Neighbors Magazine, June 2019 by Alabama Farmers Federation

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June/Summer | Volume 44 | Number 6 Debra Davis | Editor Marlee Moore | Associate Editor Laura Unger | Graphic Designer ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan | Executive Director Jeff Helms | Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS Jimmy Parnell | President, Stanton Rex Vaughn | Vice President | North, Huntsville 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 Tim Whitley | Horton Joe Anders | Northport Phillip Hunter | Birmingham Joe Lambrecht | Wetumpka Meador Jones | Gallion Bill Cook | Montgomery Steve Stroud | Goshen Sammy Gibbs | Atmore Chris Carroll | Ariton Jo Ann B. Laney | Phenix City Garrett Dixon | Salem Neighbors (ISSN 0162-3974) is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 or (334) 288-3900. For information about Alabama Farmers Federation member benefits, visit the website www.alfafarmers.org. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and additional mailing offices. Printed in the U.S.A. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Neighbors P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001 MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES 800-392-5705, Option 4 or BWatkins@alfafarmers.org ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com DISCLAIMERS: Advertisements in Neighbors do not represent an endorsement by the magazine or Alabama Farmers Federation. Editorial information from sources outside the Alabama Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Alabama Farmers Federation policies. Publication of information does not imply an endorsement by the Alabama Farmers Federation.

In This Issue 4 | Diggin’ Dog Shows

32 | Perfect Peach Recipes

7 | Alfa Honors Alabama’s Teacher Of The Year

8 | Outstanding Young

Farm Family Finalists

22 | Ray’s Restaurant: Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler

On The Cover

Travoris Woods, senior deckhand on the Gee’s Bend Ferry, keeps a watchful eye on passengers, cargo and river conditions. The vessel cruises round trip from Camden to Boykin and is the nation’s first all-electric ferry.

Photo By Debra Davis

www.AlfaFarmers.org

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A member of American Farm Bureau Federation

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June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

Cruising By Debra Davis ennifer Cruise has always been a JAlabama horse lover. It’s what brought her to as a horse trainer 21 years ago and eventually led to meeting and marrying her husband, Robert, in 2000. As their family grew to include five daughters, Jennifer said showing horses proved a challenge with so many little ones. But her love for animals and competitive nature found a home in a new show ring that allowed her daughters to join in. “I never really thought about showing dogs,” said the Wyoming native. “When a friend gave Copper (a registered Corgi) to Emma (the eldest daughter), they began agility lessons, and it sort of started from there.” Since then, the family has cruised the Southeast learning, practicing

For Canine Champions and showing dogs. Now, Emma, 14, and sisters Katie, 13, and Alana, 10, all show in American Kennel Club (AKC) rally and obedience classes. Jennifer, 43, also shows, while the younger girls, Hannah, 7, and Laura Beth, 5, pitch in where they can. Robert, 41, is pastor of New Canaan Baptist Church in Somerville and operates a beef cattle ranch in northern Blount County just south of Arab. He said he loves a good farm dog, but he’ll leave the showing to the ladies. “I’m happy they enjoy it, and I support them every way I can,” he said. “I prefer to ride horses, rope and tend cattle.” The rally classes in which the Cruises compete include 10 to 20 stations. Each station describes a behavior the dog and handler must perform, and judges score each contestant.

Jennifer and Robert Cruise

From left are the Cruise sisters and their dogs: Laura Beth and Bailey; Emma and Blue; Katie and Mississippi; Alana and Cowboy; and Hannah and Copper. 4

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June / Summer 2019

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In March, Jennifer, Emma, Katie and Alana competed at the AKC National Rally Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after accumulating enough points through state and regional competitions. Katie and her border collie, Mississippi, placed fourth. Emma and Copper placed ninth, and Alana and border collie Cowboy placed 13th. The Cruise girls were among 12 young people who competed against nearly 400 adults in the national rally classes. “We were thrilled,” Jennifer said. “They all beat me, but that’s OK. I’m so proud of them. Showing dogs also allows us to share our ministry and love for Jesus Christ. We don’t show our dogs on Sunday. That day is always reserved for church. “We were told we probably wouldn’t qualify to go to nationals if we didn’t compete on Sundays, but we managed to get that done and did pretty well on the national level.” Purebred dogs aren’t required to show in rally or obedience classes. Even rescue dogs compete, Jennifer said, adding it’s been a great experience for her girls. The Cruises receive a lot of encouragement from trainer Kitty Thompson of Arab, with whom they take lessons twice weekly. “I love showing dogs because it creates a bond between me and my dog, Mississippi,” Katie said. “I love competition and showing with adults. They are always encouraging me to do better.” A successful season of showing wasn’t without its setbacks. The Cruises’ home burned just after Thanksgiving. The dogs were in kennels inside the carport attached to the house. The flames were so hot, some of the plastic dog houses began to melt just as a relative who spotted the smoke arrived to turn them out. “The girls’ greatest concern was the safety and well-being of their dogs,” Jennifer said. “We were all so relieved they were OK.” The family lost everything but the clothes they had on and a few dishes found in the rubble. Their home was insured by Alfa Insurance ®, and their new home is under construction near the old site. It is expected to be finished this fall. alfafarmers.org

©2019 The American Kennel Club Top left: Katie Cruise, 13, and border collie Mississippi placed fourth in the American Kennel Club Rally Class Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in March. Above left: Emma Cruise, 14, and corgi Copper placed ninth. Top right: Alana Cruise, 10, and border collie Cowboy placed 13th.

“Alfa ® has been wonderful through all of this,” Robert said. “Our agent, Lee Cox, and adjuster Jeremy Hayes both came out the day of the fire, and they’ve been extremely helpful through the entire process.” Dog show friends helped replace grooming equipment and supplies, and AKC replaced the dog’s title and registration certificates for no charge.

The Cruise family is already practicing for next year’s competition. “Showing dogs helps the girls learn responsibility, dedication and how to get along with people,” Jennifer said. “It’s a family atmosphere we love. Even though you’re competing against each other, everyone wants you to do well and will do anything to help you.” Visit AKC.org for more information. June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

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Alabama’s Teacher Of The Year Gets In The Driver’s Seat Of New Car

By Mary Johns labama’s 2019-2020 teacher of the A Year Ana Carolina Behel was all smiles as she climbed into the driver’s

seat of a new 2019 Chevrolet Traverse. Behel will use the car through May 2020 to travel the state as a spokesperson for the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). Alfa Insurance® and Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell presented Behel with the keys during a news conference May 9 at the Alfa Insurance Child Care Center. Alfa Insurance sponsors the year’s use of the vehicle, while the Federation covers the cost of auto insurance provided through Alfa. “Teachers are some of the most important and influential people in students’ lives, and at Alfa, we feel it’s a privilege to honor the hard work of Alabama’s best educators,” Parnell said. “By providing a car and auto insurance, we hope Ms. Behel can travel all over Alabama inspiring other teachers to excel without worrying about wear and

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tear on a personal vehicle.” Behel is a National Board Certified English Language Development teacher who teaches English as a Second Language at Weeden Elementary School in Florence. A native Spanishspeaker from Guatemala, Behel learned English and German before graduating high school. She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Alabama in 1993 and earned her master’s degree from the University of Alabama (UA) in 1999. Behel anticipates finishing her doctorate in education in 2021 at UA. “I love teaching, and I hope this honor helps my students see that if you set high goals for yourself and you work hard, you can accomplish anything,” Behel said. “Thank you to Alfa for letting me use this beautiful car, and thanks to my school district for being so supportive, investing in me and believing in me.” ALSDE named Behel the 2019-2020 teacher of the Year during a May 8 ceremony in downtown Montgomery.

