Neighbors Magazine, May 2019

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MEMBER

May 2019 | Volume 44 | Number 5 Debra Davis | Editor Marlee Moore | Associate Editor Laura Unger | Graphic Designer ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan | Executive Director Jeff Helms | Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS Jimmy Parnell | President, Stanton Rex Vaughn | Vice President | North, Huntsville Dean Wysner | Vice President | Central, Woodland George Jeffcoat | Vice President | Southeast, Gordon Jake Harper | Vice President | Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn | Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Brian Glenn | Hillsboro Donald Hodge | New Market Donald Sewell | Southside Tim Whitley | Horton Joe Anders | Northport Phillip Hunter | Birmingham Joe Lambrecht | Wetumpka Meador Jones | Gallion Bill Cook | Montgomery Steve Stroud | Goshen Sammy Gibbs | Atmore Chris Carroll | Ariton Jo Ann B. Laney | Phenix City Garrett Dixon | Salem Neighbors (ISSN 0162-3974) is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 or (334) 288-3900. For information about Alabama Farmers Federation member benefits, visit the website www.alfafarmers.org. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and additional mailing offices.

Printed in the U.S.A. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Neighbors P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001 MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES 800-392-5705, Option 4 or BWatkins@alfafarmers.org ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com DISCLAIMERS: Ad­vertise­­­­­­­ments in Neighbors do not represent an endorsement by the magazine or Alabama Farmers Federation. Editorial information from sources outside the Alabama Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Alabama Farmers Federation policies. Publication of information does not imply an endorsement by the Alabama Farmers Federation.

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In This Issue 4 | Dixie Green Named Farm Of Distinction

12 | Controlled Burns

Fight Fire With Fire

5 | Top Students Honored For Farm-City Work

6 | Counties Recognized For Best Farm-City Programs

10 | Celebrating Women’s Leadership Abilities

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On The Cover

Congratulations to Junior Beef Expo winners Ashlyn Ruf of Limestone County with her Supreme Grand Champion Heifer and Harmon Butler of Dale County with his Supreme Grand Champion Market Steer.

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Photo By Jeff Helms

www.AlfaFarmers.org

EDQAM

A member of American Farm Bureau Federation

alfafarmers.org

May 2019

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Dixie Green Named Alabama Farm Of Distinction

Cherokee County greenhouse A business known nationally for its poinsettias and other plants was named

Alabama’s Farm of Distinction April 4 in Birmingham.

Hank and Shelia Richardson of Dixie Green Inc. received more than $15,000 in prizes and will represent Alabama in the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest at the Sunbelt Ag Expo Oct. 15-17.

Hank thanked the Alabama Farm-City Committee for the award but said growing plants people use to brighten their homes and businesses makes his work rewarding.

“What I like most about being in the greenhouse business is the satisfaction you get from growing a crop, seeing it finish and shipping it to clients who get to enjoy the plants,” he said.

Hank, who grew up on a cattle, hog and row crop farm, started growing plants with his brothers in a 28- x 96-foot greenhouse in 1974. Five years later, they merged with another local greenhouse to form Dixie Green.

Today, the family business has grown to include almost 12 acres of heated greenhouse space plus another eight acres of outside plant pads. The Richardsons grow annuals for Lowe’s and Walmart through a contract with Young’s Plant Farm of Auburn. Another 15-20% of their crop is purchased for fundraisers. Each year, they produce about 500,000 spring plants; 325,000 caladiums; 15,000 ferns; 250,000 mums; and 250,000 poinsettias. But it’s seasonal contracts with two customers which have garnered the most attention.

“We’re the major poinsettia supplier for Walt Disney World,” said Hank, who runs the farm with Shelia and sons John and Daniel. “We also do poinsettias for the Opryland Hotel in Nashville and ship all over the Southeast.”

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Dixie Green Inc. of Cherokee County was named Alabama’s Farm of Distinction April 4 in Birmingham.

Owners Hank and Shelia Richardson, seated, won over $15,000 in prizes and will represent Alabama in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest. Sponsors back row from left are Chris Cline and Kenneth Williams, AgPro; Lester Killebrew, SunSouth; Annette Bitto, John Deere; Dorman Grace, TriGreen; Samantha Carpenter, Alabama Farmers Cooperative; and Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell.

As Alabama’s Farm of Distinction, the Richardsons received a John Deere Gator from AgPro, SunSouth and TriGreen dealers; a $1,000 gift certificate from Alabama Farmers Cooperative (AFC); an engraved farm sign from Alfa Insurance; and $2,500 as the state’s representative at the Sunbelt Ag Expo.

Dairyland Nursery of Mobile County was named runner-up and received a Traeger grill and supplies valued at $1,000 from First South Farm Credit and a $500 gift certificate from AFC. Farms were judged on productivity, stewardship and management. Judges Samantha Carpenter of AFC, Tami Culver of the Alabama Department of

Agriculture and Industries, and Andy Leslie of First South Farm Credit visited the farms Feb. 26.

Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms said Dixie Green Inc. demonstrates the hard work, resilience, stewardship and innovation that are hallmarks of Alabama’s farm families.

“We are pleased to honor Hank, Shelia and their family with this award,” Helms said. “For four decades, people all over the Southeast have enjoyed the products of their labor, and we are excited to have them represent Alabama in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest.” alfafarmers.org

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Student Creations Channel 200 Years Of Alabama Agriculture

By Marlee Moore ighteen outstanding students were honored for channeling “200 Years E of Alabama Agriculture” into posters,

essays and videos during the Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon April 4 in Birmingham.

The theme connected kindergarten12th graders with Alabama’s farming heritage during the state’s bicentennial year, said Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms.

“From settlers who cleared land by hand to modern farmers using high-tech equipment, agriculture is intricately woven into Alabama’s past, present and future,” Helms said. “The judges were impressed by the level of skill and creativity our winners displayed in their submissions. We applaud these students and are thankful they took time to explore agriculture’s importance and its effects on their daily lives.”

The Alabama Farmers Cooperative (AFC) sponsored prize money for students and matching cash awards for the schools of first- and second-place winners. AFC serves farmers, gardeners and homeowners with about 80 Quality Co-op stores in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee.

Essay contest, seventh-ninth grades:

From left are Samantha Carpenter of the Alabama Farmers Cooperative, which sponsored student Alabama Farm-City prizes; Abraham Humphrey of Marion County, multimedia winner; Kaitlin Tuck of Lauderdale County, fourth-sixth grade poster winner; Abigail Taylor of Henry County, 10th-12th grade essay winner; Hallie Rose Cunningham of Lamar County, seventh-ninth grade essay winner; Asa Thompson of Pike County, kindergarten-third grade poster winner; and Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms.

