Neighbors Magazine, June 2017 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 42,

NUMBER 6

A Membership Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation

June/Summer 2017

_____________________________________

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 Phillip Thompson, Scottsboro Rickey Cornutt, Boaz Joe Anders, Northport Dell Hill, Alpine Joe Lambrecht, Wetumpka Meador Jones, Gallion Garry Henry, Hope Hull Steve Stroud, Goshen Sammy Gibbs, Atmore Fred Helms, Dothan Nell Miller, Snead Jerry Allen Newby, Athens

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 Farm Families Compete

A Fondness For Forests

16 Cultivating HOPE 20 Welcome To The Zoo Crew 25 PALS Keep Alabama Clean

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

36 Dairy Good Recipes

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

On The Cover

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

Whether it’s on the farm, in a clinic or at the

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

Montgomery Zoo, veterinarian Hal Pate has a way with animals.

Photo by Marlee Moore

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Outstanding Young Farm Family Finalists Selected By Marlee Moore

hree Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) finalists were chosen earlier this year in a statewide contest open to farmers 18-35 years old who stand out as agricultural leaders on their farms and in their communities. Finalists are featured in this edition of Neighbors. Judges will tour their farms this summer and select the overall winner. Each family will be honored at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 45th annual Commodity Producers Conference in Birmingham Aug. 5, when the winner will be announced. The OYFF receives a prize package worth more than $60,000, including $35,000 from Alfa Insurance toward purchasing a new pickup truck; an 825i John Deere Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and a year's use of a John Deere tractor by local John Deere dealers and John Deere. The remaining finalists each receive $500 courtesy of Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit. All three finalists received Yeti coolers courtesy of the Federation. The winning family will represent Alabama in the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award contest in January in Nashville, Tennessee.

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The

Hornsby Family

Lee County

f spreading agriculture’s story and serving her community was an Olympic sport, Lee County’s Beth Hornsby would routinely bring home gold. Each week, Hornsby Farms delivers 10-plus farmfresh food baskets to families needing nutritional assistance as part of Nourish, the nonprofit she started last fall with a local pediatrician. That’s in addition to community-supported agriculture deliveries, five market events and supplying produce to three Auburn eateries — Acre, the Depot and The Hound. “Being the biggest doesn’t always mean you’re the best” said Beth, 35, who owns the farm with husband Josh, 36. “We’ve learned what we can grow better and have cut back on volume, but continue to concentrate on quality.” The Hornsbys, who grew up gardening, eased into farming before digging into full-time production in late 2013. Today, they grow over 100 varieties of produce. Beth also concocts homemade jams, jellies and pickles in their commercial kitchen. Those addedvalue products, including Beth’s favorite sweet-heat pepper jelly, sell like crazy at markets, craft shows and other events where they meet the public. “We talk to consumers about why agriculture is important, and they can ask questions,” Beth said. “We share our story and discuss other aspects of agriculture.” The Hornsbys partner with other farms to vary goods in their weekly deliveries, adding items like strawberries, homemade breads and other foods. Weekly deliveries range from 20-30 baskets, but over 300 families subscribe to their service. Hornsby Farms also welcomes groups for field trips and operates on-farm and online stores. Beth and Josh have three children, 7-year-old Sully, 4-year-old Levi and 15-month-old Stella, whose adventures Beth chronicles on Instagram with hashtags like #raisingveggiesandbabies and #FarmerStella. Beth is the Lee County Young Farmers secretary, serves on the Alabama Farmers Federation State Horticulture Committee and is in the Agricultural Leaders For Alabama Class IV. The Hornsbys attend Union Christian Church. 4

June/Summer 2017

ultitasking is in Ben Johnson’s blood. The farmer, Geraldine High School agriscience teacher, FFA adviser, deacon, father and husband knows the value of hard work, dedication and time management. “There’s no doubt it’s my purpose in life to be a farmer,” said 28-year-old Ben, who grows over 400 acres of soybeans, corn and black oats on his family’s Mel-O-Da Farms near Fyffe in DeKalb County. Ben and wife Jessica, 28, met in high school and have been married seven years. Jessica works off the farm at North Alabama Trophies and cares for 6-month-old Jase, who they’re raising to appreciate farm life, just as Ben’s family did. “I remember riding in the tractor late at night as a child,” said Ben, whose father raised hogs and row crops before transitioning to poultry. “Dad did the same thing I do now— working off the farm until 5 p.m. and coming home and working on the farm.” During the day, the 2010 Auburn University agriscience education graduate advises 130-plus FFA members and teaches almost 100 students. Ben utilizes Geraldine’s 96-foot greenhouse, where students raise plants to sell as fundraisers, in addition to teaching students mechanics and basic agriscience. “The kids love to learn,” said Ben, who employs some students on the farm. “When you have that coupled with seeing them win a career development event or receive a proficiency award, it feels like I’ve done my job well." When Ben gets home each afternoon, he hops in the tractor, hits the fields and gets to work on job No. 2. While Ben said he eventually hopes to farm full time, he’s happy to juggle jobs these days. “When farming is in your blood, you can’t get it out,” said Ben, the DeKalb County Young Farmers chairman. “But you have to start small and grow into it.” The Johnsons attend Antioch Baptist Church.