Alabama’s Teacher of the year Ana Carolina Behel, center, received a new 2019 Chevrolet Traverse from Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers Federation to use during her year as a spokesperson for the Alabama State Department of Education. She is pictured with Alfa and Federation President Jimmy Parnell and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey.

She is Alabama’s official candidate for the National teacher of the Year award. Alabama State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey said he appreciates how Alfa and the Federation have staunchly supported the teacher of the Year program for 23 years. “It is because of the generosity of sponsors like Alfa Insurance that our teacher of the Year can travel safely across the state and promote the education profession,” Mackey said. “Traveling in a new, comfortable, stylish vehicle with the honorable distinction of ‘Alabama teacher of the Year’ on the side gives Alabama’s teacher of the Year an additional incentive to visit schools throughout Alabama as education’s top representative.” June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

Outstanding Young Farm Family

s t s i l a Fin

The Roberts Family deKalb County hen it comes to crop rotation, W Jamie and Lindsey Roberts reverse traditional trains of

thought on the DeKalb County hills of Murphree Seed Farm. “Most people plant oats as a rotation, but oats are our priority,” said Jamie, 33, who owns the operation with Lindsey and her relatives, Ken and Deborah Murphree. Since Jamie joined the farm in 2010, the Collinsville-based operation doubled to 1,600 acres of no-till cropland, planting 1,000 acres of black oats annually, as well as specialty crops like partridge peas. This year, they’ll also harvest 600 acres of corn and 1,000 acres of double-cropped soybeans. “When I first started working here, all I wanted to do was grow crops,” said Jamie, an Illinois farm-family transplant who

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June / Summer 2019

hree finalists are vying for the title T of Alabama’s 2019 Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) — and more

than $60,000 in prizes — during on-farm judging this summer. The contest, organized by the Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Division, spotlights members 18-35 years old who earn more than half their income from on-farm production. The OYFF will be announced at the Commodity Producers Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Aug. 3. The OYFF prize package includes $35,000 toward a new Ford truck courtesy of Alfa Insurance®; a John Deere 825i Gator sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and a lease on a John Deere tractor provided by AgPro, SunSouth and TriGreen. Alabama’s OYFF also receives an expense-paid trip to the national competition in Austin, Texas, in January 2020. Runners-up each receive $500 from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit. Finalists were selected after interviews at the Young Farmers Conference in March.

moved to Alabama at age 12. “The longer I worked, the more I wanted to concentrate on the seed business.” Under Jamie’s guidance, storage increased from 16,000 to 240,000 bushels. The business annually ships 1,500 tons of oats and custom blends cover crops and wildlife mixes for Southeastern customers. The Roberts own about 800 acres of land. They hope to buy more and add center pivot irrigation. New ventures include growing heirloom Indian corn for the specialty grits market. They’re raising the next generation, too — Luke, 6, and a daughter due in August. “My job as a pharmacist at Walmart has allowed me to serve our community while having a flexible schedule,” said Lindsey, 33. “Our goal is for me to go part time and work more on the farm.” Lindsey and Jamie, who married in 2005, are also involved in DeKalb County Young Farmers, where Jamie is vice chair. “Farming can be stressful, but I love it,” Jamie said. “It means the world to raise our family around agriculture.” alfafarmers.org

The Johnson Family Randolph County

ack-to-back off-farm jobs are B pushing full-time farming front- and-center for Ben

Johnson. His experiences at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and now Koch Foods help Ben and wife of four years Bethany on their poultry and cattle farm in Randolph County’s Omaha community. But the 30 year old is working toward the day when he hangs up his traveling boots for good. “I always had an interest in farming. There were days when I’d be in the office and all I wanted to think about was what needed to be done on the farm,” said Ben, an Auburn University graduate. “My experience as an FSA loan officer deserves a lot of credit to where we are financially and with the farm.” Bethany echoes those lessons when teaching math at Woodland High School.

Luke Smelley hale County aising five children, catfish R and cattle amid the rolling hills of Hale County is a dream

come true for Luke and Lana Smelley. There’s Levi, 9; Violet, 7; Everett, 4; Daisy, 2; and Iris six months. The girls all have flower names. “With a last name like Smelley, we thought their first names should be something fragrant,” said Lana. For 34-year-old Luke, a career outdoors was always his goal. “When I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to work outside,” he said. “I started renting acreage from neighbors. From there, I was able to acquire more land with ponds and pastures.” Today, Luke and his wife as 3G Farms own 975 acres around their homesite, which includes pastures, ponds and

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“I tell my kids, ‘You can do anything you want, but you need business sense,’” said Bethany, 30. Their farm has diversified since 2011, when Ben bought 50 beef cows. His career swap to Koch Foods as a service technician clued them into a nearby poultry farm for sale, and today, Johnson Farms includes four 40-by-500-feet broiler houses, 150 cows, 450 acres of pasture and 150 acres of row crops. These days, the farm also includes Blakely, 2, and Brooks, 9 months. “You get to see results of your hard work. Whether it’s cattle or chickens, you’re raising something,” said Ben, an Alabama Farmers Federation State Poultry Committee member. He and Bethany are Randolph County Young Farmers Committee chair and secretary, respectively, and attend Providence Baptist Church. The Johnsons say they hope to expand the cattle herd, add broiler houses and have Ben farm full time in the next decade. “His fun is anything on the farm. It doesn’t matter if it’s the worst job, he enjoys it.” Bethany said. “We keep it simple. We have farming and our faith and our family. That’s it.”

timber. Luke manages his dad’s ponds plus his own and produces nearly 5 million pounds of catfish annually. He also manages another 3,500 acres of rented pasture, hayfields and ponds. He harvests about 1,400 large rolls of hay to feed his beef cattle herd and stocker calf business. “Feeding cattle with my kids, and watching them enjoy life out here is what it’s all about,” Luke said. “I enjoy the catfish business, but cattle are my passion. I can’t imagine raising my kids anywhere else.” Lana and Luke met 13 years ago while she was a student at the Rural Studio in Newbern, an off-campus design-build program of Auburn University’s architecture program. After growing up in a military family, she said life in west Alabama was different and interesting. “It was a shock at first,” said Lana, 37, a licensed architect with her own business. “I had a mental image of what farmers looked like and the jobs they did. My first impression was wrong. It wasn’t long before I fell in love with Luke and his entire family.” June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

