Tuberville, Moore Appointed To Ag Committees

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, was chosen to serve on the House Ag Committee, where he will be a voice on Capitol Hill for farmers like Heath Wesley of Pike County, left.

By Jeff Helms

The Alabama Farmers Federation commended the appointment of U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, to their respective Congressional agriculture committees.

Federation President Jimmy Parnell thanked the freshmen lawmakers for seeking an opportunity to represent Alabama farmers in Congress.

“On the campaign trail, Sen. Tuberville met with farmers in their fields and pastures,” Parnell said. “He looked them in the eye and said, ‘I want to be your champion in D.C.’ We are proud to have been among Sen. Tuberville’s early supporters and are confident he will serve our members and the state well in the Senate.”

Parnell said Moore brings firsthand farm experience to the House Agriculture Committee.

“Having grown up on a family farm in Coffee County, Congressman Moore has a strong appreciation for the job Alabama farmers do every day,” Parnell said. “He earned a degree in agricultural science from Auburn University and was a friend of farmers while serving in the Alabama Legislature. We are confident Congressman Moore will be an advocate for Alabama agriculture and the 2nd Congressional District as a member of the Ag Committee.”

Agriculture in the 2nd Congressional District accounts for 96,295 jobs and $3.7 billion in annual wages, according to FeedingtheEconomy.com. The website puts Alabama’s total farm- and food-related employment at 638,123 jobs with wages of $25.65 billion annually.

“From soybeans to catfish and poultry to peanuts, Alabama is home to some of the most productive and innovative farmers, producers and foresters our country has to offer,” Tuberville said. “It is an honor to represent Alabama agriculture and our rural communities on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Now more than ever, our farmers, foresters and producers need certainty, stability and for our economy to reopen so they can continue to feed, clothe and fuel America. Our rural communities in Alabama need broadband connectivity to ensure our rural health centers, schools, businesses and family farms can stay competitive and connected in today’s world.

“As we look toward the next Farm Bill, the coming years will be critical to lay the foundation for key initiatives including rural development and broadband, trade and forestry programs to benefit Alabama’s farmers both today and in the future,” Tuberville added. “I am thankful to have a seat at the table on a committee that is so important to folks back home, and Alabama’s rural communities can rest assured I’ll be a strong voice for them in Washington.”

Tuberville also was named to the Senate Armed Services; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP); and Veterans’ Affairs committees.

Moore, who also was selected to serve on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, said he’s looking forward to serving on committees whose actions will impact farmers and military families of the district.

“I’m excited and eager to serve on these two committees to guarantee that the voices of Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District will be heard in Washington,” Moore said. “Growing up on a farm, I not only learned the value of hard work but the great sacrifices our farmers make to put food on our tables and clothes on our backs. Agriculture plays a critical role in Alabama, and I’m looking forward to serving as a voice for our agricultural producers on the House Agriculture Committee.

“As a veteran, I understand the severity of ensuring that every American who served this great country in our military receives the crucial benefits and services they deserve,” continued Moore, who served in the Army National Guard. “After they selflessly fought to defend our country, I vow to fight for their needs and to make sure they receive quality care. Let’s get to work.”

The Federation’s political action committee, FarmPAC, endorsed Tuberville and Moore in the November general election.

Farmers Elect Commodity Leaders, Receive Industry Updates

Farmers, Extension leaders and industry professionals met in Montgomery Feb. 1-3. From left are State Sheep & Goat Committee member Charlie Thompson of Lauderdale County, Alabama Extension Assistant Director of County Office Operations Amelia Mitchell, Alfa Endowed Scholar at Auburn University Dr. Mykel Taylor and Federation commodity director Brady Ragland.

By Marlee Moore

Leaders representing 16 different commodities met in Montgomery Feb. 1-3 to elect committee members and receive industry updates.

The Alabama Farmers Federation Commodity Organization Meeting looked different with social distancing, masks and fist bumps, but the meeting’s mission stayed the same — help farmers improve bottom lines and chart the course for staff work in 2021.

“It’s important for us to have a strong commodity-based organization,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “It’s equally important to have strong committees to help direct our staff and make sure we’re working on the right projects to address farmers’ needs.”

