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ALABAMA FARM BUREAU

ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION

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Grassroots Leaders Guide Federation Growth For A Century

By Marlee Moore

In its first century, the Alabama Farmers Federation was guided by 10 farmerpresidents — elected by their fellow farmers to serve rural Alabama.

Leaders of the group (originally named Alabama Farm Bureau) have diverse backgrounds, educational experiences and management styles.

Despite their differences, their missions were unified — improve, organize and advance life for Alabamians.

Charles Warren Rittenour

1921-1923

He was born in Ohio, but Charles Warren Rittenour left his mark on the Yellowhammer State as Alabama Farm Bureau’s first president.

Opportunities for agricultural growth attracted Rittenour to Montgomery County, but before moving south in 1918, the 37-yearold Rittenour dabbled in a burgeoning Rittenour farm organization while working on his father’s corn, wheat, alfalfa hay and horse farm.

Once in Alabama, the Ohio Wesleyan University graduate bought 4,200 acres where he farmed corn, cotton, cattle and hay. He was president of Alabama’s first county-wide farm organization and represented Montgomery County when Alabama Farm Bureau formed in 1921.

A temporary slate of officers was organized, with Rittenour as president. He was officially elected later that year and was called “a man of unusual business and executive ability.”

In 1923, Rittenour was president of affiliated southern region states and became president of the first Hay Marketing Association. He later served on the Farm Bureau state board and executive committee. Rittenour was secretary-treasurer when he died in 1946.

Edward Asbury O’Neal III

1923-1931

Edward Asbury O’Neal III plowed the way for reform during some of the most tumultuous times in modern agriculture.

Before serving as American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president from 1931-1947, Lauderdale County’s O’Neal made waves as an innovative livestock and row-crop farmer. In 1923, he was elected president of Alabama Farm Bureau at age 48.

O’Neal is credited with incorporating many farm programs, including farm price supports, into federal law. Contemporaries recognized him as America’s No. 1 leader in agriculture. He spoke on many occasions to the White House Conference on Rural Education, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and the Chamber of Commerce Convention in New York.

O’Neal was keenly aware of the importance of elected officials, government and agricultural legislation. As AFBF president, he was a close agricultural adviser to U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt.

On the farm, O’Neal embarked on a soil-building program that involved livestock, legumes and lime phosphate. He produced then-unbelievable yields of 40 bushels of wheat, 75 bushels of corn and a bale of cotton per acre. He began growing alfalfa in 1913 and raised livestock on his 500-acre farm near Florence.

O’Neal was the first Lauderdale County Farm Bureau president and was state vice president before being elected state president in 1923. Under his leadership, the organization grew rapidly in legislative, marketing and business services.

He graduated from Washington & Lee University, where he studied law, in 1898 and received an honorary Doctor of Agriculture from Auburn University in 1932. He died in 1958.

O’Neal

Robert Farnham Croom

1931

Robert Farnham Croom led the Alabama Farm Bureau briefly — just three months — but contemporaries applauded his commitment to serving when the organization needed him. Conecuh County’s Croom was vice president when President Edward Asbury O’Neal III was Croom tapped to lead the national organization in spring 1931. The state executive committee chose Croom to finish O’Neal’s term, which ended at the state convention in July.

The 43-year-old Croom raised livestock, horses and cotton. He grew peaches and strawberries and shipped his fruit to Chicago via refrigerated railcars.

Croom was also president of the

First National Bank of Evergreen. When the bank folded due to the Great Depression, Croom moved to Washington to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He retired in Evergreen and died in 1966.

John Littleton Edwards

1931-1938

John Littleton “Litt” Edwards wore many caps. He was a magistrate, a state legislator, farmed in Dallas County and served on the county board of education. Most notably, he was the fourth Edwards president of the Alabama Farm Bureau.

Edwards was a charter member and president of the Dallas County group before being elected to lead the state organization from 1931-1938. He was elected at age 70.

He also served on Alabama’s Agricultural Adjustment Administration Committee, was president of the Alabama Cotton Growers Co-op and volunteered on the State Rural Electrification Committee. Edwards attended Howard College in Marion from 1878-79 before beginning to farm. He farmed cotton, hogs, cattle, chickens and sugar cane. He died in 1946.

