Neighbors Magazine, September 2014 by Alabama Farmers Federation

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VOLUME 39, NUMBER 9

A Membership Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation

SEPTEMBER / FALL 2014

_____________________________________

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 Waymon Buttram, Crossville 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 S. Steve Dunn, Samson Sharon Byrd, Ariton Allie Corcoran, Eufaula

In This Issue

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.

A member of American Farm Bureau Federation S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

Off-Road Discounts

12 Community Cooks Up BBQ

27 Soybeans And Smiles 30 Auburn’s Ag Discovery Day

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: McFarland AdVantage, (334) 652-9080, McFarlandAdvantage@gmail.com.

www.AlfaFarmers.org

Outstanding Young Farmers

20 Sod — A Salzmann Specialty

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

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 Pork Cooking Contest Winners

On The Cover Zack, Paul and Kathy Salzmann are the south Alabama source for athletic field

sod grown on their Baldwin County farm. Photo by Mary Johnson

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The Edwards Russell County By Kayla Sellers

Michele and Greg Edwards with their children, Lily and Grayson.

Outstanding Young Farm Family Finalists

ix Outstanding Young Farm Families were chosen as finalists in a statewide contest open to farmers between 18-35 years old who stand out as agricultural leaders on their farm and in their community. This month’s Neighbors magazine features three of those finalists. The remaining finalists will be featured in the November issue. Judges toured the finalists’ farms and will select the overall winner. The six finalists will be honored at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 93rd annual meeting in December when the winner is announced. The Outstanding Young Farm Family will receive

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a prize package valued at more than $60,000, including $35,000 toward the purchase of a new GM vehicle, sponsored by Alfa Insurance; an 825i John Deere Gator, courtesy of Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and a lease on a John Deere tractor, provided by local John Deere dealers and John Deere. The winners will represent Alabama in San Antonio at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Achievement Award competition during the organization’s 2015 annual meeting. For more information about the Young Farmers program, visit AlfaYoungFarmers.org

he beaches of South Florida seem a world away from the farm landscape of south Russell County, but Miami-nativeturned-farmer Greg Edwards knows both well. When he bought an abandoned 15-house poultry farm in Pittsview eight years ago, Greg was chasing a childhood dream. That dream of becoming a farmer turned into a reality and a blessing. “It drives me every day to think about how many people I’m feeding,” Greg said. “It makes me happy in the morning when I wake up and don’t dread going to work. The farm is my second home.” Greg, his wife, Michele, and children, Grayson and Lily, are finalists in the 2014 Outstanding Young Farm Family contest. With little farming knowledge when he moved to Alabama, Greg got his feet wet in the poultry industry working with a company that installed poultry house equipment. Flying E Farms took off from there. “We got seven houses running and had our first flock in August 2006,” Greg said. “By the end of 2006, the other eight houses were in operation. Since then, it’s been steady rolling. We also cut about 75 acres of hay each year.” Michele, a nurse in Eufaula, grew up in the city. She said she’s grown to love country life. “It was hard to get used to,” said the North Carolina native. “I honestly didn’t know what to expect. When he told me he had 15 chicken houses, I pictured little hen houses. I was shocked when he showed me his farm at first, but over time, I’ve become amazed at the entire process.” The couple’s three- and fouryear-old children enjoy being Dad’s farmhands. “They have fun playing on the S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

farm, and they’re learning from it,” said Greg. The Edwards say they hope to expand their farm into other com-

modities and want to share their passion for rural living and farming. “Young people can begin farming on their own if they have the

drive,” she said. “A lot of people think they can’t get into it unless they already have the resources, and that’s not true. Look at us.” n

The Henrys Montgomery County By Kayla Sellers

ourth-generation farmer Garrett Henry is constantly looking for ways to beef up his farm, and he’s not afraid to try new things. “My family grew up in the dairy business and transitioned to beef cattle in the late 90s,” said Garrett, a Montgomery County native. “As the beef cattle business expanded, my interest in staying on the farm began to grow.” Garrett, his wife Emily, and their children Paige, 7, and Mason, 3, are finalists in the 2014 Outstanding Young Farm Family competition. He has a four-pronged approach to his beef cattle farm that includes a cow-calf operation, registered Angus cattle and a herd sire lease program. Most of his time, however, involves pre-conditioning beef cattle, which includes weaning, vaccinations and introducing young calves to feed on their Pintlala farm. “Right now is a great time to be in the beef cattle business because beef prices are at an all-time high and corn and grain prices are down,” Garrett said. “Profit margins are strong, and it looks like this trend is going to continue for a few years.” Aside from running an 1,100acre cattle farm, Garrett recently partnered with Justin Barrett of Elmore County to form River Region Beef. The two young farmers met through the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Agricultural Leaders For Alabama program. River Region Beef is a farm-tofork-style retail meat business that markets and sells beef from cattle S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

Emily and Garrett Henry with their children, Mason and Paige.

raised on their farms. Their slogan is “From our gate, to your plate.” “We both have been doing this on our farms for several years,” Garrett said. “We wanted to take our businesses to the next level, and that’s when River Region Beef came about. It’s allowed us to connect to the public and educate others about what we are doing on the farm.” Garrett and Emily say plans for future expansion are focused on the meat business. “I’m home full-time now,” Emily said. “I plan to help with marketing, sales and deliveries with River Region Beef. It’s taken off quickly, and we are excited about where this business is going to go.” With a new homestead on the farm, the couple say they’re happy with where life is taking them. “I love what I do,” Garrett said. “Feeding the world is something I look forward to every day.” n 5

