Neighbors Magazine, April 2018 by Alabama Farmers Federation

MOO...VERS & SHAKERS

Our farmers help feed cattle, catfish, poultry and horses, too.

WHEAT & FEED GRAIN PRODUCERS

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VOLUME 43,

NUMBER 4

A Membership Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation

April 2018

_____________________________________

Debra Davis, Editor Mike Moody, 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 Dean Wysner, Vice President/Central, Woodland George Jeffcoat, Vice President/Southeast, Gordon Jake Harper, Vice President/Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn, Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Brian Glenn, Hillsboro Donald Hodge, New Market Donald Sewell, Southside Rickey Cornutt, Boaz Joe Anders, Northport Phillip Hunter, Chelsea Joe Lambrecht, Wetumpka Meador Jones, Gallion Bill Cook, Montgomery Steve Stroud, Goshen Sammy Gibbs, Atmore Chris Carroll, Ariton Debbie Roberts, Fayette Ben Maples, Elkmont

In This Issue

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.

Young Farmers Conference

Farm Of Distinction Finalists

14 Logs Get A Second Life

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Neighbors, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001.

19 A Soybean Welcome 20 Committed To Cotton

MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES: , 800-392-5705, Option 4 or BWatkins@alfafarmers.org

28 Popular Pecan Recipes

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com

On The Cover

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

A member of American Farm Bureau Federation April 2018

Deese Custom Sawmill owner John Frank Deese prepares a giant black walnut log destined to become furniture in a customer’s home. Photo by Debra Davis

Trying to grow your business? Advertise in neighbors magazine Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com 3

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Bama’s Best And Brightest Young Farmers Flock To Annual Conference By Marlee Moore

arm tours headlined the program as Alabama’s best and brightest burgeoning farmers gathered in Montgomery March 2-3 for the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 2018 Young Farmers Conference. Buses carrying nearly 400 young farmers branched across central and southeast Alabama Saturday for tours, a popular feature back for its second year, said State Young Farmers Committee Chair Ben Maples.

Nearly 400 young farmers and family members gathered in Montgomery for the 2018 Young Farmers Conference March 2-3.

“There’s no better way to improve your farm than by learning from outstanding farmers who have a wealth of experience,” said Limestone County’s Maples. “This was our largest conference in 25 years, and we’re grateful seasoned leaders took time to educate these producers. I took away ideas to incorporate onto our cattle farm and hope the others did, too.”

Three buses headed west to Dallas County, where attendees netted knowledge at Pearce Catfish Farm. They dined on Southern comfort food at the Orrville Farmer’s Market before wrapping up at Bell Place Farm, Jamie and

Farms tours branched across central and southeast Alabama during the Young Farmers Conference March 3. Tours ranged from cattle to catfish and from forestry to horticulture. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

April 2018

Wendy Yeager’s row crop operation. Another tour featured east Alabama agriculture, starting with Robertson/Lanier & McKay Cattle Co. in Chambers County. Attendees next stopped at Auburn University’s National Poultry Technology Center before visiting greenhouses at Young’s Plant Farm in Lee County. Parkman Land & Cattle Co. kicked off an additional in Montgomery County. Attendees then journeyed south to Pike County where they visited Gene and Jana Renfroe’s TREASURE Forest near Troy and finished their day at Steve Stroud’s poultry and hay farm in Goshen. “Farm tours are beneficial because we see people who are ahead of us in their career path and progressiveness,” said Lee County Young Farmers Chair Daniel

Mullenix, who works for Agri-AFC and owns a beef cattle operation. “The value of a conference like this is the relationships you form, too. The Farmers Federation tries to help us become better stewards of what we have been given and further our careers in agriculture.” 2018 Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) finalists were named during the closing banquet of the conference. They are Chad and Heather Grant of Butler County, Gannon and Kristin Nunley of Franklin County and Chris and Jordyn Upchurch of Clay County. Finalists received a Traeger grill and will compete for more than $70,000 in prizes during on-farm judging this summer. The 2018 OYFF will be named at the Federation’s 46th Commodity Producers Conference in Montgomery Aug. 4.

