Neighbors Magazine, March/Spring 2023

March/Spring 2023 | Volume 48 | Number 2

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

Jeff Peek | Athens

John Bert East Leesburg

Steve Lake | Vinemont

Joe Anders Northport

Phillip Hunter | Birmingham

Joe Lambrecht | Wetumpka

Tommy Martin | Moundville

Bill Cook Montgomery

Trip Horne | Louisville

Mark Kaiser | Daphne

Thomas Adams Newville

Ann Whatley | Opelika

Jonathan Edgar Wetumpka

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.

www.AlfaFarmers.org

In This Issue

4 | Winning Entries In The 2022 Photo Contest

7 | Spring Signals Start Of Strawberry Season

8 | CPR, Quick Thinking Save Farmer’s Life

12 | Federation Outlines Legislative Priorities

15 | Schedule A Checkup To Review Alfa Coverage

18

On

The Cover

Alabama farmers like David Lee of Lowndes County and his son, Tucker, are Down To Earth and prioritize sustaining their land for future generations. The yearlong Down To Earth campaign wraps up this month.

Photo By Maggie Edwards

29 | Bountiful Bread Recipes

4

29

St. Clair, Bibb Counties

Capture Winning Photos In Farming

Feeds Alabama Photo Contest

By Maggie Edwards

Apicture is worth a thousand words, but to participants in the 2022 Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest, a picture represents their livelihood. From peach orchards to poultry houses and cattle to cotton, the biannual photo contest — whose winning entries hailed from St. Clair and Bibb counties — helps tell the story of Alabama agriculture.

“Alabama agriculture is a treasure, and we love giving others the opportunity to capture the beauty of the industry that feeds, fuels and clothes the world,” said Marlee Moore, the Alabama Farmers Federation’s publications director. “We hope this contest encourages people to continue to notice farm life all around them.“

The contest, which was sponsored by the Federation and ran through late 2022, was divided into two categories. The youth division was for photographers 15 years of age and younger, while the adult division included 16-year-old entrants and up.

First-place winners received $150; second place received $100; and third place $50. Almost 200 photos were judged by a panel of professionals, resulting in winners from counties across the state.

Adult | 1st Place | Beverly Jones

Youth | 1st Place | Silas Brown

Youth Division

1st place: My Brother And Pawpaw by Silas Brown, St. Clair County | This photo features a little boy feeding and watering cows with his pawpaw at Grace Farms.

2nd place: Perfect Cotton Boll by Anne Elizabeth Pitts, Hale County | This picture captures a cotton boll before harvest.

3rd place: Pink by Ellie Blankenship, Shelby County | This showcases a sweet cow with a pink nose looking through a fence.

Adult Division

1st place: Peach Delight by Beverly Jones, Bibb County | This captures Jeremiah Jones excitedly showing his sister, Jessa, a tiny peach in the family orchard.

2nd place: Leading The Future by Tanner Strickland, Barbour County | This shot embodies Psalm 79:13, “Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation.”

3rd place: Summer Pastures by Gracie Tribble, Lauderdale County | Two of Alabama’s biggest commodities are cattle and poultry; this photo embodies both perfectly. This farm family runs a commercial cow/calf operation along with four broiler houses, and during the summer, they keep bulls in the pastures that surround the poultry houses.

Youth | 3rd Place | Ellie Blankenship

Youth | 2nd Place | Anne Elizabeth Pitts

Adult | 2nd Place | Tanner Strickland

Adult | 3rd Place | Gracie Tribble

Faith, Family, Farm-Fresh Produce Fuel Farmer In The Dell

to dig under the leaves to find the biggest, juiciest strawberries. The redder, the better.

“I love seeing how much families enjoy coming out to the farm and getting away from busy schedules,” Foshee said. “Our entire farm is centered around faith and family. People come here to make memories and enjoy the peace. We love serving our community.”

The Foshees said they channel Psalm 46:8, “Come and see what the Lord has done,” as a reminder that God controls all outcomes on the farm.

Alabama farms are family owned, said Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Blake Thaxton. U-pick operations play a growing role in that figure.

“It is important for people to support these local farms,” Thaxton said. “I see a lot of value in agritourism. From pumpkins to peaches to strawberries, agritourism is a great asset to the state of Alabama.”

Marie Foshee and her family own and operate Farmer In The Dell strawberry U-pick in Auburn. Foshee said her family enjoys opening up their farm for locals to enjoy sweet, farm-fresh produce. In addition to the strawberry patch, Farmer In The Dell grows tomatoes, corn, pumpkins and peaches.

By Maggie Edwards

Spring means sunshine, sprouting plants and sweet strawberries. Thanks to U-pick operations like Farmer In The Dell in Auburn, locals get a taste of farm life by picking their own strawberries straight from the field.

“It is just a different experience to get to eat while you pick,” said Marie Foshee, whose family owns Farmer In The Dell. “To pick that berry off the vine and put it right into your mouth makes you appreciate agriculture in a different way.”

Foshee compared picking strawberries to an Easter egg hunt. She said the best berries don’t pop up in front of one’s eyes. Kids are encouraged

The family’s first strawberry U-pick opened last spring. Nearly two decades before, the Foshees started growing corn and tomatoes to sell at local farmers markets. They also have a pumpkin patch and U-pick peaches.

“We are a small family farm, and everything we do, we decide as a family,” Foshee said. “All our activities are based around agriculture. We want kids and adults to learn while they are here.”

The whole Foshee family plays a role in the operation — patriarch Wheeler; daughter Amelia; son Luke; and son Mark, his wife, Katie, and their son, Colt.

“We plant approximately 15,000 plants in twin rows. It is a lot of hard work,” Foshee said. “It has been a financial blessing, as we have been fortunate enough to put all three of our children through college debt-free, which was why we started this venture.”

