March/Spring 2022 | Volume 47 | Number 3 Marlee Moore | Editor Laura Unger | Graphic Designer ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan | Executive Director Jeff Helms | Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS Jimmy Parnell | President, Stanton Rex Vaughn | Vice President | North, Huntsville Jon Hegeman | Vice President | Central, Anniston George Jeffcoat | Vice President | Southeast, Gordon Jake Harper | Vice President | Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn | Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Dorman Grace | Jasper Mark Byrd | Danville John Bert East | Leesburg Steve Lake | Vinemont Joe Anders | Northport Phillip Hunter | Birmingham Joe Lambrecht | Wetumpka Jimmy Holliman | Marion Junction Bill Cook | Montgomery Trip Horne | Louisville Mark Kaiser | Seminole Thomas Adams | Newville Lydia Haynes | Cullman Mitchell Henry | Moulton Neighbors (ISSN 0162-3974) is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 or (334) 288-3900. For information about Alabama Farmers Federation member benefits, visit the website www.alfafarmers.org. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and additional mailing offices. Printed in the U.S.A. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Neighbors P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001 MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES 800-392-5705, Option 4 or BWatkins@alfafarmers.org ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com DISCLAIMERS: Advertisements in Neighbors do not represent an endorsement by the magazine or Alabama Farmers Federation. Editorial information from sources outside the Alabama Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Alabama Farmers Federation policies. Publication of information does not imply an endorsement by the Alabama Farmers Federation.
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In This Issue 4 | Poultry Farmers Save Time, Money With Natural Gas
28 | Dig Into Sweet Recipes During Peanut Month
6 | Alabama-Grown Peanuts Available In Retail Stores 8 | A.L.F.A. Leaders Advocate On Capitol Hill 13 | Alfa Insurance Protects Small Businesses 20 | Farmers Address Policy
Issues At AFBF Meeting
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On The Cover
Jim Brady raises catfish, cattle and timber in Perry County. The longtime leader in the Alabama Farmers Federation survived the 1980s farm crisis and shares wisdom with his son, Brad, and grandson, Matthew. Photo By Marlee Moore
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www.AlfaFarmers.org
EDQM
A member of American Farm Bureau Federation
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NATURAL GAS
A Game-Changer For Poultry Producers By Marlee Moore s Winter Storm Izzy pushed A mid-January temperatures below freezing, poultry farmers Eric Lovvorn
Converting their poultry farms from propane to natural gas has been a game-changer for Cleburne County farmers Eric Lovvorn and Ben Hunt, saving them time, money and stress. 4
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and Ben Hunt marked one concern off their to-do list — securing fuel to heat their eight chicken houses and 240,000 chicks. That’s because natural gas is now pumped directly to their farms near Ranburne. The neighboring farmers converted from propane in 2021, a move saving time, money and stress, Lovvorn said. “We don’t have to worry about running out,” said the 37-year-old Cleburne County Farmers Federation vice president. “The way fuel prices are going up across the board, the timing to have natural gas couldn’t be better.” In January, natural gas was $1.15 a gallon. Propane contracts were $1.70 to $1.90, Lovvorn said, with some residential prices reaching $2.70. The difference adds up as farmers can burn 100 gallons of fuel a day during bitter cold. It’s especially true with young flocks, which need 90-degree heat. Lovvorn and Hunt invest savings from fuel costs into energy-efficient improvements, such as LED lightbulbs, new brooders (heaters) and spray-foam insulation. Because of the upgrades, Lovvorn estimates their houses, built in 1989, will last at least another decade. Excluding mortgage payments, heat is their largest bill. Poultry farmers routinely spend more than double their water or electrical bills on heat. Before natural gas was pumped to their farm, thousand-gallon propane tanks fed into a line fueling each poultry alfafarmers.org
house. Hunt and Lovvorn manually checked gauges to confirm on-farm supply. When winter storms threaten, Alabama’s more than 2,500 poultry farmers call propane companies to secure precious product. “I never had an issue with our propane company, but propane is a limited product,” Lovvorn said. “You can only put so much in that tank, and everyone needs it.” In 2014, a propane shortage shot prices to over $3 a gallon — if farmers could get it. Lovvorn’s propane bill jumped from $3,000 to over $8,000 per flock. “I couldn’t stay in business long paying over $2.50 a gallon for propane,” he said. A cross-country natural gas line was just three miles from the farm, but interest was low to invest the millionplus dollars needed to build a pumping station and lay lines to reach Ranburne. Lovvorn turned to the Alabama Farmers Federation. As a member of the Federation’s Agricultural Leaders For Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders) class, Lovvorn met statewide elected officials
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A meter on the farm measures natural gas use. Previously, Lovvorn and Hunt manually checked gauges before calling for fuel deliveries. Now, the natural gas is pumped directly to their farms and is readily available.
and leaders, including Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh. Lovvorn credits her involvement for securing natural gas in his community. “We’re forever indebted to Twinkle,” Lovvorn said. “She helped people in our
area improve our livelihood.” Listening sessions showed the natural gas company (now Spire) how the community craved its product’s security, availability and low price. Cavanaugh said ensuring Alabama farms have the best, most economical energy options is a priority. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and anything we can do to grow it and support rural Alabama is good for the entire state,” she said. “This project will help create jobs and open up even more opportunities in the future. It was a real pleasure to play a role in making this happen.” Back in Ranburne, pipes laid last winter tap into the old propane line, which directly feeds heat into chicken houses. Enlarged openings in each brooder accommodate natural gas’s different pressure. A meter tracks usage across the farm. And once a month, Hunt and Lovvorn pay the bill. “We have a lot of responsibility when it comes to raising these birds humanely,” Lovvorn said. “This is a game-changer for rural America.”
