Neighbors Magazine, November 2023

Crisp Recipes for

Apple Lovers Veteran Focuses on

Farm, Faith, Freedom

Ag Tags Tell Story of Farming

November/Winter 2023 | Volume 48 | Number 10 Marlee Jackson | Editor Laura Unger | Graphic Designer

ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan | Executive Director Jeff Helms | Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS Jimmy Parnell | President, Stanton Rex Vaughn | Vice President | North, Huntsville Jon Hegeman | Vice President | Central, Anniston George Jeffcoat | Vice President | Southeast, Gordon Jake Harper | Vice President | Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn | Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Dorman Grace | Jasper Jeff Peek | Athens John Bert East | Leesburg Steve Lake | Vinemont Joe Anders | Northport Phillip Hunter | Birmingham Joe Lambrecht | Wetumpka Tommy Martin | Moundville Bill Cook | Montgomery Trip Horne | Louisville Mark Kaiser | Daphne Thomas Adams | Newville Ann Whatley | Opelika Jonathan Edgar | Wetumpka Neighbors (ISSN 0162-3974) is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 or (334) 288-3900. For information about Alabama Farmers Federation member benefits, visit the website www.alfafarmers.org. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and additional mailing offices.

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

22

In This Issue 6 | Farm, Extension Efforts Earn Brannon Top Title

24 | Guest Workers Showcase Sharp Skills on Farms

9 | Depredation Permits Help Farmers Protect Crops 11 | Scholarships Support AU Ag, Forestry Students 19 | Farmer-Veteran Serves Country At Home, Abroad 22 | Farm Family Milks, Bottles,

Sells Delicious Dairy

6

16

On The Cover

Jeff Maze of Blount County shows his passion for poultry through a personalized Ag Tag. His CHIKNS plate joins thousands of Ag Tags on the roads and supports the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation.

Photo By Jeff Helms

19

www.AlfaFarmers.org

A member of American Farm Bureau Federation

alfafarmers.org

November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 3

Dear Friends & Customers, On behalf of Alfa’s board of directors and our incredible team members, I would like to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.

We are thankful every day for the opportunity to serve you, and we take great pride knowing you’ve put your trust in us to protect your cars, homes, businesses, farms and families.

Serving others is at the heart of who we are. This is reflected in our core values of faith, family, community and integrity.

This year, we’ve filled the pantries of our food-insecure neighbors through organizations like Meals on Wheels and area food banks; collected and donated nonperishable food, personal hygiene kits, clothing and toys to nonprofits; provided landscaping support at the Montgomery Zoo and area nature trails; sponsored youth sports; hosted fundraisers for worthwhile initiatives; fed first responders and communities impacted by storms; sponsored walk-in

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telemedicine booths in rural areas; and more.

That’s in addition to Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation providing $250,000 in scholarships to deserving students.

We’ve also hosted dozens of customer appreciation events, and I hope you’ve had an opportunity to attend one in your area. It’s another way for us to say thank you for your business and loyalty to Alfa.

This Thanksgiving and always, we’re grateful for you — our family of customers and members. And on behalf of my family, we hope this holiday season brings continued blessings to you and yours.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Parnell, President Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Federation

November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 5

Brannon Exemplifies Excellence through Extension, Young Farmers As the county Extension coordinator, Brannon helps lead local Extension events and programming. This includes 4-H, food safety, agronomy, animal science, forages and more.

“My job is to know the needs of the county and find individuals who can come in and help,” he said.

Brannon grew up around agriculture but didn’t start farming till he and wife Hannah moved to her family’s cow-calf and hay operation in Haleyville.

“It’s just me and my wife now,” Brannon said. “We were partnered

Winston County’s Zack Brannon won the 2023 Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture contest. He farms cattle and hay and works for Alabama Extension.

Zack and wife Hannah have two daughters — Elliott Grace, right, and Vivie Mae.

By Maggie Edwards passion for family, farming and A serving others led Winston County’s Zack Brannon to win the 2023

Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture contest this summer.

“I competed three times, and the third time was the charm,” said Brannon, a past Winston County Young Farmers chairman. “This really meant so much to me, and it meant a lot to the county.”

Excellence in Agriculture participants highlight their industry passion and Alabama Farmers Federation experience through an application and presentation. The contest is for members ages 18-35 who earn most of their income off the farm.

Winston County Farmers Federation (WCFF) President Darrell Lee praised Brannon’s leadership and dedication to agriculture.

“This award brought honor to the county,” Lee said. “Zack is the first person in our county to win an award like this. We are proud he is ours.”

Brannon will represent Winston County on the national stage during

6 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

the American Farm Bureau Federation’s contest in January. As the state winner, he will receive a zero-turn lawnmower from Corteva Agriscience during the Federation’s annual meeting in December.

Brannon’s involvement in Young Farmers began when he started his career as Winston County Extension coordinator in 2019. His leadership has since breathed life into the program.

“Being involved in Young Farmers helped me in my personal life, on the farm and in my Extension work,” said Brannon, 35. “The network and opportunities have sharpened my skills in all areas.”

Those skills were also honed by Brannon’s participation in Class V of Agricultural Leaders for Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders), the Federation’s premier leadership program.

“It was a phenomenal opportunity for me,” said Brannon, who serves on the WCFF board. “That experience with that group of people was life changing.”

with my father-in-law, but he has since passed. It’s been a tough couple of years without him. I miss having my tractor buddy out there with me.”

He and Hannah, a registered nurse, married in 2015 and are raising their daughters — Elliott Grace, 4, and Vivie Mae, 1 — on the near-century-old farm.

“The best thing about farming is knowing I have been a good steward of the resources I have been given,” Brannon said. “I want to build something to hand to my daughters so they can take it to the next step.”

Brannon graduated from Auburn University in 2013 with a poultry science minor supplementing his agricultural economics degree. That set the stage for seven years in the poultry industry before he joined Extension in 2019. He’s now working on a master’s degree.

“Agriculture is a labor of love,” Brannon said. “I have a servant’s heart, and with Extension, I get to help someone every day.” alfafarmers.org

8 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

alfafarmers.org

In the Bag: Farmers Benefit from Deer Depredation Permits

By Marlee Jackson espite bagging 18 does in 2023, D Tommy Sewell doesn’t consider himself a hunter.

“I’ve never shot a deer in deer season,” said the Etowah County farmer.

“I’ve only shot in summer when they’re eating up my crop.”