OYFF division winners were Josh and Amanda Slaughter of Shelby County, Beef Division; Luke Smelley of Hale County, Catfish Division; Jonathan and Sara Sanders of Coffee County, Peanut Division; Ben and Jessica Johnson of DeKalb County, Soybean Division; and Jamie and Lindsey Roberts of DeKalb County, Wheat & Feed Grain Division. The Grants also won the Poultry Division. The conference also included an auction that raised $10,830 for the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation and entertainment by a dueling piano show. Social media photo contest winners were Noel Welch of Lee County, Abbie Keel of Calhoun County and Michelle Bufkin of Lee County. For more photos, visit the Federation’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. n

Josh & Amanda Slaughter, Beef Division

Luke Smelley, Catfish Division

Jonathan & Sara Sanders, Peanut Division

Ben & Jessica Johnson, Soybean Division

Jamie & Lindsey Roberts, Wheat & Feed Grain Division

Chris & Jordyn Upchurch, OYFF Finalist

Gannon & Kristin Nunley, OYFF Finalist

Chad & Heather Grant, Poultry Winner & OYFF Finalist

April 2018

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Relationships That Pay Dividends.

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From left , Ben and Whitney Haynes and their children Charlie, Lola Kate and Jack; Lydia and Darrel Haynes; and Bart Haynes.

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FAR M

B A L A -CIT

Contest Recognizes State's Distinctive Farms

ard work, innovation and stewardship are common traits among six unusual farms vying for the title of Alabama Farm of Distinction at the Alabama Farm-City Awards program April 5 in Birmingham. The winner will receive more than $20,000 in cash and prizes and will represent Alabama in the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest at the Sunbelt Ag Expo Oct. 16-18. Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms said this year’s winner will receive an even

Greg and Diane Hamner

Clemmons & Hamner Seed Farms

Greg Hamner has spent a lifetime growing seeds. For 26 years, he cultivated the hearts and minds of students as a April 2018

bigger prize package, thanks to Register Barns. “Jeff Register started building pole barns while in high school as a project for 4-H and FFA in 1990,” Helms said. “Twenty-six years later, he operates one of the most respected custom building companies in the Southeast. "Last fall, he contacted the Alabama Farm-City Committee about sponsoring the Farm of Distinction program and has committed to build a 40-by-60' pole barn for our winner.” Alabama’s Farm of Distinction winner also receives a John Deere

teacher while helping run the family seed-cleaning business. Seven members of the Hamner and Clemmons families, including Greg's wife, Diane, work together in Lauderdale County — preserving heritage grain varieties and striving for improvements in all they do. “Everything we produce is for seed,” Hamner said. Although the family business started as a service to local farmers, the 2,000-acre farm now grows and cleans soybeans and grain for everything from grist mills to hunting preserves. “We produce multiple GMO, 7

Gator, courtesy of AgPro, TriGreen and SunSouth dealers; a $1,000 gift certificate from Alabama Farmers Cooperative (AFC); an engraved farm sign from Alfa Insurance; and $2,500 as the state’s representative at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Each finalist receives a $250 gift certificate from AFC and an engraved plaque. Judges Grace Ellis of the Alabama FFA Foundation, Dorman Grace of TriGreen and former Alabama Farmers Federation Commodity Director Jim Cravey visited the farms Feb. 21-22.

as well as non-GMO, crops of soybeans, corn, wheat, triticale and grain sorghum in the form of wildlife game food," Hamner said. “We do 13 varieties of non-GMO open-pollinated seed corn.” Hamner said growing seed grain and top-quality Angus breeding stock is a lot like teaching school. It’s all about building on agriculture’s legacy while preparing for the future. “We've been blessed my entire life by being involved in agriculture because it's something about that attachment to the soil that always brings out the very best and the honesty in people,” Hamner said. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Leavellwood Lodge Trey Montgomery of Greene County could see Leavellwood Lodge before anyone else. Standing atop a rocky hillside overlooking an eroded ravine, he envisioned a farm where natural resources were carefully managed for wildlife and outdoor recreation. “God gave me a special talent to see raw land, and imagine what it could be when managed for its highest and best use,” Montgomery said. “We’ve been really fortunate to be stewards of this land.” Today, Leavellwood spans close to 5,000 acres and is known as a

premier destination for deer, turkey and dove hunting as well as bass fishing. The lodge sleeps up to 20 in two buildings. Trey and wife Pam provide everything their guests need — from home-cooked meals to hunting guides. The Montgomerys' guest list includes Trey and Pam Montgomery outdoor enthusiasts from 40 states and even overseas, but some of terminally ill kids in here and their favorite visitors are those host their families?” Montgomery they host for free. said. “For the last eight-10 years “We’ve always wanted to we’ve hosted wounded warriors, give back to our community, and and it’s just been tremendous.” what better way than to bring

ALA

DeLoach Farms

M A A B

M R

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harvested it with a one-row ear snapper and a dump truck I built out of scrap material.” Today, the 1,325-acre farm includes 375 acres of cotton, 250 acres of soybeans, 200 acres of wheat and 150 acres of hay. DeLoach Farms also boasts some of the highest yields in the area. DeLoach’s land management plan includes 20 acres of improved wetlands where he regulates water levels to provide food and habitat for waterfowl. His future plans include adding honeybees, a vineyard and agritourism with the help of son Jess.