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The Walkers Lauderdale County By A.J. Watson

he nearly 200-year-old Walker family farm has seen a lot of changes in recent years, but James Walker credits that change to past generations. “Our family settled here in 1824,” James said. “Me and my brother, Robert ‘Bud’ Walker, are the sixth generation. We’ve grown up here in the bend of the river where every generation has built upon our past. We try to be good stewards of what God has have given us.” James, his wife, Rosa, and their four children, Reed, 10, Andrew, 9, Sara, 4, and Lucas, 21 months, live north of Florence in Lauderdale County. They are finalists in the Outstanding Young Farm Family contest. Their farm has 3,000 acres of row crops, 200 head of cattle and 20 horses. “We have a big family,” James said. “We have a good time, and our kids love being on the farm. Reed is 10 and is already starting to ask questions about where he can go to school to continue farming. This past week the older children helped me at the grain bins and rode in the combines. Rosie will bring them out for a picnic in the field. They’re definitely coming along and will hopefully be the next generation of farmers.” Rosa, from Laredo, Texas, said she never thought she’d end up on a

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Rosa and James Walker with their children, Sara and Lucas.

farm, but her father moved to Florence after serving as a translator for Alabamians going to Mexico on mission trips. “My parents ended up moving here, and shortly after that I moved here,” she said. “I met James through some friends at church.” Rosa said growing up in the city is different, but she loves the peaceful farm life. “I remember coming home one night late after church, and I turned on the road—there was a cow in the middle of the street,” she laughed. “And I thought ‘Wow, I never would have imagined that.’” James said the farm focused on cotton for nearly 150 years. He said his father, who is now semi-retired,

saw the benefits of crop rotation and implemented the practice. Now, James said, they haven’t planted cotton for three years. “I’m very proud of the fact my grandfather and father were progressive thinkers,” James said. “My dad is the youngest of seven, and when he was six they moved to town because granddaddy saw how important education was. My dad wanted to make sure his kids could get the best possible education.” James said that decision eventually led him to get a degree in business management after seeing the importance of being able to market his crops. “As a child I was taught how to operate our farm on a daily basis, and that allowed me to be more efficient at marketing our products, too,” he said. James said adding new technology to the farm might be the innovation his children can build upon. “I laugh, because if I’ve got questions about my iPhone, I ask my 3-year-old,” he said. “Sara shows me how to do things with it.” n S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

Members Save On Commemorative Sports Paintings

labama Farmers Federation members can relive gridiron glory with a 40 percent off select prints by acclaimed Alabama artist Rick Rush. “Destiny Defeats Dynasty” immortalizes the moment Auburn University’s Chris Davis ran back a missed field goal to secure an Iron Bowl victory against rival Alabama in the game’s final second. “Absolutely Alabama” celebrates the University of Alabama’s 15th national championship, while “Coach Nick Saban” portrays the iconic leader surrounded by some of fans’ favorite players. “One of the wonderful opportunities I have is to suspend in space and time extraordinary events in the history of this sporting life we all are living,” Rush said. “By capturing these events visually in a painting, others can relive, remember and relish those events.”

Members may choose from a variety of limited edition prints of each painting, from individually produced serigraphs and galleryquality giclees to traditional signed and numbered prints and lithographs. Prints are framed for display. The discount offer ends Oct. 31. “Rick’s depiction of Auburn’s last-second touchdown captured the scoreboard, featuring Alfa’s sponsorship,” said Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan. “That connection opened the door to offer members a special discount for ‘Destiny Defeats Dynasty’ as well as the two prints featuring Alabama football, which Alfa also sponsors.” Rush was born in Mobile where he discovered a talent for drawing. He played starting quarterback for his high school, but found fame on canvas rather than the field.

“Artists paint or write about things that are close to them,” Rush said. “Hemingway related to bullfighting, the sea and war. I relate to sports.” Rush earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1972 from the University of Alabama, and then headed the Southern Living Gallery. In 1974, four of his drawings appeared in an ad in New Yorker magazine, prompting Rush to open his own gallery and pursue art full time. Throughout his career, Rush has depicted numerous high-profile sports figures. He has twice been invited to the White House to meet U.S. presidents. The U.S. States Sports Academy and the American Sports Art Museum and Archives named him Sport Artist Of The Year in 2011. Federation members may call (205) 792-9522 before Oct. 31 to order discounted prints. n

Jimmy Parker

State Meat Goat and Sheep Committee Chairman On top of a busy work schedule and being a father, Cullman County farmer Jimmy Parker still finds time to experiment on his 140-acre farm. “I try to learn something new and get better every day,” said Parker who recently began making cheese and soap. “Both are hobbies, but have good potential to provide supplemental income to my small farm.” Parker earned a degree in animal and dairy sciences and a master’s in ruminant nutrition from Mississippi State University. He works as a nutritionist and manager at Hillsboro Feed LLC in Lawrence County. “I’ve always had a deep love of agriculture and the lifestyle it yields,” he said. “No other occupation is more important. Without it, teachers couldn’t teach, and doctors couldn’t treat.” Parker and his late wife Christy have three children—a daughter, Sara, and identical twin boys, Tom and Will—and one grandchild, Nathan. S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