Ninety-seven percent of all

Foshee’s grandson, Colt, enjoys spending time in strawberry fields with parents Mark and Katie. Farmer In The Dell prioritizes letting children experience the sweet taste of farm-fresh produce.

Information about the Foshees’ upcoming strawberry season can be found on social media by searching Farmer In The Dell Pumpkin Patch. Strawberry season runs from early spring until mid-May. To find more locally grown products and U-pick farms across the state, visit

Quick Thinking, CPR Save Farmer’s Life

By Marlee Moore

Were it not for a last-minute decision to stock up on mower blades and quick action from a farmer friend, Oct. 19 would have ended very differently for Matt Smith.

“Before I left the farm, I checked to see if I needed bush hog blades. I decided they’d last another year,” said Smith, 41, of Dixie Sod Farm in Pell City. “I came up to Oxford, got the other parts I’d ordered at TriGreen and loaded up the truck. I was about to leave when something told me to turn around and ask if they had blades in stock. I remember thinking, ‘I don’t need these.’

“It was God making sure I went back in the store, because I normally don’t buy things I don’t need.”

Within 30 seconds of re-entering the dealership, Smith collapsed in cardiac arrest. A sales associate called 911. With paramedics en route, TriGreen General Manager Justin Lackey checked Smith for a pulse.

Nothing.

He started chest compressions, and each passing moment felt like a lifetime.

Similar Backgrounds

Lackey and Smith have known each other for over a decade. Smith frequents the Oxford John Deere dealership, and the two were elected president of Talladega and St. Clair counties Farmers

Federations, respectively, within weeks of each other in 2021.

They’re also former law enforcement officers with CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training.

But knowing CPR and performing CPR are different.

“Making that decision to jump in was tough,” said Lackey, 49. “Once we started, we weren’t going to stop.”

Within five minutes, police relieved Lackey. EMS arrived two minutes later, implemented the automaticcompression LUCAS device, loaded Smith in an ambulance and raced to Anniston Regional Medical Center as Smith regained consciousness.

Lackey called Smith’s wife, Whitney. When TriGreen’s number popped up on caller ID at the farm office, she answered, thinking her husband left the credit card at home.

“I said, ‘Oh, there’s TriGreen. They want our money,’” Whitney said with a small laugh. “Then Justin asked if Matt had a history of seizures. I couldn’t comprehend what he was saying. I just kept asking, ‘Is he alive? Is my husband alive?’ All he could say was paramedics

A week after the incident, Justin Lackey, right, welcomed Matt Smith to the TriGreen store with a hug — as friends bonded through crisis.

Matt Smith and Justin Lackey visit at the TriGreen parts counter where, just four months earlier, Lackey’s quick thinking and CPR saved Smith’s life.

were working on him.”

Whitney’s brother-in-law drove her to the hospital, where Lackey met them at the emergency room and parked their car as Whitney beelined inside.

“The doctors told me I was very lucky,” Smith said. “They said, ‘Most people who experience what you did don’t wake up. But you’re here because of CPR. We might could have brought you back by shocking you, but you would have significant brain damage from lack of oxygen.’ I’ve been told that more than once.”

Cause And Effect

Smith left the hospital four days later following a barrage of tests. Four months down the road, doctors are still unsure what caused the ventricular fibrillation.

“The doctors say it could have been an abnormal beat at just the right time that sent him into it,” Whitney said, as the Smiths and Lackey reminisced about the incident.

“Or the price of those blades,” Lackey said with a smile and chuckle. They laugh together as friends bonded through crisis.

According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest. Lackey’s quick thinking was

lifesaving.

CPR is brutal but simple: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest, around 100-120 beats per minute. A basic rule of thumb is to compress to the beat of a familiar, high-energy song, like “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.

“There’s such a misconception about what CPR is,” Whitney said. “You have a stranger who falls out in front of you and think you don’t want to give mouth-tomouth to a stranger. Well, it’s not about mouth-to-mouth anymore. It’s about compressions and getting blood to the organs.”

Lessons From A Life Saved

Smith’s takeaway is two-fold: Give God glory for protecting his life and ensure farms and other small businesses prioritize CPR training. Installing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), which can greatly increase a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival, is key, too.

“I never would have dreamed to have my guys at the sod farm trained,” Smith said. “It’s a social responsibility to be prepared to help your neighbor, like Justin was.”

Lackey takes a similar approach, crediting the Lord for keeping him in the store that day; he’s usually on the road visiting customers. TriGreen is also planning CPR training at all locations this spring.

Lackey’s calm, take-action approach is worth emulating, Whitney said.

“If it goes through your mind that you can’t do it, that you were taught but are scared, just think: You could save a husband, a son, a father,” Whitney said. “You can return that person to their family by taking the initiative to do it.”

Critical Components Of CPR:

l Minimize interruptions in chest compressions

l Provide compressions of adequate rate and depth

l Avoid leaning on the victim between compressions

l Ensure proper hand placement

l Avoid excessive ventilation

Source: American Heart Association

Matt and Whitney Smith frequent the John Deere dealership where the sod farmer collapsed in cardiac arrest last fall. Doctors are still unsure what caused the attack but are adamant that immediate CPR saved his life.

The Smiths and Justin Lackey, center, are friends bonded through crisis. Lackey’s quick thinking and CPR training saved Matt Smith’s life in the Oxford TriGreen dealership last fall.

Preserving The Right To Farm: Alabama’s Family Farm Preservation Act

To protect family operations’ right to farm, the Alabama Farmers Federation scored a landmark legislative win in 2010 — the Alabama Family Farm Preservation Act (ALFFPA), an increasingly important law as farmers battle urban sprawl in historically rural areas.

Right-to-farm laws are now active in all 50 states and protect farmers from neighbors who move into a rural area where normal farming operations (and associated sights and smells) exist and who later use nuisance lawsuits to try and stop those farm operations.

Nuisance suits can be brought by an individual, city or county that declares someone a “public nuisance.”