His out-of-season shots were thanks to a White-Tailed Deer Depredation Permit. Issued by Alabama’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), the permits allow farmers, or their designated agents, to harvest a set number of deer throughout the growing season.

That’s because deer nibble and gnaw corn, cotton, soybeans and more.

Tender, just-emerged shoots tempt taste buds, and the all-you-can-eat buffet continues through harvest as plants produce new, albeit stunted, growth.

This was Sewell’s third year using a permit. The annual application begins with a call to an ADCNR District Office, where farmers connect with a technical assistance biologist who then visits their farm to determine the scope of damage.

Biologists often see chomped plants along a tree line or decimated crops in smaller, woods-bordered fields. They can then recommend deer for lethal

White-Tailed Deer Depredation Permits help farmers combat deer that nibble and gnaw crops like soybeans. alfafarmers.org

removal by firearm at night or during the day. If a farmer harvests his quota, the permit could be re-upped.

ADCNR issued 203 permits in 2023, up just 10 from the year before.

It’s a startlingly small number compared to the damage deer inflict on crops, said Bill Cook.

Cook owns land in game-heavy Wilcox County. He also chaired the recent Alabama Farmers Federation Deer Population Study Committee, a 12-person group organized to target practical solutions in the farmer-deer fight. This includes programs with targeted uses for venison meat, as current regulations prohibit processing deer taken under depredation permits.

“This permit is something we need to embrace,” said Cook, who serves on the Federation state board. “It’s not being used as much as it could and should.”

Part of the permit’s pull is allotting designated hunters. In Etowah County, Sewell’s brother, two sons, a grandson and a landlord could hunt under his permit June 2 to Sept. 30 — during Alabama’s sweltering summer when mosquitoes and snakes can squash the allure of hunting.

Despite challenges, they bagged 18 out of 20 permitted deer. Minimizing munching is key as farmers consider abandoning acres because harvest costs aren’t worth the yield.

“You might not cover expenses on the ground they eat,” said Sewell, who has seen as many as 20 deer in a small cotton field near his home in Southside.

“We didn’t stop them, but we did slow them down.”

In addition to White-Tailed Deer Depredation Permits, landowners can reduce their herd through the OctoberFebruary traditional hunting season and Alabama’s robust bag limit, said ADCNR Outreach Specialist Marianne Gauldin.

ADCNR’s Deer Management Assistance Program is an option, too.

As deer munch on soybeans and other crops throughout the growing season, regrowth is stunted compared to nearby plants, said Etowah County farmer Tommy Sewell.

“Landowners should take advantage of the fact that the regular deer season allows for taking one unantlered deer per day per hunter on their property on dates open to either sex harvest,” Gauldin said. “This means a potential harvest of over 100 antlerless deer for each hunter, without a depredation permit.”

Just 6% of licensed hunters harvested more than five deer last year.

That’s out of 160,000 resident hunters and 20,000 out-of-state licensees, said the Federation’s William Green.

“This is a complex issue, and there’s not an easy fix,” said Green, who leads the Federation’s Wildlife Division and helped coordinate the Deer Population Study Committee. “We need to remove more does from the landscape. The easiest way is using hunters.”

To learn more about White-Tailed Deer Depredation Permits, contact an ADCNR District Office at outdooralabama.com/wildlifesection.

LISTEN NOW

DEER POPULATION DISCUSSION

November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 9

Farmers Federation Awards

150,000

$

to Auburn Ag, Forestry Students

By Maggie Edwards ighty Auburn University (AU) E students reaped the benefits of the Alabama Farmers Agriculture

Foundation (AFAF) during the Alabama Farmers Federation annual scholarship reception Sept. 25 at Lazenby Farms in Auburn.

On behalf of her peers, AU junior Faith Lane thanked the Federation for its investment in the future of the country.

“For decades, the Federation has provided scholarships to individuals preparing for careers in agriculture and forestry,” said Lane, who was raised on a multigenerational farm in Lowndes County. “These scholarships are not just money received to earn a degree. These scholarships are the gateway for the next generation of leaders.”

As the cost of tuition continues to increase, scholarships help fill in the gaps, Lane said.

“I always dreamed of attending AU and majoring in agriculture so that, one day, I could give back to my community,” said Lane, who is studying agricultural business & economics. “The Federation has helped make my dream a reality.”

During the program, over $150,000 was awarded through a special partnership between AFAF and county Farmers Federations. The program alfafarmers.org

From left are AU College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Paul Patterson, AU College of Agriculture Associate Dean Dr. Amy Wright, student Faith Lane of Lowndes County, Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell, and Federation Central Area Vice President and AFAF Scholarship Committee Chair Jon Hegeman.

Name Madison Thrailkill Hallie Corte George Cochran Taylor Edwards Abby Burgess Caroline Hartley Will West Kayleigh Scarborough Rice Nichols Cade Ballenger Presley Mims Anna Cleckler Maggie Vick Colin Roberts Appraisia Edwards Kaitlin Foster Mallory Simmons Allison Broom Jeb Thomasson Caleb Smith Caroline Courson

Scholarship Recipients Major Agricultural Business & Economics Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Forestry Agricultural Communications Agricultural Communications Horticulture Agricultural Science Animal Sciences (Animal & Allied Industries) Biosystems Engineering (Forest Engineering) Geospatial and Environmental Informatics Wildlife Sciences (Pre-Vet) Horticulture Horticulture Pre-Forestry Agricultural Communications Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Animal Sciences (Animal & Allied Industries) Biosystems Engineering (Ecological Engineering) Natural Resources Management Wildlife Ecology & Management Poultry Science (Pre-Vet)

Classification Freshman Junior Junior Senior Freshman Freshman Junior Senior Senior Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Senior Freshman Senior Junior Sophomore Junior Senior Freshman Freshman

County Autauga Baldwin Barbour Bibb Blount Butler Calhoun Chambers Chambers Cherokee Chilton Chilton Clarke Cleburne Coffee Colbert Conecuh Coosa Covington Covington Covington

November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 11

provides $1,750 scholarships to land-grant university students.

“Any time your child receives money for school, it is a blessing,” said Blount County’s Amy Burgess, whose daughter Abby was honored during the event.

“My daughter has worked hard to master her 4-H, FFA and Jr. Cattlemen’s Association projects. This award comes full circle for her and the goals she set for herself.”

Burgess expressed her gratitude to the Federation and AFAF for pouring into generations of “movers and shakers” in the agricultural industry.