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Discounts On Polaris Off-Road Vehicles Offered To Members

he Alabama Farmers Federation is pleased to announce a new Farm Bureau Member Advantage program with Polaris Industries Inc., is available to eligible members, effective immediately. The roll-out of the new three-year program with Polaris, the leading manufacturer of off-road vehicles, demonstrates the Federation’s continued investment in exceeding member expectations. “Federation members are accustomed to having exclusive access to superior, high-quality brands, programs and products,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “This generous special purchase program from Polaris will help our members save money on highquality, all-terrain vehicles that can stand up to rugged use on farms and ranches. This program provides another outstanding example of how it pays to be a member of the Alabama Farmers Federation and Farm Bureau.” The Alabama Farmers Federation is an affiliate of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and all state members automatically hold membership in the national organization. Through the new program, eligible Farm Bureau members receive a $300 per unit discount on all Polaris Utility and Sport Vehicles, $200 per unit on each All-Terrain Vehicle and $300 per unit on all GEM Electric Vehicles. Members are eligible for the discounts 30 days after joining the Alabama Farmers Federation. Discounts are available for the purchase of specified

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Polaris off-road vehicles without exclusion in states that participate in the Polaris program. To take advantage of the Polaris program discounts through FB Member Advantage!, members should log on to fbverify.com/Polaris where eligibility will be confirmed once a membership number and zip code is entered. A certificate will be made available online that must be printed and taken to the dealership of choice for presentation to the sales person. Certificates expire after 60 days. Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. The company designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars, Goupil Industries SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. The company also provides a complete line of parts, accessories and apparel. Information about the Polaris line of products is available from authorized Polaris dealers or online at polaris.com. n

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This Club’s Smokin’ BBQ Group Draws Family, Friends & Fellowship By A.J. Watson

hildren played as crickets chirped and an orange and purple sky faded to black, signaling the end of another successful Emelle Barbecue Club get-together. “We have minutes from a meeting in 1960, so we’re not exactly sure when the club started,” said Sara Buck, treasurer of the Emelle Barbecue Club and wife of Sumter County Farmers Federation President Pat Buck. “We know it existed before 1960, because the minutes say officers were re-elected, so it had to have been active in 1959.” Emelle, a settlement in Sumter County with about 50 residents, is a stone’s throw from the Missis-

Above: Grant Buck (right) slices ribs for the Emelle Barbecue Club as club members look on. Left: Members pull Boston butt pork roasts and ribs prepared earlier in the day. The club once slow cooked whole hogs until time and cost changed the menu.

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Above: Members and guests of the club gather for a group photo. Club membership is capped at 20, but members may invite two guests to the gatherings. Left: Guests and members not hosting the barbecue bring desserts and side dishes.

Sumter County Farmers Federation President Pat Buck, second from right, socializes with club members.

sippi border, and the town doubles in size for four months during the summer. “It’s gone from having 30 members and barbecues from May to October, to now we have them May S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

through August,” Buck said. “Every year we rotate like a clock, so this year I’m serving in June, and next year I’ll serve in July.” Buck said they capped membership at 20 in order to have a balanced number, with each member paying dues to cover the cost of hosting for the year. Each member is allowed to bring two guests, and the hosts for the month can invite four guests. “You have to have some type of connection to Emelle to be in the club,” she said. “Take my son, for instance. He splits time between here and Tuscaloosa, but he’s a member because he grew up here.” 13

As a testament to that philosophy, Tuscaloosa resident and Emelle native Justin Smith is able to expose his children to something he said made his childhood unique. “It’s fun to come back and see our kids do what we did when we were younger,” Smith said. “It was a good upbringing and gave us a real strong nucleus of friends that we still have today. This barbecue club has meant a lot to this community—it’s a distinct tradition to this area, and it’s something that’s fun for all ages.” Grant Buck, Sara’s son, said they once cooked up to three hogs a month, but due to costs and labor switched to Boston butts. “We would take the hogs and slow cook them for about 20 hours,” Grant said, pointing to a roll of square metal fencing hung on a post supporting the lean-to covering the barbecue pit. As he and others pulled pork for the gathering, he shared how the club has changed over time. “It really started as a social event,” Grant said. “Back then, we didn’t have Facebook and all that stuff. It was the way people got together to talk about what was going on in the community, to fellowship and invite friends.” n

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Educational Tours, Young Farmers Contests Highlight Commodity Conference By Mary Johnson & A.J. Watson

ore than 800 Alabama Farmers Federation members attended the 42nd Commodity Producers Conference in Huntsville Aug. 7-10 for educational tours, seminars and Young Farmers Division contests. From a goat dairy and equine hospital to a peach orchard and tree farm, the tours in north Alabama and southern Tennessee highlighted the second day of the conference. The squash processing facility and agritourism attraction at Lyon Family Farm based in Taft, Tennessee, was a highlight of the horticulture tour. “It was nice to hear the story of someone else who has gone through the USDA certification process, because it can be challenging for us all,” said Destiny Allman, a fifthgeneration tomato farmer from Blount County. Dallas County Farmers Federation President and cattleman Jimmy Holliman toured beef, goat, horse and hay farms in Limestone, Morgan and Lawrence counties. “I think all the stops have been excellent,” Holliman said. “Every farm we went to is using new technology. I like to see new ideas from other farmers. I try to take home little tidbits that may help me at our place, Circle H, do a better job with our cattle.” Farmers learned more about the implementation of the new farm bill and the bright future of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System during general sessions Aug. 9. Other seminars covered livestock management, rural crime and environmental stewardship. Young Farmers spent the final w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Above: Federation members toured the farm of State Hay & Forage Committee Chairman Wade Hill at his Red Oak Farms in Danville, Alabama. Left: Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell, left, with Discussion Meet finalists Brady Peek of Limestone County, Kirk Smith of Blount County, Adam Wilson of Calhoun County, Josh Williams of Marshall County and Excellence in Agriculture contest winner Grace Smith Ellis of Autauga County.

