Neighbors Magazine / September 2010 Issue

A GIN-U-INE PRATT Crenshaw Returns Gin For Pratt’s 211th Birthday 38th Commodity Conference Discovers Columbus Again

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Neighbors A Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation

VOLUME 35, NUMBER 9

SEPTEMBER 2010

A Gin-U-Ine Pratt

Will Crenshaw of the Butler County Farmers Federation recently celebrated the 211th birthday of Alabama’s cotton gin king by donating his great grandfather’s Daniel Pratt gin to Prattaugan Museum in Prattville. • 16

Discovering Columbus The 38th Annual Commodity Producers Conference took to the road for Columbus, Ga., discovering new things and places to see. • 5

Smart Manager David Smart, director of Alfa’s in-house travel and meetings service, has been named one of the top 20 meeting managers

ON THE COVER

in America. • 10

Reason To Gin — Will Crenshaw of the Butler County Farmers Federation visits the old Daniel Pratt Gin Co., in Prattville. He recently donated his great grandfather’s old Pratt-built cotton gin to the Autauga County Heritage Association.

Photo by Darryal Ray

Redesign For AlfaFarmers.org

NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

DEPARTMENTS 4

President’s Message

The Alabama Farmers Federation unveiled a major

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Federation Digest

redesign of its Web site on Aug. 1, sporting a new

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Alabama Gardener

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Country Kitchen

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Classifieds

look and new features. • 20

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President’s Message A

s we prepare to transition from our state constitution to a conventhe sweltering days of summer tion that could take away the right to a hopefully milder fall, there to vote on tax increases. Likewise, are reassuring signs that our state we must not sacrifice our values by and nation are beginning to climb legalizing gambling, which preys back from the edge of economic on our poorest and most vulnerable depression. citizens. Gambling not only can People are earning and saving lead to corruption, but the more more money; businesses are slowly than $4 million spent in this year’s beginning to hire new employees; primaries also shows the influence and despite budgets cuts the past gambling interests can have on our two years, government agencies are elections. providing essential services.

Experts are predicting that next The fact that we have continued year’s state budgets will be lean to educate our children, because federal stimulus monhelp the needy, defend ey was depleted this year. As a our country and encourresult, elected officials will be age commerce during a looking to voters to help set deep recession is a testapriorities for spending. ment to the resilience of We are fortunate to have America. In other parts of dozens of candidates who the world, economic turhave risen to the challenges moil has led to chaos, but facing our state by running Jerry Newby thankfully, the United for public office. But they will States continues to enjoy the blessneed our prayers and support if they ings of prosperity. are to succeed.

That’s not to say we don’t still In honoring the fallen soldiers face major challenges. We do. But at Gettysburg, President Abraham when we compare Alabama’s situLincoln resolved “that this nation, ation to the financial struggles of under God, shall have a new birth Greece or even California, we realof freedom — and that government ize there is reason to be thankful. of the people, by the people, for the Complete recovery, however, people, shall not perish from the will require us to make some tough earth.” decisions. The economic collapse As we prepare for the upcomsuffered by other state and national ing election and legislative session, governments should be a reminder we can take heart in the fact that, to Alabamians that we must be despite the trials of the past decade, vigilant about controlling spending. the United States can have a new Now is not the time to raise birth of freedom. America is still taxes on Alabama families. Doing a strong nation, and our state is so would only serve to discourage blessed with every resource needed hiring and economic growth. The to prosper. It’s up to us to be good Legislative Council acknowledged stewards of those resources. this fact last month when it wisely Let us resolve to be not merely rejected a proposed rule change spectators in the political process, for the business privilege tax that but rather to ensure a “governcould have derailed economic ment of the people” by sharing our recovery by increasing the tax on thoughts with those who represent state businesses by millions of dolus. n lars.

We also should avoid opening up w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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VOLUME 35, NUMBER 9

_________________________________________ Darryal Ray, Editor Debra Davis, Associate Editor Mike Moody, Graphic Designer ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan, Executive Director Jeff Helms, Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS Jerry Newby, President, Athens Hal Lee, Vice President/North, Hartselle Dean Wysner, Vice President/Central, Woodland Ricky Wiggins, Vice President/Southeast, Andalusia Jake Harper, Vice President/Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn, Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Joe Dickerson, Lexington Steve Tate, Huntsville Donnie Garrett, Centre Darrel Haynes, Cullman John E. Walker III, Berry Marshall Prickett, Wellington Richard Edgar, Deatsville Pat Buck, Emelle Garry Henry, Hope Hull Carl Sanders, Brundidge David Bitto, Elberta Sammy Williams, Columbia Gloria Jeffcoat, Gordon Jeff Maze, Horton Neighbors (ISSN 0162-3974) is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116. For information about member benefits of the Alabama Farmers Federation, visit the Web site www.AlfaFarmers.org. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and additional mailing offices.

Printed in the U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Neighbors, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001.

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Paul Hurst, Hurst & Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 6011, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Phone: 800397-8908; Fax: (847) 438-8105. Classified ad and editorial inquiries should be directed to the editor at (334) 613-4410.

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

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

ADDRESS editorial, advertising and change of address correspondence to Neighbors, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 361910001. www.AlfaFarmers.org A member of American Farm Bureau Federation NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

Commodity Producers Conference Rediscovers Columbus

By Darryal Ray

A

uburn University’s new dean of its College of Agriculture stressed the role agriculture will play in the world’s future during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 38th annual Commodity Producers Conference in Columbus, Ga., Aug. 5-7.

Speaking to a crowd of more than 600 at the Columbus Convention Center at the conference’s opening night banquet, Dr. William Batchelor said agriculture’s role would continue to grow as the world searches for answers to feed, clothe and power a growing population amid dwindling resources.

“This is a real interesting situation and critical time in the life of the world,” said Batchelor, noting that the global population is projected to rise from 6 billion to 9 billion within the next four decades.

“That’s going to create all sorts of issues that your kids and my kids are going to have to deal with. The burden of solving these issues is going to fall squarely on the farmers’ shoulders and agricultural researchers’ shoulders around the world.”

Batchelor said the population centers of Southeast Asia and parts of Africa are starting to accumulate wealth. “So you start seeing people all over the world competing headto-head with us for energy, for gasoline — and you’ve seen that very directly in your farm operations in the price of diesel fuel — and they also want food,” said Batchelor.

“This is where your industry comes into play. The kind of issues, the grand challenges facing society for the next 30 or 40 years, is going to be food and fiber production. Farmers are going to be right slap in the middle.

“Fuel is a limited resource,” he added. “You can debate about how limited it is, but there is going to be a tremendous opportunity in the agricultural sector for renewable energy. … You’re going to become NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

Batchelor tells attendees that global solutions rest on farmers’ shoulders.

energy producers – that will become one of the crops that you’ll grow.”

The opening night banquet also featured remarks from Chip Blalock, director of the Swisher Sweets/ Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Ga., recognition of Ginger Mullins, Federation administrative assistant for agricultural programs, on her 23rd straight Commodity Producers Conference and entertainment by Barney Fife look-alike and comedian Rik Roberts.

Batchelor, who came to AU from Mississippi State and assumed the deanship along with the directorate of the Alabama Experiment Station in mid-July, told the attendees he was looking forward to a long working relationship with the Federation.

He got that opportunity again the very next day when he met one-on-one with many members on the conference’s Orange and Blue tours, which visited such sites in Auburn as the Agricultural Research Service’s National Soil Dynamics Laboratory, AU’s Teaching Garden, College of Veterinary Medicine and the Southeastern Raptor Center.

“This was one of our most successful conferences ever,” said Jimmy Carlisle, director of the Federa5

tion’s Department of Governmental and Agricultural Programs. “There was just so much for our members to see, do and learn. They got to meet the new dean twice, they got to see the AU eagles fly down for the first time in a public setting this season and visit the football team’s locker room. It was good, quality tours and seminars. We’re already excited about next year’s event in Huntsville.”

It was the Federation’s first conference in Columbus since 2005, and also included a tour to Callaway Gardens, a 13,000-acre resort in Pine Mountain, Ga., where members toured the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center and Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden.

“It was great to see how Callaway Gardens managed labor, energy and water costs relative to plant production,” said Mac Higginbotham, director of the Federation’s Horticulture and Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Divisions. “Its greenhouse facility faces many of the same challenges as our producers. It was an excellent opportunity to compare management practices.”