Davis Named Alabama Peanut Producers Executive Director

acob Davis joined the Alabama J(APPA) Peanut Producers Association as its executive director May

1. APPA serves over 900 farmers and is an affiliate of the Alabama Farmers Federation. Davis takes the helm after a 25-year career focused on agriscience education. “I’ve been privileged to work closely with individuals from the Alabama Farmers Federation through my involvement with Alabama FFA,” said Davis, 46, who was raised on a cattle farm near Opp. “Through those interactions, I’ve come to fully appreciate what the Federation means to Alabama’s agricultural community. I’m excited to join this great organization and work with the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and farmers across the state.” As executive director, Davis will monitor federal policy issues impacting peanut farmers; oversee promotions for Alabama-grown peanuts; work

on research projects with 2004, first as an education stakeholders such as Auburn specialist and then as University and the National education administrator. He Peanut Board; and manage retired in April. day-to-day operations of Davis has experience APPA’s Dothan office. serving on statewide “We’re thankful for the committees, including great relationship between the Alabama Farm-City Federation leadership and Committee, Alabama Ag APPA’s board of directors,” in the Classroom Steering said Brian Hardin, the Committee, Alabama Soil Davis Federation’s Governmental & Water Conservation & Agricultural Programs Department Committee, Alabama Forestry Council director. “We work closely to advocate and Alabama Natural Resources for peanut farmers and are excited for Council. He also advised the Alabama Jacob to join our team. Our farmers Poultry & Egg Association board. will benefit from his knowledge, Additionally, Davis was a leader in organizational skills and understanding the National Association of Supervisors of the association’s structure.” of Agricultural Education, the National Davis is a two-time Auburn University FFA board of directors and National FFA graduate with bachelor’s and master’s Foundation board of trustees. degrees in agriscience technology Davis enjoys hunting, fishing and education. He taught agriscience for spending time with his wife of nearly 10 years before joining the Alabama 20 years, Sonna, and his 16-year-old State Department of Education’s Career son, Jaken. They attend Fairview Baptist and Technical Education Section in Church in Samson.

Why do you serve on the equine committee? I like working with people, animals and wildlife. Serving on the committee has been very rewarding and spreads out the work I can do with other people.

Gean Harris A forest-landowner and State Equine Committee member, Harris is also the Cleburne County Farmers Federation secretary. The 77 year old graduated from Auburn University in 1964, served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and lives back home on the family property in Heﬂin. He and wife of 55 years, Jane, have three sons, Paul, David and Duane, and seven grandchildren.

NEIGHBORS

June / Summer 2019

Tell us about your farm. I grew up on a small row crop farm, which is now mostly in timber. We also have horses, a hayﬁeld and pastureland. We have a certiﬁed TREASURE Forest where we manage wildlife and hope to hold Classroom in the Forest programs.

how do you enjoy spending your time? We have a growing family, so we just have fun on the farm with the grandkids. I used to hunt, but now I mostly hunt for the perfect snapshot with a camera and my eye.

Where do you like to travel? Some people take vacations, but I feel like I have a vacation at home.

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The Gee’s Bend Ferry prepares to dock on the Boykin side of the Alabama River.

Gee’s Bend Ferry Goes Green By Debra Davis ee’s Bend in Wilcox County is G famous for beautiful, hand-stitched quilts and folk art. Now, the area is making history again as home of the nation’s first all-electric ferry.

Following an 11-month hiatus, the Gee’s Bend Ferry began carrying passengers, automobiles and the occasional tractor across the Alabama River April 10. Once powered by diesel engines, the ferry now uses a large tower of batteries that is recharged

The ferry hauls passengers, vehicles and equipment across the Alabama River.

NEIGHBORS

June / Summer 2019

at docking stations in Camden on the north and Boykin on the south sides of the river. “The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) owns the Gee’s Bend Ferry, plus two ferries in Mobile (at Dauphin Island),” said Tim Aguirre, general manager of HMS Ferries Inc. of Alabama, which operates the vessel. “The ferries provide an important service by saving time, fuel, and wear and tear on automobiles. We operate every day during daylight hours, unless water or weather deems it unsafe.” Stacy Scott, a Pine Hill resident who works for Cahaba Mental Health Center in Camden, routinely takes the ferry to see clients who live in the Gee’s Bend area. “Riding the ferry saves me about 35 minutes one way,” she said. “But it’s not just time I save. I save money on fuel and miles on my car. Besides, riding the river is a nice, peaceful break in my day.” The ferry runs from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. and makes five round trips daily. Tickets are alfafarmers.org

Tim Aguirre, general manager of HMS Ferries Inc., said the Gee’s Bend Ferry helps travelers turn a 40mile trip into a 15-minute ride across the river.

The ferry recharges its batteries with power from Pioneer Electric Cooperative near Boykin and Alabama Power Co. in Camden.

Ferry Capt. Ray Parker inspects the massive stack of batteries used to power the Gee’s Bend Ferry. It is the only electric ferry in the U.S.

$3 per car and rider and $1 for each additional rider. Children under 12 ride free. Large vehicles like motor homes pay more. It’s not unusual to see a farm tractor using the ferry. About 20,000 people and 10,000 vehicles ride the ferry annually, Aguirre said. The trip is just more than 2 miles and takes 15-18 minutes depending on the current. Aguirre said HMS proposed the ferry’s conversion to electric power, which was funded through a $1 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant matched by $765,000 from ALDOT. “Converting to electricity required us to add three-phase power to the landings,” Aguirre said. “The Boykin side is powered by Pioneer Electric Cooperative, and Alabama Power services the Camden side. We also had to get easements from area property owners to run the new lines.” A charging system is at both landings. Even though a single charge can power the ferry round trip, batteries are typically “topped off” at each landing stop, Aguirre said. The first ferry between Gee’s Bend and Camden ran on cables in

the 1930s. It was shut down in 1962 and is on display at the Gee’s Bend Nutrition Center, a short drive from the Boykin landing. In the 1990s, Congress allocated money to pay for ferry service and operating costs. The ferry reopened in 2006. Camden native Travoris Woods, 34, is at home on the river. He’s a senior deckhand on the ferry — a job he’s had nearly seven years. He said he enjoys helping people and being on the

river every day. In addition to guiding motorists and pedestrians safely aboard, he keeps an eye on passengers, cargo and river conditions. The scenery along the river can be spectacular, he said. “We see all kinds of wildlife, and just being so close to nature is the best part of my job,” he said. “We see alligators, eagles, all kinds of birds — it’s beautiful out here.”

