Neighbors Magazine, June 2015 by Alabama Farmers Federation

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VOLUME 40, NUMBER 6

A Membership Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation

JUNE / SUMMER 2015

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Debra Davis, Editor Mike Moody, Graphic Designer ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan, Executive Director Jeff Helms, Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS 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 Paul Looney, Athens Phillip Thompson, Scottsboro Don Allison, Arley Joe Roberts, Fayette Dell Hill, Alpine Richard Edgar, Deatsville Dan Robertson, Uniontown Garry Henry, Hope Hull Carl Sanders, Brundidge Sammy Gibbs, Atmore Fred Helms, Dothan Cheryl Lassiter, Silas Garrett Henry, Hope Hull

In This Issue

JUNE / SUMMER 2015

Investment In Education

15 Shepherds Of Marketing

26 Farmers Pull Together 34 Native Beauty

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com

A member of American Farm Bureau Federation

18 Where There’s Smoke, There’s Sausage

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Neighbors, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001.

www.AlfaFarmers.org

The Future Of Farming

10 Ants Drive Homeowner Crazy

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.

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.

36 Sausage — It’s Not Just for Breakfast

On The Cover 36

Conecuh Sausage Co. owner John Crum Sessions, right, and his son, John Henry Sessions show off their Conecuh County pride. Photo by Debra Davis.

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2015 Outstanding Young Farm Family Finalists

hree Outstanding Young Farm Families (OYFF) were chosen as finalists in a statewide contest open to farmers 18-35 years old who stand out as agricultural leaders on their farms and in their communities. Finalists are featured in this edition of Neighbors. Judges will tour their farms this summer and select the overall winner. Each family will be honored at the Alabama Farmers

Federation’s 43rd annual Commodity Producers Conference in August, when the winner will be announced. The OYFF will receive a prize package worth more than $60,000, including a new General Motors pickup truck from Alfa Insurance, an 825i John Deere Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit and use of a John Deere tractor by local John Deere dealers and John Deere.

The first and second runners-up will each receive $500 courtesy of Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit. All three finalists will receive a YETI cooler from the Federation. The winning family will represent Alabama in the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award contest next January in Orlando, Florida.

The Henrys By Debra Davis

aybe it was an innocent kiss in kindergarten that first brought Garrett and Emily Henry together, but a love for farming and each other has kept the couple close for nearly three decades. Affection for farming, family and the Federation earned them a finalist spot for the Alabama Farmers Federation Outstanding Young Farm Family. “I kissed her when we were in kindergarten and asked her to marry me when we were in the second grade,” Garrett said smiling. “We really started dating in the 11th grade. We finished high school together, both went to Auburn University, graduated and got married.” Together, the Montgomery County couple carved a niche in the family farm. “We’re a beef cattle family,” Garrett said. “I was around cattle and farming all of my life, but until I was making my own decisions and taking my own risks, I didn’t realize what a challenge farming could be. But it’s also rewarding.” The Henrys, both 34, live in Hope Hull, a few miles south of the Capital City. They have about 300 brood cows; a bull-lease business; a heifer w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Montgomery County farmers Garrett and Emily Henry and their children, Paige and Mason. 4

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development program; and a calfpreconditioning program where they raise calves from weaning until they’re ready for the feedlot. They also raise silage corn and haylage. Last year, Emily swapped her career as a nurse for that of a fulltime mother for their children, Paige, 8, and Mason, 4. “I’m more involved on the farm now, and I enjoy being here to help,” Emily said. “I’ve still got a

lot to learn, and when Mason starts to school I can help even more.” Both active in the Young Farmers Program since they were 18, Garrett is State Young Farmers chairman, former county chairman, a graduate of the Agricultural Leaders For Alabama class, a Montgomery County Farmers Federation board member and a former Federation State Beef Committee member. Emily enjoys volunteering for

church, school and community activities. Balancing family life and a busy farm can be challenging, Garrett said, but he’s committed to it. “A great thing about raising our children on the farm is they see what we do everyday, and we spend a lot of time together,” he said. “It’s important they understand what work is, but I want them to know family always comes first.”

The McGills By Mary Johnson

Madison County farmers Stewart and Kasey McGill and their daughters, Allie and Reece. JUNE / SUMMER 2015

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©iStock.com/tortoon

tewart and Kasey McGill of Madison County described a typical day on their farm as controlled chaos. While Stewart manages daily farm operations and the agritourism business at Tate Farms, owned by Kasey’s family, she works as a licensed crop insurance agent. The couple also started a row crop farm in 2011. “My mom inherited 11 acres from my grandfather,” said Stewart, who is also a licensed crop insurance agent. “The land was fallow for almost 20 years when we decided to plant our first soybean crop. It made 32 bushels an acre, and I thought we had hit a grand slam.” In five planting seasons, the McGills have grown their farm to almost 500 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat and, this year, were selected as a finalist for the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Outstanding Young Farm Family. “One day, we hope to be shareholders in Kasey’s family farm, but we’re not there yet,” Stewart said. “I want to do things the right way. Right now, I’m training myself with our farm so that one day I could move up, and we’ll also have our own land to bring to the table.” Balance is key for Stewart and Kasey, who are raising daughters Allie, 3, and Reece, 1, on the farm.

“Our kids love coming to work,” Kasey said. “They’re learning about harvest and where their food comes from. They understand we have to work to put clothes on their backs. We’re grateful they can grow up in this lifestyle.” Life gets particularly busy in October when Tate Farms opens its gates to school tours and families seeking the perfect pumpkin. “We don’t go to football games,” Stewart said. “We don’t do anything that month, other than work here at the farm.”