Multimedia contest: n First place and $300 — Abraham Humphrey, senior, Brilliant High School in Marion County n Second place and $200 — Rio Murray, sophomore, Munford High School in Calhoun County

Poster contest, kindergarten-third grades:

n Second place and $200 — Lily Suggs, eighth grade, Double Springs Middle School in Winston County

n First place and $200 — Asa Thompson, third grade, Pike Liberal Arts School in Pike County n Second place and $100 — Dalton Robert Carter, third grade, Caldwell Elementary School in Jackson County

Essay contest, 10th-12th grades:

Poster contest, fourth-sixth grades:

n First place and $300 — Hallie Rose Cunningham, seventh grade, Vernon Intermediate in Lamar County

n First place and $300 — Abigail Taylor, sophomore, Headland High School in Henry County n Second place and $200 — Jackson Curtis, senior, Glenwood School in Russell County alfafarmers.org

n First place and $200 — Kaitlin Tuck, sixth grade, Trinitas Classical Academy in Lauderdale Academy n Second place and $100 — Will Thornton, fifth grade, Heard Magnet School in Houston County

Eight students received an honorable mention and $50 from AFC through the poster contest. The 2020 Alabama Farm-City Calendar will feature poster contest winners and honorees.

They are: n Mary Beth Pittman of New Brockton Elementary in Coffee County n Samantha Tetreault of Williams Intermediate School in St. Clair County n Lyric Antone of West Point Elementary in Cullman County n Haley Johnigan of Guin Elementary in Marion County n Ali Smith of Ariton Elementary School in Dale County n Sparrow Shehan of Jackson Academy in Clarke County n Karter Beach of Southside Elementary School in Etowah County n Shelbi Bowen of Marengo Academy in Marengo County May 2019

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Farm-City Awards Honor Outstanding County Committees

By Marlee Moore the seventh consecutive year, FhomeorCullman County volunteers headed with some serious hardware as

the Overall Best Farm-City Committee following the Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon in Birmingham April 4.

Cullman County was also named Best Farm-City Committee in Division 1 (counties with larger populations), held the Best Farm-City Dinner and received the Innovative Idea Award.

County volunteers found new ways to communicate the importance of agriculture by partnering with the North Alabama Agriplex to host Power of Produce programs at the farmers market. Recipes were prepared with fresh produce, and children were given $2 gift certificates for produce if they tried the dish.

Altogether, about 200 volunteers invested more than 5,000 hours to reach 100,000 people in Cullman and surrounding areas with the Farm-City message, including the 2018 theme of “200 Years of Alabama Agriculture.”

Coffee County was awarded Division 1 Best Farm-City Committee Runner-up. A special Press Day allowing media to visit with county honorees earned Coffee County the Best Media Coverage / Proclamation. For their work chronicling the year, Coffee County also received the Scrapbook Award.

A close second for the overall prize, Pike County received the Best Farm-City Committee for Division 2 (counties with smaller populations). Farm tours, events and award programs impacted community members of all ages, from elementary schoolers to adults. Pike County also won the Target Award and had the Best Media Coverage / Proclamation.

Randolph County was named Division 2 Best Farm City-Committee Runner-up. Its new Farm Photo Contest

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For the seventh year in a row, the Cullman County Farm-City Committee received the Overall Best Farm-City Committee Award during the Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon April 4 in Birmingham. The group also received Division I recognition for Best Farm-City Committee, Best Farm-City Dinner and Innovative Idea. From left are Cullman County Farm-City Committee Chairman Bonnie Baty and Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms.

also earned the county the Innovative Idea Award.

After more than 35 years fulfilling the Farm-City mission, Houston County’s Janice Shepard took home the Service Award. Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms said Shepard understands the interdependence of farmers and townspeople, while her nomination stated, “Some people do great work, but attitude and a desire to help the agricultural community set her apart.”

The Volunteer of the Year was Vicky Yarbrough of Lee County. Yarbrough’s organizational skills, work ethic, creativity, servant’s heart and passion for Farm-City caused her to rack up 275 hours of volunteer work during 2018 alone. Nominators called Yarbrough the “reason why our Farm-City committee has prospered,” and said, “Without her, we would be in a world of hurt.”

Other Division 1 winners: n DeKalb County — National Ag Day Promotion n Mobile County — Target Award n Lauderdale County — Best Farm-City Tour n Lee County — Best Special Activities n Marshall County — Best Civic Club Activities Other Division 2 winners: n Crenshaw County — National Ag Day Promotion n Lawrence County — Best Farm-City Tour n Fayette County — Best Farm-City Dinner n Geneva County — Best Civic Club Activities n Chambers County — Best Special Activities, Scrapbook Award alfafarmers.org

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Extensive flooding in the Midwest damaged over 1 million acres of cropland and more than 84,000 acres of pastureland.

A Nebraska rancher rescues a calf after flooding hit his farm.

By Debra Davis istoric flooding in America’s H Corn Belt and international trade negotiations are altering planting

intentions of some Alabama farmers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued its annual prospective planting report March 29 when many farms from the Dakotas to Missouri were still under water. The floods came just before planting season started in the Midwest and are expected to reduce corn, wheat and soybean acreage.

Millions of bushels of stored grain and soybeans also were damaged by Midwest floods.

“I expect none of those flooded acres were considered in USDA’s report,” said Macon County Farmers Federation President Shep Morris. “That would make a significant difference of what could be planted there. It will take some time to get those flooded acres back in production and to repair infrastructure. That lost acreage would 8

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provide an opportunity for farmers here.”

Nearly 1.1 million acres of cropland and more than 84,000 acres of pastureland in the Midwest experienced flooding at least seven days between March 8 and March 21, according to preliminary analysis of government and satellite data.

Even when waters recede, silt, mud and debris could make planting difficult. Midwest farmers also are facing crop insurance planting deadlines. For example, Iowa farmers must plant corn

by May 31 and soybeans by June 15.

Morris said Alabama’s poultry industry uses 4-5 million acres of Midwestern corn annually. Most of that corn is shipped by rail from Midwest storage facilities.

“Rail systems in some flooded areas were devastated, as were countless roads and bridges,” Morris said. “No one really knows how long it will take to repair that infrastructure.”

USDA’s report predicts U.S. farmers

will plant 92.8 million acres of corn, a 4% increase over last year.

In Alabama, the report predicts farmers will plant 280,000 acres of corn, an increase of 20,000 acres over 2018. However, some Alabama farmers think the report could be off by several thousand acres.

“I think you’ll see more farmers plant corn in our state than the report predicts,” said Morris, who’ll plant 1,300 acres of corn in Macon and Montgomery counties, 400 acres more than last year. “The market price for corn might not be all that good (September futures have corn at $3.80 per bushel), but our local markets for the poultry industry are strong.”

Morris said his state’s corn growers have an advantage over Midwestern farmers because Alabama-grown corn doesn’t have additional transportation costs.

Pickens County’s Annie Dee said her farm is flipping acres from soybeans to corn.

“Typically, we have 4,000 acres of row crops; 2,400 acres of soybeans; and 1,600 acres of corn,” said Dee, who farms with sons Seth and Jesse More and brother Mike Dee. “This year, we’re planting 400 acres of soybeans and 3,600 acres of corn.”