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Mental health worker Stacy Scott rides the ferry to see clients in the Gee’s Bend area.

June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

Commodity Conference Sets Sights On By Marlee Moore undreds of farmers will head for the Appalachian foothills during H the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 47th

Commodity Producers Conference Aug. 1-3 in Chattanooga. Registration closes June 14 at AlfaFarmers.org. The Federation’s Brian Hardin said the meeting offers an assortment of agricultural insights in the tri-state area. “Chattanooga has a lot to offer our members, from first-class meeting spaces and delicious restaurants to scenic spots for afternoon adventures,” said Hardin, the Federation’s Governmental & Agricultural Programs Department director. “We’re also excited to offer tours that highlight north Alabama farms, in addition to operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Our tours and speakers should help showcase agricultural diversity, expand farmers’ horizons and, ultimately, affect their bottom line.” The conference begins with the second annual Hay & Forage Spokesperson Contest, followed by a welcome banquet. Tours depart for stops in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia the next morning. On Day 3, seminars range from social media marketing and state branding projects to industrial hemp and highway regulations. State Young Farmers Committee member and lawyer Leah McElmoyl will also lead a general session on estate planning. The meeting closes with Young Farmers contests results, including the Outstanding Young Farm Family, Excellence in Agriculture winner and four Discussion Meet finalists. Closing banquet entertainment includes singers Linda Davis and Lenny LeBlanc as part of “The Heart Behind The Music,” which blends personal insight with musical performances.

NEIGHBORS

June / Summer 2019

Chattanooga Aug. 1-3 Blue Tour

The Blue Tour’s trek through Tennessee begins with a wine tasting and tour of Tsali Notch Vineyard, which specializes in muscadine wine and products in lush foothills outside Madisonville. After lunch at the Dinner Bell Restaurant & General Store, the tour heads to Sweetwater Valley Farm in Philadelphia, a diversified cattle and row crop operation that milks more than 1,500 cows with robotic technology.

orange Tour

Conservation and innovation are featured on the Orange Tour, which starts at Riverbend Farm in Georgia, a 1,260-acre crop and timber farm concentrating on practices like conservation tillage; crop rotation; cover crops; irrigation; and nutrient and pest management. After lunch, attendees will tour Cherokee Gin & Cotton Co. in Centre, Alabama. Its new facility gins 50 bales an hour, compared to 35 bales an hour at the old gin.

red Tour

Travel to Tennessee horticulture operations on the Red Tour, which starts at Apple Valley Orchard and Cider Mill in Cleveland, a 20,000-tree orchard. Attendees will sample wine and tour Tsali Notch Vineyard in Madisonville next, where they will also enjoy a brisket lunch. The Red Tour ends at Will Estes Industrial Hemp Farm in Sweetwater, where an attorney-turned-farmer discusses his journey to be one of the state’s largest industrial hemp growers.

green Tour

The Green Tour highlights history and hardwoods. Stop 1 is a tour of Chickamauga Battlefield in north Georgia, the site of Civil War clashes. Lunch follows with an Alabama Forestry Commission presentation on the White Oak Initiative. The day ends at Brown-Forman Cooperage in Stevenson, Alabama, which makes white oak barrels for brands like Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve.

yellow Tour

Cattle and hay production take center stage on the Yellow Tour, which stops first at Tennessee River Music Inc. in Fort Payne, a registered Hereford and Angus farm owned by singer Randy Owen. Next up is Lookout Mountain Genetics, a custom bull collection facility, followed by a barbecue lunch at the Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center. Participants will end the day at Circle R Hay Farm in Fyffe, which raises warm- and cool-season grasses for equine and beef cattle customers.

pink Tour

Hosted by the State Women’s Leadership Committee, the Pink Tour cooks up fun at the Lodge Factory Store in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. The tour then heads to lunch at Gorham’s Bluff, a scenic community overlooking the mighty Tennessee River near Pisgah, Alabama. The Pink Tour ends at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama.

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Study Shows How Alabama Agriculture Feeds The Economy

and agriculture directly account for 312,000 Alabama jobs, or about F14%ood of the workforce, according to a new study released by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The “Feeding the Economy” study was designed to measure the direct and indirect impact of U.S. food and agricultural industries on factors ranging from employment and wages to exports and tax revenue. Alabama Farmers Federation National Affairs Director Mitt Walker said the study demonstrates agriculture’s importance to the state and nation. “Agriculture is our largest industry, but its economic impact often is overlooked,” Walker said. “Farming and farm products provide jobs for millions

of Americans and generate billions of dollars for the economy. This study provides compelling data we can use as the Federation advocates for farmers in Washington and Montgomery.” Nationwide, 22.8 million people work in the food and agriculture industries, representing about 15% of the U.S. employment base. The study included direct farming and ranching jobs, as well as manufacturing, wholesale and retail. Grocery and food service work accounted for the most jobs. According to the study, 13% of Alabama food and agriculture jobs are farming-related, with 87% in the downstream supply chain. Nationally, about 11% of the total are on-farm jobs. When the study

considered the indirect and induced impact of agriculture on the economy, it showed 579,000 Alabamians — or 26% of the workforce — owe a portion of their livelihoods to farming. Other Alabama highlights included: Direct Wages — $8.09 billion Direct Output — $34.71 billion Business Taxes — $8.33 billion Exports — $551.58 million Total Wages — $21.39 billion Total Output — $83.86 billion Across the country, direct food and agricultural jobs represent total wages of $729 billion, federal tax contributions of $537 billion, state tax contributions of $376 billion and economic output of $2.1 trillion — proving agriculture and its related industries have a sizable impact on the U.S. economy, the report said. State and congressional district reports are available at FeedingTheEconomy.com.

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labama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has licensed 152 growers, 59 processors and five universities to grow, cultivate, process and research industrial hemp in 2019. “We have had a significant interest in the Alabama Industrial Hemp Pilot Program from potential growers and processors since the availability of applications was announced in January,” said ADAI Commissioner Rick Pate. “We’re encouraged after our initial meetings with the approved growers and processors that the first year of the pilot program will provide opportunities for the agriculture industry in Alabama. “It’s never easy to start a program from scratch, but our staff is committed to make this program work, giving farmers in Alabama an opportunity to diversify and grow an alternative crop,” he said. Individuals and businesses must be licensed by the ADAI to grow or process hemp in Alabama. Under laws passed by the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. Congress, it’s unlawful to possess raw or unprocessed hemp, hemp plants or hemp seed without a license. To assist growers in the inaugural growing season, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is training regional Extension agents Rudy Yates and Brandon Dillard. Contact Yates at yatesrp@aces.edu or Dillard at dillaba@aces.edu. Guests at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 47th Commodity Producers Conference in Chattanooga can also tour a hemp farm and hear a panel discussion with hemp regulatory, research and farm representatives. Register for the conference, which is Aug. 1-3, at AlfaFarmers.org by June 14. Learn more about the Alabama Industrial Hemp Pilot Program and view the list of licensed growers, processors and universities at tinyurl.com/ AlabamaHemp.