conference day competing in the Discussion Meet and Excellence in Ag contests. Excellence in Agriculture contestants are involved in agriculture but earn no more than half their salary from production agriculture. In the Discussion Meet, contestants simulate a committee meeting and discuss pre-selected topics. “We’re proud to showcase the skills of our young farmers” Federation Young Farmers Director Jennifer Himburg said. “This is the future of agriculture, and through these programs they develop communication skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.” Grace Smith Ellis of Autauga County won first in Excellence in Ag, with Zac Marsh of Blount County and Leah McElmoyl of DeKalb County taking home first and second runner-up awards, respectively. Four finalists for the Discussion Meet were selected and will compete in the final round of the state contest at the Federation’s annual 14

meeting in December. They are Joshua Williams, Marshall County; Kirk Smith, Blount County; Brady Peek, Limestone County; and Adam Wilson, Calhoun County. The seven winners each received a Yeti cooler Ellis will be recognized at the December annual meeting in Montgomery, where she will receive a zero-turn John Deere mower from Dow AgroSciences and a computer package from Valcom/Css Wireless. The overall Discussion Meet winner will receive a 4-wheeler from First South Farm Credit. After the Young Farmers winner announcements, the conference concluded with a special guest performance by gospel musician Guy Penrod, former lead singer of the Gaither Vocal Band. The Women’s Leadership Committee also hosted contests during the conference. See page 25 for details. Graduating members of the ALFA Leaders class will be featured in October Neighbors. n S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

How a Chicago Doctor Shook Up the Hearing Aid Industry with his Newest Invention New nearly invisible digital hearing aid breaks price barrier in affordability

Reported by J. Page Chicago: Board-certified physician Dr. S. Cherukuri has done it once again with his newest invention of a medical grade ALL DIGITAL affordable hearing aid. This new digital hearing aid is packed with all the features of $3,000 competitors at a mere fraction of the cost. Now, most people with hearing loss are able to enjoy crystal clear, natural sound—in a crowd, on the phone, in the wind — without suffering through “whistling” and annoying background noise.

New Digital Hearing Aid Outperforms Expensive Competitors This sleek, lightweight, fully programmed hearing aid is the outgrowth of the digital revolution that is changing our world. While demand for “all things digital” caused most prices to plunge (consider DVD players and computers, which originally sold for thousands of dollars and today can be purchased for less), yet the cost of a digital medical hearing aid remained out of reach. Dr. Cherukuri knew that many of his patients would benefit but couldn’t afford the expense of these new digital hearing aids. Generally they are not covered by Medicare and most private health insurance.

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Affordable Digital Technology Using advanced digital technology, the MDHearingAid®AIR automatically adjusts to your listening environment—prioritizing speech and de-emphasizing background noise. Experience all of the sounds you’ve been missing at a price you can afford. This doctor designed and approved hearing aid comes with a full year’s supply of long-life batteries. It delivers crisp, clear sound all day long and the soft flexible ear buds are so comfortable you won’t realize you’re wearing them. Try It Yourself At Home With Our 45 Day Risk-Free Trial Of course, hearing is believing and we invite you to try it for yourself with our RISK-FREE 45-day home trial. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return it within that time period for a full refund of your purchase price.

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“Destiny Defeats Dynasty” | “Absolutely Alabama” | “Coach Nick Saban” We are offering ALFA family members the opportunity to receive a 40% discount off of listed prices until October 31st by calling 205-792-9522 and providing your Alabama Farmers Federation membership number when placing your order. ALFA Discounted Prices are listed below: Serigraph: $870 | Giclee: $570 16”x20” signed and numbered lithograph: $270 19”x25” lithograph: $195 All prices include framing.

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Paul and Kathy Salzmann, own and operate Salzmann Sod Farm in Baldwin County.

South Alabama Sod Stands Strong By Mary Johnson

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S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

n Alabama, the suffocating summer heat has given way to the next season — one highly anticipated since the cold days of January. But it’s not the falling leaves of autumn Alabamians are welcoming. Instead, it’s the season of sizzling tailgate grills, booming drumlines and the roar of the hometown crowds as their “boys of fall” rush the field. It’s finally here — football season. The unsung star of these Friday night high school football rituals is the lush carpet of green sod. It’s marched on, trampled, smashed and smeared, but when properly cared for, rejuvenates weekly to set the stage for another gridiron classic. “Every piece of grass is like an athlete on the field,” said Paul Salzmann, owner and operator of Salzmann Turf Farms. “If it’s babied, the grass will be too tender. It has to develop a strong root system to take the beating of football games.” Paul is an expert on laying and taking care of athletic field sod. Since he started his business in 1980, grass grown at his Elberta farm has graced professional football and baseball fields across the U.S. He decided to focus on more local businesses in 2008 because higher fuel and freight costs made it expensive to ship sod long distances. Now, he and his family work with high school athletic programs around the Gulf Coast. They guarantee the sod they lay and can replace a football field for around $30,000. “It’s great to work with high school coaches,” Paul said. “A lot of them don’t know much about sod. They listen and really appreciate all the information we provide.” To help maintain quality fields, Paul offers a turf management program for high schools, whether he laid the sod or not. He fertilizes and seeds rye grass on fields while consulting with coaches and grounds crews about mowing, watering and painting. Blount High School (BHS) head coach Mark Hurt turned to Paul for advice when he took over the school’s football program in 2012. The field was in dismal shape, and a number of players had suffered serious injuries, partly due to the field’s condition. Two seasons later, the field is a pristine blanket of green Bermuda and rye grass. “Last year, all the officials who called games here and coaches from visiting teams commented on how great the field looked,” Hurt said. “A lot of them remember coming here three seasons ago and how bad it was then. The turf management program from Salzmann Farms is outstanding.”

