Neighbors Magazine, December 2014 by Alabama Farmers Federation

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VOLUME 39, NUMBER 12

A Membership Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation

DECEMBER 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.

Tree Trimming Time

Jim Bannon Honored

Pickens County Leaders

11 Mobile Opens Ag Museum 12 New County Agri-Centers Open

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

15 Ag Foundation Annual Report

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

28 Pecans For Christmas Baking

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.

On The Cover Ray Gilbert and his grandson, Ty, share

www.AlfaFarmers.org

the joy of Christmas with others on their

A member of American Farm Bureau Federation DECEMBER 2014

28 3

tree farm in Lanett. Photo by Mike Moody

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M a k , s i n e g e r M T e g m n i o m ries m i rT By Jeff Helms

Top: Ray and Joan Gilbert are introducing their grandson, Ty, to the Christmas tree business. Bottom: The Gilberts’ daughter, Jennifer Kirby, works in the Tree Toppers gift shop. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

inging carols, exchanging presents and sharing delicious meals are holiday traditions for most families, but for the Gilberts of Lanett, Alabama, creating memories for others is just as meaningful. “This is part of our Christmas,” said Joan Gilbert, as she and her family walked among 3,500 Virginia Pines and Leyland Cypress trees at Gilbert Christmas Tree Farm. “I look forward to seeing our customers, meeting people and seeing everyone get excited about picking out their tree.” For five weekends each year, at least seven members of the Gilbert family can be found loading trees, making wreaths, giving wagon rides, serving hot cider and greeting guests at their 220-acre farm in Chambers County. Ray Gilbert, 63, said it’s been that way for 26 years. “When we originally started, our parents helped on the farm,” Ray recalled. “Daddy had an old blue Ford van, and we worked out of the van. We had a little generator for the (tree) shaker, and we hauled water from the house.” Today, the farm is a full-service holiday destination with children’s activities, refreshments and Tree Toppers gift shop, which Joan started in 2007. “Everybody is into agri-entertainment,” Ray said. “They want something to ride and for the kids to play on. About five years ago, people started calling asking what we have besides trees, so we’ve added a playground, hay bales to play on, the gift shop, concessions and the wagon ride.” Another change is the number of people who want to cut their own tree. “When we started, I cut almost all the trees. It was rare for a customer to want to cut their own tree,” Ray said. “Now, it’s part of the attraction.” The Gilberts sell about 600 trees a year. About 80 percent are Leyland Cypress, which Ray calls the Southern Christmas tree, and 20 percent are pines. Since 2007, they’ve also offered Fraser Fir trees from Scaly Mountain, North Carolina. This year, the Gilberts purchased 200 firs, which they keep watered until sold. They also added equipment to sell rooted Christmas trees. Whether customers recycle or plant their tree after Christmas, Ray said it’s still better for the environment than an artificial tree. “Real trees are a renewable resource,” he said. “They 4

DECEMBER 2014

Left: Amy Gilbert serves a hot mulling spice drink to customers while her mother-in-law, Joan, makes wreaths from tree trimmings. Right: The Gilberts’ son-in-law, Matt Kirby, and son, Trey, demonstrate how a hole is drilled in the base of Christmas trees to accommodate special-made stands.

Gilbert Christmas Tree Farm is open Fridays 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. EST and Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST, Nov. 22 - Dec. 21. For information, visit GilbertTreeFarm.com. The Gilberts also host about three school groups each year, free of charge. Trey, who began working in the trees at Ty’s age, said he’s glad his son is getting to experience life on the farm. When Ray planted his first 500 Virginia Pines in 1983, he joined about 20 other farmers in the East Alabama Christmas Tree Association. He said he was looking for a simple way to make the land more profitable but never envisioned how the trees would bless his family and countless others. Today, the Gilberts’ farm is the only one from the original group still in business, but Ray continues to promote the industry. He was president of the Southern Christmas Tree Association in 2008, and is on track to serve again in 2017. The Gilberts’ trees also have won awards at the regional and national levels, and one of their 30-foot trees will be on display this year at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. Meanwhile, the Gilberts will be at the farm this month — trimming trees and making memories. Because, as Ray says, “It’s just not Christmas without a real tree.” n

are putting oxygen into the air, and after Christmas, they can be used as fish beds or mulch. An artificial tree from China will stay in a landfill for hundreds of years.” For the Gilberts’ customers, however, the best thing about choosing a real Christmas tree is the experience. “A lot of people make it a family event,” said Ray and Joan’s daughter, Jennifer Kirby. “We have customers who come back every year. There are some I remember seeing when I was a kid who are now coming back with their grandkids.” One family drives from Chattanooga, Tennessee, every year, and another local family picks up their tree with a horse and wagon. Since 1988, Ray said he’s loaded trees in everything from a convertible to an ambulance. These days, Ray has a lot of help loading trees and greeting guests. In addition to Jennifer and Joan, the Gilbert Trees team includes son Trey; his wife, Amy; and Jennifer’s husband, Matt. The newest helper is Trey and Amy’s seven-year-old son, Ty. Like most children who visit the farm, Ty’s favorite part is “running back and forth in the fields.” “The kids just love it,” Joan said. “Some families stay out here for hours.” DECEMBER 2014

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Bannon To Receive Service To Agriculture Award By Mary Johnson