The Green Tour took in the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation Preserve, which includes 11,000 acres in a pristine forest setting with old house sites, hardwood creek bottoms and more. The tour also made a stop at the Callaway Steeplechase grounds.

The Yellow Tour ventured into Meriwether, Pike, Upson and Lamar counties as it visited Quercas Cattle Company (www.QuercasCattle. com) in Gay, Ga.; Kensington Cattle Company (http://lemmonangus. com/) in Molena, Ga.; and The Rock Ranch (www.therockranch. com), a large Brangus cattle operation that doubles as an agri-tourism destination. Owned by Chick-‘fil-A founder Truett Cathy, The Rock Ranch offers such fun-filled activities as pumpkin and corn cannons, pony, train, hay and balloon rides, w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

pedal carts, a family dodge ball arena, a play village for kids and underground slides. The ranch also features a new air-conditioned event center where it holds weddings and corporate events right next to Cathy’s personal collection of tractors, vehicles, carriages and even a tank.

Saturday morning featured several seminars, including a look at Alabama’s Farm Land Preservation program by Steve Musser of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Angela Hurst of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Hurst told farmers how they could enroll qualifying land to ensure that it remains in farmland for generations to come. Hurst explained the advantages and disadvantages of the program as well as guidelines for enrolling the property — 90 percent open land that contains “state-important” soil types.

“To date, we’ve purchased 19 easements, protecting around 3,200 acres of farmland from commercial development,” said Hurst. “We’ve already selected easements for 2009 and 2010. We are going to make our 2011 selections at the beginning of the year. And right now, we have $230,000 that’s available for purchasing qualifying easements.”

Dr. Kay Smith Johnson of the Animal Agriculture Alliance told attendees that farmers must “speak out” by whatever means available to counter attacks from animal rights activists whose goal is to ban animal agriculture entirely.

Dr. Anne Mims Adrian, an Extension specialist in computer technology, led a seminar on social media’s potential for agriculture.

“We now have the ability to talk more freely and with more people than ever before,” said Adrian. “One of the reasons for this is the Internet; another is all these hand-held devices.”

Adrian said research shows that farmers utilize the Internet in much

Tour buses move past the purebred Angus bulls at Kensington Cattle Co.

the same way as the general population: 47 percent spend at least five hours per week online; 62 percent have sent or received text messages during the last year; and 85 percent indicated they have visited Web sites.

In addition, producers earned credit for attending workshops on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and were given advice on combating feral hogs and controlling weeds in pastures and hayfields.

Bob Redding of the Redding Firm updated members on current national legislative issues, and John Pudner, director of the Federa-

tion’s External Affairs Department, gave members a look at upcoming November general elections.

A Saturday afternoon session on “Rules of the Road” featured speakers from the Alabama Department of Transportation, the Alabama Department of Revenue and the Alabama Department of Public Safety, and gave attendees an overview of regulations regarding license plates; vehicle weights and lengths; and roads and bridges.

“The question-and-answer session that followed the speakers’ presentations was very valuable,” said Buddy Adamson, director of the Federation’s Wheat & Feed Grains, Cotton and Honey & Bee Divisions.

Prior to Saturday night’s closing banquet, a reception for Federationendorsed candidates drew state legislators Richard Laird of Randolph County, DuWayne Bridges of Chambers County, Billy Beasley of Barbour County and Pebblin Warren of Macon County. Also attending were State Auditor Sam Shaw and husband Supreme Court Justice Greg Shaw, Treasurer Kay Ivey (a candidate for lieutenant governor), state treasurer candidate Young Boozer, agriculture commissioner candidate John McMillan, Judge Tommy Bryan of the Court of Civil Appeals and state board of education candidate Betty Peters. n

Truett Cathy’s Rock Ranch hosted a large group of Federation members. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

First-place winners in the 2010 Women’s Leadership Division contests were, from left, Deloris Mount of Crenshaw County, hand-stitched quilts; Gayle Smith of Limestone County, machine-stitched quilts; Lydia Haynes of Cullman County, handbags; and June Flowers of Pike County, tablescapes. The contests were held at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 38th Annual Commodity Producers Conference Aug. 5-7 in Columbus, Ga.

By Debra Davis

T

housands of tiny stitches adorned the beautiful handmade quilt that won Deloris Mount her fourth statewide award at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 38th Annual Commodity Producers Conference Aug. 5-7 in Columbus, Ga. Mount, a member of the Crenshaw County Farmers Federation’s Women’s Leadership Committee, won the State Hand-Stitched Quilting Contest in 2004, 2006, 2008 and again this year. Contest rules prohibit winners from the previous year from entering the contest, so after each victory, Mount sits out a year, which gives her more time to plan her next creation. This year’s winning entry featured baskets adorned with flowers and birds, each stitched by hand.

Gayle Smith of Limestone County won second place with a handstitched quilt she called “garden

NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

sampler,” and Margaret Caldwell of Talladega County won third with a log cabin design.

“This year’s tablescapes, quilting and handbag contests provided a spectacular display of Alabama commodities,” said Federation Women’s Leadership Division Director Kim Earwood. “We were thrilled with the amount of interest from spectators as well as our contestants and are looking forward to next year’s events.”

Gayle Smith also won first place in the machine-stitched quilt contest with the entry she called “Garden Gatherings.” Second place went to Annie Lois Bridges of Houston County with her “Garden Window” entry, and Jennifer Oden of Etowah County won third with her “Batiks Squared” quilt.

Lydia Haynes of Cullman County won first place in the handbag competition with a red bag covered with leather silhouettes of farm scenes. Second place in that 7

contest went to Catherine Wood of Autauga County, and Jackie Long of Lee County took third.

The conference contest included the second-ever tablescapes contest, which featured commodities produced in Alabama. This year’s winner was June Flowers of Pike County, whose entry focused on forestry with its woodsy design. Catherine White of Talladega County won second place with her entry that featured the state’s greenhouse industry, and third went to Harriet Jones of Chambers County, whose table was adorned with ceramic chicken and eggs in honor of the state’s largest agricultural industry – poultry.

Winners in each division received cash awards of $150 for first place, $100 for second place and $75 for third place. For more information about the Federation’s Women’s Leadership Division, visit alfafarmers.org/gallery. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Federation Digest Obituaries Darrell Gene “Shug” McHugh, a member of the Cherokee County Farmers Federation Board of Directors for 46 years, died July 17. He was 79.

McHugh, a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, was a cattle farmer and for several years was a salesman for Garrett Tractor Co. He loved gardening and working on his farm. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife, Faye Jean Bankson McHugh; a daughter, Nina (Gene) Walker of Centre; a grandson, Cameron Graham of Centre; a brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Faye McHugh of Centre; a sister and brother-in-law, Willadean and Ferrell Langston of Centre; and several nieces and nephews.

William “Will” Battle Peebles Jr., a member of the Pickens County Farmers Federation Board of Directors, died May 28. He was 86.

In addition to farming and raising cattle, he was a member of the Aliceville First United Methodist Church where he served in several leadership positions. He was a past president of the Pickens County Cattlemen’s Association and a member of civic and cultural organizations. He served on the board of directors for Pickens Academy, Pickens County Hospital and First South PCA. He was chairman of the board of Tri-County Cooperative and was Aliceville’s Citizen of the Year in 1977.

Survivors include his wife, Sara Ann Wood Peebles of Aliceville; daughters, Jerri Ann (Michael) McCreless of Tuscaloosa, Sarah w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Auburn Research Visit The Alabama Farmers Federation commodity staff and Executive Director Paul Pinyan recently visited Auburn University to learn more about ongoing research efforts at the university and tour the Center for Bio Energy and Bio Products. Other topics discussed during the visit included food safety and water resources. From left are Director of the AU Center for Bio Energy and Bio Products Dr. Steve Taylor; Pinyan; Dairy, Poultry and Pork Divisions Director Guy Hall; Executive Director of the Office of the AU Vice President for Research-Program Development Larry Fillmer; Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod and Horticulture Divisions Director Mac Higginbotham; Forestry, Wildlife and Soybean Divisions Director Steve Guy; Catfish and Meat Goat & Sheep Divisions Director Mitt Walker; Development Officer of the Natural Resources Management & Development Institute Dr. Beth Lawrence; and Beef, Equine and Hay & Forage Divisions Director Nate Jaeger.