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Alabama-Grown Peanuts Pack A Punch In Retail Stores By Jeff Helms hoppers have gone nuts for S butter toffee, honey roasted and salted offerings from Alabama Peanut
Producers Association (APPA) since the organization started distributing products to retail stores in 2020. APPA Executive Director Jacob Davis said the idea for wholesale marketing sprouted from a single location in Barbour County. “We’ve sold canned peanuts from our Dothan office for years. We had one customer, Fort Mitchell Trading Post and Hardware, that was buying peanuts from us, paying sales tax and putting them on the shelf at the store,” Davis said. “I knew people loved our product — especially the butter toffee peanuts — so I worked with our accountants and the Alabama Department of Revenue to begin selling wholesale.” Davis never meets a stranger. The former Alabama FFA adviser hopped in his truck and started visiting co-ops, feed and seed stores, farm markets — even boutiques. Armed with a trifecta of flavor, Davis let his product do the convincing. “I open up a can of butter toffee peanuts and shake some into their hand. If they’re the decision-maker, there’s about a 97% success rate they will sign up right there on the spot,”
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Davis said with a chuckle. Today, 162 stores carry APPA products, and last year, Davis and his three-person team shipped 55,000 cans to peanut-hungry fans. APPA Vice President Mark Kaiser said the wholesale program helps remind families to purchase peanuts wherever they shop. “It gives the consumer the ability to see what we’re growing and think about buying peanuts when they go to the store,” said the Baldwin County farmer. “It promotes buying local, and it’s just a great product we know the consumer will love.” APPA, an affiliate of Alabama Farmers Federation, is a producerfunded checkoff organization. Davis said peanut sales generate revenue for APPA and, more importantly, further the checkoff mission. “Our charge is research, education and promotion,” he said. “This is a promotional effort we can actually put metrics to. When you go to a trade show, you don’t really know what kind of impact you’re having, but with this, you know.” APPA is a member of Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s agricultural branding program. Davis sees retail peanut sales as a win-win for the two organizations. “Sweet Grown Alabama fits nicely
Alabama-grown peanuts are a hit in retail stores, including Todd Farms General Store in Headland. From left are Alabama Peanut Producers Association Executive Director Jacob Davis and Annette Todd.
with APPA because we are promoting an Alabama product,” he said. “We like having that slogan on our cans, and we also put the Sweet Grown Alabama logo on every promotional pack we give away.” Alabama ranks second in the nation in peanut production. Sweet Grown Alabama Director Ellie Watson said it’s important for shoppers to connect peanuts to the state and, ultimately, farmers. “Peanuts are a key crop in Alabama’s agriculture economy,” Watson said. “Sweet Grown Alabama is proud to be featured on the promotional packets and cans of peanuts sold all over the state. It brings visibility to Sweet Grown Alabama and helps consumers connect the brand to a high-quality Alabama product.” The retail program also benefits small-business owners. “I think it’s a good niche market because our retailers often don’t have buying power or order size to carry something like this,” Davis said. “They can’t buy a whole truckload at a time, so this is a mutually beneficial program.” APPA’s retail network stretches from Mobile to DeKalb County and from Lauderdale County to Dothan. A list of participating stores is available at AlPeanuts.com. Shoppers also can order peanuts online or drop by APPA’s Dothan office at 1810 Reeves St. For other Alabama products, visit SweetGrownAlabama.org. alfafarmers.org
A.L.F.A. Leaders Advocate On Capitol Hill A.L.F.A. Leaders Class V members advocated for agriculture during meetings in Washington, D.C., Feb. 1-4. From left on Capitol Hill are Scott Woodall, Jackson County; Brad Cox, Fayette County; Dillon Turk, Mobile County; Drew Wendland, Autauga County; Zack Brannon, Winston County; Grace Ellis, Autauga County; Anna Murphy, Hale County; Rachel Chastain, Talladega County; Mitchell Henry, Lawrence County; Lucy Edwards, Lawrence County; Ryan Cox, Chilton County; and Andrew Brock, Marshall County.
By Marlee Moore onversation centered on labor C issues and the cattle price index as members of Agricultural Leaders For
Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders) Class V met with decision-makers in Washington, D.C., Feb. 1-4. Participants in the Alabama Farmers Federation’s premier two-year leadership program include Mobile County’s Dillon Turk, whose family is in the container nursery business. “This trip to D.C. has been productive because we’ve been able to spend a lot of time with our congressmen and senators,” said Turk, who attended the Federation’s Washington Legislative Conference in 2019. “We got to the heart of some issues. We were also able to see how well-respected the Alabama Farmers Federation is, not just within American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), but with elected leaders, too.” Before flying into Reagan National Airport, the group researched hot topics in agriculture. A visit with AFBF staffers cemented their ability to jumpstart conversations about the upcoming farm bill, livestock markets and immigration reform. Ryan Cox, a cattle and specialty
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crops producer from Chilton County, said the trip changed his perspective on the impact farmers can have by interacting with elected officials. “Everyone tells you to call your senator or congressman,” Cox said. “A lot of people don’t engage because you feel like you’ll be sent to voicemail. After talking with our representatives, you can tell they mean it when Mobile County’s Dillon Turk met with U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, they say to call if you have an R-Alabama, Feb. 3. During this and similar small-group issue. I didn’t expect that.” conversations, Turk and fellow A.L.F.A. Leaders class members Members met with leaders advocated for agricultural issues and reforms on Capitol Hill. in agricultural policy, including U.S. Rep. G.T. Thompson. The Pennsylvania Republican is delegation, including U.S. Sen. Tommy minority leader of the House Committee Tuberville and U.S. Reps. Robert on Agriculture. His down-to-earth Aderholt, Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, Gary attitude resonated with A.L.F.A. Leaders Palmer and Mike Rogers. member Scott Woodall. Additionally, they met with the “The whole trip was great, but I most Senate Committee on Agriculture, enjoyed hearing from Congressman Forestry and Nutrition minority staff, Thompson,” said Woodall, a forester visited the Museum of the Bible and from Jackson County. “His disposition soaked in sights during a moonlight and openness were great, and he monuments tour. created a comfortable atmosphere for The A.L.F.A. Leaders group has two us to talk about how farm security is more educational institutes before national security.” graduating in December. Previous The young leaders also discussed sessions focused on state policy, issues impacting their farms and Federation structure and the group’s livelihoods with members of Alabama’s capstone project. alfafarmers.org
Williams To Serve Northeast Alabama Farmers
Marshall County farmer and former A farm loan officer has been named the Alabama Farmers Federation’s
organization director for Area 3. Dan Williams of Boaz began his new duties Feb. 21. Federation Organization Department Director Matthew Durdin said Williams is an ideal fit for the role. “Dan already knows many of the farmers in northeast Alabama and understands the challenges they face every day,” Durdin said. “He’s down to earth and a hard worker. Most importantly, he enjoys helping people. I believe Dan is ready to hit the ground running and will quickly develop relationships with county leaders, elected officials and others in the agriculture community.” Area 3 includes Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson and Marshall counties. Kyle Hayes, who retired in November, was the previous area organization director.