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Chuck-Wagon Racing Enthusiasts Blaze Trail Into Alabama

Daniel Guin is the Bama Mule Skinners’ team rider/cook, while Gunter Pendley is the driver.

By Dennis Sherer anny Foster said it’s hard to find D a sports competition in Alabama more thrilling than a chuck-wagon race.

“From when they fire the gun to start the race, until the wagons cross the finish line is only about a minute, but that entire minute is filled with pure excitement,” said Foster, who owns Seven Springs Lodge and Rattlesnake Saloon in Tuscumbia. “You have wagons pulled by teams of horses or mules running around the track at close to 40 mph at times. Horses and mules are running wide-open, and wagons are racing wheel-to-wheel. Dust is flying, people are screaming, and everybody is having fun.” Seven Springs Lodge hosted Alabama’s first sanctioned chuck-wagon 20

NEIGHBORS

June / Summer 2019

race in 2014. Foster said the chuck-wagon races there have grown annually. This year’s races were April 27-28 and attracted over 3,000 fans and horse enthusiasts from as far away as California and Wisconsin. The races were part of a weeklong frontier day festival that included trail rides, a rodeo and a tough cowgirl contest. Susan Hamlin, president and CEO of Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau in Tuscumbia, said Frontier Days at Seven Springs Lodge is one the county’s largest sporting events. “People from all over the country come to Tuscumbia to race their wagon, ride horses, compete in the rodeo events or just meet friends who share a love for horses, mules and rodeos,” she said. Bama Mule Skinners of Winfield is

among the chuck-wagon racing teams that race annually at Seven Springs Lodge. Gunter Pendley, who drives the Bama Mule Skinners wagon, said side-by-side racing with teams of mules or horses pulling custom-built chuck wagons is a thrill. “It’s a pure adrenaline rush like no other,” Pendley said. “There’s nothing else like it. You can’t beat it.” Chuck-wagon races begin with a standing start. A blank gun is fired to signal the start, and teams lunge into action. Wagons have a driver and a cook onboard. An outrider on a horse or mule accompanies each wagon and doesn’t mount their horse until the race begins. The outrider then has to catch the wagon and beat it to the finish alfafarmers.org

Alabama’s first sanctione

d chuck-wagon race wa

s in 2014 in Tuscumbia

. This year, over 3,000 pe

Teams of horses or mu

les pull custom wagons

William Shotts of The Hir ed Hands of Hodges is

line. Wagon drivers aren’t allowed to slow their team to allow the outrider to overtake them. “There’s no holding back,” Pendley said. You have to go wide-open from start to finish.” Racing divisions are based on the size of the horse or mule and type of wagon. While most divisions are for rubber-tired racing wagons, there are categories for traditional wagons with steel-rimed wooden wheels, too. There’s also a youth division. Pendley competes in the big mule division, which is for mules at least 52 inches tall. It’s also the fastest mule division. “I grew up around chuck-wagon racing and mules,” he said. “I remember going to races with my family when I was just a kid.” alfafarmers.org

He began driving the Bama Mule Skinners wagon last year and has already won more than a dozen races. His grandfather, Jerry Reese, a lifelong mule enthusiast, too. “We have always raised and worked mules,” said 69-year-old Reese, who began competing in chuck-wagon races about 20 years ago. The Bama Mule Skinners race nearly every spring and summer weekend in states like Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Pendley said he and his family were excited when Seven Springs Lodge began hosting wagon races. He said it’s great to have a race close to home, noting it’s usually about a 300-mile trip to a race. While chuck-wagon racers compete for prizes of a couple of hundred dollars, bragging rights are the

ople attended.

during chuck-wagon rac

es.

the rider/cook, and Denn

is Seals is the driver.

real prize, he said. Another Alabama chuck-wagon team is The Hired Hands. Driver Dennis Seals of Hodges said he’d like to see more races and racers in the state. “We’re working to get more people east of the Mississippi River involved in chuck-wagon racing,” Seals said. “Most of the races and racers are in west Arkansas or Texas, but Alabama is a prime spot to expand the sport. A lot of people here have horses or mules. If we can have more races in Alabama for them to attend and see how much fun it is, they’re liable to get hooked on it like we are.” Seals competes in the big mule division and plans to host a sanctioned race at his farm next year. Contact him at (205) 300-4387 to learn more about chuck-wagon racing. June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

Ag Census

Shows Alabama Has More Female Farmers, Fewer Farms hirty-four percent of Alabama farms T are owned by women, up from 13% five years ago and well above the

national average of 27%. And while the number of Alabama farms has declined, 91% of all farms in the state are family owned, the same as five years ago. That data and more was released April 11 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Alabama office. The report is based on the 2017 Census of Agriculture, which additionally showed first-time data about on-farm decision making, down to the county level. “The census shows new data that can be compared to previous censuses for insights into agricultural trends and changes down to the county level,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “We are pleased to share first-time data on topics such as military status and on-farm decision making.” Census data provide valuable insights into demographics, economics, land and activities on U.S. farms and ranches. Census results are available in online formats including video 22

NEIGHBORS

June / Summer 2019

Carla Robertson Williamson of Montgomery is among a growing number of women interested in farming. Earlier this year, she attended a Women In Agriculture workshop in Fairhope.

presentations, a new data query interface, maps and traditional data tables.

Visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus to access all Census of Agriculture information.

ts h g li h ig H a m a b la A Key ms in uThere were 40,592 far m fro wn do Alabama in 2017, at Th . 12 20 43,223 farms in 31 represents a loss of 2,6 te. sta farms across the d uAlabama producers sol of rth wo n lio bil $5.98 2017, agricultural products in n lio compared to $5.57 bil n lio bil in 2012. It cost $4.61 cts du to produce these pro in 2017, down from $4.74 billion in 2012.

uPoultry and eggs uAlabama farms contributed 87% of the comprised 8.58 million ultry wn total livestock, po acres of land in 2017, do and products sold in from 8.9 million acres in Alabama, up from 2012. 85.2% in 2012. uAlabama ranks second in the U.S. for broilers sold, quail inventory, catfish value sold and pounds of peanuts produced.

u1,813 Alabama farm operators reported uThe Top 10 counties in selling products directly are terms of number of farms to consumers. In 2017, all, DeKalb, Cullman, Marsh rence, these sales totaled Jackson, Lauderdale, Law up unt and almost $9.4 million, Morgan, Limestone, Blo . 12 20 m 2.2% fro Madison.

uThe average Alabama farmer in 2017 was 58 years old, down slightly from 59.3 years old in 2012. u772 Alabama farms produced on-farm renewable energy, up 208% from 2012. uAlabama farms with Internet access rose from 65% in 2012 to 73% in 2017. alfafarmers.org