The current generation includes students who were awarded special scholarships honoring key leaders in agriculture. Poultry science sophomore William Bradberry of Cullman County received the Donaldson Memorial Scholarship; horticulture graduate student Savannah Busby of Jefferson County received the Jimmy Witt Memorial Scholarship; and the Mike Henry Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Blount County’s Corley Williams, a junior studying agricultural communications. Additionally, Will Cowan of Lee County received the Alabama Catfish Producers Scholarship.

He is a senior studying fisheries, aquaculture & aquatic sciences.

Federation President Jimmy Parnell encouraged recipients to focus on the importance of hard work, critical thinking and strong networks.

“I want to challenge each of you to stretch — think outside the box and try new things,” said Parnell, an alumnus of the AU College of Agriculture. “You are the next generation of agriculture, and you have tremendous opportunities in front of you.”

Scholarships from the Federation have been awarded to AU students since 1983. AFAF was founded in 2009 as a platform to support agricultural education and is funded, in part, through Ag Tag sales.

2024-2025 scholarship applications open at AlfaFarmers.org/scholarships Nov. 1. They close Feb. 1.

View recipient photos!

12 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

Laura Syler Kyndal Staley Luke Troutman Isabell Stafford Bryan Macario Will Ingram Madelyn Jackson Jaxon Mulder John Braxton Rhodes Judson Morrison Ethan Beets Faith Dillard Miranda Gajdos Aubrey Shadell Mary Jane Nowell Frances Fabbrini Ty Torbert Megan Woodall Cole Johnston Gabe Hallmark Kenneth Reese Abigail Crosby Tori Spry LeAnne Pace Kaitlyn Spoon Will Walker Logan Freeman Peyton Armstrong Georgia Smith Preston Haney Faith Lane Tamar Doull Reese Stogner Hunter Rials Jay Moore Elise Kennamer James Etheridge Madelyn Seaman Ella Seymour Mary-Coker Green Cal Carter Aubrey Grace Lee Murray Hardy McMillan Kameria Doss William Mueller Sammie Yarbrough Carly Puckett Mallory Nabors Ridge McHugh Jessica Hazel Laura Thames Jackson Elsberry Annelise Hyche Colton Odom

Agricultural Business & Economics Poultry Science (Production) Geospatial and Environmental Informatics Biosystems Engineering Agricultural Science Agricultural Business & Economics Agricultural Business & Economics Animal Sciences (Animal & Allied Industries) Biological & Agricultural Technology Management Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Pre-Forestry Animal Sciences (Animal & Allied Industries) Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Horticulture Agricultural Business & Economics Biosystems Engineering (Ecological Engineering) Agricultural Business & Economics Agriscience Education Agricultural Business & Economics Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Agriscience Education Animal Sciences (Animal & Allied Industries) Agricultural Business & Economics Crop & Soil Sciences (Production) Crop & Soil Sciences (Science) Pre-Forestry Natural Resources Management Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Agricultural Communications Agricultural Business & Economics Agricultural Business & Economics Wildlife Enterprise Management Wildlife Ecology & Management Agricultural Business & Economics Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Forestry Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Animal Sciences (Pre-Vet) Agricultural Business & Economics Agricultural Business & Economics Agricultural Communications Agricultural Business & Economics Wildlife Enterprise Management Biosystems Engineering Horticulture Agricultural Business & Economics Agricultural Science Agricultural Business & Economics Wildlife Enterprise Management Wildlife Enterprise Management Wildlife Enterprise Management Crop & Soil Sciences (Turfgrass) Poultry Science (Production) Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences

Junior Senior Sophomore Senior Sophomore Senior Sophomore Senior Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Junior Junior Junior Senior Junior Sophomore Senior Senior Junior Senior Senior Sophomore Senior Freshman Freshman Junior Junior Junior Freshman Junior Sophomore Senior Senior Senior Freshman Junior Senior Freshman Junior Junior Senior Sophomore Freshman Junior Senior Junior Junior Sophomore Junior Senior Sophomore Senior Junior Sophomore

Covington Crenshaw Cullman Dale Dale Dallas DeKalb Elmore Escambia Etowah Franklin Geneva Hale Henry Houston Houston Houston Lee Jefferson Jefferson Jefferson Lamar Lauderdale Lawrence Lee Lee Lee Lee Lee Limestone Lowndes Macon Madison Madison Madison Madison Marengo Marion Marshall Mobile Monroe Montgomery Morgan Perry Pickens Pike Randolph Russell Shelby St. Clair Talladega Tallapoosa Tuscaloosa Walker Washington alfafarmers.org

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November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 13

Federation Signs Contract for Alabama Farm Center

By Jeff Helms

at Hallmark Farm

labama Farmers Federation A recently announced plans to begin due diligence on a

site selected for the Alabama Farm Center at iconic Hallmark Farm in north Jefferson County.

The Federation entered into a real estate contract Sept. 14 with Hallmark Farm Cooperative District to purchase the approximately 500-acre property, located along I-65 in Warrior at Exit 280.

Federation and Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell said executing the contract allows the organization to take next steps regarding due diligence and fundraising for the proposed project.

“We are excited about the prospect of moving forward with the Alabama Farm Center at Hallmark Farm,” Parnell said. “The location was chosen after a competitive site selection process throughout Alabama. Jefferson County is working cooperatively with the Federation to bring a state-of-the-art agriculture and event center to the heart of the Southeast. The Alabama Farm Center would create jobs, enhance tourism and bolster the economy.

“It’s been more than 70 years since Alabama invested in a regional agricultural center. Current facilities are outdated and can no longer meet the needs of Alabama. We are excited to be part of the Alabama Farm Center, which will serve our residents and attract visitors from across the country.”

Parnell said the Federation has identified potential sources for around 70% of the $158 million budget needed to complete the project. Plans call for an indoor livestock arena, covered outdoor arena, two livestock barns and an exhibit hall. The executed

14 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

real estate contract is anticipated to create momentum to solidify funding commitments from public and private partners. To celebrate the next stage of the proposed project, the Federation hosted a barbecue at Hallmark Farm Sept. 22, where potential stakeholders toured the property.

“The Alabama Farm Center will benefit the local community, Jefferson County and Alabama as a whole,” Parnell said. “We have talked to leaders across the state who are eager to invest in creating a premier agriculture and event center for the state of Alabama and the Southeast.”