When Alabama State University and the University of Southern Mississippi hosted day camps at the field near the Mobile County town of Eight Mile this summer, Hurt said participants were impressed with the field quality. “Coach Hurt has revived the BHS football program, and he works extremely hard to make the field something the team and its supporters can be proud of,” said Kathy Salzmann, Paul’s wife, who handles sales for the farm. That pride was at an all-time high last season when the BHS Leopards finally broke a 14-game losing streak to crosstown rival Vigor High School at their home field with a 40-13 victory. It was a convincing win, celebrated on a thick blanket of Salzmann sod. When Paul started the sod operation more than three decades ago, he relied on the help and expertise of other local farmers including Baldwin County Farmers Federation President David Bitto. He said he considers it a blessing to share that same knowledge with local football coaches. Paul will continue to lead the turf management after he hands the farm over sometime next year to his son, Zack. “My grandfather bought this land when he immigrated from Switzerland in 1912,” Paul said. “This change will let me focus on the athletic programs and special projects — and give me time to captain my boat and fish.” Zack will be the fourth generation of the family to work the land in Elberta. The Salzmann’s daughter, Annelise, also has an interest in agriculture and is studying biosystems engineering at Auburn University For more information on Salzmann Turf Farms and the turf management program, visit alabamagrass.com. n

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File photo.

S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

Blount High School head football coach Mark Hurt and Paul Salzmann inspect the field before football season began.

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Alabama’s Top Seamstresses, Quilters Recognized By Mary Johnson

embers of the Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) sewed, stitched and designed their way to top honors at the group’s annual contests. Winners were announced Aug. 9 at a luncheon on the final day of the Federation 42nd Commodity Producers Conference in Huntsville. WLC members competed in two sewing divisions, three quilting divisions and a tablescape design contest where the setting represents a commodity important to the participant’s county. First-place winners in each division received $150, while second and third place were awarded $100 and $75, respectively. “Our members always look forward to seeing the beautiful items submitted for these contests,” Federation Women’s Division Director Kim Ramsey said. “Our state boasts of many highly talented seamstresses, quilters and home designers, and this is a chance for them to show off their skills in a friendly competition.” Carole Clements of Lee County won first place in the tablescapes contest with her equine design accented with horseshoe candle holders and cowboy boot salt and pepper shakers. Jeanette Tew of Elmore County was second with a greenhouse, nursery and sod inspired design. Bridgett Wilson of Calhoun County won third for her bee-and-honey-themed setting. The long-running sewing and quilting contests were first created to showcase the importance of the cotton industry in Alabama. A large, green, hand-stitched quilt with sections depicting life on the farm was the talk of the conference and won first-place honors for Deloris Mount of Crenshaw County. S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

Above: Overall winners for the Women’s Leadership Committee contests were Pat Schrand of Coffee County, apron sewing; Kayla Seymore of Winston County, apron sewing youth division; Deloris Mount of Crenshaw County, hand-stitched quilts; Gail Oden of Etowah County, machine-stitched quilts; Katherine Selman of Tuscaloosa County, quilted item; and Carole Clements of Lee County tablescape contest winner. Left: Clements’ first-place equine tablescape design.

“This design was something I had never really tried before,” said Mount, who is a four-time winner in the hand-stitched division. Her quilt even included family pictures printed on cloth. Ruby Nuss of St. Clair County won second in the hand-quilted division, and Janice Persell of Limestone County placed third. In the machine-stitched division, a design of heart-shaped chickens by Gail Oden of Etowah County won first place. Nuss also took second place in this division, and Melanie Stokley of Washington County took home third-place honors. Katherine Selman of Tuscaloosa County had the best quilted item with a small patchwork blanket with each square featuring a different cross design. Second place went to Doris McGuire of Limestone 25

County, and third place went to Pat Schrand of Coffee County. The final contest, apron sewing, includes an adult division and a youth division for students in 7th12th grades. Schrand took home first prize in the adult division with a blackand-white patterned apron, featuring a basket-weave design on the top. Tuscaloosa County’s Mary Burroughs was second, and Dale County’s Brenda Curry was third. Another heart and chicken combination design won first place in the winning youth division apron from Kayla Seymore of Winston County. Second place went to Rose Cain of Tuscaloosa County, and Chryssa Gurganus of Cullman County won third. See page 14 of this issue for information on other events held at the Commodity Producers Conference. Find more photos on the Federation’s Facebook page. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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The Alabama Farmers Federation State Soybean Committee dedicated $25,000 in checkoff funds this year to promotion and education, including purchasing soy-based crayons for teachers at the Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute and soybean T-shirts for Alabama FFA Convention attendees.

Three Peas in a Pod

Soybean Checkoff Funds Research, Promotion and Education By Kayla Sellers

labama teachers and students will start the 2014 school year with a greater understanding of soybeans thanks to the Alabama

Soybean Science Kit Winners: West Point Elementary Cullman County Susan Moore Elementary Blount County Coosada Elementary Elmore County East Lawrence Elementary Lawrence County Caldwell Elementary Jackson County Coosa Valley Academy Shelby County Springville Elementary St. Clair County Williams Intermediate St. Clair County Wilcox Academy Wilcox County Auburn Junior High Lee County S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

