Cooperative Farming News January 2020

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Cooperative Farming News

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editor: Morgan Graham Associate Editor: Mary Delph

pg. 18

CO-OP MATTERS 17 Andalusia Farmers Cooperative Celebrates 50 years of Service 56 Bonnie Plants: New Year, New Chapter LIFE ON THE HOMEPLACE AND IN THE COMMUNITY 18 The Little Things ...

32 All in the Family: Multigenerational Farming Keeps Alabama Families Working Together 44 Brooke’s Bountiful Blessings

pg. 44

pg. 56

YOUTH MATTERS 22 4-H Extension Corner: Something’s ‘Hoppening’ in Marshall County 26 FFA Sentinel: Nova Mullis: National Proficiency Finalist 28 PALS: Kinston School Joins Clean Campus Program

On the Cover: Danny Porter and his family have farmed since 1979 and they continue to grow as each generation returns to the farm.

OUR REGULARS

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AFC Board of Directors Rickey Cornutt, Sam Givhan, Brooks Hayes, Ben Haynes, Rick Hendricks, Jimmy Newby, Bill Sanders, Jeff Sims, Mike Tate Subscription $15 per year For subscription inquiries or change of address: P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227 or call 256-308-1623

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by Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. 121 Somerville Road NE, Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227

Ag Insight.................................... 6

How’s Your Garden?................... 42

Business of Farming................... 9

The Magic of Gardening........... 48

Product Spotlight........................ 11

The Herb Lady........................... 50

Feeding Facts ............................. 12

Simple Times.............................. 51

From the State Vet’s Office......... 14

Food Safety................................. 54

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and will not be responsible for copy errors or misprints in advertising or editorial material, other than to publish corrections of errors in fact. Feature articles, new items and columns are published for the information of our readers from qualified, reputable sources; however, the editors and publisher make no guarantees and assume no liability for any reader’s decision to implement any procedure, recommendation or advice printed in this publication. Photos are credited to author unless otherwise noted. Advertised sale items may not be stocked by every Quality CO-OP store and prices may vary.

On the Edge of Common Sense... 16

From Pastor to Pasture............... 58

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From Wildlife & Freshwater

The Co-op Pantry....................... 61

Postmaster: Please send notice of address change (enclosing latest address label) to publication office: Cooperative Farming News P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609-2227

Fisheries................................... 30 Lawn and Garden Tips.............. 38

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What’s Happening in Alabama... 64

January 2020

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DIRECTORY OF MEMBER COOPERATIVES ALBERTVILLE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of DeKalb Farmers Cooperative Mark Searels, Mgr. Phone 256-878-3261

FARMERS CO-OP OF ASHFORD Timothy Tolar, Mgr. Jerome Hinson, Asst. Mgr. Phone 334-899-3263

ALTHA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Blountstown - James Lynn, Mgr. Phone 850-674-8194

FARMERS COOPERATIVE, INC. Todd Lawrence, Gen. Mgr. Live Oak, FL - Barry Long, Ag Div. Mgr. Phone 386-362-1459 Madison, FL Phone 850-973-2269

ANDALUSIA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Russell Lassiter, Mgr. Phone 334-222-1851 ATMORE TRUCKERS ASSOCIATION Todd Booker, Mgr. Phone 251-368-2191 BLOUNT COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Eric Sanders, Mgr. Phone 205-274-2185 CALHOUN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Cherokee Farmers Cooperative Jacksonville - Tommy Thomas, Mgr. Phone 256-435-3430 Piedmont - Kevin Bobbitt, Mgr. Phone 256-447-6560 CENTRAL ALABAMA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Tim Wood, Gen. Mgr. Selma - Thomas Reeves, Mgr. Phone 334-874-9083 Faunsdale - Bryan Monk, Mgr. Phone 334-628-2681 Demopolis - Tom Eunice, Mgr. Phone 334-289-0155 CHEROKEE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Andrew Dempsey, Gen. Mgr. Seth Eubanks, Mgr. / Phone 256-927-3135 CLAY COUNTY EXCHANGE Jeff Kinder, Mgr. Phone 256-396-2097 COFFEE COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Enterprise - Ricky Wilks, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-347-9007 Elba - Colin Morris, Mgr. Phone 334-897-6972 COLBERT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Daniel Waldrep, Gen. Mgr. Leighton - Tommy Sockwell, Mgr. Phone 256-446-8328 Tuscumbia - Chuck Hellums, Mgr. Phone 256-383-6462 DEKALB FARMERS COOPERATIVE Larry Leslie, Gen. Mgr Rainsville - Andrea Crain, Mgr. Phone 256-638-2569 Crossville - David Tierce, Mgr. Phone 256-528-7188 ELBERTA FARMERS COOPERATIVE William D. Carlew, Mgr. Phone 251-986-8103 ELMORE COUNTY COOPERATIVE Branch of Taleecon Farmers Cooperative Timothy Richardson, Mgr. Phone 334-567-4321

FARMERS COOPERATIVE MARKET Doug Smith, Gen. Mgr. Frisco City - William Womack, Mgr. Phone 251-267-3175 Fertilizer / Phone 251-267-3173 Leroy - Jeff Hughston, Mgr. Phone 251-246-3512 FAYETTE FARMERS CO-OP Branch of Marion County Cooperative Kellie Trull, Mgr. / Phone 205-932-5901 FLORALA FARMERS AND BUILDERS CO-OP Branch of Andalusia Famers Cooperative Pete Blackwell, Mgr. / Phone 334-858-6142 GENEVA COUNTY COOPERATIVE Hartford - Todd Smith, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-588-2992 GOSHEN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Danny Dewrell, Mgr. / Phone 334-484-3441 HEADLAND PEANUT WAREHOUSE CO-OP Jay Jones, Mgr. Chris Hix, Store Mgr. / Phone 334-693-3313 JACKSON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Madison County Cooperative Ramsey Prince, Mgr. Scottsboro - Phone 256-574-1688 Patricia Rorex, Mgr. Stevenson - Phone 256-437-8829 Austin Crocker, Mgr. New Market Ag Supply - 256-379-2553 JAY PEANUT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Ryan Williams, Mgr. / Phone 850-675-4597 LAUDERDALE COUNTY COOPERATIVE Reggie Shook, Gen. Mgr. Florence - Robbie Neal, Mgr. Phone 256-764-8441 Elgin - Wendell Walker, Mgr. Phone 256-247-3453 LAWRENCE COUNTY EXCHANGE John Holley, Gen Mgr. Moulton - Greg McCannon, Mgr. Phone 256-974-9213 Courtland - Phone 256-637-2939 LIMESTONE FARMERS COOPERATIVE John Curtis, Gen. Mgr. / Phone 256-232-5500 Britt Christopher, Location Mgr. Giles County Co-op - Celena Williams, Mgr. Lynnville, TN - Kyle Doggett, Mgr. Phone 931-527-3923 Pulaski, TN / Phone 931-363-2563 LUVERNE COOPERATIVE SERVICES Perry Catrett, Mgr. / Phone 334-335-5082

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Cooperative Farming News

MADISON COUNTY COOPERATIVE Keith Griffin, Gen. Mgr. Hazel Green - Phone 256-828-2010 Meridianville - Matt Dunbar, Mgr. Phone 256-828-5360 MARION COUNTY COOPERATIVE Steve Lann, Gen. Mgr. Hamilton - Phone 205-921-2631 MARSHALL FARMERS COOPERATIVE Brian Keith, Gen. Mgr. Holly Pond - Phone 256-796-5337 Arab - Adam Scott, Mgr. Phone 256-586-5515 MID-STATE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Talladega County Exchange Columbiana - Barry Keller, Mgr. Phone 205-669-7082 MORGAN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Lance Ezelle, Gen. Mgr. Hartselle - Bradley Hopkins, Mgr. Phone 256-773-6832 Decatur - Trevor Johnson, Mgr. Phone 256-353-4663 OPP’S CO-OP Branch of Andalusia Farmers Cooperative Brandon Bledsoe, Mgr. Phone 334-493-7715 PIKE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Troy - Wayne Ward, Mgr. Phone 334-566-3882 QUALITY COOPERATIVE, INC. Greenville - Daniel Salter, Mgr. Phone 334-382-6548 RANDOLPH FARMERS COOPERATIVE Tim Brown, Mgr. / Phone 256-357-4743 ST. CLAIR FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Talladega County Exchange Ashville - Allen Bice, Mgr. Phone 205-594-7042 Pell City - Joseph Taylor, Mgr. Phone 205-338-2821 TALEECON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Scott Hartley, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-257-3930 TALLADEGA COUNTY EXCHANGE Chris Duke, Gen. Mgr. Chris Elliott, Mgr. Phone 256-362-2716 TUSCALOOSA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Wayne Gilliam, Mgr. / Phone 205-339-8181 WALKER FARMERS COOPERATIVE Cody King, Mgr. / Phone 205-387-1142 WEST GENEVA COUNTY COOPERATIVE Branch of Geneva County Cooperative Robert Pittman, Mgr. / Phone 334-898-7932 WINSTON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Marion County Cooperative Haleyville - Jessica Steward, Mgr. Phone 205-486-3794

Quality Co-op: Specialty Products & Services For more information, contact your local Quality Co-op CatďŹ sh Filets All Year Albertville Farmers Co-op Altha Farmers Co-op - Blountstown Andalusia Farmers Co-op Atmore Truckers Association Blount County Farmers Co-op Calhoun Farmers Co-op - Piedmont Calhoun Farmers Co-op - Jacksonville Central AL Farmers Co-op - Selma Central AL Farmers Co-op - Faunsdale Central AL Farmers Co-op - Demopolis Cherokee Farmers Co-op Clay County Exchange Coffee County Farmers Co-op - Enterprise Coffee County Farmers Co-op - Elba Colbert Farmers Co-op - Tuscumbia DeKalb Farmers Co-op - Rainsville DeKalb Farmers Co-op - Crossville Elberta Farmers Co-op Elmore County Co-op Farmers Co-op Inc. - Live Oak, FL Farmers Co-op Inc. - Madison, FL Farmers Co-op Market - Frisco City Farmers Co-op Market - Leroy Fayette Co-op Florala Farmers & Builders Co-op Goshen Farmers Co-op

Pea Shelling Seasonal

Pecan Cracking

Seasonal

Propane All Year E&R

Seed Drills All Year

R

B B B B

R&E R&E R&E

B B B B B

R R S, E & R R&E R S&R S&R S&R

B B B B B

S&R E S&R

B

Geneva County Co-op - Hartford Headland Peanut Warehouse Co-op Jackson Farmers Co-op - Scottsboro Jackson Farmers Co-op - Stevenson Jay Peanut Farmers Co-op Lauderdale County Co-op - Florence Lauderdale County Co-op - Elgin Lawrence Co. Exchange - Moulton Lawrence Co. Exchange - Courtland Limestone Farmers Co-op Giles County Co-op - Pulaski Giles County Co-op - Lynnville Luverne Cooperative Services Madison County Co-op Marion County Co-op Marshall Farmers Co-op - Arab Marshall Farmers Co-op - Holly Pond Mid-State Farmers Co-op Morgan Farmers Co-op - Decatur Morgan Farmers Co-op - Hartselle Opp’s Co-op Pike Farmers Co-op Quality Co-op Inc. St. Clair Farmers Co-op - Ashville St. Clair Farmers Co-op - Pell City Taleecon Farmers Co-op Talladega County Exchange Tuscaloosa Farmers Co-op Walker Farmers Co-op Winston Farmers Co-op www.alafarm.com

Peanuts All Year B B B

S&R B

B R R R

B

S&R E S&R B S&R B B B B B

S, E & R S&R R S S&R

Thanksgiving & Christmas season

All Year B *Alligator also sold

Peanuts: Raw B: Raw & Roasted

Propane: R = Recharge

S = Sell E = Exchange

January 2020

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AG INSIGHT Agritourism shows significant growth Diving into results from the 2017 Census of Agriculture continues to come up with data showing interesting trends in agriculture and rural America.

Case in point: farm agritourism revenue more than tripled between 2002 and 2017, census information shows.

From the 2012 census and with adjustments for inflation, agritourism revenue grew from $704 million in 2012 to almost $950 million in 2017. Because the 2017 data excluded wineries, which had been included in the 2002, 2007 and 2012 data, agritourism revenue growth likely was even greater during that period. However, agritourism revenue is still small relative to total farm revenue, accounting for 5.6 percent of farm-related income in 2017.

Agritourism helps U.S. farmers and ranchers generate revenue from recreational or educational activities such as tours of a working farm or “pick-yourown fruits and vegetables” programs. Beginning and small and mid-size farms are increasingly exploring agritourism as a strategy to remain competitive and viable.

Agritourism also has the potential to help revitalize rural economies, educate the public about agriculture and preserve agricultural heritage. In addition, community-focused farms may find agritourism an attractive

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Cooperative Farming News

option because it provides more labor opportunities for local residents.

Researchers found several farm-level factors associated with agritourism enterprises. Female operators were more likely to participate in those activities, particularly on larger agritourism farms. Older operators were slightly more likely to adopt agritourism than younger farmers, all else being equal.

In addition, farms and ranches that processed or sold food for human consumption such as participating in local or regional food systems, were also more likely to adopt agritourism. Direct-to-consumer marketing (such as farmers’ markets) and direct-to-retail food sales (such as selling to restaurants) provide free marketing for agritourism enterprises through word of mouth.

Lastly, farms and ranches with cattle and horses had a greater likelihood of implementing agritourism.

Horses in particular are associated with higher value agritourism enterprises such as dude ranches.

Communities to receive USDA grants, loans The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced it is investing $635 million in 122 projects to improve water systems and wastewater handling services in rural communities in 42 states and another $394 million to improve critical community facilities in 28 states.