Along with Tate Farms Cotton Pickin’ Pumpkins, Stewart has grown the agritourism business to include 20-25 weddings a year and numerous corporate events with NASA, Boeing and Target Distribution, among others. On average, more than 80,000 people from across the country visit the farm annually. “We’re bringing Fortune 500 companies and billion-dollar companies to a farm in Meridianville, Alabama, to show them about agriculture — that’s amazing,” Stewart said. The driving force for the

McGills is to make sure they can pass on the farming way of life to the next generation, Stewart said. Growing up in the Alabama Farmers Federation, Kasey said she’s excited her family is now getting more involved in the organization. “Our oldest is extremely shy, but when we went to the Federation annual meeting last year, she ran around hugging people she didn’t even know,” Kasey said. “I think she can feel the difference in the people of the Federation — she can feel the pureness of the people.”

The Millers By A.J. Watson

he vantage point from the rich, loamy soil on Sand Mountain combined with the outspoken nature of Lance and Stephanie Miller breathes life into the phrase, “Go tell it on the mountain.” Miller Farms originated in 1851 in Blount County (as a reward for military service) and has since grown into a 1,100-acre row crop operation with four broiler poultry houses. This history, plus a love for agriculture, motivated the Millers to become agriculture advocates. “If we don’t speak up, somebody else is going to do the talking,” Lance said. “Not everybody shares the same perspective we do. We Do this every day for a living, and when something comes up that affects us and what we do for a living, I take that on a personal level.” The Millers’ passion helped earn them recognition this year as a finalist for the Alabama Farmers Federation Outstanding Young Farm Family. Lance farms with his uncle, Jimmy Miller. When Lance came back to the farm in 2006, they needed to grow larger to support two families. So in 2007, they built the chicken houses and, in 2009, began planting peanuts to complement their cotton acreage. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Blount County farmers Lance and Stephanie Miller and their son, Reed.

Stephanie, who thought she would never marry a farmer, contributes to the farm in the chicken houses and in the blogosphere. “I have a blog where I write about life on the farm,” she said. “Due to people discovering us online, we’ve had visitors from as far as Washington and Illinois. I try to explain what we do, why we do it and that we are a family farm.” The Millers both graduated from Jacksonville State University and have one son, Reed, 3. Stephanie is pregnant with a girl, due in August. The Millers are active in the Federation, with Lance serving on mul6

tiple county commodity committees and as the State Young Farmers vice chairman. Stephanie serves as a county poultry committee member and in multiple capacities on the county Women’s Leadership and Young Farmers committees. “What I like about being in the Federation are the connections you make,” Lance said. “You get to know one another, and you learn about who grows what and how they grow it. Not only am I getting my voice out to a larger audience with the Federation, but I’m also getting feedback from my friends in farming.” n JUNE / SUMMER 2015

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Ashley Owen — Harvest Georgia Peters — Clanton Eleanor Pitchford — Scottsboro Sarah Katherine Powell — Excel Madison Redmill — Jasper Timothy Dalton Robertson — Gadsden Lillie Sansing — Tuscaloosa Jayde Scott — Dothan Kristen Seales — Wilmer Kayla Sherbert — Sylacauga Zachary Slay — Five Points Samantha Sloan — Hayden Katelyn Smith — New Market Daniel Stephenson — Moulton Dylan Stephenson — Tuscaloosa Kelsey Stracner — Jasper John Studdard — Prattville Abigail Taylor — Albertville Allie Taylor — Winfield Joseph Taylor — Montgomery Rana Taylor — Wellington Morgan Tew — Eclectic Ian Thompson — Huntsville DeForest Tuggle — Alexander City Chandler Turner — Decatur Evan Venable — Wetumpka Amanda Viikinsalo — Trussville Caroline Ward — Montgomery Greyson Wilkins — Decatur Andrea Williamson — Hartselle Daphne Wilson — Clopton Caleb Zessin — Florala

JUNE / SUMMER 2015

Ken Buck

State Horticulture Committee

Mobile County The spring in his step and sparkle in his eyes conceal that Ken Buck turns 90 this month, and age hasn’t diminished his love for farming. “My goal in life and farming has been to leave things better than I found them,” said the Mobile County farmer who is a former Alabama and Southern Pecan Grower of the Year. Buck serves on the Alabama Farmers Federation State Horticulture Committee and Mobile County Horticulture Committee and is a former Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association board member. His home in Irvington is shaded by majestic live oak trees, and nearby is one of his famous pecan orchards. He’s also known for delicious peaches, sweet corn, satsumas and peas. After a career in commercial refrigeration, Buck began farming full time in 1972. He credits research, improved varieties and better marketing for success with pecans. He is an inaugural member of the Alabama Pecan Growers Hall of Fame.

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By Debra Davis

needed, Graham said. “We’re worried these ants could get into neighborhoods,” he said. “In addition to the cost of controlling them and the potential use of large amounts of pesticides, it could hurt the market for our horticulture industry. We want homeowners and horticulture producers to be aware the ants are here. There is some evidence infestations can spread by cars.” Talbert and her 90-year-old father, Paul Thompson, have a house and about six acres. It’s a wooded oasis nestled between an industrial area and the Theodore Ship Channel joining Mobile Bay. Scientists suspect the ants entered Alabama and other coastal With multiple queens in states on each colony, Tawny Crazy Ants can multiply quickly. ships.

“Right now, we believe Ms. Talbert’s place is the only location,” Graham said. “We’re doing everything we can to help control them with pesticides and cultural control methods.” Talbert has been clearing her property of tree limbs, leaves and other moist areas that attract the ants. But they keep coming. “I appreciate help from the Extension System, but so far nothing seems to really work,” she said. “At least we’ve managed to keep them out of the house. I’ve swept up buckets of dead ants around our doorway. It’s unbelievable.” Fudd said anyone suspecting an infestation of Tawny Crazy Ants should contact their local Extension agent. n