In addition to livestock expositions, the Alabama Farm Center would host an annual state fair and year-round events while serving as an educational facility for the state’s youth.

The due diligence phase is expected to conclude by June 2024 when it’s anticipated the project will be formally announced to move forward.

Top: Federation President Jimmy Parnell, center, visited with Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, and Williams’ wife Bobbie during a kickoff at Hallmark Farm. Above: Federation state board member Phillip Hunter of Shelby County talked with Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Indian Springs. Below: Jefferson County Commissioners Mike Bolin, Joe Knight and Jimmie Stephens celebrated the due diligence phase of the Alabama Farm Center Sept. 22. From left are Bolin, Knight, Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Warrior Mayor Johnny Ragland and Stephens.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper, was among those who attended a barbecue at Hallmark Farm Sept. 22.

alfafarmers.org

Farmers Find Answers, Ask Questions on Right-to-Repair Website

armers can now access right-to-repair information on a new Fwebsite managed by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). They can also give feedback on personal experiences with local machinery dealers by visiting fb.org/issue/right-to-repair.

The site follows memoranda of understanding (MOU) AFBF signed with machinery manufacturers in 2023. Those include AGCO, CLAAS of America, Case IH, John Deere, Kubota and New Holland.

Each MOU outlines company commitments to give farmers access to error codes, specialty tools and information on how to fix problems, while protecting intellectual property rights. Farmers and independent repair facilities can also directly purchase diagnostic tools from manufacturers at reasonable prices.

Farmers’ right to repair has been an area of concern for years, said Alabama Farmers Federation’s Carla Hornady.

“When a piece of equipment breaks down, it can cause major disruptions

on the farm,” said Hornady, who leads Federation Cotton, Soybean and Wheat & Feed Grain divisions. “That’s why it’s important to have access to the tools and information needed for farmers to fix the problem and get back in their rigs as soon as possible.”

Right-to-repair MOUs cover more than 70% of American machinery manufacturers and are slated for regular review. The MOUs represent AFBF’s commitment to voluntary programs and grassroots advocacy, said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

“Market-based solutions are effective and much less likely to get bogged down in politics and red tape,” Duvall said. “It’s about sitting down at the table and sorting things out.”

Learn more at fb.org/ issue/right-to-repair.

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REFERRAL CODE: ALFFANWI23

November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 15

Joe and Debbie Roberts of Fayette County sport five Farming Feeds Alabama Ag Tags across their personal and farm vehicles. They said each tag represents how proud they are to be involved in agriculture.

Tag Along:

Farming Feeds Alabama

By Maggie Edwards housands of Alabama motorists daily T crisscross the state sporting Farming Feeds Alabama Ag Tags.

The current third-generation Ag Tag streams red, white and blue as the American flag anchors its background. Agricultural commodities and equipment are incorporated into each tag, telling the story of Alabama’s 44,000 farm families, said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell.

“Twenty-one years ago, the Alabama Farmers Federation created the Ag Tag to bring awareness to agriculture, support agricultural education and engage consumers with producers,”

16 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

Parnell said. “The Ag Tag represents faith, freedom and farming.”

Ag Tag sales benefit the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF).

The AFAF mission is to support and advance agriculture through education and research; increase awareness of agriculture through public programs and activities; improve and expand agricultural services and products for the benefit of all citizens; and establish and maintain high standards in agriculture.

AFAF benefits agricultural literacy projects, Ag in the Classroom, livestock expositions, youth agricultural

programs, scholarships and more.

“Driving a vehicle with an Ag Tag is more than just having ‘Farming Feeds Alabama’ on your bumper,” Parnell said.

“Having an Ag Tag makes you a part of a family — a family who supports this state and feeds the world.”

Owners of private passenger automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and recreational vehicles may purchase the Ag Tag at a local Department of Motor Vehicle office. alfafarmers.org

The Maze Family B LO U N T CO U N T Y

F

or poultry farming duo Dennis and Jeff Maze, purchasing an Ag Tag is a family priority.

“We feed chickens, and chickens feed people,” said Jeff, the Blount County Farmers Federation president.

“That was the

inspiration behind our personalized Ag Tags.”

Maze Farms Inc. in Snead averages 1 million pounds of chicken each flock.

The farm has eight poultry houses — raising 180,000 birds per flock. They raise cattle, too.

“Having CHIKNS on my tag helps me promote the poultry industry, which is one of Alabama’s top commodities,” Jeff said. “The tags also give money back to the AFAF.” The Maze family has supported Ag Tags since its inception in 2002.

“Our family purchases at least four Ag Tags a year,” said Jeff’s father, Dennis. “We are proud Dennis and Jeff Maze of Blount County have purchased Ag Tags since 2002. The father-son duo said it’s a worthy annual investment into agriculture.

to invest $200 a year in Ag in the Classroom and all the programs the foundation supports.”

Hannah, Jeff’s wife, is a teacher and directly benefited from Ag Tag sales by attending Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute, Dennis said.

“People don’t know where their food comes from anymore, and we need teachers to incorporate that in their classrooms,” Dennis said. “That is why it is so important to support this cause.”

Dennis and Jeff find merit in showing off their vehicles’ bumper. Dennis’s personalization is WEFEED. “These tags are great conversation pieces,” Jeff said. “I like to know I have something that travels down the road and tells my story.”

Side by side, the father and son’s tags sum up their work: “We feed chickens.”

“We not only feed Alabama but the world,” Dennis said. “People still admire farmers. It makes us proud to do what we do.”

The Roberts Family FAY E T T E CO U N T Y

F

ive. That’s the number of Ag Tags Joe and Debbie Roberts have between farm, personal and family vehicles.

“From the very first time they were offered, we bought them,” said Joe, the Fayette County Farmers Federation president. “We just want to support agriculture. We watch these tags go down the road and see if we recognize the driver.”

For Debbie, buying an Ag Tag helps tell the world about farming.

“I am proud to be an Alabama farmer,” she said. “I am proud of my tag. It says, ‘Farming Feeds Alabama,’ and that is the biggest truth for agriculture.”

The tag is a cost-efficient way

Joe and Debbie Roberts’ grandchildren Jacob, David Thomas and Hannah Grace play a big role on the farm. The Ag Tag on their parents’ SUV represents the family’s eight poultry houses. alfafarmers.org

to advertise and promote agriculture, Debbie said. Ag Tags are just $50 extra per renewal.

