12 minute read
Farmers Prepare For Political Changes In D.C
Farmers Prepare For Changes In National Politics
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell, left, with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., at the 2020 Young Farmers Conference in Mobile.
By Jimmy Parnell, President Alabama Farmers Federation
Change is the one thing we can count on. Farmers know this better than most.
Through natural disasters, new technologies or just the changing of seasons, one thing remains constant: Alabama Farmers Federation members are still farming.
In 2021, change is certain — especially in Washington, D.C.
President Joe Biden moved swiftly to name new members of his cabinet. His choice for Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack of Iowa, is a familiar face. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new chief is a known quantity, having led the agency eight years during the Obama Administration. There will be changes at USDA, but I believe Secretary Vilsack is someone we can work with to advance the interests of Alabama farmers.
Congress also will look different from an Alabama and agricultural perspective. With Democrat candidates sweeping the runoff elections in Georgia for two U.S. Senate seats, the Democratic party now controls both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, albeit by the narrowest of margins. This is quite a blow to Alabama as Sen. Richard Shelby will no longer chair the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Also in the Senate, longtime farm advocate Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., retired, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., replaces him as chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., will serve as the highest-ranking Republican on the committee. Leadership of the House Committee on Agriculture also changed. Rep. David Scott, R-Ga., assumed the gavel, and Rep. Glen “G.T.” Thomson, R-Pa., is the new ranking Republican member.
Alabama welcomes three new members to its Congressional delegation. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has been embraced by Federation members and has put in the work to build relationships and learn about their policy needs.
Sen. Tuberville was appointed to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and will be a loyal supporter of Alabama farmers. He is building a strong team of staffers led by Chief of Staff Stephen Boyd, a veteran of Alabama politics. Sen. Tuberville also brought on Mike Albares as a senior policy advisor for agriculture. Albares is former chief of staff to former Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery. Boyd and Albares are both Alabama natives and know their way around Capitol Hill.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Alabama voters elected two new faces to fill open seats of retiring advocates for agriculture. Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile, will take over for Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Mobile, in District 1. Rep. Carl has retained a number of employees from Rep. Byrne’s team. We’re pleased to continue working with these great staffers, including Chief of Staff Chad Carlough.
Rep. Carl will serve on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, and will be serving Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District following Rep. Roby’s retirement. He will serve on the House Committee on Agriculture and the Veteran Affairs Committee.
Rep. Moore has built a team with a strong understanding and appreciation for agriculture. Chief of Staff Shana Teehan brings a wealth of political experience, and Rep. Moore’s district director, Bill Harris, knows our organization well. Retired Federation employee Louis Coles will serve as an agricultural advisor to Rep. Moore.
While we anticipate a shift in direction for federal policies, I am optimistic about agriculture’s future. With the COVID-19 vaccine becoming more available, I look forward to getting our economy back on track. We’re hopeful commodity prices will continue an upward swing due, in large part, to increased exports.
However, we must remain vigilant and push back against attempts of government overreach we anticipate from this administration. We will work to help Congress and the Biden Administration to ensure farmers are seen as part the solution rather than the problem. If the administration is willing to work with agriculture to tackle the challenges of feeding a growing population — in a manner that is economically sustainable — I am confident we can meet any challenge head on.
Yes, change is constant, but so is the strength, persistence and optimism of the American farmer.
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Against all odds, Marion County farmer Carl Lucas helped plant and harvest 600 acres of soybeans in 2020 after recovering from a life-threatening farm accident in November 2019. Farm worker Derek Palmer, background, was one of three people with Lucas the day of the accident.