What Is A Nuisance Lawsuit?

A nuisance lawsuit occurs when one property owner accuses another property owner of “interfering or inhibiting the quiet use and enjoyment of their own property.”

For example, a person living in a neighborhood next to a farm might be frustrated about the amount of noise and dust the farm generates. If that person feels strongly enough about

the noise and dust, they might sue the farmer for nuisance. If a court finds the farmer interfered with the neighbor’s “quiet use and enjoyment of their property,” the court could award the neighbor damages. The farmer would then be forced to pay the neighbor a potentially large sum of money because of the noise and dust.

ALFFPA helps prevent that.

In a more serious scenario, the neighbor could request an injunction to stop the farmer from engaging in the activity that generates the noise and dust. If the court granted the neighbor’s request, the farmer might be forced to cease farming altogether. At the very least, the farmer might have to alter their operation in a way that could be detrimental to his or her livelihood.

ALFFPA helps prevent that, too.

Alabama Law

Alabama’s right-to-farm law provides immunity from nuisance lawsuits to farms that have been in operation for at least one year, so long as the farmer: l Avoids engaging in a careless or wrongful manner and avoids improperly operating the farm.

l Is actively involved in farm activities or leases the farm to a person who actively participates in the farm operation.

l Conforms to generally accepted agricultural practices and complies with appropriate state and federal regulations.

The exception is Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations as defined in Alabama Code 2-6B-6 for feeding, farrowing or finishing swine. To be eligible for ALFFPA protection, these farms must have been in operation before April 12, 2010.

Without Alabama’s right-to-farm law, nuisance lawsuits could snowball, hampering a family’s livelihood and farm’s productivity.

Compliance

Complying with state and federal regulations is important for receiving ALFFPA protection. It’s critical farmers stay up to date about rules and regulations that impact their operations. Being involved in organizations like the Federation and other industry groups can help farmers of any size stay on top of these regulations.

Alabama Legislative Agriculture Committees Set

With the start of a new quadrennium, leaders were recently selected to serve on agriculture-focused committees in the Alabama Legislature.

Alabama Farmers Federation members and staff will work with these leaders to ensure priority items are passed to benefit rural Alabama and the state’s largest industry during the next four years. The 2023 Legislative Session begins March 7.

Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, will chair the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, while Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, will chair the House Agriculture & Forestry Committee.

Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said he is confident in these leaders’ knowledge and understanding of agriculture’s importance to Alabama. Agriculture and forestry have a $70 billion-plus economic impact annually.

“Sen. Sessions and Rep. Crawford get our members,” Hardin said. “Their farming backgrounds and leadership experience help them understand the needs of our farmers, and they are dedicated to ensuring their committees serve the people of rural Alabama. The Federation is ready to work with these committees on agriculture policy and other issues our farmers face.”

Sen. Jack Williams, R-Mobile, will serve as vice chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, while Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, will serve as ranking minority member.

Other members of the Senate Agriculture Committee include:

l Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road

l Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton

l Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Enterprise

l Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva

l Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre

l Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro

l Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence

l Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika

l Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Guntersville

l Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma

l Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia

Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, will serve the House Agriculture & Forestry Committee as vice chair, while Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, will serve as ranking minority member.

Other members of the House Agriculture Committee include:

l Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale

l Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden

l Rep. Bob Fincher, R-Woodland

l Rep. Napoleon Bracy, D-Prichard

l Rep. Matthew Hammett, R-Dozier

l Rep. Curtis Travis, D-Tuscaloosa

l Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Mathews

l Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis

l Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville

l Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport

l Rep. Van Smith, R-Prattville

l Rep. Jennifer Fidler, R-Fairhope

To see other committee assignments, visit legislature.state.al.us.

Federation Prepares For March 7 Legislative Session

By Jeff Helms

Economic development and education will be on the minds of Alabama lawmakers as they convene March 7 for the 2023 legislative session.

During a recent video interview for the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Capitol Connection newsletter, new Speaker of the House of Representatives Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said education is a priority for the Alabama Legislature and Gov. Kay Ivey.

“We’ve got to put education at the forefront. The last few years in Alabama, our economy has grown at a pace I’ve never seen. We’re No. 2 in producing automobiles, No. 1 in commercial airlines and in the Top 5 in shipbuilding,” he said. “Alabama is growing at a tremendous pace, but we’re still lacking in education.”

Ledbetter said a package of bills passed last year, including the Alabama Numeracy Act, was a step in the right direction. He added school choice will likely be discussed as lawmakers seek ways to strengthen learning.

Session Challenges

Meanwhile, the Legislature will face an unusual challenge — managing about $3 billion of combined budget surplus and another $1 billion in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The governor is expected to call a special session, possibly within the regular session, to address ARPA. While federal restrictions have eased on how the money can be spent, health care and broadband expansion are likely to remain priorities.

As for surpluses in the state’s Education Trust Fund and General Fund budgets, Ledbetter supports a conservative approach to spending,

which he said has helped the state avoid proration in recent years. Legislators are considering returning a portion of the surplus to taxpayers, possibly through a one-time rebate.

Federation Priorities

Federation Agricultural Legislation Director Preston Roberts said the organization’s priority will be rural economic development, including funding for a proposed Alabama Farm Center.

“As Alabama’s economy grows and jobs are created, we want to make sure farmers and rural residents aren’t left out,” Roberts said. “We will work to extend and potentially expand the Growing Alabama Tax Credit and Alabama Jobs Act to encourage continued economic investment. The Federation also will share research funded by the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation demonstrating how the Alabama Farm Center would benefit the state.”

Other Federation priorities include standardizing the referendum schedule and administrative fees for the producer-funded peanut checkoff while reducing audit expense for the sheep and goat checkoff. The External Affairs team also is working to preserve budget allocations for agriculture and forestry programs.

Federation State Legislative Programs Director Russ Durrance said legislative leadership and key committee members include longtime friends of farmers, as well as new faces supported by county Federations in last year’s elections.