A 2016 Auburn University graduate, to help farmers will be great assets to Williams joined the U.S. Department the Federation and the great farmers of Agriculture’s Natural Resources throughout our state.” Conservation Service in As a member of the Pike County after earning field staff, Williams will be a bachelor’s degree in the liaison between county agronomy and soils. Farmers Federations and Williams returned to the state organization. Marshall County in 2018 “With production and as a senior loan officer financial hardships looming with Alabama Farm Credit, around every corner, I strive where he earned awards to be an advocate farmers for increasing both volume can turn to for their voice to and quality of the loan be heard,” Williams said. portfolio. Williams is a member Williams Williams also co-owns of the Federation, Alabama Williams Family Farm, a row crop, beef Cattlemen’s Association and Ducks cattle and hay operation in Sardis City. Unlimited. He has helped organize “The Alabama Farmers Federation tornado relief efforts for neighboring does an excellent job advocating communities impacted by storms and for the needs of our state’s farmers,” participated in Field-to-Fork events in Williams said. “I believe my personal Cherokee and Marshall counties. experience with the many facets of He and wife Mary Morgan are Alabama agriculture, my ability to expecting their first child in June. They grow new relationships and my drive attend Sardis Baptist Church.
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EVALUATE YOUR
ESTATE n the farming community, estate planning is a common topic at Imeetings and workshops. But what
does it really mean? Ultimately, estate planning is simply planning for the future. Farmers plan daily as they prepare crops and livestock for market. Estate planning is one more element to help secure the farm for the next generation. The process can seem daunting, but it’s important to prepare for the future.
A simple first step is to compile a list of assets. This includes how much land and other property the farmer owns outright, bank accounts and shares of stock. The most common form of an estate plan is a will. However, an estate plan is not limited to a will. An estate plan can be made up of several documents, such as a living will, powers of attorney or incapacitation documents. A will lays out the way a person would like their property distributed once they die. Wills can be as simple or complex as necessary to accomplish a person’s goals.
Powers of attorney and incapacitation documents allow a person to choose someone to act on their behalf if they become incapacitated. Creating an estate plan will ultimately require an attorney’s assistance; however, following these easy steps can build confidence and lead to more productive discussions with an attorney.
1 Compile a list of assets. This
includes how much land and other property the farmer owns outright, bank accounts and shares of stock. Include a general value of each of the assets, including fair market value for land.
2 Create a list of trusted individuals.
These people could serve as executor of an estate or act should incapacitation happen. An executor oversees probating someone’s estate. Their main responsibility is to make sure the deceased person’s wishes are carried out according to the will. When planning, farmers should consider the possibility of incapacitation. A power of attorney allows a trusted individual to make financial and health care decisions on behalf of the incapacitated person.
3 Be aware of how property passes
if a person does not have a will. In some situations, a surviving spouse may not receive all their spouse’s property. Under current Alabama law, if the individual dies without children, the spouse is entitled to the first $100,000 worth of the estate and splits the balance with the deceased person’s parents. If a couple has children, the spouse receives the first $50,000 worth of the estate and splits the balance with children they had together. In the instance of death without a will, property will still pass to inheritors through intestate succession. In this process, a deceased person’s property passes to heirs as defined by the Code of Alabama. In some situations, intestate succession may meet an individual’s needs. It’s important for farmers to be aware of other options so they can responsibly plan. Farmers could also contemplate securing a life insurance policy. Visit AlfaInsurance.com to learn more. Special thanks to Leah Mitchell who helped provide the information featured above. Mitchell, a member of the Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee, is an estate-planning attorney who practices in Alabama and Tennessee. Check out AlfaFarmers.org/aglaw to learn more about estate planning.
Compiled by John Allen Nichols, Alabama Farmers Federation agriculture counsel
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The Invention of the Year The world’s lightest and most portable mobility device Once in a lifetime, a product comes along that truly moves people. Introducing the future of battery-powered personal transportation . . . The Zinger. Throughout the ages, there have been many important advances in mobility. Canes, walkers, rollators, and scooters were created to help people with mobility issues get around and retain their independence. Lately, however, there haven’t been any new improvements to these existing products or developments in this field. Until now. Recently, an innovative design engineer who’s developed one of the world’s most popular products created a completely new breakthrough . . . a personal electric vehicle. It’s called the Zinger, and there is nothing out there quite like it. “What my wife especially loves is it gives her back feelings of safety and independence which has given a real boost to her confidence and happiness! Thank You!” –Kent C., California The first thing you’ll notice about the Zinger is its unique look. It doesn’t look like a scooter. Its sleek, lightweight yet durable frame is made with aircraft grade aluminum. It weighs only 47.2 lbs but can handle a passenger that’s up to 275 lbs! It features one-touch
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Joystick can be mounted on the right or left side for rider’s comfort
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ProtectingAn Artistic Legacy Left: Alfa Insurance writes policies for small businesses, including barbers, retail stores, photographers, landscapers, churches and other entrepreneurs, such as Brown’s Pottery and Sons in Hamilton, owned by Sandra Brown. Above: Jeff Wilburn fashions pottery from hand-dug Alabama clay. Alfa uses that same attention to detail when crafting policies for members.
By Brooke Foster rafting pottery from hand-dug C Alabama clay is an art. Alfa Insurance agents use a similar eye for
detail to create policies for artisans and entrepreneurs, including Brown’s Pottery & Sons in Hamilton. Owner Sandra Brown said good service goes a long way in business. That’s why she insured the nationally renowned family pottery business (founded by her late husband, Jerry) with Alfa in 2019. “Jerry and I always had Alfa Insurance,” said Sandra, who carries on her husband’s pottery-crafting legacy
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with son Jeff Wilburn. “Several years ago, we had a new roof put on our house because of hail damage from a storm. The customer service we received from our local agent and claims adjuster at Alfa was just awesome, so when our agent, Matt Brasher, asked about moving our business insurance over to Alfa, it just made sense.” Brasher said he’s known the Brown family as long as he can remember. “Growing up in Hamilton, everyone knew about the famous pottery shop based right here in our small town,” he said. Alfa’s business owner policies offer coverage for property, liability, automobiles, workers compensation and commercial umbrella protection. With local agents and adjusters serving every Alabama county, Alfa caters to small businesses. Among the company’s clients are barber shops, restaurants, retail stores, photographers, plumbers,
landscapers and even churches. “Alfa makes it easy for us to do business with them,” Sandra said. “Not only did we receive a great rate for our small business, but we’ve also received exceptional customer service every time we walk in the local office just up the road. If I need anything, I can call Matt, and he’ll get everything taken care of in a timely manner. It’s hard to find that kind of service in other insurance companies nowadays. That’s what makes Alfa different.” Alfa’s Senior Vice President of P&C & Life Operations Rex Seabrook said protecting small businesses is part of Alfa’s heritage. “We know how important these businesses are in our communities, and it’s our job to help keep them protected,” Seabrook said. “Matt Brasher is a great example of how our agents work to go above and beyond to make sure our customers get the best rates possible. Alfa agents, claims adjusters March/Spring 2022
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Above left: The late Jerry Brown was a ninth-generation potter who specialized in face jugs, decorative jugs sculpted to resemble a human or character’s face. Above right: From left are Brown’s Pottery and Sons owner Sandra Brown, potter Jeff Wilburn and Alfa Insurance Agent Matt Brasher.