(Ricky) Johnson, Celeste (Kenny) Hankins and Virginia (Mike) Latham, all of Aliceville; nine grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

James Hugh Bagents, who served on the Crenshaw County Farmers Federation Board for more than 40 years, died July 29. He was 83.

Bagents also served the Crenshaw County Farmers Federation as president for six years and was on the board of the Alabama Peanut 8

Producers Association for a number of years.

He is survived by brothers William E. “Ed”(Sue) Bagents and Joe C. (Cheryl) Bagents; three nieces and seven nephews; and a host of great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Rutledge United Methodist Church or to one’s favorite charity. n

NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

Destinations’ Smart Named Among Top 20 Meeting Managers In U.S.

By Debra Davis

achieving the company’s overall goals.”

Herman Watts, Alfa executive vice president of marketing, has worked with Smart for more than 30 years planning events for the insurance company. Watts said he wasn’t surprised that Smart was recognized as a top professional in the industry.

Smart and the three staff members who work for Destinations are responsible for meetings and events avid Smart, director of Alfa’s at local, state, national and internain-house travel and meetings tional venues. Those events could service, Destinations, has been be for as few as a dozen people up named one of the top 20 meeting to hundreds of attendees and their managers in America by Corporate families. “I am very thankful to Meetings and Incentives magazine. have a capable, competent and The elite “20 Changemakers” dedicated staff to implement these was created a few years ago to recevents regarding our specific ognize individuals who gained responsibilities. visibility among their peers by “But there’s a lot more to initiating strategic meetings what we do than just planning and management programs. an event,” Smart said. “We colThey are called “Changemaklect, maintain and manage all ers” for their ability to create the meeting data that provides positive change — both in their for effective management of careers and in their industries, the event. By researching locaaccording to the magazine. tions, facilities and amenities “It’s wonderful that David that are available, we can crehas been recognized for the ate a competitive environment terrific job he does for Alfa and that allows us to receive the the Alabama Farmers Federabest price.” tion,” said Alfa President Jerry Smart said the meeting Newby. “We’ve known for management role has evolved years that David was among from tactical and logistical to the very best in the business, a multifaceted management and this recognition shares position, requiring strategic what we know with the rest planning, benchmarking, finanof the country and with his cial and risk management, peers.” procurement, contracting and The Changemakers’ list being an event solutions proincludes conference organizvider. ers and meeting planners from Smart, 62, began his career some of the most prestigious at Alfa in 1976. He said he companies in the United enjoys every aspect of his job, States, including Microsoft, comparing it to putting togethMcDonald’s, John Hancock er the pieces of a puzzle. He Financial, Eli Lilly & Co., said he doesn’t try to book the Underwriters Laboratories, cheapest meetings, but looks Nestlé’s Business Services and at the total quality to meet Raytheon. Smart was the only Smart named among top meeting managers in U.S. objectives for every event.

Alabamian to make the list.

“No one at Alfa is better at what Smart and his wife, Anna, live “It has been a very humbling they do than David is,” Watts said. in Montgomery and have two experience to receive this recogni“Having worked closely with David grown sons. He said his 34 years tion and to know that my peers in for over 30 years, he continues to at Alfa have gone by fast, a fact he the industry nominated and selectamaze me with his organizational attributes to the nature of his job. ed Destinations for this award,” “Right now, we’re working on skills and his ability to plan and Smart said. “It’s a credit to Alfa, meetings that are just a few weeks deliver a first-class product that really, to receive this recognition. away, but we started on them a year meshes superbly with our corpoIt’s great to work for a company or several years ago,” he said. “We’re rate objective. The industry is now that allows us to produce events also booking events for 2012, 2013 recognizing him for what all of us that are done professionally. These at Alfa have known for years... he is and beyond. When you think that events, whether they are meetfar ahead, time flies by.” n the best! “ ings or conferences, contribute to

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NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

Partnership with TiiPS, LLC Offers Members Luxury of Two New Benefits

By Melissa Martin

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lifetime of memories can go up in smoke if a fire or some similar catastrophe were to strike your home, but a new Alabama Farmers Federation membership benefit can help keep those memories and family treasures safe for generations to come.

Through a partnership with Total Image & Inventory Preservation Solutions LLC, Federation members can have peace of mind in knowing that everything from old photos and home videos to family heirlooms and important documents will always be safe from fires, storms or whatever calamity may arise.

It’s a dual benefit, one that allows members to store, print, share and replace old paper photos, slides, films and videos within minutes through a service called The Image Safe. Plus, members will receive access to The Inventory Safe, another program that helps preserve, protect, inventory and appraise personal tangible property.

The Image Safe preservation services will be offered on a regularly scheduled basis throughout the year at several county Federation offices.

Members will receive notices in the mail before each program with locations and dates for the service and information about how to prepare items for preservation.

On-site complimentary storage boxes will also be available.

To help initiate users into the program, the first 100 scans of

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paper photos, negatives or slides are free, with special introductory pricing for film and videos.

As part of the benefits package, each member will receive The Image Safe program free; a personal, secured Web site; low-cost scanning prices after the free trial expires; a 25 percent discount for all TiiPS services; and access to unlimited storage on the site for as long as they retain Federation membership.

As a bonus for Alfa customers, all files on TiiPS.com will be reprinted at no cost with a valid Alfa homeowners insurance claim. Access to personal TiiPS.com sites can be shared at the member’s discretion.

Once photos are scanned and converted to digital files, TiiPS will automatically restore the original contrast and color at no additional cost. Additional restoration and reconstruction services for damaged photos will be available at special rates.

TiiPS.com members, including those who have access to personal sites, will be able to add captions under each photo, creating a virtual scrapbook for all viewers. Files can also be converted into a wide range of low-priced books and other gift items through the Image Safe Affiliates Program.

“Members can bring their photos to a nearby county Federation office to be scanned,” explained Henry Mummaw, TiiPS’ co-founder 12

and president. “Members will receive DVDs, digitally preserving all of their memories, and all of their scans will be uploaded to their password-protected Web site for safekeeping, free of charge.”

The Inventory Safe program’s detailed inventory of property can prove invaluable whenever a homeowner experiences a loss. Inventory Safe members have access to software developed exclusively for TiiPS by Asset Verification, Inc. (AVI), the nation’s leading inventory and valuation firm. A complimentary DVD of The Inventory Safe software will be provided for each member participating in The Image Safe program. The Inventory Safe program records property description information; simplifies estate planning, asset management and insurance decisions; and often increases claim payments in the event of a loss.

Even if a member’s own computer crashes, taking all the inventory information with it, Mummaw says their information remains secure. “A secure portion of the TiiPS.com Web site will still have the inventory and values of tangible personal and real property,” said Mummaw.

In addition to the home inventory software, The Inventory Safe provides affordable valuation tools that allow members to know the current replacement value of their homes (Schedule A on your policy); the aggregate value of the personal property contents inventoried (Schedule C on your policy); and certified appraisals of individual high-value items better covered by special endorsement policies. n

____________________________________ For more information, contact TiiPS toll free at 1-888-350-1876, or visit TiiPS.com.

NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

By Debra Davis

and pricing our product together, all farmers benefit.

This organization also allows us to provide services to our members that otherwise wouldn’t be available.

That includes things like risk management, health insurance programs, financial services, energy audits and advice on grazing management.”

Childers was only 17 when he began working at the dairy owned by his future father-in-law, Ganes Burden. When he married his wife, Judy, in 1964, they started their own small dairy two years later.

Eventually, the dairy farms merged to become BurdenChilders Farms, Inc. in the early 1980s.

Childers said it’s always been a vision of his to serve in a leadership role representing dairy farmers.

“It’s very humbling that other farmers have entrusted me with this responsibility,” he said. “But none of this would be possible without the great support I have here at home. I am away from the farm quite a bit serving in these various roles, so I depend greatly on my family to keep things running smoothly.”

Childers said he relies heavily on his two sons, Jim, 43, and John 32,who work and manage the farm along with his still-active 85-year-old father-in-law. His daughter, Julie, is a high school teacher at A.P. Brewer High School in Morgan County.

When not away on DFA business, Childers’ farm duties include formulation of feed rations and procurement of different feed ingredients. Other duties include bookkeeping, running errands and keeping a service man on call.