Farmers Federation State Soybean Committee. The committee contributed more than $25,000 in checkoff funds for promotional and educational activities, including donations at the State FFA Convention and the Alabama Ag in the Classroom (AITC) Summer Institute. Checkoff money is collected from state soybean farmers and is spent only for research, education or promotion. “We figured it would be a plus for all of Alabama’s soybean producers to do some promotion within the state,” said State Soybean Committee Chairman Pat Buck “It’s the farmers’ money, and we just help look after it.” At the State FFA Convention, volunteers handed out 2,000 soybean T-shirts to students, advisers and parents. The design displayed a soybean pod and products made from the plant, including crayons, plastic bottles, tofu, animal feed and biofuels. “Many people don’t realize the versatility of soybeans,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Soybean Division Director Carla Hornady. “The T-shirts were a great way 27

to let folks know that a lot of the products they use daily come from soybeans.” Additional donations at the AITC Summer Institute armed educators with tools to teach students more about soybeans. Attendees received educational books and soybased crayons for their classrooms. A door-prize drawing awarded 10 lucky teachers with soybean science kits for their schools. The kits, worth nearly $500 each, included material for 30 students to participate in 21 interactive experiments and labs in each teacher’s classroom. The state Soybean Committee also committed $270,000 to soybean research in 2014 to support projects including development of new varieties, pest and disease prevention, improved irrigation practices and production tool development. A recent independent study found U.S. soybean farmers receive a return on investment of $5.20 for every $1 invested in the checkoff. Alabama’s soybean acreage has increased substantially in recent years. Farmers harvested 335,000 acres in 2012 and 425,000 acres in 2013. Planted acreage for 2014 was estimated at 500,000. n

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Alfa Realty Expands Into Rural Property By A.J. Watson

ne of the most successful realty companies in central Alabama is expanding its operations to list rural properties. Alfa Realty, a division of Alfa Companies, recently announced it would list land for hunting, timber, pasture, row crops and livestock to reach a new market. Alfa broker and 2013 Realtor of the Year Norman Schlemmer said he welcomed the expanded offering and looked forward to building on the company’s reputation of excellence. “Alfa Realty has an outstanding record of service. We have four offices, 95 agents and are No. 1 in total sales volume in the area,” Schlemmer said of the company, which is most active in Montgomery, Prattville, Millbrook, Wetumpka and Lake Martin. “Our team includes the most active agents of any real estate company in the River Region. Still, we knew there was room to grow. Alfa Realty has diversified into existing homes, relocation, new homes and commercial real estate, but we never found the right person to handle rural real estate — until now.” S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

Monty Gordon (left) stands with Norman Schlemmer (right). Gordon was recently hired as a rural property specialist for Alfa Realty.

That person is 40-year Montgomery County Farmers Federation board member Monty Gordon. A Hope Hull native and former county president, Gordon formerly served as chairman of the Federation State Wildlife Committee. His family was recognized as the Alabama Farmers Federation Outstanding Young Farm Family in 1978. Gordon converted the family dairy farm to a quail hunting preserve and farmed soybeans, until he developed the property to quench the ever-growing thirst of Montgomery expansion. His farm background and real estate development experience, made him a perfect fit for the company’s expansion. “I think the thing that will set Alfa apart from other realty companies is its employees’ understanding of crops, crop insurance and experience with the USDA, water agencies and agricultural lenders,” Gordon said. “That’s a service that can be hard to find.” Schlemmer said expanding Alfa’s operations is a two-fold benefit — it opens the door to a quarter of the real 29

estate market and could boost membership growth. “In the Multiple Listing Service today, there are 4,306 active properties for sale. Of those, 992 are lots, acreage and farms,” Schlemmer said. “Most real estate agents focus on residential homes, and very few have the knowledge to understand and sell rural properties. Monty does. “This venture also provides Monty the opportunity to present the value of Federation membership to folks who aren’t already members.” Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said he believes this will help continue the growth and success of Alfa Realty. “While we want to grow business and membership, we also want to stay true to our core values,” Parnell said. “Buying a piece of property is sometimes the most important investment a family can make, and we want to provide the best expertise possible.” For rural property questions, call Gordon at (334) 799-7310. For other questions, contact Alfa Realty at (334) 213-2532 or info@alfarealty.com. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Third Annual Ag Discovery Adventure Offers Drone Demos and More

rones may be controversial for use in military and national security matters, but the unmanned aerial vehicles are poised to revolutionize agriculture. Those who attend the 2014 Ag Discovery Adventure Saturday, Sept. 13, at Auburn University’s E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter will have the chance to witness firsthand why and how that’s expected to happen. Drone demonstrations are among the many entertaining and educational activities planned for the third annual Ag Discovery Adventure, set from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the research unit, located between Montgomery and Auburn along U.S. Interstate 85 at Exit 26. The event, which is free and open to all, is co-hosted by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University’s College of Agriculture to increase public awareness of 21st-Century agriculture. “Ag Discovery Adventure provides education about how our food and fiber are produced today and the science and technology needed to help the ag industry meet the future demand of the world popuw w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Alabama Farmers Federation State Soybean Committee member Annie Dee, right, talked with students at last year’s Ag Discovery Day.

lation,” said John Fulton, Auburn biosystems engineering professor, Extension precision agriculture specialist and co-chair of the event. In addition to drone flights, the event will feature a corn maze, insect hunts, a pumpkin patch, farm tours, a pollination garden, a livestock barn, a chick-hatching display and demonstrations by Auburn’s bomb-sniffing detection dogs. Attendees can bring picnic lunches or purchase food from various vendors, including Auburn’s Collegiate Cattlemen and Cattle30

women. Co-sponsors of Ag Discovery Adventure include the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Cotton Producers, Alabama Soybean Producers, Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers, Alabama Poultry & Egg Association and Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. The rain date for the event is Saturday, Oct. 18. For more information, go to AgDiscoveryAdventure.com, call (334) 844-4768 or email agstusv@auburn.edu. n S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