Dee said she thinks more U.S. farmers will switch from soybeans to corn because of tariffs imposed by China and other countries. Corn, she said, has a steady market in the U.S.— ­ especially in Alabama, which is second alfafarmers.org

Photos courtesy of Nebraska Farm Bureau

Midwest Floods, Trade Negotiations Affect Alabama Planting Intentions

in the nation in broiler production.

“I also think farmers may see an opportunity for more local corn because of the floods in the Midwest,” she said.

Whether it’s global markets or poor domestic demand, USDA’s report says soybeans will dip to 84.6 million acres, down 5% from last year.

The expected drop in Alabama soybean acres exceeds national predictions. USDA estimates 280,000 acres will be planted — down 65,000 acres from last year, a 19% drop.

“A lot of farmers had a tough time

As waters recede, silt, mud and debris can make planting difficult.

alfafarmers.org

with soybeans last fall,” Morris said.

“Persistent rain made harvest difficult or impossible. I heard reports of some farmers who had soybeans that rotted in the field. Add in a suppressed market price for soybeans, and the result is probably fewer acres planted this year.”

Cotton is expected to remain Alabama’s largest row crop, with farmers planning to plant 510,000 acres — about the same as last year. Nationally, cotton acreage is predicted to rise about 2% to 13.8 million acres.

Alabama peanut farmers are expected to plant 170,000 acres, a 3% jump from 2018. Nationally, peanut acreage is expected to rise 2%, topping out at 1.4 million acres, according to the USDA report.

While Alabama isn’t a major player in the U.S. wheat market, planting that took place here last fall was up 6% from the previous year, and farmers are expected to harvest 170,000 acres. However, U.S. wheat acreage is predicted to be down 4%. The 45.8 million acres represents the lowest wheat acreage since records began in 1919, according to USDA.

Ragland Joins Federation Commodity Department he Alabama Farmers Federation T welcomed Brady Ragland as Beef, Equine, Hay & Forage and Meat Goat &

Sheep divisions director March 11.

The native of Lubbock, Texas, will monitor policy in those areas and lead the Federation’s youth livestock efforts, including the Junior Beef Expo.

“I’m excited to meet and serve members of the Alabama Farmers Federation,” said Ragland, 29. “I’ve always had a passion Ragland for people in agriculture and look forward to assisting farmers however I can.”

Ragland is a two-time Texas Tech University graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a Master of Science in ruminant nutrition. He was on Tech’s livestock judging team, where he was the High Individual and part of the High Team at the national contest in Louisville, Kentucky. He previously served as San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s livestock director, where he planned, organized, directed and managed the Livestock Department.

The Federation’s Brian Hardin said Ragland’s enthusiasm for youth activities and practical knowledge gained on his family’s ranch are assets.

“Whether organizing the Beef Tour, handling issues related to his commodities or meeting with farmers one-on-one, Brady is ready to serve Alabama farmers,” said Hardin, the Federation’s Governmental & Agricultural Programs Department director. “We’re excited to welcome him to our team.”

Ragland, whose family raises Hereford and Sim-Angus-based commercial cattle, grew up showing livestock. In his spare time, Ragland said he enjoys attending sporting events and spending time with friends and family.

He lives in Prattville.

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Conference Links Ladies To Leadership

Federation members attended workshops on agriculture advocacy, gardening and Southern storytelling during the Women’s Leadership Conference in Birmingham April 3-5.

By Debra Davis gricultural advocacy, politics, A gardening and Southern storytelling entertained and engaged

more than 200 Alabama Farmers Federation members during the annual Women’s Leadership Conference in Birmingham April 3-5.

Nationally recognized author and speaker Michelle Payn told members how to connect people, science and farming. In addition to speaking to the group during the opening banquet, she also held workshops on improving conversations between farmers and consumers.

Lawrence County Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Sandra Terry said good communications skills will help her be a better farm advocate.

“It’s always good to develop new ways to communicate,” said Terry, who joined six other ladies from her county at the conference. “Understanding that people make decisions about food based on emotions helps us understand how people think differently and helps us improve communications by finding common ground.”

Payn said farmers focus on producing safe food, and consumers are focused on knowing more about how their food is grown and raised.

“Improving communication between farmers and consumers is the best way to dismiss a lot of the misinformation and suspicion that’s out there about food,” Terry said.

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Attendees also learned about one of the state’s largest home-grown industries — Bonnie Plants, which is headquartered in Union Springs.

The company’s e-commerce manager, Sidney Phelps, discussed Bonnie Plants’ history and current programs. He also provided gardening tips and recorded interactive sessions for “Simply Southern TV. “ “I don’t exactly have a green thumb, but after hearing Sidney talk, I think I’ll

storyteller.

“I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard,” Dunn said. “Most of what he talked about was everyday life.

He reminded us it’s important to laugh and not take everything so seriously.”

The Federation’s Governmental & Agricultural Programs Department Director Brian Hardin and National Affairs Director Mitt Walker urged members to remain involved in politics even though campaign season is over.

“It’s important to stay engaged with your legislators and to tell them ‘thank you,’” Hardin said.

Walker discussed ongoing trade negotiations and anticipated passage of disaster funding. He also urged members to register comments on pending regulations, particularly the Clean Water Act. During the conference, attendees hauled in 630 pounds of pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama. The ladies also enjoyed free massages, sweet treats and shopping with special vendors.

Many attendees also were recognized for their work in sharing

From left, nationally recognized author and speaker Michelle Payn; columnist, novelist and storyteller Sean Dietrich; and Bonnie Plants E-Commerce Manager Sidney Phelps conducted workshops at the Women’s Leadership Conference.

try a few of the things he suggested,” said Debbie Dunn of Geneva County.

“This was my first Women’s Leadership Conference, and I thought it was great. I know I learned some things to take back home to my county.”

Dunn, who is the Region 4 representative on the State Women’s Leadership Committee, said she especially enjoyed hearing Sean Dietrich, a columnist, novelist and

agriculture’s story during the Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon.

“I think this year’s conference offered an array of diverse topics to help each of us be better advocates, educators and leaders,” said Federation Women’s Leadership Division Director Kim Earwood. “I think all attendees found information to help them communicate the story of agriculture a little more effectively.” alfafarmers.org

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Controlled Burns Help Manage Timberland

By Marlee Moore rip torch in hand, forester Andy D Guy sets off toward a longleaf pine stand. He’s on a mission — fire up the

young plantation’s productivity.

Literally.

He’s igniting a controlled burn, which cleans up the understory, eliminates unwanted vegetation and allows fresh growth of grasses and vines attractive to wildlife like turkeys, deer and quail.

“A controlled burn is the most useful tool to give you the most immediate results when managing your land,” said Guy, an Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) work unit manager. “It’s cost-effective, too.”

Controlled burns, also called

prescribed fire, help landowners like Lamar Dewberry get the most bang for their buck when managing his 880 acres of timberland. It’s about one-fifth the cost of chemical applications, he said.

In addition to burning land before planting seedlings, the Clay County landowner burns tracts of longleaf pine every two-three years to control diseases and allow sunlight to seep into the stand. Longleaf is a more fire-tolerant pine that thrives on frequent fires after its first year, while loblolly pine is burned at a more mature age, around 15 years.