Alabama Farmers Federation Dairy Division Director Guy Hall said Alabama farmers, and particularly dairymen, are fortunate to have a man like Childers representing them. ”We appreciate his leadership in the Federation

M

ickey Childers of Somerville could be described as a milkman with a mission. His assignment is making sure he and the other 2,100 dairy farm families he represents receive the best price for the 4.3 billion pounds of milk they produce annually.

Childers’ determination to fulfill that mission, combined with his experience and leadership skills, is responsible for his recent election as chairman of Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.’s (DFA) Southeast Area Council. DFA is a farmer-owned milk-marketing cooperative that focuses on securing markets and bringing value to its members beyond a milk check.

Childers, who milks 700 Holstein cows in partnership with his two sons and father-in-law on a fourthgeneration dairy farm in Morgan County, has held numerous leadership positions within the Alabama Farmers Federation, including a former term as chairman of the Federation’s State Dairy Committee. He is vice chairman of the DFA’s Board of Directors, which oversees the organization’s seven regional areas, and serves as chairman of the organization’s audit committee. He also serves as president of the American Dairy Association of Alabama and vice president of the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association Board of Directors.

“It is a privilege and honor to represent my fellow dairy farmers as a member of the Southeast Area Council,” said Childers. “I feel that by working together w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

as well as DFA,” Hall said. “He’s a great asset to the dairy industry in our state and across the nation.”

Childers is a stickler for detail, a trait that serves him well on the farm and in his leadership roles. He’s particularly mindful of the natural resources on his farm and takes pride in his efforts to protect them.

A creek that winds through portions of his farm is filled with cool, clear water. Tiny fish dart about as he walks on rocks to cross the streambed.

“That’s a good indication we’re in good shape,” he said pointing to the fish. “We work hard to make sure we take care of the land, air and water.”

Childers said he is proud that although the number of dairy farms has declined sharply in the last decade, and consolidation has substantially increased the average farm size, farmers have continued to provide a steady, safe and affordable supply of milk and dairy products.

“The biggest difference I’ve seen in the industry is the speed at which things happen and the volatility of our farm-gate prices,” Childers said. “A major change is the shift of production from the traditional dairyproducing areas east of the Mississippi to areas in the Southwest and West in California. It’s remarkable how improved genetics, better management and better feeding practices have increased more efficient production per cow.” n Childers takes great pride in his conservation efforts.

NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

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By Darryal Ray

McChesney-Hughes, executive director of the Prattaugan Museum. “We had worked so hard on getting one of these for so long that it was just t was Daniel Pratt’s birthday, but Will Crenshaw overwhelming to actually see it.” brought his gift early. That’s always a good idea Even Crenshaw, a member of when the “birthday boy” is the Butler County Farmers Fed211 years old. eration, had to choke back tears So, when they cut the birthas he officially presented the gin day cake for the ol’ cotton gin his great grandfather had used king on July 20 at the Prattaugan on the family’s farm only one Museum on Main Street in Pratseason oh so many years ago. tville, a good portion of the town “I’m glad my grandfather had named for him turned out to see enough foresight to preserve a just what it was that Crenshaw piece of history that probably had brought to the party. would have been lost,” CrenWhat it was, of shaw told the large gathering course, was a gin-uthat included Pratt descenine cotton gin built dants, the mayor and other right there at the dignitaries. “I’m not saying Daniel Pratt Gin it’s the only one because, Co., on the banks you never know, there could of Autauga Creek be another one. … I’m glad more than a century to see it’s made a final ago. What’s more, it circle. The gin started off was one of those rare here and now it’s made it gems manufactured back.” before Pratt sold the Daniel Pratt, who lived company to Contifrom July 20,1799, to nental Eagle, which May 13, 1873, was a New still makes gins at the Hampshire native who same location today. started the gin company in It was the kind of 1832. Despite a few name gift that can make a Attending the celebration at the Prattaugan Museum were, changes, the company was grown-up cry, espefrom left, Prattville Mayor Jim Byard, Will Crenshaw V, son still operating under the cially members of the Will VI, daughter Mary, wife Melissa and Ann Boutwell, a Pratt name when it was Autauga County Heriboard member of the Autauga County Heritage Association. sold to Continental Gin in tage Association who 1899. had searched high and But for Crenshaw, the gin was more than a trealow for just such a gin for more years than they can sured Pratt relic — it was an emotional bond with his remember. late grandfather, Frederick William Crenshaw III, who “When I first saw it, I actually cried,” said Robin

I

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NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

often told his young grandson tales about comes out. Back then, it was hand labor putting it in the dusty old piece of equipment that and hand labor putting it through the press; today, it’s had been stored, first in the old gin house moved by air. Mr. Fermon told me that today they’re before it was torn down, and later, under doing about 30 bales an hour, a bale every two minold tarpaulins in a barn for more than 50 utes.” years.

When Will looks back, however, it’s not so much “Why he thought to save something like about technology as it is genealogy and his grandfathat and preserve it and pass it on through ther. the family … it was kind of emotional for “My grandfather told me there were two mules me,” said Will, who is the fifth Frederick that turned and walked around under the gin house,” William in the Crenshaw family. “I had a Will recalled. “That’s pretty much where they got high respect for my grandfather. To me, he the power from. It would gin, I think he said, anywas the last Southern gentleman.” where from six to eight bales of cotton a day. They As Will remembers the story, his great were feeding it in by hand, and taking it out and over grandfather bought the gin directly from the to the press where there was a wooden screw in that Pratt Gin Co., in the late 1890s on a trip to press, and he said that if you got three days out of that Prattville. “My grandfather wooden screw, you were doing good because it would was only eight or nine years strip out. They had a man old then,” he said. “His daddy on the place and during ginhad a baby sister living in Prattville, ning season, that’s all he did and they took the train to Prat– make the wooden screw. ... tville and spent the night with her.

I’m just glad Granddad had Then, the next day, they bought the foresight to save it and the gin and shipped it back on the not throw it to the winds of train to Greenville. From there, time.” it was hauled to the gin house by When Crenshaw learned wagon.” about Autauga County It is not known Heritage Association Board exactly when Member Ann Boutwell’s long Crenshaw’s 45-saw search for an old Pratt gin durgin was built, but ing a TREASURE Forest dinit clearly bears a ner a few years ago, it brought back July 15, 1873 patmemories of his great grandfather’s ent, “DP” stamped old gin. “I told her, ‘Ms. Ann, I can’t on the grease trap say for certain that it’s a Pratt, but it’s doors and old gin a Pratt or a Continental,’” said Will. records appear to After a visit to the Crenshaws’ indicate November barn, checking the markings and 1898 as its date of doing research, Boutwell called back manufacture. later with the verdict: “It’s a Pratt!”

But it ginned And she wanted it. cotton for only one “She said that a Daniel Pratt gin Crenshaw says his great grandfather’s cotton gin has season because the would really be icing on the cake if come ‘full circle’ and is home again in Prattville. technology changed they could find one for the museum,” so quickly that it was no longer practical. “They went Will said. “I told her I don’t know how in the heck from mules and horse-drawn to steam,” explained you can put a price on something that’s probably ‘one Will. “What this gin could do in a day the new of,’ but I tell you what, to simplify everything, why steam-generated plants could do in an hour. It’s just don’t I just donate it to the museum? She said, ‘Are like today – technology is still the same but they’re you sure you want to do that?’ I said, ‘Yeah, because improving it throughout the years.” it’s a piece of Alabama history and I think my grandfaRoger Fermon, president and CEO of Continental ther would approve. It needs to be enjoyed by everyEagle, Inc., confirmed that statement later as he and body and not just one person to own.’” n _______________________________________________________ Crenshaw looked over the old gin. “He told me that For more information or to schedule a group tour to the the technology of the gin then and what works in a Prattaugan Museum, visit Autauga County Heritage gin today is still pretty much the same,” Crenshaw Association at (334) 361-0961 or (334) 365-3512 or said. “The only difference between that gin and a autaugaheritage@gmail.com. gin today is how the cotton goes into it and how it NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

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Federation Adds RainWave As Membership Benefit

By Debra Davis

F

ew things impact the livelihood of farmers more than the weather, particularly rain. Too much or too little rain can mean the difference in making or losing a crop, or having food for livestock.

Using the latest computerized technology from RainWave Precipitation Monitoring System, along with a discount for Alabama Farmers Federation members, farmers now have a better way to measure rain.