During daily lunch remarks, Parnell gave updates on the Alabama Farm Center; thanked farmers for contributions to FarmPAC; and highlighted the organization’s centennial year celebrations, which continue throughout 2021.

Dr. Gary Lemme was presented the Federation’s Cultivator Award during the meeting. Lemme will retire in April as director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The Cultivator Award recognizes individuals who nurture relationships that benefit farmers and rural families.

Special guests included Dr. Mykel Taylor, the Alfa Endowed Eminent Scholar at Auburn University, in addition to Amelia Mitchell and Callie Nelson, Extension’s new assistant directors for county office operations.

Federation commodity divisions highlighted during the event were bee and honey; beef; catfish; cotton; dairy; equine; forestry; greenhouse, nursery and sod; hay and forage crops; pork; poultry; sheep and goat; soybean; wheat and feed grain; and wildlife.

Charlie Thompson of Lauderdale County serves on the State Sheep & Goat Committee. He’s attended Federation meetings since the mid-‘80s and said commodity groups are the lifeblood of the organization. “You get to meet other like-minded producers from all across the state, and you get updates on the national and global scene from different speakers,” said Thompson, who farms in Lexington. “You hear new information from universities firsthand and can meet researchers face to face and ask pertinent questions about your industry. I appreciate the Federation being a group that ties farmers together.”

Committee members who served the maximum nine years were honored during the meeting. They are:

Masks and social distancing were common sights at the Federation’s Commodity Organization Meeting in Montgomery Feb. 1-3.

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Commodity Organization Meeting Beef - Bill Lipscomb, Autauga County Catfish - Sid Nelson, Sumter County Equine - Gean Harris, Cleburne County; Scott Noles, Randolph County Forestry - John Farrow, Tallapoosa County; Jake Harper, Wilcox County Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod - Bob Moore, Macon County; Dennis Wiley, Lauderdale County Hay & Forage - Johnny Lee, Henry County Pork - Luther Bishop, Colbert County Poultry - Joe Murphy, Pike County Sheep & Goat - Andrew Williams, Marengo County Soybean - Annie Dee, Pickens County Wheat & Feed Grain - Mike Dee, Pickens County Visit AlfaFarmers.org for a list of newly elected and reelected commodity committee members.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETINGS OF ALFA MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

ALFA MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY & ALFA MUTUAL GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The annual meetings of the policyholder members of Alfa Mutual Insurance Company, Alfa Mutual Fire Insurance Company and Alfa Mutual General Insurance Company will be held at the Executive Offices of the Company, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama, 36116, on March 29, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., to consider and act upon the following: 1. To elect Directors in accordance with the

Bylaws. 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

The record date fixed for determining members entitled to vote at said meeting is the close of business on February 8, 2021. If a member has authorized the Company’s Board of Directors to vote as his/her proxy at said meeting and wishes to revoke such proxy, such member may do so by written notice to the Secretary of the Company, by registered mail to the address set forth above, at least 10 days prior to said meeting.

— Angela L. Bradwell, Secretary

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Filled with joy and Southern expressions, Brenda Gantt spreads the gospel and good recipes to nearly 2 million social media followers with her videos filmed in her Covington County kitchen.

Brenda Gantt: Cooking That’s Good For The Soul

By Debra Davis

“It’s gonna be good y’all.” Brenda Gantt’s Southern drawl describes more than just her down-home cooking. It’s her outlook on life.

The Andalusia grandmother retired from teaching 23 years ago and became famous after she posted a Facebook video on how to make homemade biscuits. That was April 22, 2020. In two weeks, the video had more than 1 million views and countless fans who were hungry for more.

Gantt’s newfound fame was accidental. It happened after younger church members repeatedly asked the 74-year-old to share her skillet skills with their wives.

“One Sunday, I decided to do a little video on making biscuits and get them off my back,” Gantt said. “I didn’t even show my face on the video. I just held my phone up over the bowl to show how I mixed the grease with flour and added buttermilk.”

Requests kept coming. The Covid lockdown created a need for home-cooked meals and marked a return to simple, homestyle recipes, Gantt said.