By Mary Wilson
Marion County Farmer Recovers From Life-Threatening After farming all his life, 74-year-old Carl Lucas of Marion County didn’t expect to celebrate a lot of firsts in 2020. “I walked around to the Farm Accident
But he and his family clearly back of the tractor, remember his first cup of coffee, his first and the PTO on steps, his first day back in overalls and the auger grabbed my shirt and pulled dead,” Johnny said. “But he was fully his first day back in the seat of a tractor me in it,” Lucas said. “I went around and conscious. He looked up at me and said last year. All seemingly mundane tasks, around the drive shaft. I don’t know how ‘I knew better than this.’” these were among countless miraculous many times I went around until it threw Among his injuries, Lucas’ left arm milestones following Lucas’s life-altering me off. It was just an accident. I’d used was severed. Ray worked quickly, farm accident. that auger for 15 years on the farm and fashioning a tourniquet out of a T-shirt
It was Nov. 26, 2019. After harvesting never had any problems before.” with Derek’s help. Danny called 911 and soybeans, Lucas went to help three Lucas’ friends jumped into action. first responders were there in minutes. friends — brothers Johnny and Danny Johnny Ray was well trained in first aid “It was a pretty traumatic call,” said Ray and 17-year-old farm worker Derek as a sergeant in the National Guard. Capt. Eric Lynch of Hamilton Fire and Palmer — bag corn. “When I got to him, I thought he was Rescue. “It’s not every day you’re called
Carl Lucas stopped by Hamilton Fire and Rescue along with his daughter, Amanda Winsett, to thank the first responders who helped save his life. Assistant Chief Matt McCracken surprised Lucas by presenting him with a challenge coin, historically presented to someone who has overcome a great challenge. Also pictured are Capt. Eric Lynch, far right, who responded to Lucas’ accident, and Firefighter Johnathan Pace, second from right.
to an amputation of an arm. Mr. Ray with his military training is really the one who saved Mr. Lucas’ life that day. I’m just glad he was there.”
The accident happened less than a mile from a landing strip. Lucas was loaded into a helicopter and on his way to UAB Hospital within 18 minutes.
As medical personnel assessed his condition, the list of injuries lengthened. An amputated arm. Severed artery behind his left knee. Broken tibia, fibula and right ankle. Fractured vertebrae and ribs. Blood clot in an artery in his neck.
“The doctors told my family I wouldn’t live to see daylight,” an emotional Lucas recalled. “But the Lord showed them. If it hadn’t been for the Lord, I wouldn’t be here.”
Lucas underwent 11 surgeries and spent 34 days at UAB Hospital. He then spent time in a rehabilitation facility closer to Hamilton where he gained enough strength to walk again. On March 13, 2020, after 108 days,
Lucas was back home. He continued therapy visits through October.
A farmer through and through, Lucas was itching to get back in a tractor. Against all odds, Lucas helped plant and harvest over 600 acres of soybeans during 2020.
“I told them that’s better than therapy — being in a tractor,” Lucas said. “I was just so happy driving a tractor instead of sitting around watching everybody else do everything. I wanted to help.”
Others in the community weren’t surprised to see Lucas back on the farm, but they were amazed at his quick recovery.
“Carl didn’t give up — he didn’t give up the second day after it happened,” Johnny said. “We knew he was going to make it back. We just didn’t know how much he’d be able to do. But he’s doing everything. He’s cut hay. He’s been in the combine. It takes him more effort to get in a tractor, but he’s adjusted.”
Along with getting back to farm work, Lucas said he’s confident he survived so he could share the good news of a loving Lord.
“I can’t get around as good as I used to, but I can still get around, and that’s the Lord’s doing,” he said. “He made it so I could get around and show people about this. When people say it’s amazing to see me out and about, I tell them, it’s the good Lord who did it, not me.”
Safe Auger Operation Tips From National Ag Safety Database
q Observe work area restrictions. q Keep all safety shields and devices in place. q Make certain everyone is clear before operating or moving the machine. q Keep hands, feet, hair and clothing away from moving parts. q Shut off and lock out power to adjust, service or clean the equipment.
Before the accident, Lucas always wore overalls. It was a memorable moment when he was finally able to pull on a pair again following the accident.
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