and customer sales representatives want to see their hometown, its businesses and community members flourish.” Jerry opened his pottery business in 1982 after nearly 20 years working as a logger in the northwest Alabama woods. He converted a small hay shed into a shop, bought an electric kiln, ordered a pottery wheel and tapped into skills learned from his father, Horace.
The ninth-generation potter specialized in face jugs (decorative jugs sculpted to resemble a human or character’s face) and experimented with glazing and painting techniques. “Jerry had a chicken pen behind the shop,” Sandra said. “Something got into the pen one night, and chicken feathers were all over the place. Jerry picked the feathers up, brought them to the shop and started dipping them in cobalt. He
dabbed the feathers on the pottery, and we’ve done it ever since.” His unique art earned numerous awards, such as the Alabama Folk Heritage Award. He was also named a National Heritage Fellow for the National Endowment for the Arts. The pottery shop quickly became a top destination for tourists, including social media cooking sensation Brenda Gantt of Andalusia, who uses Brown’s Pottery and Sons bowls when making biscuit dough. Brasher said it’s been an honor to serve the Brown family through the years. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to protect their business,” Brasher said. “Whether filing a claim, making a payment or updating a policy, our customers are going to receive the personalized service they deserve. That’s the Alfa difference.” Learn more about the Browns at JerryBrownPottery.com. For information about Alfa business insurance or to find a local agent, visit AlfaInsurance.com.
Peanut Allergy Progress According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, introducing peanut-containing foods in the first year reduces the risk an infant will develop a food allergy to peanuts. Through the National Peanut Board, America’s peanut farmers have allocated more than $35 million to food allergy research, outreach and education.
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‘Down To Earth’ Sustainability Campaign Launches
labama agriculture and forestry A organizations are launching Down to Earth: Agriculture Sustains Alabama
— a yearlong campaign promoting conservation techniques farmers and landowners practice across the state. Through farmer-led discussion, Down to Earth will show sustainability isn’t just a buzzword gaining momentum as regulations trickle down from Washington, D.C. It’s a mindset farmers have implemented for years while fueling their farms, families and communities. “No one is more invested in sustaining the environment, the economy and our communities than farmers,” said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell, a Chilton County farmer. “We are proud to partner with other agriculture and forestry organizations through Down to Earth in educating students and adults about how farmers work to provide safe and abundant food and fiber for generations to come.” Down to Earth will cover six
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topics through March 2023 — carbon emissions, animal and plant efficiency, data and technology, conserving natural resources, smart land use and sustaining for the future. The goal is to reach at least 1 million consumers with Down to Earth messages centered on sustainability. A team of farmer-spokespeople representing various commodities, counties and backgrounds will spread the Down to Earth message via personal social media channels, interviews with media and features in partner publications such as Neighbors magazine. Additionally, Simply Southern TV will feature Ask a Farmer segments focused on each topic. Down to Earth partners include the Alabama Agribusiness Council, Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA), Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Poultry & Egg Association (APEA) and Sweet Grown Alabama. Additional
funding is provided by a growing slate of sponsors. “As farmers and ranchers, we have an incredible story to tell,” said ACA’s Kayla Greer, who co-chairs the Down to Earth planning committee with APEA’s Caleb Hicks. “Our goal is to amplify that message, and that is exactly what Down to Earth is designed to do.” The Down to Earth campaign includes a fact-packed website at DowntoEarthAL.com, social media advertisements, events and bimonthly press releases. FFA groups, 4-H clubs and civic organizations will help share Down to Earth’s sustainability message. Down to Earth was also Alabama Farm-City’s 2021 theme. Winning posters, essays and multimedia presentations will be honored during the Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon in Birmingham April 7. Down to Earth: Agriculture Sustains Alabama debuts March 31 during a kickoff event from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Pike Road Agriculture, Recreation and Performing Arts Center. The event features family friendly farm-related activities and displays, food and media competitions. Interact with Down to Earth on social media by searching @DowntoEarthAL.
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&NOW:
THEN
Farmers Face Challenging
Ag Economy
Ed White said the current struggling ag economy doesn’t compare to the 1980s farm crisis. Low commodity prices, ballooning inflation and high interest rates were hallmarks of those tough years. 16
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By Marlee Moore kyrocketing interest rates, S ballooning inflation and the worst crop of his life strapped Ed
White in 1980. “I cashed in my retirement so my kids could eat and go to school,” said White, 85, who taught before farming full time. Decades later, farmers again face rising inflation, coupled with supply chain issues. Farmers report fertilizer and crop protection prices have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled — when available. White farms with his son, Jason, and grandson, Ryan Rippey. The three generations continually adjust management techniques to survive shifting expenses. “Yes, input prices are higher,” White said. “But peanut and cotton prices are higher, too. We’re not making any more than we made with lower prices, but we can still cash flow it. There’s no comparison to the ‘80s. Nowadays, the interest is cheap, and money is still available.” Easy money policy emerged in the ‘70s. Commodity prices boomed, and farmland values ballooned, he recalled. Pop! In some parts of the U.S., farmland values fell by half in the early 1980s. Alabama wasn’t hit to that level but still saw declining land values. Commodity prices plummeted, too. Hundreds of miles separate White from Perry County farmer Jim Brady. White’s native Henry County is in Alabama’s Wiregrass, while Brady farms in the Black Belt Region. Both long-time leaders in the Alabama Farmers Federation survived the last farm crisis through shrewd investments and grit. “The cost of everything was going alfafarmers.org
Jim Brady’s wise investments helped his family farm survive the 1980s farm crisis. Today, the Bradys raise catfish, cattle and timber in Perry County while battling another challenging ag economy.
up,” Brady said. “What we were selling was either stagnant or going down. We were caught in the vice.” High sustained inflation reigned. Items that cost $1 in 1972 cost about $2.32 a decade later. “Mentally, you tighten your belt so tight your belt buckle is touching your backbone,” White said. Smart farm management and carefully cultivated relationships with lenders meant White and Brady’s interest rates never topped the mid-teens, while some contemporaries’ rates reached 20% or higher.