“The Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee will be chaired by Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, while Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, will continue to

lead the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee. Both grew up on farms, understand the issues facing Alabama agriculture and are passionate about strengthening our state’s largest industry,” Durrance said. “We look forward to working with these chairmen, as well as Speaker Ledbetter; Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper; and leaders from both parties.”

Grassroots Network Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said his team is focused on educating new legislators about members’ needs and concerns.

“With 37 new representatives and senators, the Federation can be a valuable resource in helping legislators understand how legislation discussed in Montgomery can affect farms, families and communities,” Hardin said. “Many of these elected officials already have strong relationships with county leaders. That grassroots network will be invaluable as legislators make decisions about legislation and appropriations.”

Ledbetter agreed.

“You guys work really hard to do a good job. You give us good information, and that’s what we’re looking for — the facts of the matter,” Ledbetter said. “(Farmers) feed our families, so we certainly want to continue to do things that are positive for the farmers across the state of Alabama, and as long as I am speaker, we’re going to continue to do that.”

When you do business with Alabama Ag Credit we put cash back in your pocket. We are excited to return nearly $13.1 million in CASH to our customers based on our 2022 earnings.

Schedule A Checkup With Alfa Insurance

By Brooke Foster

When was the last time you reviewed your insurance policy?

If it’s been more than a year, it’s time to schedule a checkup with Alfa Insurance.

Routinely reviewing insurance coverage can be just as important as an annual visit to the doctor or regular vehicle maintenance. But it’s often one of the most underutilized tactics customers use to save money and ensure they’re adequately covered for life’s “what if…” moments, said Alfa Vice President of Marketing Services Matt Cobb.

He said dedication to providing personal service is a mainstay of the company, with policy reviews serving as part of its detail-oriented mission. That’s particularly important with inflation making headlines and impacting customers, he said.

“Our agents and sales representatives specialize in addressing each customer’s needs, and routine policy reviews ensure they are sufficiently covered ahead of those unexpected moments,” Cobb said. “It’s beneficial for customers to ensure they understand the current coverage in place. Reviews could identify any gaps in coverage and highlight potential savings opportunities.”

Policy reviews are encouraged before renewal, but changes can be made outside that period.

Alfa Agent Stephanie Graham of Opelika said policy reviews have saved her customers money — and potential headaches down the road.

“A customer of mine was able to save

up to $700 per year, or $60 per month, just by evaluating current policies in place,” Graham said. “She only had home insurance with Alfa, but after we reviewed other policies she had in place, we discovered she qualified for a multi-policy discount, saving money on her auto and home insurance.”

Graham said she’s thankful Alfa offers a multi-policy discount.

“It’s an easy and convenient way for customers to manage their policies in

one place and save money,” she said.

Customers preparing for an insurance review are encouraged to share life changes and ask about current coverages, exclusions and limitations. Additional discounts, savings or coverages could be available for personal articles such as firearms, jewelry, fine art and more.

Talk with your local agent about the benefits of an annual insurance review today, or learn more at AlfaInsurance.

Top Reasons To Review Your Insurance Policy:

Purchasing A New Home Or Home Renovations:

o Make sure your home is insured for the replacement cost and not market value.

o Include any new home renovations, as this will typically increase the home’s value.

Purchasing A New Vehicle Or Adding A New Driver:

o Changes to drivers and vehicles can affect the premium rate. Check your policy to ensure vehicle and driver details are current.

Change In Marital Status Or Starting A Family:

o A change in marital status can mean there’s a need to change your current insurance policy, including beneficiaries.

o If you’ve recently become a parent or guardian, make sure your dependents are covered.

Important Milestones And Retirement:

o Additional insurance may be necessary for those who have children turning 16 or going to college. Don’t forget: Alfa offers renters insurance, too.

o If planning for retirement, additional coverage may be needed to offset previous insurance coverage from an employer.

Farmers Federation Gift Supports HudsonAlpha Research

Alabama Farmers Federation support earned the state’s largest farm organization top billing on two state-ofthe-art greenhouse research rooms at HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology in Huntsville.

The $200,000 contribution through the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation supports vital facilities where scientists create real change impacting Alabama farmers’ production methods and bottom line.

“For over 100 years, the Alabama Farmers Federation has been on the frontlines of agricultural research and innovation,” said Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan. “Work done in this greenhouse will chart a new course for agriculture, just as hybridization and commercial fertilizer did in their day.

“Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all Alabamians, and HudsonAlpha is helping us achieve that goal by developing tools farmers can use to be more productive, profitable and sustainable.”

The Alabama Farmers Federation Potting/Education Room and Alabama Farmers Federation Grow Room were completed last summer in HudsonAlpha’s Kathy L. Chan Greenhouse.

The Potting/Education Room is one of the largest rooms within the 14,000-square-foot greenhouse and provides an environment where plants

destined for one of the greenhouse’s seven grow rooms can be potted and propagated in a sterile environment. Students also gather there for education on plant science research.

The Grow Room boasts 15-feet ceilings and can hold 500 plants. LED lighting mimics the rising and setting sun, allowing researchers like Dr. Kankshita Swaminathan to manipulate when plants flower and decrease the time it takes to breed new crop lines.

Crops grown and studied in the greenhouse include peanuts, cotton, sugar cane, sunflowers and perennial grasses used in producing biofuel and biomass.

“The Kathy L. Chan Greenhouse is critical to our work on sustainable agriculture, and support of facilities within the greenhouse gives us the resources to make discoveries happen on a larger and faster scale,” Swaminathan said. “The naming of the Alabama Farmers Federation Grow Room greatly advances my laboratory’s research on the role of perennial grasses in sustainable farming practices and the development of renewable resources.

“This gift puts us one step closer to identifying cleaner farming practices that will positively impact the state of Alabama and the world around us.”