Mobile County homeowner compares her uninvited guests to a scene from a horror movie. “There are hundreds of them — probably millions — and they get everywhere,” said Grace Talbert of Theodore as she scooped up a handful of dead ants. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like an Alfred Hitchcock movie.” Local Extension System personnel, with the help of Auburn University’s L. C. ‘Fudd’ Graham, Ph.D. and Charles Ray, Ph.D., identified the prolific pests as Alabama’s first infestation of Tawny Crazy Ants. Already confirmed in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida, Tawny Crazy Ants are native to South America. They have no natural predators in North America, said Graham of AU’s Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. The ants reproduce rapidly with multiple queens in every colony and are named for their fast, erratic walk. Talbert can testify to their virility. “They don’t sting, but there are so many of them,” Talbert said. “They don’t go in a straight line like most ants I’ve seen.” Extension Horticulturist Jeremy Pickens said little is known about the ants, noting there are concerns about possible destruction of wildlife. They also cause electrical motors in homes, cars and other machines to short out. Pickens described Mobile County as the nursery capital of the Southeast. He said most growers already treat flowers, shrubs, trees and sod Grace Talbert, left, discusses the infestation of ants with Alabama Farmers Federation Horticulture and Greenhouse, Nursery and Sod Director Mac Higginbotham and for fire ants to prevent spreading. Extension Horticulturist Jeremy Pickens. The ants have turned her six-acre oasis It’s believed those same treatnear the Theodore Ship Channel into a scene from a horror movie. ments will control Tawny Crazy Ants, but more research is w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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Beefing Up On Bama’s Cattle Business By Debra Davis and Mary Johnson

here’s a lot of beef in Alabama; just ask the 40 participants on the annual Alabama Farmers Federation Beef Tour. Sandra James of Colbert County attended with her husband, Steve, and described the tour as a working retreat. “It’s like being in a classroom while you’re on vacation,” she said. “We’re workaholics, and it’s hard for us to actually take a holiday, so this is ideal for us.” Federation members visited 19 farms in 14 counties and covered nearly 900 miles on the bus tour May 4-8. Farms featured several breeds of cattle, purebred and commercial cow-calf herds, stocker cattle farms, heifer development operations and an order buyer business. Federation Beef Division Director Nate Jaeger said the decision for an in-state tour came at the suggestion of past attendees, after years of traveling outside Alabama. “We decided seeing what was in our own backyard would be worthwhile,” Jaeger said. “A tour

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The Alabama Farmers Federation annual Beef Tour took participants to 19 farms in 14 Alabama counties, including the Crenshaw and Coffee County farms of Max Bozeman, right.

of Alabama beef farms was rewarding because it proved you don’t have to be in ‘a cattle state’ to see high-quality cattle and progressive-minded farmers dedicated to advancing the beef business.” The Jameses’ first Federation Beef Tour was last year when a group visited Minnesota farms for a week. The retired couple is new to the cattle business and admittedly is still learning. “I thought the tour couldn’t get better than last year,” Steve James said. “But I’ve learned even more this week about grasses, forages, breeds of cattle and nutrition. I will probably get home Friday night and start implementing some of the things I’ve seen on Saturday.” John and Pauline Morris of Jefferson County are veteran Beef Tour participants and called the Alabama tour enlightening. “Living in Alabama, maybe we thought our cattle operations were not as good as other states,” John Morris said. “But it was an outstanding trip. We were surprised by the quality of the cattle and the 12

exceptional farmers we have here.” From silvopasture on a Winston County farm where cattle grazed under tall pine trees, to the heifer replacement program of a Conecuh County farmer who monitors and manages the tiniest details, John Morris said each stop was educational. “No matter how many times you go (on a farm tour), there’s always something useful to learn,” he said. “We’ve seen some things on this trip we’re definitely going to try.” Pauline Morris said besides opening her eyes to the wonderful cattle in Alabama, she learned a lot about the people here. “The hospitality of Alabama farm families beats any we’ve ever had,” she said. Located in every Alabama county, there are about 672,000 head of beef cattle in the state, ranking it 16th nationally. Beef cattle have an annual economic impact of almost $525 million in Alabama. n JUNE / SUMMER 2015

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Couple Shepherds Young Farmers In On-Farm Marketing By Mary Johnson

undreds of sheep grazing on gently rolling hills as maturing lambs play in the background may sound like a scene from Ireland or New Zealand. But this is the daily view for Franklin and Anne Randle of Lee County. A second-generation farmer, Franklin recently took on a larger role in his family’s farm, overseeing the sheep herd originally started by his father, Frank. The couple has succeeded in on-farm marketing of their animals and is working to help other young farmers. “To be successful at farming, you have to be passionate about it,” Franklin said. “Everybody has to eat, every day. That’s job security for all farmers.” Sheep are the cornerstone of

JUNE / SUMMER 2015

Franklin and Anne Randle of Lee County gladly share their experience in on-farm marketing with other young farmers.

Randle Farms with more than 500 head on the ground after lambing season. They sell individual cuts or whole animals. However, they’ve also raised other livestock and poultry. Before Thanksgiving 2014, the Randles sold pasture-raised turkey. Currently, Anne has a handful of dairy goats for herself, and in the past, they had pigs. They said their most effective marketing has been online, and they encourage farmers who are

just starting out to establish an internet presence with a website and social media. “We do videos on our Facebook page where we explain different practices,” Anne said. “That helps connect people to us and makes us more transparent. There’s a lot of questions about farming today, and people make a lot of assumptions. The best way to handle that is to actually answer their questions and be open and honest.” They said social media has also

Top Tips For On-Farm Marketing

• Get online with a website and social media. • Develop strong relationships with clients and other farmers. • Host farm tours for individuals and groups. • Diversify farm products and income opportunities. • Try something new. • Be patient and persevere. 15