im Bannon recently capped off a career serving agriculture at the university where he learned to love farming. The former director of outlying units for the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) at Auburn University, Bannon retired Sept. 1. His hard work to improve agriculture in the state and across the nation earned him the Alabama Farmers Federation’s highest honor — the Service to Agriculture Award. “I’m honored and humbled to be chosen for this award,” Bannon said. “I always tried to be a servant leader, and I believed in management by walking around. You can learn a lot by getting out and doing work.” A city boy raised in Montgomery, Bannon’s agriculture work started as a student at Auburn in the late ‘60s. He fondly remembers beginning the day at 2:30 a.m. at the milking parlor, finishing work five hours later, washing off his boots and going to class. “I still have notes from my rural sociology class at 8 a.m. where I drifted off to sleep and didn’t finish writing,” he said with a laugh. After graduating from Auburn, his first job was with the Wiregrass Research and Experiment Station in Headland from 1972 to 1974. It was there he met his wife, Susan. Bannon received his doctorate in plant pathology from Louisiana State University in 1977. The following year, he joined the research staff at Monsanto in St. Louis, where he was part of the team responsible for developing Roundup®. At the next stop in his career, Micogen, he discovered a previously unidentified fungus. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Bannon returned to Auburn University in 1989 as the director of the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter and was promoted to director of all outlying units in 2001. At the time of his retirement, AAES included 15 outlying units. He said AAES projects provide essential research for improving farming practices. “Regardless of the tools used to breed new varieties or discover new agriculture chemistry, it still must be tested under field conditions,” Bannon said. “The AAES is really where the rubber meets the road. If it doesn’t work out here, it’s not going to work.” Federation President Jimmy Parnell said Bannon’s exemplary career made him highly deserving of the Service to Agriculture award. “Dr. Bannon is very humble about his contributions to Alabama’s farmers, but he has been a part of important agricultural research for nearly 40 years,” Parnell said. “We are proud to recognize his passion and dedication with the Service to Ag Award.” Outside his work with AAES, Bannon is adviser for Auburn’s Alpha Gamma Rho chapter, an agriculture fraternity, and was Auburn’s chairman of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). He recently finished his final assignment at Auburn, writing a 555-page report to continue the school’s IACUC accreditation for responsible and humane treatment, care and use of all research animals. “Agriculture is the backbone of this country,” Bannon said. “It’s just like the sign says — ‘Farming Feeds Alabama.’ It’s so important, and most individuals don’t understand that.” Bannon will receive his award Dec. 7 at the opening general session of the Federation’s 93rd annual meeting in Montgomery. n 6

DECEMBER 2014

Meetings Help Navigate Farm Bill

series of meetings to help farmers understand new Farm Bill programs will be held in December. All meetings begin at 1 p.m. and are free. See the table on this page for dates and locations. “Alabama farmers face more complicated choices than farmers in other parts of the country,” said Alabama Extension Associate Director Paul Brown. “That is because Alabama producers grow many different crops. The decisions our producers make now will be valid until this Farm Bill expires in 2018.” The meetings are part of the Alabama Farm Bill Task Force’s efforts to educate farmers. Task force members include representatives of Alabama Extension, Alabama Farmers Federation and US Department of Agriculture agencies in the state. Extension professionals and USDA Farm Service Agency representatives will provide training at the meetings. Each farm bill program has specific criteria that must be met and demands different levels and types of documentation with different deadline and implementation dates. Extension economist Max Runge described the 2014 Farm Bill as a risk management tool that can be utilized in ways that are best for an individual farmer. “There are no good rules of thumb or blanket choices for producers,” Runge said. “Each producer needs to look at their situation and determine what their best Farm Bill program options are.” For more information on the meetings, contact Runge at (334) 844-5603 or rungemw@aces.edu,

DECEMBER 2014

or call a local county Extension office; or contact Alabama Farmers Federation National Legislative Programs Director Mitt Walker at (334) 6134757 or MWalker@ AlfaFarmers.org or Federation Cotton, Soybean and Wheat & Feed Grains Director Carla Hornady at (334) 613-4216 or CHornady@ AlfaFarmers.org. Alabama farmers also may find deadlines and important information on the 2014 Farm Bill at alabamafarmbill.com. n

Farm Bill Meetings

• Dec. 9 @ 1 p.m. Wiregrass Research & Extension Center, Headland

• Dec. 10 @ 1 p.m. Bay Minette Civic Center, Bay Minette • Dec. 11 @ 1 p.m. Jemison Municipal Building, Jemison • Dec. 12 @ 1 p.m. Calhoun Community College Aerospace Building, Tanner

Applications Available For Ag Foundation Scholarship Program, Deadline Feb. 1 By Mary Johnson

pplications for the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation’s $1,750 college scholarships, now available online, are due Feb. 1, 2015. High school seniors and college students from participating counties seeking an agriculture-related degree at Auburn University or Alabama A&M University may apply. This marks the second year for the scholarship program, where the Foundation provides $1,250 in matching funds for every county Farmers Federation that contributes $500 to the scholarship. Earlier this summer, 52 students from participating counties received the scholarship. “This program is a great return on investment for our county Federations and helps ensure a strong future for agriculture in our state,” said Alabama Farmers Federation 7

Director of Organization Mike Tidwell. “We were excited to have 52 counties join the program in its first year and hope to have a scholarship recipient in each county this year.” Applicants attending participating universities must be Federation members or, if under the age of 25, the child of a Federation member; possess good moral character and citizenship; and exhibit excellent academic potential. Scholarships may be renewed annually if students meet requirements and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. Payments will be made directly to the university and applied to students’ tuition accounts. Visit AlfaFarmers.org/About/ Forms for the application. Applications also may be found by scrolling over “About” on the Alfa Farmers homepage and selecting Federation Forms. Contact a local Federation office with questions. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Pickens County Farmers Chosen For National Boards By Debra Davis

prestigious appointment,” said Federation Meat Goat & Sheep Division Director Nate Jaeger. “She is a dedicated farmer and great spokesperson for lamb promotion. We wish her the best of luck in this new role.” Dee will begin her second three-year term on USB Dec. 11 and will be sworn in with 18 other soybean farmers from across the U.S. during the organization’s annual meeting in St. Louis. She described her first term as eye-opening and rewarding. “It has been great to learn how our checkoff dollars are invested,” Dee said. “There are so many terrific research projects, promotions and advertising campaigns going on that most people never know about.” Annie and her brother, Mike Dee, share ownership of the 10,000-acre diversified farm in Pickens County with their 10 brothers and sisters. She was the 2013 Alabama Farmer of the Year. She also serves on the Federation’s State Soybean Committee and the Pickens County Farmers Federation Board of Directors. The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. Federation Soybean Division Director Carla Hornady said Dee is an advocate for agriculture and thanked her for her service. “Annie has been, and will continue to be, a great representative for the USB and the state,” Hornady said. “Not only her willingness to serve but the fact she was reappointed is a testament to her character.” n

wo female farmers from Pickens County have gained recognition by serving their respective commodities on prestigious national boards. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials recently announced the appointments. Tammy Doughty of Reform was appointed to serve a three-year term on the American Lamb Board (ALB) starting January 2015, and Aliceville farmer Annie Dee has been reappointed to the United Soybean Board (USB). Doughty, who has raised Dorper breed sheep for the Pennsylvania Dutch market on her farm for 12 years, will represent lamb feeders on ALB. She serves on the Alabama Farmers Federation State Meat Goat & Sheep Committee and is a member of the National Lamb Feeders Association and the American Sheep Industry’s Young Sheep Entrepreneurs Committee. “I’m humbled, honored and excited,” said Doughty, who is the first ALB appointment from the Deep South. “I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m hoping to bring a new and different prospective to the board.” ALB serves to strengthen the position of lamb and lamb products in domestic and foreign markets. The USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service oversees the board, which is composed of six producers, three feeders, one seed stock producer and three first handlers. The board allocates checkoff dollars for education, Top photo, Tammy Doughty will serve a three-year term on the American Lamb promotion and research. Board. Above, Annie Dee was chosen for a second three-year term on the United Soybean Board. “Tammy is extremely deserving of this