HudsonAlpha’s greenhouse includes two cutting-edge molecular

laboratories, a bioinformatics lab, a long-term temperature- and humidityregulated seed storage vault, and access to a 2-acre research field. It’s the only greenhouse in the U.S. housing these advanced features under one roof.

HudsonAlpha’s Plant Center, where the greenhouse is located, harnesses the power of genomics to solve the agricultural challenges Federation members face. Uniting the expertise of five HudsonAlpha faculty members, the Plant Center works to identify more sustainable farming practices and create agriculturally significant crops that are drought- and disease-resistant.

“By unlocking the hidden potential of plants, HudsonAlpha is helping farmers increase productivity, improve efficiency and withstand challenges from disease, pests and weather,” Pinyan said. “HudsonAlpha is the new frontier in agricultural research, and we are proud to partner with them on this next journey in agricultural research.”

From left are Alabama Farmers Federation Area 1 Organization Director Barrett Gilbert; Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan; HudsonAlpha Director of Educational Outreach Dr. Neil Lamb; Federation North Area Vice President Rex Vaughn; Greenhouse Manager Jason Bunn; and HudsonAlpha Vice President for Economic Development Carter Wells.

Alabama Farmers Federation leaders toured HudsonAlpha’s state-of-the-art greenhouse research facilities in late 2022, including integral rooms named in the organization’s honor.

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Down To Earth: Alabama Farmers Sustain For The Future

By Maggie Edwards

Farmers and timber landowners work with the future in mind.

“I love knowing that my three kids watch calves be born and see the fish grow every year,” said Hale County farmer Townsend Kyser. “Farming is a great way for me and my wife, Kelly, to raise Laura, Will and Sam. It allows them to see what it takes for this world to work. My hope is that they are proud to grow up on the farm.”

Farmers like Kyser use forwardthinking practices to reduce inputs, raise yields, produce healthy and sustainable products, and ensure their children have resources needed to steward the land, too.

“As the population continues to expand, it makes the job for farmers harder and harder,” said Kyser, an Alabama Farmers Federation State Catfish Committee member. “We have more people to feed and less land to do it on.”

In the early 1980s, growers in Alabama’s Black Belt Region started raising catfish. It’s become a thriving industry and secured family farms for the next generation.

Kyser is a third-generation catfish and cattle farmer who farms with his

brother, Ashley, and father, Bill. Their family realizes the important role the fourth generation will play in feeding a growing world.

“We have spent a lot of time and money investing toward the future,” Kyser said. “We have tried to increase production so that if the fish industry stays viable, we can be a part of it. We have tried to rebuild our ponds, so we can be in the business forever.”

The Kysers invested in technology to put automated oxygen meters in every pond, which helps aerating paddlewheels run more efficiently. They also added oxygen probes and are rebuilding levees to alleviate issues.

Gleaning ideas about more efficient, sustainable growing practices is one reason Kyser and fellow farmer David Lee join grassroots organizations like the Federation.

Continuing education programs abound, too. Beef Quality Assurance teaches cattlemen best management practices; seasonal workshops help poultry farmers manage Alabama’s temperature swings; the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association helps landowners improve Alabama’s timber land; and pesticide applicator courses improve growing season success for row crop farmers.

The time and financial investment will pay dividends for years, said Lee, who serves on the Federation’s State Beef Committee.

“I love what I do because my kids love to jump in the truck and go with me to work cattle,” Lee said. “My kids are already thinking about ways to improve the operation.”

Lee and his wife, Julie, have four children — Savannah, Kaiya, Darah and Tucker. They own Trinity Farms, a custom meat operation where they directmarket animals.

“We invest in resources and infrastructure to keep our operation moving into a good direction to sustain our farm,” Lee said. “I believe my children are being set up with a successful foundation because of the work we do right now.”

Lee’s Lowndes County pastures are surrounded by timber — as is much of Alabama, which has 23 million acres of timber land.

Since the 1950s, Alabama forest landowners have planted more trees than they’ve cut. According to the Alabama Forest Inventory Analysis, 1.56 trees are planted for every tree harvested.

That’s a huge investment in the future, said Jackson County forester

The Kyser family is raising the fourth generation of agriculturalists on their farm in Hale County. From left are patriarch Bill, Laura, Townsend, Sam, Kelly and Will Kyser. They raise cattle and catfish in Greensboro.

Scott Woodall.

“As a steward and resource professional, we have an obligation to practice sustainable forestry,” Woodall said. “Landowners own the land, but they are borrowing it from kids and grandkids. Without forest management, you don’t have that sustainability.”

Woodall helps operate his family business, WW Lumber, with support from wife Angie, son Adrian and daughter Megan.

“Landowners are proactive in their approach to sustainability,” Woodall said. “We have streamside management zones that try to mitigate disturbance around streams and creeks. We do not want to hurt water quality.”

That sustainability-centric mindset fuels agriculture and forestry — and leaders like Kyser, Lee and Woodall see the benefit in protecting resources for future generations.

“Stewardship comes from attachment to the land,” Woodall said. “It is important to work hard and carry out that legacy for years to come.”

Visit DownToEarthAL.com to learn more.

Lowndes County cattle farmer David Lee and son Tucker spend their days together on the family’s farm. Tucker often helps his father feed and work cattle on their operation, which directly markets animals to other families across Alabama.

Inaugural Events Underscore Leaders’ Commitment To Serving Alabama

With their left hand on a Bible and right hand raised toward heaven, elected officials, including Gov. Kay Ivey, took oaths of office Jan. 16 in Montgomery, pledging to uphold the Constitution and serve Alabama well.

Joining Ivey on the Capitol steps were fellow leaders Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve

Marshall, Secretary of State Wes Allen, Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate, State Treasurer Young Boozer and State Auditor Andrew Sorrell.