“I can’t imagine trying to manage timber without fire,” said Dewberry, a past Alabama TREASURE Forest Association president and current

Alabama Forestry Commission Work Unit Manager Paul Stuckey sets a controlled burn in Pike County.

Controlled burns, also called prescribed fire, help control diseases and allow sunlight to seep into stands.

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Photo courtesy of Alabama Forestry Commission

Get Fired Up:

Alabama Tree Farm Committee chairman. “It allows longleaf to come out of the grass stage and grow upward.

On an older stand, fire cleans the forest floor and gives potential for raking and baling pine straw.”

Dewberry dials into AFC’s resources to accomplish controlled burns, one of its many landowner-centric services.

AFC professionals help identify sensitive areas to exclude from the burn, like tree stands, trail camera locations and old home sites. They then identify conditions needed to achieve a landowner’s goal — including time of year, wind and moisture. Guy noted it’s critical the environment is dry enough to carry the fire through the stand.

Dormant season burns are lit in late winter, while early spring burns help landowners prime turkey habitats for hunting season. Older stands are burned from late spring into early summer.

Dewberry said he’s grateful for AFC’s resources, especially equipment to control the blaze if it jumps fuel-free fire breaks.

“If you don’t burn over a period of time, early successional species go away, and you end up with wax myrtle, bushes, sweet gum trees and other vegetation that’s unappealing to wildlife,” added Dewberry, who won the Alabama Natural Resources Council’s W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Award in 2018 with wife Felicia.

Routine burning also reduces natural fuel on the ground, which can help decrease the spread of wildfires. It’s a preventative measure that helps during seasons like 2016’s wildfire-riddled alfafarmers.org

Photo courtesy of Alabama Forestry Commission

Photo courtesy of Alabama Forestry Commission

Photo courtesy of Alabama Forestry Commission

Alabama Forestry Commission staff helps landowners conduct prescribed burns.

They identify sensitive areas to avoid and zero in on conditions that achieve a landowner’s goal.

Controlled burns help eliminate unwanted vegetation and clean the forest understory, allowing fresh grasses and vines to flourish.

drought or could help control raging wildfires out West, said Alabama State Forester Rick Oates.

“Prescribed fire is an important tool in Alabama,” Oates said. “By using it throughout the life of a stand, you prevent the buildup of litter and other fuels that cause wildfires to quickly get out of control. It helps keep our forests safer and healthier.”

After a controlled burn, tree trunks and the ground are charred but quickly recover, Guy said. Bright green grass, vines and legumes spring up with warmer temperatures and rainfall.

“Controlled burning is a valuable practice for landowners,” Guy said. “Our goal is to ensure everyone who wants to burn finds a vendor or is able to use our resources to help manage their property.”

For all burns over 1/4 acre, permits are required. Permits are issued through AFC at (800) 392-5679. Learn more at forestry.alabama.gov. alfafarmers.org

Learn To Burn

o A permit from the Alabama Forestry Commission is required for silvicultural and agricultural controlled burns more than ¼ of an acre. Call AFC at (800) 392-5679 for permits.

o Find a natural fire break, like a creek or road, to help contain the burn. o Check the weather before burning and keep updated throughout the day.

o Burn so wind carries smoke away from sensitive areas.

Longleaf pine stands are more tolerant and thrive with frequent fire after the first year. Loblolly pine is burned at a more mature age, around 15 years.

o Plan burn operations so the entire job is finished within a standard workday. During the day, wind speed is higher, wind direction is steadier, and smoke management is easier.

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Farmers, Elected Officials Enjoy Taste Of Alabama Gov. Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve Marshall, Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Rick Pate, Secretary of State John Merrill and State Auditor Jim Zeigler.

The reception featured Alabama shrimp raised on David Coddington’s farm and provided by Dickie Odom, Greene County; brisket from David and Julie Lee, Lowndes County; Bishop’s Barbecue from L.O. Bishop, Colbert County; pecans from Priester’s Pecans, Lowndes County; Oakview Farms grits from Joe and Patty Lambrecht, Elmore County; goat stew from Charlie Thompson, Lauderdale County; honey

From left, Federation President Jimmy Parnell visits with Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville; Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster; and Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa at the Taste of Alabama reception.

By Marlee Moore egislators and state leaders sampled LAlabama fruits of farmers’ labor during the Farmers Federation’s Taste of Alabama legislative reception in Montgomery March 20.

The event highlights commodities grown in Alabama — and the farmers who grow them. At the annual reception, producers mingled with lawmakers and discussed local and agricultural issues.

“The Farmers Federation was founded to work on public policy issues. It’s invaluable for our members to talk one-on-one with local and state leaders, especially while enjoying good, Alabama-grown food,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell.

“The relationships they’re forging will pay dividends down the road when it’s time to work on issues that farmers and rural Alabamians are facing.”

Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville, called the Taste of Alabama a highlight of the legislative session.

“I always enjoy coming here

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and meeting people and tasting food from Alabama,” said Lawrence, who has represented House District 69 since 2014. “It makes it personal. You get to know the people who make farming and growing Alabama work.”

Before dishing up Legislators and state elected officials enjoyed Alabama-grown Alabama-grown goodies food during the Taste of Alabama reception March 20. Gloria during the reception, FarmPAC Jeffcoat of Houston County served Oakview Farms grits to representatives from across the legislators like Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva. state held the political action committee’s annual meeting. Lowndes from beekeepers Jimmy Carmack County Farmers Federation President of Jefferson County, Lionel Evans of Thomas Ellis said he was impressed with Limestone County, and Bill and Todd the number of legislators who attended Mullins of Madison County; and peanutthe Taste of Alabama. packed desserts from the Alabama “It’s especially nice to share products Peanut Producers Association. we’re proud of with our legislators, relax The menu also included catfish, and get to know each other in a more chicken strips, collard greens, sweet casual environment,” said Ellis, whose potato fries, fried green tomatoes, Priester’s Pecans booth was a popular fruit cobbler, ice cream, lamb kabobs, attraction. “My legislator made sure we cheese and cornbread muffins. spoke. It’s encouraging for them to take time and visit.”

Around 100 elected officials attended, including Gov. Kay Ivey, Lt.

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What was rewarding about being a Principal?

Now that I’m retired, it’s rewarding to see how I influenced the lives of my students.

Larry Laney Larry Laney might be a retired school principal, but he’s filling his free time serving the community and loving agriculture. In 2019, the 67-year-old was elected to the State Equine Committee. A three-time Auburn University graduate, Laney has been married to wife Jo Ann for 47 years. The Laneys raise cows, horses and hay and live in Phenix City in Russell County. They have two sons and four grandchildren and attend Crawford United Methodist Church, where Larry is chair of trustees and finance chair.

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How did you get involved in agriculture?

It’s in my blood; I was born into a farming family.

What’s something few people know about you?

I worked in the china department at Kirven’s Department Store while in college.

What do you do when you’re not farming?

I like to hunt, fish and cook barbecue.