RainWave is especially suited for farmers like Tommy Thompson of Covington County. The computerized rain collection data lets him know with great accuracy how much rain fell in a particular field.

He receives an email report from MyRainReport.com each day following a rain event.

“We live in Gantt, but I farm all over Covington County,” said Thompson, who has 1,800 acres of peanuts and cotton, several poultry houses and 250 brood cows. “The weather dictates how I plan my entire day. This monitoring system sends me a report each day by email and tells me exactly how much rain has fallen in a particular field in the last 24 hours. Otherwise, I might

have to drive as far as 25 miles just to see if we got a rain on that field.”

Thompson was among several farm leaders in the Federation who participated in a pilot program for RainWave. In addition to receiving daily emails, Thompson also MyRainReport.com Curt Cope Jr. at curtjr@myrainreport.com Palmer Pope at palmer@myrainreport.com

Call toll-free 877-334-8520

continued to monitor rainfall using traditional rain gauges in his fields.

“I can tell you it was very accurate,” Thompson said of the computerized readings he received for about a year. “It is amazing how accurate it was. I know sometimes you’ll see on television that it’s raining in a certain location, but when you get there it hasn’t rained a drop. With this system, if it says it rained in a particular spot, you can count on it — it rained there.”

The RainWave system is a valuable tool for farmers who irrigate, too. It can help them fine tune plans for potential water and energy savings.

The accuracy of a traditional rain gauge can be affected by a number of things: forgetting to check or empty the gauge daily,

obstructions and physical damage by the elements. In addition to eliminating those factors, the RainWave system also archives collected data for clients.

Federation Organization Department Director Mike Tidwell said RainWave is very beneficial to farmers but benefits others as well.

“If people just have a garden, collecting rainfall data is very useful,” Tidwell said. “If they’re members of the Federation, this discount could prove to be very valuable.”

RainWave uses leverage Doppler-based feeds with its proprietary software to collect the data.

Customers need only sign up for the program, pay the monthly fee, give the company the latitude and longitude of the location to be monitored (which can be found on the MyRainReport.com Web site) and provide the email addresses the reports are to be sent to.

“MyRainReport.com is proud to be a part of the Federation’s Affiliate Partnership Program,” said Curt Cope, CEO of MyRainReport.com.

“We have a great respect for the Federation and its commitment to Alabama farmers. By partaking in the Affiliate Program, our goal is to offer landowners an affordable tool that will enable them to access rainfall data on their property without the effort that has been necessary up to this point. We provide reliable information, and we do it in a way that simplifies a necessary but often mundane daily task for the farmer, making property management much more efficient and precise.”

Alabama Farmers Federation members receive a 10 percent discount on monitoring services, and the one-time set-up fee normally charged to RainWave clients is free to Federation members.

RainWave clients have a variArea Organization Director Boyd Deal, left, checks out a rain gauge with Tommy Thompson.

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TIMBER STUMPAGE PRICES

Statewide Average S e co n d Q u a r t e r 2010 Pine Sawtimber

After Thompson’s test run, he reported RainWave ‘was very accurate.’

ety of plans to choose from. The company offers customers a daily report, a monthly report, a daily and monthly report and a threshold alert. Prices range from $9 to $13.50 per month, depending on which plan is selected (this price includes the membership discount).

Federation members can purchase the RainWave service by

NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

visiting MyRainReport.com. For more information, email customerservice@myrainreport.com, sales@ myrainreport.com or call toll free at (877) 334-8520.

Federation members can use the promotion the code ALFARAIN when they place their order on the Web site or by phone. n

19

Pine Pulpwood

Hardwood Pulpwood

$222

MBF Scribner

$29.55

Ton

$29.01

Cord

$10.82

Ton

$37.91

Cord

$13.07

Ton

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Federation Unveils Redesigned Alfa Farmers Web Site

T

he Alabama Farmers Federation’s newly redesigned Web site launched Aug. 1 with new features that county Federations and members are sure to enjoy.

A weekly “Member Spotlight” that will profile the grassroots movers and shakers in county Federations, and a special area where counties can customize their “home” page are a central part of a two-year, behindthe-scenes effort to redesign www.AlfaFarmers.org.

“Our Web site has become a valuable tool for members and others seeking information about Alabama agriculture, but its appearance and functionality had become outdated,” said Jeff Helms, director of the Federation’s public relations and communications department. “We believe visitors to our site will appreciate this sleeker, more open design. But the goal of this redesign was not simply to put a pretty new face on the site — we also wanted a site that would be easier to navigate, more useful for our visitors and, hopefully, build membership as we strive to communicate what farming in Alabama is all about.”

The “Member Spotlight” will feature a different leader each week, rotating among the state’s 67 county Federations and 10 Area Organization Districts. Colbert County President L.O. Bishop was the first leader to be profiled.

The County Federation page, which previously featured only a photo of the county president, contact information and agricultural statistics for that county,

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now can become a showplace for each county. With a simple Web address of its own, (for example, AlfaFarmers.org/Calhoun), county Federations can now include news and photos of their events.

“This, in particular, is a feature that I hope every county Federation will take advantage of,” said Web Director and Neighbors Editor Darryal Ray, who headed the project in cooperation with Cool Dog Interactive, the Atlanta-based Web host. “This can become their own ‘meeting place’ for announcing upcoming meetings or promoting events. All they have to do is email me (dray@ alfafarmers.org) the information and photo, and we’ll take care of the rest. I do hope, however, that the individual county Federations will closely monitor their page so that they remain upto-date.”

The home page’s rotating banner photos of various kinds of agriculture set the tone for the site, and links to Alfa Health, Alfa Dental and Alfa Insurance make it easy for visitors to learn more about those products. The site also has a more powerful search engine.

The main photo on the home page may alternate between news stories, Member Spotlight or even an occasional reader-submitted agricultural photo.

The home page also includes links to the Federation’s Facebook and Twitter pages, along with the Federation’s YouTube channel, allowing visitors to view it right on the AlfaFarmers.org site or go to YouTube for all recent videos by the Federation’s Communications Department.

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Another feature, just recently introduced was the online digital editions of Neighbors and Friends & Family magazines. Posted via Issuu.com, the digital editions enable readers to flip through the entire magazine just as it was printed.

The redesign also moves some of its more popular features to a newly created “Members Only” area. Members who log in to the area using their member number and ZIP code are granted access to various forms and other materials often used by staff and members and the DTN Commodity Markets page. Only members now have the ability to post ads to its Trade ‘N’ Post while their ads remain visible to the public. The public can also learn about the many membership benefits but will be restricted from viewing access codes to those benefits that require them.

Want to join the Alabama Farmers Federation? There are plenty of reasons why you should. And now, if a non-member wants to join, he/ she can complete an online form, print and mail it with payment to the Federation’s Membership Department. Online payment is planned for the near future. n

County Federation Annual Meetings Date & Time

County

Location

Sept. 2 — 1 p.m.

Hale

Alfa Office, Greensboro

Sept. 7 — 11 a.m.

Perry

Alfa Office, Marion

Sept. 7 — 6 p.m.

Macon

Beck’s Turf Farm, 2858 County Road 53, Tuskegee

Sept. 9 — 6:30 p.m.

Crenshaw

E.L. Turner Park, Highway 331 South, Luverne

Sept. 9 — 7 p.m.

Winston

Traders & Farmers Bank, Double Springs

Sept. 14 — 6:30 p.m.

Dallas

Alfa Service Center, Selma

Sept. 21 — 6:30 p.m.

Marengo

Alfa Service Center, Linden

Oct. 7 — 6 p.m.

Lowndes

Sportman Lodge, Tyler

____________________________________ For comments on the new AlfaFarmers.org, email Web Director Darryal Ray at dray@alfafarmers.org.

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Sponsored each year by the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Outstanding Young Farm Family Awards Program recognizes young farmers between the ages of 17 and 35 who do an outstanding job in farm, home and community activities. Division winners representing 10 commodities were selected in February. Of those, six finalists will compete for the title of overall Outstanding Young Farm Family for 2010. The winner, who will be named at the Federation’s 89th Annual Meeting in December, will receive a John Deere Gator, courtesy of Alabama Ag Credit, a personal computer package courtesy of ValCom/ CCS Wireless, $500 cash from Dodge, use of a new vehicle and other prizes. The winner also will go on to compete at the national level for a new Dodge Ram 3500. This month, Neighbors profiles the winners of the Beef Division and Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Division.