USDA is funding the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program and the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. Alabama communities and entities receiving assistance are: • The Water Works and Electric Board of the City of Elba where a $4.4 million loan and a $1 million grant will be used to upgrade corroded water mains and install related equipment. A new water storage tank also will be added.

• The City of Robertsdale where a $3,783,000 loan will finance a new public works administration building, two warehouse buildings and two equipment sheds. Once the construction is complete, the city-owned utilities and public building authority will be in one location.

• The Leighton Volunteer Fire Department where an $81,000 loan and a $49,000 grant will be used for new turnout gear and air packs, and to refinance the debt on two firetrucks.

BY JIM ERICKSON

Food insecurity projected to decline in next decade

describes the amount of food each food-insecure person would need to reach the nutritional target of 2,100 calories per capita per day.

Given projections for increasing per capita incomes and lower food prices, food security is expected to improve in all regions studied over the next 10 years, with the share of people unable to reach the nutritional target projected to decline from 19 to 9 percent of the regional populations.

The trend represents a decline from 728 million people currently estimated to be food-insecure to fewer than 400 million food-insecure people in 2029, despite growing populations in the regions studied.

In making the projections, the USDA’s Economic Research Services looked at 76 low- and middle-income countries around the world that traditionally have been recipients of international food aid and measured three indicators: 1) the number of food-insecure people, 2) the food-insecure population share in each of those countries, and 3) the food gap, that

China lifts ban on U.S. poultry imports USDA officials have welcomed the news that China will lift its ban on U.S. poultry imports.

China has been an important export market for U.S. poultry farmers and lifting the ban could lead to more than $1 billion in poultry and poultry product sales annually to the Far Eastern nation, USDA officials projected.

China has banned all U.S. poultry since January 2015 due to an avian influenza outbreak in December 2014, even though the United States has been free of this disease since August 2017. The United States exported over $500 million worth of poultry products to China in 2013.

The United States is one of the world’s largest poultry exporters, with global sales of poultry meat and products of $4.3 billion last year. The Netherlands is the world’s largest poultry exporter.

Projected agricultural trade balance lowest since 2006 U.S. agricultural exports are projected to total $134.5 billion in fiscal year 2019 while agricultural imports are expected to total $129.3 billion, according to an agricultural trade outlook from the ERS. The trade balance numbers are expected to improve, but only slightly, in 2020.

The $5.2 billion surplus projected for FY 2019 is the lowest since FY 2006, when the U.S. exported $4.6 billion more in agricultural goods than it imported.

Unlike overall trade in other goods and services, U.S. trade in the agricultural sector consistently runs at a surplus. Although agricultural exports have increased in value since 2016, the value of imports has risen at a slightly faster rate, leading to a declining trade balance.

The decline in expected export value was primarily due to lowered expectations for corn and soybean exports. For imports, the projected increase was due in January 2020

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USDA officials have welcomed the news that China will lift its ban on U.S. poultry imports.

China has been an important export market for U.S. poultry farmers and lifting the ban could lead to more than $1 billion in poultry and poultry product sales annually to the Far Eastern nation, USDA officials projected. part to an increase in the expected value of horticultural imports such as fruits and vegetables.

Initial projections for the FY 2020 suggest a small recovery in the agricultural trade balance to $8 billion, with exports valued at $137.0 billion and imports valued at $129.0 billion.

days of the levies’ implementation, the organization says.

In the month of September alone, Americans paid a total of $7.1 billion in tariffs, more than any other amount in U.S. history and a 59 percent increase from the same month a year earlier.

“This data offers concrete proof that tariffs are taxes paid by American businesses, farmers and consumers – not by China,” a spokesman for the Americans for Free Trade organization stated.

Economists said U.S. business investment in the third quarter also dropped primarily due to trade tensions. JP Morgan projects tariffs will cost American households up to $1,000 per year, while Moody’s Analytics estimates the trade war has reduced U.S. employment by 300,000.

USDA issues rules on hemp production

Costs of trade war continue to climb As negotiations between the United States and China continue on ways to resolve their ongoing trade dispute, data released by Tariffs Hurt the Heartland shows American consumers and businesses have paid an additional $38 billion since the trade war began in February 2018 through September 2019.

This is the first data showing the impact of additional tariffs on $112 billion worth of mainly consumer-facing goods that went into effect on Sept. 1, 2019.

Americans paid an extra $905 million in the first 30 8

Cooperative Farming News

An interim final rule governing the production of hemp in the United States has been published in the Federal Register and some 700 comments on it had been received halfway through the public comment period that ended Dec. 30.

The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to establish a national regulatory framework for hemp production in the United States.

In its rule making, USDA has established the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, a measure outlining provisions for the department to approve plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp. It also establishes a Federal plan for producers in states or territories of Indian tribes who do not have their own USDA-approved plan.

The interim final rule does not affect industrial hemp that was or is being cultivated under 2014 Farm Bill programs. That commodity remains subject to requirements of the 2014 legislation.

BUSINESS OF FARMING

B Y R O B E R T PA G E

Counting Small Tools and Equipment:

How much money is in this shed?

W

hen producers walk into their barn, shed or tool room, they are looking at money, in many cases lots of money, that has been invested in small tools and equipment as well as tractors and implements. In this article, we want to ask the simple ques-

tion, “How much money is in this shed?�

Alabama producers have suffered severe weather events in recent years, from tornados to hurricanes to straight-line winds that can destroy their buildings, damage equipment and literally blow away large amounts of tools

January 2020 2020 9 January

and equipment. After such an event, producers meet with their insurance providers to try to recover their losses or damages. If you are reading this article, ask yourself if you could document the majority of items (and how much they cost) that are currently in your farm’s tool room or equipment shed.

As accountants, we help farmers keep track of large farm equipment that is depreciated for tax return purposes. Some farmers just write off any tool expense under $1,000 as a current year farm expense and only add equipment or implements that cost over $1,000 to their fixed asset listing maintained by their tax preparer. Over time, these small tools could add up to tens of thousands of dollars in investment that the farmer may have never added to any type of equipment list. Then, if disaster hits, how does the farmer accurately claim those small tool losses with his insurance agent?

To protect your tool investments, here are a couple of simple suggestions that may really help protect your farm down the road from natural disaster, fire or theft.

Once a year, walk through your equipment sheds and take two or three pictures of every piece of equipment you own. If the equipment has a serial number, take a close-up picture so that the serial number is clearly readable. Make sure the pictures are dateand time-stamped.

When you are through with the large pieces of equipment, go into your tool room and open every drawer and cabinet and take two or three pictures of each drawer or shelf in the cabinet. Whenever possible, take a picture of the brand name and model number of the tool or piece of equipment. Remember why you are taking these pictures. These pictures are your proof you owned these items in your shed that may get blown away or destroyed someday.

When you buy small tools and equipment, make two copies of the purchase receipt and put it in an equipment file and a separate file for your insurance agent. Talk to your insurance agent about having a separate line item on your farm policy for small tools and equipment. Ask your agent how they would like you to document what’s in your tool shed.

The next time you have a day that is just unsuitable for working outside, walk through your barn and shed and ask yourself, “How much money is in this shed?” After you ask yourself that first question, then ask yourself, “Can you prove or document that dollar amount?” This article has been just a little food for thought from the Farm and Agribusiness Management team.

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Cooperative Farming News

Protect Your Tool Investment

1. Take two or three pictures of every large piece of equipment you own.

2. Open every drawer and cabinet in your tool room and take two or three pictures.

3. When you buy small tools and equipment, make two copies of the purchase receipt and put it in an equipment file.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

BY JOHN SIMS

15% All Stock Textured Do you have many different species of animals on your farm? Is it a hassle to buy several different feeds for your animals? Do you want a higher level of performance than you get from your current all stock feed?

The solution to your problem is 15% All Stock.

It is formulated with higher protein and energy levels to meet the nutritional requirements that your animals face at many different stages of production. The increased energy level is designed to put the “finish” on animals you are feeding out or to meet other high energy demands. The increased protein level also helps meet lactation needs, as well as maximizing frame and muscle growth. This higher level of nutrition is achieved through the use of steam-flaked corn, alfalfa meal, yeast, chelated trace minerals and a special blend of feed ingredients.

15% All Stock is a textured feed, meaning it has pellets and meal in it. Some species may sort out different

parts of the feed at first, but will consume all ingredients in just a few days. Always provide free-choice forage, water, vitamins and minerals.

Feeding directions: • Cattle, Horses, Sheep and Goats - Hand feed 1 to 3 percent of body weight per head per day, depending on weight and stage of production of your animal.

• Pigs - Feed free choice 6 to 15 pounds per head per day, depending on weight and stage of production.

• Wild Deer - Feed free choice as a protein/energy supplement and attractant.

So, if you are looking for a high-performance “one bag” solution to feed your livestock, pick up some 15% All Stock at your local Quality Co-op store.

To find a Quality Co-op store near you, go to www.alafarm.com.

January 2020

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FEEDING FACTS

Consider Fall Calving for Better Prices I happened to hear a podcast a few weeks ago from a nationally known cattle market expert. He said two things that I thought were significant.

First, he commented that there were too many producers out there who spent money on top genetics and good feed and then just threw those advantages away by not marketing their calves wisely. Last fall, we saw a super widespread in calf prices. Those that were weaned and fed for a few weeks brought significantly more money than the same size bawling calves that were weaned on sale day. There are lots of reasons for this.

He went on to point out that 65 percent of the calves in the U.S. are born in the first half of the year. That leaves only 35 percent born in the fall. Common sense 12

Cooperative Farming News

tells us that the American consumer will want beef all 12 months of the year. If we are marketing bawling calves when two-thirds of the national calf crop is hitting the market, it often means you get less than your cattle are truly worth.

So why don’t more people calve in the fall? Partly because we have always just calved in the spring and few of us like change.

Another major reason is that it puts more strain on your hay and feed resources. It is a fact that it will take more hay and feed to get those big calves and cows nursing big calves through the winter than it would in the summer when forages are abundant.

There are things that can offset this additional cost.

Simple supply and demand would lead you to believe

B Y J I M M Y PA R K E R

that if you can market your calves when the numbers are lower, they tend to bring more dollars. Also, cattle tend to grow and perform better at 40 and 50 degrees than they do at 90 and 100 degrees, so you should have more pounds of calf to sell at the same age, if you can provide adequate nutrients. There is a reason that most seed stock producers who chase heavy weaning weights calve in the fall.

If you calve in September or October, your cows will reach their peak production in January or February and have the highest nutritional needs during this time. In the vast majority of cases, hay alone won’t meet the needs of heavy-or-moderately milking cows at this time and they will need some supplementation. It is impossible to know just what they will need unless you have a reliable hay test that tells you what they are getting out of the forages you provide.

Generally, if you have average hay, you would need to look at somewhere between 5 and 10 pounds of feed per cow per day. Depending on what rate of feed and which feed you choose to use, this would cost in the neighborhood of $1 per cow per day and would need to be continued for 60-90 days. Given that, it would take about a 20-cent bump in prices to recoup that additional investment, or a calf that gained somewhere around an extra sixty pounds at the same selling price would recover your investment as well. While an extra 60 pounds will be a stretch in some cases, I think we will see a fair amount more than a 20-cent jump in the

average bawling calf price from the fall’s heavy sale runs to the lighter spring runs this year and most years without some odd outside circumstances that disrupt the market.

Another thing to consider in the fall-calving herd is creep feed. It is as important or maybe more so in this situation than in any other and will pay back in so many ways. You will wean a heavier calf. Your cow herd will need a bit less feed and hay and they will make it through the winter in better body condition. They will often rebreed and calve in a shorter interval, which produces a more uniform calf crop, and that would in most cases add some additional value to the group when you take them to market.

When all things are considered, it seems that fall calving in the Southeast might be a good option for many producers. It is not an option in many Northern and Western states because of their super-harsh winters, but with our milder winter climate it could give the Southern cattle producer a distinct marketing advantage. It will cost a bit more to provide the feed your cow herd needs, but should more than pay for itself year in and year out. The further south you go, the greater that advantage would be. For those of us in the northern end of the state, if you don’t want to gamble the additional feed and time it would take to fall calve, hopefully you at least will consider weaning and feeding your calf crop for a few weeks so you can market them more effectively when the big fall sales are past.

Sixty-five percent of the calves in the U.S. are born in the first half of the year. That leaves only 35 percent born in the fall.

January 2020

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FROM THE STATE VET’S OFFICE

Another One of Those Articles About Animal Disease Traceability

I began writing this column in April 2004. One of the earliest articles I wrote was titled, “A Rose by Any Other Name.” It was my initial attempt to educate and inform you about the Animal Identification Program that later evolved into the Animal Disease Traceability Program.

Over the past 15 years, I have written multiple articles about that very subject. Sometimes it was to encourage you to register your premises and get a premises ID number. Sometimes it was to tell you about how the program would be implemented. Sometimes it has been to let you know that what we thought were hard deadlines had been moved or changed. I remember once early on I had written in one of the articles that I figured that animal disease traceability would still be evolving when I retire and go home to fish and watch my horses graze. (I used to say, “Go home and work with my horses,” but after one kicked me last month and broke my foot while I sat on the other horse, watching may be safer than training horses at my age!)

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Cooperative Farming News

Anyway, parts of the program have been implemented by progressive cattle producers since back in 2005 when it was first rolled out for farmers, ranchers, auction markets and slaughter facilities to participate.

While the whole program has not been mandatory, certain aspects of it have never gone away from the time the brucellosis program began back in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Interstate transport of breeding classes of cattle have been required to be officially identified on the health certificate or certificate of veterinary inspection, as they are officially called.

So, as we have moved forward, we have answered a lot of questions such as what animals will be required to be identified? (Answer: Breeding animals as they enter commerce. Also, dairy and show cattle and certain classes of rodeo stock such as bucking bulls.

If you are transporting cattle out of state, check with the state of destination. States have a right to make regulations that are more stringent than the USDA federal regulations.) When must official identification be

BY DR. TONY FRAZIER

applied? (Answer: Generally, official identification must be applied when applicable animals enter commerce.