The

hen Eric Lovvorn was 3, his parents flocked to poultry farming. By age 12, Eric was adamant chicken houses weren’t in his future. But as fate — and a love for farming — would have it, age 20 rolled around, and the Georgia native went to the farm to roost. He bought his first poultry farm in Cleburne County just over the Alabama line and transferred to the University of West Georgia to be closer to his new home. “You realize the things that make you happy, and farming is it for us,” said 32-year-old Eric, who owns SLC Farms in Heflin with wife Carrly. “It was bred into me at a young age to do what I needed to own my own business. That’s what farming has allowed me to do.” The Lovvorns met at a University of Georgia football game in 2008 and married in 2011. Today, they own a four-house poultry farm and are raising 2-yearold Chloe and newborn Landon to appreciate family, hard work and an insider’s information about food production. “I want the kids to know how important farming is growing up,” said Carrly, who works at Georgia Power Co. and helps manage the farm’s books. They also raise cattle and hay; own rental properties; and co-own LHT Trucking, a commercial poultry house clean-out business, which annually hauls 800 tractor-trailer loads of litter. “I’ve learned you have to diversify, but also to be efficient in what you do,” said Eric, who ran nine chicken houses before downsizing and diversifying in 2007. The Lovvorns regularly volunteer with an outreach organization at Carrly’s work. Eric is the Cleburne County Young Farmers chairman and participated in the Agricultural Leaders For Alabama program. “I enjoy what I do every day, and I enjoy telling our story,” Eric said. n

Johnson Family

DeKalb County June/Summer 2017

Lovvorn Family

Cleburne County

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Relationships That Pay Dividends.

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THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

David Lee

A simple 4-H project led David Lee on the path to fulltime farming. Twenty-plus years later, the 42-year-old Madison County native has a custom beef operation in Lowndes County and is the local Farmers Federation president. Lee, wife Julie and children Savannah, Kaiya, Darah and Tucker live in Letohatchee. They attend LifeChange Church.

1 2 3 4

what has the alfa leaders class taught you?

I’ve learned to confidently deal with things like talking on public radio. The Leaders Class has helped me grow, and I’ve been flattered to be one of 17 class members from across the state. It’s been a great experience.

How did your farm name originate?

Even though I farm alone now, Trinity Farms was originally my dad, my brother and me. There were three of us, but the name had a double meaning. We wanted to keep God in the middle of our business.

How do you promote the custom beef business?

We use word-of-mouth. We also invest in search engine optimization and have developed our website, which is worth every penny. It’s the smartest thing you can do to help people who are searching for your product.

When did you get involved in the Federation? I got involved with Madison County when I was 19. When we moved, I called a friend here and expressed interest. He called me later to invite me on the board. Though I’m new to town, they’ve been welcoming.

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Tree Tales

Couple Shares Their Love For The Forest By Debra Davis

ew things bring more peace and pride to Glenn and Scarlett Riley than a walk through the forest on their farm in southeast Henry County. The couple’s love and dedication to the land — and each other — combined with a desire to share their property to educate others, earned them the title of Alabama’s Tree Farmers of the Year. Their 300+ acre farm is in the Barnes community just south of Abbeville. “We grew up here, and we were high school sweethearts,” said Glenn, who retired in 1996 after owning several grocery stores in Alabama and Florida. “When we moved away for my career, I never dreamed we’d come back.” Scarlett’s family owned the farm, a portion of which she inherited. Eventually, the Rileys purchased the rest of the family land, and the couple moved from Daphne back to the home place. “Our weekend trips here turned into weeklong trips,” Glenn said. “Those turned into monthlong stays, and in 2004, we decided to buy a trailer and live here while we built a house.” The couple joined the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association and developed a property management plan in 2003. Its rolling hills are dotted with loblolly and longleaf pines. Majestic oaks and other hardwood species fill bottomland woven with winding creeks. Their land is home to wildlife, walking trails, a reflection pool and multiple prayer benches nestled in peaceful settings. Eleven miles of fire lanes crisscross the land, creating tracks from 10 to 30 acres. Signs mark a roadway system and carry the names of the Rileys’ children, grandchildren and other family descendants. Their farm has open areas for wildlife food plots and a pond stocked with bass and bream. Signposts mark and protect numerous gopher tortoise burrows. For 12 years, the Rileys have shared their

Scarlett and Glenn Riley enjoy quiet time together near the pond on their farm. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

June/Summer 2017

Trails on the Rileys' farm are named for their children, grandchildren and family descendants.

property by hosting Classroom In The Forest field days for nearly 250 Henry County fifth-graders. “It’s amazing when you see all those buses pull up here,” Scarlett said. “The students are so excited to be in the woods. They’re divided into groups and visit stations set up throughout the woods. They learn about water quality, tree identification, wildlife and some of the products made from wood. Volunteers help us with the stations, and some of our volunteers were once students who came here when they were in school.” Boy Scout troops and church groups also enjoy trips to the Rileys’ farm. Continued improvements to their farm takes a lot of time, said Glenn, who usually works about 30 hours a week on the property. The couple works together much of the time and has help from Glenn’s

brother, Jerry. The Rileys hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. As Alabama’s 2016 Tree Farmers Of The Year, they are finalists for the 2017 Southern Tree Farmers Of The Year Award, a preliminary to the National Tree

Farmer Of The Year Award that will be announced later this year. The Tree Farmer Of The Year Award recognizes private landowners who do an exceptional job of forest management and actively promote sustainable forestry. Through the program, individuals are honored as forestry leaders who demonstrate the benefits of good management. In addition to being a certified Tree Farm and TREASURE Forest, their farm is a designated Stewardship Forest. The Rileys also won the prestigious Helene Mosley TREASURE Forest Award in 2016, which recognizes outstanding TREASURE Forest landowners. Awards are nice, and sharing their property brings great joy to the couple, who have been married 57 years. But they say a greater calling led them back home to Henry County. “I think when God gives you something or puts something in your hands, it’s for you to manage the very best that you can,” Scarlett said. “The more I learn about the forest, I realize it’s so much more than just a tree growing. We believe this is what God wants us to do.” n Scarlett and Glenn Riley, along with their dog, Princess, pose with signs marking the entrance to their Henry County farm.