Henry Family

Beef

Henry Family Believes This Could Be “Year Of The Cattle’

By Melissa Martin

A

fter growing up on a dairy farm, the last thing Garrett Henry wanted was to spend the rest of his life farming. But after earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and economics from Auburn University, the lure of farm life returned.

“I missed it,” he said. “So after graduating, I found myself coming back home to the farm.”

That was hardly surprising, as the strength and success behind the Henry family’s operation runs right through the cow pasture.

“I come from a family of farmers,” said Garrett. “My grandfather, my dad, two uncles and an aunt are in the cattle business. It’s a family operation. We all work w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

together and we all have our own equipment, but we all use each other’s equipment to try and keep our expenses down.”

Today, however, the business is all beef, and the 29-year-old finds himself, wife Emily and daughter Paige (4), the Beef Division winners and one of six finalists in the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Outstanding Young Farm Family contest.

Garrett got his start in October 2004, leasing land from a retiring farmer and buying 240 head of cattle. Since then, he has increased his herd to 400 Angus, Charolais and Simmental.

To further control expenses and make way for any future expansion ideas, he embraces the understated value behind the art of efficiency. As a result, he hopes 22

to have a higher percentage calf crop, wean bigger calves and lower his expenses per cow. In terms of his preconditioning operation, this efficiency would help improve the cost-per-pound of gain, reduce death loss, reduce shrinkage and reduce input costs. Good genetics on the cattle he buys and sells, in addition to being consistent with uniform loads, also aid his operation’s stability.

“Right now, I have no plans to expand my cow-calf operation because I’ve already met my goals, but I do plan to expand the preconditioning operation by purchasing cattle in my area to go along with family cattle to make more uniform load lots,” said Garrett. “My focus now is trying to group similar shipments according to gender, breed, size and weight.”

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Garrett Henry, wife Emily and daughter Paige are following a family tradition.

At this point in his career, Garrett is well-versed in both dairy and beef farming. When asked what he likes better about the beef industry versus dairy farming, Garrett’s answer came with a chuckle – “being able to sleep at night!” What many don’t realize, he says, is that “the dairy business is 24/7. You’ve got to get up at 2 o’clock in the morning, maybe get a few hours sleep when you can and go back to work all day.

With the beef operation, it’s a lot of hours and hard work, but when you love what you do as much as I love this, those hours aren’t so bad. It’s not the same thing over and over like it is in the dairy operation . . . It’s a good variety — you’re cutting hay or you’re working cattle or you’re marketing, but you also get time off and can go on a vacation with the family every now and then.”

Married nine years this December, Garrett and Emily have their hands full with the beef operation, her nursing career and raising Paige. Expecting their second child, a son, in December, the Henrys are excited about the prospects of their growing business and growing family. “Things are looking better financially at home and on the farm,” said Garrett.

“With our family growing, we’ve got a lot going right now. But at the end of the day, we know how blessed we are.” n

While Garrett notes that the cattle market is set up to have some really good years and is optimistic about their operation’s future, getting to this point has been anything but easy. “Over the first five or six years, the market has really taken us for a ride, but the biggest setbacks have been weather-related. Going through droughts, excessive rains and a tornado, I’ve realized that despite all my efforts, the one thing I can’t predict is the weather. If I could, it’d make things a whole lot easier. But in spite of it all, there’s not much that’s gonna stop us from farming.”

The tornado that tried to put the Henrys’ farm out of business wreaked havoc in November 2006, leaving behind the eerie likeness of a war zone and little else. After clearing away remnants of their commodity barn, sheds, storage buildings and two decapitated silos, the Henrys had quite a task in front of them — rebuilding 95 percent of their operation. Though the tornado was a setback, Garrett never lost faith that being a beef farmer was his calling.

“Sometimes, you just have to live with what’s given to you and adjust to it,” he says. “There’s constant change in the cattle market – weather, economy, export and import, not to mention grain markets and fertilizer prices,” notes Garrett. “This year, corn is cheaper and fuel is cheaper, but cattle are higher. It’s kind of the year of the cattle, I guess you could say.

It’s the first year that we could say that in a while, and hopefully things will go well for us.”

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Wright Family

Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod

Odds Keep Wrights Guessing What Customers Want

By Darryal Ray

I

“

n my next life, I want to be a weatherman,” Davy Wright is saying. “A weatherman can screw up bad, and nobody gives a flip.”

It was that kind of spring in Plantersville, where Wrights Nursery & Greenhouse has been dealing with the unpredictability of weather since 1967.

“If a weatherman says it’s going to rain on the weekend but it turns out pretty, that weekend is already messed up,” Davy says, explaining that plant sales can suffer at even a suggestion of anything but lessthan-perfect gardening weather. “If it rains, it’s messed up. If it’s cool, it’s messed up. If it’s too hot, it’s messed up. When the weathermen give that 20 percent chance of rain everyday, nobody wants to go do anything, and the sales just stop.”

The odds, Wright says, are always stacked against you in the plant business. If it’s not the weather, then it’s just trying to carry a family enterprise into another generation or trying to figure out what customers want.

Yet, somehow, Davy and wife Heather, along with daughter Abby (7) and son Noah (4), have not only survived those odds but flourished enough to win the Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Division of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s annual Outstanding Young Farm Family contest.

“All businesses have a failure rate, but that failure rate increases with every generation,” says Davy, whose grandfather launched the business when Davy’s dad lost an arm in a farming accident. “Most businesses can’t get past that second or third generation because of a lack of interest from family members, but hopefully, I’ve got the interest that’s needed to keep this business going.” w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Wrights at home in greenhouse are Davy and Heather, Abby and Noah.

Theirs is truly a family operation with Davy, Heather, Abby and Noah pitching in right alongside his parents, her mother and his grandmother. It’s an effort that has seen the business grow to about two acres of greenhouse space, another 20,000 square feet outside and about two million perennials, annuals, vegetables and herbs along with 20,000 hanging baskets.

Their 30-35 regular clients and 50 or so other customers are all independent garden centers in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Huntsville, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.

“No chain stores,” says Heather, whose main responsibility is the bookkeeping duties. “When you go into a chain store, you’re not getting the same quality product and you’re not getting the same flats that you are when you get it from an independent. When you buy from an independent garden center, you are getting somebody who derives their livelihood from selling and maintaining plants. They have the knowledge, and can answer questions.

If you go to a chain store, you get Joe Blow off the street who doesn’t know anything about that plant.”

In the meantime, the Wrights’ 24

“Alabama Grown” brand continues to build recognition. “The only thing we don’t put the ‘Alabama Grown’ tag on is something that we’re not yet sure is a good product for Alabama — it’s stuff we are experimenting with. This year we tried some Peruvian lilies, and they are blooming their little heads off,” said Davy.

But knowing what customers want is about as tricky as … well, predicting the weather.

“We’re already planning for 2011 — we know exactly what you’re going to buy in 2011,” Davy said sarcastically. “The best seller is whatever the customers are ordering, not necessarily what we plan it to be. We can plan on it being blue impatiens, and the next thing you know, they’re buying up all the red ones you’ve got. … This year, for some reason, people love Cherokee Purple tomato.

Can’t keep ’em, but next year, we probably can’t give them away.

“Sometimes, it’s got to do with which football team is doing better,” he added. “Some years blue-andorange sells like crazy, but the next year, you can’t give it away. Same thing with red-and-white. You just never know what to expect.” n NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

Young Farmers Learn Advocacy Skills At First Summer Conference

By Jeff Helms

P

reparing farmers to be advocates for their industry and way of life was the theme when more than 125 Alabama Farmers Federation members gathered in Montgomery July 23-24 for the inaugural Alabama Young Farmers Summer Conference.

“This new event gives many of our young farmers a chance to visit the Alfa home office and interact with staff while networking with other young farmers from around the state,” said Federation Young Farmers Director Brandon Moore.

“The summer conference gave us an opportunity to provide focused training for our young farmers on becoming advocates for agriculture, whether dealing with elected officials or people in the community who have misconceptions about farming.”

The conference began with a reception honoring the six finalists in the Outstanding Young Farm Family competition. Federation President Jerry Newby, whose leadership training included a term as state Young Farmers chairman, welcomed the participants prior to a keynote address by South Dakota farmers Troy and Stacy Hadrick.