Public Service Commission (PSC) and State Board of Education (SBE) members were also sworn in. PSC Commissioners Jeremy Oden and Chip

Beeker were inaugurated, while SBE members taking oaths of office included Marie Manning, Dr. Wayne Reynolds, Dr. Yvette Richardson and Tracie West.

Inaugural festivities spanned the weekend and included the Swearing-In Ceremony, Inaugural Parade, Made In Alabama Reception featuring many Alabama commodities and Inaugural

The

Gov. Kay Ivey

“We have a busy, productive and full four years in front of us. Let us work together, and let’s not waste a single moment. We will keep Alabama working, and as a team, we will ensure that our best days are yet to come.”

alfafarmers.org

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth

“We must retain our best and brightest talent by attracting the jobs and opportunities that allow our children, our grandchildren and their children after them to work, to prosper and succeed as never before, right here in sweet home Alabama.”

Attorney General Steve Marshall

“If we are to win this fight and to preserve everything Alabama holds so dear, we can’t sit back and rest on our defenses. We must have a united frontline that’s advancing our cause, not just defending it. And that frontline is you, because in our republican government, it’s the people who hold the power.”

Secretary of State Wes Allen

“As I work to serve the hardworking men and women across our state, I will never forget that the people of Alabama have entrusted me to help their families, friends and neighbors as they embark on their journey to achieve the American dream. We are blessed to live in a nation where the impossible is probable, and in Alabama, we make turning the impossible into reality look easy.”

Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate

“I am so honored to be here. Being commissioner of agriculture is such a great and wonderful job and responsibility. My family and I are humbled by this opportunity.”

Treasurer Young Boozer

“Benjamin Franklin said, ‘Well done is better than well said.’ I get the point. It is better to over-deliver than over-promise. The Treasurer’s Office will continue to do what needs to be done, and it will be well done.”

State Auditor Andrew Sorrell

“We will track the $1.3 billion of taxpayer property and hold accountable those who steal from you. We will be responsive to your emails and phone calls. And I will take great care to appoint Board of Registrars members who will be professional, hardworking and ensure election integrity, because trust in elections is the bedrock of a constitutional republic.”

Gala. That’s in addition to an Inaugural Breakfast for Pate, hosted by the Alabama Farmers Federation and other state agriculture organizations.

Alabama Farmers Federation helped host an Inaugural Breakfast for Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate, right. He’s pictured with Federation board member John Bert East of Cherokee County.

Extension Researchers Taking Whitetail Deer Damage Head-On

By Katie Nichols

Row crop farmers have turned to Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) researchers for answers as whitetail deer caused approximately $10.9 billion in damage across the state in 2022. Farmers are frustrated, but ACES Entomologist Scott Graham and Regional Extension Agent Eddie McGriff have been working on a solution.

If their promising research proves beneficial, planting a sunn hemp trap crop one month before planting cotton may be the solution farmers need.

The Problem

“Alabama is blessed with a diverse landscape, from the sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast to the Appalachian Mountains in Jackson County,” Graham said. “However, much of this landscape results in smaller fields. The average cotton field is 21 acres.”

Graham said small fields are safe havens for evening feeding and are often surrounded by woods on at least three sides. Deer can damage thousands of seedlings in a single evening. The ACES crops team conducted a survey with farmers to better understand Alabama’s row crop deer damage. Fifty-eight farmers responded.

Graham said the survey found 37,750 acres were affected in Alabama in 2022 — an average of 317 per

surveyed farmer.

“For reference, the U.S. Department of Agriculture State Agriculture Overview reported an average farm size of 213 acres in 2021,” Graham said. “This issue is widespread and consistent. Ninety-five percent of respondents said deer are a problem every year.”

Farmers are trying many different control methods, but none provide lasting or complete control. Permits that allow culling nuisance deer in fields during the growing season are helpful but do not prevent deer from damaging crops. Other options are not feasible because of affordability or effectiveness.

A Promising Solution

McGriff has had success planting sunn hemp as a buffer or border trap crop. Sunn hemp is a summer legume with prolific growth, even under intense deer pressure.

A demonstration in Cherokee County produced positive results in 2021. McGriff and farmer Nick McMichen planted a 40-foot trap crop border of sunn hemp on the entry end of a field with consistent and crippling deer damage. Around two acres of cotton were lost, as deer fed primarily in the sunn hemp.

During the 2022 season, McGriff conducted research with Mike Tate in Meridianville.

“Mike planted sunn hemp at the same time as he planted his

cotton,” McGriff said. “While it did provide a buffer during the growing season, the sunn hemp wasn’t established before the cotton was in the ground.”

His research shows for sunn hemp to work as a trap crop, it must be planted before the cash crop so it’s growing and attractive to deer while cotton is establishing.

Future research will explore the addition of an electric fence, ideal border size as a single deterrent and ideal border size when combined with an electric fence.

Measurable Deer Damage

In 2022, deer caused economic damage on

17,653 acres of cotton

10,490 acres of soybeans

4,987 acres of peanuts

3,915 acres of corn

Other crops with notable damage included sweet potatoes, grain sorghum, wheat and rye. Injured crop acreage for secondary crops totaled 705 acres, per survey results.

Alfa® team members donate their time to serve others and grow relationships.

Communities are built by those who work TOGETHER.

RECIPES

The cookbook I am holding is old. It is every hometown recipe book you’ve ever seen. Spiral bound, thick, stained, and there is a sketch on the cover featuring stately oaks draping over a shaded street.

These recipes are American history, in standard measurement form.

I once knew an old Sunday school teacher who made buttermilk pie that made grown men loosen their neckties. Once, at a Fourth of July supper, she gave me a slice and told me:

“God wants all his children to be a little soft in the middle.”

This particular cookbook comes from the Brewton Civic League. The recipes are everything you need to find a happy life.

Cheese grits, Squirrel D’ete, Congealed Cantaloupe Salad, mint juleps, Miss Paula’s pickled shrimp, and Coca-Cola salad.