There is no requirement for animals that never leave your pasture to be identified.) What will be acceptable identification devices? (Answer: At some point, official identification will be narrowed down to radio frequency ear tags that have 15 digits and begin with the number, 840, that identifies that animal to the United States.

Over the period of time other identification devices that have been acceptable were radio frequency tags that had a unique 15-digit number but did not begin with 840. Also, the bright silver metal ear tags that were issued by USDA are still available for use, but are moving closer to retirement.)

The program has been cussed, discussed, inspected, neglected, disrespected and analyzed by a lot of people. But the bottom line is that the state of Alabama is moving forward with an animal disease traceability program whether anybody else does or not. The one common fact about the program that most people agree with is that we must have a method of tracing animals that have been exposed to foreign animal diseases and, to some extent, domestic diseases that are reportable. I have talked to producers whose veins would pop out in their neck, their faces would get red, and they would pound on the table and say this is just the government wanting to know more about their business. But when we look at the purpose of the program, most of those producers understand that if we cannot trace exposed or infected animals in certain disease outbreaks, it could become a disaster. It is also economically important because many of the countries we export meat to require some sort of disease traceability program.

And this year we announced a timeline that had been proposed by USDA/APHIS/VS that provided for the continued transition away from the metal ear tags to electronic tags. After much discussion we agreed with the timeline and developed a plan for cattle producers in Alabama. In addition, leadership of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association proposed a cost share program for livestock markets to invest in the purchase of electronic tag readers and computer equipment to use these types of tags. The Alabama Department of Agriculture would, through my office, provide electronic tags to these markets during this transition period.

Within the last couple of weeks, the USDA announced that they would be “pausing” the timeline for the transition to the electronic tags and develop a for-

mal comment period. As of this update, we have not been informed of details of this process. The current ADT rule that requires all beef cattle that are 18 months of age and older, all dairy cattle, and all exhibition and show cattle that cross state lines or enter commerce to be officially identified has not changed.

Here at the Department of Agriculture we will continue to transition to the use of official electronic tags and support the livestock markets that have taken advantage of the cost share program with ACA with these type tags. We will be working with the Cooperative Extension Veterinarian to develop potential research programs that review different types of electronic tags and the different frequencies such as low-frequency and high-frequency tags. We here in Alabama will continue to move forward and advance electronic traceability.

And finally, getting your premises identification number is a foundational part of the program. Many of you reading this article have already registered your premises and have your ID number. If you haven’t done that yet, it is an easy and painless process. Just call my office, and we can get the necessary information and get you a number. The premises number is not so the government will know where your farm is. Heck, they already know that. The Premises ID number just works in the system that has been developed better than using your address or “the old Smith place about five miles out of town on Highway 31.”

If you have any questions about animal disease traceability or how to break a green filly, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 334-240-7253.

January 2020

15

ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE

B Y B A X T E R B L A C K , DV M

Goddess of the

Hunt

Diana, goddess of the hunt, stands as a Roman heroine to a long line of female hunters. Even today there are many who have followed her spoor that deserve to have their name written in mythology.

Our Diana, we’ll call her Center-Fire Charlotte, is well known for her prowess up and down Hyde Creek in the high and wild country of central Idaho. The legend goes that one morning Charlotte was on her way to work in town when she spotted a bunch of does grazing by the reservoir. She climbed out of her car, quietly closed the door, lifted her rifle from the trunk and started after them. Sage, bunch grass, rocks, brush and pine seedlings gave way as she stalked across the clearing in her cashmere sweater, skirt and medium heels.

Single-mindedly she tracked, eye on the ridge of the dam, swatting the occasional biting fly. Cresting the ridge in a crouch, she saw the deer beneath her. In the midst of the does, a good-sized buck reared his majestic head. Center-Fire drew down and dropped him.

She stood over the clean kill and asked the deer’s forgiveness. She carefully looked all around. Sensing the all clear, she decided to gut him on the spot. Several hundred yards away, parked at the airport, sat a vehicle. The local game warden was sipping coffee from a 16

Cooperative Farming News

paper cup in the front seat. He heard the shot. Scanning the slope below the reservoir, he spotted a suspicious movement. A woman wielding a large knife stood above a deer. She wore only a bra. Her skirt was tucked up around the waistband of her panty hose like a Sumo wrestler’s loincloth. Cranking his binocs to 9x power, he recognized the sweating forehead of Charlotte.

By the time she had driven home, come back with the four wheel drive, retrieved the fallen deer, cleaned up and come to work, every human in the small mountain town was aware of her Amazon exploits. Diana, goddess of the hunt had returned!

It was only fitting that on her next birthday one of the presents she would receive anonymously was a new brassiere ... in hunter’s fluorescent orange. Beneath each cup was sewn a strip of gunbelt complete with 30.06 shells lodged in place. Bandoleras on a cantaloupe.

No recent sightings have been made of Center-Fire Charlotte “in uniform.” But it is thought that she applied for a permit to conceal her weapon and now stalks the back country disguised as a Sierra Club consultant. www.baxterblack.com

Andalusia Farmers Cooperative Celebrates 50 Years of Service to the South-Central Alabama Community

BY MORGAN GRAHAM Andalusia Farmers Cooperative celebrated its 50th Anniversary during their annual meeting Thursday, Nov. 7. Patrons celebrated with a high attendance of 160, door prizes and a cake decorated with the new anniversary logo. Russell Lassiter, Andalusia Farmers Cooperative General Manager for seven years and an employee of the Co-op system for 14, explained the many changes the store has made over the past five decades.

Andalusia Farmers Cooperative was founded Aug. 27, 1969, with five board members. Andalusia Farmers Co-op bought Goolsby Farm Supply and renamed it Florala Farmers and Builders Co-op in February 1997.

In January 2018, Andalusia Farmers Co-op was able to purchase land and build a new location for the store and fertilizer plant.

Over the past 50 years, Andalusia Farmers Cooperative has seen many changes.

“The biggest change we’ve seen over the years is the constant changing of technology with farming, especially row crop farming,” Lassiter said.

“Andalusia Farmers Co-op’s innovation and progressive thinking allows them to cover a wide range of customers. From building supplies to livestock to agronomy, they reach farmers and homeowners alike,” said James Fudge, AFC’s Vice President of Management Services.

Today, Andalusia Farmers Cooperative, including Opp and Florala, has 33 full-time employees, with five employees who have been there over 21 years. There have only been four general managers in the past 50 years, more proof of the Cooperative’s stability.

“Over the last 50 years, Andalusia Farmers Cooperative has provided their patrons with top quality products and services. We will strive to continue to provide the same service and products including technology through the next 50 years,” Lassiter said.

January 2020

17

The Little Things...

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

A

fter Lynn and Clyde Ray Pearson’s children left home, the couple longed for a simpler life.

One weekend, they visited their camp house and never went back home. Now, they enjoy life in a picturesque setting on a shady creek bank, where the little things make life extra special.

The Pearsons live in a rustic cabin, fashioned after one they had vacationed in at Cheaha State Park.

Clyde Ray built the cabin and everything inside – cabinets, doors and furniture – using beautifully grained wood. They filled their home with cherished family items, little things that hold big memories. Every piece has a story that both Clyde Ray and Lynn are anxious to share.

The couple complements each other. For example, they have decorated their walls with Lynn’s photographs and paintings, lovingly embraced by Clyde Ray’s barn

Lynn and Clyde Ray Pearson stand on the bridge that he built to go to their cabin. The bridge covers Dry Creek and sits under a canopy of trees. The creek is often visited by all kinds of wildlife.

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Lynn holds one of her paintings of an old barn that Clyde Ray framed with barn wood. She also paints sailboats and churches on this wood.

wood framing. Their love of older things can be found throughout their home. Their bedroom lights, dangling from a tin ceiling, are all repurposed items the twosome have collected over the years and refurbished to fit their needs.

Outside, the Pearsons have put together a serene, stone patio area, shaded by big oak trees. Clyde Ray built all the lawn furniture. Together, they fashioned their outside light from an old chandelier. Clyde Ray then erected a water wheel that adds rippling sounds of water to this charming space.

Clyde Ray made this playhouse for his granddaughters. It sits right outside the shop, so the girls can play while their grandparents work.

Lynn shows a couple of her hand-painted wooden ornaments commemorating Alabama’s Bicentennial.

“I love to build,” Clyde Ray said.

“It’s all I know how to do!”

Ask anybody in this area, and they will tell you that Clyde Ray can do anything with wood. Old, new or discarded wood: Give him a piece, and he will find new life for it. After finishing high school, Clyde Ray started to work with local carpenters. Soon, he had his own company. For 40 years, he has built some of the finest homes in this area.

Now, he has scaled back somewhat and concentrates more on remodeling. His skills are so much in demand that he can rarely take a day off.

Lynn, on the other hand, devoted herself to her home. After her two granddaughters were born, she kept them while their parents worked. Three years ago, the family moved to Wadley. Then, Lynn went to work, keeping books for a local company.

As an empty nester, Lynn finally had time to restart her painting. Today, she has her own studio next to her home. She is an accomplished artist whose talents are so in demand that she only has time to do custom work.

“I never had any lessons,” Lynn laughed. “I just always loved to draw and paint. I use a cross and my initials as my signature. Sometimes on larger paintings, I will use my name, but always with a cross, because God gave me the talent. He deserves the recognition.”

For the past three years, Lynn has painted traditional and whimsical wooden ornaments and sold them at Pine Hill’s Depot Days, held in October. Lynn was one of five area artists invited to create 30 ornaments to commemorate Alabama’s Bicentennial. The ornaments were placed on a special Christmas tree that stood at the Pine Hill City Hall. While some January 2020

19

artists chose to paint famous people, landmarks, wildlife, flowers and other items, Lynn decided to celebrate Alabama’s 26 state parks. The remaining four ornaments in her collection relate to cotton.

Lynn and Clyde Ray Pearson are both multitalented individuals who have learned that it’s the little things that really make their lives so joyful. As the owners of CL Pearson Designs, they build custom furniture and create custom art pieces.

Their many projects are so popular that they never have time to make display items, even for retail.

“Everything is sold as soon as we create it,” Lynn explained.

Lynn specializes in painting turkeys, raccoons and owls. She has only to look out her window for inspiration, as wildlife roam freely around the Pearsons’ serene home.

Lynn paints each project on barnwood cut offs, fashioned by Clyde Ray. The couple search to find old barns and houses that they dismantle for the wood, which is getting much harder to find in this area.

Lynn’s angels are true spiritual revelations. She explained that she experienced her own personal miracle that has inspired each stroke she makes. Her first granddaughter, Blakeney, was born with a serious heart

defect that required numerous surgeries. Even though Blakeney would sleep most of the time after each surgery, as the nurses would remove her tubes, Blakeney’s face would light up with the sweetest smile. The UAB nurses would say, “She is smiling at angels who are keeping her calm.” After that, each time Blakeney saw a picture of an angel, she would smile. When she learned to walk and happened upon a picture of an angel, she would insist on staying to smile at the angels.

Lynn specializes in painting turkeys, raccoons and owls. She has only to look out her window for inspiration as wildlife roam freely around their serene home. Lynn paints each project on barnwood cut offs, fashioned by Clyde Ray.

Lynn’s angels are true inspirations that came from a miracle she received when her first granddaughter, Blakeney, was born with a serious heart defect that required numerous surgeries.

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This table and bench combo was custom-built for a client from a grandparent’s bed and the wood from a wall in the grandparent’s home, removed during renovation. CL Pearson Designs can take heirlooms and make them into something to keep forever.

“This is why I love angels,” Lynn added.

For those who have seen her angel paintings, there is no doubt that Lynn’s inspiration is heaven-sent.

Lynn also photographs and paints old churches. In their travels to see their children, the Pearsons travel along Highway 22. They often spot aging houses of worship and unusual crosses. Both Pearsons love crosses. Clyde Ray makes seasonal crosses that he illuminates at night against his shop for all those traveling along Highway 10 to see.

Lynn also paints crosses and makes cross jewelry.

In Southwest Alabama, Clyde Ray is also well known as an avid coon hunter. Known locally as the “Coon Eliminator,” he has been hunting since he was a boy. He has always owned coonhounds, breeds from redbones to English and Treeing Walkers. He has raised and trained champion coondogs and has been featured on the cover of American Cooner Magazine.

Once, he even took Alabama football standout Tyler Watts on a “secret” hunt. He still hunts around the Sedgefield area and keeps three coonhounds; however, he no longer travels the show circuit.

Free trees for farmers Clyde Ray and Lynn make Forever Pet Beds for customers who have lost their beloved pets.

“I was raised in the country,” Clyde Ray laughed. “I have hunted all these woods around here, especially up and down Turkey Creek. This is home, and they’ll plant me here!”

The Pearsons love their pets and see each one as a member of the family. Clyde Ray had such love for each of his coondogs that he built his own Coondog Cemetery, in a peaceful plot near Dry Creek, right across the road from his shop.

Stately, white crosses, bearing the names of each beloved coondog, rise above neatly lined graves.

The Pearsons’ love for their pets meant that they gave each one the

Lynn and Clyde Ray repurpose anything. Here they have used an oil can and a funnel to make a lamp.

For owners who choose cremation, Clyde Ray offers a holder for ashes. The smaller box can sit on mantles or be stored easily.

burial that it deserved. This is how they got the idea to build caskets to hold their beloved pets. Now, they offer “Forever Pet Beds” to the public. Built to customer specifications, each bed comes with fabric-covered foam lining, a latch and a sealed lid with added lid support. Each one is made from beautifully stained and varnished pine. Sizes range from medium to extra-large. The Pearsons even offer smaller holders for the ashes of pets that have been cremated.

Eventually, Lynn and Clyde Ray plan to build a showroom to display their work. They hope that customers can come to their business to view and purchase the many items they create.