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2019 State Wheat & Feed Grain Committee Scott Saucer, Chair

Ron Brumley

Clay Hastings

Richard Parrish

Nick McMichen, Vice Chair

Mike Dee

Ben Looney

James Walker

Frisco City, AL

Centre, AL

John Bevel

Albertville, AL

Leighton, AL Aliceville, AL

Don Glenn Hillsboro, AL

Scottsboro, AL Athens, AL

Stewart McGill Hazel Green, AL

Woodland, AL Florence, AL

Stanley Walters Gallion, AL

OYFF Representative James & Lindsey Roberts Fort Payne, AL

Carla Hornady, Director Montgomery, AL

Junior Beef Expo Rewards Youth For Hard Work

By Marlee Moore ake up at 5 a.m. Head to the barn W to wash, groom and work steers and heifers. Hit the books at school.

Return home to feed and walk cattle.

Eat. Sleep. Repeat.

It’s a cycle of hard work and dedication that pays off for youth like Chelsea Langley of Chambers County, who showed cattle at the 2019 Junior Beef Expo (JBE) in Montgomery March 14-16.

“It’s late nights and early mornings,” said Langley, 18. “I really love showing cattle because it’s taught me a lot of responsibility and how to manage my time.”

For the second year, the Alabama Farmers Federation coordinated the expo, which included a showmanship contest, Market Show and Heifer Show. About 180 youth exhibited over 350 head of cattle during JBE, held annually in conjunction with the Southeastern Livestock Expo Rodeo.

“We are recognizing a year’s worth of work from young people that don’t get a lot of attention. They’re doing things right,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “These kids are working and focused on these projects. That’s a big deal in my mind.”

Langley, whose Crossbred and Charolais steers were Reserve Grand Champion and Third Overall in the Market Show, said watching the next generation of livestock showmen enter the ring is rewarding.

“Seeing them makes me happy because they’re learning about the beef industry and learning everything they can about agriculture,” said

Chambers County’s Chelsea Langley said showing cattle taught her a lot about responsibility and time management. Photo by Morgan Graham

Bryan Lambert Jr. of Lowndes County was one of about 180 youth who showed cattle during the Junior Beef Expo in Montgomery March 14-16.

the high school senior, who noted consumers benefit from calf shows, too. “What people see when they go to a steakhouse is what we raise. It’s homegrown beef, and it takes a lot of work. There really is a good outcome of showing cattle.”

Langley’s commercial heifer was Reserve Champion in its division and

Fifth Overall.

For Parnell, JBE is an investment in the future leaders of Alabama’s $70 billion agriculture industry.

“A little time, effort and expense in these young people now will affect Alabama — particularly Alabama agriculture — for many years to come,” he said.

More than $80,000 in prize money was awarded during the contest. JBE Supreme Grand Champions were Harmon Butler of Dale County, whose crossbred steer won the Market Show, and Ashlyn Ruf of Limestone County, whose Chianina calf won the Heifer Show.

Check out all the winning exhibitors in the following pages. alfafarmers.org

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2019 market show

Sponsored by Poarch Band of Creek Indians

Supreme Grand Champion

Harmon Butler of Dale County won Supreme Grand Champion Market Steer.

His steer also was the Crossbred Champion Steer.

Sponsored by Yellawood

third overall

Chelsea Langley of Chambers County won Third Overall Champion. The steer was also the Charolais Champion.

reserve Grand Champion

Sponsored by Southeastern Livestock Expo

Chelsea Langley of Chambers County won Reserve Grand Champion. Her steer also was the Crossbred Reserve Champion Steer.

fourth overall Sponsored by Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers

fifth overall

Lillie Ann Stagner of Mobile County won Fourth Overall Champion. The steer was also All Other Breeds (AOB) Champion.

Sponsored by U.S. Foods

Caden Childers of Morgan County won Fifth Overall Champion. The steer was also the AOB Reserve Champion.

MARKET Show Division Winners

Sara Beth Faust of Blount County exhibited the Market Heifer Champion.

Ace Ashley of Cherokee County exhibited the Shorthorn Champion.

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Trace Strock of Autauga County exhibited the Performance Documented Champion.

Callie Rae Childers of Morgan County exhibited the Chianina Champion.

Gabby Stagner of Mobile County exhibited the Shorthorn Plus Champion. alfafarmers.org

awards and scholarships

county group Champion

Sponsored by Troy Bank & Trust

The “Best Five Head” county group went to Cullman County. From left are Katie Smith, Cole Eubanks, Austin Alexander, Nathan Alexander and Rex Harrison.

louise wilson scholarship

Sponsored by Alabama CattleWomen’s

Hannah Maddox of DeKalb County was presented the $500 Louise Wilson Alabama CattleWomen’s Showmanship Scholarship. She is pictured with judge Jim Bloomberg of Berwick, Illinois, and Alabama CattleWomen, exhibitors and past scholarship recipients.

ULTRASOUND Champion

Sponsored by Alabama Farmers Co-op

Shelby Kriser of Houston County won first place in the Ultrasound Contest.

jbe giveaway

Sponsored by Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation

The Gullatt family won a Sullivan Supply Air Express III blower. Alabama Farmers Federation members who participated in the Junior Beef Expo were eligible for the giveaway. Pictured with Federation President Jimmy Parnell, right, are Grace, Mary Hannah, Silas and Theresa Gullatt of Lee County.

Special Thanks To Our Platinum Level Sponsors

alfafarmers.org

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2019 heifer show

Sponsored by Alabama Power

Supreme Grand Champion

Ashlyn Ruf of Limestone County exhibited the Supreme Grand Champion Heifer. Her heifer also was Chianina Division Champion.

Sponsored by Cowboy Tag

third overall

Dow Boyd of Coffee County exhibited the Third-Place Overall Heifer. His heifer also was the Angus Division Champion.

fourth overall

Sponsored by PowerSouth

reserve Grand Champion

Dow Boyd of Coffee County exhibited the Supreme Reserve Grand Champion Heifer. His heifer also was Percentage Simmental Division Champion.

Sponsored by Poarch Band of Creek Indians

Ashlyn Ruf of Limestone County exhibited the Fourth-Place Overall Heifer. Her heifer also was the Commercial Division Champion.

fifth overall

Sponsored by Alabama Municipal Electric

Chelsea Langley of Chambers County exhibited the Fifth-Place Overall Heifer. Her heifer also was Commercial Division Reserve Champion.

Heifer Show Division Winners

Cameron Catrett of Crenshaw County exhibited the AOB Champion and B&O Champion.

Will McClelland of Montgomery County exhibited the Brahman Champion and B&O Champion.

Amy Whittington of Montgomery County exhibited the Red Angus Champion.

Rex Harrison of Cullman County exhibited the Charolais Champion.

Austin Alexander of Cullman County had the Charolais Reserve Champion and B&O Champion.

Tyler Crim of Tuscaloosa County exhibited the Chianina B&O Champion.

Gus Ashley of Montgomery County exhibited the Maine-Anjou Champion.