William Howard Gray

1938-1940

Gray was born in Madison County’s New Market in 1909 and shouldered farm responsibility at age 11 after his father died. He was API’s 1934 senior class president before becoming a county Extension agent in DeKalb County, followed by stints in Mobile and Pickens counties.

He resigned as president in 1940, citing farm conditions that suffered during his time in office. When elected president, he milked 20 cows, grew 100 bales of cotton annually and raised 200 hogs, in addition to serving on the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank board in Birmingham.

He died in 1943. Noteworthy pallbearers were former Gov. Frank Dixon, Alabama Extension Director L.N. Duncan, American Farm Bureau Federation President Edward O’Neal III and U.S. Rep. John Sparkman.

William Howard Gray was four years removed from earning his Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API) diploma when he was elected Alabama Farm Bureau president in 1938. The 29-year-old Gray embarked on a two-year term that brought healing and ended a period of strife and division within the organization.

Walter Leon Randolph

1940-1961

president from 1953-1969.

Randolph was Alabama Polytechnic Institute valedictorian in 1925 before working with Extension and Progressive Farmer magazine. He later worked in Washington as assistant director of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration’s southern region and helped write national farm legislation. That legislation included the Bankhead Cotton Control Act of 1934, the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935, the Bankhead Price Support Act for basic commodities, and the Steagall Price Support Act for non-basic commodities, in addition to peanut marketing quotas.

Before his election, he farmed in Dallas and Fayette counties. He served as a member of the Farm Credit Board of New Orleans and was an original member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Policy Committee.

Randolph died in 1974.

Walter Leon Randolph holds the title of longest-serving president of what is now the Alabama Farmers Federation — 21 years. He was elected in 1940 at age 34 and served until 1961, Randolph when he chose not to seek reelection due to illness. He’s the only president to have formerly served as staff — moving from information director to director of organization to executive secretary.

While state president, growth in membership and service to farmers boomed. Alfa Insurance was founded as Alabama Mutual Fire Insurance in 1946, and current state headquarters were built on South Boulevard in Montgomery.

Far-reaching state legislative programs enacted during his leadership included sales tax exemptions on production items, farm tractor gas tax rebates, earmarking of income tax for education, and financial support for research and Extension. He was American Farm Bureau Federation vice

James DeFord “J.D.” Hays

1961-1978

Enthusiasm and optimism were trademarks of James DeFord “J.D.” Hays’s tenure as Alabama Farm Bureau president from 1961-1978. The Madison County farmer was county president, state Hays resolutions chairman and vice president before his statewide election.

The Hays administration oversaw dues increase from $5 to $19, plus $1 for the political action committee ELECT, which helped boost the Federation’s influence and impact.

Improvements included expanding field staff and commodity programs; forming the stock life insurance company; organizing the group’s first political action committee; and creating Neighbors magazine. Hays also established the first Southern Commodity Producers Conference, attended by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Vice President Walter Mondale.

Major legislation through his leadership included property tax classification in 1972 and the “lid” bill in 1978.

A University of Alabama chemical engineering graduate, Hays was prominent in land development in the burgeoning metropolis of Huntsville and donated 650 acres for the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. He died in 1998. The family since donated over 500 acres for the J.D. and Annie S. Hays Nature Preserve in Hampton Cove.

Goodwyn Myrick

1978-1998

producer who farmed in Gadsden and Talladega. He was a former Etowah County president, State Dairy Committee member, state board member and first vice president. His honors include induction into the Alabama Agricultural Hall of Honor and the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, plus an honorary doctorate from Troy State University.

Myrick died in 2003.

Goodwyn Myrick led Alabama farmers during a time of exponential growth and influence.

The Etowah County farmer was elected Alabama Farm Bureau president in 1978. In 20 years of leadership, he presided over record membership Myrick growth — 217,000 to nearly 400,000 — and rapid insurance company expansion.