DECEMBER 2014

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Ag And Forestry Museum Opens At Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds By Jill Clair Gentry

t the Greater Gulf State Fair in Mobile Oct. 24–Nov. 2, attendees enjoyed rides, cotton candy, popcorn and games, but they also noticed a new attraction — the South Alabama Agriculture and Forestry Museum. The museum features historical and educational exhibits that spotlight different segments of the agriculture industry: aquaculture; forestry and wildlife; row crops; ornamental nursery and greenhouse; fruit, vegetables and bees; and livestock. “If we can get someone to think about, dream about or decide to become a farmer, then this museum will be a success,” said Billy Lucas, Agriculture and Forestry Museum Foundation president. The opening of the museum was the realization of a dream that began in January 2006. Representatives from nearly every local commodity organization and agency have been involved in creating the museum, including members of the Mobile County Farmers Federation. “I’ve been collecting antique farm equipment for more than 40 years, and I’m glad a place is here where I can display it,” said Chuff Hinton of Mobile. Hinton donated several items for the museum, including a 1940s-era hay baler. “Using this thing, it would have taken eight to 10 people a long, hard day to do 100 bales of hay,” Hinton said. “Now you can do 100 bales in a few minutes. It’s mind boggling the way things have advanced.” Mobile County Farmers FedDECEMBER 2014

eration President Calvin Freeland donated a grain drill from the 1940s that belonged to his father-in-law. “He would be very proud to see it in here,” Freeland said. “He kept this thing through storms — if the barn was destroyed, he’d build a new one to put it in. He started trying to really preserve it 20 or 30 years ago, and he would be so happy to see it in this museum.” In addition to many exhibits featuring antique farm equipment, the museum also features photographs, videos and educational material. The museum is located at 1035 Cody Road N., Mobile, AL 36608. It will be open during all events at the fairgrounds. It will also be available for school field trips. n 11

Top photo, members of the South Alabama Agriculture and Forestry Museum Foundation’s Board of Directors participate in the museum’s ribbon cutting Oct. 23. Bea Williams, wife of the late Milton Williams, cut the ribbon. Milton Williams was the first president of the foundation when it began in 2006. Center photos, Albert Miller of Mobile watches an educational video at the museum, which also features antique farm equipment, educational information about agriculture, photographs and a seed display.

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By A.J. Watson

wo counties at different ends of the road in building agricultural centers have come to know two things: it’s hard work, and it’s worth it. The journey started 20 years ago for Calhoun County when an ag teacher joined a fellow educator in an neighboring county to organize lamb shows. They later added shows for pigs, heifers and other animals. After using private barns for the shows, the Calhoun County Com-

Calhoun County Farmers Federation President Wendell Wilson, left, Young Farmer Committee Chairman Adam Wilson and County Board Member Doug Trantham stand outside the county’s new Agri Center in Leatherwood.

mission allowed youth to show in a maintenance barn for several years before that space was converted to a facility for the Pleasant Valley High School FFA. “A couple of years ago the county dedicated an old utility building in Leatherwood as a show ground,” Calhoun County Farmers Federation President Wendell Wilson said. “With help from a group of parents, volunteers and students, we’ve turned that old maintenance build-

ing into a nice ag facility.” Wilson said volunteers rewired and painted the facility while the Calhoun County Farmers Federation donated money for animal pens and wash areas. Wilson said while he knows not everyone who is in FFA or attends a show will become a farmer, the exposure is something that will pay dividends in many ways. “Our goal isn’t to make farmers out of every child but to educate them about agriculture,” he said. “One of these days they’re going to grow up to become voters, and they can be educated voters by knowing what it takes to raise and care for an animal.” While Calhoun County has reached a high point in its quest to build an ag center, Randolph County Farmers Federation President Jimmy Fetner said his county’s mission to build an ag center began five years ago. The Randolph County group recently purchased a facility near Wedowee where its first youth livestock show was held in October. Fetner said the ag center project A youth show livestock was held at the Randolph County Ag Center in October near Wedowee.

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DECEMBER 2014

The new Randolph County Ag Center provides young people an opportunity to show livestock in their home county.

is about 40 percent complete, but it’s already showing positive results after the first show. “Visitors stayed in our motels, bought gas and ate at our restaurants,” he said. “The guy who owns the corner store near to this facility said he saw a 20 percent increase in his business.” Fetner said he hopes to establish an annual county fair, but acknowledged there’s still a lot of hard work to be done.

“I imagine by the time this complex is finished it will have taken 20 years,” he said — the same amount of time it took Federation leaders in Calhoun County to make their

dream a reality. For students like Whitney Herren, a 12-year old 7th grader at Woodland High School in Randolph County, the project is already a success. She said she was happy to finally show in her home county and looks forward to seeing agricultural activities expand there. “I showed pigs here last week,” Herren said following a show last fall. “I really liked it, and hopefully we can have a fair and some bull riding events in the future.” Fetner said the economic advantages are valuable, but the lasting impact on the community is priceless. “This is all for the kids,” he said. “Anything for kids or a non-profit we don’t charge them to use the center. A lot of us are living out dreams that we had when we were kids because we couldn’t afford to show in Birmingham or Montgomery.” n

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Promising Pecan Harvest Is A Holiday Delight By Mary Johnson

lenty of pecans should be available to grace dinner and dessert tables this holiday season as Alabama farmers anticipate a good harvest. Alabama Farmers Federation State Horticulture Committee Chairman Joe Adams said dry weather delayed pecan harvest about two weeks at his Bullock County farm. However, he’s optimistic there will still be a good crop. “On Oct. 1, we were about four inches short on rain,” Adams said. “That will affect the size of the pecan nut. I expect we’ll be about 10 percent under an average year in crop quality and quantity, but it’ll still be a good year for pecans in Alabama.” Adams has been in the pecan business for more than five decades. He and his wife of 56 years, Mary Claire, moved to their farm just a few miles from the Chunnennuggee Ridge in 1960. He now has about 120 acres of pecan trees and manages another 75 acres. “Mary Claire and I have worked hard to do what we’ve done,” Adams said. “I can remember pecans selling for just a nickel (a pound), and now they’re above $1. We’ve been successful in the pecan business and usually made decent crops.” In 1977, Adams and his brothers