Taste of Alabama Agriculture Is Sept. 27

all Ag Roundup and Taste of Alabama Agriculture, easily the biggest tailgate party on the Auburn University campus, is set for homecoming Saturday, Sept. 27, at Ag Heritage Park, before the Auburn-Louisiana Tech football game. Game time has not been announced to date, but the roundup will open four hours before kickoff and end an hour prior to the game. The event is co-sponsored by the Auburn Agricultural Alumni Asso-

ciation and College of Agriculture. The $5 admission fee includes all you can eat, entertainment, children games, educational displays and auctions that raise money for College of Agriculture scholarships. Tickets to the roundup can be purchased at the gate; children 6 and under are admitted free. For more information, to donate auction items or reserve exhibit space, contact Amanda Martin at amanda.martin@auburn.edu. n

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Sheep & Goat Checkoff Notice The Alabama Sheep & Goat Checkoff will conduct a referendum Oct. 21, 2014 to determine if the program should be continued for five more years at the current collection rate of 50 cents per head of sheep or goat sold in the state. Any producer of goat and/or sheep in Alabama is eligible to cast a vote, but must vote in person at their local Alabama Cooperative Extension System office. Producers will be able to vote between 8 a.m. and the close of business. For more information regarding the referendum, contact Nathan Jaeger at (334) 613-4221 or NJaeger@AlfaFarmers.org. Grower Direct

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Tim Whitley

Blount County Federation Treasurer Blount County farmer Tim Whitley is known for quality Red Angus Cattle, but the thing he enjoys most about farm life is his family. “I’m probably most proud of my son, daughterin-law and two grandchildren,” Whitley said. “The farm lifestyle is the best to raise a family, and it makes for a loving atmosphere.” Whitley, 54, owns 655 acres and 300 head of cattle, while his son and daughter-in-law, James and Natalie, have four poultry houses. He is past president and vice president of the Blount County Farmers Federation and was on the Federation’s State Beef Committee nine years. He is president of the Red Angus Association of America, is a Blount County-Oneonta Agri-Business Center board member and Blount County Cattleman. He serves on the Blount County Economic Development Committee and is lifelong member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, where he is treasurer. In his spare time, Whitley enjoys fly fishing for trout.

S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

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By Lois Chaplin

f the idea of fresh salads and gardening in cool weather with no pests is appealing, a fall garden could be ideal. It yields many greens and root crops through fall, winter and into spring. The list of what can be planted this time of year is surprisingly long: radishes, carrots, beets, onions, turnip and mustard greens, parsley, arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard, kale and collards. Of these, spinach, collards, arugula, parsley and kale are the most cold hardy, tolerating temperatures into the teens without protection. Root crops stay in good shape underground. On the other hand, lettuce, mustard and Swiss chard are often killed in severe sub-freezing weather like those

FALL BARGAINS. WWW.ALAFARM.COM w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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experienced in Alabama last winter. However, they are worth planting for the tasty weeks before that first hard freeze.. The key to a fall garden is to plant early enough so plants can grow a good root system and top before weather turns cold. That makes them better able to respond to winter warm spells with good growth and allows them to withstand cold spells. Plants can also be helped by providing a few degrees of extra cold protection under a frost cloth or greenhouse structure for more growth during the winter. There is a lot of work being done on growing winter items under cover—anything from a frost cloth to a “high tunnel,” which is an unheated greenhouse. In our garden, we just simply cover raised beds with a large cover made from two lengths of frost cloth stitched together from a 100foot roll of Agribon (it’s enough to last for years). Agribon can be ordered online. Drape it over hoops made from lengths of PVC pipe and remove it when the temperature is above freezing. The hoops are optional, because plants can be covered directly with the frost cloth, but we get better cold protection when the cloth is not resting directly on leaves. The easiest and most productive of all the fall items are the most cold-hardy leafy crops—kale, colS E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

lards, spinach, arugula and parsley. These continue producing until March or April. They can be harvested as they grow and will grow more leaves during warm spells (or more continuously if grown under cover). The next most productive are the leafy lettuces, which can be harvested continuously by removing only the outer leaves and leaving the bud in the center to grow. Of these, Buttercrunch and red leaf types such as Lolla Rosa are the most cold hardy. Romaine is good, too, but eventually, the thick central stem of romaine succumbs to a hard freeze. The best way to start a fall garden is to set out young plants that should be available now at garden centers. Because the weather is still hot, be sure to faithfully water baby plants. It won’t be long until the weather cools and care is much easier. Set all the transplants at the spacing recommended on the label or slightly closer because outer leaves will be harvested regularly. A word about lettuce: Beware that heat can trigger lettuce trans35

plants into their flowering (bolting) stage. This is important because bolted lettuce transplants will not make a nice rosette of leaves in the garden; they’ll just stretch up tall. Look for short, dense transplants with all the leaves growing in a rosette from the base of the plant; it should be hard to distinguish the point of origin of each leaf because they are so close together. If plants are bolting, there will be some space between the leaves along the stem. Avoid these because they cannot recover. Start the root crops such as carrots, radishes and beets from seed. Carrot seeds are slow and need cool, moist soil, so gardeners often cover them with a board until they sprout (in about a week.) Water the seed bed daily. Onion transplants set out now will make bulbs in late spring. The onions can be harvested as bulbs in the spring, or cut the tops through winter to enjoy the green onions. Green onion snips are delicious all winter in scrambled eggs. Just a little effort now provides rewards of a great harvest for weeks. A fall garden is great for first-time gardeners because it is so easy. n _________________________________ Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