Political power boomed; voluntary political action committee contributions increased from $1 to $2; and the organization hired a full-time national lobbyist after resigning membership in American Farm Bureau in 1981. In 1987, the state group became Alabama Farmers Federation; the insurance company was named renamed Alfa.

Myrick met annually with county leaders in every area of Alabama; supported the “current use” law; and invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in educational support for schools and universities — ironic for a man whose formal education ended after 11th grade.

He understood the significance of healthy, happy employees. Myrick installed a fitness center in the home office, built a state-of-the-art child-care facility and reduced Alfa Insurance agent turnover from 80% in 1978 to 15% by 1997.

Myrick was a dairy and beef cattle

Jerry A. Newby

1998-2012

His family grows cotton, corn, wheat, soybeans and raises stocker calves near Athens.

Jerry A. Newby’s love of farming brought him to Montgomery as president of the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance in 1998 when he was 51. That love fueled his leadership through 2012.

During his tenure, the Federation reaffiliated with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in 2006. The Commodity Department grew to include new divisions for hay and forage; wildlife; bee and honey; greenhouse, Newby nursery and sod; equine; and sheep and goats.

Other accomplishments included growing the Agriculture in the Classroom program, developing the Ag Tag, creating the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation, passing the Family Farm Preservation Act and defeating Amendment 1 (a statewide tax increase) in 2003.

It was a stormy period, too. Alabama notched more catastrophic storms in Newby’s 14-year tenure than the previous 50 years combined. Most notable were Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina and the April 27, 2011, tornadoes.

Prior to being state president, Newby was a state vice president; Limestone County Farmers Federation president; State Young Farmers Committee chairman; and AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee member. Newby still serves on the Limestone County Farmers Federation board.

Jimmy Parnell

2012-present

Loyal. Honest. Personable.

That’s Jimmy Parnell. Now 55 years old, the farmer has been at the helm of the state’s largest farm organization since 2012. He’s ushering the Alabama Farmers Federation into its centennial year while Alfa Insurance, of which he’s also president, celebrates its diamond anniversary.

Parnell and wife Robin helped start the Chilton County Young Farmers, sparking his involvement in the state organization. Parnell was State Young Farmers Committee chair in 1998 and won Parnell the 1999 Outstanding Young Farm Family contest before serving nine years on the state board. He was Chilton County Farmers Federation president from 2006-2012.

Parnell oversees insurance operations in 11 states, and Alfa is Alabama’s No. 1 life insurance company. The company recently underwent a technology systems overhaul, one of the largest IT projects in the world. The Federation has over 350,000 member families.

A native of Stanton, Parnell graduated from Auburn University in agricultural business and economics in 1985 before returning to Parnell Inc., his family’s timber and cattle operation that includes a commercial cow herd and stocker calves.

Parnell serves on the national Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Products. Yellowhammer News has named him one of Alabama’s most influential leaders.

Parnell is a former Logger of the Year named by the Alabama Forestry Association and serves on the American Farm Bureau Federation board.

Gray Named Associate Administrator Of USDA Risk Management Agency

Keith Gray, an Alabama native, is the said American farmers are fortunate to with catastrophic losses due to major new associate administrator of the have Gray in this position. weather events. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “The federal crop insurance program Gray has extensive political Risk Management Agency (RMA). The is vital to American farmers, and it is experience and served as National position is the highest critical to keeping the food Affairs director for the Alabama Farmers career-ranking position supply and economy stable Federation and Alfa Insurance. He is a within the agency. in the U.S.,” Parnell said. former legislative assistant for then-U.S.

Gray, who served as “Keith’s knowledge and Rep. Terry Everett, R-Ala., who served on RMA chief of staff since experience are invaluable the House Agriculture Committee. 2018, began his new to USDA. He also Gray previously was president position Jan. 17. He said understands the decisions of Gray Matter Consulting, a grants he’s excited about his role made by that agency affect and government relations consulting in the agency, where he the livelihood of farmers.” company, for eight years. He graduated also serves as manager of The new RMA from the University of Alabama with a the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation in the absence Gray administrator will be appointed by the Biden B.A. in political science and a master’s in public administration. He also is a of the administrator. administration. graduate of George Mason School of