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Bullock County farmer Joe Adams, above, has been in the pecan business for more than 50 years. He said even though his pecan crop is slightly below average, it’s still a good year for the pecan harvest in Alabama. At left, a pecan harvester gathers this year’s crop.

built the first pecan cleaning plant in the area, and at one time they ran nearly 50,000 pounds of pecans through daily. “The plant is still there and running, but now we pretty much just use it for our crop,” he said. “There used to be a lot more pecan orchards around here, but now we’re down to maybe four or five commercial growers in the county.” Farther south in Mobile County, farmer Ken Buck said this is a great time to be in the pecan business. “Demand right now is tremendous,” said Buck, who sells about 50 percent of his pecan crop through a retail store on his farm in Bayou La Batre. “I’m not sure what the cause is, but the walk-in trade at the farm is by far better than we’ve ever had before.” The store at Ken Buck Farms will be open through Christmas. 14

Buyers can choose from around 13 different varieties Buck grows on 65 acres and they can have them cracked or shelled at the store. Buck said he expects to see a larger harvest this year. “Last year, the weather didn’t cooperate at all; it was so dry,” he said. “Our production for 2014 should be a little more than twice what we did last year. We’ve been fortunate. We’ll have a good crop and prices are stable now, even up somewhat.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts a national pecan crop of 275.6 million in-shell pounds. That’s slightly more than 266.3 million pounds produced in 2013. While that’s good news for consumers who enjoy a slice of pecan pie at Christmas celebrations, Adams said there’s lots of good ways to prepare the nuts. “It doesn’t really make any difference to me how you serve pecans, I just really like to eat them,” he said. For pecan recipes, read the Country Kitchen on page 28. n DECEMBER 2014

2014 Annual Report Our Mission â&#x20AC;&#x153;To support and advance agriculture in the state of Alabama through education and research; increase awareness of agriculture in Alabama through public programs and activities; improve and expand agricultural services and products for the benefit of all citizens and to establish and maintain high standards in agriculture.â&#x20AC;? View our Annual Report at www.AlabamaFarmersFoundation.org

New Ag Tag The new “Farming Feeds Alabama” license plate, available now at tagissuing offices, celebrates the patriotism of farmers while reinforcing the contribution agriculture makes to national security. Support healthy food from local farmers by purchasing a Farming Feeds Alabama license plate. The tag funds education and promotion efforts including Ag in the Classroom, Farm-City Week, agricultural scholarships and youth

Income Statement October 1, 2013 - September 30, 2014

Revenue Unrestricted contributions

$41,685.50

Ag in the classroom Ag tag

programs. The “Ag Tag” may be purchased for any two-axle vehicle for personal or agricultural use weighing less than 12,000 pounds (including many farm trucks). Reference Alabama Act 2006-356.

Foundation Fundraisers Sam Givhan was the lucky winner of a shotgun raffle, which raised $9,205. The drawing was held at the 2013 annual meeting.

$3,430.13 $231,849.39

Scholarships

$47,375.00

State Youth Livestock Show

$20,000.00 $344,340.02

Expenses Bank Fees

$211.43

Office supplies

$5.50

Legal & audit fees

$2,200.00

Miscellaneous expense

$641.37

Ag in the classroom

$94,484.35

Sponsorship

$17,300.00

Ag tag advertising Scholarship

$6,390.11 $72,353.00

Scholarship supplies State Youth Livestock Show

$108.58 $17,179.80

Ag Scholarship Luncheon

$8,397.54 $219,271.68

Net Income

$125,068.34

Note: These are pre-audit figures and are subject to change.

Board of Directors

Generous members helped the Foundation raise $10,021 during the annual silent auction.

Wayne Bassett Terrie Channell Rhonda Hughes Tommy Martin Keith McCurdy Jimmy Parnell Paul Pinyan Randa Owen Starnes Raleigh Wilkerson

Support the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation Make Checks Payable to: Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191 Name__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ____________________ State ________ Zip _____________ Phone ___________________ Email ____________________________ In Memory / Honor of: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Gifts to the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For questions contact Terrie Channell, (334) 613-4657 or tchannell@alfafarmers.org.

Activities & Accomplishments Livestock Shows

Scholarships

Livestock Shows — The Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF) sponsored youth livestock shows at the Southeastern Livestock Exposition and the Alabama National Fair. About 150 students participated in showmanship contests at the Alabama Junior Beef Expo in March. More than 300 students exhibited lambs, goats, dairy cattle, beef cattle and hogs at the Alabama National Fair in October. “Sponsoring youth livestock events is an investment in agriculture, and it’s an investment in our children,” said AFAF Board Member Jimmy Parnell. “These young people showing livestock today will be the leaders of tomorrow.” Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute — The 2014 Ag in the Classroom (AITC) Summer Institute sent more than 80 educators back to their schools armed with agcentric resources and a mission to expand their classrooms to the great outdoors. Held in Birmingham June 11-13, the AITC event offered teachers from across the state a chance to explore new ways of sharing agriculture’s message with students. From interactive workshops and panel-based seminars

to networking events and tours of outdoor classrooms, the annual program introduced ways to reach students from kindergarten to high school. Accurate Ag Books — AFAF donated more than 900 books for the state’s public and private elementary school libraries. The donation of the book “Who Grew My Soup?” is meant to educate students about farming and how food is grown. The book tells the story of pickyeater Phineas Quinn who prefers sodas and candy to vegetable soup, until he takes a trip to a local farm. “Who Grew My Soup?” is on the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s Accurate Ag Books list and was reprinted in 2013. Scholarships — AFAF helped secure a bright future for agriculture and forestry as 70 Accurate Ag Books Auburn University and Alabama A&M students received scholarships. Among those

Ag in the Classroom

recognized were 52 students who received $1,750 scholarships through a new program, whereby the Foundation provides $1,250 in matching funds for every county Federation that contributes $500 toward a scholarship. Alabama Farmers Federation Southeast Vice President George Jeffcoat of Houston County chairs the scholarship committee. He said the goal is to have at least one scholarship recipient from each of Alabama’s 67 counties. “I’m excited to see this many young people planning on going into the agriculture field,” Jeffcoat said. “This program is a way we can help them continue their education.” Although the AFAF matching contribution applies to one student per county, some county Federations awarded multiple scholarships. Other counties gave scholarships directly to students or through the colleges of agriculture. Altogether, about 100 students will attend an Alabama college or technical school this fall as a scholarship recipient from AFAF or a county Farmers Federation.