Todd Crim of Tuscaloosa County exhibited the Maine-Anjou B&O Champion.

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alfafarmers.org

Natalie Lovell of Limestone County exhibited the MaineTainer Champion.

Amelia Thrower of Marshall County exhibited the Percentage Simmental B&O Champion.

Victoria Thompson of Lee County exhibited the Performance Documented B&O Champion.

Arles Thrash of Chilton County exhibited the Performance Documented Champion.

Cameron Catrett of Crenshaw County exhibited the Shorthorn B&O Champion.

Lakin Whatley of Montgomery County exhibited the Shorthorn Champion.

Hannah Grace Childress of Chilton County exhibited the Shorthorn Plus Champion.

Olivia Powers of Chilton County showed the Shorthorn Plus Reserve Champion and B&O Champion.

Dow Boyd of Coffee County exhibited the Simmental Champion.

Dylan McCombs of Chilton County exhibited the Simmental Reserve Champion and B&O Champion.

Maverick Gentry of Chilton County exhibited the Texas Longhorn Champion.

Carlos Delgado of Chilton County exhibited the Texas Longhorn B&O Champion.

Go to

jrbeefexpo.com

for full show results, the exposition program, links to photos and the streamed video of the event.

Alabama 4-H

Club Foundation, Inc.

alfafarmers.org

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2019 Bred and Owned top five

Sponsored by Sysco of Central Alabama

Grand Champion

Audra Graves of Blount County exhibited the B&O Grand Champion Heifer and Angus B&O Champion.

Sponsored by AT&T

third overall

Nathan Gullatt of Lee County exhibited the Third Overall B&O Heifer, which also was Hereford B&O Reserve Champion.

reserve Grand Champion

Sponsored by Farm Bureau Bank

Mary Hannah Gullatt of Lee County exhibited the B&O Reserve Grand Champion Heifer and Hereford Champion Heifer.

fourth Champion fourth overall overallSponsored

by Alabama Beef Checkoff

Caden Childers of Morgan County exhibited the Fourth Overall B&O Heifer, which also was Commercial B&O Champion.

fifth overallfifth overall Sponsored by Champion Montgomery County Commission

Audra Graves of Blount County exhibited the Fifth Overall B&O Heifer, which also was MaineTainer B&O Champion.

Special Thanks To Our Gold Level Sponsors

COUNTY FARMERS FEDERATIONS

Pantone 357 Pantone 160 Pantone 116 Black

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alfafarmers.org

2019 showmanship division winners Showmanship was sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama Farmers Agricultural Foundation.

senior showmanship champion

senior showmanship reserve champion

Ashlyn Ruf of Limestone County was Senior Showmanship Champion.

Chelsea Langley of Chambers County was Senior Showmanship Reserve Champion.

intermediate showmanship champion

intermediate showmanship reserve champion

Jacey Adkins of Baldwin County was Intermediate Showmanship Champion.

Ace Ashley of Cherokee County was Intermediate Showmanship Reserve Champion.

junior showmanship champion

junior showmanship reserve champion

Rex Harrison of Cullman County was Junior Showmanship Champion.

Silas Gullatt of Lee County was Junior Showmanship Reserve Champion.

alfafarmers.org

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I

GOOD

love the sun. Any time of day but especially morning. I also like paper plates — the flimsy kind that aren’t stiff enough to hold a spoonful of potato salad. And barbecues. I like conversations at barbecues. Folks hardly ever talk about work or bills.

But about kids, sports, and how crazy Uncle John is.

He’s nuts.

I’m crazy about pencils, rickety screen doors, old folks, quiet folks, loud folks, zinnias and mobile homes.

I like the sound of wind blowing through the woods — like the earth exhaling.

And coffee.

I once spent an entire summer in Georgia with relatives who drank decaf. Worst summer of my life. I didn’t have the personality God gave a houseplant.

And, I like yellow. As a boy, I preferred blue. But someone told me blue was depressing. So, I tried to like yellow. After several years, I can’t get enough of it.

I like George Jones, Steel Magnolias, Delta Burke and stories told by people with white hair. Girls who wear hunting boots. And boys who say, “Yes ma’am,” to girls their own age.

I like tiny churches.

I once knew a pastor of a microscopic Baptist congregation — a

factory-worker by day. He wouldn’t accept a church paycheck. I remember one of his Wednesday services. After churchgoers passed the plate, his wife counted the money in the rear pew, mostly fives and tens. Then, she handed all the cash to a young mother with three children.

I like standing ovations. Like the time an auditorium applauded a 76-year-old school janitor about to retire. His name was Brill. You should’ve seen old Brill’s face. He never knew it was coming.

I guess what I’m trying to say is: right now, the entire universe is only a few seconds away from bursting into applause. It’s going to be an explosion so brilliant it buckles your knees. And you’ll have to squint to keep from going blind.

And such intense events make you think. About hope. About how lucky we are to have things like dogs, magnolia trees, paper plates, and summer. And it humbles you.

And then you’ll realize: life is really something. God — who already knows this — busts the universe wide open just to prove this to you. He does it once every day.

If you don’t believe the goodness I’m telling you about is true, do yourself a favor: Wake up early.

And watch the sunrise. ■

Alabama Forage Spokesperson Contest

Commodity Producers Conference Chattanooga, Tennessee • Aug. 1-3

Registration Deadline June 1

n Contestants give a 15-minute presentation about forage management on their farm. n State winner will receive free registration and expenses to compete at the 2020 American Forage & Grassland Council annual conference in Greenville, South Carolina. n Second place wins a $250 Farm Bureau Bank Card. n Honorable Mention receives a $100 Farm Bureau Bank Card.

For more information, contact

Alabama Farmers Federation Hay & Forage Division Director Brady Ragland at (334) 613-4221 or bragland@alfafarmers.org

Columnist and novelist Sean Dietrich shares tales of common people, the human spirit, traditional regional music and life in the American South through his podcast series at SeanDietrich.com. alfafarmers.org

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Auburn Poultry Center Rules The Roost

By Marlee Moore

Brett Bobo

rett Bobo might have grown up on B a northeast Alabama chicken farm, but the Auburn University (AU) poultry

science senior is positive: previous poultry experience isn’t a prerequisite for success in the industry ruling the roost of Alabama agriculture.

“If you have no farm background, you can come to Auburn and leave with a degree and an advanced array of knowledge about poultry,” said 23-yearold Bobo, a Rainsville native.

Students flock to the program in part thanks to AU’s 30-acre Charles C. Miller Poultry Research and Education Center. The complex celebrated its newest addition, an administration and classroom building, April 10.

Current and future Miller Center facilities and technologies reflect every element of the U.S. poultry industry — from hatching to housing to processing and beyond. The center offers a comprehensive environment for students and faculty, as well as nationwide industry professionals.

In Alabama alone, poultry packs an annual economic impact that exceeds $15 billion, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System survey reports.

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“The poultry industry is the largest and fastest-growing food industry in the country,” said AU College of Agriculture Dean Paul Patterson. “As this industry grows, we need solid, reliable research and training to ensure the level of quality, safety and efficiency that consumers and businesses deserve. We are proud to offer the nation’s leading poultry scientists and professionals the very best in research and teaching facilities at the Miller Center.”