“I am looking forward to serving as RMA manages America’s $115 billion Law in Arlington, Virginia. associate administrator and continuing Federal Crop Insurance Corporation He is an active volunteer for the Boy to serve America’s farmers and to provide crop insurance products Scouts of America’s National Capital ranchers,” said Gray, who grew up in to America’s farmers and ranchers. Area Council where he serves as area Tallassee. “I have worked with USDA in Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) vice president and is a member of the various capacities over the past several sell and service federal crop insurance executive board. He and wife Nicole live decades, and I am glad to continue policies through a public-private in Alexandria, Virginia, and have two working with the RMA.” partnership with RMA. The agency children.

Federation President Jimmy Parnell backs AIPs who share risks associated

Farmers Federation, The King Of Goat Hill

Guest Column By Steve Flowers

While the Roaring ‘20s brought celebration and excess in American cities, the nation’s farmers were facing all-time low prices. So, with a survival instinct known only by the tillers of the soil who were the soul and backbone of the nation, farmers in America organized.

In 1921, Alabama Farm Bureau was among the first groups to give farmers a voice in the political process. A century later, that organization, the Alabama Farmers Federation, stands as one of the premier farm organizations in America. It is also the preeminent political power in the State of Alabama.

By the 1930s, however, industry had propelled Birmingham into a major economic force in the state. U.S. Steel had essentially made the Magic City the big boy on the block, politically speaking. Urban interests made an attempt in the Alabama Legislature in 1931 to weaken the farmers’ organization. Ten thousand farmers descended on the State Capitol in a legislative hearing that had to be moved to Cramton Bowl to accommodate the crowd. That moment was the shot heard around the state.

Alabama Farmers Federation emerged as an influential player in Montgomery, and I am here to tell you — throughout the past century, that has not changed. Alfa has not relinquished that power and has become even more consequential. For the past 90 years, the Alabama Farmers Federation has been one of the most powerful forces in Alabama politics.

One of the first major legislative issues the organization accomplished occurred in the 1930s when the farmers endorsed Gov. Bibb Graves’ plan for a state income tax that allowed for a homestead exemption on the state property tax. This exemption has been protected diligently by the Federation for nearly a century. During that time, the organization has thwarted any efforts to increase property taxes in Alabama. This political prowess has not only benefited farmers but also every homeowner in the state.

Two of the crowning political coups garnered by the Federation were accomplished in the 1970s. The first came in 1972, when the “lid” bill was passed. This bill established that farmland would be classified at 15% — a lower percentage than other properties. Then, in 1978, the classification rate was reduced to 10% in conjunction with the passage of the monumental “current use” law. This legislation set in statutory language that farmland would be taxed on the property’s use instead of some higher, speculative value. These two measures have meant hundreds of millions of dollars in tax savings for farmers and homeowners in Alabama.

Today, the Federation is a beacon of conservative political philosophy in one of America’s most conservative states. When the Federation talks, people and, more importantly, politicians listen. This influence has been earned by outstanding leaders like Ed O’Neal, Walter Randolph, J.D. “Jimmy” Hays, Ed Lowder, John Dorrill, Goodwyn Myrick, Jerry Newby and Jimmy Parnell.

However, the Federation’s real power is in its local leaders. County Federation board members are leaders in their communities. They are deacons in their churches, leaders of the chamber of commerce, PTA presidents and local bank board members. In short, they are among the most respected people in their counties. Their endorsement means something. It is the first endorsement sought by most major candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, Supreme Court, Congress and the Legislature.

Many times, conservative Alabamians who are not farmers also follow the Federation endorsement sheet because they know these candidates have been fully vetted.

The Federation epitomizes these cardinal political maxims, “walk softly and carry a big stick,” “you do not leave old friends to make new friends,” and “your word is your bond.” Their leaders are people who make America a great nation and Alabama a great state.

The Alabama Farmers Federation has a proven past and a strong future. With a leader like Jimmy Parnell at the helm, that future is bright. This Chilton County farmer was born to be president of this heralded organization. He has the Federation poised to build upon its outstanding heritage and legacy and lead Alabama politically for the next decade and decades to come.