None use “margarine,” but “Oleo.” Here, you find the secret to perfect fried chicken — peanut oil and Jesus.

Measurements are open to interpretation. A “handful” here, a “passel” there. A “dash,” a “pinch,” a “dusting,” a “touch.”

Also, there are a dozen variations of chicken-broccoli casserole. The only discernible differences are varying amounts of cheese.

I have a long history with homemade cookbooks. In fact, the article you’re reading was typed on a manual typewriter that once typed a similar

cookbook. Many moons ago, I typed 418 recipes using only my index fingers. The recipes were fed through a Xerox machine in the church office.

The finished recipes were placed into position based on pure favoritism, according Mrs. Bellmaker.

Long ago, recipes were not handed down to us by former celebrities with cooking shows. Our recipes came from white-haired oracles who knew how to pronounce “ambrosia” and could make white barbecue sauce blindfolded.

These women transformed cholesterol and flour into miracles and used simple ingredients to cure everything from malaria to a broken heart.

Freely, they leave their wisdom in nondescript cookbooks, similar to the one I am holding.

It belongs to my wife but sits above our oven for quick reference. Time has faded the cover. Inside is the key to happiness, love, life, and the pathway to type-2 diabetes.

I flipped through the pages before writing this. Triple Orange Ambrosia, Red Beans and Rabbit, Miss Genie’s Crack-a-Lackin’ Cheese Biscuits, Miss Ruby Hagood’s Old-Fashioned Tea Cakes.

I will never taste them all, but I can hold them in my hand and think of matriarchs who are on the other side. These are not just old recipes. They are proof God wants his children a little soft in the middle. ■

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.

Davis Moves To New Role Serving Wiregrass Farmers

Afamiliar face for Wiregrass farmers has taken on a new role in the Alabama Farmers Federation. Jacob Davis, who spent nearly four years as Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) executive director, became the Federation’s Area 8 Organization director Feb. 6.

“I’ve enjoyed working with and for Alabama peanut farmers,” Davis said. “And that’s not going to change. Now, I’ll just be working with more commodities and more people. Meeting and serving our people well is what I enjoy.”

As Area 8 director, Davis will serve as a liaison between the Federation’s Montgomery home office and farmers in Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties.

He will join nine counterparts across the state visiting county leaders to build

strong relationships; bringing county concerns to the state level; surfacing legislative candidates; strengthening the bond between Alfa Insurance and the Federation; and recruiting leaders for Young Farmers and Women’s Leadership committees.

“Jacob is a longtime friend of the Federation, and his skill set will be invaluable to farmers in Area 8,” said Federation Organization Department Director Matthew Durdin. “He gets our people. We’re excited to have Jacob join our team and continue serving Alabama farmers.”

During his tenure at APPA, an affiliate of the Federation, Davis monitored federal policy impacting peanut farmers; oversaw promotions for Alabama-grown peanuts; worked on research projects with stakeholders;

and managed day-to-day operations in APPA’s Dothan office. The association’s retail peanut sales grew by 433% under his leadership.

Davis is a two-time Auburn University graduate in agriscience technology education. He taught agriscience for 10 years before joining the Alabama State Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education Section in 2004, first as an education specialist and then as education administrator, where he worked with the state FFA officer team. He retired in 2019.

Throughout his career, Davis has cultivated experience serving on committees that he’ll now source involvement for, including the Alabama Farm-City Committee, Alabama Ag In The Classroom Steering Committee and other influential statewide entities. Davis and his wife, Sonna, have one son, Jaken, a freshman at AU. They attend Fairview Baptist Church in Samson.

Davis

Rural Alabama The Focus Of New Economic Growth Initiative

Rural Alabama is poised to benefit from a new initiative cultivating long-term, sustainable economic growth through agricultural investments.

The AgTech Initiative received a boon through a $500,000 appropriation from the Alabama Legislature to implement its strategy in 2023.

“Our goal is to identify Alabama’s real, meaningful strengths that many people can intuitively mention but don’t have the numbers to back up,” said Greg Barker, president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA). “From a statistical perspective, we need that validation to bring business in, permeate our strategy and help the people of Alabama.”

EDPA is tasked with implementing the AgTech Initiative’s three strategies: confirm agriculture and forestry’s economic impact, address gaps in the agricultural supply chain and commercialize agriculture-related technologies in Alabama.

“Economic opportunities are

tremendous today,” said Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate. “We need to open our eyes and see things we can capitalize on and improve to help farmers and agribusinesses.”

This year, EDPA will work with partners to conduct an economic impact study of agriculture and forestry. The last study in 2012 showed the industries’ impact was over $70 billion annually.

It’s critical to confirm those numbers have risen, even as farmers battle labor shortages and rising input costs, said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. The Chilton County cattle farmer, whose family is also in the timber business, said the state’s strength is found in its grassroots.

“Agriculture and forestry are in all 67 counties. We think that’s important,” Parnell said. “A lot of our counties are losing population, we have a few growing amazingly, and then some are stagnant. It’s incredibly important for us to bring growth to rural parts of the state, and we believe ag and forestry

ALFA

ALFA

ALFA

investments will achieve that goal. This is a step in that direction.”

The AgTech Initiative will also delve into the forces driving revenue in rural communities and discover ways to enhance existing agribusinesses through technology, infrastructure investments and innovative labor solutions.

Findings will be available in 2024.

JANUARY 31, 2023

Policyholder Annual Meeting and Record Dates

RESOLVED, that the 2023 Annual Meeting of Members of the Company shall be held on March 27, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. at the executive offices of the Company in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to give notice of same by publishing such notice in Neighbors magazine.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that February 6, 2023, at the close of business be and the same is hereby fixed as the record date for determining Members entitled to notice and to vote at said Meeting.

From left are Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell; EDPA board member Jimmy Sanford; Alabama Senate Ag Committee Chair David Sessions, R-Grand Bay; and Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate.

