Overcast skies couldn’t keep the smiles off nearly 400 faces as they crisscrossed central and east Alabama during the 2019 Young Farmers Conference in Montgomery. The Alabama Farmers Federation’s annual conference was March 1-3. Farm tours, back by popular demand for the third consecutive year, showcased some of the state’s most impressive operations, lending invaluable insight to agriculture’s up-and-coming generation. …
Tropical Storm Nate Causes Crop Quality Coincerns
Soggy cotton and waterlogged peanuts have farmers concerned about crop quality in the wake of Tropical Storm Nate, which brought 35 mph winds and torrential rain to parts of Alabama last week. It’s too early to accurately calculate yield loss from the storm, though farmers like Dallas County’s Wendy Yeager say damage was less than anticipated. “I expected it to …
Farmers Learn Advocacy, Share Ideas at Commodity Conference
Sharing, caring, learning and growing were common themes at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 45th Commodity Producers Conference this week in Birmingham. Dr. Kevin Folta with the University of Florida inspired about 1,000 farmers attending the conference to be agricultural advocates. “We talk to each other very well, but we don’t talk to others very well,” said Folta during Saturday morning’s …
Perdue Speaks Alabama Farmers’ Language
Alabama farmers are hopeful a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture laid the groundwork for improved farm programs, trade, and communication. Secretary Sonny Perdue told Alabama Farmers Federation leaders he wants the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to partner with farmers. “My goal is to make….the USDA to be identified, recognized and acknowledged as the most efficient, the most …
Senate Agriculture Committee Members Visit Alabama Farms
Autauga County farmer Harold Gaines stood with his sons Dan and Levi as he told leaders of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee his priority for the 2018 farm bill Saturday morning. “I want to be able to pass on this farm to the next generation and for them to be successful,” Gaines said as Sens. Luther Strange, R-Alabama, and Pat …
Farmers Support Proposed Revisions to Peanut Quality Standards
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) supports a recommendation from the Peanut Standards Board to revise the minimum quality and handling standards for domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the U.S. The proposed rule, issued May 25 in the Federal Register, would relax the allowance for damaged kernels in farmers’ stock peanuts when sorting and determining segregation. The Peanut Standards …
Attorney General Marshall Visits Etowah County Farmers
Rural crime, federal regulations, drug addiction and interstate water wars were on the minds of Etowah County farmers who met Friday with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall. “Rural crime is important to me,” said Marshall, who hopes to visit other farmers around the state. “I want our office to be a resource for (rural crime) investigators around the state to …
Alabama Farmers Federation Welcomes Kay Ivey
by Jeff Helms, Alabama Farmers Federation The Alabama Farmers Federation today welcomed Kay Ivey as Alabama’s 54th governor, noting her rural background and appreciation of farmers is good news for Alabama agriculture. Federation President Jimmy Parnell expressed confidence in Ivey’s leadership. “Gov. Ivey has always been a friend to farmers,” Parnell said. “She understands the importance of agriculture and forestry …
Pruitt Confirmation Welcomed News for Alabama Farmers
U.S. Senate confirmation of Scott Pruitt as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is welcomed news for Alabama farmers concerned about regulatory overreach. Alabama Farmers Federation National Legislative Programs Director Mitt Walker said Pruitt has a proven record of upholding the law and pushing back when federal agencies go beyond Congressional intent. “There is real excitement in the agricultural …
Dee Named to Soybean Innovation Lab Advisory Board
by Marlee Moore, Alabama Farmers Federation Pickens County farmer Annie Dee was recently selected to serve on the Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) Advisory Board, where she fills a pivotal role connecting U.S. farmers to the international development community. Dee is a partner in Dee River Ranch near Aliceville, a family-owned and -operated 10,000-acre diversified farm. Dee said she knows U.S. soybean farmers …
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