Federation President Jimmy Parnell greets Gov. Kay Ivey at the annual Taste of Alabama legislative reception in 2019. The event showcases Alabama commodities and is a favorite among politicians. Federation leaders can meet and share ideas with elected officials.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the Legislature. He may be reached at steveflowers.us.

He had a stutter. Whenever he opened his mouth, it took eff ort to get words out. Just one sentence would exhaust him.

As a boy, his sisters spoke for him. They were his guardians. They used fi sts when necessary.

His oldest sister bought a mailorder book about curing speech impediments. For hours, she’d help him recite sentences, enunciating consonants, repeating exercises.

He tried. He concentrated so hard it made his brain ache. It didn’t work.

When he was 19, he attended a speech therapy class. It cost a small fortune. He’d saved pennies and dimes for three years to pay tuition.

The school term lasted a few weeks but did no good. He returned home with a stutter even worse than before.

One of his sisters recalls, “It used to hurt us to watch him talk. He’d try so hard, but his mouth wouldn’t work.”

Until.

A July night, he was washing dishes in the service station in town. He was standing over a sink when he met her.

She introduced herself as the new waitress. He couldn’t even get his name past his lips.

So he shook her hand instead. She rolled her sleeves and washed dishes alongside him. She talked extra so he wouldn’t have to. Her accent was country, her eyes were blue.

He was smitten.

She was pretty, funny, talkative. She could jaw for eight minutes on end without even coming up for air.

He tried to talk to her, but his words kept coming out like bricks. She wasn't put off . She didn’t try to fi nish his sentences. She smiled and listened.

One night after work, they went for a long walk. She took his arm — a girl had never done that to him before.

They strolled from one end of town to the other. When they reached the city limit, they turned and walked back. They did this four or fi ve times.

He got home at 5 in the morning. His feet hurt. His heart felt light.

His sisters were curious.

“Where WERE you?” they asked.

“I-I-I met a g-g-g…” he said.

A girl.

They took more walks. She was just as good at listening to his choppy words as she was at talking.

His speech came easier. Sometimes, it didn’t sound like he had a stutter.

They made a happy couple. Before she passed from breast cancer, she gave him fi ve children and her heart. He gave her 46 years of his life.

His sisters were at the service. They cried hard. One of his sons gave the eulogy. He said:

“My aunts say Dad stuttered as a boy. That’s so weird, ‘cause my dad was the most well-spoken man. I never heard him stutter, not even once.”

His sisters say they don’t know how it happened.

I do. And he’s with her right now. ■

Columnist and novelist Sean Dietrich shares tales of common people, the human spirit, traditional regional music and life in the American South through his podcast series at SeanDietrich.com.

Making Healthier Choices That Work

promote blood vessel health,” said Sofia Sanchez, an Alabama Extension community health specialist and registered dietitian. “Try roasting sliced beets with a drizzle of olive oil in the oven.”

Fruit

The Dietary Guidelines recommends at least 2 cups of fruits each day. All fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits — such as apples, pears, bananas, berries and citrus fruits — are great options for personalizing a plate to add natural sweetness and flavor.

“Figs are one of my favorite fruits and can be grown in Alabama,” Funderburk said.

Grains

At least half the grains adults consume should be whole grain. Try incorporating a new grain into dinner, such as whole-grain rice or quinoa.

Dairy

The recommendation for dairy varies based on age. Most benefit by increasing dairy intake in fat-free or low-fat forms, whether from milk (including lactose-free milk), yogurt or a soy beverage.

By Dustin Duncan

March is National Nutrition Month in the U.S., an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed), a healthy lifestyle initiative at Auburn University, promotes the campaign each year to invite Alabamians to make informed food choices about healthy eating.

“The theme for National Nutrition Month this year is Personalize Your Plate,” said Katie Funderburk, an Alabama Extension specialist and registered dietitian. “We love it (the theme) since meeting people where they’re at and encouraging them to make healthier choices that work is what SNAP-Ed does best.”

Healthy eating recommendations are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which offers several key suggestions.