The Hadricks are part of the Advocates for Agriculture movement, which challenges farmers to tell their stories through personal relationships, public speaking and education as well as social media and traditional news outlets.

“When we see inaccurate messages, we have to be willing to speak up; we have to advocate,” Troy told the Alabama young farmers during a followup workshop.

“One person can accomplish a lot,” he added. “But you have to be willing to be a voice for your industry.”

Young farmers from across the state also had the opportunity to practice advocacy skills in the Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture contests.

NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Director Brandon Moore, left, and Young Farmers State Committee Chairman Jeff Maze, right, congratulate the final four in the Young Farmers Discussion Meet. They are, from left: Josh Turner, DeKalb; Mike Dole, St. Clair; Katie Hines, Madison; and Allie Corcoran, Barbour.

These contestants will compete at the Federation’s Annual Meeting in Mobile in December.

The Discussion Meet combines public speaking, problem-solving and consensus-building abilities in a committee-style setting. Contestants are given a discussion topic based on issues affecting agriculture. The competitors then engage one another in a discussion.

The Excellence in Agriculture program is designed for young agricultural professionals employed off the farm. Each contestant prepares and presents an illustrated talk about how their work and civic activities strengthen agriculture.

Kirk Smith of Blount County was recognized as the 2010 winner of the Excellence in Agriculture contest. As this year’s winner, he will receive $500 from Dodge and $500 from the Farmers Federation.

The runner-up, Kelly Pritchett of Pike County, will receive $500 from the Federation. Smith will give his presentation at the Federation’s Annual Meeting in December and will represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 25

2011 Excellence in Agriculture contest in Atlanta.

Four finalists in the Discussion Meet also were announced. Katie Hines of Madison County, Allie Corcoran of Barbour County, Mike Dole of St. Clair County and Josh Turner of DeKalb County will now go on to compete in the Alabama Discussion Meet at the Federation’s Annual Meeting. The state winner will represent Alabama in Farm Bureau’s national contest.

National winners in the Excellence in Agriculture, Discussion Meet and Achievement Award contests will each receive a Dodge Ram, courtesy of Ram Trucks. Alabama’s Outstanding Young Farm Family represents the state in the Achievement Award competition.

The keynote speakers and workshops during the 2010 Alabama Young Farmers Summer Conference were sponsored by First South Farm Credit. n

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Alabama Gardener

By Lois Chaplin

I

t is easy to find a driveway entrance defined by a nice landscape planting. Is yours obvious to first-time visitors?

Because fall is the time to plant trees and shrubs, it’s a good time to think about landscaping the entrance to your drive to create a landmark that is easy to describe and identify. It could include a stone column, an artful sculpture or specimen plants like the Christmas tree-like conifers pictured here, which function like landmarks.

Here are a few other things to consider for a successful driveway planting: • Make sure the planting includes evergreens. Flowers are great in season, but evergreens will be the bones of the planting in winter.

Don’t shy away from seasonal flowers, but be sure that a good presence remains during winter.

• Do not assume that DOT road crews will know where to stop spraying or mowing. A physical barrier such as a wall or fence is best, but at least use a prominent planting of landscape plants with a color or texture that stands out from the roadside flora; depending on where you live, examples might be Southern magnolia, cryptomeria, golden threadleaf cypress, American holly or agave.

Choose durable plants that are either native or well-adapted.

Your local Extension horticulture specialist will have a list of trees, shrubs, ground covers and perennials that fit the bill in your area.

This rock wall and row of Cryptomeria and Golden threadleaf cypress are easy landmarks at a driveway entrance.

You can find the nearest regional agent by looking at the map at www.aces.edu/counties/.

• Water the new planting regularly the first couple of years. It helps to plant in early fall when roots are able to grow into ground that is still plenty warm while there is little demand for top growth.

This will lessen your loss from drought. You could also spray plants with an anti-desiccant such as Wilt-Pruf to reduce water loss through the leaves the first winter (for evergreens) and the next spring and summer.

• Choose plants so that each contributes a garden feature of flowers or berries or leaf color for a particular season, with the idea of always having something showy.

Here are some examples for a succession of bloom. This list includes durable perennials and shrubs as an example of an assortment of plants that you could use for color nearly all 12 months of the year. Check with your local landscape sources and Extension

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publication plant lists where you might see something that is a favorite. Just remember, they need to be tough and able to make it on their own.

• Early Spring — Daffodils & forsythia • Late Spring — Iris and Vanhoutte spirea • Early Summer — Daylilies and oakleaf hydrangea • High Summer — Coneflowers and althea • Late Summer — Indigo spires salvia and beautyberry • Fall — Swamp sunflower and winged euonymus • Winter Evergreens — Southern magnolia, golden threadleaf cypress, cryptomeria, American holly. ____________________________________ Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author.

Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

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NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

Jaudon Named Alfa Teacher of the Month

By Melissa Martin

served as director of special projects, chaired the Lee-Scott Academy’s SACS Accreditation Review, istory teachers are accuschaired the School Improvement tomed to engaging students Committee and is the sponsor of in stories of the past. To disthe junior high and senior high tinguish herself from the general student government associa“pack” of educators, tions. though, Jean Jaudon utiA graduate of Birminghamlizes a skill honed over Southern College, Jaudon several years of being in received her bachelor’s degree the field — drawing on in political science and histhe past while igniting a tory in 1981. She received her passion for learning that master’s degrees in education will carry on well into with an emphasis on social her students’ futures.

Jaudon studies from the University “Experience has of Alabama at Birmingham in taught me that every day presents 1989 and was awarded the Class a new opportunity for professional A Middle School Certification for growth and development,” said general social science.

Jaudon, a middle school history During 2010, Alfa Insurance teacher at Auburn’s Lee-Scott and the Alabama Farmers FederaAcademy. “I love to learn, and I tion are honoring one outstanding remain committed to these goals teacher from each of Alabama’s and to demonstrating to every eight state board districts, two student the pleasures of lifelong principals and two private school learning. After nearly 21 years and teachers. Application information hundreds of students and parents, is available under Alfa Teacher of athletic events, service projects, the Month in the Ag Links section school programs, field trips, meetof AlfaFarmers.org. n ings and professional conferences, what I know now is that effective teachers possess the list of ‘musts’ – organizational skills, flexibility, a sense of humor, enthusiasm and patience. But even more, they should be good learners who embrace the daily challenges and joys of working with middle grade students.”

Her commitment to education and effective use of these “musts” earned Jaudon her place as the second of two private school teachGet your stock ers honored this year in the Alfa Teacher of the Month program. on the ball!

As September’s honoree, she will receive $1,000 from Alfa Insurance. Her school will receive a matching contribution from the Alabama Farmers Federation.

While teaching keeps her busy, • High-quality forage • E xcellent reseeding Jaudon understands the impor• Tolerates continuous grazing tance of working outside the classroom with the same level of enthusiasm. Most recently, she has

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Country Kitchen

By Kellie Henderson

A

s farming technology becomes more and more advanced, one Blount County woman is using it to bring people a closer look at what farm life is all about.

“I really started the blog as a way to share photos and updates with my family and friends in Anniston and Oxford who I didn’t get to see very much after Lance and I married,” Stephanie Miller said. “Pretty soon, though, I started putting everything under the sun on there. So, people who visit the blog now can see what we do on the farm, where we go and what I cook.”

The rising star of her blog is Henry, a bumbling little sock monkey whose adventures with Lance and Stephanie are the comic relief of www.thelifeofafarmerswife. blogspot.com.

“I actually won the sock monkey kit on another blog and I’m not a great sewer, but I got him stitched together, and it’s been fun to take him along for pictures,” said Stephanie, who also shares recipes on her blog and refers to herself as an “Internet cook.”

“I started cooking as a teenager only because I loved cheesecake, but nobody in my family made it. So I started looking up recipes for cheesecakes, and I took one to every holiday or other family gathering we had. So, now, everybody expects a cheesecake every holiday,” joked Stephanie. “Lance has had to endure a lot of weird things because I get so many recipes from the Internet.”

While she enjoys cooking and blogging, Stephanie is more than w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Stephanie Miller calls herself an “Internet cook.”

the farmer’s wife — she manages four broiler houses and does the bookkeeping for the family farm, which also includes several row crops.

“We grow cotton and soybeans, and, usually, corn although we didn’t plant any corn this year. This is also our second year growing peanuts, which is unusual for Sand Mountain,” she explained.