For Lynn and Clyde Ray Pearson, it’s the little things that have made them happy. Looking out their windows each morning, they see deer and turkeys grazing in the fields or they hear songbirds singing in the trees along the creek. These are their sounds of joy, the little things that make life worthwhile.

Customers can find CL Pearson Designs on the web at clpearsondesigns1.com and also on Facebook at CL Pearson Designs. Be sure to check out the gallery to see more of the custom decor they have made for other clients.

Do you have land that you just don’t know what to do with? Are you looking for an alternative to pine? Do you need a great tree for inter-cropping?

World Tree is looking for farmers to grow our beautiful Empress trees. With our support these trees will grow into highly valuable lumber in just 10 years.

World Tree will sell the lumber and together we will share in the profits.

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“I have dealt with trees and logging my entire life, and at first glance I was skeptical. Four years later, I have my own plantation and an amazing professional relationship with World Tree. A great company and great people to work with!”

Johnny Walker – World Tree Farmer, Alabama

World Tree Find out how to qualify

worldtree.info/farmers January 2020

21

4-H EXTENSION CORNER

Something’s

‘Hoppening’

in Marshall County …

When Marshall County 4-H’ers asked for a “pet” project, 4-H Foundation Agent Kristen Roberson looked at all the positives. First, a pet project would give students the opportunity to work with an animal that was not so large. Secondly, more urban kids could participate without worrying about space to house a larger animal. The best advantage,

however, was that this project would not be terminal; that is, the students would be able to keep their pets after the project ended.

Marshall County’s 4-H students decided to try working with rabbits. This would be a learning project for everyone – both students and staff – as no one had any previous experiences with raising rabbits.

Top right photo: Amber Leigh Schrimsher (DAR Middle) and Savannah Mathews (Douglas Middle) Bottom Left photo: Madeline Johns. Bottom right photo: Abigal O’Dell (Douglas Middle School)

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B Y C A R O LY N D R I N K A R D

Scott Johanson (Marshall Community Club/homeschool)

In the Pet Rabbit Project, students received two rabbits, a buck and a doe. The REX rabbits arrived in May from a breeder in Marengo County, and all 28 4-H’ers were excited. The 4-Her’s learned quickly, however, that these cute, cuddly pets were not only very strong, but they also could be difficult to handle.

“When I first got MC Hoppers, he was not very friendly!” Mattie Wisener explained. “He always scratched me and left awful marks on my arms!”

Sponsors held a Showmanship Clinic to teach the owners how to care for their rabbits the 4-H way. During the class, students learned to use a towel to pick up their pets and the proper way to hold a rabbit, so that it would not be frightened.

“It was not until showmanship class that I really learned how to handle MC Hoppers!” Widener explained. “After that, picking him up was a breeze. I learned so much in that showmanship class!”

Taylor Gray presents her rabbit to a judge for Showmanship.

Wisener also discovered how to relate better to her pet.

“The more I handled him and got him out and brushed and played with him, he got so much better!” she added.

Since this was the first year for the Marshall County rabbit project, the clinic was a great learning experience for everyone.

“After an hour of learning how to properly handle their pets, kids walked out confident and ready to commit to the time it would take to train their rabbits,” Roberson said.

Another challenge came after many of the rabbits developed health problems common to this species.

“When the rabbits got sick, I thought, ‘We’ll never do this again!’” Roberson said. However, the staff soon found a local vet who helped students to care for their rabbits. After that, there were few problems.

The goals of each rabbit project were based on the ages of each participant. For example, students in

Hunter and Samantha Mathers participate in a showmanship clinic.

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Kathryn Garrett (Asbury Middle School)

Autumn Pontes (DAR Middle)

grades 3-5 discovered how to identify breeds, handle and show rabbits, identify rabbit parts and equipment, recognize a healthy rabbit, read a pedigree and kindle a litter. Students in middle grades made tracks by recognizing body types, judging and showing rabbits, tattooing a rabbit, keeping records, identifying diseases, administering medication, recording growth rates and marketing products. Upper grades learned to develop a breeding program, design a rabbitry, cull based on production, prevent diseases, develop sportsmanship and develop a marketing plan. Each student kept a record book that was part of the final judging.

In September, the Showmanship event was held to recognize outstanding work. Melissa Johanson, from the Marshall County Community Club, was named

Grand Champion. The Reserve Champion was Amberleigh Schrimsher from DAR Middle School. The firstplace winners in Showmanship included Autumn Pontes, Amberleigh Schrimsher and Melissa Johanson.

First-place winners in Record Books were Savannah Matthews (Douglas MS), Kathryn Garrett (Asbury MS) and Hunter Matthews (Douglas HS).

“Our kids had so much fun and learned so much,” Roberson stated. “We will definitely do this project again.”

Planners have already decided to make a few changes in 2020, however. They want to include a class for youth who already have their own rabbits. In this first year, all the rabbits had been provided by the local 4-H organization. They want to use rabbits bred by local 4-H’ers. Also, they plan to do some fundraising, so the youth can win more prize money.

Someone once said that rabbits are like angels. They have a way of finding people who need them and filling emptiness these people didn’t even know they had. Marshall County 4-H’ers certainly found that to be true!

Morgan County 4-H Agent Assistant Sharon Fisher teaches the rabbit showmanship clinic for students.

Rubee Brooks presents her rabbit to a judge during Showmanship.

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January 2020

25

FFA SENTINEL

Nova Mullis

National Proficiency Finalist In today’s age of technology, cell phones, email and the constant stream of information, it is always refreshing to see young people involved in the agricultural industry. The world population is projected to grow to 9 billion by the year 2050 and it is going to take young, motivated agriculturalists to feed this increased population. FFA will be our main supply of educated agriculturalists to meet this demand.

At the Wetumpka FFA Chapter, there is certainly one member, named Nova Mullis, willing to help tackle this challenge. She started out by taking agriscience classes in 2015 at Wetumpka High School and began her Supervised Agricultural Experience by working for Chris George on George Family Farms in Eclectic. SAE projects are designed to give FFA members an opportunity to apply hands-on skills they have learned in the agriscience classroom. This provides FFA

26 26 Cooperative Cooperative Farming Farming News News

BY WILLIAM NORRIS

members with employability skills, a functional knowledge of the workplace, and technical skills that will follow them throughout their lives. Mullis’s SAE allowed her to work for this operation for nearly four years, while maintaining a variety of animals such as swine, cattle and sheep, and she personally maintains her own herd of show quality Boer goats and helps maintain her mother’s flock of laying hens.

In July 2019, Mullis was selected as a National Proficiency Finalist for Sheep Production. In the sheep production proficiency area, each state is allowed to submit their state winner’s application to compete to be selected as a national finalist.

“Only the top four applications in the country are selected as national finalists each year,” said Wetumpka FFA Adviser William Norris. “There over 40 proficiency award categories ranging from Landscape Management to Agricultural Mechanics because students have such a diverse array of SAE projects.”

In 2019, Mullis was the only FFA member from Alabama to be selected as a national finalist in any proficiency award area.

This year, Mullis was selected from over 40 different sheep production applications from all over the U.S. By being selected as a national finalist, Nova was invited to interview at the 92nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, against the three other finalists from Indiana, Texas and North Carolina. In total, she was awarded over $1,250 in scholarships and prizes for her award.

In the future, Mullis hopes to continue working with livestock as a hobby and wants to begin working for a veterinarian as an assistant. The skills she has learned from her time in FFA will help her pursue these passions.

According to Norris, “Nova is one of the hardest working students I have had the opportunity to come in contact with and she will be successful in her future endeavors.”

January 2020

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PALS

BY JAMIE MITCHELL

Thanks to Junior Beta Club,

Kinston School Joins Clean Campus Program Kinston School in Coffee County is now a proud member of the Clean Campus Program! Kinston’s Junior Beta Club will be leading the program and encouraging their classmates to keep their campus clean, participate in recycling and create posters for our spring poster contest. Their commitment and enthusiasm for the program is certainly contagious!

I had the privilege of speaking recently to the Junior Beta Club and their sponsor, teacher Lougener Wyrsodick, about the big impact a small group can make. The students were very attentive and ready to learn the many ways they could communicate the “Clean Campus” message. PALS provided the school with recycling bins (pictured) so they can easily manage their recycling program. They also planned to make posters to spread the word about recycling and keeping their campus litter-free. These Junior Beta Club members are both smart and great stewards of our beautiful state! What a great combination!

Is there a school near you that would benefit from hearing the Clean Campus message? If so, please contact Jamie Mitchell at 334- 263-7737 for more informa28

Cooperative Farming News

tion. I am available to present a 30-minute presentation to your local school on the importance of keeping our state litter-free. As always, the Clean Campus Program is available at no cost to schools thanks to our corporate sponsors. We are here to help you as you journey toward a litter-free community!

January 2020

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FROM WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES

I Bet You Had No Idea

Despite what many people think, we deal with much more than hunting and fishing issues.

Coming into this job from outside the agency, I knew there would be quite a few things that I wouldn’t know anything about. I knew I would have to learn the basics such as state purchasing, state personnel and the politics of Montgomery. For some reason, I thought my wildlife degree, more than three decades of experience hunting and fishing in Alabama, and my previous career would prepare me to handle all of the wildlifeand fisheries-related topics. Now I see how incorrect I was with that line of thinking.

I had no clue of the depth and breadth of the wildlife and fisheries issues this department deals with daily. One topic that comes to mind is the frequent violations of Alabama regulation 220-2-.26: Restrictions on the Possession, Sale, Importation and/or Release of Certain Animals and Fish. This regulation is in place to protect the integrity of Alabama’s wildlife resources, and its enforcement is essential to our mission of managing, protecting, conserving, and enhancing the wildlife and aquatic resources of Alabama for the sustainable benefit of her people.

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You see, the illegal importation of prohibited animals can be a source of real problems. Each individual animal is a potential packet of disease, parasites and genetic problems. Others are likely to become invasive and rob native animals of valuable resources. Artificial introduction of these species and the problems they carry can have long-term impacts on an ecosystem and jeopardize the health of not only wildlife but also humans and domestic stock. Here are just a few examples of things that have happened recently that I bet you had no idea the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division deals with daily.

In August, an individual in Randolph County was cited for holding captive two skunks, seven opossums, four deer and a crow this person had imported from Georgia. Skunks are among the vector species that can transmit rabies before showing any outward signs of the disease. Rabies is an important public health issue, and not one of you would knowingly consent to the release of an animal infected with a fatal, contagious disease to mingle with other wildlife on your property.

Regarding the case, investigating Conservation Enforcement Officer Thomas Traylor noted, “Very often people don’t see or care beyond their own needs, whether those needs are financial or other, to understand the danger they place on our native wildlife by violating Alabama laws.”

BY CHUCK SYKES

Also, in Randolph County this summer, we confiscated a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and some prairie dogs. The prudence in prohibiting nonindigenous venomous reptiles is rarely questioned, but importation of nonindigenous venomous reptiles can have severe ramifications on wildlife and public safety.

In addition, any imported species of wild rodent also brings potential chaos. Rodents and other wildlife carry fleas that may harbor diseases such as typhus, tularemia, bubonic plague and bartonella (cat scratch fever). “Pet” prairie dogs specifically are believed to have been responsible for past outbreaks of monkeypox (a virus similar to smallpox). Monkeypox can kill up to 10 percent of the humans who contract it, and it only impacted people in the United States because they were in close contact with prairie dogs.

Degus are another species of exotic, wild rodent that we’ve dealt with in the past several months. Typically, we find them imported as pets from Florida. We have had more than one case of unlawful degu possession, most recently in Madison County with a total of 12 removed from one residence. Our Law Enforcement office receives several calls daily inquiring about the

legality of importing this and other perilous species.

This is a pervasive threat that appears to be expanding.

It’s not just exotic wildlife that poses problems; native wildlife illegally held in captivity can pose a threat as well. Each year we have quite a few well-meaning individuals who take what they feel are “orphaned” wild animals into possession. Usually these are deer and raccoons. Many of these animals are taken into private homes and raised, while others are taken to wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Private possession of wildlife is illegal and always ends up badly for the animal. Wild animals that are raised by humans naturally have no fear of humans and can pose a safety risk when they mature.

We had an illegally held captive white-tailed buck almost kill the man who raised him. The buck was fed every day for six years by the same person, but one day, during the rut, his wild instincts took over and he attacked the man feeding him. The man lost an eye and almost his life. Consequently, the buck had to be euthanized. That same season, a 12-year-old child was gored and nearly killed by another illegally held buck in Cleburne County.

Just this summer, a couple on their way home from a beach trip picked up a small raccoon on the side of the road. Even though they should have left it alone, they at least carried it to a wildlife rehab facility. The animal died a few days later and tested positive for rabies. As we all know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. This couple, thinking they were saving a raccoon, exposed themselves and countless other people, pets and native wildlife to rabies. We can’t stress enough to leave wildlife in the woods. We must manage animals on the species level. Trying to save one individual may endanger many. It’s just not worth it. Just ask the parents who had to have their 9-yearold child treated for rabies exposure because a friend’s family “pet” was an adult raccoon.

I’m sure quite a few of you are thinking, “Why is this a big deal? It’s only a couple of people and their ‘pets.’

They can’t really hurt anything.” Realize, I’m sure the folks in Florida who got tired of feeding a python or lion fish didn’t think it was a big deal to release them into the wild. Now look at detrimental impact those two species are having on the Florida ecosystems. Most importantly, wildlife is supposed to be wild and not kept as pets. If you want to enjoy wildlife, buy a license that will benefit conservation funding and spend time in the woods hunting, or just take a stroll in nature. And if you want a pet, go to the animal shelter and adopt a puppy or kitten.

January 2020

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All in the Family:

Multigenerational Farming Keeps Alabama Families Working Together.

BY M O R GA N G R A H A M

Milan Sanders (middle) pictured with his sons, Stacy and Michael, and grandsons, Tyler and Hunter.