“People on Facebook would ask me things like, ‘Can you show me how to cut up a chicken?’ or ‘Can you show me how to cook rice that’s not sticky?’ and ‘Can you teach me how to cook butterbeans?’ It beat all I’d ever seen,” she said. “Bless their heart, these people really can’t cook even simple things I always took for granted.”

Before long, Gantt’s son-in-law, Walt Merrell, helped transition her personal Facebook page into Cooking With Brenda Gantt, which now boasts over 1.8 million followers.

Her videos often begin with a big smile and her familiar phrase “Good morning, Facebook fans!” She shares her kitchen adventures covering everything from ham dumplings and fried quail to stories about her big, white bulldog named Biscuit.

Gantt’s well-known antique chopping block is center stage when her famous biscuits are on the menu, as is the 1970 Chef Boyardee can she has used to cut biscuits for over 50 years.

Each video generates thousands of likes, comments and shares as well as attention from national celebrities. The unassuming internet sensation even landed an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

She launched a Cooking With Brenda Gantt Instagram page in September, and her fans continue to grow.

“People love Brenda Gantt because she’s real,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Division Director Kim Earwood. “She’s like watching your mama or grandmama cook. It seems so effortless when she does it, but there’s definitely a lot of skill in those hands. Mrs. Brenda’s outlook on life, along with the joy she shares with others, makes her an Alabama and

Above: Brenda Gantt loves cooking, especially for her family. Her granddaughter, Banks Merrell, frequently helps her in the kitchen. Right: a flourfilled bowl and a 50-year-old tin can used to cut dough waits for Gantt’s next batch of biscuits.

national treasure. Her love for cooking is a precious blessing that we all have the opportunity to experience.”

Gantt’s cooking videos resonate with viewers throughout the country, but they break a lot of rules set by mainstream social media gurus. There’s no printed version of her recipes. The videos are sometimes long, and Gantt rarely measures anything — including ingredients for her beloved biscuits. But she encourages viewers to experiment and do the best they can with what they have.

A devout Christian, Gantt adds faith into everything she cooks. She said Facebook fame came when she was looking for a purpose. Her husband, George Patton Gantt, died in September 2018. The couple had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a month before. George suffered from Alzheimer’s, and in his final years, Brenda was his caregiver. Before that, she was a mother, schoolteacher, ran a successful antique business, and a bed and breakfast. The couple also were active members at Bethany Baptist Church in Andalusia where they cooked the Wednesday supper for church members for nine years, routinely preparing 200 meals.

When George died, Brenda lost more than her soulmate. She still enjoyed her two children and their spouses, and her five grandchildren, but something was missing.

“I remember thinking, ‘Lord, what is my purpose?’ and asking Him to show me what He wanted me to do with my life,” Gantt said. “As I began to make videos, I also told people about Jesus and how to find real joy in their life. God lets me tell others about Him through my cooking videos.”

Gantt said people in other parts of the country aren’t as fortunate as most Alabamians. Many are actually stuck in their houses and can’t go anywhere, she said, adding that a lot of them are hungry for companionship.

“If I don’t have a video every day, they want to know what happened to me,” Gantt said. “I guess it’s their entertainment or something. But I’m happy if I can bring some happiness into their lives.”

Gantt said her recipe for a joy-filled life comes through salvation.

“Most people experience happiness, at least periodically, different times in their life,” she said. “But joy and happiness are two totally different things. Happiness comes and goes. When you have joy — that’s something within your spirit and soul. It comes only from Christ, and it never leaves. Even when bad things happen, you have an inner joy that takes over, and you know Christ is in control. It is in His plan.”

That’s a big part of Gantt’s mission.

“My goal is to teach people how to cook and let them find the Lord,” she said. “ You can’t push cooking or Jesus on somebody. I don’t want to be viewed as a fanatic. I have to be gentle in what I say and show how God can give you that inner joy.”