The family proudly displays RFARM, RFARM2, RFARM3, RFARM4 and 8CHIKN. The latter represents

their eight poultry houses in Fayette County.

“Joe was born into a farming family,” Debbie said. “We have always been involved with the industry and the Federation.”

Joe and Debbie appreciate family life. Their grandchildren — Jacob, David Thomas and Hannah Grace — are integral to the farm.

“I tell the kids that because you have farmers, you can have doctors and lawyers,” Debbie said.

“Farming isn’t for everyone.

It’s a lifestyle, and we’ve been blessed.”

November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 17

The Sessions Family M O B I L E CO U N T Y

F

ruits, vegetables, cotton, peanuts, pecans and satsumas fuel Sessions Farm in Grand Bay. “My husband, Art, loves farming,” said Martha Sessions, whose husband is the Mobile County Farmers Federation president. “This is a great way of life, and we find value in supporting this industry.”

For the Sessions family, paying a few extra dollars for an Ag Tag is an easy decision each year.

Mobile County’s Martha Sessions represents the Alabama fruit and vegetable industry with her second-generation VEGIES Ag Tag.

18 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

“I get a lot of comments when people see my tag,” Martha said. “I tried several different

commodity options, but VEGIES kind of just stuck. After all, it is what we grow.”

The Sessionses have sported their Farming Feeds Alabama tag for so long, they still have the second-generation design, which showcases rolling hills, farm commodities and a rural lifestyle.

“It’s such a good cause, we don’t want to change our tag now,” she said.

For more information on the Farming Feeds Alabama Ag Tag, visit alfafarmers.org/ resources/foundation.

Scan to check availability for a personalized AgTag.

alfafarmers.org

Sacrifice, Service Define Tuscaloosa County Farmer-Veteran

By Tanner Hood

ed, white and blue adorn the top of a flagpole overlooking pastures at Leavelle Farms in Tuscaloosa County. That R flag represents more to Clyde Leavelle, a retired colonel in the Army Reserves, than most who gaze upon it driving down Foxfire Road.

Clyde grew up on that same farmland, roaming the countryside and “playing Army” at every opportunity.

“I started meeting with my congressman’s representative when I was in the sixth grade,” Clyde said. “I was seeking an appointment to West Point. Sen. John Sparkman nominated me, and I got in.”

Clyde spent the next four years honing skills at the rigorous U.S. military academy in New York. While at West Point, Clyde’s roommate invited him to New Jersey, where the small-town Alabamian met Sally, his now-wife.

Following graduation, the Leavelles spent eight years bouncing around the globe while Clyde was on active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division. After four winters in Alaska and a year in Korea, the Leavelles were drawn south.

“While we were in Korea, we felt like the Lord was leading us to leave the Army and raise our family on the farm,” Clyde said. “We had our first child right before we left active duty and came home in 1982.”

Coming home began with farming cotton, as well as working with Clyde’s father to raise cattle.

Clyde enlisted in the Army Reserve to continue his service and eventually transitioned the farm to corn and soybeans.

He and Sally also opened a U-pick blueberry patch for their

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three girls to work and raise money for college tuition. Today, the Leavelles primarily raise beef cattle.

Farming and serving in the military had its challenges for the Leavelles. Time away from family and the farm was a struggle, but thankfully, they had a strong support system in place.

“He got deployed for the first time during Desert Storm, and I had a lot of help,” Sally said. “We had friends who did a lot to help us through the difficult times.”

Clyde always strove to be back by harvest.

Good friends like fellow Tuscaloosa County Farmers Federation board member Floyd Hughes and his sons helped on the farm, too, with anything from field prep to fertilizing.

“We have a wonderful group of farmers in our area,” Clyde said.

Clockwise from top left: Clyde’s military service spanned over 30 years. He is pictured with Sally and daughters Elizabeth, Katey and Victoria while in the Army Reserves; Clyde and Sally raise cattle on their farm in Romulus; Clyde is dedicated to giving his grandchildren the opportunity to be outside and learn about agriculture.

Though Clyde retired from the Army Reserve in ‘03, he and Sally stay connected to their military roots by traveling to solemn spots around the world on trips coordinated by the National World War II Museum. They stay busy on the farm, too. It’s a tangible privilege of Americans’ right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“The reason I had the thought to farm was the idea of freedom and liberty to own a piece of land, produce something from it, make decisions, be the steward and pass it to the next generation,” Clyde said. “I wanted my kids to have that same freedom. It’s a special privilege to serve your country and to serve mankind by raising crops and animals and things that feed and clothe us.”

November 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 19

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Johnson said the company continues to roll out new capabilities within MyAlfa, ensuring customers can access what they need when they need it.

That includes paperless billing, which allows customers to receive an email when their insurance bill is ready for payment. This is available for auto, home, manufactured home, fire, comprehensive personal liability, personal articles, life, watercraft, business, church and umbrella policies.

20 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

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Scan to activate your MyAlfa account today! alfafarmers.org

Pickens County Dairy Continues Family Legacy

By Maggie Edwards EEP. BEEP. BEEP. B A 3 a.m. alarm blares as Circle J Dairy prepares for morning milking.

“Dairy farming is something you really enjoy or really don’t,” said Ralph Junkin Jr., who grew up milking cows on his father’s dairy. “It is in your blood, or it’s not. It is a great atmosphere. You get to watch the sun come up. It makes a great way of life.”

Ralph’s parents owned the original Pickens County dairy, which milked 200 cows from 1956-1995.

“My daddy, Ralph Sr., was the ultimate dairy farmer,” he said. “He loved his cows and the whole process.”

Fast forward 28 years, and the next generation is carrying on the legacy of dairy farming.

“I never thought we would get back into it,” Ralph said. “(My daughter) Jessica showed interest, but we knew it would be hard to make it with a conventional dairy selling to a co-op.”

After picking up a Neighbors 22 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

magazine with Blue Ribbon Dairy in Tallassee on the cover, the Junkin family was intrigued by the on-farm-bottling approach. That was June 2018.

“My passion stems back from my papa starting the dairy when he was

young,” said Jessica Junkin Vails, who graduated from Mississippi State University (MSU) in 2019. “My dad came back to the farm after graduating from MSU, so I knew it was possible to make a living from this. The stories of the old dairy motivated me to reinvent the dairy.”