When most teenage boys were chasing girls and cruising the town, John DeLoach was rounding up calves and hauling hay. “I was 13 when my grandfather passed away,” he recalled. "Grandma talked about selling the farm, but I told her I’d come every day after school to help. At 16, when I graduated high school, I pretty much took over running the farm.” Twenty-six years later, DeLoach and wife Kate have one of the most productive row crop operations in Shelby County. They admit, however, transforming the farm wasn’t easy. “The first year I planted 30 acres of corn with a two-row planter,” he said. “I had no idea what Jess, Kate and John DeLoach I was doing. I

Y T CI

April 2018

Adams Farms Thomas Adams believes in making the most of his farmland. “I believe that all land needs a purpose. First and foremost, I'd like to grow peanuts or cotton,” he said. “If it's not conducive to that, we’ll grow forage to feed our cows. If it's not suited for hay, we would like to graze cattle on it. And if it's not good for grazing, it needs a tree on it. Every acre of land needs to produce something.” That philosophy has helped Thomas and wife Farrah grow

Tyler and Madison Sanders

Sanders Farms Tyler Sanders started driving a tractor at age 10, and he hasn’t looked back.

Penala Farms Penala Farms in Sumter County is a testament to the resilience of farmers. Conceived as a peach and pecan operation, the land later was home to a sheep herd and feed mill. Today, Sid and Susan Nelson produce catfish and beef on the family farmstead. “My grandfather and grandmother bought this farm in 1912 and moved from Pennsylvania,” Nelson said. “I joined my dad in the operation in 1970, and I feel it's my privilege to pass it along to future April 2018

their family business in Henry County to almost 2,000 acres, including 1,500 acres of crops, 100 beef cows and four poultry houses. “Last year, we had 850 acres of peanuts and 750 acres of cotton, and the remainder was in small grains or hayfields,” Adams said. “In 2016, we added four poultry houses to our farm. It has been a great asset to our farm.” Adams also is working to expand on-farm irrigation. Since 2011, he’s brought water to 200 acres with a goal of irrigating half of his cotton and peanut land. He

“When I graduated high school, I had an accounting scholarship. So I went to a local college for about a year,” Sanders said. “But when my grandmother got sick, it gave me the opportunity to come back to the farm, and I've been farming here ever since.” Today, Tyler and wife Madison farm in Houston County with his father and uncle. It’s a multigenerational farm focused on row crops, cattle and poultry. “This past year, we had about 2,000 acres of peanuts that yielded about 3,600 pounds per acre, and

generations.” Each year, the Nelsons harvest about 1.5 million pounds of catfish while caring for almost 300 commercial brood cows. They also sell pecans from what was once a 700-tree orchard. Catfish, however, is the family’s main focus. “We built our first ponds in 1980, and the first crop was in 1981,” Nelson said. “That was five ponds, or about 60 acres of water. Today, we have 220 acres in ponds.” In all, the farm covers more than 2,000 acres. The Nelsons’ historic home — filled with 9

Thomas and Farrah Adams

also would like to add two more poultry houses, which would provide additional fertilizer for the cropland.

I had about 500 acres of cotton that yielded about 800 pounds per acre,” he said. The Sanderses also raise chicken for Wayne Farms, which ends up on the menu at places like Chick-fil-A. “We needed a little bit more income from somewhere, and I thought having chicken houses would be a good income,” Sanders said. “We had two built and are in the process of building two more.” When not helping on the farm, Madison works at the local farmers co-op.