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allowed them to educate customers. “A lot of people don’t realize a lamb is more than just lamb chops,” Franklin said. “Through social media, people can feel a connection with our farm without us having to open our gates all the time.” The Randles credit much of their success to the relationships Frank established when he started farming. They encourage first-generation farmers to build a network of reliable customers and seek wisdom and assistance from more seasoned farmers. “Farming is hard enough without having to buy a lifetime worth of equipment when you’re 20 years old,” Anne said. “We’ve formed friendships with new farmers so we can offer advice, or let them borrow a tractor. We can also help them

know what to do when an animal gets sick or a freeze is about to come.” One way the Randles built those friendships is by opening up their farm to tour groups and speaking at conferences for various agricultural groups. “We can all learn from each other; that’s the point of relationships,” Franklin said. “Whether it’s an all-organic farmer or someone who is completely conventional, you can learn something from both kinds of farmers.” While Franklin is a full-time farmer, he and his dad also build fences commercially, and Anne works as an Extension specialist for Tuskegee University. Franklin said having that reliable income helps

during tough times. “There’s a lot of glory involved with farming, but there can be a lot of heartache, too,” he said. “With other jobs, we know we have the money for groceries and electric bills, no matter the challenges we have on the farm.” The Randles are always trying something new. For the first time this year, they are selling wool yarn off the farm. They said having a diverse farming operation is important for new farmers because it also helps ensure a steady income. “We’re not just growing one crop or one kind of animal, and we’re not selling those things to just one buyer,” Anne said. “We have a lot of things going on, so if one falls through, we’re not high and dry. This way, you have your bases covered.” The greatest lesson the couple can impart to new farmers, though, is to be patient and persevere. “You’re only limited by your imagination as far as marketing something,” Franklin said. “If you hit a brick wall, don’t give up. Find a different direction and go that way.” For more information, find Randle Farms on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. n Franklin Randle’s latest venture is wool production. Customers can buy wool yarn off the farm.

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JUNE / SUMMER 2015

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Sausage Links Customers To Conecuh County

By Debra Davis

roma advertising drives customers hog wild for Conecuh Sausage, and locals almost squeal with delight when the savory scent helps travelers along I-65 identify the company’s home county. With the hickory smoke tempting taste buds and mouth-watering flavor from the late Henry Sessions’ original recipe drawing customers back for more, it’s easy to see why Conecuh Sausage Co. can hardly keep up with demand. “Without question, it’s the best sausage there is,” said Conecuh County Farmers Federation Vice President John Cook, adding that it’s brought a lot of recognition to the county. “A lot of people don’t know how to pronounce the name of our county, but maybe they’ve seen it on a package of Conecuh Sausage,” Cook said. “Once they find out where I’m from, they always say it’s the best sausage they’ve ever had.” Thanks to marketing agreements with retail chains like Piggly Wiggly, Walmart and Target, Conecuh Sausage is now available in 21 states, and every link is still Top, John Crum Sessions is proud when people associate his family’s famous sausage with their home county. Sessions owns and operates Conecuh Sausage Co. with son, John Henry, left. They produce 30,00040,000 pounds a day. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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Left, Sessions and wife Sheliah have a 250-cow commercial beef cattle farm near Evergreen and a 250-acre row crop farm in southern Illinois. Conecuh Sausage’s product line includes a variety of sausage products, smoked turkey, bacon, hams, holiday gift baskets and shaker seasonings, above.

made in Conecuh County, where the Sessions family started its business almost 70 years ago. “After my dad came home from World War II, he was a salesman at a meat packing plant in Montgomery,” said owner John Crum Sessions, 62. “He started Conecuh Quick Freeze in downtown Evergreen in 1947 as a custom slaughter facility. Local residents brought hogs and cattle to be butchered. He expanded the business by renting locker space to local families so they could store meats and vegetables. Back then, families didn’t have their own freezers.” It was Sessions’ high-quality smoked sausage, however, that put the company — and county — on the map. The family soon was butchering 250 hogs a week to satisfy cravings for its pork products. But as Alabama’s hog farms declined in the late 1960s, so did the local and regional supply of pork. The Sessions family had to seek another supply and now gets its pork shoulders and bacon trimmings from Iowa. The business, which has 100 JUNE / SUMMER 2015

employees, moved to its current location at Exit 96 in 1986, and a 42,000-square-foot expansion tripled the plant size in 2012. Today, the company produces 30,000-40,000 pounds of sausage a day at the facility, which was originally designed for manufacturing and shipping. But as the hickorysmoke aroma wafted across I-65, a main corridor to Alabama and northwest Florida beaches, motorists were drawn to the plant. They wanted to buy sausage, Sessions said. That led to construction of the company’s retail store and gift shop. “We sure never planned the gift shop, but we didn’t want to turn away customers,” he said. “But this sausage is so good, once you smell it and taste it, it sells itself.” The product line at Conecuh Sausage Co. has expanded along with its popularity. Hickory Smoked Sausage is the best seller, but other favorites include Original Conecuh Sausage, Original Hot and Spicy Sausage, Hot and Spicy Hickory Smoked Sausage, Cajun Smoked Sausage and the latest addition, All-Natural Hickory Smoked Sausage, which is gluten19

free and contains no nitrates or MSG. The company also offers smoked turkey, bacon, hams and holiday gift baskets. Shaker seasonings for steaks, hamburgers, pork, poultry and wild game round out the company’s product line. Sessions, who runs the business alongside son, John Henry, 37, said the company has adapted to meet the changing demands of customers and the food industry. “The one thing that hasn’t changed is our original recipe,” he said. “It’s the same one my daddy used when he started this business.” Back then, most customers bought sausage to eat with eggs, grits and biscuits. Today, however, Conecuh Sausage can be found on backyard grills and menus of fivestar restaurants. “For many years our typical customer mostly ate sausage for breakfast,” Sessions said. “Now I’d say most of our business comes from customers who like our sausage grilled and served as a main course or appetizer.” Sessions’s wife, Sheliah, said she’s prepared Conecuh Sausage in just about every way imaginable, but her husband’s favorite is Hickory Smoked with pork and beans. The Sessions, who have a 250cow beef cattle herd near Evergreen and a 250-acre row crop farm in southern Illinois, say they’re honored so many recognized their home county by their famous sausage. “It’s sort of nice when we travel and people ask us where we’re from,” Sessions said. “When we tell them we’re from Conecuh County, Alabama, they say ‘Oh! That’s where the sausage is made.’ That makes me sort of proud. I like the fact that it helps bring recognition to our county.” n ____________________________________ This month’s Country Kitchen features some of Sheliah Sessions’ favorite recipes (see page 36). Other recipes are available on the company’s website at ConecuhSausage.com. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

17 Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference th

July 23 25, 2015 Callaway Gardens

Pine Mountain, Georgia

Visit southernpeanutfarmers.org to register today! For hotel reservations, call 844-532-7325 or visit http://www.callawaygardens. com/ASPGC2015.