The Porter and Sanders families have never met, but their multigeneration farms united them through farming.

“Farming has its ups and downs but working with family makes the good times great and the bad times a little easier,” said Danny Porter of Lawrence County’s Mount Hope community.

Porter, 83, and his son John, 61, formed P&J Farms in 1979 where their main focus was row cropping corn and cotton on 450 acres. They slowly worked their way up until 1994 when the boll weevil crisis set them back.

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In 2001, they finally got their feet back on the ground and planted 1,700 acres and have increased every year.

“The biggest difference I’ve seen in the farming is the amount of technology that is involved. When I was growing up, we used a mule and plow, and today I sit in air conditioning while I pick cotton,” Porter said.

Through the years, Porter has shared and instilled the loved of farming in son, John; grandson, Scott, 36; and great grandsons, Cayden, 10, and Easton, 7.

Together the trio farms 6,500 acres of corn, cotton and soybeans. While Cayden and Easton are in school, they don’t miss a chance to pull their weight during harvest season.

“Cayden can drive a tractor as good as I can,” John said. “When it’s time to pick cotton, Cayden is right

Stacy Sanders is taking over the row crop operation on the Sanders Farm.

The Sanders Farm specializes in raising registered Angus and SimAngus herds.

there to help us. He is normally in the tractor behind us cutting stalks after we’ve picked.”

Moving across the state to South Alabama’s small community of Wicksburg, Milan Sanders and his family farm cattle, poultry and row crops.

While both of Sanders’ sons, Stacy, 44, and Michael, 45, left the farm in pursuit of jobs, they quickly realized that farming was their true passion. Today, Stacy and his brother Michael and their sons, Tyler and Hunter, farm together.

For Stacy being on the farm is not much different than working off the farm, but it is more rewarding when you know your family’s livelihood is dependent on decisions you make on a day-to-day difference.

Over the years, they have grown from just farming 100 acres to farming 2,500 acres of peanuts and cotton. During the boll weevil infestation, the Sanders quit farming cotton and went to farming soybeans. In 1994, Milan Sanders made the decision to start planting cotton again, ahead of the boll weevil eradication.

John Porter stands by one of the old faithful John Deere tractors on the Porter Farm.

“Working with family is rewarding every day. You have a friend, coworker and family all in one.”

The technology today offers the Sanders many more advantages to when they started farming in 1964.

Stacy is taking over the row crop operation on the farm, while his brother Michael handles the day-to-day operation of the poultry houses.

When the Sanders first got into the cattle business, they were strictly a commercial herd. Today, they have specialized in registered Angus and some SimAngus.

These cattle are fed a winter variety of oats and rye.

“Working with family is rewarding every day. You have a friend, coworker and family all in one. We all realize that there can only be one boss, and that’s dad,” Stacy said.

January 2020

33

Busy Bee Activities

Did You Know?

Farmland covers about 25% of the state.

34 34 Cooperative Cooperative Farming Farming News News

JANUARY January 2020

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January 2020

37

PLANT • If a live Christmas tree was purchased, plant outdoors as soon as possible.

• Indoors, start seeds of perennials or slow-growing annuals such as coleus and geraniums beneath lights.

• Late in the month, sow beets, carrots, radishes, cress, bok choy and garden seeds in the garden. Cover with dark compost to warm the soil.

• If the soil dries out enough to work, go ahead and prepare a spot for the late February planting of peas and kale.

• Continue planting container grown ornamentals. Be sure to loosen the roots and the media before backfilling. For slightly pot-bound roots: cut on three or four sides, shake the roots and media to a loose condition and then re-plant.

• January is the best month to plant trees, but, as with fruit and nut trees, selection of adapted species is critical for long-term success.

• When Bonnie Plants onion and cabbage transplants are available, plant them in the garden beneath a row cover.

• Select and plant roses. This is the time to move existing rose plants if needed.

FERTILIZE • Fertilize established stone fruit trees with a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as a 3:12:12 formulation with trace elements. Follow label directions.

• Actively growing houseplants will benefit from a half-strength shot of liquid houseplant fertilizer.

• Don’t fertilize newly planted trees or shrubs until after they have started to grow, and then only very lightly the first year.

• Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs as they break ground toward the end of the month. Use an all-purpose granular fertilizer according to label directions or apply a light dusting of compost.

• Feed winter-blooming pansies with a bloom-boosting fertilizer.

• Fertilize asparagus beds in late January.

• Have your soil tested to determine if supplements are needed.

38

Cooperative Farming News

PRUNE • Pansies are the most popular winter landscape annual.

Deadhead periodically to ensure more blooms.

• On mild days, remove winter weeds such as wild onions/garlic and chickweed.

ODD JOBS

• It’s a good time to prune most of your deciduous trees and shrubs.

• Make a resolution to keep a garden journal this year.

• When pruning large limbs always undercut first. This means to cut from the bottom up, one-third of the way through the limb, then finish by cutting from the top. The undercut keeps the limb from splitting and breaking off, which could damage the trunk and become an entryway for insects and diseases. Do not cut flush to the trunk; the collar or enlarged base of a branch produces hormones that help heal wounds

• Clean out your bluebird, wren, martin and other birdhouses to get them ready for February. Martin scouts and first-breeding birds of other species will be in town in February.

• Do not prune fruit trees until March, especially peaches.

• Grapes should be cut back to the main structure of the plant, leaving two buds per side-shoot as a general rule.

WATER • When watering your houseplants, which should be minimal during the winter, do it just enough so the water saturates the soil and comes through the drainage holes.

At this time of year, plants left in standing water can suffer root damage.

• Water outdoor plants in the absence of rain, and especially when freezing weather is expected. Well-hydrated plants are more likely to survive severe temperatures.

• Be sure to keep an eye on all newly planted items through the winter to ensure they get enough water. An inch a week should be the goal.

PEST CONTROL • Apply dormant oil to control scale and other insects on roses, broadleaf evergreen and fruit trees. The oils are effective and ecologically friendly. Do not apply when temperatures are below freezing and apply when temperatures will be above freezing for at least 24 hours.

• Apply post-emergence weed control to actively growing broadleaf weeds in your lawn.

• Check all fruit trees for evidence of rodent injury to bark.

Use baits, guards or traps where necessary.

• Near the end of the month, weed the asparagus bed and strawberry plot, then feed the plants and renew the thinning mulches.

• Always use room temperature water when watering or misting your houseplants!

• Brightly colored paints applied to the handles of tools will make them easier to locate in the garden.

• Check stored summer bulbs such as dahlias, cannas and gladioli to be sure they are not rotting or drying out.

• Dust on the foliage of houseplants can clog the leaf pores, so clean them up a little with a damp cloth or a quick shower under the tap.

• In preparation for icy sidewalks, go to your local Co-op and get a bag of urea. Sprinkle very lightly and the ice melts … it’s much better on your plants than salt and not nearly as messy as sand, perlite, bird seed or cat litter.

Close the bag tightly to avoid clumping and a 50-pound bag should last for many years.

• If an unexpected warm streak fools bulbs into thinking it’s springtime, help protect them with an extra light layer of mulch.

• Inspect stakes and wires on newly planted trees to make sure they are still straight and not damaging the bark.

• Make sure your plants have sufficient humidity by setting them on a tray filled with moistened, clean pebbles, or by simply setting a cup of water nearby.

• On cold nights, it is a good idea to close the curtains or blinds between the window and your houseplants. Make sure none of your plants are touching a cold glass window.

• Remember where you’re living! January in the Southeast can mean 70 degrees today and 20 degrees tonight. Don’t let unseasonably mild temperatures dictate what you do in the landscape.

• To clean and sanitize heavily encrusted clay pots, scrub them with a steel wool pad after they have soaked overnight in a solution consisting of one gallon of water and one cup each of white vinegar and household bleach.

If you have any specific lawn and garden questions, please send them to advertising@alafarm.com.

January 2020

39

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Cooperative Farming News

January 2020

41

HOW’S YOUR GARDEN

BY L OIS T R IG G C H A P L I N

Potted Bulbs

Early Flowers and Fruit

Those pretty potted bulbs for sale in garden centers may also be good candidates for the garden. If you purchase daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths or paper whites to enjoy indoors, carefully transplant those bulbs in the garden after the blossoms fade. Plant in a sunny spot where the soil drains well. The foliage is accustomed to warm greenhouse or indoor conditions, so set the pot in a carport or other protected place for a couple of weeks to acclimatize before planting in the open. Some amaryllis may bloom in the garden later, too, especially in South and Central Alabama. There is nothing to lose by trying. Move the amaryllis before frost, though, because the foliage will be killed by freezing weather.

Ongoing conversation about the importance of pollinators in our landscapes focuses on plant/pollinator relationships and ways we can support the pollinator population. This picture from a botanic garden is a good example. The fruit tree (trained on wire) is underplanted with flowers that attract pollinators, helping ensure good pollination of the blossoms. Some of our early-blooming plants that attract the spring pollinators also attract beneficial insects such as flower flies (aka syrphid fly) that both pollinate and prey on aphids and other pests. Some good early-blooming perennial companions include dandelions (yes, some gardeners actually encourage them), candytuft, thrift, scabiosa, early-blooming selections of veronica, green-and-gold.

Some early annuals include parsley, arugula and cilantro that have overwintered (let them bloom).

Save those daffodils for the garden after the blooms fade.

Flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects are good companions for fruit trees.

SIMPLE TIMES

THE CO-OP PANTRY

42

Cooperative Farming News

viding food and shelter. Oaks host many caterpillars eaten by birds, playing an especially important role in the spring when adult birds are feeding nestlings. In fall, the acorns provide protein and fat for many species of wildlife, from chipmunk to deer. Fortunately, oaks abound in Alabama, but many have been lost to storms, age or another land use. If your landscape is in need of good canopy, consider one of a long list of native oaks: white oak, red oak, willow oak, Shumard oak, live oak or others.

Your county Extension horticulturist will know the best oaks for your area as some are better adapted to particular environments, for example, live oak in the coastal plain. Although they have a reputation for growing slowly, most young oaks will grow 2 to 3 feet a year if watered and fertilized.

Winter Pruning

Old potting mix can be refreshed.

Extend the Life of Potting Soil Potting soil can be expensive, especially when buying enough to fill several large containers, so most gardeners want to use it as long as possible. After several seasons it starts to break down, losing some of the aeration and drainage qualities that it was designed for. But since potting soil (aka potting mix) is not real earthen soil, but primarily a mixture of peat moss, composted bark and perlite, we gardeners can renew the mix by adding more of the original ingredients such as an aged bag of fine bark (sold as a soil conditioner), peat moss or perlite.

Mushroom compost also works in a ratio of 1-4. Now is a good time to do this if the potting mix in your containers is more than two years old. When adding peat moss, a sprinkle of lime worked into the mix will offset the extra acidity. In spring, plant and fertilize as usual.

Now is a good time to trim those limbs that were bugging you last fall, especially from the trees and shrubs hanging over the gutters, hitting the house, dropping too low over the driveway or elsewhere. Also, give a good selective pruning to those woody species such as vitex and butterfly bush that benefit from a little shaping before spring growth begins each year. Pruning deciduous trees and shrubs while all the limbs are leafless and clearly visible results in a better and easier job. For big jobs and prized trees, a professional arborist may be in order. Certified arborists, usually credentialed by the International Society of Arboriculture, are trained in how to make cuts to maintain proper tree shape, and make cuts that heal so there is no wound that can lead to rot or insect problems.

Consider an Oak From the grand live oaks of South Alabama to the stately white oak farther north, oak trees provide beauty, comfort, canopy, cooling shade and much, much more.

They play an important role in supporting wildlife by pro-

Winter is the best time to take care of wayward tree limbs, before they leaf out again.

January 2020

43

Brooke’s Bountiful Blessings

BY CA R O LY N D R I N K A R D For Brooke Waters, baking is a labor of love that has been shared from generation to generation. Her grandmother lovingly passed on this family tradition to Brooke at a very young age. By the time Brooke was 8, she was baking on her own, making macaroons, French meringue cookies and caramel icing. By the second grade, she was cooking in her mother’s kitchen and doing something she loved: baking cakes.

“I like baking and decorating my cakes,” she explained. “I like using different colors, but my favorite is yellow!”

44

Cooperative Farming News

At first, Brooke baked just for her family. She made a basketball cake for one friend’s birthday party, and after that, she was asked to bake more. She often creates a unicorn cake for friends’ birthday parties and other special occasions. This one is still her favorite because she designed it herself.

Once school begins, Brooke has difficulty finding time to bake. She attends Morgan Academy in Selma, where she is in the sixth grade. She loves all her classes, but science is her favorite. She is active in sports such as basketball and softball. She is also a cheerleader. Next year, she plans to try out for volleyball and track. Her future plans are to go to Auburn and enter the new culinary program.

Even though she makes other foods such as pasta, baking is her favorite activity in the kitchen. She often makes desserts for her family, yummy goodies including cookies, pies, tarts and blond brownies. Even though she has a busy schedule, she finds time to make at least one cake each week.

Brooke finds inspiration for her baking from many sources. She searches for tutorials and YouTube videos to hone her skills. One of her favorite cooking

shows, however, has always been the Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship,” in which youngsters between the ages of 10 and 13 get to show off their baking skills in weekly challenges. Judges eliminate one contestant each week until the winner remains.

After watching each show, Brooke always wanted to try to make the featured treat better than the contestants on TV. Last year, she decided to enter the popular show herself. She applied and was chosen as one of the contestants for Season 7. She traveled to Los Angeles to tape the shows.

“I was nervous at first,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect, but after a while, it was fun. I made lots of friends.“ Brooke stayed through week five in the competition. Her mother Kellee feels this experience was a big boost to Brooke’s self-confidence.