Gantt’s artistic talents extend beyond the kitchen. Paintings by her of an old homeplace hang on the wall of her home. There’s a cabinet filled with cast iron cookware next to the kitchen door. A collection of antique rolling pins is stashed in the corner, while chicken figurines fill the ledge of a giant picture window at her kitchen sink that overlooks her backyard. A pitcher of vintage ice picks adorns the fireplace. She calls each item a treasure because of the memories they hold. She cooks breakfast every morning for her guests at The Coddle House, the bed and breakfast she owns across the road from her home in rural Covington County. When she’s not making videos, her life remains fairly normal, despite her celebrity status. “I still go have lunch with my friends every Tuesday at a local restaurant, and I take line dancing twice a week,” she said. “I love to dig in the dirt and work in my yard, and I love my family. Sometimes when I go out of town, people recognize me and ask if they can take a picture with me, and that’s still sort of funny. But I love people, and I believe all people have good in them. It’s like God’s love for us. He might not love the things we do sometimes, but He always loves us.”

Find Cooking With Brenda Gantt on Facebook and Instagram and The Cottle House Bed and Breakfast on Facebook.

Alabama Farmers Engage In AFBF Virtual Convention

Federation state board member Thomas Adams of Henry County was among Alabama’s delegates who met in Montgomery Jan. 14 for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Virtual Convention.

By Marlee Moore

Alabama farmers traded convention seating for computer screens Jan. 10-14 while participating in American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Virtual Convention.

John Bert East of Cherokee County was one of 18 delegates representing the Alabama Farmers Federation during AFBF’s Virtual Business Session. Farmers from all 50 states and Puerto Rico reviewed and voted on policy recommendations.

“It’s totally different but understandable in the world we live in today,” said East, referring to safety measures implemented to curb the coronavirus pandemic. “It went well; the content was good. Things moved along slower, but that’s OK. Overall, it was a great experience.”

East, who represents District 3 on the state board, gathered safely in Montgomery with fellow board members for the session. The small group used computer tablets to submit votes during the 102nd convention — a sharp contrast to Bert’s first AFBF convention in Nashville three years ago, where thousands of farmers packed the convention space.

The annual business session helps chart the path of the farmer-led organization.

“It’s a unified voice for agriculture when people from different states come together and have a consensus about how they want to go forward with their mission,” said East, a row crop and cattle farmer from Leesburg.

Earlier in the convention, State Women’s Leadership Committee members met in Montgomery to participate in virtual sessions. They elected Indiana’s Isabella Chism to lead AFBF’s female-focused division.

Alabama young farmers competed on the national stage as well. Ben and Bethany Johnson of Randolph County made Top 10 in the Achievement Award contest. Emmanuel Bankston of Henry County and Jerry Allen Newby of Limestone County participated in the Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet contests, respectively.

The state’s largest farm organization also received the New Horizon Award, which honors innovative new programming, for its Alfa Awards. The Alfa Awards debuted in 2019 to recognize researchers and Extension professionals whose work tangibly benefits farmers.

The Federation’s Brian Hardin said these awards raise the bar for continued growth in practical agricultural research. His Governmental & Agricultural Programs Department coordinates the awards.

“As advocates for our members, part of our mission is to work with researchers and Extension staff to be responsive to the needs of Alabama’s farmers,” Hardin said. “It’s an honor to be recognized nationally for these efforts.”

Additionally, Alabama received Awards of Excellence for outstanding achievements in all four program areas: Membership Value; Advocacy; Leadership & Business Development; and Engagement & Outreach.

AFBF Virtual Convention programming, focused on a Stronger Together theme, was free and included educational sessions.

General sessions featured U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, TV personality Mike Rowe, Land O’ Lakes CEO Beth Ford and Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver.

During his opening session address, AFBF President Zippy Duvall of Georgia highlighted challenges and successes over the past year, including the #StillFarming campaign, regulatory victories, trade agreements and food supply chain protection efforts.

“It’s still our time,” Duvall said. “And we will make the most of it by being a strong, united voice for all of agriculture. No other organization is as well-positioned to make a difference. We proved it repeatedly in 2020, and we are going to do it again in 2021.”

The Alabama Farmers Federation is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation and represents 350,000 member families.

John Bert East of Cherokee County serves District 3 on the state board and took part in AFBF’s Virtual Business Session.