For more information on activities at Callaway and area towns, as well as sponsorship of the conference, visit www.southernpeanutfarmers.org Brought to you by the family farmers of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation

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Capital City Commodity Tours Feature Farming, History By A.J. Watson

Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture contests, as well as agricultural seminars on topics ranging from beef cattle breeding and wild hog management to pollinator health and the Endangered Species Act. Lunch options include the Young Farmer Contestant luncheon, Women’s Luncheon and an optional buffet for other participants. In the afternoon, a general session will include a presentation on a new invasive species, the tawny crazy ant, and a talk on weather and climatology by State Climatologist John Christy and WSFA-TV Chief Meteorologist Josh Johnson. A screening of the movie “Farmland” in the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre precedes the closing banquet, where the Young Farmers will announce the Outstanding Young Farm Family and Excellence in Agriculture winners, as well as the Discussion Meet final four. Entertainment will be provided by Nashville songwriters in a production called “The Heart Behind the Music.” For more information, visit AlfaFarmers.org. Registration deadline is June 22. n

articipants in the 43rd Commodity Producers Conference will experience the best Montgomery and the River Region have to offer July 30-Aug. 1, with tours, educational seminars, Young Farmers and Women’s Leadership Division competitions — even baseball. The conference kicks off Thursday afternoon with registration for the Tablescapes, Quilting and Table Runner contests, sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Women’s Leadership Division. Later that evening, about 800 Federation members will gather for a welcome banquet at the Montgomery Convention Center before getting a good night’s sleep in anticipation of Friday’s tours, which depart at 8 a.m. Following the tours, members are encouraged to stroll over to Riverwalk Stadium for an optional dinner buffet and baseball as the Montgomery Biscuits take on the Tennessee Smokies. Saturday’s activities include the Young Farmers

PURPLE TOUR The purple tour will start at the Alabama Department of Archives and History with a guided tour of its newest section, which features the history of Alabama agriculture. Attendees will then visit the Governor’s Mansion, where they will tour the ground floor, beautifully manicured grounds and Alabama-shaped swimming pool. The final stop is the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance home office for lunch. Along the route, participants will see and learn more about the First White House of the Confederacy, State House, State Capitol, Montgomery Biscuits Riverwalk Stadium, Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and Hank Williams Museum and grave site. BLUE TOUR The Blue Tour will highlight facilities and programs at Auburn University. Stops include the Lambert-Powell Meats Laboratory, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Horse Center and the Southern Raptor Center. The Meats Lab is a state-of-the-art teaching, research and Extension facility. During its 123-year history, the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine has produced more than 6,400 veterinarians and more than 500 specialists and researchers. About 50 quarter horses, thoroughbreds and warm bloods make their home at the Horse Center. The Raptor Center is home to birds of prey, including eagles that fly during pregame festivities at Jordan-Hare Stadium. GREEN TOUR The Green Tour begins with a visit to the Robert F. Henry Lock and Dam near Selma. A representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will discuss issues impacting the Alabama River. The next stop is the Alabama Super Tree Nursery in Selma. Known as ArborGen, it is a leading global provider of plantation tree seedling products. Lunch will be served at the Central Alabama Farmers Co-op in Selma. After lunch, the tour will visit Butch Wilson’s innovative catfish and tilapia farm. To round out the tour, participants will learn about the latest methods of trapping feral hogs as they visit sites monitored by the Alabama Department of Natural Resources. ORANGE TOUR The Orange Tour will begin at the E.V. Smith Research Center in Macon County, where participants will view research plots and hear from State Forrester Greg Pate about variable rate irrigation. Participants will view an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) demonstration and hear about Auburn University’s approval to operate a UAV flight school. After lunch, participants will visit George Washington Carver Museum and The Oaks — Home of Booker T. Washington — at Tuskegee University. The museum includes personal items, samples of peanut and sweet potato products and laboratory equipment. The Oaks was built in 1899 by students and faculty using bricks made by students. It contains original and period furniture. RED TOUR Participants will visit Jimmy Durbin of Sunshine Farms in Chilton County and see a top-notch produce packing facility. In addition to Durbin’s famous peaches, the farm raises strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers and purebred cattle. The tour will stop at the Chilton Research and Extension Center before traveling north to Petals from the Past in Jemison. The nursery specializes in antique roses, heirloom shrubs and hard-to-find perennials. A guided tour will feature specialty crops such as blackberries, blueberries, figs, pears, apples, satsumas and lemons. Participants will have free time to shop, and a catered lunch will be provided in the adjacent educational facility. YELLOW TOUR The first stop will be Bar El Farm in Montgomery, which includes a training facility for off-track thoroughbreds. At E.V. Smith Research and Experiment Station in Shorter, State Forrester Greg Pate will demonstrate the impact proper fertilization can make on pasture forages. After a steak sandwich lunch, the tour will travel to W.T. Dozier Farm in Tallassee. The diversified farm grows cotton, grain, hay and cattle. The Doziers will demonstrate how hybrid seedstock genetics are used to develop crossbred replacement females. The tour will conclude at the farm of Chris George, whose family operates a market in Eclectic that sells produce and farm-fresh sheep and goat meat direct to consumers. JUNE / SUMMER 2015

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Stronger Catfish Labeling Bill Passes Legislature By A.J. Watson