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For more information call 1-800-581-8942 Refer to booking #924400 alfafarmers.org

June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

Ray’s Restaurant

Picked As Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler

By Marlee Moore ay’s Restaurant in Dothan combines R firm peaches, soft-but-crunchy cobbler and melty vanilla ice cream into

a recipe for success — also called Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler. Owner Christi Peterson’s cobbler is a take on her maternal grandmother’s classic Southern dessert, with a few still-secret twists. Ray’s regulars nominated the dish in a statewide Facebook contest this spring. “When we were preparing for the judges, I said, ‘I hope they don’t ask for the recipe because it’s a little of this, a little of that!’” said Peterson, who bought the 50-year-old restaurant three years ago with parents Chan and Carolyn Elliott. Peterson is peachy keen for freshness, too. Peaches from Aplin Farms in nearby Slocomb star in her

NEIGHBORS

June / Summer 2019

Ray’s Restaurant in Dothan was named Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler during a contest sponsored by the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA). Judges were AFVGA Executive Director Hunter McBrayer, AFVGA President Taylor Hatchett and SouthernBite.com food blogger Stacey Little. From left are McBrayer, Hatchett, owners Chan and Carolyn Elliott and Christi Peterson, and Little. alfafarmers.org

Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler judges dug into classic Southern peach cobbler prepared by Christi Peterson, second from right, at Ray’s Restaurant in Dothan April 23. Judges Hunter McBrayer, Stacey Little and Taylor Hatchett said the dessert was the perfect combination of firm peaches, gooey cobbler and melty ice cream.

cobbler during harvest season, which runs through late July. “In the spring, I like to cut up a few peaches and start getting a little fresh peach taste. Granny always made her cobbler with canned peaches unless we had fresh peaches,” she said. “I don’t like cobbler all bready, either. I take it from the oven when it’s a little runny so the cobbler is like a gel when it gets cold.” As the winner of Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler, Ray’s Restaurant received $300 from contest sponsor, the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association

(AFVGA). The contest’s nominating stage on Facebook received over 150 votes for more than 30 restaurants. “It’s an honor to say we were even nominated,” Peterson said. “My paternal grandmother read about the contest in Neighbors magazine and said, ‘Christi, you need to do this.’ So, we did, and our customers responded in the best way possible.” AFVGA President Taylor Hatchett recently added “Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler judge” to her resume, traveling the state for Final Four judging in

late April. Recipe developer and SouthernBite.com food blogger Stacey Little and AFVGA Executive Director Hunter McBrayer rounded out the team. “Every bite was a perfect mixture and blend of peaches and cobbler,” said Hatchett, a Chilton County farmer. Little said he appreciated Ray’s mom-and-pop, unique feel — from its Table of Knowledge where public officials, locals and out-of-towners discuss Wiregrass happenings to its assorted ceramic coffee cups and simple cobbler approach. “Ray’s recipe is what I grew up calling peach cobbler. It has tons of peach flavor,” Little said. “So much goes into a dish like this. It’s not something you can mass produce.” Other Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler finalists were Burnette Farms Market in Pelham, Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Que Ranch in Prattville and Peach Park in Clanton. Ray’s Restaurant, which serves made-to-order breakfast and country lunches, is open Monday-Friday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 5 a.m. to noon. Peach cobbler is served on Wednesdays. Learn more on Facebook or at RaysDothan.com.

Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler Finalists

Burnette Farms Market in Pelham alfafarmers.org

Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Que Ranch in Prattville

Peach Park in Clanton June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

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2019 ANNUAL MEETING DATES, TIMES & LOCATIONS COUNTY

DATE

TIME

BUILDING

ADDRESS

CITY

Baldwin

Thursday, Aug. 22

7:00 p.m.

Baldwin County Federation Building

21332 Hwy. 59

Robertsdale

Butler

Tuesday, July 30

5:30 p.m.

Pioneer Electric Building

300 Herbert Street

Greenville

Coffee

Monday, July 15

6:30 p.m.

Community Room

1055 E. McKinnon St.

New Brockton

Colbert

Monday, Aug. 26

6:30 p.m.

Hospitality House (NW Shoals Community College)

800 George Wallace Blvd.

Muscle Shoals

Conecuh

Tuesday, Aug. 13

6:00 p.m.

David Burt Building

102 Liberty St.

Evergreen

Cullman

Thursday, Aug. 8

7:00 p.m.

Cullman Farmers Federation Building

307 Main Ave. NW

Cullman

Elmore

Tuesday, July 16

7:00 p.m.

Wetumpka High School

1281 Coosa River Pkwy.

Wetumpka

Escambia

Tuesday, Aug. 20

6:00 p.m.

Ag Center

175 Ag Science Dr.

Brewton

Fayette

Tuesday, Aug. 6

6:30 p.m.

Fayette Civic Center

530 Temple Ave. North

Fayette

Lamar

Monday, Aug. 12

6:30 p.m.

Vernon City Complex

44425 AL 17

Vernon

Marion

Friday, Aug. 9

6:30 p.m.

Tombigbee Electric Co-Op

3196 Co. Rd. 55

Hamilton

Mobile

Thursday, July 25

7:00 p.m.

Jon Archer Center

1070 Schillinger Road N

Mobile

Pike

Tuesday, July 9

7:00 p.m.

South Alabama Electric Cooperative

13192 US Highway 231 S

Troy

Sumter

Monday, July 8

7:00 p.m.

Alfa Service Center

106 Marshall Street

Livingston

Tuscaloosa

Thursday, Aug. 15

7:00 p.m.

Northport Civic Center Auditorium

3500 McFarland Blvd.

Northport

NEIGHBORS

June / Summer 2019

alfafarmers.org

Federation Welcomes New Home Office Staff Members

he Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed new staff to its T Accounting, Destinations and Public

in Prattville and attend Centerpoint Fellowship Church. Telea Perry is the newest meeting planner for Destinations, the Federation’s meeting and event-planning group. She has 15

Relations departments this spring. Rachel Holifield is the new manager of accounting process, where she performs journal entry preparation, financial statement review and analysis for the Federation and Alfa Services Inc. “Being from Monroeville and growing up in a family of farmers, I enjoy being around the people at the Federation,” she said. Holifield Perry Holifield graduated in accounting from the University of years of experience in hospitality and Alabama and received her Master of previously worked for Hilton Garden Accountancy from Auburn University at Inn Montgomery EastChase and Montgomery. She previously worked Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa. with Jackson Thornton certified public “From farm tours and ag seminars accountants and consultants. to awards presentations and incentive Holifield and husband Forrest live trips, I’ll never get bored with the

event-planning opportunities,” she said. A native of Springfield, Illinois, Perry graduated from Faulkner University in business administration. She attends Capitol City Church of God in Christ. Additionally, Alyssa Bethea joined the Public Relations Department as employee and product communications director. Previously, she was Alfa Insurance’s social media marketing manager. “In 12 years with Alfa, I familiarized myself with our products and services and feel confident we will bolster brand awareness Bethea and deepen brand loyalty among new and existing audiences,” the Montgomery native said. Bethea graduated from Troy University of Montgomery in business administration. She joined Alfa in 2007. She and husband C.J. live in Pike Road with daughters Kylie and Amelia.