Sid and Susan Nelson

antiques dating back to the turn of the century — overlooks ponds teeming with catfish. “In 1981, we were stocking 1,500 fish per acre,” Nelson said. “Now, the normal stocking rate is 6,000-9,000 per acre.” n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

By Sean Dietrich, Sean of the South

ast week, I met a high school science teacher from Boston. He sat at the bar, slurping oysters, speaking with a voice loud enough to qualify as a long-distance phone call. After he’d worked up a good glow, he announced, “Hey, you know what? You Southern folks aren’t as bad as I thought.” This gathered confused looks. “Yep,” he added. “I always thought Southerners were uneducated racists, with FryDaddies in their kitchen.” The bar fell silent. Even Cheryl, the bartender, who graduated from University of Alabama with a doctorate, got quiet. “Jeezus Bryant,” said the man beside me. “What does my FryDaddy have to do with anything?” This kind of notion is increasingly common above the Mason Dixon line, and it’s nothing short of sad. One study found an overwhelming percentage of Americans perceive Southern accents as unintelligent. And it doesn’t stop there. They also think Southerners are racist, sexist and overweight. Well, son of a biscuit. I don’t care what you’ve heard. We aren’t a bunch of dull sticks in the knife drawer. We’re every bit as sharp as your grandaddy’s pocket knife — and leave our FryDaddies out of this.

How about some statistics? Eighty percent of Southerners graduate high school. And most of us go to college. In fact, University of Alabama can’t keep up with all their students; they erect a new building every 120 days. And racism? Well, we can’t deny that it’s here. But it’s also everywhere else. Don’t believe me? According to one 2016 survey, among the highestranking racist U.S. cities are Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and (drumroll please) Boston. Furthermore, if Northerners look down on Southerners because they talk funny, why not Canadians, too? Those fellas pronounce everything wrong. Look, I’m sorry fried chicken livers rub you wrong, or that my Uncle Frank still breeds prize-winning hogs. And I’m sorry folks dislike tobacco farmers, hunters and church ladies. These folks obviously never met my Aunt Eulah. She’s sweet as cane syrup. Down here, we have some real genius. Artists, engineers, authors, pioneers, social activists, Nick Saban, Derrick Henry, Cam Newton and Herschel Walker. We’re not bucktoothed woman-haters. And we’re not all prejudice. You want prejudice? Try Boston. If you want hushpuppies, come to our house. I’m about to ﬁre up the FryDaddy.

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THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

Bill Cook

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Bill Cook is many things — husband of 40 years to Marsha, father of two, a twotime grandfather, horticulture expert, businessman and proud preserver of family land. He’s also an Alabama Farmers Federation state board member and former Montgomery County Farmers Federation president. The Cooks attend Montgomery’s First United Methodist Church.

1 2 3 4

What’s your goal as a state board member?

I want to contribute; to be an informed district director who shares information between counties to improve agriculture and the local Federations. I take the responsibility seriously.

Tell us about your career.

I graduated from Auburn and spent 44 years as vice president and general manager of Southern Growers wholesale nursery and greenhouses. I retired on a Friday and was elected to the state board Monday.

How do you manage your property?

We grow pine trees and are planting genetically improved pines on the Wilcox County land my ancestors settled in 1830. It’s a TREASURE Forest and certified Tree Farm that we also manage for wildlife.

In What other organizations are you involved?

I’m a former Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association president and serve on the American Farm Bureau Federation Ag Labor Committee. My son, Reynolds, and I are partners in Southern Lawns, based out of Auburn.

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Sawmill Satisfaction Deese Gives Logs A Second Life By Debra Davis

he work is hot, physically demanding and sometimes dangerous. But John Frank Deese can’t think of much he loves more than the smell of fresh-cut lumber and the roar of a sawmill ripping through trees destined for a second life. “A friend of mine bought a sawmill when he was building his barn, and I was helping him with it. I just fell in love with it right away,” said 33-year-old Deese, who lives in town of Grady in south Montgomery County. Deese bought his first sawmill five years ago when his passion was still a hobby. Since then, the

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strapping outdoorsman has sawn almost a million board feet of lumber used for flooring, fencing, furniture and more. He recently bought a larger, diesel-powered portable sawmill to accommodate a growing clientele. “I had so many customers, it was just more work than I could keep up,” he said. “There’s a lot of hard work even with the larger mill, but production is faster. I can cut more accurate lumber because this sawmill has a computer program to preset cuts.” Easier? Maybe. But still physically demanding. On a recent chilly afternoon, 14

Deese Custom Sawmill owner John Frank Deese loves the beauty of black walnut. This giant log will be used for furniture.