June/Summer 2017

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Commodity Conference Makes Way To The Magic City August 3-5 By Marlee Moore

ducational tours, exceptional speakers and the inaugural Alabama Farm Expo are on the agenda for the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 45th annual Commodity Producers Conference in Birmingham Aug. 3-5. The Federation’s Brian Hardin encouraged conference attendees to explore the expo, which is also open to the public free of charge. “Farmers can network with lenders, equipment dealers and other agricultureBrandon and Angela Sewell of Etowah County and their daughter, Kalee Ann, examine satsuma trees on a tour at and forestry-related last year's Commodity Producers Conference. businesses during our first-ever farm expo,” said Hardin, wineries, nurseries, forestry, row the tablescapes, quilts and Christthe Federation’s Governmental and crops and Magic City history. mas tree skirts contests will be Agricultural Programs Department University of Florida announced. director. “We’ll also be collecting horticulture professor Kevin Folta The Alabama Farm Expo rounds donations to benefit Children’s headlines Saturday’s general session out Saturday afternoon activities. Hospital of Alabama.” and will discuss farmers' effective At the closing banquet, Young The conference begins Thursday communication strategies with the Farmers contest winners will be with registration and a welcome public about advanced agriculture announced, including the Discusbanquet featuring entertainment by technology. Commodity seminars sion Meet final four, Excellence in the Alabama FFA champion string fill Saturday morning, running the Agriculture winners and the 2017 band. gamut from forage management Outstanding Young Farm Family. Tours crisscrossing northto drought effects to an economic Christian singer Michael central Alabama depart early outlook and everything in between. English will provide the evening’s Friday morning. These educational During the Women’s Leadership entertainment. excursions cover livestock, Division luncheon, winners in Register at AlfaFarmers.org. n

Blue Tour

Green Tour

Orange Tour

Purple Tour

The Blue Tour begins at a Cullman County poultry farm, which harvests rainwater. The tour then heads to the Duck River Reservoir Project, which is building a 650-acre reservoir to meet Cullman County’s water needs for the next 75 years. Participants also will visit farms using photovoltaic cell panels to convert sunlight into energy.

A visit to Morgan Creek Vineyards and Winery kicks oﬀ the Green Tour, followed by a stop in Sylacauga at golf course and resort destination Pursell Farms. The next stop is a tour of the almost 400,000-acre Talladega National Forest. The Green Tour ends on a sweet note with a stop at Blue Bell Creameries.

The Orange Tour features ﬁfth-generation DeLoach Farms, a row crop operation producing corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton. The farm also has test plots for Auburn University and Pioneer Seed Co. The next stop is American Village in Montevallo to learn about America’s journey for independence and self-government.

History awaits attendees on the Purple Tour, with sites including historic Rickwood Field, the Alabama Theatre and Vulcan Park. A stop at Children’s Hospital shows how charitable contributions are used. The tour features other Magic City sights such as the Birmingham Zoo, Aldridge Gardens and the Hoover Met.

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Red Tour The Red Tour kicks oﬀ at Green Valley Farms, Inc., a wholesale nursery in Montevallo that began in 1950. Participants then head to the University of Montevallo, Alabama’s only public liberal arts college. A visit to the Alabama National Cemetery wraps up the Red Tour.

Yellow Tour Participants on the Yellow Tour will learn about raising goats, donkeys, llamas and other animals; visit hay and cattle farms; discover a burgeoning agritourism business started by past Outstanding Young Farm Family Equine Division winners; and tour stables just minutes from downtown Birmingham. June/Summer 2017

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Federation Welcomes Auburn Undergrads For Summer Internships By Marlee Moore

to our organization,” said AFVGA Executive Director Mac Higginbotham. “His work photographing and promoting the fruit and vegetable industry will position us to expand our reach with consumers far beyond this summer.” Muscle Shoals native Isbell, an agricultural communications senior, is interning with the Public Relations and Communications Department. This summer, she will write and take photos for Neighbors magazine, manEllie Isbell age social media, develop web content, copy edit and pursue independent projects. “Since I started my agricultural communications curriculum, I knew I wanted to intern for the Federation,” said Isbell, who was raised on a Colbert County row crop farm. “I’m so thankful to learn from some of our industry’s best communications professionals and meet our state’s farmers.” Isbell is an Ag Ambassador and Project Uplift ambassador, interned with the Colbert County Extension office and was the College of Agriculture’s assistant student recruitment coordinator. “With her background in agriculture and eagerness to learn, Ellie is a great fit for our department,” said Debra Davis, the Federation’s publications director. “Her experiences at Auburn, including her tenure publishing a newsletter with the college's communications and marketing office, have prepared Ellie to finetune her skills this summer.” Baldwin County’s Cassebaum is interning with the Soybean and Wheat & Feed Grain Producers and will document and develop use of checkoff dollars in education, research and promotion. “Growing up on a farm, I’ve had many agricultural experiences and Kelsey Cassebaum can’t wait to see more of Alabama’s commodities I'm unfamiliar with, like catfish and timber,” said the agricultural business and economics senior. “After working for the Federation, I’ll have come full circle by learning to be a voice for the industry I was raised around.” Cassebaum is the AU Young Farmers chairman; member of the Sigma Alpha professional sorority; AU Collegiate Cattlemen and Cattlewomen; and the Block and Bridle Club. “Kelsey’s wealth of production agriculture knowledge and passion for the industry have readied her for this internship,” said Carla Hornady, the Federation’s Soybeans and Wheat & Feed Grains divisions director. “Her background will allow her to connect with producers and give insight into issues facing farmers.” n