“She was a little shy when she got on the show,” Kellee explained, “but after she started baking, she was fine. This experience has really helped her. “ When she returned to school, all of her friends treated her like she was a celebrity, excited that she had been on TV. Brooke’s friends sometimes join her in baking. At Christmas, the girls get together and make cookies for a cookie swap.

“We make sugar cookies and decorate them,” Brooke added.”We put icing on them or paint them with food coloring.”

To Kellee and Terry Waters, their daughter is a miracle. Born early at 27 weeks, Brooke weighed only 2 pounds and 3 ounces. She stayed nine weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Baptist South in Montgomery. Brooke and her family were the first NICU January 2020

45

family to receive strength and comfort from a newly established organization, called Footprints Ministry.

This group, supported by many churches in Montgomery, was organized to show God’s love by reminding families that they are not alone on their NICU journey.

The Waters family will never forget the kindness and love shown to them during their trying days in the NICU. Brooke often raises funds for “Footprints Ministry.” She calls her baking operation “Brooke’s Bountiful Blessings,” named in honor of the work the ministry did when she was a baby. She regularly raises funds for this ministry. In addition, for each birthday, she asks for donations to the ministry, instead of presents for herself. She also bakes cakes for church and community events.

Kellee hopes her daughter appreciates what she has been given and will continue to give to others.

“To see her thrive and work hard, I think about how far she has come. She has so many blessings, and she passes them on to others! “ For Brooke, bountiful blessings come when she uses her amazing talent to do what she loves.

“I like to make things and give them to other people,” she explained. “It makes me happy!”

Brooke Waters’ Recipes Chocolate Cake Preheat oven to 300 degrees Ingredients: 2 cups flour 2 cups sugar ¾ cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup vegetable oil 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla 1 cup hot water – add the coffee here Directions: Prepare three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment circles and grease the sides. Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl and whisk together.

Add eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and mix well.Add vanilla and coffee to the boiling water and mix well. Divide the batter evenly between cake pans and bake 30-32 minutes. Remove cakes from oven and cool for 10 minutes.

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Cooperative Farming News

Brooke’s Original Vanilla Cake Heat oven to 350º.

1 cup butter (2 sticks) 1 cup sugar 4 eggs, at room temperature 1 cup brown sugar 3 cups flour ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ cups milk

Stir the cocoa powder and hot water together. In a double boiler (or in the microwave) melt the chocolate chips, just until smooth. Add the cocoa mixture to the melted chocolate chips and stir well to combine. Allow to cool to room temperature.

In a separate large bowl, beat the cream and sugar until very stiff peaks form. Add the chocolate mixture and fold in with a spatula until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to five days.

In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add in eggs one at a time and mix well. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking powder. Mix vanilla with the milk. Alternate flour with milk into butter/sugar mixture until combined. Start with flour – end with flour.

Cook: 3 pans: 15 minutes 2 pans: 20 minutes

Coconut Macaroons 1 1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut 1/3 cup sugar 2 tablespoons AP flour 1/8 tsp salt 2 large egg whites, at room temperature ½ teaspoon vanilla extract In a small bowl, combine coconut, sugar, flour, and salt. Add egg whites and vanilla; mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 325 for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Mousse 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup hot water 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons granulated sugar January 2020

47

THE MAGIC OF GARDENING

Overgrown Junipers Cause Marital Strife

I often get calls from people who are not seeking landscape advice but rather seeking validation or permission for something they have already done. Such was the case in which a male caller had decided to prune his junipers very heavily because they were sprawling into his driveway. After the fact, his wife became very upset at how they looked and he asked me for backup so that he could convince his wife he had done the right thing.

I am not a marriage counselor so I can’t help with the marital issue, but a night out at her favorite restaurant might be a good time to share the following information. And if he is real smooth he might be able to make it look like he knew what he was doing all along.

I suggested he slip the following comment in between the main course and dessert: “Honey, the county agent said winter is the perfect time to prune junipers, but I may have cut them back a wee bit too far. In either case, he said the plants likely needed to be replaced anyway, and my heavy pruning will make that job easier.” I don’t guarantee this will work, but it’s worth a try.

Pay attention to the rest of this article so that I 48

Cooperative Farming News

don’t have to come up with clever ways of getting you out of trouble with your spouse. Since narrow-leaved evergreens produce new growth in spring and fall, and do not grow much in summer, winter is a good time to prune them. The only exception to this rule is pines that should be pruned just before the new growth develops in the spring.

In general, most narrow-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs need little to no pruning, and they should only be pruned to maintain their natural growth habit. This requires pruning individual stems rather than shearing. Always make your pruning cut to an upward growing side branch. We call this type cut a thinning cut that allows better light penetration, maintains a more natural shape and may reduce pest issues. In contrast, shearing or large heading back cuts not only ruins the natural shape but also reduces good light penetration and in the case of most conifers may result in plant death.

Remember, there are certain rules that apply to narrow-leaved evergreens that are quite different from other evergreens such as hollies. For instance, many

B Y T O N Y G L OV E R

Junipers, like the one shown, will not grow back when pruned too severely.

broad-leaved evergreens can tolerate severe renewal pruning like this gentleman did to his junipers. Unfortunately for him, junipers and other narrow-leaved evergreens will not come back after this type pruning. If you must prune narrow-leafed evergreens you should start when they are small, usually the first year after they come from the nursery. Then if they are pruned a

little each year, severe pruning is not an issue unless you bought a variety that is just way too big for the site. In that case, you will eventually have to replace the plant.

This gentleman had a common spreading evergreen called Pfitzer juniper. It is not unusual for this plant to grow 12 to 18 inches or more each year. To maintain the natural shape of this plant, it is necessary to cut back to growing points. It also may be necessary to cut back into the previous year’s wood to maintain the plant’s size and shape. In other words, you are thinning the plant back into the canopy to points that are still green behind your point of removal.

In summary, the reason these plants can’t be pruned heavily is because they lack dormant (adventitious) buds that other plants have in abundance. Since these adventitious buds are lacking, his plants are likely damaged beyond recovery. Most broad-leaved plants have plenty of these dormant buds and they will often sprout back from the stump if they are cut to the ground. That is why it’s hard to kill privet or hollies by cutting them too severely.

On the plus side, for him, severely overgrown evergreens should be removed and replaced with more appropriately sized plant materials. If he emphasizes this point to his wife, he may be able to come out smelling like a rose (pun intended) on this whole episode.

Remember, if you are unsure about landscape maintenance issues, call your local Extension office or the toll-free Master Gardener helpline at 877-ALA-GROW or visit our website (www.aces.edu).

In general, most narrow-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs need little to no pruning and they should only be pruned to maintain their natural growth habit.

January 2020

49

THE HERB LADY

BY NADINE JOHNSON

STRESS “Stress is physical, mental or emotional tension.”

That’s what my dictionary says.

What is B-complex? Here’s what someone who knows much more than I do has to say about these important vitamins.

“B-complex is a family of water-soluble vitamins found naturally in whole grain, flour, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, liver, kidney and heart. Your body cannot store them and washes the excess out through your kidneys and in perspiration. You need a fresh supply of B-complex daily. Because the B-complex vitamins work together in many biological processes, a deficiency of even one can disrupt your entire metabolism.”

A lack of the B vitamins causes a person to suffer greater stress. A person in a stressful situation has a greater need of B-complex.

I gained the above knowledge after I became an herbalist - not during the 37 years I was an active nurse (Licensed Practical Nurse). I’m sure the doctor for whom I worked as office nurse was well aware of B-complex needs. She gave the orders and I administered many intramuscular injections, which the patients and I jokingly referred to as “Vitamin Salad.” This has been most often “so many cc of vitamin B-12 and cc of other vitamins.”

These vitamins can be taken by injection, as noted, and they can easily be taken orally. Some people prefer a liquid form which they drop under their tongue.

Others prefer a tablet. I personally take a pill which provides me with all the B vitamins as well as some relaxing herbs (Schisandra fruit, wheat germ, bee pollen, hops, valerian root and skullcap).

In my opinion, everyone should be taking a good allpurpose mixture of vitamins and minerals daily. There was a time when our daily food consumption provided the needed vitamins. That day has passed. Our soil has been leached of its wonderful source of natural nutri50

Cooperative Farming News

ents. (This information also comes from someone with much more knowledge than I have.)

Remember the days when we farm families ate fruits and vegetables from our own gardens that were fertilized with manure from our own chickens, cows and horses. Many berries were picked from the wild.

We had yard chickens, which provided eggs as well as meat for Sunday dinner. We had cows, which provided milk and butter (occasionally a butchered calf for meat). Don’t forget the hogs, which were home slaughtered to provide cooking fat as well as several forms of meat. My parents didn’t raise goats, but that was an option for some people.

We had the most wonderful cornbread. The corn meal was made from our home-grown corn and ground at Linton’s Mill near Goshen. Occasionally, Mother made hominy.

Our animals were fed on home-grown corn, peanut hay and sometimes oats. They had free range of the pasture. I’m sure I’m leaving something out, but you get the message. Our food was organic.

We all experience stress daily. Some situations are more stressful than others. We need to take our vitamins daily for the sake of our general health and specially to help us cope with stress.

The Herb Lady Nadine Johnson

For Information on herbs or to order Nature’s Sunshine Products: P.O. Box 7425 Spanish Fort, AL 35677 or njherbal@gmail.com

Accepts Checks and Money Orders

SIMPLE TIMES

BY SU Z Y Mc C RAY

A Special Blanket

THE CO-OP PANTRY

The 18-month-old toddler died three days after his mama bought gas at a local store and told a woman employee she thought her baby was hurt because he had fallen at home.

That worker in Locust Fork called Blount 911 dispatch after seeing the little one. The baby died in a Birmingham hospital three days later. Now the baby’s mama and her boyfriend are both in jail charged with capital murder.

That same week the badly beaten body of a local man was found in a steel container behind a Blountsville area home. Four people were soon charged with capital murder in connection with that case.

Two separate shootings also occurred within those few days. Although none of those shootings were fatal, they still devastated several lives.

All this and more in rural, somewhat peaceful Blount County where residents not too long ago prided themselves on not locking their doors at home and leaving their keys in their vehicles while parked in their driveways.

Law enforcement, rescue workers, ambulance personnel and ordinary citizens were shocked and devastated.

Blount District Attorney Pamela Casey said she could not remember in the county’s history where six people were charged with capital murder in such a short amount of time.

A huge percentage of the crimes committed within the county were in some way connected to drug use. It seemed that every family either was directly affected or knew someone close who was.

After that initial shock began to wear off in September, Sheriff Mark Moon, who also serves as pastor of County Line Baptist Church, began to take action, but it was not the action that many would have suspected.

Exactly one week after the baby was initially injured, Moon sent out a press release thanking those in the community for lifting him, his department, and other emergency responders up in prayer.

Hands lifted in prayer at the Community Prayer Vigil at Cleveland Football Stadium.

He said, in part, “I am truly a blessed man to have so many people praying for me daily and doing things like sending me a letter to encourage me during hard times... .”

He also spoke directly to his department in the release, saying, “To all my deputies I want to say thank you for all your hard work, dedication, professionalism and compassion you show every day to protect this great county that we all love. You guys are the heartbeat of this department and nothing, I mean nothing, would ever be accomplished without you.”

Moon then announced there would be a community Prayer Vigil held Oct. 2 at the Cleveland Football Stadium.

He noted that it was not a “denominational” event.

“It is about community unity and prayer. I want more than anything to lift up Blount County and to bring everyone together. Due to the stressful times and most recent events, it is evident that evil is running rampant among us. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer and the power of God. My desire is to call upon the Lord and seek His guidance and for the Holy Spirit to move across our land.”

January 2020

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The Freedom From Religion Foundation almost immediately stepped in, saying that Sheriff Moon should not be planning or supporting such an event, noting in their letter to Moon: “Regardless of any actual bias, the mere appearance of bias undermines the ability for law enforcement to protect and serve.”

So Sheriff Moon immediately removed any reference to the prayer vigil from an online presence in connection with the sheriff’s department. But the vigil went on as planned with PASTOR Moon, along with pastors from throughout the county, hosting the event.

More than 1,500 concerned Blount County residents attended, representing churches in the area who are Independent, Baptist, Methodist, Church of God, Assembly of God, Lutheran, Catholic and more.

Pastors and other community leaders offered individual prayers for those in law enforcement, firemen and emergency medical responders, teachers, government leaders both locally and nationally, those working with juveniles, families, those struggling with addictions, those in abusive relationships and generally all aspects of society.

Some of the pastor participants included Mountain Point Ministries, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Redeemed Ministries, County Line Baptist, the Friendship Baptist Association and more.

A follow-up vigil was held at Susan Moore’s football field Nov. 6 with a slightly different program.

Bro. Bud Jones of Hope House, Moon, Bro. Steve Hallman of Mountain Chapel and others led the way for a message brought by Bro. Chris Gortney of Redeemed Ministries as a crowd of more than a thousand raised their hands in prayer and pleaded in prayer for the county.

Vigils are scheduled throughout the coming months. Critics say such an effort is useless ... but those blue-tee-shirt-wearing former addicts from the Cleveland-area Redeemed Ministries would beg to differ as they strive toward new jobs, healthier bodies and entirely new lives!

Blount is known as a “bedroom” community with many residents commuting daily to larger areas such as Birmingham and Huntsville to work. But agriculture still contributes about $254.1 MILLION annually to the local economy (according to the Alabama Extension Service).

Poultry and egg production accounts for 79.3 percent of agriculture in Blount, cattle 5.7 percent, and vegetables and melons 1.7 percent.

Blount ranks third in the state in vegetable production and second in fruit farming!

Many of those in agriculture also now have off-thefarm jobs or have spouses who work off the farm, but the mindset of old-time community, neighborliness and helpfulness continues.

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Cooperative Farming News

It is still common to hear of folks cutting wood for a neighbor who heats with wood, but is “laid up” with a broken leg; farmers helping to get the crops in for a fellow farmer undergoing cancer treatment; or holding fund-raising breakfasts for a firefighter battling brain cancer.