Deese maneuvered a 3,000-pound black walnut log onto the sawmill platform using a cant hook. The curved hook on the end of the stick gripped the bark as Deese shifted his weight forward to roll the log. It took several minutes to get it into position, but once the log was in place, a computerized program and the watchful eye of Deese began peeling back the layers to reveal treasures beneath. “Black walnut is one of my favorites,” he said, brushing sawdust from the log, revealing April 2018

unique streaks of light and dark wood. “You really never know what it’s going to look like until you get into it, and it’s almost always something beautiful.” The thick black walnut slabs easily weighed 200 pounds each and required an extra set of hands to lift from the mill. Customer Zack Mathews said he intends to make a coffee table and end tables for a house he’s building where the tree once stood. Deese’s sawmill customers vary from those with a few pine logs they want sawn into board and batten to big hardwood logs used for furniture. Satisfied customers like Mathews are another rewarding part of the job, Deese said. Seeing someone appreciate the wood from a tree for its sentimental value is hard to describe, he said. “Using wood that’s special regenerates a memory for them every time they see Deese saws a variety of hard and softwood timber used for flooring, fencing, furniture and more. it,” Deese said. say enough good things about For customers the work John Frank does.” Tim and Karen Duncan, that Sawmilling is a busy memory is part of their everyday part-time job for Deese, who life. When they acquired Karen’s has a wildlife biology degree grandfather’s house near Grady, adding on to the 100-year-old house from Auburn University. He works full time as a wildlife presented unique challenges. The biologist for The Whitetail couple wanted an addition that Institute, helping landowners and blended easily with the original hunters with food plots and other structure, including plank floors. “To make room for the addition, deer nutrition products. Deese also is a private wildlife we had to cut down several pine management consultant for trees near the house that were several hunting clubs and private planted by her grandfather,” Tim landowners, and he has a 5-year-old said. “We used the trees to make son, John Parker Deese. the flooring for the addition. We Investing in a larger portable also had a pecan tree from the sawmill is part of Deese's longyard that John Frank made into range plans. Eventually, he’d like to a fireplace mantel for the family own the wood he cuts with hopes room. It’s about eight inches thick, of selling unique, custom pieces for a foot wide and probably 10 feet furniture or home décor. long. It’s a beautiful piece. I can’t April 2018

“I want to sell rough-cut lumber and kiln-dried specialty pieces for fireplace mantels, flooring and tongue-and-groove lumber,” Deese said. “I’m still learning every day, and every time I do it, I learn something new.” See Simply Southern episode 408 featuring Deese Sawmill at SimplySouthernTV.net. Contact Deese at (334) 322-1143‬or P.O. Box 21, Grady, AL 36069. Email him at deesecustomsawmilling@gmail.com or follow Deese Custom Sawmilling on Facebook and Instagram. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

USDA Reports Record-High Corn, Soybean Yields In Alabama By Debra Davis

Production jumped by 810,000 bales, up 15 percent from 2016. The value of the ecord yields for state state’s cotton crop increased soybean and corn as well, from nearly $241 farmers in 2017, million in 2016 to $266 combined with higher million last year. yields for cotton and Farmers harvested 704 peanuts, increased the million pounds of Alabama value of Alabama crops by peanuts last year, up 14 nearly $100 million over percent from 2016. That 2016, according to the U.S. increased the crop’s value by Department of Agriculture nearly $34 million — from (USDA). about $122 million in 2016 Alabama’s 11-percent to $156 million in 2017. increase in crop values bucks Hay production also a national trend, where contributed to the Alabama’s American farmers typically increased crops value. Hay saw a slight decrease in values jumped by nearly $21 the value of last year’s Federation Wheat & Feed Grain, Cotton and Soybean Divisions million from $187 million crops. Alabama’s crop value Director Carla Hornady visited with Talladega County farmer Jeremy in 2016 to $208 million last increased for soybeans, corn, Wilson about his 2017 corn crop last summer. year. cotton, hay and peanuts increased production by 21 percent In addition to favorable weather in 2017, while winter wheat and in 2017, raising the crop’s value by for much of the state last year, cottonseed experienced slight nearly $26.5 million — from $129 on-farm investments like irrigation, declines. million in 2016 to $155.5 million improved seed varieties, new “The increase is good news last year. planting practices and soil analysis for Alabama farmers, but it’s Record-high yields of 167 helped farmers increase their important to remember production bushels per acre for Alabama corn income, Hornady said. costs for farmers also rose,” said in 2017 totaled 39.2 million bushels For more information about the Alabama Farmers Federation’s of the crop, up 4 percent over the Alabama crops, visit USDA’s Carla Hornady. “Farmers previous year. Likewise, the crop’s National Agricultural Statistics experienced lower prices for their value jumped $20 million, from Service at crops in 2017, so they needed increased yields to overcome higher $137 million in 2016 to nearly $157 NASS.usda.gov. n million last year. costs for seed, fertilizer, equipment Alabama farmers planted and labor.” 435,000 acres of cotton last year, Hornady is the Federation’s Soybean, Cotton and Wheat & Feed about 90,000 more than 2016. Grain divisions director. She said farmers invest in research with checkoff dollars to help produce higher yields and control costs. A record-high yield of 46 bushels per acre for Alabama soybeans