hree Auburn University (AU) College of Agriculture students began summer internships with the Alabama Farmers Federation May 8. Caleb Hicks, Ellie Isbell and Kelsey Cassebaum, all Federation scholarship recipients, will intern through the Commodity Producers Conference in August. Agricultural communications senior Hicks returns to the Federation this summer, now with the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA). He previously interned with the Soybean and Wheat & Feed Grain Producers. “I’m excited to meet more people within Alabama’s agriculture indusCaleb Hicks try,” the Ramer native said. “They produce the food and fiber we need to survive, and I can’t wait to tell their story.” Hicks is an Ag Ambassador, Ag Council vice president and is involved with AU Young Farmers. He also works for the college’s communications and marketing office publishing a monthly newsletter and managing social media. “Caleb is bringing the energy we saw last year back

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Taziki’s Restaurants Serve Up Hope For Students By Marlee Moore

n a humid Wednesday morning, Bradi Masters, Tess Parker and a smattering of fellow Shelby County High School (SCHS) students swing open the door to their school greenhouse. They inhale the aroma of basil, soil and blooming flowers and get to work snipping herbs that’ll land on plates in Taziki’s Mediterranean Café within 24 hours. These hard-working FFA members and special education

Taziki’s founder Keith Richards, Shelby County High FFA member Dana Horton and job coach Cindy Vinson harvest basil as part of the restaurant’s Herbs Oﬀering Personal Enrichment outreach program.

students are part of the Herbs Offering Personal Enrichment (HOPE), a project started by Taziki’s founder Keith Richards and educator Cindy Vinson. Since HOPE began at Vincent Middle High School in 2012 with freshly plowed ground and fierce determination, the project and its message of empowering and inspiring special needs students has expanded to schools in Calera,

Montevallo, Columbiana, Nashville and beyond. “The main goal is to teach students transferable job skills,” said Vinson, who is Shelby County Schools job coach. “Once they leave school, they can use these skills in their everyday lives.” This was 10th-grader Parker’s first year involved in HOPE. Her special education class works in the greenhouse most days and has

Shelby County High School FFA members and special needs students work together to plant, harvest and sell herbs to Taziki’s restaurants. The Herbs Oﬀering Personal Enrichment project teaches students social skills and reaches curriculum content areas, including math, science and reading. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

June/Summer 2017

improvements. While not all HOPE project schools have active agriscience programs, SCHS ag teacher Dustin Cleckler said the program cultivates personal and educational development in his students. “I teach my students how to Chris Abbott checks the roots of herbs grown in an aquaponics system inside Shelby County High School’s greenhouse. care for the plants, and they teach the other students,” said Cleckler, learned to make plants thrive from who collaborated with the Shelby new friends like Masters, SCHS FFA County Farmers Federation and president. other local organizations to fund “If you want something, you the school’s greenhouse. have to work for it,” said Masters, Cleckler attributes part of the who graduated in May. “But it’s project’s success to his 12-month also so much fun. I’ve made lots of extended contract, which allows friends.” ag teachers to concentrate on Herbs are grown in a studentprograms like HOPE year-round. built greenhouse and raised beds His students also complete during the school year as part of the project. In the summer, special needs Supervised Agricultural Experience programs through HOPE. and FFA students are hired to keep The inherent culture of Taziup production. Special education teacher Marisol ki’s, which will have around 80 franchises by 2018, is Lilly praised the project and said the to positively affect skills HOPE teaches are invaluable. communities — The project also correlates with students’ curriculum — learning about plants checks off reading; the growing process is scientific; and calculating weight and invoices measures math skills. “They’re taking ownership for a job,” said Lilly, whose students can harvest up to 3 pounds of herbs daily. “These students are seeing a seed grow into an end product. In life, you have to care for things, and they’re learning to do that.” Students taste the fruits of their labor on field trips to Taziki’s, where their basil is used in pesto; rosemary seasons pork; rice is flecked with parsley; and cilantro freshens up salsa. Profits from HOPE also directly benefit students through classroom

both through HOPE and employing those with special needs. “It’s not only good for the kids, but helps parents, too,” said Richards, who began Taziki’s in 1998 with wife Amy. “It gives them a break. If I can give them that three to five days a week, I want to.” Richards said his goal, once HOPE is self sustaining and produces enough herbs for daily deliveries, is to engage restaurateur peers in the project. He hopes to help them learn from HOPE’s students, like he has. “I have a rapport with all these students. From the beginning, I wasn’t sure of their abilities, but it’s amazing what these students can do,” Richards said. “For me to be involved in their lives, not a lot of people get that kind of opportunity.” For more information, visit tazikiscafe. com/hope. n

Taziki’s founder Keith Richards dishes up signature Mediterranean cuisine. June/Summer 2017

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Cockatoo, Caribou, Kangaroo I Hal Pate Heads The Montgomery Zoo Crew By Marlee Moore