HB186, sponsored by McCampbell and Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, will help keep the U.S. farmraised catfish industry viable. “The catfish industry plays an important economic role in Alabama,” said Oates, Federation Catfish Division director. “Catfish raised in Alabama are among the healthiest and tastiest products on the market, and consumers will now have more information about food they might consume. It’s encouraging to see our elected officials acknowledge this importance, and we’re glad to see this legislation become a law.” A 2012 study by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Agribusiness Council reports the catfish industry employs 5,829 people and injects $158.2 million into the state’s economy. Alabama ranks second nationally in catfish farming behind Mississippi. Currently, only 1 percent of imported seafood is inspected by the Food and Drug Administration. n

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he Alabama Legislature recently passed a bill to strengthen country-of-origin labeling laws by requiring restaurants to properly label catfish and catfish-like species. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, said proper food labeling protects citizens and is important to consumer health and safety. Sage Spree, Alabama’s 2015 Catfish Farmer of the Year, said U.S. farmraised catfish is the healthiest option a consumer can find. “The foreign competition doesn’t have to meet the same standards we have to meet here,” he said. “They raise fish in some of the most polluted rivers in the world. I know where the water is coming from here. It’s good, clean water that produces good, clean fish. I have a wife and daughter, and I don’t want to raise anything that’s not safe for us to eat.” Rick Oates of the Alabama Farmers Federation said

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JUNE / SUMMER 2015

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Tractors Help Pull In New Audience For Agriculture By A.J. Watson

n a state where hunting, fishing and football are favorite pastimes, one northwest Alabama county is bucking the trend when it comes to fun while introducing a new generation to farm equipment. “It started off in the ‘70s when local farmers got together and had a tractor pull,” said Fayette County Federation President Joe Roberts. “Several farmers threw $100 in a hat to see who could pull a sled the farthest. Times got hard, so it kind of faded away in the mid-‘80s, but it’s making a comeback.” Today, Neal Hindman and Chad Gilreath, whose fathers pulled with Roberts in those early years, are reviving the sport, which attracts farmers and non-farmers alike. “There’s not a lot of motor sports for agriculture, but this is a motor sport,” Hindman said. “It started with farmers, but now you’ll have people who’ve never farmed, who never intend on farming, and now they’ve got two tractors sitting at home waiting to pull. Plus, it’s just good, clean fun” Hindman said pulling has become so popular, they started the Fayette County Tractor Pulling Association and host a competition

each year. The most rewarding part, he said, is exposing a new audience to agriculture — something he’s loved since childhood. “We grew up running tractors,” Hindman said. “All I wanted to do was sit on a tractor. Chad and I were always involved with FFA and 4-H, and if you could win the annual Fayette County Tractor

Driving Contest, you could write your ticket to national competition.” Unlike the FFA and 4-H contests, however, the object of tractor pulling is to drag a weighted sled as far as possible. “It’s not a race,” Gilreath said. “You’re not competing against someone next to you. You’ve got a weighted sled with a big skid panel on the ground. You hook a tractor to the front of it with a chain and drag it. The farther you pull it, the weight transfer comes up and puts more load on your tractor, and it gets harder to pull because you’re putting more weight on the ground.” Roberts, who chairs the Federation’s State Poultry Committee, said competing in a tractor pull is much different than operating machinery on the farm. “You have to get the tractor balanced,” Roberts said. “You can go to a track out of town, put the weights in the same place you usually put them, and it will stand straight up. You can come back here and put weights in the same place, and it will be just perfect. There are a lot more variables than what it looks like from in the stands.” Although tractor pulling is pri-

Joe Spanfellner, manager for Whitehead Farms in Fayette County, above and left, is one of the new generation of farmers embracing the sport of tractor pulling.

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JUNE / SUMMER 2015

Fayette County Farmers Federation President Joe Roberts was among the farmers who started the local tractor pull in the ‘70s.

marily a hobby, the Fayette County farmers say the sport teaches lessons they’ve been able to apply on their farms. “You learn what a tractor and an engine can stand, if you treat them right,” Roberts said. “We’ve learned a lot that’s benefitted us far beyond

JUNE / SUMMER 2015

tractor pulling.” Roberts said he’s happy to see the younger generation take the wheel because it gives the Federation another venue to talk to people about the importance of agriculture. In reminiscing about the early days of Fayette County’s tractor

pull, Roberts said former county Federation President J.C. Randolph would be proud. “Mr. Randolph would always say, ‘I don’t hunt and I don’t fish. This is my recreation,’” Roberts recalled. “I think that still applies today.” n

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Cows Help Students Make Rural Connection At DAIRY U By A.J. Watson

bout 140 students and adults learned lessons about milk rather than math during a course on cows May 2 at Auburn University (AU). The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, in partnership with the AU Animal Sciences Department, hosted the Dairy Awareness Introductory Resource for Youth, or DAIRY U for short. Now in its seventh year, the program included adult workshops for the first time this year. “So many people are removed from the farm today, but this gives them a perspective on how farming impacts them,” said Extension Specialist Boyd Brady, who organized the event. “Three years ago, we let Auburn students help, and my favorite thing is seeing the students come together and put on an outstanding program.” Noel Fannin, who attended the adult program, said she originally registered for the event because she was curious about starting a farm. “I have some property, and I’d like to explore the opportunity to farm,” the Dublin, Alabama resident said. “To see the process of how an animal goes from the field to your plate was something I really enjoyed learning more about.” Participants were broken up into two groups and visited a variety of educational stations during the workshop. Adults learned about common misconceptions of agriculture, types of milk, processing and cattle health. Children made quickJUNE / SUMMER 2015

Participants at DAIRY U visited a variety of hands-on learning stations including, clockwise from left, showing dairy calves, practicing injections on oranges, making ice cream and learning the anatomy of a dairy cow.