Individual Sponsors Julian Abercrombie Robert Acker Nelson Adams Thomas Adams Jerry Albright Leo Allen Don Allison Alvin Anderson Brandon Ard Ronnie Ard Richard Askin Joe Bagents Wayne Baines Brock Barlette Carole Barton Randy Bearden Ronnie Bechel Tony Beck Katherine Belcher Wallace Belcher Andy Benton Jimmy Bice Brooke Bishop Glenda Bishop Jared Bishop Larry Bishop Luther Bishop Bo Bishop David Bitto Tony Blocker Donny Bodiford Tony Bonci Larry Bonds Larry Bowen Richard Bowman Elaine Bozeman Fletcher Bozeman Jim Branch Joe Brannan Ronald Brown Deb Brumbeloe Jan Brumbeloe Roger Brumbeloe Robert Brush Kenny Buckhaver Jay Buckley Barbara Bufford

Thomas Bufford Gerald Buntyu Mike Burnette Zac Burns Waymon Buttram Jerry Byrd Robert Byrd Karen Cagle Clay Campbell Christy Cantrell Joe Cantrell Jimmy Carmack Mike Carnes Bill Caylor Erick Cedeno James S. Childers Wallace Childree Joe Ching Todd Clark Elaine Clemmons Mike Coker Ann Cook Lucky Cope Rickey Cornutt Steve Courson Glenn Crumpler Gene Daniel Debra Davis Lamar Davis Wayne Davis Larry Dawkins Tommy Dawson Ryan Denney Faye Dial Michael Dick Joe Dickerson Will Dismukes Tim Donaldson Duelon Dunagan Ray Duncan Abby Dunn Alex Dunn June Dunn Sam Dunn Steve Dunn Doug Dunnaway Jim Edberg

David Ellis Shelia Ethridge Mark Evans Steve Everett Sharon Fair John Farrow Faye Fidler Jimmie Fidler Patsy Fincher William S. Forrest Boyce Foust Marlene Foust Rickey Frasier Jeff Frazee Stanley Free Daniel Freeman Henry Fuqua Phillip Garrison Jamison Gay Sammy Gibbs Billy Gilley Matt Glenn Breanna Grantland Leanna Grantland Kathy Hackston Annette Hall Laslie Hall Jake Harper James Harrell Gean Harris Jimmie Harrison Chris Havely Chuck Hawkins Ben Haynes Jon Hegeman Jeff Helms Russell Hendrix Mason Henry Tom Hereford Mac Higginbotham Corey Hill Jimmy Holliman Chris Holoway J.C. Holt Pat Holt Stanley Horn Wayne Huddleston

Jennifer Huggins Donny Huguley Edward Hulvey Steve Hurst Daniel Hutcheson Paul Hybard Tom Ingram Derek Jackson Kenneth Jackson George Jeffcoat Mark Jerrell Angie Johns David Johnson Jack Johnson Jane Johnson Jerry Johnson Terry Johnson Ricky Jones Tim Jones Martha Jordan Ronnie Joe Jordan Joe Kather Daniel Kelley Charles Kelly Charles Kennedy Randy Kerr Harold Kilpatrick Harold King Roger Dale Kirkland Townsend Kyser Tommy Lairmore Joe Lambert Natalie Lambert Paula Lambert Kevin Lawrence Harry Lazenby Jamie Lazenby Darrell Lee Johnny Lee Mike Leggett Paul Looney Bob Luker Cohen Luker Don Mack Beth Marks Patty Marsh Zac Marsh

Gary Martin Terry Martin Tommy Martin Lude Mashburn Carl Massey Teresa Matthews Norman McClure Diane McCool Harold McCool Toby McCormick Timmy McDaniel Tommy McDaniel Clint McElmoyl Carl McEntyre Donny McHugh Reese McKinney Andy McLeod Nick McMichen Jimmy Mercer H.G. Miles Jimmy B. Miller Tommy Mims Cliff Mitchell Roy Moore Roger Morris Emory Mosley Larry Murphy Shannon Murray Thomas Murray Greg Myrick Eddie Nall Martha Nall Steve Nall Mike Neal C.B. Neely Linda Neidart James Nelson Sid Nelson Frank Newborn Jerry A. Newby Katherine Newcombe Scotty Noles Pat Norred Ronnie Norris Doyce Nowling Gail Oden Jennifer Oden

Eugene Ogletree James L. Parnell Maurice Paul Vivian Paul Marc Pearson George Peters Patsy A. Pike Elizabeth Pitts Mark Powers Joe L. Rankin Roy Reed Dennis Reid Eddie Reid Robert Revels Mark Reynolds Hank Richardson Thomas Ridgeway Isaac Robertson Jason Robertson Rob Robison Sam Roney Jim Roulaine Cliff Roy Judy Rudd Paul Salzmann Jerrel Samson Henry Sanford Ruth Saucer Wesley Ray Saucer Earl Saxon Tyler Schmidt Roger Scott Gary Seale Clay Sellers Martha Sessions Donald Sewell Taylor Sexton Hershel Seymore Kathy Shaver Raymond Shaw Sara Shaw Gaylan Shelly Donald Shirah Gary Skipper Marie Slade Anna Smart Bubba Snider

Chad Sorrells Peggy St. John Roland St. John Megan Stanley Amy Stephens Dee Stephens Craig Stevens Danny Stevens Everette Stewart Jackson Stone Scott Strickland Willie F. Sykes Scott Taylor Chris Thompson Phillip Thompson Paula Tidwell William Tidwell Tim Timmons Mike Tindol Bert Tomkins Chappy Trawick Ashley Truett Randy Tumlin Chris Upchurch Stanley Usery David Wahl James Walker Daryl Wallace Jason Walley Stan Walters Don Wambles Ricky Ward Aaron Wells Charles Whatley Ed White Ben Wilks Donald Williams Joe Williams Johnny Williams Roland Williams Jeremy Wilson Keith Wise Jason Wolff Brady Wood Dean Wysner