Before Circle J Dairy began to rebuild, the family visited Michaela Sanders Wilson’s Blue Ribbon Dairy to see her fresh take on an old-school technique — milking, pasteurizing, bottling and selling wholesale straight from the farm.

Direct-to-consumer dairies run by

Circle J Dairy LLC milked the first cows of its new era in December 2022.

The family kept the original Junkin Family Dairy milking parlor as a reminder of patriarch Ralph Junkin Sr. From left are Ralph Junkin Jr., Robin Junkin, Jessica Junkin Vails and Tyler Vails. alfafarmers.org

The new milking parlor allows the family to milk four cows at a time. Once the cows are milked, the milk is sent into a bulk tank where it waits to begin the 6-8 hour pasteurization process. It’s then packaged into bottles with the Sweet Grown Alabama label.

Jessica Junkin Vails and husband Tyler Vails bottle half gallon and gallon jugs of milk on the farm in Gordo. Circle J Dairy milk is sold to local restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores and is available in the family’s farm store.

young farmers like Jessica and Michaela are encouraging, said Alabama Farmers Federation Dairy Division Director Colton Christjohn.

“There are just 16 permitted dairies left in the state,” Christjohn said. “Circle J Dairy and Blue Ribbon Dairy are giving a new name to the dairy industry in Alabama. This shows there is a community need for farm-fresh milk.”

Being one of the few has its perks, Jessica said.

“We are making our mark in the dairy industry,” said Jessica, who serves on alfafarmers.org

the Federation State Dairy Committee.

“It is always great to meet other dairy farmers and make connections. Dairy farmers help each other out.”

In December 2022, the Junkin family milked its first set of Jerseys and Holsteins in nearly three decades. The farm store opened in January.

“We are Sweet Grown Alabama,” said Jessica, noting the state agricultural brand and its logo on Circle J Dairy milk jugs. “We sell from our farm store and sell to restaurants, grocery stores and coffee shops. We deliver in Pickens County and surrounding areas.”

Social media is their major marketing tool, Jessica said.

“A lot of people think their milk comes from a grocery store,” she said.

“There is so much more that goes into getting milk to the shelves. It is important to teach consumers about it.”

Growth is a mindset for the family.

The dairy plans to add buttermilk, chocolate milk and ice cream when time and equipment allow. The herd is already increasing, up to nearly 40 cows from the initial 14.

For now, Circle J Dairy’s sole offering is farm-fresh milk that’s pasteurized — or heated to a certain temperature to kill bacteria — and non-homogenized. That means the cream separates from the milk and rises to the top after bottling.

The Junkins contemplated using the farm’s original milking parlor for their new-generation dairy. Instead, they kept the classic, white-washed building intact and built a new parlor next door that allows cows to eat and milk simultaneously.

“A lot of our equipment is refurbished,” Ralph said. “We bought several items from older dairies that closed. Our receiving jar came from Daddy’s dairy that we used for 40 years.”

The Junkins also raise poultry and beef cattle, in addition to having jobs off the farm near Gordo.

“This is a family operation,” said Robin Junkins, Jessica’s mother and Ralph’s wife. “We all have our different jobs. Everyone pitches in.”

The family is slated to grow in early 2024. Jessica and husband Tyler are expecting the fourth-generation dairy farmer in January.

“It is special to be able to carry on my papa’s legacy,” Jessica said. “I hope my children will want to carry on this dairy one day.”

Learn more on the Circle J Dairy LLC Facebook page.

Scan to watch

on Simply Southern TV! November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 23

Guest Workers Showcase Skills on Alabama Farms

Moxie Baustistia is a pro at sculpting topiaries for Dairyland Nursery in Mobile County. He’s a guest worker at co-owner Mark Williams’ dairy-turned-nursery and is like family, Williams said.

By Marlee Jackson livers of greenery fall to the ground as Moxie Baustistia carefully and S quickly clips, snips and sculpts spiraled

topiaries.

Baustistia is an H-2A guest worker at Dairyland Nursery in Mobile County, and his natural ability with Mark Williams’ niche product is a blessing, said the nursery co-owner.

“These spirals and things we sculpt, there’s no jig or pattern,” Williams said.

“Everything is done by eye. All our guys want to do right. They don’t want to cut corners. That is a Godsend.”

Tour groups often visit the dairy-turned-nursery in the Tanner Williams community and get an up-close look at Baustistia’s shear skills.

In front of a semicircle of viewers, Baustistia can transform untrimmed, 5-foot-tall cedars into turn-and-ahalf spiraled topiaries in less than 10 minutes. It’s a highly specialized skill that seems simple — until volunteers are asked to mimic his work.

“It is so funny,” Williams said. “They go to cutting and get lost. Moxie makes it looks easy, but when the shears are in

24 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

your hand, it’s a different ballgame.”

H-2A guest workers like Baustistia are temporary, legal agricultural workers who ply their skills on American farms for a set time. Williams’ workers are like family and are family; Baustistia’s sons Oscar and Freddie, plus brotherin-law Martine, work at Dairyland from mid-January to mid-November. That’s in line with the federal work program’s maximum 10-month service agreement.

This fall, they’ll return home to Mexico’s mountainous Oaxaca region.

Its arid landscape is a sharp contrast to Dairyland’s lush greenery. The opportunities are different, too.

“They’re educated but in a rural area,” Williams said. “If they were not working here, they’d be traveling or working construction in a different part of Mexico. Or they’d be in the military. It is a sacrifice for them to be away for 10 months in Tanner Williams, Alabama. We realize that.”

While their work takes sacrifice, it’s also flush with strength and savvy, said the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Blake Thaxton.

“It’s amazing the quality and caliber of work that these guys can accomplish,”

said Thaxton, who works with specialty crop farmers like Williams. “They’re incredible people and really make agriculture work in our state. It’s hard to find domestic labor, but these legal guest workers are a blessing to the farms they work on.”

Guest workers’ expertise includes more than Moxie’s skill sculpting topiaries. Alabama’s 2,000 guest workers prune and graft hundreds of varieties of trees and shrubs at nurseries; grow mums and other potted plants in greenhouses; swiftly stake tomatoes on vegetable farms; and operate multi-million-dollar machinery on vast row crop operations.

That’s not just true in Alabama.

Williams and other south Alabama farmers have toured farms and industries across the U.S. over the past few years on an annual tour coordinated by the Federation. Those visits to Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee and more have hammered home the labor shortage reality, Williams said.