Shiitake Happens: Growing Mushrooms In Alabama

By Rhonda Britton

Gardening can go beyond just planting a standard vegetable garden. Growing mushrooms can add variety to gardens and the dinner plate. With time and a little patience, shiitake (she-TAH-kee) mushrooms are an excellent choice for growing fresh mushrooms. They are good to eat and provide a wonderful source of protein, vitamins B and D, and trace minerals. Shiitake mushrooms are also low in fat and calories and have been proven to reduce cholesterol.

Key Terms

When growing shiitake mushrooms, there are a few key words to understand. The living fungal culture is called spawn, and when grown in a substrate of hardwood sawdust, it is called mycelium

The mycelium is the part of the fungus consisting of threadlike tubes that consume and feed off the substrate.

In gardening terms, this mycelium is the equivalent to seeds for traditional garden vegetables. Inoculation is the process of introducing the mushroom mycelium to the log or hardwood sawdust.

Growing Options

To produce shiitakes at home, you need a medium on which to grow the mushrooms. The easiest option is to purchase hardwood sawdust blocks in special, sterilized bags that keep contaminates out. These blocks are already inoculated with spawn from a reputable grower. Shiitake mushrooms can be grown indoors on sawdust blocks year-round with little effort.

Another option — and much slower method — is growing shiitake mushrooms on hardwood logs. Patience is key if choosing to grow shiitake mushrooms on logs indoors or outdoors because it’s a much more involved process.

You need a drill, drill bit, inoculating

tool, camping stove with a cast iron pot, metal baster or paint brush, and wax to seal inoculation holes and ends of the logs. The best log for shiitake mushroom production is white oak. You can leave these logs outside so Mother Nature can allow the mycelium to consume the log and produce mushrooms.

Water is important when growing mushrooms on logs. Unless it rains, you will need to water the log weekly. As a general rule, when you water outdoor plants and the garden, give the log a drink. Estimate if the log needs water by picking it up to see how light its color is. If the log is lighter in color, water it.

More Information

Luckily, Alabama is home to several reputable mushroom producers who can provide additional instruction. You can also contact an Alabama Cooperative Extension System home grounds agent at aces.edu for in-depth information.

Welcome back, friends! This month’s recipes are all about bread, and each one will have you turning out some of the most delicious versions of the easiest bread recipes around. In fact, these all begin with store-bought bread in some form, so they are perfect for busy families or those of us who just want more time to enjoy with our loved ones.

Leading the pack is an amped-up classic, Cinnamon Toast. Your first thought was most likely, “Who needs a recipe for cinnamon toast?” Trust me when I say this is honestly the best cinnamon toast you’ll ever eat. The trick that makes this so different from any other cinnamon toast lies in making a paste of sorts with softened butter, cinnamon, sugar and just a pinch of salt. This paste gets spread over the bread and baked. It’s important to get that buttery goodness all the way to the edges of the bread, because after you

bake it for a while, you’re also going to broil it. Getting that butter spread to the edges helps keep the bread from burning under the broiler. Broiling it gets the sugar all caramelized, bubbly and crunchy — almost like the torched sugar topping on creme brûlée. I seriously had to stop in the middle of writing this and make a batch. It’s just that good!

Coming in second is a standout Garlic Bread. This is a staple on most family tables and is simple to make, but if you ever want to kick it up 10 notches or so, all it takes is a few extra minutes. By adding freshly minced garlic to melted butter along with your seasonings, you’ll end up with garlic bread that will quickly take on the starring role of your entire meal.

Rounding things out is a recipe from a beloved Alabama Farmers Federation family member, Jan Parker of St. Clair County. I’m sharing her recipe for

Tomato Focaccia

By Jan Parker, St. Clair County

Prep Time Cook Time Servings

10 mins 10 to 12 mins 4

Ingredients

1 (13.8-ounce) can Pillsbury Classic Pizza Crust

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tomatoes or 4 Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Heat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.

Place crust on the cookie sheet, flatten to fit and brush with olive oil. Top with tomato slices. Sprinkle with cheese, oregano and sea salt.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until nicely browned.

delicious Tomato Focaccia from back in July 2015. You’re going to love this recipe, and it sure doesn’t hurt that it begins with a Pillsbury pizza crust! From the first time I saw this recipe, I knew it was going to be a hit, and I certainly was not disappointed. Using the pizza crust is such a smart shortcut, and I’m already dreaming up different variations on her recipe.

No matter what you’re serving, a basket of warm bread just makes the meal. I hope you’ll enjoy these new ways to make old standards even more special. Until next month, may your days be filled with delicious meals shared with people you cherish. Y’all 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.

Best Cinnamon Toast Ever

5 mins 15 mins 4 slices

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter, well softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

4 slices bread

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 F. In a small bowl, combine butter, sugar, cinnamon and salt.

Spread mixture evenly over one side of each of the 4 pieces of bread, being sure to cover all the way up to the edges of the bread.

Place bread on a baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes on the center rack of the preheated oven.

Next, leaving toast on the center rack, turn the broiler on. Broil until it is deep golden brown and sugar is bubbling. Watch carefully to prevent it from burning.

Slice in halves, if desired, and serve.

The Best Garlic Bread

15 mins 15 mins 8

Ingredients

1 (14- to 16-ounce) loaf soft French bread (not baguette)

3/4 cup unsalted butter

4 large cloves garlic, finely minced (about 2 tablespoons minced)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

Instructions

Heat oven to 400 F and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Slice loaf of bread in half lengthwise and place the pieces, cut side up, on the prepared pan.

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Once melted, add garlic, and remove from heat. Allow garlic to steep in butter about 3 minutes. Add salt and parsley. Stir to combine.

Use a spoon or pastry brush to coat cut sides of the bread with garlic butter. Bake 15 minutes or until edges are golden brown. For extra crispiness, place under the broiler 2 to 3 minutes, watching very carefully. Slice and serve warm.