Corporate Sponsors Alabama Cattlemen’s Association

Cherokee County Farmers Federation

Eastaboga Bee Company

Lauderdale County Farmers Federation

Pike County Farmers Federation

Alabama Farmers Federation

Chilton County Farmers Federation

Elmore County Farmers Federation

Lawrence County Farmers Federation

Randolph County Farmers Federation

Alabama Peanut Producers Association

Clarke County Farmers Federation

Escambia County Farmers Federation

Lee County Farmers Federation

Russell County Farmers Federation

Alabama Pork Producers

Clay County Farmers Federation

Etowah County Farmers Federation

Limestone County Farmers Federation

Shelby County Farmers Federation

Alabama Poultry & Egg Association

Cleburne County Farmers Federation

Fayette County Farmers Federation

Lowndes County Farmers Federation

St. Clair County Farmers Federation

Alfa Foundation

Coffee County Farmers Federation

First South Farm Credit

Madison County Farmers Federation

Sumter County Farmers Federation

Autauga County Farmers Federation

Colbert County Farmers Federation

Franklin County Farmers Federation

Marengo County Farmers Federation

Talladega County Farmers Federation

Baldwin County Farmers Federation

Conecuh County Farmers Federation

Geneva County Farmers Federation

Marion County Farmers Federation

Tallapoosa County Farmers Federation

Barbour County Farmers Federation

Coosa County Farmers Federation

Hale County Farmers Federation

Marshall County Farmers Federation

Tuscaloosa County Farmers Federation

Bibb County Farmers Federation

Covington County Farmers Federation

Henry County Farmers Federation

Mobile County Farmers Federation

Walker County Farmers Federation

Blount County Farmers Federation

Crenshaw County Farmers Federation

Houston County Farmers Federation

Monroe County Farmers Federation

Washington County Farmers Federation

Bullock County Farmers Federation

Cullman County Farmers Federation

Jack Deloney

Montgomery County Farmers Federation

Wilcox County Farmers Federation

Butler County Farmers Federation

Dale County Farmers Federation

Jackson County Farmers Federation

Morgan County Farmers Federation

Winston County Farmers Federation

Calhoun County Farmers Federation

Dallas County Farmers Federation

Jefferson County Farmers Federation

Perry County Farmers Federation

Chambers County Farmers Federation

DeKalb County Farmers Federation

Lamar County Farmers Federation

Pickens County Farmers Federation

Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation • P.O. Box 11000 • Montgomer y, AL 36191

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Carlisle, Blackwell Honored At TREASURE Forest Annual Meeting By A.J. Watson

he Alabama TREASURE Forest Association (ATFA) honored its former president and a retired Alabama Farmers Federation employee for outstanding contributions to the organization during its annual meeting Oct. 10-11 in Auburn. Former Alabama Farmers Federation Governmental and Agricultural Programs Director Jimmy Carlisle was honored with the Gary Fortenberry Partnership Award, given to a person or organization that has aided ATFA’s mission. Billy and Berta Blackwell received the Bill Moody Award, named after ATFA founder and retired state forester Bill Moody, for their promotion of ATFA. “Jimmy was very instrumental in combining the Federation and the TREASURE Forest organizations,” said ATFA President John Farrow. “Without people like Jimmy, it

would have been much harder for the organizations to merge.” Last year, in addition to his duties as mayor of Ozark, Billy Blackwell served as president of ATFA when it merged with the Federation. “Billy worked tirelessly to make sure all necessary steps were taken to make the partnership between Alfa and ATFA work,” Farrow said. “It certainly wasn’t easy, but his efforts to lead the partnership will help our organization grow and continue to promote sustainable forest management.” Blackwell said he was honored to receive the award, but encouraged members to look ahead to the future. “I’m truly humbled to receive the Bill Moody Award,” he said. “I want to say ‘thank you’, and let’s continue to make ATFA and Alfa the best partnership it can be.” After the luncheon, about 90 ATFA members attended education-

al sessions in forest management, wildlife and non-traditional forestry topics. Sylacauga resident Howard Gillum, who has been a TREASURE Forest member since 1990, admitted he hasn’t been to an annual meeting in years, but he’s glad he attended this year. “Out of all the topics the Southeastern Raptor Center was the best,” he said. “They had live birds and what they talked about you saw inperson. The facilities at the school of forestry were excellent.” Lauderdale County ATFA member Bob Blanks said the Mary Olive Thomas demonstration forest tour made him think of some revenue options for his tree farm. “I’ve never thought of bailing pine straw until today,” he said. “After the demonstration today I’m seriously considering implementing it, and I thoroughly recommend all forest owners to consider it.” n

Chris Carroll President Dale County Newly elected Dale County Farmers Federation President Chris Carroll and his family do a little bit of everything on their farm, 4C Land & Cattle Co. In addition to pre-conditioning calves, the Carrolls operate four broiler houses, manage 360 acres of timber and farm 200 acres of peanuts and grains. Chris and his wife, Monica, met at Auburn University and have been married 18 years. They have two children, Brittany, 14, and Blake, 13. The Carrolls were Alabama’s Outstanding Young Farm Family in 2007. “I love spending the day watching my kids and wife being a part of our farm,” he said. “The whole family gets up at 4:30 a.m. to go turkey hunting, and everyone hunts in the same blind.” The Carroll’s are members of Ariton Baptist Church, where Chris is a deacon and youth and Sunday school teacher. He also served as State Young Farmers Committee Chairmain and recently was elected as a Dale County commissioner. DECEMBER 2014

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Public Notice For Catfish Referendum

This shall serve as public notice that there will be a state-wide referendum held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 to authorize the continuation of the Alabama Catfish Promotional Check-Off. A polling place shall be located in each county as described below. Voting hours shall be between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All catfish producers who purchased feed in Alabama in the year immediately preceding the referendum and not less than 30 days prior to it shall be entitled to one vote. The assessment for the period between Feb. 1, 2015 and Jan. 31, 2020 shall be $1 per ton of feed

manufactured or purchased in Alabama. This assessment shall be collected at the point of sale and remitted to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. The Department will forward those funds to the Alabama Catfish Producers, a division of the Alabama Farmers Federation. The money collected will be used to fund research programs and promotional efforts that directly benefit catfish producers. For more information, contact Rick Oates at (334) 613-4305 or by email at roates@alfafarmers.org. This referendum is authorized by Act # 87-587 and as amended by Act # 93-625, Code of Alabama.

