel a lot farther than just the local grain elevator. Go to www.BeyondTheElevator.com to learn more about your number one customers AND your operation’s profitability.

www.BeyondTheElevator.com ©2011 United Soybean Board (41216-ALSB-4/11)