So it should come as no surprise that many of these same resilient folks are also willing to blanket their neighbors with another kind of caring – prayer!

In the great writer Andrew Murray’s “Collected Works on Prayer,” we read how “This access to a prayer-hearing God is especially meant to make us intercessors for our fellowmen. ... The power of life and death is in our hands (1 John 5:16). In answer to prayer, the Spirit can be poured out; souls can be converted; believers can be established.

“In prayer, the kingdom of darkness can be conquered, souls are brought out of prison into the liberty of Christ, and the Glory of God is revealed. Through prayer the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God – can be wielded in power, and in public preaching, as in private speaking, the most rebellious are made to bow at Jesus feet.”

No one argues the fact that there are major divisions in our country at this time or that drugs are a stronghold in our neighborhoods that will be hard to break but ...

There’s a saying that’s been shared repeatedly on Facebook with various pictures that says simply: “When my arms can’t reach people who are close to my heart, I always hug them with my prayers.”

I love to make lap quilts and baby quilts here on my little homestead, and there’s an entire guild of quilters who enjoy sewing special blankets for our veterans, the homeless and more. How much more precious it is when we can BLANKET people – and our entire county and country’s problems – with our prayers!

Suzy McCray and her husband Mack are blessed to live on a small homestead in Blount County. She can be reached through her Facebook page or by email at suzy.mccray@yahoo.com.

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FOOD SAFETY

Safe Slow Cooker Use A slow cooker can be a great help for the homemaker with a hectic schedule. By planning ahead, time can be saved later during the busier meal preparation time. As long as correct food safety procedure is used, slow cooking can be a good way to cook the tougher, cheaper cuts of meat. Electricity use is substantially lower than with the oven.

The slow cooker is safest when used for foods with a high moisture content such as soups, stews or spaghetti sauce. It is important that the ingredients be safely thawed before placing in the cooker. The food should be in small chunks or pieces to allow it to heat through quickly. Whole chickens or roasts are more likely to remain at an unsafe temperature in the center, 54

Cooperative Farming News

allowing bacteria to reproduce excessively, if not started on high and kept there for at least 2 hours if not longer to be safe. The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA explains that the slow cooker is safe due to the creation of steam in the tightly sealed covered cooker along with the lengthy cooking time, which combine to destroy the bacteria. FSIS gives some food safety tips that allow the food to be safely cooked at the lower temperatures.

Place vegetables to be cooked on the sides and bottom of the cooker since they cook slower than the meat or poultry. Add the meat or poultry next, then cover with liquid. The cooker should be no less than ½ full, or no more than 2/3 full. The lid should remain

B Y A N G E L A T R E A D AWAY

closed except during stirring and testing for doneness. Although it is safe to start and cook the food on low, it is preferable to start the food on high for the first hour to get the food up to a safe temperature more quickly. The high setting cooks more quickly, but cooking on low allows the tougher cuts of meat to be tenderized and allows all-day cooking. If the food has been properly handled, it will remain safe as long as the cooker is on.

Using a slow cooker can be a safe way to cook while you have to be away from home, if the above

safety precautions are observed. A slow cooker is not for reheating cold previously cooked food. To use the slow cooker to keep previously cooked foods warm for a buffet, preheat the cooker, then put hot food that has been cooked in the microwave or stove into the cooker to be held.

For more info on food safety and using slow cookers call, Angela Treadaway, your Regional Agent in Food Safety/Preservation and Preparation from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, at 205-4103696.

Cheesy White Cauliflower Chili Recipe 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 onions, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon cumin seeds 1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cracked black peppercorns 1 can (15-ounce size) white kidney beans, drained and rinsed 3 cups vegetable stock 3 cups cauliflower florets, cooked for 4 minutes in salted boiling water and drained 1 jalapeno pepper, minced (more if desired) 1 green bell pepper, minced 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 4

ounces cream cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes and softened 1 can (4-ounce size) chopped mild green chilies Finely chopped green onions, optional, for garnish Finely chopped cilantro, optional, for garnish

cook on high for 25 to 30 minutes, until the green peppers are softened and cauliflower is heated through. Ladle into bowls and garnish as desired with chopped green onions and cilantro.

If you prefer thicker chili, mash some or all of the beans or puree in a food processor before adding to the recipe.

In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, cumin seeds, oregano, chili powder, salt and peppercorns. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

Transfer mixture to slow cooker stoneware. Add beans and stock, and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until hot and bubbling. Stir in cauliflower, jalapeno pepper, green pepper, Monterey Jack cheese, and cream cheese and chilies, if using. Cover and January 2020

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Bonnie Plants: New Year, New Chapter After 51 years of exceptional, dedicated service to Bonnie Plants, Stan Cope retired Dec. 31, 2019. Cope has been a vital asset to Bonnie Plants for more than five decades, highlighting his tenure with his role as President and CEO for the past 10 years.

Bonnie Plants was founded in 1918 in Union Springs by Livingston and Bonnie Paulk. The Paulks were looking for ways to make a living off the land when they began growing cabbages that they sold at local farmers markets. Still headquartered in Union Springs, Bonnie Plants is the largest and only national supplier and producer of vegetable and herb plants in the United States. Bonnie grows more than 250 varieties of quality vegetable and herb plants for gardeners across the country, with 70+ growing stations, serving the 48 contiguous states.

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Cooperative Farming News

When Cope began his career in 1968, Bonnie offered 25 varieties of vegetable plants compared to today’s offering of nearly 300 varieties of vegetables and herbs. Today, these varieties are grown throughout the USA in greenhouses totaling over 13 million square feet and stretched across 48 states. Cope said when he first started, plants were field-grown rather than grown in greenhouse facilities. Bonnie has flourished and grown from a local producer in the southeastern market to a border-to-border, coast-to-coast producer and supplier of quality vegetable and herb plants. “It has been my honor to lead Bonnie over the last 10 years. Throughout this time, I have been humbled by the commitment and hard work of our people and their passion for creating a truly purpose-driven company.

I am extremely grateful to my Bonnie family, as they

Stan Cope’s career at Bonnie Plants is highlighted by his role as President and CEO for the past 10 years.

Copes passes on the baton of leadership to Mike Sutterer.

have worked passionately to help build our long-term success and sustainable future,” said Cope.

“Bonnie’s success for over 100 years is simple,” said Rivers Myres, CEO of Alabama Farmers Cooperative. “It comes from people like Stan Cope who have dedicated over 50 years of their life to helping Bonnie grow. We cannot thank Stan enough for his leadership and wish him the very best during his well-deserved retirement.”

As Bonnie Plants celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2018, maintaining outstanding leadership is an integral component to the company’s continued success. To ensure this success, Mike Sutterer joined the Bonnie Plants team April 1, 2019, as president. Sutterer

was previously Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Garden Business Unit at Scotts Miracle-Gro where he was responsible for over $1.2 billion in annual revenue. Upon Cope’s retirement, Sutterer now serves as the President and CEO of Bonnie Plants.

“I congratulate Mike on his appointment,” Cope said. Having worked closely with Mike for the past three years, I am highly confident that under his leadership, Bonnie will continue to grow and prosper long into the future. This is the right time for me personally and for the company to transition to the next generation of leadership. Bonnie is well positioned for future success with an extraordinary team, solid foundation and exciting growth prospects.”

”

Bonnie’s success for over 100 years is simple. It comes from people like Stan Cope who have dedicated over 50 years of their life to helping Bonnie grow. We cannot thank Stan enough for his leadership and wish him the very best during his well-deserved retirement.

– Rivers Myres, CEO of Alabama Farmers Cooperative

”

January 2020

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FROM PASTOR TO PASTURE

A Slippery Slope

I remember growing up hearing the old saying: “Whatever starts in California, will one day come to Alabama.” For the most part, as I reflect over the last 60 years, that has proven to be true. There are some things, however, that were first publicly condoned in California that I thought would never be accepted down here in the Bible Belt of the country, but I was wrong.

In October, I had to have some follow-up MRIs done at Flowers Hospital in Dothan. As usual, I was jokingly giving the receptionist who was checking me in a hard time. I felt like I was signing enough papers to be doing a closing on my house. About the time we were finishing up, I told her that I was not signing any more papers when she said, “Oh, there is just one more document and I bet you are going to love this one.”

I honestly thought it was a joke, but I was wrong.

She told me that one patient had complained a few 58

Cooperative Farming News

weeks before, so to avoid a lawsuit, every patient, including me, had to check the appropriate boxes and sign the document so that the staff in the back would know how to properly address me. This record would then be added to my permanent medical records, but I would have the opportunity to change it at any time if my “feelings” changed.

You have got to be kidding me! Could this really be happening in Southeast Alabama? You can read it for yourself to see how bizarre this really is (See Photo 1).

I remember, not many years ago, when this kind of thinking would have been totally unthinkable, unless it was a joke. I never thought that we, as a nation, would ever be where we are today. Calling sin, sin – is much more offensive to us than the sin itself. Any sinful addiction must be called a disease to avoid personal responsibility. Sexual perversion and promiscuity have

BY GLENN CRUMPLER

Photo 1. Actual document that had to be signed at the doctor’s office to verify my “internal sense of self.”

been accepted under the guise of inclusion because this is how some want to live and if God does exist, he is a god that wants us to be happy above all else.

Any association with the name of Jesus or Christianity must be omitted from all government, public and business venues under the concept of “freedom of religion,” which is, in fact, more accurately described as “freedom from religion.” Our culture even tells us that we cannot pray, have a Bible, or wear Christian clothing or jewelry to school or to work out of fear that it might be offensive to someone else, but to prohibit followers of other religions from practicing the same freedoms is referred to as intolerance.

Many of the things I taught my children and am now teaching my grandchildren about godliness and sinfulness, that would have been the moral norm just a few years ago, are now rejected as irrelevant babble.

Biblical teachings are being twisted and undermined to be make sin more acceptable, but less offensive and condemning.

To make matters much worse, even our churches are teaching that we should soften our approach to sin and be more “sensitive” and “inclusive” in what we call sin or as being against God’s will. I believe that it is specifically because the church has been silent and not taken a firm stance in dealing with sin, that our culture is where it is. We told God that He had no place in our schools and public domain, rejecting His lordship

and the authority of His written Word – but not before we had already made Him unwelcome in our homes.

If Scripture has substantive errors, then how can it be authoritative? If Scripture in its totality cannot be trusted as God’s Word to us, then anything goes – which is literally where we find ourselves today. Who is to tell me how I should live my life, how I should treat other people, and how I should determine what is right or wrong if there is no absolute truth or standard?

More importantly, how can we know God, His character, sovereignty, love, grace and holiness or believe in His redemptive work if His Word cannot be trusted?

When I went to seminary in 1997, I was already 38 years old and not a new Christian. I had been married for 20 years, had three teenage children and had already retired from the military. Because I am hearing-impaired and because I was there to learn, I sat in the middle seat of the front row, so that I would not miss anything.

My first class of my first semester was Greek (literally). The professor was the new Dean of Biblical Studies and had written a whole box full of books. On the first day, he made his way down to right in front of my desk where he stood, holding his Bible above his head, and said: “You cannot go home to your churches and tell them that this is the authoritative, inerrant Word of God because it has too many errors in it,” and he dropped his Bible on my desk. I know my jaws must have dropped just before I raised my hand right in front of his face. He looked down at me and said, “Sir?” I said, “Please don’t tell me that I sold my house and everything that we owned, uprooted my wife from her family and my three teenage children from all their friends, to come here, to be taught this! Tell me I didn’t do that.” He looked down his nose at me and said: “See me after class.” I did. It didn’t help!

Three years later in my last semester, I had a New Testament professor who had written more books than the other guy. I know, because we had to buy them all!

He had even been on TV several times, supposedly as an apologist for the Bible (a person who offers an argument in defense of the Scripture).

A couple of weeks into the semester, he was lecturing on Jesus’ wilderness experience after His baptism.

The Bible says that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, specifically, to be tempted by the devil in every way. It was during this 40 days and nights of fasting when Jesus was lonely, exhausted and vulnerable that Satan tempted Jesus to give in to His fleshly desires. Each time Satan tempted Him, Jesus responded by saying, “It is written ...” quoting ScripJanuary 2020

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ture to refute him. Finally, Satan tried to tempt Jesus can we really know God? You see where this is going! by misquoting Scripture and using it out of context.

I am not arguing that we should not approach the Satan said, “It is written ...,” but Jesus answered Him Bible without diligent study and research, but just the using more comprehensive Scriptures that effectively opposite. The more we study and dig in Scripture, askended this temptation experience. Every time Jesus ing the Holy Spirit to guide us, the easier it is to see was tempted, He resisted the temptation by referring that it is both substantively inerrant and authoritato the authority and inerrancy of God’s Word! “For it is tive. The more we see the awesomeness of His power, written ....” knowledge and holiness, the more we desire, and see I thought that this experience of Jesus as record- our need, to worship Him. In Scripture, we see that He ed in the Bible was easy enough to understand, but is so much higher than us that His sovereignty is not apparently, it was not. This limited by what we do not professor went on to say understand. The more we that Jesus’ experience as see the personhood of If this central passage in Scripdescribed in these verses God, the more we know ture could not be taken literally was not a real experience at that we are not God! The as truth, then how could any of all, but was only a “vision” more we see His love, the that Jesus had. Well, once more we love Him. The it? If we believe that the Bible’s again, I had trouble with my more we see His meraccount of Jesus’ temptation expeflying arm. The professor’s cy, the more we want to response to my question praise Him. rience was not real, then how do about how he could make The best I remember, we believe the harder things such the argument that this was a my paper was between as Jesus being born of a virgin vision and not a literal temp20-25 pages. The only red tation experience was this: marks he made said, “The or being raised from the dead?