Vegetables

Eat at least 2 1/2 cups of vegetables daily. Vegetables offer various flavors, textures and colors to explore, each with its own unique health benefits. For example, red and orange foods, such as bell peppers and sweet potatoes, provide vitamins A, C and K.

“Beets contain nutrients that

Protein

Healthy diet patterns include various protein foods, which can come from animal and plant sources. The Guidelines recommendation includes sourcing protein from lean meats, seafood low in methylmercury and beans low in added sodium.

More Information

Living a healthy lifestyle is all about making choices. Funderburk suggests starting small and setting attainable goals.

For more information on what SNAP-Ed does to improve Alabamians’ quality of life, search Live Well Alabama on social media or visit the Live Well Alabama page at aces.edu.

Lemongrass

Mint

By Lois Chaplin

Folks in the garden business bottom for drainage also works. The key sometimes refer to herbs as “gateway with all pots is to have good drainage plants,” meaning culinary herbs are often the first plants a new gardener will try. As confidence grows, so does the courage to try other plants until one Alabama and enough soil volume to support growth and hold moisture. With the exception of mint, herbs need excellent drainage. day they are full-fledged gardeners! The easiest and fastest way to Anyone who cooks knows it’s handy and start most herbs is from purchased economical to have fresh handfuls of transplants, not from seed. Many herb chives, basil, cilantro, thyme and other seeds are slow to sprout, and the herbs within reach. seedlings are delicate. Because they are don’t need much fertilizer, but any that

Success in containers begins used in small quantities, it’s more cost are heavily harvested often — such as with good soil (premium potting effective to buy one transplant of each parsley, chives and basil — will need a soil) and some sun. It’s best to avoid herb than buy the seeds and supplies liquid plant food every couple months. small containers. A 6-inch pot seems required to start them. One exception is Even folks with some shade can adequate starting out but is soon nearly the many basil plants needed if wanting grow herbs, because leafy plants don’t impossible to keep watered. Instead, to make pesto; in warm weather, basil is need as much sun as fruiting crops. large pots — 12 to 18 inches in diameter easy from seed. Just a few hours of sun or dappled light — work better. Pots may be plastic, Rosemary, chives and thyme will live works fine. Herb growing is a great way fiberglass, clay or glazed pottery. Fabric for several years, so give them their own to start growing a little something for “grow bags” made of spun polyester are pot, or plant them together. Lemongrass the kitchen. popular for their light weight, economy also needs its own pot because of and easy storage; although they vary in its size, as does mint because it is so durability and quality, most will last at vigorous. Parsley will live from now least two years. The ubiquitous 5-gallon through next winter. Harvest it often to bucket with holes drilled into the keep tender leaves coming. Most herbs

Work Around Irksome (But Appetizing) Herbs

French Tarragon. It is very finicky. Try

Texas or Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida) as a substitute. Sage. Doesn’t like the humid summer.

Needs full sun all day. Mulch pot with gravel to help keep foliage dry. Also, snip from the inside to keep the plant open for good air circulation. Cilantro. Whether started from seeds or transplants, spring-planted cilantro thins out just a few weeks after planting. The secret to cilantro, which is frost tolerant, is to plant in the fall so it lasts until spring. Lavender. Spanish lavender (Lavendula stoechas) is better suited to heat and humidity than English lavender such as Munstead. Plant it in a pot mulched with gravel and thin the top for good air circulation.

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

Breeze Into Springtime Savings E ALAFARM.COM

March is Peanut Month here in Alabama, and whether you’re snacking on them boiled, roasted or maybe just a big ol’ spoonful of peanut butter, there’s a good chance those peanuts were grown right here in our home state. That’s because Alabama is the second largest peanut-growing state in the nation with over 900 peanut farmers. In fact, half of all peanuts produced in the U.S. are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan.

Henry County farmer Thomas Adams is nuts about the legume. His family grows peanuts around Newville. But he’s not too picky when it comes to his favorite peanut-powered snack; he’ll eat ‘em raw from the field, roasted, coated in a thin layer of chocolate as Peanut M&Ms or in peanut butter pie, to name a few. He fondly remembers his grandmother’s peanut caramel cake, a family favorite.