LEGAL NOTICE If you purchased O’Reilly 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid, you may benefit from a proposed class-action settlement.

Asettlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit asserting claims based on the purchase and use of O’Reilly 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid. You may be a member of the settlement class if you purchased O’Reilly 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid in the United States, other than in Missouri, during the class period for the state of purchase. If the settlement is approved, the award for each member of the settlement class is estimated to be between 30 and 41 percent of the purchase price paid for O’Reilly 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid during the class period for the state of purchase. You may need to submit a claim to receive an award. The Court will decide whether to approve the settlement at a hearing on May 27, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 400 E. 9th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106. This date is subject to change. If you are a member of the settlement class, you will be bound by the settlement unless you request to be excluded by May 3, 2021 (or later if you object).You may enter an appearance in this action through an attorney if desired.

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Sam Bristow of Henry County is overcoming a peanut allergy thanks to groundbreaking research developed in Birmingham. The treatment consists of digesting peanut butter in small dosages until the body becomes immune to peanut products.

Peanut Allergy Treatment Provides Parents Hope

By Abby Himburg

Henry County parents Caleb and Freda Bristow were heartbroken, yet determined, after finding their youngest son Sam, suffered from a peanut allergy. For many parents this diagnosis can be frustrating and inconvenient, but for the Bristow family it was problematic.

Caleb grew up on a peanut farm, manages a peanut buying point and sells peanut trailers. Peanuts are an essential part of his everyday life.

“I even had people joke with me and say ‘oh wouldn’t it be funny if your kid had a peanut allergy,’” Caleb said.

About a year ago, when Sam was around 6 months old, Caleb and Freda started introducing Sam to peanut products. He had a few minor reactions, but Caleb wasn’t convinced his child could be allergic to peanuts. Having already been diagnosed with some food allergies, and after a trip to a pediatric allergist, the Bristows nightmare was confirmed.

“I literally work for peanuts and now I have a kid who is allergic to peanuts,” Caleb recalled.

Fortunately the Bristows knew that living with the allergy wasn’t the only option. Caleb, the former executive director of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, knew a doctor in Birmingham who worked on a groundbreaking treatment to lessen the peanut allergy response in some patients.

Dr. Joseph LaRussa is an allergy and immunology specialist in Birmingham. With 22 years of pediatric allergy experience and having a child with peanut and tree nut allergies, LaRussa knows what it’s like to deal with food allergies.

In 2015, a group of researchers from London and the U.S. released a groundbreaking study now known as the Learning Early about Peanut Allergy (LEAP) study. The study found the introduction of peanuts into an infant’s diet, prior to 11-months old, reduced the prevalence of peanut allergies by approximately 70-80 % (peanutallergyfacts.org). That motivated LaRussa to conduct further research on how to help patients with peanut allergy.

LaRussa discovered children with a peanut allergy can be desensitized to the legume. He developed a treatment plan consisting of digesting peanut butter in small dosages until the body becomes immune to peanut products. The dosage is based off tests performed by LaRussa.

Freda remembers an emotional moment during their first appointment. LaRussa said, “We want to dictate food allergies, not food allergies dictate the way we live.”

“I almost cried… that was just like a sigh of relief.,” Freda said. “We can help Sam with this, so he doesn’t have to live in fear.”

Sam is far enough along in his treatments the Bristow family no longer has to worry about having peanut products in the house.

“After 16 weeks, we have finally worked our way up to half a teaspoon of peanut butter,” said Caleb. “By springtime, Sam should be able to enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

While this immunotherapy is not FDA approved, it has proven to be a safe and viable option for children and adults trying to overcome peanut allergies. For more information, contact Dr. LaRussa’s office at (205) 933-5599.

For more information on how to safely introduce peanuts to your infant to help prevent peanut allergies, visit PreventPeanutAllergies.org.

Alabama peanut farmers care deeply about their product and the consumers who are affected by it. Since 2001, through the National Peanut Board, and peanut farmers across the nation have earmarked more than $32 million of their own dollars into research and education about food and peanut allergies.

The information presented in this article is for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional treatment and advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.