The first-rate center houses classes and labs for students like Bobo, in addition to part-time work. The center feeds their passion for poultry and adds a layer of skills future employers respect.

“The Miller Center offers an enormous amount of information and hands-on experiences for you to go into the industry and be successful,” said Bobo, whose experiences helped land back-to-back summer internships with Wayne Farms LLC. The nation’s

sixth-largest poultry integrator offered Bobo a full-time job in 2018, a year and a half before his slated graduation in December 2019.

Other Miller Center facilities include two nutrition and poultry management research structures, in addition to an equipment testing and demonstration facility housing the National Poultry Technology Center, which develops cost-saving systems for farmers. The site also houses a feed mill and nutrition center.

Auburn is preparing to build a state-of-the-art processing plant where researchers will focus on improving food safety and poultry processing technology.

The Miller Center’s final phase will include a hatchery, battery house, chamber and breeder houses, and floor pen houses.

Visit poul.auburn.edu/miller-center to learn more.

Dr. Wilmer Pacheco reviews real-life, applicable techniques like calculating feed formulas with poultry science senior Brett Bobo at Auburn University’s state-of-the-art feed mill at the Miller Center.

The Miller Center’s new building houses administration and a classroom. Other buildings include nutrition and poultry management research structures, a feedmill and the National Poultry Technology Center. alfafarmers.org

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Wrangler Uses 100 Percent Alabama-Grown Cotton In New Rooted Collection ®

Made in USA denim collection features Alabama Jeans and T-shirts

State-themed details dot the patch, stitching and buttons of the Alabama Jean.

rangler®, a global icon in W jeanswear and casual apparel, partnered with a Alabama cotton farmer

to create a locally sourced denim collection honoring land stewardship and championing state pride. The Wrangler Rooted Collection™ is a limited, premium line made from 100% sustainable, locally sourced cotton. Each piece is grown, milled, cut and sewn in the U.S., helping to ensure America’s denim heritage for future generations.

Made with 100% sustainable cotton from Newby Farms in Athens, the Alabama Jean is one of five state-specific designs featured in the Wrangler Rooted Collection. The Alabama Jean has a unique wash, as well as trim and patch details featuring the state’s silhouette and other embellishments. The collection also alfafarmers.org

includes two Alabama T-shirt designs.

“The Wrangler Rooted Collection reflects our commitment to strengthening local communities and supporting U.S. farmers,” said Tom Waldron, president of Wrangler.

“Equally important, the introduction of this collection aligns with our goal to continually improve the environmental performance and traceability of our products.”

The Newbys and four other family farms who are supplying cotton to the Rooted Collection are the original growers in the Wrangler Science and Conservation program, which advocates for land stewardship and best practices for soil health. These science-backed methods build crop resilience to weather disruptions while improving yield, reducing water and energy

inputs, fighting erosion, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Wrangler aims to source 100% of its cotton from farms using soil health practices by 2025.

“If farmers don’t tell their story, nobody will,” said Elizabeth Newby, a partner in Newby Farms with her uncle Jimmy Newby, cousins John and James Newby, brother Jerry Allen Newby, and husband Justin Crow. “By purchasing our cotton, Wrangler is putting a farming face to their jeans so people can see where their fiber comes from and helping us tell our story.”

The Rooted Collection is all American, from the farm and the fabric to the cut and sew operations. In addition to the Alabama apparel, there are special jeans for Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

The denim fabric is made by Mount Vernon Mills in Trion, Georgia, and the jeans are cut and sewn by Excel Manufacturing in El Paso, Texas.

The all-cotton T-shirts are made with cotton grown by Vance and Mandie Smith and are manufactured throughout the Carolinas.

The Wrangler Rooted Collection initially will be available through Wrangler.com and participating retailers that will be announced later.

Jeans will retail for approximately $100 per pair, with T-shirts priced from $30 each.

Alabama cotton farmer Elizabeth Newby.

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alfafarmers.org

By Lois Chaplin t’s often dusk or later when we sit Ireason down outdoors, so there’s good to think about landscape plants

with nighttime features. The gentle glow of white flowers and whiffs of perfumed air make evenings on the screened porch, patio or deck extra nice. Flowers and silvery leaves reflecting outdoor lights or moonlight creates a unique ambiance in those special places where we relax to the serenades of crickets and cicadas.

In combination, these plants become a white border where an assortment of flowers and leaves comes to life at night — and makes your experience do the same. The border is pretty during the day but not bright in color. There are many places for color in a garden, but concentrating white plants within easy view of a restful outdoor space is perfect for the night. If you don’t plant a full border, a spectacular shrub such

Alabama

with light-colored blossoms or white or silver leaves. Trees with white blossoms include Southern magnolia, Gardenia which is fragrant. Also consider American dogwood for spring or Kousa dogwood, which blooms in late May or June. Two good early spring bloomers are Yoshino cherry and star magnolia, which flower before leaves appear.

The list of shrubs is long — white camellias, viburnums, white azaleas, spireas, Diana althea and others. In addition, multiple white hydrangeas are up to the task — oakleaf, PeeGee, Limelight or Annabelle. Fragrant shrubs include Southern magnolia gardenia, Korean spice viburnum and mock orange.

Perennials and bulbs offer lasting color, too, and many are fragrant — tuberose, any type of white lily, acidanthera, David phlox, ginger lily, “Royal Standard” hosta, crinum and light-colored daffodils.

Two perennial herbs with silvery gray foliage include lamb’s ears and artemisia “Powis Castle.” Silver plectranthus offers a beautiful silvery as snowball viburnum or Annabelle leaf, although this annual is strictly for hydrangea makes a good show. Even warm weather. Two spectacular vines a pot of white impatiens or white are Henryi clematis, which has large, caladiums glows in the evening light. flat blooms, and the extra-fragrant Blooms and leaves that glimmer moonvine. If you try one plant for its at night will be white, silvery or a pale nighttime qualities, go for moonvine. It’s pastel. The biggest, flattest ones such easy to start from seed and fascinating as clematis and moonvine are often the to watch as the buds slowly unfurl in late showiest. Nearly all white flowers are afternoon. In late summer, giant hawk visible at night, while many other colors moths often visit moonvine looking for disappear in the darkness. The same nectar. They’re called hummingbird flowers which are visible at night are moths for a reason. wonderfully fragrant — think magnolia Perhaps some nighttime show plants and gardenia — evoking memories are already present in your landscape, of your grandma’s garden or another and it’s a matter of enhancing plants to special place. The fragrant annual create an evening display. It’s certainly moonvine is a relative of morning glory worth a try. and opens at the end of the day.