“Regardless of where we go and regardless of how big or small the farm is, labor is one of the toughest things we deal with now,” Williams said. “The more I see, the more it concerns me. People see the shortage of labor at restaurants and signs for work all over the place, but I don’t know if they realize how much that impacts the ag industry.”

When Williams leaves the farm for that annual Federation trip or other business, he’s not worried about Dairyland. It’s in his workers’ capable hands.

“They are like family to us. There is 100% trust,” Williams said. “It is such a blessing to be able to leave and know if something comes up or a customer comes, we can make things that need to happen happen. If not for the H-2A program, I don’t know where we’d be with this nursery.

“They are the heart of what we do.

No question.”

This is the third piece in a four-part series about Alabama’s need for guest workers. Read the final installment in the March issue of Neighbors. alfafarmers.org

Scan to buy tickets!

MONTGOMERY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

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November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 25

Make the Most of Mulch

By Mallory Kelley is a great time to think about Fsoilallmulch in the garden. Mulch helps hold moisture, prevents weed seed

germination and keeps soil cooler.

When mulch decomposes, it increases organic matter, which helps with soil aeration and water absorption.

Mulches can be organic or inorganic.

Organic mulch is made up of plant material that will decompose and

become part of the soil. These mulches must be replenished periodically because of their decomposition rate.

Inorganic mulch is not composed of plant material and is often plastic or made of rocks.

Organic mulch is less expensive and can be created with leaves and grass clippings already present in a landscape. Bark mulch or wood chips are made from different types of trees and are attractive in the landscape.

Must-Knows about Mulch

l Remove weeds before adding mulch. l If applying in the fall, wait until the soil has cooled. This helps discourage weed seed germination. l Keep the mulch depth uniform throughout planting beds and around trees — 2 to 4 inches for organic mulch and 1 to 2 inches for inorganic. l Don’t let mulch build up around the trunks of trees or shrubs. If there is build up after a few years of applications, rake away the old and apply a new layer.

alfafarmers.org

These mulch materials have a slow decomposition rate but should not be used next to foundations, as they can attract termites. Other organic mulches include leaves from trees, grass clippings, pine straw and old newspapers.

Newspaper is great because it helps enrich the soil as it breaks down. It also helps retain moisture. For the best weed control, use multiple sheets or a whole section of the newspaper (six to 10 pages), especially throughout summer when weeds are most prevalent. To prevent the newspaper from blowing away, cover it with another form of organic mulch. This greatly extends the life of the mulch and weed control in the garden.

Inorganic mulch — such as gravel, crushed stone and plastics — is more expensive but can be a permanent addition to the landscape. This mulch comes in a variety of colors, textures and materials. Inorganic mulches can be a great element in the landscape, but keep in mind these will be much warmer in the summer. This means they remove more water from the soil and can scorch nearby plants.

Remember: Inorganic mulches are permanent. Weeds will still grow there, and hand-pulling or herbicide sprays are the best options for weed control.

November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 27

A Guide to Cooking the Thanksgiving Turkey Cook Safely No Matter the Method

Roasting is an established method for cooking a turkey. In recent years, other methods have gained popularity.

Hall said no matter which method chosen, the bird should reach the correct internal temperature.

“Turkeys must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 F,” Hall said.

“To check the temperature, you need to have a food thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey, either the breast or the thigh.”

Turkey and dressing (also called stuffing) go hand in hand at Thanksgiving. However, instead of cooking it inside the bird’s cavity, Hall recommends cooking the dressing in a separate pan. This ensures the turkey reaches 165 F.

A Quick Alternative

By Justin Miller t Thanksgiving, the turkey is the A star of the dinner table. However, it does no good if the turkey is frozen,

burned to a crisp or makes guests sick.

Safely cooking the perfect turkey takes time and planning.

Thawing Takes Time

If the plan is to pull out a frozen turkey the day before Thanksgiving and have it ready for dinner, think again.

Properly thawing a turkey takes time.

Janice Hall, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System food safety and quality expert, said while it may take days, thawing a turkey in a refrigerator is the safest way.

28 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

“The general rule of thumb is to allow 24 hours of thawing in a refrigerator per 5 pounds of turkey,” Hall said. “If you are cooking a 15-pound turkey, you need to start the thawing process at least three days before you plan to cook it.”

Hall recommends placing the turkey in a pan on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. The pan will help prevent cross-contamination as the bird thaws.

“It is extremely dangerous to thaw meat at room temperature,” Hall said.

“The food temperature danger zone is from 41 to 135 F. Thawing a turkey at room temperature would create a perfect environment for harmful bacteria to grow.”

There are alternative, faster methods of preparing turkeys, too. Hall said when pressed for time, the best way is pressure cooking.

“One Thanksgiving, I realized I didn’t have room in the oven to cook two turkeys and a ham, so I thought to use my electric pressure cooker,” Hall said.

Hall starts by cutting the turkey in half and submerging it in chicken broth.

She then adds celery, bell pepper, onion, poultry seasoning, garlic cloves, salt and pepper before setting the cooker on high for 50 minutes.

“Oh, my goodness. It was absolutely amazing,” Hall said. “It was so tender, flavored all the way through and far better than the one I cooked in the oven. Everyone raved over it.”

More Information

For more information on food safety, visit the Food Safety section of aces.edu or contact the food safety and quality agent serving your area.

alfafarmers.org

I

LITTLE PIECES

bought a jigsaw puzzle at the grocery store. The box features an ornate cathedral with red roses and blossoming foliage. The cathedral is in Germany. The puzzle cost two bucks.

My mother and I used to do jigsaw puzzles. Big puzzles. We did them together. I was no good at jigsaws, but she was an expert.

Long ago, puzzles cost 75 cents and provided hours of distraction. We needed distractions. We welcomed anything that took our minds off my father’s death and the gloom thereafter.

My mother looked for distractions that made us laugh, that made us smile — games, puzzles, crafts, road trips.

My mother loved doing things with her hands. She made large quilts from old T-shirts, she gardened, she did puzzle books, anagrams, crosswords, cryptograms, she knitted, crocheted, and painted. She played cards with me, sometimes checkers, and she was a Scrabble fanatic. But jigsaw puzzles.

Those were our thing.

My mother started each puzzle saying, “We gotta find the corners first, that’s how you do it.”

Once you found the corners, the rest would come together. Thus, we would sift through twenty-five hundred pieces, looking for four corners. Once we found them, we’d dig for the edges.