“Mentally, you tighten your belt so tight your belt buckle is touching your backbone.” Today, interest is around 5%. “I don’t think we’re in a crisis,” White said. “I think prices are ridiculous, but I don’t feel the pressure. You can’t imagine waking up every morning wondering if you’ll survive that day financially.” Diversification helps. White’s family raises poultry, cattle, cotton, corn and peanuts, while the Bradys have catfish, cattle and timber. “You have to have another enterprise,” Brady said. “If you have one that bogs down or becomes alfafarmers.org
unprofitable, you need another enterprise that can take up some of the slack.” Investments Brady made during the successful ‘70s — constructing a state-ofthe-art milking parlor, adding acreage and building grain bins — paid off when times were tight. The next decade, Brady saw farmers mortgage their homes to purchase cattle. When prices dropped, some farmers lost their land — and homes. “We can offset expenses through the appreciation of land value,” Brady said. “But as a farmer, who wants to sell a farm just to break even?” Brady farms near Marion with his son Brad. The American dream fuels their love of farming, but tightening or nonexistent profit margins take a toll. “At the end of the year, there may not be money left for improvement,” said Brad, 55. “When you do that, you’re just treading water.” Federation President Jimmy Parnell is hearing similar stories during county Farmers Federation meetings. Some retirement-age farmers are selling out while others are investing farm equity into the upcoming crop. Younger generations didn’t feel the effects of, or learn from, the last farm crisis. It’s concerning, Parnell said. “In the ‘70s, things were amazing in agriculture,” Parnell said. “People said cattle were never going to be cheap again. Then the bottom fell out. It looks
like what I remember in the late ‘70s. Are we headed in that direction?” Auburn University Emeritus Professor Patricia Duffy said it’s too early to predict whether a period of sustained inflation is budding or if farmers are experiencing pandemic-related spikes and stresses. “We saw fairly high inflation last year, and we may see it again this year; beyond that, I’m not sure there are good predictions yet,” said Duffy, who began studying the ag economy in 1980. “We are seeing a confluence of demand pull (easy money policy plus economic stimulus) and cost-push (caused by supply chain problems). What I don’t know is how long it will last.” Debt-to-asset ratios are lower than in the ‘70s, which protects against economic downturns. That and other risk-management strategies help farmers survive economic shifts. “Like any other business, farming benefits from good record keeping, sound financial analysis and good forward planning,” Duffy said. “What is different about farming, compared to many other businesses, is the high level of risk exposure, even in ‘normal’ periods of time.” While input costs are increasing, commodity prices aren’t in a major decline. That’s encouraging, White said. “I lived through the late ‘70s and ‘80s,” he said. “I know what hard times are in farming. We’re not there yet.” March/Spring 2022
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samples to test the deer. They removed bag limits for day and season harvest (in those counties) to collect more data.
Moody
Sponsored By Alabama Ag Credit
Green
Enjoy this excerpt from an Alabama AgCast with Alabama Farmers Federation Creative Technical Director Mike Moody and Wildlife Division Director William Green. Mike Moody: What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)? William Green: In deer, it’s a contagious neurological disorder. It is not a virus or bacteria. It’s a prion, a misshapen protein. Symptoms range from drastic weight loss to lack of coordination, drooling and loss of fear of humans. It’s been confirmed in a harvested deer in northwest Alabama in Lauderdale County. MM: Can it affect humans?
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WG: Currently, there is no evidence to show that it can be transmitted from deer to humans. MM: What do hunters need to keep in mind? WG: If you see a sick deer, report it to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). Lauderdale and Colbert counties are in the CWD Management Zone. During the hunting season, ADCNR requested hunter-harvested
MM: Anything else the general public needs to know about CWD? WG: The main thing to remember is it’s going to be OK. I encourage hunters to remain confident in your ability to harvest deer and consume venison. Several states have had CWD for decades — Wisconsin, Colorado, Arkansas — and the hunting industry is still strong, and folks can still enjoy the meat. For more information on CWD, visit OutdoorAlabama.com. Catch the entire interview on the Alabama AgCast. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or visit AlfaFarmers.org/agcast. New episodes available on Wednesdays.
alfafarmers.org
IT’S NOT JUST CHICKEN FEED
Our farmers help feed chicken, catfish, cows and horses, too.
WHEAT & FEED GRAIN PRODUCERS
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Alabama Farmers Shine At American Farm Bureau Convention Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell carried the Alabama flag during the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention Parade of States.
Row crop farmers Josh and Savannah McCoy of Dale County made the Top 10 in the Achievement Award contest at AFBF Convention.
By Jeff Helms fter meeting virtually last year, A farmers from 50 states and Puerto Rico welcomed the opportunity to
fellowship and share ideas at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention in Atlanta Jan. 7-11. Alabama Farmers Federation members from Cullman and Dale counties were named finalists in Young Farmers and Ranchers competitive events, and a startup with Alabama ties won the People’s Choice Award in the Ag Innovation Challenge. Federation President Jimmy Parnell said spending time with other farmers was the highlight of the convention, which had a theme of “Growing Tomorrow, Together: People, Purpose, Possibilities.” “I like to focus on the people in Farm Bureau,” Parnell said. “We come from different parts of the country. We
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have different accents. Some grow crops; some grow livestock. Some of us have hair; some of us do not. But we have a lot in common. We all care about our land. We care about our livestock. We care about each other, and we love America.” Alabama Outstanding Young Farm Family winners Josh and Savannah McCoy of Dale County were recognized during the convention’s closing general session as Top 10 finalists for the AFBF Achievement Award. The McCoys said the honor validated their hard work, but the experience of competing was the greatest reward. “Being able to talk to other people here, including people in the Achievement Award contest, was great,”
said Josh, who attended his first AFBF Convention. “It opens your eyes to how much more is going on in agriculture than what’s happening in your town, county or even state. Being able to converse and be with like-minded people is refreshing. “The people in the Farmers Federation and AFBF are amazing, and we appreciate the help we’ve had along the way,” he added. Cullman County young farmer Kyle Morris advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the Discussion Meet, where he and fellow competitors suggested ideas to reduce farm accidents. Like the McCoys, Morris praised the experience of competing at the national level. “Discussion Meet is my favorite of
Caravan Tech LLC won the People’s Choice Award for its cattle tracking technology as part of the national Ag Innovation Challenge. Caravan Tech’s Alex Newbery, left, and Charlie Newbery, second from left, are pictured with American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall and corporate contest sponsors. alfafarmers.org
the Young Farmers competitions because it makes you understand where the Federation and AFBF have to go to move forward,” Morris said. “It makes you understand how what we do in the policy room matters. I’ve been doing this for several years. I had a thimbleful of understanding of Alfa when I started, and now I may have a tablespoon. There’s still a lot I’m learning. Being able to compete against people from other states and see other perspectives really opens your eyes.” Additionally, Lauren and Landon Marks of Cherokee County represented Alabama in the Excellence in Agriculture contest. At the closing session, Caravan Tech LLC, whose shareholders include Federation members, won the People’s Choice Award in the AFBF Ag Innovation Challenge. The company uses technology to track livestock. Caravan Tech LLC received $10,000 as a Top 10 finalist and another $5,000 for the People’s Choice Award. Chonex, another Alabama company, also received $10,000 as a finalist. Chonex has developed a
State board members Dorman Grace of Walker County and Mark Kaiser of Baldwin County joined hundreds of delegates from across the U.S. at the AFBF business session. Delegates discussed policy recommendations which chart the course for AFBF.