frozen ice cream drops , showed cattle, experienced a milking demonstration and learned about cattle feed, milk content and cattle anatomy. Reed Golden, 13, said attending DAIRY U gave him the confidence to work on a farm and hit the ground running. “I don’t live on a farm, but I feel like I got to know the basics of farming and could start from there,” he said. “I would definitely do this next year, and maybe I’ll learn something I didn’t learn this year.” Jenny Isham, a senior animal 29

science production management major from Bayou La Batre, served as a group leader last year and helped Brady coordinate the event this year. She said DAIRY U helps bridge the urban-rural gap. “Kids may not go into agriculture—they may be business owners, stay-at-home moms, garbage men or doctors,” she said. “We need all different types of professions to function as a society, but this event helps people understand what farmers do and how hard they work to produce food and fiber for a growing population.” n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Big Flavor. Bigger Savings. W

ith more than 200 recipes from some of the state’s best kitchens, the Farming Feeds Alabama cookbook is the perfect addition to your collection! And now, it’s even more affordable. Priced at the all-time low of $20* (including tax), this book contains beautiful photography, farm family profiles and more. Not only will you get a glimpse at where your food comes from, you’ll get to know who it comes from as well. No matter your culinary interest, there’s something for everyone in the Farming Feeds Alabama cookbook.

How To Buy: Order your cookbook today online at FarmingFeedsAlabama.com or by contacting Amanda Butts at (334) 612-5525 (abutts@alfafarmers.org). Make checks payable to the Alabama Farmers Federation.

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County Annual Meetings For July And August BALDWIN

Tuesday, August 4th @ 7 PM County Federation Office 21332 HWY 59, Robertsdale

LAWRENCE

Tuesday, August 4th @ 6 PM Farm Center Auditorium 13075 ALA-157, Moulton

CALHOUN

Thursday, August 13th @ 6:30 PM County Federation Office 1535 Pelham Rd. South, Jacksonville

LEE

Tuesday, July 28th @ 6:30 PM Lazenby Farms 11546 Lee Rd. 54, Auburn

CHEROKEE

Friday, August 7th @ 6:30 PM Dean Buttram Senior Center 229 Dean Buttram Ave., Centre

LIMESTONE

Thursday, August 6th @ 6:30 PM Limestone County Veteran’s Museum 100 West Pryor St., Athens

COFFEE

Monday, July 27th @ 6:30 PM Community Room 1055 East McKinnon St., New Brockton

MADISON

Monday, August 3rd @ 5:30 PM Burritt on the Mountain Auditorium 3101 Burritt Dr., Huntsville

COVINGTON

Thursday, August 6th @ 6:30 PM Oakwood Lodge 13725 Brooklyn Rd., Andalusia

MARSHALL

Tuesday, August 25th @ 7 PM County Federation Office 1333 Blount Ave., Guntersville

DEKALB

Thursday, August 6th @ 6:30 PM Alfa Insurance Office Building 346 McCurdy Ave. South, Rainsville

MOBILE

Thursday, July 23rd @ 7 PM Greater Gulf State Fair Grounds 1035 North Cody Rd., Mobile

ETOWAH

Monday, August 10th @ 6:30 PM County Federation Office 125 Broad St., Gadsden

MORGAN

Friday, August 7th @ 7 PM Sparkman Civic Center 406 Nance Ford Rd. SW, Hartselle

FRANKLIN

Monday, August 10th @ 6:30 PM Best Western Plus Russellville 13770 HWY 43, Russellville

PIKE

Tuesday, July 14th @ 7 PM Alfa Office 1208 South Brundidge St., Troy

HENRY

Tuesday, August 4th @ 7 PM Wiregrass Research & Experiment Center 167 East State HWY 134, Headland

SUMTER

Monday, July 20th @ 7 PM Alfa Office 106 Marshall St., Livingston

JACKSON

Tuesday, August 4th @ 6:30 PM County Federation Office 23625 John T. Reid Pkwy, Scottsboro

WASHINGTON

Monday, August 3rd @ 7 PM County Federation Office 54 Court St., Chatom

Roger Brumbeloe President Blount County Roger Brumbeloe’s resolve to have a farm is as strong as the steel industry he retired from three years ago. “We had small acreage growing up, so I didn’t have the opportunity to make a living on the farm,” he said. “As a young man, I moved to Blount County, and I used most of my weekends, holidays and vacation days to work on the farm.” Today, Brumbeloe has about 100 cows on 350 acres of pasture and 45 acres of hay in Cleveland. He and his wife, Jan, have five children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He said sharing farm life with them is among his greatest accomplishments. Brumbeloe is president of the Blount County Farmers Federation and previously served as treasurer and vice president. He is a member of the Blount County Cattlemen’s Association. The Brumbeloes are active members of Turning Point United Methodist Church in Locust Fork. JUNE / SUMMER 2015

i started off as a young person in

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By Lois Chaplin

labama is blessed to be one of the most biologically diverse states in the nation. One gem in the botanical treasure chest is the beautiful oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). The broad, spreading shrub is named for the oakleaf-like shape of its leaves and, in 1999, was designated Alabama’s official state wildflower. Thankfully this shrub, which is common in the Piedmont and parts of the Coastal Plain, has been propagated and cultivated so it can grace gardens, too. In fact, hydrangea is the single most visible shrub in wooded gardens near Birmingham this time of year. There is a reason for that. Birmingham is home of the Aldridge family, nurserymen who, in 1972, discovered a larger, fullerblossomed variety of oakleaf in the woods and called it Snowflake. It’s been a hit from Alabama to Canada and England ever since. Oakleaf hydrangea starts blooming in mid-May. Its flower panicles start out as light green spires, taking two or three weeks to fully expand to their creamy white glory. The great thing about the six- to 12-inch long panicles of blossoms is they don’t drop their petals and disappear as they age. Instead, they stay on the plant making pretty dried blossoms, taking on shades of bronze later in the season. In the sun, especially in hot, dry weather, the blossoms often turn a craft board brown, teaching gardeners to appreciate the nuances of nature. Around Birmingham, oakleaf hydrangea often grows wild from rocky outcroppings — a testament to their toughness and drought tolerance. Once established in gar-