“I love that I’m growing a healthy, nutritious snack that is great for the environment,” said Adams, who serves District 12 on the Alabama Farmers Federation board of directors. “Peanuts are a filling snack. You can eat a few ounces, and that’ll carry you over to the next mealtime.”

While I don’t have his grandmother’s recipe for that peanut caramel cake, I do have up my sleeve a few recipes where peanuts really shine.

Take Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars, for example. These crazy-easy bars feature salted peanuts, peanut butter and peanut butter chips! There’s some serious peanut flavor in these.

And we can’t talk about peanuts without mentioning Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Meringue Pie. This is a classic. The velvety smooth filling is the perfect complement to the peanut butter crumble mixture that goes in and on top of the pie.

Last, but not least, is Aunt Matilda’s Peanut Brittle. This classic recipe might require a little more finesse than you’re used to, but the reward is absolutely worth the effort. We’ve been making this peanut brittle as long as I can remember.

With peanuts and peanut butter making up two-thirds of nut consumption in the U.S., chances are you’re already familiar with the legume some folks affectionately call goobers. Keep on enjoying those peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but don’t be afraid to branch out and sample peanuts in a few new ways. Y’all enjoy!

Aunt Matilda’s Peanut Brittle

Prep Time Cook Time 5 mins 20 mins

Ingredients

1/2 cup light corn syrup 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 2 cups raw shelled peanuts 2 teaspoons butter 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Grease a large sheet of aluminum foil with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. In a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, combine corn syrup, sugar and water. Stir well.

Cook until mixture reaches the soft ball stage (235 F) using a candy thermometer. Add peanuts and stir constantly.

Cook until mixture reaches the hard crack stage (300 F). The peanuts might start popping, and you might see a little smoke come off the mixture. Remove from heat as soon as it hits the 300 F mark. It will scorch if you get it too hot.

Quickly add butter, baking soda and vanilla. Baking soda will cause the mixture to lighten and foam. Stir well.

Pour on the prepared aluminum foil. Spread thin and allow to cool completely.

Break into pieces and enjoy.

Stacey Little is a foodie, recipe developer and cookbook author whose Southern Bite blog helps families put simple, down-to-earth food on the table while preserving Southern cooking for future generations. See more recipes at southernbite.com.

Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Prep Time Cook Time Servings 10 mins 40 mins 12

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup peanut butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 eggs, well beaten 2 cups self-rising flour 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup salted peanuts 1 cup peanut butter chips

Instructions

Heat oven to 300 F and lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, peanut butter, sugar and brown sugar. Stir until well combined. Add eggs and stir until smooth.

Add flour and stir until combined. Add vanilla. Add peanuts and peanut butter chips, reserving a few of each to sprinkle on top. Stir to combine.

Spread mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with reserved peanuts and peanut butter chips. Bake about 40 minutes or until the edges are set but the middle is a bit jiggly. Cool completely before slicing.

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Meringue Pie

Prep Time Cook Time Servings 20 mins 25 minutes 8

Ingredients

1 (9-inch) frozen deep-dish pie shell 1 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1/4 cup cornstarch 2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups milk 3 large eggs, separated 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

Bake crust for a filled pie according to package instructions and cool completely.

Heat oven to 325 F. In a small bowl, use a fork to mix the powdered sugar and peanut butter until the mixture is crumbly. Spread about 2/3 of the mixture in the bottom of the cooled pie crust. Set the remainder aside.

In a medium saucepan, whisk together cornstarch, 2/3 cup sugar and salt. Add milk and egg yolks and whisk well. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching, until thickened — about 10 minutes. The mixture should be the consistency of thick pudding. Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter. Stir until butter has melted. Pour mixture over the peanut butter mixture in the pie crust.

Make meringue by beating egg whites with an electric mixer in a clean bowl until frothy. Gradually add the other 1/4 cup sugar and continue to beat until you get to the stiff peak stage. The meringue should be glossy. Spread over the custard filling in the pie.

Sprinkle the remaining peanut butter crumble mixture over the meringue and bake 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely and chill in the refrigerator 2 to 4 hours or overnight before serving.