Veterinarian Hal Pate checks out a family of ring-tailed lemurs at the Montgomery Zoo. Pate has cared for animals at the zoo for almost 30 years. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

t was May 1989. Hal Pate, 10 years out of vet school and two months into a gig as the Montgomery Zoo veterinarian, was de-worming a camel. “This camel had been behaving so well, we thought we’d squirt the de-wormer in his mouth instead of mixing it in his feed,” remembered Pate, an Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. “As soon as we threw the lasso around his neck to catch him, he freaked out and went berserk.” In a twist of fate, Montgomery Advertiser newspaper reporters were on site. The next day, Pate, the camel and four handlers anchored the front page. “We never did it that way again,” said the 63 year old. The Montgomery Zoo was smaller then — 6 acres and 80 animals — and Pate spent two hours there weekly. Today, Pate and the zoo crew care for more than 450 animals from five continents, excluding Europe and Antarctica. “As the zoo grew, I did too,” said Pate, the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association president whose term ends this month. Pate spends two half-days each week at the 26-acre zoo, checking on issues reported by zookeepers, training animals and performing surgery. Pate Animal Clinic in Hayneville, his practice since 1979, fills his other days. Pate’s 38 years around exotic animals benefit not just the zoo, but interns like Michelle Schisa, a recent veterinary school graduate. “He can look at something and pretty much know right away or have a gut feeling exactly what it is, and he’s usually right,” said Schisa, a North Carolina State University vet school graduate. “It’s a skill that comes with experience, and it’s great to learn from him because he has that experience.” Pate was raised on a farm with dogs, horses, chickens and some of Alabama’s first Charolais cattle. He still raises cattle and timber on the family property in Lowndes County. June/Summer 2017

Pate said experiences at his private clinic helped prepare him to work on exotic animals. For example, rhinoceroses have digestive tracks similar to horses; wolves are comparable to domesticated dogs; and many exotic, hooved animals are ruminants, just like cattle. “Sometimes in the early days I thought, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’” Pate said. “You become more familiar with the animals as time goes on. You understand them, and they understand you.” Pate’s patients run the gamut from large rodents like Patagonian cavies to ring-tailed lemurs, emerald tree boas, giant anteaters, peacocks, giraffes and Pygmy hippos. His favorite? Pachyderms. “I really appreciate what we can do with the elephants,” Pate said. “That an animal weighing 6,000 to 8,000 pounds can be trained to do certain behaviors so we can do physical exams on them, that’s impressive.” Pate and his crew anesthetize and physically examine all zoo carnivores and primates — big cats, bears, wolves, squirrel monkeys, chimpanzees, etc. — around every two years. “Really, the only difference with zoo animals is that we put them to sleep with a dart gun,” Pate said. “The other thing is, unlike a dog or

Montgomery Zoo veterinarian Hal Pate performs a routine exam on a Miniature Schnauzer at his private clinic in Hayneville in Lowndes County.

cat, our animals will eat you if they wake up.” Think of zookeepers as jacks-ofall-trades: horticulturists, farmers, manual laborers and workers keeping an eye out for signs of distress, similar to small animal owners noticing unusual actions from pets. “Dogs are different because they’re bred to be companions. They’ll let you know when something doesn’t feel good,” said Rachel Lampkin, a zookeeper in the South America and reptile exhibits. “But these guys hide their injuries because in the wild, if you’re injured, you die.” Enter Pate, who’s always ready

Hal Pate is a Lowndes County Farmers Federation past president and maintains a herd of Charolais cattle on his family’s farm in Lowndesboro.

June/Summer 2017

for a challenge, whether it’s exploratory surgery on a tiger, a difficult birth, a rare giraffe knee condition or a root canal on a bear. In addition to zoo duties and clinic hours, Pate is a past president of the Lowndes County Farmers Federation and serves on the board of directors. “When you serve as a county president, that’s when you really learn about the organization,” said Pate, who lives in Lowndesboro with his wife, Mary. “I’ve really appreciated what the county organization and the Alabama Farmers Federation do for farmers.” Pate and Mary have five children, including Brandon, who is in his second year studying veterinary medicine at Mississippi State University. He plans to practice at Pate Animal Clinic post graduation. Pate and the zookeepers treat the animals like children. They bond over their entire lifespan, from birth. They sometimes name them thematically — “The Big Bang Theory,” “Harry Potter,” etc. “I just sort of stumbled on the zoo,” Pate said. “It wasn’t in my plans when I went to school, but I’ll tell you: It’s probably been the thing I’ve enjoyed the most about practicing medicine.” For more about the zoo, visit MontgomeryZoo.com. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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Volunteers Help Keep Alabama Beautiful By Jeff Helms

icking up trash along the road isn’t most kids’ idea of fun, but for Grayson Henneke and mother Leigh Ann, the Don’t Drop It On Alabama Spring Cleanup has become family tradition. “It makes me feel good that I did something good for the community,” Grayson said. “Even though you don’t want to wake up in the morning, once you get out here and get to know people, it’s pretty fun.” Leigh Ann, who was among about 70 volunteers at the McCalla community cleanup in Jefferson County, said she’s proud her son is learning the value of service. “It’s not just about keeping the community clean, making it look nice for everybody. It’s also about teaching my children about giving back and being part of a bigger community,” she said. The Hennekes aren’t alone. Across the state, more than 20,000 people each year help keep Alabama beautiful by participating in Spring Cleanup and other anti-littering programs of Alabama PALS — or People Against a Littered State. PALS Executive Director Spencer Ryan said the organization distributed 180,000 trash bags to cleanups in 65 counties this year. Those bags represent potentially 1,500 tons of litter and $8.5 million in savings for Alabama. Ryan said the Jefferson County Commission and Storm Water Management Team have developed a volunteer network rivaling any in the nation. “They are a dynamic group June/Summer 2017