patented process for producing organic fertilizer while recycling poultry litter. During the convention, Alabama farmers attended educational workshops, a trade show and general sessions featuring keynote addresses by AFBF President Zippy Duvall and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. It was the first AFBF convention for Federation District 4 Director Steve Lake of Cullman County and his wife, Lisa. “I really enjoy being here,” said the state board member. “Meeting with farmers from the other states, getting their perspectives on things and talking to these folks is just really interesting.”
Lisa said the convention made her more optimistic about the future of agriculture. “I’ve been encouraged by what I’ve been hearing from Zippy Duvall about the future of agriculture and the future of Farm Bureau, as well as the things he’s doing to get us into the conversation about sustainability,” she said. Duvall, a farmer from Georgia, said AFBF remains dedicated to its grassroots origins. “The American Farm Bureau team is sharing your stories on Capitol Hill, with the administration and through many communications channels that reach far and wide,” Duvall said. “Sharing those stories is important within our organization, too, because we are strong when members understand what their neighbors in other regions are facing. “Over our 102-year history, Farm Bureau has become the leader we are today by adapting and working with every administration and every Congress. But what has never changed is how we stand tall for you. Adapting doesn’t mean forgetting our roots. We remain grounded in our purpose, which strengthens us to make this time our time,” he added. The convention concluded with the annual business session where more than 300 voting delegates considered policy recommendations. Parnell served as vice chair of the business session.
Cullman County’s Kyle Morris made the Sweet 16 round in the Discussion Meet contest.
Alabama Farmers Federation members visited during the AFBF Convention Trade Show. From left are Federation state board member Joe Lambrecht of Elmore County; Federation Secretary-Treasurer Steve Dunn of Conecuh County and his wife, Melinda; and Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan. alfafarmers.org
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Alfa Insurance To Acquire Legacy Insurance Services
lfa Insurance® and Western A National Mutual Insurance Co. announced Jan. 24 an agreement for
Alfa® to purchase Legacy Insurance Services Inc., pending final regulatory approval. With the purchase, Alfa acquires the Legacy and Arizona Auto Insurance Company (AAIC) entities, as well as the Nevada General Insurance Company (NGIC) book of business. Western National originally acquired Legacy and AAIC in December 2010. Legacy Insurance Services is an Arizona-domiciled general agency headquartered in Phoenix and writing exclusively non-standard personal auto insurance. AAIC is an Arizona-domiciled property-and-casualty insurance company writing non-standard personal auto insurance in Arizona and Colorado. NGIC’s book of business includes non-standard personal auto insurance in Nevada. Alfa President and CEO Jimmy
Parnell said the purchase creates opportunities for expansion and diversification through the company’s Trexis subsidiary. “With this acquisition, Trexis will serve customers in 13 states,” Parnell said. “I’m confident the Trexis team will leverage this stable book of business to continue adding value to Alfa while diversifying our risk. Trexis represents one of our greatest opportunities for growth. This addition provides Trexis a strategic foothold in the high-growth states of Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.” Western National President and CEO Rick Long said the agreement is
strategically strong. “Western National will renew its focus on its core property-and-casualty operations, while Alfa and its subsidiary Trexis will provide greater resources and scale in the non-standard personal auto market to the Legacy team,” he said. Alfa acquired Trexis, formerly Vision Insurance Group LLC, in 2005. Since then, the non-standard company has grown its portfolio fivefold. Trexis is headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, and serves customers through a network of independent agents. To learn more about the agreement, visit AlfaInsurance.com.
Rent with Confidence and Enjoy Great Rates Every Time you Rent. Log-in to your account to book now! | AlfaFarmers.org/perks
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Simply Southern Spotlight
Glamping — Camping Meets Comfort, Convenience And Southern Hospitality
kip and Rhonda Courtney, originally of Nashville, Tennessee, started dreaming of S owning a resort over 30 years ago as newlyweds. Now, the couple owns and operates The Destination Resort in Dadeville on Sandy Creek. The resort includes four glamping cabin-style tents. For more details, visit tdbsc.com.
Stations and Times
Saturday, Central Time Market Station Time Columbus, Ga. WLTZ 38 5:00 PM Sunday, Central Time Mobile WPMI 15 6:00 AM Birmingham WBMA 33/40 6:30 AM Huntsville WAFF 48 9:00 AM Montgomery WAKA 8 10:30 AM Dothan WTVY 4 10:30 AM
RFD-TV: Wednesdays • 3 p.m. Central ALWAYS ON: SimplySouthernTV.net
Tell us about The Destination Resort. Skip Courtney: We’re in Dadeville, which is a little north of Auburn and about an hour and a half south of Birmingham. We’re on Sandy Creek, which runs into Lake Martin. We have about 78 acres on the south side of the creek and about 25 on the north side. We are a place where people can escape from their normal routines and get back to nature. What exactly is glamping?
What are some essential items you need to glamp?
Rhonda Courtney: Glamping is glamorous camping, so you get the luxury of home with big, fluffy beds and a kitchen, but then you can have a bonfire, eat s’mores, play family games, hike and do all the things you would do if you went camping. It’s the best of both worlds, except we don’t have TVs. We want you to get back to nature.