We’d place pieces into piles, then link them together. Piece by piece. Section by section. Mama and I could spend a full week on a good puzzle.

And we would talk. That’s what puzzle-people do. My mother would talk about ancestors, childhood, her mother, the Bible. And while we concentrated, she would explain life.

One day, she stopped working. She looked at me. Her eyes were glassy.

30 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

And there was obviously something she wanted to say. Something important.

“You know, you’re gonna grow up one day, and you’re gonna soar.”

It was bizarre. And it was followed by strange silence. I quit searching for pieces. So did she. Her words hung in the air like the smell of bread.

She took my hand and went on, “One day you’ll forget all the horrible things your daddy put us through, and you’re just gonna soar. Hear me? Soar.”

It was all she said. She removed her glasses and wiped her face. And we went back to searching for puzzle pieces.

I did not think I would do anything with my life. I dropped out of school before eighth grade, I worked pathetic jobs. I once scooped ice cream for a living. I threw the newspaper, laid tile, hung Sheetrock, pulled electrical wire, drove a commercial mower and played piano for church choir.

But to her, I was flying. She was proud no matter what I was — or wasn’t.

Whether I dug drainage ditches with a spoon or graduated from community college with honors, I was her son.

Our lives have been one giant puzzle.

And maybe that’s how everyone’s life is.

The pieces don’t make sense when they aren’t together, but you don’t give up looking. Not ever.

My mother helped me find the corners first. My wife, my family and my friends helped me find the edges.

And so, the twenty-five-hundred-piece puzzle gets put together by an Unseen Hand. And even though it resembles a big cardboard mess before it’s done, it’s no mess. It’s perfect.

I don’t have much to write today.

Nothing except:Sometimes I feel like I'm soaring.

I love you, Mama. ■

alfafarmers.org

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alfafarmers.org

November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 31

Apple Enchiladas

By Sara Buck, Sumter County Prep Time 45 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Servings 4 to 6

Ingredients 1 (21-ounce) can apple pie filling 6 (8-inch) flour tortillas 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/3 cup butter 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup water

Instructions

e are having the most glorious fall! In between our son’s football W games, cooler temperatures and all

the great fall activities, it feels like our favorite parts of the year fall into these few months. With that in mind, we tend to have weekends packed to the gills with memory-making fun.

The inspiration for this month’s recipes came from our recent visit to a local orchard, where we picked up a bushel of late-season apples. Within an hour of arriving home, my first homemade apple pie of the season was cooling on the counter, and I knew I needed to share some of my favorite apple recipes with you.

The perfect fall dessert will always be warm apple pie topped with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For appearance’s sake, I suppose you should let it cool. That said, I still recommend giving it a heaping helping of ice cream the moment the pie comes out of the oven so the ice cream melts when it touches the apples.

It’s simple, seasonal and bursting with 32 | NEIGHBORS | November/Winter 2023

flavor. Simple Apple Pie brings you all the flavor you crave with easy, no-fuss preparation.

Chances are you’ve heard of adding applesauce to cake recipes to reduce the amount of fat and keep the cake moist, but most folks don’t realize you can do the same thing with apple butter.

As a bonus, apple butter gives you a stronger apple flavor. That’s why Apple Butter Cake is so delicious. Topped with apple butter cream cheese icing, you have a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Rounding out the apple recipes I hope you try soon, I am honored to share Apple Enchiladas from Sara Buck.

Sara is from Emelle in Sumter County and is known for her delicious creations.

She and her husband, Pat, are longtime leaders in the Alabama Farmers Federation (Pat was county president for nearly four decades!) and are familiar faces at Federation events.

Her recipe for Apple Enchiladas was originally shared in the May 2005 Neighbors. This unique dessert is a cousin to apple pie but takes only

Heat oven to 350 F. Spoon equal amounts of pie filling in the center of each tortilla, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll tortillas up and place seam side down in a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish.

In a medium saucepan, bring butter, sugars and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Pour over enchiladas, and let stand 30 minutes. Bake 20 minutes. Top with vanilla ice cream, if desired. minutes to throw together, making it perfect for a weeknight treat.

I hope you take time to get out and enjoy cooler weather, come together with friends and family and remind yourself living is more than work and responsibility. It’s taking time to focus on the source of joy in our own lives — while being a light in the lives of others.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!

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

Simple Apple Pie Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 1 hr

Servings 8

Ingredients 4 large firm, tart apples 1/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1 (14.1-ounce) box premade refrigerated pie crusts (2 count), room temperature 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Instructions Heat oven to 450 F. Peel, core and slice apples into 1/8-inch slices. Add to a large bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Sprinkle over apples and toss to coat.

Gently unroll one crust to cover the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Trim off excess crust around the edges.

Add apples and any juice from the bowl into the crust.

Spread apples evenly in the pie pan. Dot butter over the apples.

Gently unroll the other crust and place centered over the pie dish. Fold any overhang under the edge of the bottom crust and pinch to seal. Crimp to form a decorative edge. Cut three to four 3-inch slits in the top crust to allow it to vent.

Place pie on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake 10 minutes at 450 F, then reduce to 350 F and bake an additional 50 minutes. If the edges brown too quickly, cover with strips of aluminum foil.

Allow pie to cool completely, 2 to 3 hours, before slicing.

The filling will thicken as it cools. Serve slightly warmed with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Apple Butter Cake Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Servings 12

Ingredients

For the cake: 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 2 cups sugar 4 large eggs, room temperature 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup apple butter 2 teaspoons vanilla extract For the frosting: 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, room temperature 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 3 tablespoons apple butter 1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar (about 3 3/4 cups)

Instructions Heat oven to 375 F and lightly spray a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just incorporated after each addition.

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, salt and baking powder together. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until combined. Add apple butter and vanilla. Mix until combined.

Spread mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes — or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool completely.

For the frosting, use an electric mixer to beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add apple butter and combine. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix well.

Spread over the cooled cake. alfafarmers.org

November/Winter 2023 | NEIGHBORS | 33

is what scoring the right price looks like.

Meet Dave. Dave has Alfa Insurance, and he’s celebrating like he won it all. The truth is, when you save this much money on an auto policy, every day feels like game day. He’s not stressing from the sidelines. That’s someone else’s job. He’s in the zone, catching every play, cheering like there’s no tomorrow. Why? Because Dave’s undefeated on the road, that’s why.

AlfaSatisfaction.com