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April 2018

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w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

April 2018

State Soybean Farmers Welcome National Checkoff Board By Debra Davis

oybean farmers from across the country were in Alabama’s Port City Feb. 19-23 to discuss nearly $100 million in checkoff funds the United Soybean Board (USB) invests annually. Increased soybean acres in Alabama will soon mean more representation for the state on the 73-member board. Pickens County soybean farmer Annie Dee is Alabama’s USB representative. She recently was appointed to her third, three-year term and was excited to welcome USB members, their spouses and USB contractors to Mobile. She said Alabama will gain a second USB member in December. “The number of state representatives is governed by how many soybean acres your state has (with a limit of four per state),” Dee said. “I’m excited about another representative on the board, and we’re going to start looking for someone to fill that role soon.” Soybean production in Alabama has grown from 185,000 harvested acres in 2007 to 345,000 acres in 2017, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture reports. Dee said the USB’s February meeting focused on annual checkoff-funded strategies. A June meeting will set priorities for spending, and a July meeting will select which projects to fund. “It’s a privilege and honor to represent our state on this committee,” she said. “We are very diligent in how we invest the farmers’ contributions to the checkoff. We take our responsibility seriously to make sure we spend farmers’ dollars wisely.” During her state report, Dee showed the Farming Feeds Alabama video produced by Alabama Soybean Producers. The three-minute video features Alabama soybean farmers sharing their love for farming. Later that evening, Alabama Soybean Producers sponsored a dinner and reception, which included seafood and barbecue. For many USB members, it was their first trip to Alabama. “The weather has been great, the food was delicious, and the reception was so much fun,” said USB Vice Chair Keith Tapp of northwestern Kentucky. “Annie is a great board member. She’s actively engaged on her farm, so she knows the challenges our farmers face. She’s not shy about stepping up to the mic during a meeting to discuss important issues.” Polly Ruhland of St. Louis, Missouri, is USB’s chief executive officer. She said the USB works on farmers’ behalf so they can work on their farm. “Farmers are concentrating on raising soybeans and doing the best job they can on their farm to be profitable,” she said. “USB works for them by focusing on better beans, more customers and promoting soybeans.” n

April 2018

United Soybean Board (USB) Vice Chairman Keith Tapp of Kentucky accepts a box of Alabama-grown products from Alabama USB representative Annie Dee of Pickens County.