What Do you Like About agriculture? Working with animals. It’s always something new every day.

Brian Anderson Brian Anderson combines his love of agriculture with a passion for teaching students as manager of Auburn University’s Swine Research and Education Center, a 75sow farrow-to-ﬁnish facility. Anderson, 53, was elected to the Alabama Farmers Federation’s State Pork Committee in 2018. He and wife Lisa live in Auburn and have one daughter, Shelby. Past community work included coaching recreation league sports and serving on the Auburn Parks and Recreation baseball and softball boards.

alfafarmers.org

How Is Your Job Rewarding? At Auburn, I’m able to share my passion for pork production with students that come through the program.

How Did you Get Involved in Agriculture? I grew up on a family farm in Illinois that transferred from dairy to row crops and swine production.

What do Few People Know About you? I was a dance dad for my daughter, Shelby, and attended dance competitions across the Southeast with her. I also worked backstage for the local production of “The Nutcracker.”

June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

Visit The New Alabama Extension Website By Maggie Lawrence he Alabama Cooperative Extension T System’s newly designed website is quickly becoming a trusted source

of science-based information in the region and nation. Alabama Extension Director Gary Lemme called ACES.edu “transformative.” “From the ground up, it was designed for the user,” Lemme said. “It’s built on the most current web-based technology available. “We started with audience research that included focus groups, surveys of hundreds of people and a deep assessment of the current state of university websites. What we found is there are three types of users — information searchers, casual learners and advanced learners. Where most sites are designed for a single dimensional user, this site responds to every type of learner.” The information is organized intuitively. It’s built around topics people recognize, need and request. These include

website,” Lemme said. “Our site can be instantly translated into 66 languages, more than any other Extension site in the country.” Beyond English, people can read the site in Korean, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese, to name a few. Besides conquering language barriers, the new website helps people who have disabilities that make navigating and reading a challenge. “For the first time, a blind person can read our site thanks to built-in accessibility tools such as screen readers,” Lemme said. “The same technology can help people with mobility challenges navigate the site without using a mouse.” A powerful search engine allows people to find not only content by key word but also workshops and

events near them. It also includes a comprehensive staff directory by specialty and location. While the website has a bold, new look, Lemme assures people they will find the sound and useful information they expect from Alabama Extension. Specialists with Alabama Extension are creating new content as well as revising older content. As updates are completed, they will be added to the site. Visitors with favorite Extension information can also use the searchable archives. Visit the new website at ACES.edu.

u Alabama 4-H u Farming

u Fish and Water u Food Safety

u Forestry and Wildlife u Home and Family

u Lawn and Garden u Urban Extension

Visitors will discover new content every time they visit, whether first thing in the morning or just before bed. “No matter what language you speak, you can read the Extension

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June / Summer 2019

alfafarmers.org

ALABAMIAN HIGHWAY

n a two-lane county highway — somewhere in Alabama. The weather was perfect. And when I say perfect, I mean it. “Look at that barn,” said my wife. I looked. We must’ve passed 50 of them. Each looked like a photograph. Dilapidated things — old wood and tin roofs. We rocketed by pastures that rolled up and down like little oceans. Herds of cattle huddled beneath enormous shade trees. A church bus passed me. The side of the bus read, “New Zion Methodist Church, South Carolina.” The folks inside were singing. So help me, singing. The lady in back looked like Aretha Franklin — only happier. Behind them, a busted-up yellow truck with so much rust it hardly qualiﬁed as yellow. A bumper sticker read, “Go to church and live right, or Nick Saban will get you.” We shot past ponds, big ones. I can’t look at rural bodies of water without wondering whether they’re full of bream and bass. What would be the point of having them if they weren’t? We stopped at an elderly man’s vegetable stand. I bought 47 homegrown tomatoes. “You’re wiping me out,” he said. “Yessir.” He winked. “Well, well. What am I gonna do with all this money?”

I hear Disney World is lovely this time of year. We drove past magnolias, live oaks and enough pine trees to make you sick of pine trees. Which could never happen. Little houses dotted the sides of the highway. Each with an outdoor workshop — a place men go to tinker. “Piddling,” my granny would’ve called it. It was inside a workshop where my uncle showed me how to change the oil on a Chevy. And once during a family reunion when they ran out of beds inside the house, I slept in the bed of that truck. I fell asleep staring at old political posters on the garage walls. Things that read: “I like Ike," or “Carry on, with Roosevelt,” or “United we win.” Anyway, I’m happy right now. I don’t know why. And I’m afraid to question it. Studying your own happiness is a lot like looking at ants beneath a magnifying glass. Stare too long, and before you know it, you’ve killed your ants. The truth is, for a long time I used to see the sky as gray, even when it was blue. I didn’t like my own birthdays, much less long drives through the Alabamian countryside. I’m not like that anymore. I don’t care if we ever get where we’re going. I’m already here. ■

21st Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference July 18-20 Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort Panama City Beach, Florida

Topics include:

3 Peanut production 3 Legislative issues 3 Marketing and promotions

tinyurl.com/PeanutConference19

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

June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

By Lois Chaplin

he week of June 17-23 is National T Pollinator Week, a time to celebrate the pollinators whose work keeps

Alabama

life ticking. Beyond the well-known bees, pollinators include flies, beetles, wasps, birds, butterflies and bats which pollinate everything from garden crops to trees, shrubs and flowers of the forest. Although bees are responsible for pollinating the most crops, it’s surprising to learn the role non-bee species play. For example, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are visited by hoverflies, also called flower flies, whose larvae also devour aphids. Hoverflies pollinate many wildflowers, too. Only flies and beetles — not bees — pollinate native pawpaw trees. Pollination happens even while we sleep. Moths visit fragrant flowers such as pinks, flowering tobacco and moonvine at night. Have you seen a large hawk moth working flowers at dusk or later? Except for the time of day, it could be mistaken for a hummingbird. The family of hawk moths includes species which are also active during the day. Many flowers have a specific shape, scent, bloom time or color that attracts a certain pollinator. For example, bee