County Polling Places

Autauga

Agricultural Center, Hwy 14 - Autaugaville

Baldwin

ALFA Office – Robertsdale

Jackson

ALFA Office, 23625 John T. Reid Pkwy Scottsboro

Barbour

ALFA Office – Clayton

Jefferson

ALFA Office, 4760 Eastern Valley Rd – McCalla

Bibb

ALFA Office, 1101 Walnut St. – Centreville

Lamar

ALFA Office – Vernon

Blount

ALFA Office, 400 1st Ave East, Oneonta

Lauderdale

ALFA Office, Ana Dr. – Florence

Bullock

ALFA Office – Union Springs

Lawrence

ALFA Office – Moulton

Butler

ALFA Office – Greenville

Lee

ALFA Office, 709 2nd Ave. – Opelika

Calhoun

ALFA Service Center – Jacksonville

Limestone

ALFA Office, Highway 72 – Athens

Chambers

ALFA Office – Lafayette

Lowndes

ALFA Office – Hayneville

Cherokee

ALFA Office, 600 Cedar Bluff Road - Centre

Macon

Chilton

ALFA Office – Downtown Clanton

ALFA Office – 209 W M.L. K. Hwy – Tuskegee

Choctaw

ALFA Office – Butler

Madison

ALFA Office, 95 Hughes Rd – Madison

Clarke

ALFA Office – Grove Hill

Marengo

ALFA Office – Linden

Clay

ALFA Office – Lineville

Marion

ALFA Office – Hamilton

Cleburne

ALFA Office – Heflin

Marshall

ALFA Office, 1333 Blount Ave - Guntersville

Coffee

ALFA Office, 401 N. Main St. – Enterprise

Mobile

Colbert

ALFA Office – Avalon Ave. – Muscle Shoals

ALFA Office, 3983 Government Blvd. – Mobile

Conecuh

ALFA Office – Evergreen

Monroe

Coosa

ALFA Office – Rockford

ALFA Office, 3582 S. Alabama Ave. – Monroeville

Covington

ALFA Office, 1512 Dr. MLK Express – Andalusia

Montgomery

ALFA Office, 2108 E. South Blvd. – Montgomery, AL

Crenshaw

ALFA Office – Luverne

Morgan

ALFA Office, Hwy 31 SW – Hartselle

Cullman

ALFA Office, Main Ave. – Cullman

Perry

ALFA Office – Marion

Dale

ALFA Office, 311 James St. – Ozark

Pickens

ALFA Service Center –200 Broad St – Aliceville

Dallas

ALFA Office, Broad St. – Selma

Pike

ALFA Office, 1208 S. Brundidge St. – Troy

Dekalb

ALFA Service Center – Rainsville

Randolph

ALFA Office – Wedowee

Elmore

ALFA Office – Wetumpka

Russell

Escambia

ALFA Office – Atmore

ALFA Office, 2-A Westridge Dr/ - Phenix City

Etowah

ALFA Office, 125 Broad Street – Gadsden

Shelby

ALFA Office - Columbiana

Fayette

ALFA Office – Fayette

St. Clair

ALFA Office – Ashville

Franklin

ALFA Office – Russellville

Sumter

ALFA Office – Livingston

Geneva

ALFA Office – 511 East Maple Ave. – Geneva

Talladega

ALFA Office, 314 E. Battle St. – Talladega

Tallapoosa

ALFA Office – Dadeville

Greene

ALFA Office – Eutaw

Tuscaloosa

ALFA Office , 3093 43rd Ave. – Northport

Hale

Alabama Fish Farming Center – Greensboro

Walker

ALFA Office, 903 Airport Rd South – Jasper

Henry

ALFA Office, 108 Kirkland St. – Abbeville

Washington

ALFA Office – Chatom

Houston

ALFA Office, 1038 Ross Clarke Cir.NE – Dothan

Wilcox

ALFA Office – Camden

Winston

ALFA Office – Double Springs

DECEMBER 2014

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

By Lois Chaplin

secret world lies beneath a garden to help it grow. Millions of creatures that live in the soil make up what scientists call the “soil food web” to create a healthy environment for plant roots. Understanding even a little about the soil food web sheds light on why gardeners say, “Feed the soil, and it will feed the plants.” Many types of organisms make up the soil food web. Insects or close relatives such as invisible mites, springtails and bigger, easily visible centipedes, spiders, beetles and millipedes shred organic matter such as leaves so good bacteria can break it down. These bacteria, which don’t move far on their own, attach to insects and other creatures to hitch hike to their food source. Protozoa are single-celled organisms that eat bacteria. As protozoa digest bacteria, the process releases nitrogen in a form plants use to fuel their growth. When earthworms are active, they increase soil’s ability to hold water, create channels for roots to grow and increase microorganism

concentrations in soil. As organic matter passes through a worm’s gut, it’s enriched with nutrients and minerals. Worm poop, also called castings, are sold in bags as a rich fertilizer. The same is released into soil when worms are present, but it’s free. Some gardeners may have seen a mat of white threads a few inches beneath the soil surface while digging. These are fungi creating threads that are only thousandths of an inch thick but bound together to form a large mass. They increase the soil’s ability to hold water. Some fungi are decomposers, breaking down brown, coarse organic material into forms that other soil organisms can use. This action enhances soil with humic acid-rich organic matter, which lasts a long time and helps soil retain water. Mycorrhizal fungi grow around or in plant roots, drawing carbon and sugars from the plant and pumping various nutrients and water directly into plant roots so plants grow faster, bigger and stand up to stress better. This is just a sampling of the underground ecosystem. If one

component of the soil food web is missing, the whole system can be off balance. So how soil is treated can make a big difference, over time, in plant health. Here are a few tips to cultivate a healthy soil food web. • Keep soil covered. Mulch is one of the soil food web’s best friends because it adds organic matter and helps keep moisture in the soil. Use organic mulches such as compost, straw or shredded leaves. Keep the ground mulched to encourage the soil food web to remain active even if the bed is empty. Vegetable gardeners often plant a “living mulch” of ryegrass, clover or some other cover crop to keep soil organisms active in the off season. Some people plant cover crops in the aisles between rows and keep it mowed, too. • Minimize pesticides in the soil or that drip to the ground. Generally, the soil recovers from occasional use of the mildest products. • Rotate many crops. For example, rotating only corn and tomatoes provides only one level of biodiversity in the soil food web. Rotating corn, tomatoes, broccoli and beans allows more kinds of soil organisms present. • Avoid salt-based fertilizers. Count on compost, compost tea and organic fertilizers to feed plants and preserve and enhance the soil food web. Bonnie Plant’s Herb and Vegetable liquid plant food and Nature’s Source Plant Food are derived from oilseed and contain organic compounds that encourage soil activity. Some organic granular plant foods also contain mycorrhizae, bacteria, Archea and other beneficial organisms. n _________________________________

Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

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

DECEMBER 2014

ORDER FORM

Cooking Up The Perfect Gift

Order Online: FarmingFeedsAlabama.com

The holiday season is here! Whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift or just looking for new recipes to share with your loved ones, we have the perfect solution — the new Farming Feeds Alabama a cookbook from the cookbook! Produced in hardback form, the cookbook introduces you to the farmers who grow our food, along with 200 recipes and beautiful food photography highlighting some of Alabama’s best country cooks. FARMING FEEDS ALABAMA

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Favorite Recipes From Alabama’s Country Kitchens

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MAIL ORDER FORM AND CHECK TO: Journal Communications c/o Retail Fulfillment Center 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067 Ordering Questions? Call (800) 333-8842, ext. 315 Make check payable to: Journal Communications

APPLESAUCE CAKE Start-to-finish: 1 hour, 15 minutes (15 minutes active) 3½ cups flour ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1 cup shortening 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 2 cups raisins, chopped 2 cups unsweetened applesauce 2 cups pecans, chopped

By Jill Clair Gentry

or many Southerners, it’s not Christmas without pecans. Generations of home cooks have used them in treasured holiday dishes, making the pecan a nostalgic nut that is as arguably as important as the Christmas ham. Whether pecans are used in a sweet dessert or a savory side dish, they are as versatile as they are sentimental. For Dot Stone of Pine Apple, pecans are a during the holidays. “Buying pecans just brings up those special feelings you get at holidays,” she said. “We always use them in our Christmas dishes.” Dot, whose mother was a master cook and graduate of the Mississippi State College for Women’s home economics program, grew up in the kitchen. She followed in her mother’s footsteps, earning a degree in home economics from Auburn

University in 1961. After working for two years as a home economist for Alabama Power, where she demonstrated how to use electrical appliances in schools and homes, Dot became a stay-at-home mother to her two sons, Gordon and Chris. “I stayed home for 21 years, and we ate together at the table every day,” Dot said. “Until recently, we had Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner at our home for family and friends. We always filled up our banquet table, which seats 18 people.” At these meals, Dot served pecan pie from the 1958 Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) cookbook; sweet potato casserole made from a recipe she obtained in 1959; and her mother’s famous Christmas applesauce cake. More

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

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a bundt pan. Sift flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves together three times. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat shortening for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, scraping sides of the bowl occasionally. Add eggs and beat well. Add raisins and beat well. Add flour mixture alternately with applesauce, beating well after each addition. Add nuts and mix until evenly distributed. Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350 F for 1 hour. Serve plain or frosted. recipes, like her daughter-in-law’s Presbyterian muffins and a friend’s popular pecan cake, have been added to her Christmas recipe repertoire over the years. Gathering around the table and enjoying timeless recipes is something Dot believes keeps families strong. “This day and time, people can get in the habit of being on the go instead of sitting down together,” she said. “I think as long as a family eats meals together, it just strengthens the family unity. It’s just important to have the family together to keep your family strong.” n

FarmingFeedsAlabama.com DECEMBER 2014

PECAN PIE

Start-to-finish: 50 minutes (10 minutes active) 3/4 cup light corn syrup ½ cup sugar 4 tablespoons butter 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 unbaked pie shell 1 cup pecans

Preheat oven to 375 F. In a large saucepan, combine syrup, sugar and butter. Cook together over medium heat until thick. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Slowly pour hot syrup over eggs and beat well. Add vanilla. Pour into unbaked pie shell, cover with pecans and bake at 375 F until shell is well cooked, about 40 minutes.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE Start to finish: 45 minutes (10 minutes active) 3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes 1/3 cup flour ¼ cup butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup flour 1/3 cup butter 1 cup pecans

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except pecans. Pour into casserole dish and top with pecans. Bake at 350 F for 35 minutes.

TABASCO PECANS Start-to-finish: 40 minutes (10 minutes active) 1 stick butter, melted 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon garlic salt ½ teaspoon Tabasco Dash of black pepper 4-6 cups pecan halves

Combine all ingredients and add pecans. Bake at 255 F for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. FRANKLIN PECAN CAKE

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.

PRESBYTERIAN MUFFINS Preheat oven to 350 F. Cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Mix together flour, baking soda and salt. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Fold in nuts. Place in lined muffin tins for 12-15 minutes.

Start-to-finish: 30 minutes (15 minutes active) Makes 24 muffins 2/3 cup butter 1½ cups brown sugar 2 eggs, well beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 ¾ cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup pecans, chopped DECEMBER 2014

(These muffins freeze well.) 29

Start-to-finish: 3 hours, 20 minutes (20 minutes active) 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 12-ounce jar maraschino cherries, chopped and drained 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained 1 pound chopped pecans 4 sticks butter, softened 1 cup sugar 6 large eggs, room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 250 F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube (angel food cake) pan. In a medium bowl, combine 3 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In another medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, cherries, pineapple and pecans. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Fold in fruit and pecan mixture until distributed evenly throughout. Pour into prepared pan and bake at 250 F for 3 hours. Allow to cool completely before removing from pan. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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Commodity Organizational Meeting

MOBILE HOME

OWNE R S

Feb. 3-5, 2015 Embassy Suites Hotel Montgomery, Ala.

EXPERT INSTALLATION

Visit AlfaFarmers.org for more information.

LIFETIME WARRANTY

Registration ends Jan. 9, 2015.

INCREASED HOME VALUE

INSURANCE CREDIT

REDUCED ELECTRIC BILL

STOP LEAKS

NO MORE ROOF RUMBLE Grower Direct

Grow half-dollar size

Muscadines

and Blackberries. We also offer over 200 varieties of Fruit and Nut Trees plus Vine and Berry Plants.

Since 1983

roofover.com

800.633.8969

Ison’s Nursery

Since 1934

Free Catalog

PO Box 190 Brooks, GA 30205 1-800-733-0324 • isons.com

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

DECEMBER 2014

Dear Santa, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been extra good. Savor the flavor of peanuts this Christmas. For delicious peanut recipes visit www.ALPeanuts.com