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Alabama Extension

Committed To Alabama’s Cotton Farmers By Katie Nichols

rom three-gene cotton to boll weevils, cotton entomologists with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System have been farmers’ allies for Alabama Extension’s current and former entomologists meet almost a century. In the mid-1920s, the monthly for breakfast to discuss life, sports and politics. From left Extension administration hired a fullare Dr. Ron Smith, Extension entomologist from 1972-present; Dr. time cotton entomologist—determined Walter Grimes, Extension entomologist in 1961; and Dr. Roy to equip farmers with help to battle Ledbetter, Extension entomologist from 1962-1979. insect pests. Dr. Paul Mask, Extension’s an insect scouting school. It took off with the assistant director for agriculture, said those guidance of Ron Smith and Roy Ledbetter.” who subsequently served in the role all Dr. Roy Ledbetter, hired in 1962, helped shared a passion for farmers. develop the pest management program from the “These men understood the work they roots up. did could mean the difference in farmers “We began in counties with strong cotton being able to raise a profitable crop,” Mask programs because growers wanted an emphasis said. “They took their jobs seriously and on pest management strategies,” Ledbetter said. changed their research and work to take “Boll weevils and boll worms were prominent, on the insects causing farmers the most so scouts were a great help to farmers.” challenges.” Ledbetter said more than 220 veterinary Alabama Extension hired Jerry Ruffin students and other students scouted 1,500 to as its first cotton entomologist in 1924. 2,000 acres each, earning $1 per acre. Ruffin traveled by train to counties to His major contributions to Alabama cotton educate farmers. His newsletters titled farmers came from a year spent in Washington, “Tales of Insects” live on in the Auburn D.C., where his diligence helped Alabama earn University library. Ruffin’s dedication grant funding for cotton pest management, continued for almost four decades until which continues today. 1961, when Dr. Walter Grimes became Dr. Ron Smith, an entomologist well-known head cotton entomologist. by Alabama farmers, began his service in 1972, Grimes spent nearly two years after a two-year stint as a biology professor working alongside Ruffin as a survey at Judson College and a short-lived research entomologist before becoming the position with Chemagro, now known as Bayer. primary cotton entomologist. A Smith meets Ledbetter and Grimes for Vietnam veteran, Grimes served farmers breakfast regularly. All three of Alabama for a short period before he was called to Extension’s living entomologists share a serve overseas. He is best known as “the common view as they reminisce about their father of scouting” in the state. Grimes work. created the Cotton Scouting School “Extension is about serving people,” Smith producers still attend today. said. “Entomologists evolve as pests evolve, “We trained the first cotton scout but farmers must always be the center of your in west Alabama in 1959,” Grimes focus. Helping farmers be more profitable and said. “From there, we developed productive is a very rewarding life’s work.” n

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2018

ALABAMA STATE YOUTH SWINE SHOW

Randolph County’s Breann Noles, center, showed the Grand Champion Market Hog at the 2018 Alabama State Youth Swine show at the Randolph County Ag Center in Wedowee Feb. 10. She is pictured with judge Chris Wehmer of Indiana, right, and Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan. The show was sponsored by the Alabama Pork Producers and several county Federations. The champion was selected from 135 market hogs exhibited by 53 FFA and 4-H students from across the state.

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April 2018

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By Lois Chaplin

hen wildflowers become garden flowers, gardens are usually big winners. A wildflower’s natural adaptation to local conditions generally means good performance. Echinacea, or purple coneflower, is a prime example since it has thrived in gardens since discovered by the English in the late 1600s. Within the last 20 years, plant breeders developed new coneflowers that tempt any gardener. Some have been tried with mixed success, but here are some important things to know. First, remember old-fashioned purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) continue to serve gardeners well. Not all purple Echinacea are truly purple, but are lavender to pink shades. Dependable through climate ups and downs, purple coneflowers resprout from perennial roots or sprout anew each spring from dropped seeds. Unless the soil stays wet in winter, they come back every year. Their sturdy blooms on long, stiff stems are like a painted metal ornament. They withstand summer showers better than many garden flowers. Bees and butterflies also love these blossoms, and if left standing as they age, goldfinches feed on coneshaped seed pods formed at the end of the season. Newer introductions include a multitude of bright,

sometimes neon, blooms in shades of yellow, red, orange and pink. These new breakthrough colors, sizes and shapes have gardeners excited about expanded choices of this favorite wildflower. They are used in the same places as their purple cousins and like full sun in almost any soil type. Most novelty plants don’t usually live as many years, nor do many set seeds. They are unable to regenerate themselves from new plants. Since they don’t set seeds, each bloom lasts longer than an old-fashioned purple coneflower, but there is no seed for the titmice and goldfinches to eat later. Because of their grand and longerlasting blooms, gardeners enjoy the plants as long they last, maybe two or three years. Now is a good time to plant coneflowers; larger plants will come into bloom in a few weeks. Coneflowers aren’t fussy about soil but do want good drainage. They like full sun, but a little afternoon shade is OK. Their best fertilizer for is compost or an organic bagged product that releases nutrients slowly. Enjoy these beauties in the garden, and cut a few blossoms for a special place indoors. n Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

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PECAN KISSES Start-to-finish: 40 minutes (10 minutes active)