Stephanie and Lance met in college, and after she earned her degree in communications, Stephanie worked off the farm for a while.

“It seemed like every day after work Lance was telling me about someone who stopped by the farm for a visit or something else that sounded great, and I felt like I was missing everything. So for our first anniversary, I got the chicken houses, and I’ll take farm work over my old job any day,” she said.

Her favorite thing about farm life is being home so much and being her own boss. “Although Lance thinks he’s the boss sometimes,” she quipped, adding that the two don’t spend as much time together as some might expect.

“It depends on what we’re 28

doing. Some days I don’t see him at all, like during planting season: forget it. But now, I don’t miss anything that happens around here,” she says.

Most of the recipes Stephanie shares are taken from the Internet and tweaked to suit her tastes, but she says Mama’s Chicken Casserole is from her grandmother, Martha Gilmer. And she includes one of her favorite cheesecake recipes as well.

CHOCOLATE FRIED PIES

Canola oil 1 refrigerated rolled pie dough 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup Hershey’s Cocoa 1/4 cup butter, melted

Cover bottom of skillet with oil; heat on medium-high heat.

Roll out pie dough and cut into fourths. Mix sugar and cocoa in bowl, add 2-3 tablespoons butter; mix until moist. Spread 1/4th of cocoa mixture onto half of one pie crust wedge. Brush all edges with rest of butter. Take empty half of wedge and fold on top of half with chocolate, forming smaller wedge.

Pinch all edges together. Use fork to flute top edge. Repeat with all four wedges. Fry on both sides until golden brown. Cool on rack lined with paper towels.

BAKED CORN ON THE COB Corn on the cob Melted butter Salt (or garlic salt) to taste

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Put the corn on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Put butter all over the corn. Sprinkle salt over the corn.

Wrap the foil around the corn and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.

NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM Strawberries (enough to make 2 cups when crushed) 4 cups sugar 1 box pectin 3/4 cup water

Rinse strawberries and cut the tops off. Smash the berries, using a potato smasher. In a separate bowl, measure out 2 cups of crushed strawberries and mix with 4 cups of sugar. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Stir one box of pectin and 3/4 cup of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil on high heat and stir the pectin into the strawberry mixture until dissolved. Pour into freezer containers. The jam needs to set out for 24 hours, then freeze.

MONKEY BREAD 3 cans buttermilk biscuits (non-flaky) 1 cup sugar 2 to 3 teaspoons cinnamon 2 sticks butter 1/2 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut each biscuit into quarters.

Combine white sugar and cinnamon in a 1-gallon zippered bag and shake to mix evenly. Drop all of the biscuit pieces into the cinnamonsugar mix. Seal the bag and shake it. Spread the biscuit pieces out evenly in a Bundt pan. Melt the two sticks of butter together with 1/2 cup of brown sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring for a few minutes until mixed.

Pour it over the biscuits. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the crust is a dark brown on top. When finished, remove it from the oven. Let cool 15 minutes, then turn out onto a plate.

HOMEMADE FRIES Potatoes Olive oil Lawry’s Seasoned Salt

Cut potatoes into fry-shaped wedges. Combine potatoes in a bowl with just enough olive oil to coat.

Sprinkle with Lawry’s Seasoned Salt to taste. Spread out on greased cookie sheet, skin side down. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes.

NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

JANET’S CREAMY POTATO SOUP 4 to 5 potatoes 1 to 2 carrots 1 small onion 2 tablespoons butter 3 cups milk, plus little extra 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup sour cream Salt and pepper to taste Cheese and bacon pieces for topping

Peel potatoes and carrots. Chop into small pieces. Chop onion. Mix all three together in a pot and cover with water. Boil until potatoes are soft. Drain water and place pot of vegetables on medium burner.

Add butter and 1 to 2 cups milk. In small, lidded bowl, add flour, sour cream and 1 cup of milk. Shake to mix. Add to pot. Fill pot with extra milk until all potatoes are covered and cook until thick and creamy.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with cheese and bacon bits.

SWEET CORNBREAD 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup yellow cornmeal 2/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 egg 1 cup milk 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with non-stick cooking spray. In large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir in egg, milk and vegetable oil until combined. Pour batter into pan.

Cook for 25 minutes.

MAMA’S CHICKEN CASSEROLE 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 (8-ounce) sour cream 1 sleeve Ritz crackers 1/2 stick butter

Boil chicken on stove; drain and shred. Mix soup and sour cream. Add cooked chicken, mix and pour into casserole dish. Crush crackers and put on top of chicken mixture. Slice butter and put on top of crackers.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

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SWEET ’N‘ MOIST MEATLOAF 1/2 pound ground round 3/4 tablespoon garlic powder 1 egg 1/2 cup self-rising flour 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste 1/2 cup ketchup 1/2 cup sugar

Mix ground round, garlic powder and egg in bowl. Add flour and tomato paste. Mix. Pour mixture into loaf pan. Mix ketchup and sugar and spread on top for glaze.

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CHEESECAKE 11 Oreos, crushed 3 tablespoons butter 19 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup sour cream 3/4 cup sugar 5 eggs 10 ounces milk chocolate chips, melted 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla 1/2 cup whipping cream 3 ounces German sweet chocolate, grated

Stir together cookies and melted butter in a small bowl until well combined. Press crumb mixture onto the bottom of greased 9-inch springform pan. In large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar. Beat with mixer until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in melted chocolate and vanilla.

Stir in whipping cream and grated chocolate. Pour the mixture over the crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 200 degrees and bake for 1 hour and 25 minutes. Remove cake from oven and run knife around edge of pan. Turn oven off, and place cake inside for additional 2 hours to cool gradually. Chill overnight. n

_________________________________ Editor’s Note: Recipes published in the “Country Kitchen” are not kitchentested prior to publication. Look for more “Country Kitchen” recipes online at www.AlfaFarmers.org. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Neighbors Classifieds Classifieds Facts For just $2 per work, your classified ad in Neighbors reaches more than 109,000 subscribers. Ads must be received by the first day of the month prior to publication. NO changes after closing. PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED FOR ALL ADS. Minimum 10 words per ad. No fax, phone orders or credit cards accepted. For questions, call Paula Culver at (334) 613-4410.

Send your ad with payment, payable to Alabama Farmers Federation, to: Neighbors Classifieds P.O. Box 11000 Montgomery, AL 36191-0001

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NEIGHBORS • SEPTEMBER 2010

Let your lens do the talking — and show us how Alabama’s farm families care in these categories ...

...For Our Animals ...For Our Land ...For Our Food

Win Cash Prizes In EACH Category

$300 — First Place $200 — Second Place $100 — Third Place

RULES • Prizes for each “We Care...” category - For Our Animals, For Our Land, For Our Food - are: 1st Place, $300; 2nd Place, $200; 3rd Place, $100.

• All photos must have been taken in Alabama.

• Each photographer is limited to three entries per category.

• Prints must be 8” by 10” and should be packaged to prevent bending.

• The entrant must include his or her name, address, phone number, title of photo, name of category and Federation membership number on a 4” by 5” card. Any persons in the photo must be identified on the card as well.

• Entries must be received by Nov. 1, 2010.

• Ship entries to: “We Care…” Photo Contest, Neighbors Magazine, 2108 E. South Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36116. The Federation is not responsible for any lost or misdirected materials.

ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN NOV. 1, 2010 SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO: ‘WE CARE...’ PHOTO CONTEST, Neighbors Magazine 2108 E. South Blvd.

Montgomery, AL 36116 • Competition is open to amateur photographers living in Alabama who are members of Alabama Farmers Federation.

• Employees of the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance and their immediate families are not eligible.

• All entries must be original photography taken between Nov. 1, 2008 and Nov. 1, 2010.

• No retouching of photos or digital manipulation of images is permitted.

• Entrant acknowledges entry constitutes permission to publish the photo and has the right to grant permission for publication of photo as well as permission of any person or persons depicted in the photograph.

• Photos become the property of Neighbors magazine and the Alabama Farmers Federation and will not be returned.

• Decision of the judges is final.

* Must be a Farm Bureau member for at least 30 days. Contact your local Farm Bureau office for details.

Farm Bureau速 is a federally registered collective membership and a registered service mark of the American Farm Bureau Federation.速 Cummins is a registered trademark of Cummins, Inc.