Grayson and Leigh Ann Henneke learn lessons about service while improving the beauty of their community through volunteering for the McCalla Spring Cleanup.

of people,” he said. “In three short years, they’ve gone from 20 cleanups to over 60 this year. That’s the kind of volunteerism you see with PALS statewide.” Rick House coordinates cleanups in the McCalla and McAdory communities. Like other PALS volunteers, he said it’s not a job; it’s his passion. “It just became such an eyesore to me,” he said. “After moving out here in 2005, I started noticing the roadsides were very littered. I thought that somebody needed to do something about all this. And one day, I just decided that someone is going to be me.” Jefferson County Commissioner President Jimmy Stephens said more than 1,000 volunteers are involved in cleanups across the county. “This means our citizens are 25

taking ownership and are being part of a team to clean up Jefferson County once and for all,” he said. “There are 2,200 miles of roads in Jefferson County. It would be impossible without the help of our citizens to keep those roads clean.” Other Alabama PALS efforts include Adopt-A-Mile, Adopt-AStream and the Clean Campus program, sponsored by Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Cooperative. PALS partners with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Coastal Division to sponsor the Alabama Coastal Cleanup the third Saturday of September. More than 6,000 volunteers are expected to participate in the 30th Coastal Cleanup this year. Their efforts will benefit the environment and economy, but Leigh Anne said the personal rewards are even greater. “It’s about recognizing everything is not about me,” she said. “It’s not just me in the world. I’m part of a bigger community.” For more information or to volunteer, visit alpals.org. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

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2017 COUNTY ANNUAL MEETINGS SCHEDULE

COUNTY BALDWIN BARBOUR BLOUNT CALHOUN CHAMBERS CHEROKEE CHOCTAW CLARKE CLAY CLEBURNE COFFEE COLBERT CONECUH COOSA DEKALB ELMORE ESCAMBIA ETOWAH JACKSON LAWRENCE LEE MACON MADISON MARSHALL MOBILE MONROE PIKE RANDOLPH SHELBY ST. CLAIR SUMTER TALLADEGA WASHINGTON WILCOX

DATE Thursday, Aug. 10 Thursday, Aug. 10 Thursday, Aug. 17 Thursday, Aug. 10 Monday, Aug. 28 Friday, Aug. 11 Tuesday, Aug. 22 Thursday, Aug. 24 Thursday, Aug. 24 Tuesday, Aug. 8 Monday, July 17 Monday, Aug. 28 Tuesday, Aug. 22 Thursday, Aug. 10 Tuesday, Aug. 15 Tuesday, July 25 Tuesday, Aug. 29 Monday, Aug. 14 Tuesday, Aug. 1 Thursday, Aug. 10 Monday, July 17 Monday, Aug. 7 Monday, Aug. 7 Tuesday, Aug. 22 Tuesday, July 25 Thursday, Aug. 31 Thursday, July 13 Saturday, Aug. 19 Monday, Aug. 21 Monday, Aug. 14 Monday, July 17 Thursday, Aug. 17 Monday, Aug. 7 Thursday, July 27

TIME 7 PM 7:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 12 PM 6:30 PM 6 PM 6:30 PM 7 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 5:30 PM 7 PM 7 PM 6:30 PM 7 PM 5:30 PM 6:30 PM 7 PM 6:30 PM 7 PM 7 PM 7:30 PM

BUILDING Baldwin County Federation Building Clayton Dime Store Restaurant Frank J. Green Building Calhoun County Federation Building Alfa Service Center Dean Buttram Senior Center Alfa Service Center Alfa Service Center Miss Anita’s Café The Mountain Center Community Room Northwest - Shoals Community College David Burt Building Old Rockford Schoolhouse Alfa Service Center Wetumpka High School Escambia County Ag Center Etowah County Federation Building Jackson County Federation Building Lawrence County Ag Center Lazenby Farms Beck’s Turf Farm Huntsville Early Works Museum Marshall County Federation Building Jon Archer Center *Please Note New Location* Monroe County Ag Center Alfa Service Center Randolph County Ag Center Shelby County Museum & Archives Alfa Service Center Alfa Service Center Alfa Service Center Alfa Service Center Gaines Ridge Dinner Club

ADDRESS 21332 Hwy. 59 10 Eufaula Ave. 415 5th Ave. East 1535 Pelham Rd. S 1006 Ave. A , S.E. 229 Dean Buttram Ave. 229 S. Mulberry Ave. 148 S. Jackson St. 30 South Park Dr. 6751 Hwy. 78 1055 E. McKinnon St. 800 George Wallace Blvd. 102 Liberty St. Nixburg Rd & County Rd. 18 346 McCurdy Ave. South 1281 Coosa River Parkway 175 Ag Science Dr. 125 Broad St. 23625 John T. Reid Parkway 13075 AL-157 11546 Lee Rd. 54 2858 County Rd. 53 404 Madison St. SE 1333 Blount Ave. 1070 Schillinger Rd. North 334 Agriculture Dr. 1208 S. Brundidge St. 2959 County Rd. 333 1854 North Main St. 32775 US Hwy 231 106 Marshall St. 314 East Battle St. 54 Court Street 933 AL - 10