By Jill Clair Gentry

ecans are popular around the world. They’re the only tree nut native to the United States and, fortunately for Alabamians, Southern states have the perfect climate for growing them. That’s why pecans are included in so many Alabama landscapes, recipes and memories. Many Alabama farmers grow pecans commercially, but even more residents remember growing up with just a few trees in their yard. Barbara Peak and her husband Jerry, who is Geneva County Farmers Federation president, raised three daughters on their poultry and cattle farm. They also have a few pecan trees, planted on the family farm by Jerry’s grandparents in the 1940s. Jerry’s mother is 86 and still harvests pecans from the trees in her yard for her family. “Our girls grew up with their Granny always having pecans ready for them to eat,” Barbara said. “When our middle daughter, Ashley, was in school at Auburn, we met her in Montgomery to buy groceries. There was a lady there looking for pecans, and Ashley looked at me and said, ‘I never

w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

thought about buying pecans at the store — we just always went to Granny’s.’” Pecans are often thought of around holidays or as part of a favorite dessert, but the Peaks love cooking with pecans all year and in all kinds of dishes. Like many Southerners, they know pecans have a distinct flavor that performs well in savory or sweet recipes — everything from pralines and pie to chicken salad. “They just taste better in recipes. They’re also very healthy,” Barbara said. “Anything that calls for walnuts I usually replace with pecans because they add a better flavor. Anything with pecans is bound to be delicious, in my opinion.”

1 egg white 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 cups pecan halves

Beat egg white until it forms soft peaks. Gradually stir in vanilla and brown sugar. Add pecans and stir gently until all are well coated. Spoon mixture on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 250 F for 30 minutes. Remove and let cool on the sheet.

April 2018

CRANBERRY PECAN SALAD Courtesy of Barbara Peak Start-to-finish: 10 minutes, plus chilling time 1 large package cranberry or raspberry Jello 1 1/2 cups boiling water 1 can whole cranberry sauce 1 cup crushed pineapple

PECAN CHICKEN Courtesy of Barbara Peak Start-to-finish: 1 hour (15 minutes active) Serves 6 6 chicken breasts Flour 1 teaspoon celery salt 2 teaspoons paprika 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground 1 stick butter, melted 3/4 cup chopped pecans 1 1/2 cups half-and-half 1/2 cup sour cream Bread crumbs

Pecan Loverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bread Courtesy of Barbara Peak Start-to-finish: 2 days (40 minutes active) 1/2 envelope active dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water 1/4 cup vegetable oil 3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature (plus 1 to 2 tablespoons as needed) 3 cups flour, divided 1/4 cup sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

In large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add oil, buttermilk, 2 cups of the flour and remaining dry ingredients. Blend at low speed, then 1 to 2 minutes at medium speed. Stir in remaining flour by hand. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. April 2018

1/4 cup cold water 1/4 cup pineapple juice 1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Add cranberry sauce and stir until melted. Add pineapple, water, juice and chopped pecans. Chill several hours before serving. Coat chicken with flour. Mix celery salt, paprika, salt and black pepper with butter. Roll chicken in seasoned butter, coating all sides. Place in a single layer in baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with pecans. Pour half-and-half between pieces. Bake covered at 375 F for 45 minutes. Uncover and spoon about 1/2 cup of the sauce from the dish and mix with sour cream. Pour evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and bake uncovered 15 minutes longer.

ELAINEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PECAN PIE Courtesy of Barbara Peak Start-to-finish: 1 hour, 25 minutes (30 minutes active) Makes 1 pie 1 stick butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup Karo syrup 4 eggs 1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla 1 9-inch pie crust, unbaked 2 1/2 cups pecan pieces

Heat oven to 325 F. Mix butter, sugar and syrup in saucepan, and cook over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring constantly. If using stainless steel or copper clad pan, cut syrup cooking time in half. Be careful to cool the syrup for several minutes before adding eggs. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, vanilla and salt. Mix 1/4 cup of warm syrup into the egg mixture; then pour back into syrup mixture. Add pecans and pour into pie shell. Bake at 325 F for 55 minutes.

Filling: 1 cup chopped pecans 1/3 cup crushed fried onion rings 3 tablespoons bacon bits 2 teaspoons poppy seeds 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt 4 tablespoons butter, melted 1 egg white, lightly beaten

longer sides, sealing edges and ends. Braid three rolls together on a baking sheet, making one loaf. Repeat with other three rolls. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 to 60 minutes. Bake at 375 F for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly; set aside. Grease baking sheet. Stir refrigerated dough and toss on floured surface just until no longer sticky. Roll out to a 16-by-12-inch rectangle; spread with filling and press lightly into dough. Cut into six 8-by 4-inch strips and roll up on 29

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