SC: First, you have to have a really cool place. Location, location, location. Number two — you have to have glamour. I mean, it’s glamorous camping. You have to have great outdoor living space and a 7-by-7-foot hot tub. That adds to the resort feel. When you go inside, you don’t want to feel like you are in a tent anymore. We call it the Marriott in a canvas bag.
SC: It’s taking some unique type of shelter and putting it in an absolutely gorgeous setting of nature. At the end of the day, you come back to the shelter, and if it’s August, you open the door, and it’s 73 degrees inside. If it’s February, you open the door, and it’s toasty and warm inside.
What are some benefits of glamping over standard camping?
So y’all live on the property? RC: We do, and we want you to be at home in our home. We want you to come and have dinner with us and play music and tell us your story. We want people to come year after year and maybe even stay in a different glamp to get a different experience. We want to create joy and love.
Simply Southern TV is sponsored by alfafarmers.org
RC: It certainly takes away the fear of putting up a tent and if it’s going to rain or if bugs are going to get in. It’s having a home you can stay in and feeling safe and comfortable while still getting that outdoor experience. SC: Everything that you could expect in a hotel room is here. You don’t have to bring soap, shampoo, towels, bedding or dishes. You don’t even have to bring ice. We’ll give you a cooler of ice. Simply Southern’s segment about this story airs on broadcast stations Feb. 26 and 27 and on RFD-TV on Wednesday, March 2, at 3 p.m. Central. For more information, visit SimplySouthernTV.net. Catfish Checkoff
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By Lois Chaplin
he combination of inflation and T supply chain issues makes growing vegetables and herbs at home attractive
Alabama
these days. Luckily, most of us can prepare a spot in the backyard to tend as time and weather allow or put containers in sunny spots on a deck. For those who live in developments where covenants address concerns about the look of a vegetable garden, growing food requires more thought. It’s important to grow herbs and vegetables in attractive ways. This could mean mixing them into the landscape so they blend naturally into a flower bed. For example, a basic snacking pepper or chili pepper with handsome green
foliage and colorful fruit can be just as attractive in a flower border as flower color. Some pepper plants are sold as ornamentals. Another example includes parsley as a handsome green contrast for pansies or marigolds; lettuce or kale fit the bill, too. You can also enjoy snips of foliage or flowers from a clump of colorful chives with its lavender spring blooms and nearly evergreen foliage. Mint may be used as a ground cover in shade or as a green filler in containers. Rosemary is a woody ornamental in central and south Alabama in the ground or in containers. You get the idea. Carefully placed
and tended vegetable and herb plants can be just as attractive as ornamentals and easily blend with flowers and shrubs. Before applying pest or weed suppressants, make sure they are safe to be used on all plants in the area — edible and ornamental. If building raised beds in the backyard, it’s also possible to screen the area from the street with evergreens. Some gardeners screen their raised bed garden from view of the house, too. Some vegetables have down times near the end of production, so grooming is important to keep a garden looking tidy. You can also grow herbs and vegetables within an evergreen shrub outline of a parterre garden. Another possible component of growing herbs and vegetables at home is to grow them in ornamental containers. A shallow, wide bowl or iron hay basket planter is perfect for lettuce plants. Compact tomato plants may be mixed with flowers and green basil in a large, ornamental container. Peppers and eggplant are also perfect for containers. Garden designer Pamela Crawford of Big Canoe, Georgia, suggests growing vertically to maximize space. In her book, “Easy Patio Veggies and Herbs,” Crawford offers first-hand experience creating attractive combinations. The book includes practical details about variety selection and yield that can help new gardeners choose the most productive varieties. By thinking about vegetable and herb plants for their individual beauty, these plants may suddenly become more adaptable to multiple places in a landscape. Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.
Indulge In Spring Fever With Super Savings! E ALAFARM.COM 24
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I
BREAKFAST
’m warning you beforehand: What I’m about to say is going to seem utterly ridiculous. My mother once told me I could conquer the world if I ate a decent breakfast. The whole world. All because of breakfast. See? I tried to warn you. The day she told me, I was having a devastating morning. I was about to take an entrance exam into sixth grade. This was a big deal because earlier I’d failed fifth grade. Mama made the greasiest meal. Three eggs cooked in fat from a Maxwell House can, bacon, potatoes, grits, and toast hearty enough to sand the hull of a battleship. I passed my test. I made it to the next grade. Eventually, my confidence began to improve. Thusly — I’ve always wanted to use that word — I assume breakfast played an important role. Since then, I’ve always believed in the first daily meal. I ate a good breakfast the day I got married. A big one. The waitress kept bringing me plates of pancakes. “You must be starving,” she said. I smiled. “Thusly,” said I. I also ate a big breakfast the day I got fired. My boss called me into his office and said things so hateful I can still remember them. I went to eat breakfast. I read the paper, I watched the sunrise. I had one of the best mornings I’ve had in years.
So I don’t know why I’m telling you this. I suppose it’s because I come from country people. Our ancestors believed in smearing thick butter on toast and in farm eggs. They believed in the sacredness of early hours. To them, it was the moment before the day had been written. Today could be boring. Or it could be the sort that lives in your memory forever. You might meet a new friend. A kid. A feral dog. An angel. While I write this, the sun is about to rise, and this seemingly normal morning might be a spectacular day in disguise. And if you ask me, you owe it to yourself to be ready. Once this bestday-ever happens to you, you’re going to look backward and realize your good moments were like swatches of fabric. Your painful moments were pricks from a needle, stitching you together like a quilt. And on your final day, you’ll see this quilt and think: “Wasn’t I beautiful?” Thusly, you were. Very, very thusly. Then, it will all come back to you. You’ll remember the man at the stoplight, holding a cardboard sign. The little girl at church you gave your outdated cellphone to, who had never owned anything so nice in her life. The red-headed kid who failed fifth grade but had a mother who said he could conquer the world if he ate his eggs and toast. I forgot what I was talking about. Oh yeah. Don’t skip breakfast. ■
! L A I C GETiSndOus on F
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. alfafarmers.org
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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 28, 2022, at 8:30 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, 2022. 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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Supply Issues Continue, Input Prices Soar By Katie Nichols he transportation crisis and supply T issues are increasing prices and limiting availability for chemical inputs,
tractor tires and more. Steve Li, an Alabama Extension weed scientist, said a well-thought-out farm management plan is imperative.