CITY Robertsdale Clayton Oneonta Jacksonville Lafayette Centre Butler Grove Hill Lineville Heflin New Brockton Muscle Shoals Evergreen Rockford Rainsville Wetumpka Brewton Gadsden Scottsboro Moulton Auburn Tuskegee Hunstville Guntersville Mobile Monroeville Troy Wedowee Columbiana Ashville Livingston Talladega Chatom Camden

Robinson Honored with Alabama Farm-City Service Award

to the Youth Leadership inda Robinson’s Lawrence Project — from passion for children working with schools to and agriculture led her select future leaders to to a 36-year career with coordinating monthly the Alabama Cooperative meetings and farm tours.” Extension System. Robinson, now retired Her work with the from Extension, was a Lawrence County Farmguiding force for Pizza City Committee, including Farm, a fun-filled two-day 16 years as chairman, event aimed at teaching earned her the 2016 Farmstudents that their food and City Service Award. clothing comes from farms. While Robinson was “Linda’s passion for unable to attend the State children also is evident Farm-City Awards Program in volunteer work with in Birmingham earlier this year, she received her the special needs rodeo award and was honored each year,” Helms said. at the Lawrence County “In all of the activities she Farmers Federation is involved in, plus the Lawrence County Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Sandra Terry, countless other programs meeting May 2. left, presents Linda Robinson the Alabama Farm-City Service Award. “Linda always went she was associated with the extra mile to develop Farm-City activities, through Extension, she incorporated the yearly FarmCity theme.” promote agriculture and teach young people about the Visit AlabamaFarmCity.org for more information importance of farming and forestry,” said Alabama about the program. n Farm-City Chairman Jeff Helms. “She is committed

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Clarke County Teen Deﬁes Odds, Excels In 4-H Programs By Katie Nichols

ife throws Clarke County 4-Her Ryan Norris curveballs, and he swings back with all his might. Familiar with adversity, Ryan is more familiar with determination and overcoming challenges. At 18 months, he was diagnosed with Chiari malformation and hydrocephalus, but he refuses to be limited by either. Fourteen years and five brain surgeries later, Ryan is an active 4-H member. He’s a member of the archery and robotics clubs, participates in Chick Chain and the Dairy Project and is a Dairy Premier Exhibitor winner. Clarke County 4-H Agent Wendy Padgett said Ryan’s drive is inspirational. “Ryan is passionate about his animals,” Padgett said. “He is never afraid to ask questions and learn new things.” 4-H Chick Chain was Ryan’s first project. “I was excited to learn about Chick Chain and get involved,” Ryan said. “After lots of research, I ended up with 18 birds.” Ryan’s mom, Tamara Norris, said because they had no previous experience, she prepared Ryan for a challenge as he chose birds for the county show. Little did they know, Ryan’s three birds would sweep the competition. He won first place in a Breed Class, Grand Champion Pen and Reserve Champion Individual Bird. Tamara said she was nervous as she watched showmanship. Her son was calm, but the chicken wouldn’t cooperate. Ryan escaped with cut hands and a first-place ribbon in Intermediate Showmanship. Padgett said Ryan exemplifies 4-H values in all he does.

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Above: Clarke County Extension Coordinator Kevan Tucker, Clarke County 4-H Club member Ryan Norris and Clarke & Wilcox County 4-H Agent Wendy Padgett. Left: Ryan Norris.

“We work to help young people become well-rounded members of their communities,” Padgett said. “Ryan is a prime example of working diligently to master tasks and new skills.” Ryan’s entrepreneurial foresight landed him an opportunity with a local bakery — weekly selling them four 18-egg cartons for $3 each. Money from Ryan’s egg sales allowed him to buy a new bow and his most prized possession — Pistol Pete, a miniature pot-bellied pig. “I was so excited to buy Pistol Pete and to know ahead of time

that I could take care of him using the money I earned selling eggs,” Ryan said. “Now he’s my shadow.” Ryan’s favorite 4-H program is the Dairy Project. He showed in the Montgomery Dairy Show and placed in several categories. “I love cows,” he said. “I loved learning about them and how to take care of them. I had a hard time halter-breaking my heifer, but it was worth it.” Tamara said Ryan refuses to be bound by a diagnosis. “Years ago, we listened to doctors tell us all the things Ryan would never be able to do,” she said. “When he was little, I would pray God would give him a passion for something he loved.” Then Ryan found 4-H. “I am happy to have the opportunity to do what I love through 4-H,” he said. n

June/Summer 2017

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Jerry peak

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

Poultry farmer and cattleman Jerry Peak was blessed to raise his daughters — Amanda, Ashley and Emily — on his family farm in Chancellor. The 58-year-old Geneva County Farmers Federation president has four poultry houses and around 95 brood cows. Peak and wife Barbara have been married 38 years and have three grandchildren.

1 2 3 4

Why do you raise chickens?

When the kids were young, I worked away from the farm. Poultry seemed the best way to get back to the family farm.

What drew you to farming?

The lifestyle. It’s something you want to raise your children doing. Farming gave me the chance to coach them and take them hunting — things I couldn’t do if I worked off farm.

how do you spend your free time?

Hunting and fishing. When I first started hunting, no deer lived near here. They were brought to this area in the ‘60s. When the girls were little, I took them hunting, but most of the time they fell asleep on the floor.

You were on our First State Wildlife Committee. That was in the early 2000s. Wildlife has a huge economic impact on Alabama, and it’s something the Federation needs to have a say in, especially regarding conservation laws.