If planting for the moonlight is Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener appealing, look for places clearly and author. Her work appears visible from the patio, deck or through here courtesy of Alabama a window and open to the moonlight Farmers Cooperative. or ambient night light. Then try plants

FIND HOT DEALS & SUMMER SAVINGS E ALAFARM.COM alfafarmers.org

May 2019

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33

Oysters

By The App The Oyster Farming App is the newest free mobile app from Alabama Extension. It is available as a free download through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

By Justin Miller ommercial oyster farmers have a C new instrument in their toolbox thanks to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Oyster Farming smartphone app. The free app allows commercial oyster farmers to input, store and share harvest information.

Creating The App

Bill Walton, an Alabama Extension shellfish specialist and project leader, said the app was created to help simplify the day-to-day activities of oyster production.

“Working with farmers, we saw that they were doing a lot of repetitive tasks and jotting things down and then losing those papers,” said Walton, also an Auburn University (AU) associate professor of fisheries. “We figured that we all have smartphones, so why not put them to use? We hope this helps oyster farmers by making life a little easier and by helping them keep and share information.”

Developing the app was a collaboration between Alabama Extension and AU. The project team also worked with Sea Grant agents in other coastal states

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for feedback and advice.

Alabama Extension Director Gary Lemme said the app is another example of Extension providing modern educational tools for the public.

“The Oyster Farming app will help modernize the way commercial oyster producers run their operations,” Lemme said. “This project could not have been accomplished without the collaborative efforts of Extension and Auburn University professionals.”

Useful Across The Nation

Although the app was created with

Alabama producers in mind, it is useful for farmers throughout the country.

“Oyster farmers across the country can use this app, especially the oyster calculators,” Walton said. “We built this with an eye on making sure it would be useful to farmers across the U. S., possibly even around the world.”

Features

The app includes customized calculators that help producers determine the number of shellfish seed delivered (with a record of that number within confidence intervals).

Calculators also assist in achieving desired stocking densities and help estimate current stock on a farm.

Users can track news from the Auburn University Shellfish Lab social media feeds. They can also submit questions to Extension professionals via the app.

“We hope the app will act like a Swiss Army knife with a lot of useful tools that the farmer will always have in his or her pocket or on the dash of a boat,” said Walton. “We would love to hear from farmers about how we can improve the app and what features should be added. It’s a work in progress, and we hope that we can build features on top of this base.”

Download For Free

The Oyster Farming app is available as a free download through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

An inside look into oyster production in Alabama.

alfafarmers.org

alfafarmers.org

May 2019

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Chargrilled Okra with Jalapeño Ranch Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Servings 3 to 4

Dip Ingredients 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch dressing mix 1 cup milk 1 cup mayonnaise 2 jalapeño peppers, halved with seeds and membranes removed

Instructions Combine the dressing mix, milk, mayonnaise and jalapeños in a blender.

Pulse until well blended and the jalapeño peppers have been finely minced.

Refrigerate to thicken.

Okra Ingredients 1.5 pounds fresh okra 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Heat the grill to medium-high heat.

In a large bowl, toss okra with oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cook the okra in batches directly over the heat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until just starting to char. Serve with Jalapeño Ranch.

hether you’re using charcoal or W gas, there’s nothing quite like pulling out the grill to celebrate summer.

But it doesn’t have to be all ribs and barbecued chicken. Pull off the cover, and get it preheating because this month I’m sharing some flame-grilled favorites so you can put your grill to good use!

Hauling out the grill isn’t exactly on the top of people’s minds when they think about quick and easy weeknight meals. That’s why folks are always impressed with Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Tenders. They’re easy to prepare, cook quickly and are filled with flavor.

Speaking of quick and easy, 36

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Amazingly Easy Grilled Corn is one of my favorite summertime sides. After soaking the corn in water for a little while, you grill it right in the husks. This adds tons of flavor but also makes it super easy to remove the husks and silks. After the initial grilling, you can return the corn to the grill to get some char and add even more flavor. Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle with salt for summertime perfection.

But corn isn’t the only vegetable I like to toss over the flames. Okra turns out great when grilled, and it’s the perfect cooking method for those who might be turned off by okra’s sometimes slimy texture. The quick cook over high heat helps reduce the slime factor. Jalapeño

Ranch is the perfect complement.

Chargrilled Okra is great served as a side dish or an appetizer.

When you really want to impress family and guests, whip up Grilled Twice Baked Potato Stuffed Peppers.

While they do take a few steps, the end product is something seriously impressive. The grilled pepper flavor permeates the stuffed potato mixture to create a side dish showstopper.

Stacey Little is a foodie, recipe developer and cookbook author whose Southern Bite blog helps families put simple, down-to-earth food on the table while preserving Southern cooking for future generations. See more recipes at southernbite.com. alfafarmers.org

Grilled Twice Baked Potato Stuffed Peppers

Prep Time 25 mins

Cook Time 1 hr 20 mins

Makes 6 peppers

Ingredients 3 large baking potatoes 3 large bell peppers (any color) 1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon 1/2 cup sour cream 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 3 green onions, chopped 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Salt Pepper

Stacey’s Re c

ipe Notes

I like to pull th e husks back and leave them on . It looks cool and creates a neat handle , but feel free to remove th completely. If em you do leave the husks on hang them ou , tside the grill grates because they will catch fire.

Instructions Heat oven to 400 F, and wash potatoes under cool water. Dry potatoes and prick each a few times with a fork. Place the potatoes on the oven’s middle rack, and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour (or longer depending on the size of the potato). When done, the potato should be very soft when gently squeezed. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

While the potatoes bake, slice each pepper in half from stem downward. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and membranes.

Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice each in half and scoop out the flesh into a medium bowl. Add bacon, sour cream, butter, cheese, green onions and garlic powder. Mix gently to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Scoop the potato mixture into the peppers evenly, pressing it into all the cavity.

Heat the grill to medium heat (about 350 F). Place peppers on the grill. Cook with the lid closed for 15 to 20 minutes or until the pepper starts to char and the mixture is heated through and just bubbling around the edges. Serve warm.

Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Tenders Prep Time Cook Time Servings 15 mins 10 mins 4

Ingredients 2 to 3 pounds chicken tenders 1/2 cup prepared teriyaki sauce 1 (12-ounce) package sliced bacon

Instructions Toss chicken tenders with teriyaki sauce and marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Heat the grill to medium-high.

Remove chicken and discard the marinade. Wrap a piece of bacon around each chicken tender, securing the ends with a toothpick, if you like.

Grill the chicken tenders 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through and the bacon is crisp. alfafarmers.org

Amazingly Easy Grilled Corn Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Makes 6 ears

Ingredients 6 ears fresh corn Melted butter Salt

Instructions Fill a clean sink with water. Soak the unshucked corn for 15 minutes.

Use a dinner plate to hold them down, if desired. Drain and shake off excess water.

Heat grill to medium. Place unshucked corn on the grill. Grill with lid closed for about 6 minutes. Flip and grill another 6 minutes. Remove corn.

Allow it to cool enough to handle.

Shuck corn and remove silks. To add a little char to the outside, return corn to the grill over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Drizzle with melted butter, and sprinkle with salt.

Serve immediately.

May 2019

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37

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Follow us The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Everyone is welcome! © 2019 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All rights reserved. www.aces.edu