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First Place

Laura Panneton, Talladega County SPICY ASIAN PULLED-PORK SLIDERS Start to finish: 10 to 11 hours (on highheat, slow cooker setting) or 5 ½ to 6 hours (on low-heat setting) Serves 6-8. 1- to 2 ½-pound boneless pork shoulder roast 1 cup finely chopped onion ½ cup chicken broth 1 cup balsamic vinegar ¾ cup ketchup 1/3 cup packed brown sugar ¼ cup honey 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard 1 tablespoon Sriracha hot chili sauce 1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ¼ teaspoon sea salt 1 bag tri-color coleslaw mix Cilantro, chopped ½ cup white wine vinegar 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 1 cucumber, cut into matchsticks 12 slider buns or small round dinner rolls, split

By Jill Clair Gentry

o matter the occasion — entertaining, tailgating or a family dinner — you can count on pork to be versatile, easy to cook, affordable and delicious. On the grill, in the oven, on the stove or in the smoker, pork is sure to please. That’s why men and women across the state jumped at the chance to submit their favorite pork recipes for the Alabama Pork Producers’ Pork Cooking Contest. Winners from each county were chosen, and the top three recipes in the state are featured in this month’s Country Kitchen. Find all of the county winners’ recipes online at AlfaFarmers.org. First-place winner in the state contest was Laura Panneton of Talladega County. She and her family love creating their own dishes. Laura’s winning recipe

was an original creation inspired by the versatility of pork, the popularity of sliders and her family’s favorite hot sauce— Sriracha. “Sriracha has become a popular condiment with our family, and when you go on Pinterest these days, all you see is sliders,” Laura said. “So when we heard about this contest, we thought, ‘Why don’t we take one of our Sriracha barbecue sauce recipes and make pulledpork sliders with an Asian twist?’” Laura said her family members love the recipe and now make it for all kinds of occasions. She said she highly recommends it for tailgates during football season. “It’s a great, unique tailgating meal that is special, but easy,” she said.

Order your official Country Kitchen cookbook! w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Trim fat from meat. If necessary, cut meat to fit into a 3 ½- or 4-quart slow cooker. In the cooker, place meat, onion and broth. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 9 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 ½ to 5 hours. Meanwhile, for barbecue sauce, in a medium saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, Sriracha, garlic, black pepper and salt. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. In a bowl, combine coleslaw, cilantro, white wine vinegar and sugar. Toss and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. When meat is cooked, transfer to a cutting board and use two forks to pull meat apart into shreds, discarding any fat. Strain onion mixture, discarding liquid. Return shredded meat and onion to the slow cooker. Stir in barbecue sauce. Cover and cook for 1 hour on low-heat setting. To serve, spoon meat mixture onto slider bottoms. Top with coleslaw and cucumbers. Cover with bun tops.

FarmingFeedsAlabama.com S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

Second Place

Stanley Sellers, Chambers County SAUSAGE STUFFED PORK LOIN WITH PAN GRAVY Start to finish: 1 hour, 45 minutes (20 minutes active) Serves 4-6. 4- to 5-pound boneless pork loin with nice fat layer (or two tenderloins) ½ cup kosher salt ½ cup sugar 12 black peppercorns 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon thyme 1 small yellow onion, peeled and sliced into rings 6 cups water 4 cups ice cubes Fresh sausage links 1 tablespoon olive oil For gravy: 2 cups chicken stock Salt, pepper and paprika to taste 2 tablespoons butter Zest and juice of half a lemon

Place pork loin on a cutting board with fat facing down. Use a sharp knife with blade horizontal to the board. To butterfly the loin open about 1 inch from the bottom of the loin. Work carefully not to cut all the way through. Continue to slice horizontally, opening the loin up until you have a large, thin, flat piece of meat. In large saucepan, mix together kosher salt, sugar, peppercorns, garlic powder, thyme and onion. Add 6 cups water and heat over medium heat until sugar and salt have dissolved. Remove from heat and add 4 ice cubes. Pour into freezer bag; add loin, seal and set aside for 25 minutes. Pre-heat oven to 375 F. Remove loin from brine and pat dry. Place uncooked sausage lengthwise along the short side of the loin. Pierce casings with tip of sharp knife to ensure the flavor of the sausage goes into the pork as it

cooks. Roll up loin tightly, jellyroll style. Secure loin with tightly fitted kitchen twine about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large cast iron pan over medium heat. Add roast and sear, fat side down first, 3 to 4 minutes, and then on all sides. When final side is done, transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the internal temperature is 145 F, about 45-55 minutes (check at 20-30 minutes if using tenderloins). Remove roast from oven and rest on a platter. For the gravy, in the same pan used to cook the meat, add chicken stock to pork drippings. Simmer 5 minutes on the stove. Remove pan from heat and swirl in butter to thicken. Finish with lemon zest and juice. Serve over pork loin.

Third Place

Juley Phillips White Jackson County PARMESAN-CRUSTED PORK CHOPS Start to finish: 30 minutes (5 minutes active) Serves 4. 4 boneless lean pork chops 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1/3

cup Panko bread crumbs

1/3

cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 F. Place chops in roasting pan and brush on olive oil. Sprinkle on salt and pepper mixture, then bread crumbs and cheese. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until chops reach 145 F.

Visit www.AlfaFarmers.org for more recipes. Recommend a favorite cook who is a member of the Alabama Farmers Federation by emailing AlabamaCountryKitchen@gmail.com. S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

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

S E P T E M B E R / FA L L 2 0 1 4

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