June/Summer 2017

Alfa FarmersÂŽ Members Save 20% For details, visit AlfaFarmers.org/benefits.

t’s getting hot, but the yard still needs colorful flowers. Thanks to plant breeding and modern growing techniques, garden centers have big, 1- to 3-gallon containers and hanging baskets that make an instant improvement. These large plants do better than smaller transplants in hot weather because of a larger root system. Choices include lantana, one the most dependable plants for nonstop blooms in sunny spots through fall. It’s also a butterfly magnet. Thankfully, deer don’t like it, maybe because all the plant is toxic to mammals. Plant it away from pets and farm animals. When choosing lantana, read the plant tag because hybrids vary from upright, shrubby forms to types that spread and trail. The shortest types are great for ground cover or to cascade over the edge of a wall or a pot. Popular selections include Gold Mound, Gold Rush and New Gold — all yellows. Others include the Patriot, Sunburst, Cowboy, Hallelujah, Landmark and Lucky series. “Series” means several colors or individual varieties are marketed under one umbrella name. For example, the Lucky Sunrise Rose, Lucky Lemon Glow and Lucky Peach series offers just about every color except blue. There also is a trailing lantana, Lantana montevidensis (aka Lantana sellowiana), which grows no more than a foot tall but has a spread of 3 to 6 feet. Choices include the original purple species, along with hybrids and selections such as Pot of Gold, Malan’s Gold and White Lightnin. Avoid the old-fashioned Lantana camera (aka butter-and-eggs), which gets 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. Birds distribute its porcelain-like, dark blue seeds, and it’s on Florida’s Exotic Plant Pest Council list of invasive plants. It also stops blooming after seeds set. If you really love the old lantana, look for the selection Miss Huff, which resembles the original Lantana camera. Rick Berry of Goodness Grows nursery in Lexington, Georgia, said a Duke University study found it to be male sterile (little or no fertile pollen) and female fertile, meaning Miss Huff will not produce seeds if planted alone or with other seedless selections. It’s cold hardy, tolerating temperatures in the teens. Ham and Eggs is another seedless, cold-hardy, pass-along variety that’s smaller with pink and yellow blossoms. With recent summers running drier and hotter than usual, lantana is looking better than ever. Remember to look for named selections. They bloom longer and aren’t invasive. Give plants water until they are rooted in a new location and watch them outperform most things in the garden come August and September. n

By Lois Chaplin

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

SIZZLING SUMMER SAVINGS @ WWW.ALAFARM.COM w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

June/Summer 2017

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By Jill Clair Gentry

ANNUAL MEETING ICE CREAM Courtesy of Judy Childers Makes 5 gallons (divide recipe to make less) 5 12-ounce cans evaporated milk 5 14-ounce cans condensed milk 7 cups sugar 2 1/2 gallons whole milk 1/2 gallon half-and-half 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons vanilla 1 quart whipping cream 5 bags of ice

Combine evaporated and condensed milks and sugar. Mix with other ingredients, except ice. Use a 5-gallon ice cream maker or make in batches using a 2-gallon ice cream maker.

hen dairy farmers Judy and Mickey Childers began making ice cream for the Morgan County Farmers Federation’s annual meeting, they had no idea they’d still be churning it out for the group 25 years later. “Now we’ve got over 200 people at the meeting each year,” Judy said. “And they’re always ready to get that homemade ice cream as soon as they arrive. I think it’s some people’s favorite part of the meeting.” The 5-gallon ice cream maker the Childers use to supply vanilla ice cream to hundreds of people is the same one they started using a quarter century ago. “It’s so heavy,” Judy said. “We’ve had to have some work w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

done on the ice cream maker a few times by the Amish people — it’s a very special piece of equipment.” In addition to making ice cream all these years, Judy and Mickey have run a dairy farm with Judy’s father, Ganes Burden, since the couple graduated from Auburn and married. “A lot of dairy farms aren’t around anymore — dairy is a tough business,” Judy said. “All farming is a gambling situation, but we’ve just been blessed. We’ve had a lot more good times than bad.” These days, there are four generations on the farm her father began. “My dad is 92 and is still very much involved — he’s always got something going,” she said. “And now our two sons, Jim and John, 36

are partners with us. Our daughter teaches at the local high school, and all six of our grandchildren are on the farm a good bit.” Dairy, in addition to being a staple of the American diet, makes possible a favorite activity in Southern kitchens — baking. Butter, cream cheese, whipping cream, buttermilk and even yogurt are essentials for making sweet treats and sweet memories. Judy Childers’ ice cream recipe may make 200 people smile each year, but her crisped tea cakes are a crowd pleaser for six of her favorite people — her grandchildren. “We put a little glaze on them, and the kids get to pick the color,” she said. “They just think that’s the neatest thing.” n June/Summer 2017

CREAM CHEESE POUND CAKE Courtesy of Judy Childers Start-to-ﬁnish: 1 hour, 45 minutes (15 minutes active) Serves 6-8 1 ½ cups butter 3 cups sugar 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened Dash of salt 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla 6 large eggs 3 cups cake ﬂour, sifted

Preheat oven to 325 F. Cream together butter, sugar and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add salt and vanilla; beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in flour. Spoon into a 10-inch, greased and floured tube pan or other pan. Bake at 325 F for 1 1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

CRISPED TEA CAKES Courtesy of Judy Childers Start-to-ﬁnish: 1 hour (30 minutes active) Makes 2 dozen cookies, depending on size 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 3½ cups all-purpose ﬂour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 F. Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla and eggs. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, soda and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture. Divide dough in half; wrap and chill. Roll out to ¼ inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Place on a paperlined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand 5 minutes.

June/Summer 2017

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