Fertilizer And Chemical Availability
“The recent fertilizer and crop protection chemical price surge will encroach on row crop growers’ profit in 2022,” Li said. “Lack of these chemicals during cropping season can significantly interrupt pest management and cause application delays and pest control failures.” Li said key herbicides — such as glyphosate, glufosinate and clethodim — will be in short supply. Other herbicides — such as 2,4-D; S-metolachlor; paraquat; and flumeturon — may also run tight. “Generic products of certain active ingredients will be hard to find because production disruption in China affects generics more than name brands,” Li said. “Multinational companies can supply the market with chemical volumes similar to 2021 or even slightly higher. However, the increase in their supply cannot fully cover the shortage of generic productions. An overall supply shortage is still expected for the U.S. crop protection market.” Producers should have multiple backup plans and think through ways to effectively use on-hand crop inputs. “The chances are slim that the supply
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chain can deliver sufficient chemicals to burndown, plant and spray crops at the same time,” Li said. “We may need to start burndown early, stretch burndown and planting longer to decrease the need for chemical volumes per week, then hope for as much chemical as possible later in the season.”
Tractor And Implement Tires
Van Mashburn, store manager at Tristate Commercial Tire in Headland, said the tire industry is in the same situation, just with different products.
“There is a backlog from toys to tractor implement tires,” Mashburn said.
manufacturing facilities are operating at less than 100% efficiency because of the labor shortage.” Since January 2021, Mashburn has seen a 10-25% price increase on all tire products. He said a $100 tire in December 2019 now sells for $140. Many agricultural producers are also at the mercy of availability. Preferred brands may not be available, so Mashburn said what is on the shelf is what is available on short notice. Before COVID-19, a worst-casescenario wait was one week. Now, producers are looking at a six- to eight-week minimum wait time. Flexibility and a willingness to take the product on the shelf will be important for producers this year. The Alabama Extension farm and agribusiness management team has developed enterprise budgets for producers. Visit aces.edu to learn more and utilize the budget resources.
“There is a backlog from toys to tractor implement tires,” Mashburn said. “The majority of name-brand tires are manufactured overseas, but there are some tires made state-side.” Mashburn said the shipping crisis is the major issue with tires from overseas. However, there are two factors at play with state-side tire production and distribution. “Many raw materials are still being imported from overseas, so there is a delay with the arrival of those materials,” he said. “Still, many of the
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Slow Cooker Boiled Peanuts Prep Time Cook Time 5 mins 20 hrs
Servings 12
Ingredients 2 pounds raw green peanuts 1/2 cup salt 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 1/3 cup hot sauce 1/4 cup Creole seasoning 10 cups water
Instructions Rinse peanuts in cool water and place them in the crock of a slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 20 to 24 hours. Discard liquid and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Stacey’s Recipe Notes I prefer raw green peanuts in this recipe, but raw dried peanuts work, too. When using raw dried peanuts, I recommend soaking them in cool water overnight before placing them in the slow cooker. Most Creole seasonings have salt in them. If you use one that doesn’t, I suggest adding an additional 1/4 cup salt.
elcome back to another delicious W edition of Farmhouse Kitchen! This month, we’re shining the light on
the 900-plus peanut farmers throughout our great state. With our country alone consuming about 700 million pounds of peanut butter annually, Alabama’s peanut farmers play a vital role in our lives. As a peanut butter lover, I was more than happy to offer up a couple of my favorite recipes, which are sure to please the peanut lover in all of us. The kid in me will always love the combination of peanut butter and jelly. It’s a classic for good reason! While it’s great on sandwiches, my Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies are yet another way to indulge that childhood craving with the added benefit of being a perfectly 28
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acceptable take-along dish for parties and get-togethers. Thinking beyond the PB&J, who doesn’t love driving around the state and stopping at roadside boiled peanut stands? Whenever someone comes in from out of state and asks about these stands, my car pulls over immediately. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve explained why they give you a plastic bag along with the big Styrofoam cup of peanuts. I often make my own boiled peanuts for game days and reunions. While boiled peanuts are nothing new in the South, folks are pleasantly surprised to find them simmering in my slow cooker. I enjoy sharing a past recipe from a beloved Alabama Farmers Federation
cook in each issue. This month, Lyn McDaniel’s Peanut Butter Cream Pound Cake is the perfect finishing touch. Lyn and her husband, Timmy, live in Dale County, and I’m sure her family agrees that whenever Lyn goes into the kitchen, the best place to be is at her table! This recipe was originally shared in the February 1992 Neighbors. I hope you’ll find a couple of new family favorites among these recipes during National Peanut Month. We are so thankful for what farmers do to provide for our families. Their hard work helps bring families closer every day in our state and around the world. 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. alfafarmers.org
Peanut Butter Cream Pound Cake By Lyn McDaniel, Dale County
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 15 mins
Servings 10
Cake Ingredients 1/2 cup butter-flavored solid shortening 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 cups sugar 6 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Glaze Ingredients 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream shortening, butter, cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to the creamed mixture, blending well. Add vanilla, and mix well. Pour into a greased and floured 12-cup Bundt pan. Place in a cold oven. Bake at 325 F for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to rest in the pan about 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving platter. Make the glaze by mixing all ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Pour over warm cake.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies Prep Time 15 mins
Ingredients
Cook Time 35 mins
2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
Makes 12 to 16 blondies 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 eggs, well beaten 3/4 cup peanut butter 3/4 cup jelly (I prefer grape or strawberry)
Instructions Heat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, use a sturdy whisk to combine butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Add vanilla, and mix well. Add eggs, and whisk together. Add flour mixture to sugar and butter mixture, and stir with a spoon to combine. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Place the peanut butter and jelly in two separate bowls. Warm each in the microwave 10 to 20 seconds until smooth. Make sure it doesn’t become too liquidy. Stirring the jelly will help smooth it out. Drop alternating tablespoons of peanut butter and jelly on top of the blondie batter to cover the top. Use a butter knife or skewer to swirl through the peanut butter and jelly. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving. alfafarmers.org
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( Y O U) You’re where the rubber meets the road. And the engine. And the interior. All soybean farmers, including you, are busy replacing petroleum with your soy oil. How? By pooling your resources through your soy checkoff. Learn how your soy checkoff is bringing tangible returns back to you and your operation at unitedsoybean.org/hopper.
Moving Soy Forward. Moving You Forward. 2021 United Soybean Board [61078-10 9/21]
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