GET

dens, count on hydrangea to thrive in spite of Alabama’s weather extremes. The leaves turn color in the fall, ranging from orange red to very deep burgundy, which seems to vary according to location, light, temperature and variety. In any case, they are always attractive. The leaves drop in November to reveal a flaky, cinnamon colored bark on multiple branches. In spring, the plant glows in light green new foliage that emerges in a very sculptural way from the tips of the branches. A stroll through Aldridge Gardens in Hoover will introduce gardeners to many types of hydrangeas in bloom. Now is a good time to shop, so gardeners can choose a favorite variety while the plants are in bloom. The size of the shrub varies, depending on variety, but the basic native typically gets 6 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. Alice is known for rich, red fall leaf color. Harmony has white flowers so big they weigh down the branches. Semmes Beauty is a super-sized oakleaf, growing 8 to 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide, with flowers a foot-and-a-half long.

GROWING.

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On the other hand, Sike’s Dwarf grows only 2 feet 6 inches tall and 4 feet wide. It’s easy to propagate oakleaf hydrangea by simply bending a branch to the ground and holding it down with a brick until it forms roots where the branch touches the ground. In the winter, cut the rooted branch away from the mother plant and dig the new plant to move. To increase the chances of transplant success, always dig in the winter when the plant is dormant. Local plant digs are another good way to get plants, especially to salvage those from the wild threatened by construction. Be aware hydrangea need to be moved to an area with similar conditions—shade to shade, for example. Make a place in the garden for oakleaf hydrangea, Alabama’s incredible native shrub. It has something to offer in all four seasons. n _________________________________ Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

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SLOW COOKER RED BEANS AND RICE WITH CAJUN CONECUH SAUSAGE Start-to-finish: 8 hours, 20 minutes (20 minutes active) Serves 6-8

By Jill Clair Gentry

onecuh Sausage is one of Alabama’s most well-known products and is a favorite for cooks throughout the state and beyond. In addition to being sold in stores all over the Southeast, Conecuh has made its way from Evergreen to the Midwest and New England. What makes the sausage so popular is simply the flavor and quality, said Sheliah Sessions, who helps husband John Crum Sessions run the family business. “It makes you feel great that you produce a product like that,” Sheliah said. “The taste is what makes it so special. John Crum’s father and grandfather came up with the recipe, and their hard work has made this so successful. You just have to work at it all the time.” The Sessions’ routine involves cooking and eating a lot of Cone-

cuh Sausage, and Sheliah said she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I love it,” she said. “We never get tired of eating it.” After 35 years of cooking with Conecuh, Sheliah has come up with hundreds of ways to use the versatile sausage. Naturally, when the family decided to include recipes on their website, Sheliah was tasked with writing down her favorites. Once she had compiled them, she hired a professional photographer to spend a day with her in the kitchen. “I got up at 4 a.m. and had to cook all the recipes, and the photographer took the pictures right there in my kitchen,” Sheliah said. “Then, we had a bunch of people over to eat all of that food.” To find a store near you that sells Conecuh, or to browse through more of Sheliah’s recipes, visit ConecuhSausage.com.

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3 cloves garlic, minced 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 cup onion, chopped 1 pound dried red kidney beans 6 cups water or chicken stock 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (on international foods aisle) 1 pound Cajun Conecuh Sausage, sliced 1 cup diced ham Leftover ham bone, optional 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Cajun or Creole seasoning, to taste Salt, to taste Garnishes: Tabasco sauce 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced 3 cups hot cooked rice

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 5 hours. After cooking, use a wooden spoon to smash some of the beans against the side of the slow cooker. Add several shakes of Tabasco sauce and cook on high for 15 more minutes. Garnish with green onions and serve over hot rice.

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CONECUH BURGERS Start-to-finish: 1 hour Serves 6-8

1 pound Conecuh sausage 1.5 pounds ground chuck Hamburger buns Desired toppings

Remove sausage from its casing by making a single cut along the length of the sausage and peeling away the casing. Combine sausage and ground chuck; mix well. Run meat mixture through a meat grinder or food processor until well combined. If this step is skipped, burgers will fall apart. Form meat into patties, and grill to desired doneness. Serve on warm buns with desired toppings. SOUTHERN FRIED RICE WITH CONECUH SAUSAGE Start-to-finish: 35 minutes Serves 2-4

3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons pepper jelly 1 small apple, thinly sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced ½ pound Conecuh sausage, sliced 1 egg, scrambled 2-3 cups cooked rice (can be cooked ahead of time and refrigerated) Soy sauce, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste

SWEET AND SOUR CONECUH SAUSAGE Courtesy of Sheliah Sessions Start-to-finish: 10 minutes Serves 6 1 tablespoon butter 1 green bell pepper, sliced 1 medium onion, sliced 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger, optional 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2 cup apricot preserves 1 pound Conecuh Sausage, sliced 1 cup pineapple chunks Hot cooked rice

In a large skillet, saute onion and green pepper in butter for 5 minutes. Add cornstarch, ginger, vinegar, soy sauce and apricot preserves and stir for 2 minutes. Add sausage and cook over low heat until sauce thickens. Add pineapple chunks and stir until hot. Serve over rice.

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and pepper jelly together. Add apple and onion; sauté until caramelization begins to occur, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, sauté Conecuh sausage until browned on all sides, and scramble an egg. Combine all ingredients in skillet and heat, stirring, until rice is warmed. Season with soy sauce, salt and pepper. CONECUH’S SAUSAGE DOG Courtesy of Sheliah Sessions Start-to-finish: 10 minutes Serves 6-8 1 pound Conecuh Sausage Barbecue sauce Hot dog buns Topping ideas: Mustard Chopped onions Relish Sauerkraut

Grill sausage on all sides. Dip in warm barbecue sauce and serve on warm buns. Add desired toppings. JUNE / SUMMER 2015

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