“You pay to come here to problem is that you are If Scripture is not accurate, then learn from me. My advice is not ‘educated’ enough to how do we know if demons and that you learn from me.” recognize visionary literaTo make matters worse, ture.” There is no way that angels, heaven or hell, or sin and this professor decided God’s omniscience could righteousness really exist? that one-third of our final trump this Professor’s grade for that class would knowledge of God. Scripbe based on a research pature just has to be wrong! per addressing any topic that we studied in this class No president and no government will be able to during the semester. Yep, I wrote my paper on Jesus’ rescue us from the depth to which we have fallen. apparent “visionary” experience versus any real spiri- Change must begin in our hearts, in our homes and in tual warfare that took place when “God in the flesh” our churches! For it is written: “If my people, who are was tempted by Satan himself. If Jesus was not really called by my name, will humble themselves and pray tempted in every way, then what does it matter that He and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, remained sinless? If He was sinless without the entice- then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin ment to sin, it would be meaningless as it relates to my and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) being able to resist temptation – not to mention the fact that only a tested, perfect, sinless sacrifice could CATTLE FOR CHRIST atone for my sinfulness.

INTERNATIONAL, INC. If this central passage in Scripture could not be Glenn Crumpler, taken literally as truth, then how could any of it? If we believe that the Bible’s account of Jesus’ temptation exPresident perience was not real, then how do we believe the hard- Cattlemen helping you take the Gospel and love er things such as Jesus being born of a virgin or being of Christ around the world. raised from the dead? If Scripture is not accurate, then 334-393-4700 (Home).

4125 CR 636 how do we know if demons and angels, heaven or hell, Enterprise, AL 36330 334-333-4400 (Mobile) or sin and righteousness really exist? If He was not conwww.CattleforChrist.com 2 Corinthians 5:15 ceived by the Holy Spirit, then how could He be God in e-mail: glenncrumpler@cattleforchrist.com the flesh? If Jesus was not God in the flesh, then how 60

Cooperative Farming News

THE CO-OP PANTRY

BY M A RY DE L P H

Vegetable Beef Soup

White Chili

1 pound ground beef 1 medium onion, diced 1 (20-ounce) can Veg-All 1 (15-ounce) can corn niblets 2 (10¾ ounce) cans tomato soup ½ cup water 2 cups chicken broth, add more if needed Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 6o r 8 cooked, boneless chicken breasts, chopped 3 ( 14.5-ounce) cans green chili peppers, chopped 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1½ teaspoons cayenne pepper 2 t o 3 (14.5-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, undrained

In a skillet over medium heat, brown beef and onions.

Drain. In soup pot, place drained beef and onion and add in the rest of the ingredients; simmer for 30 minutes.

In a skillet, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil for 10 minutes or until onions are tender. Put chicken in a crockpot with the sautéed onion and garlic. Add chicken broth, beans, green chili peppers, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper. Cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Serve topped with Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream and corn chips.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup 1 whole chicken, 3-4 pounds 1½ onions, divided 3 carrots, include tops if you have them 2 celery stalks 4 sprigs fresh herbs: rosemary, parsley, sage (or any combination) 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon peppercorns 2 teaspoons salt 10 cups water January 2020

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Bring broth to a boil and add carrots and celery.

Cook five minutes. Cook noodles in water according to package directions. Stir in chicken and simmer until heated through, about two minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place noodles in the bottom of each bowl. Ladle soup over top and serve.

Note: Egg noodles do not keep well in the fridge or freezer. If you would like to freeze this soup or serve some of it at a later date, cook the noodles separately and add them to each bowl when serving.

Three Sisters Soup 6 cups chicken stock 16-ounce can yellow corn or hominy, drained and rinsed 16-ounce can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 small onion, chopped 1 rib celery, chopped ½ teaspoon dried sage leaves ½ teaspoon curry powder 15-ounce can cooked pumpkin 3 teaspoons salt

Kosher salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern Beans 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes 4 cups Swanson Chicken Broth 2 sprigs rosemary leaves, finely chopped 1½ cups ditalini pasta (or other small shape) Freshly grated Parmesan, for garnish Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish In a large, deep pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add sausage and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in onion, carrots and celery. Cook until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, one minute more. Season with salt and pepper, then add in beans (with their liquid), diced tomatoes, chicken broth and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then stir in ditalini. Reduce heat to medium and cook until pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve in bowls garnished with Parmesan and parsley.

In a pot, bring the chicken stock to a slow boil. Add the corn/hominy, beans, onion and celery. Boil for 10 minutes. Add sage leaves, curry powder and pumpkin and simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes.

Note: You can turn this recipe into heart-healthy recipe by simply using low fat and low sodium ingredients.

Pasta e Fagioli 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ½ lb. spicy (or sweet) Italian sausage 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped 2 stalks celery, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced

Elk Crock-Pot Super Supper 2 pounds elk roast, cut into 3-inch cubes 4 large potatoes, cut into chunks 4 carrots, sliced on the diagonal 3 stalks of celery, chopped Salt Pepper 10.5-ounce can cream of mushroom soup 1 soup can water 1 envelope dry onion soup mix 2 teaspoons garlic powder Place meat on the bottom of the Crock-Pot. Add vegetables on top. Salt and pepper to taste.

In a bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients and pour over the meat and veggies. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.

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Cooperative Farming News

FIRST SOUTH AD AL

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“Serving the Southeast since our beginning in 2003”

Wishing You A Happy New Year!

Drop-Off Locations:

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WetumpkaHarold Levins 334-313-3695

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Covington Co. Matthew Hammett 334-488-0934

SW AL Harry Bryant 251-989-3992

January 2020

63

1ST MONDAY WEEKEND TRADE DAYS January 4-6, 2020 Scottsboro - Downtown Courthouse Square - 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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What’s happening in

COFFEE CALL January 4, 2020 Athens - Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Call 256-771-7578

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Call 251-948-2627 ANNUAL SOUTHEAST ANGUS CLASSIC BULL SALE January 11, 2020 Opelika - Lawler Farms - Noon Call 334-741-7761 or 662-837-1776 ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES January 11-12, 2020 Decatur - Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge/Visitor Center Saturday: 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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1/2/4 MILE CONCURRENT NEW YEAR'S FUN RUNS January 1, 2020 Huntsville - Jaycee Bldg., Old Airport Fairgrounds Call 256-534-5509 POLAR BEAR DIP January 1, 2020 Orange Beach - Flora-Bama 12:00 p.m.

Call 251-980-5118

2020 BIRMINGHAM WINTER FUN AND KNIFE SHOW January 4-5, 2020 Birmingham - BJCC Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Call 205-458-8400

Call 256-734-9765

1ST MONDAY WEEKEND TRADE DAYS January 4-6, 2020 Scottsboro - Downtown Courthouse Square - 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Call 256-218-0124 GMAC BOWL January 6, 2020 Mobile - Ladd Peebles Stadium Admission - 6:30 p.m.

Call 251-635-0011

HANK WILLIAMS 67TH MEMORIAL January 1, 2020 Montgomery - Hank Williams Museum - Oakwood Cemetery Annex RAPPELLING BASICS CERTIFICATION CLASS LEVEL I Call 334-262-3600 January 7, 2020 LOOKING AT THE COLLECTION: Fort Payne - True Adventure Sports JOHN JAMES AUDUBON’S Admission - 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

VIVIPAROUS QUADRUPEDS OF Call 256-997-9577 NORTH AMERICA WINTER WEDNESDAYS January 1-12, 2020 Huntsville - Huntsville Museum of Art January 8 - February 26, 2020 Theodore - Bellingrath Gardens and Call 256-551-2230 Home - Admission LET IT SNOW Call 800-247-8420 or 251-459-8868 January 1-12, 2020 2020 GULF COAST RV SHOW Gasden - Mary G. Hardin Center for January 9-11, 2020 Cultural Arts - Admission Monday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 Mobile - Mobile Convention Center Admission - Thursday - Saturday p.m. and Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Call 256-543-2787 Call 251-208-2100 CAMELLIA SHOW CULLMAN COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S January 3-31, 2020 AND CATTLE WOMEN’S ANNUAL Wetumpka - Jasmine Hills Garden MEETING Friday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 January 11, 2020 p.m. and Sunday: Noon - 5:00 p.m.

Cullman - Stone Bridge Farms Call 334-567-6463 64 Cooperative Farming News 6:00 p.m.

SERVISFIRST BANK MOBILE MARATHON January 12, 2020 Mobile - Begins Downtown - Fee for participants - 7:30 a.m.

Call 251-438-2094 FOLEY SNOWBIRD RECEPTION January 14, 2020 Foley - Foley Civic Center 9:00 a.m. - Noon Call 251-943-1300 ANNUAL GULF STATES HORTICULTURAL EXPO January 15-17, 2020 Mobile - Mobile Outlaw Convention Center - 7:00 a.m.

Trade Show: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Call 334-821-5148 2020 BOAT SHOW January 17-19, 2020 Huntsville - Von Braun Center Friday: Noon - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Call 256-509-3754 ALABAMA DANCE FESTIVAL January 17-26, 2020 Birmingham - Various Locations Admission Call 205-602-3599

zFLORIDA BULL TEST SALE January 18, 2020 Mariana - North Florida Research and Education Center - 12:30 p.m.

Call 334-403-0383 PINK BRIDE WEDDING SHOW January 20, 2020 Birmingham - BJCC - Admission Noon - 4:00 p.m.

Call 770-736-1979 MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION January 20, 2020 Montgomery - 454 Dexter Ave. 10:00 a.m.

Call 334-263-3970 D.A.T.E. WEEK January 20 - 24, 2020 Tuscaloosa - Various Locations Various Times Call 205-391-9200 AMERICAN GOSPEL QUARTET CONVENTION January 22-24, 2020 Birmingham - 1327 Dennison Ave. Southwest - Admission 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Call 205-798-4093 CABARET January 23 - February 9, 2020 Birmingham - Virginia Samford Theatre - Admission Thursday - Saturday: 7:30 p.m.

Sunday - 2:30 p.m.

Call 205-251-1228 EAGLE AWARENESS WEEKEND January 24 - February 16, 2020 Guntersville - Guntersville State Park Hours Vary Call 256-571-5444 PIKE PIDDLERS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL January 24-25, 2020 Brundidge/Troy - We Piddle Around Theater, Brundidge; Trojan Center Theater - Admission Friday: 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Call 334-685-5524 SENIOR BOWL 2020 January 25, 2020

Mobile - Ladd-Peebles Stadium Admission - 1:30 p.m.

Call 251-432-4109 MAD SCIENTIST BASH January 25, 2020 Huntsville - U.S. Space and Rocket Center - Admission 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Call 256-837-3400 BIRMINGHAM FELINE FANCIERS CFA ALLBREED CAT SHOW January 25-26, 2020 Irondale - 3521 Ratliff Road Admission Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Call 205-919-8129 DRUM TAO 2020: ART OF THE DRUM January 27, 2020 Birmingham - Alys Stephens Center Admission - 7:00 p.m.

Call 205-919-8129

9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Call 334-242-4076 ext. 225 ROAD TO FREEDOM WAGON TOUR February 1, 2020 Old Cahawba Archeological Park 10:00 a.m.

Call 334-872-8058 JASMINE HILL GARDENS GARDEN TOUR February 1, 2020 Wetumpka - Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum - Admission 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Call 334-567-6463 EXTREME MAZE HIKE February 3, 2020 Fort Payne - True Adventure Sports Admission - 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Call 256-997-9577

AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH TRAVIS TRITT January 28, 2020 Birmingham - Alabama Theater Admission - 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Call 205-252-2262 AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE January 31 - February 1, 2020 Troy - Troy University Admission Call 334-670-2283 DOWNTOWN GADSDEN'S ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF February 1, 2020 Gadsden - Downtown in front of Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts on Broad Street 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Call 256-547-8696 19TH ANNUAL GENEALOGY WORKSHOP February 1, 2020 Monroeville - Old Courthouse Museum - 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Call 251-575-7433 ROTUNDA SINGING February 1, 2020 Montgomery - Alabama State Capitol

“What’s Happening in Alabama” Policy The AFC Cooperative Farming News publishes event listings as space allows, giving preference to agricultural events of regional or statewide interest and those that are annual or one-time events. The magazine assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information submitted for publication and advises calling ahead to confirm dates, locations, times and possible admission fees.

To be included in the calendar, send listings to: Cooperative Farming News Calendar of Events P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609 -oremail to Calendar of Events at subscribe@alafarm.com *Please include name of event, where it will be held (both town and physical location), a phone number for more information, and an email or website.* *Event Listings must be received at least two months in advance and will be accepted up to a year in advance.*

January 2020

65

WELLS FARM Selma, AL

Free Gasoline!

We have a great selection of home raised bulls for sale. Come bring your trailer and look at our bulls and we will pay for your gas whether you purchase one or not!

Wells Farm - Selma, AL

334-412-2280

AFC Grain Elevator Locations

USE TOGETHER AND

ENJOY THE BOUNTY *vs. unfed plants over a growing season when using both Miracle-GroÂŽ soil and plant food as directed.

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Cooperative Farming News

Florence PO Box 998 Florence, AL 35631 1090 South Court Street Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256-308-1681 Fax: 256-560-2681

Decatur PO Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609 800 B Market Street Decatur, AL 35601 Phone: 256-308-1670 Fax: 256-351-8424

Guntersville PO Box 516 Guntersville, AL 35976 117 Signal Point Road Guntersville, AL 35976 Phone: 256-582-3121

Uniontown PO Box 610 Uniontown, AL 36786 US Hwy 80 east (behind Stockyard) Uniontown, AL 36786 Phone: 334-628-2611 Fax: 334-628-9000

Satellite Elevator - South 2414 Brown Street Guntersville, AL 35976 Phone: 256-582-3122

Satellite Elevator - Browns 21145 US Hwy 80 Browns, AL

Leighton 1208 Sockwell Lane Leighton, AL

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Cooperative Farming News

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