species with long tongues visit tall, tubular flowers such as salvia and penstemon, while species with short tongues pollinate flat, open flowers like single zinnias and sunflowers. The relationship between plant and insect can get so specific that if either goes missing from an environment, the other is likely to disappear, too. That’s a good reason to plant a wide range of native plants in a landscape. So how do we encourage pollinators in our landscapes? Just one or two of these practices will help provide habitat. Plant flowering perennials, not just evergreen shrubs, which are the current trend in landscaping. Select a wide variety of plants, including many natives, since native plants and insects have an ecological relationship to each other. Chose assorted plants with flowers or fruit in each season. Plant in clumps of three rather than just single plants; this makes foraging more efficient for pollinators. Most pollinators like single blooms, not big doubles, so the simpler the better. Include host plants, or specific plants on which the pollinator will lay eggs to raise young. For example, fritillary butterflies lay eggs on Maypop vines. That means Maypop

vines tolerate chewing by caterpillars, so put those plants where it won’t matter visually. Don’t cut back the woody tops of perennials until spring to leave some small dead tops where native, solitary bees can nest. Avoid insecticides whenever possible, read labels for bee toxicity, and spray when the fewest pollinators are active. If possible, let clover, dandelions, henbit, oxalis and other flowering “weeds” bloom a while before mowing, and don’t mow them all at once. Educate your homeowners association on the value of pollinators. It seems small, but considering pollinators as we garden each season can provide refuge for many insects and encourage their populations. For more information, reference the Alabama Gardener in the June 2014 and 2016 issues of Neighbors at AlfaFarmers.org. Also, don’t miss the detailed plant lists and photos available on the pollinator section of the Alabama Extension’s website at ACES.edu. Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

FIND HOT DEALS & SUMMER SAVINGS E ALAFARM.COM 30

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June / Summer 2019

alfafarmers.org

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June / Summer 2019

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Peach Chess Pie Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 1 hr

Makes 1 pie

Ingredients 2 medium peaches 1/2 cup butter 1 1/4 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon almond flavoring 3 eggs 1 tablespoon cornmeal 1/3 cup buttermilk 1 (9-inch) unbaked deep dish pie shell

Instructions Heat oven to 350 F. Peel, pit and thinly slice peaches and place them in the pie shell. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar and salt together until smooth. Add the almond flavoring and mix well. Mix in eggs and cornmeal. Add the buttermilk and mix until smooth. Pour the mixture over the peaches. Place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any overflow. Bake 55 to 60 minutes until just barely set. Allow to cool completely before slicing. ur quest for Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler might be over, but that O doesn’t mean we’re done with peaches.

Not at all! It was so fun to see different takes on the Southern classic, and all that cobbler tasting has me craving more. Unlike some other fruits, there just aren’t great substitutes when fresh peaches are out of season, so I make every effort to get in as many recipes as possible. To help you do the same, I’m sharing some of my most favorite peach recipes this month. Since we’re already talking about peach cobbler, I had to include the family recipe for what is probably my favorite peach dessert. My mom has been making peach cobbler this way for as long as I can remember. There’s something so delicious about the simplicity of this nostalgic recipe. I love it served warm with a big ol’ scoop of vanilla ice cream. When peach season rolls around every year, I always ask her to make this for me. Despite the fact I

NEIGHBORS

June / Summer 2019

have her exact recipe and have seen her make it a thousand times, it never tastes like hers when I make it. Peach Dumplings are another favorite when peaches come into season. I took the classic crescent roll apple dumpling recipe and swapped out the apples for juicy peaches. This recipe brings a traditionally cool weather dish right into summer. And like peach cobbler, this dessert is great served alongside vanilla ice cream. When it comes to pie, classic chess pie is one of my favorites. There’s no reason not to give it a peach makeover, so I created this Peach Chess Pie. It has all the creamy flavor of chess pie, but with the addition of peaches, it tastes like a delicious peach cobbler in pie form. Who can say no to that? It’s even great with a handful of fresh blueberries thrown in, too! I’ll admit my love for all things peach might be slightly overshadowed by my love for things in the “upsidedown” category. On SouthernBite.com,

you’ll find recipes for everything from classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake to Strawberry Upside-Down Cake to Caramel Pecan Upside-Down Cake to things a little more unusual, like Bacon Upside-Down Cornbread and UpsideDown Pizza Casserole. So it was natural to add a peach version to the collection. This upside-down cake might start with a boxed cake mix, but after one bite, no one will know. It’s super easy but tastes like it took all day. Regardless of how you eat them — baked in pies and cakes, spun into ice cream or straight off the tree — I hope this month has you all enjoying the sweet harvest that is the juicy Alabama peach. Stacey Little is a foodie, recipe developer and cookbook author whose Southern Bite blog helps families put simple, down-to-earth food on the table while preserving Southern cooking for future generations. See more recipes at southernbite.com. alfafarmers.org

Mom’s Peach Cobbler Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Servings 6

Ingredients 6 to 7 peaches, depending on size (about 4 cups sliced) 3 cups water 3/4 cup sugar, divided 1 (9-ounce) box Jiffy Golden Yellow Cake Mix 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

Peach Dumplings Prep Time Cook Time Makes 10 mins 35 mins 8 dumplings

Ingredients 1 large peach 1 (8-ounce) 8-count can refrigerated crescent roll dough 1/2 cup butter, melted 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3/4 cup lemon-lime soda

Instructions Heat oven to 350 F and lightly spray an 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Peel and slice the peach into eight wedges, discarding the pit. Open the can of crescent roll dough and unroll each one. Place one peach slice on the wide end of one crescent, and roll it up in the crescent. Place in the baking dish. Continue with other rolls. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, cinnamon and flour. Mix until just combined. Spoon the mixture over each crescent. Pour the lemon-lime soda into the empty spaces between the dumplings, being careful not to pour it on top of the dumplings. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until dumplings are golden brown. Serve warm with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. alfafarmers.org

Heat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Peel and slice peaches. Add peaches to a medium pot with water and 1/2 cup of sugar. Cook over medium-low heat until peaches are soft — 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain peaches into the prepared dish. Add 1/2 cup of liquid remaining in pot over peaches. Sprinkle with boxed cake mix. Top cake mix with remaining sugar and cinnamon. Using a butter knife, make swirls in baking dish to combine some of the dry ingredients with the peach juices below. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and set.

Peach Pecan Upside-Down Cake Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 50 mins

Servings 8 to 10

Ingredients 2 to 3 large peaches 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 cup butter, divided 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 (15.25-ounce) yellow or butter cake mix 1 cup milk 3 eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions Heat oven to 325 F. Peel, pit and thinly slice peaches. Grease a 10.5-inch cast iron skillet, and arrange peaches in the bottom. Sprinkle pecans over the peaches. In a small bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter, and mix in the brown sugar. Pour mixture over the peaches and pecans. Melt the remaining 1/2 cup butter and add to a large bowl with the cake mix, milk, eggs and cinnamon. Mix well. Pour cake batter over the peaches and brown sugar mixture. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Immediately cover pan with a platter and invert. Serve warm. Top with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired. June / Summer 2019

NEIGHBORS

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Follow us The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Everyone is welcome! © 2019 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All rights reserved. www.aces.edu