June/Summer 2021 | Volume 46 | 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 Jon Hegeman | Vice President | Central, Anniston George Jeffcoat | Vice President | Southeast, Gordon Jake Harper | Vice President | Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn | Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Brian Glenn | Hillsboro Mark Byrd | Danville John Bert East | Leesburg Tim Whitley | Horton Joe Anders | Northport Phillip Hunter | Birmingham Joe Lambrecht | Wetumpka Jimmy Holliman | Marion Junction Bill Cook | Montgomery Steve Stroud | Goshen Mark Kaiser | Seminole Thomas Adams | Newville Kathy Gordon | Dadeville Brady Peek | Athens Neighbors (ISSN 0162-3974) is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 or (334) 288-3900. For information about Alabama Farmers Federation member benefits, visit the website www.alfafarmers.org. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and additional mailing offices. Printed in the U.S.A. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Neighbors P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001 MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES 800-392-5705, Option 4 or BWatkins@alfafarmers.org ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Ben Shurett, (256) 997-7922 BenShurett.alfafarmers@gmail.com DISCLAIMERS: Advertisements in Neighbors do not represent an endorsement by the magazine or Alabama Farmers Federation. Editorial information from sources outside the Alabama Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Alabama Farmers Federation policies. Publication of information does not imply an endorsement by the Alabama Farmers Federation.
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In This Issue 4 | Outstanding Young Farm Families Recognized 9 | Alfa Home Office View Changed With History
32 | Cash In On Flavor From Local Farmers Markets
12 | Youth Leadership Conference Highlights
14 | Purple Paint Law Points Out Property Lines 15 | Women’s Leadership
Helps Makes History
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On The Cover
Jimmy Ferguson steers a mechanical picker as it harvests row after row of blueberries in Washington County. Ferguson Blueberry Farm picks its crop each May and June. Photo By Marlee Moore
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www.AlfaFarmers.org
EDQAM A member of American Farm Bureau Federation
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Young Farmers Vie For Top Title
By Marlee Moore
hree Outstanding Young Farm T Family (OYFF) finalists will compete for more than $60,000 in prizes during
on-farm judging this summer. Sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation, the OYFF contest recognizes farmers ages 18-35 whose income is subject to production risk. Finalists were named during the Young Farmers Conference in February; the winner will be named during the Alabama Farm &
Land Expo in Montgomery Aug. 7. Prizes include $35,000 toward a Ford truck courtesy of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere Gator from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and a year’s lease on a John Deere tractor from AgPro, SunSouth and TriGreen. All OYFF finalists received a miniature drone from the Federation. The OYFF will represent Alabama during American Farm Bureau Federation national competition in January 2022.
The Henry Family Lawrence County
utting hay comprised a chunk of C Mitchell Henry’s teenage summer vacations. It’s now critical to the
27-year-old’s vocation — raising stocker cattle in Lawrence County. “We’re taking grass and byproducts and making beef,” said Mitchell, the Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee vice chair. Mitchell was raised 200 miles south of Moulton in Montgomery County but spent summers with maternal grandparents at Hardin Farms. While earning an animal sciences degree at Auburn University (AU), Mitchell built his stake in the farm, starting with 13 calves. He also met pharmacy student Rebecca at AU; they married in 2018 and attend Moulton Church of Christ. The Henrys annually feed around 700 stocker calves. To improve herd health, Mitchell purchases higher-quality vaccinated, weaned calves at about 500 pounds. “I haven’t solved all the issues but am figuring out ways
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to make things better for the cattle and my bottom line,” said Mitchell, a member of Agricultural Leaders For Alabama Class V who also serves on the local Farm-City Committee. High-protein byproducts mixed with corn silage, ryegrass haylage or pearl millet haylage ensure calves pack on 2 pounds a day. Seasonally, the cattle feast on dry hay and lush pasture. Once the cattle near 900 pounds, they’re shipped to Midwest feedyards, where Hardin Farms retains ownership until the animals are harvested around 1,300 pounds. To spread their risk, the Henrys are raising 35 cows, whose calves funnel into the stocker operation. Future plans include a new shop, larger silage pit, more stockers and growing their cow herd to 200. Each afternoon, Rebecca, who was raised on a farm, swaps her white coat for work clothes and helps Mitchell repair fences, feed cows or wrap haylage. She also sells farm merchandise and practices farm photography. “On our social media, we’ve had so many questions from non-ag friends,” said the 28-year-old. “We’ve been able to educate the public about our way of life.” alfafarmers.org
The McCoy Family Dale County
osh and Savannah McCoy grin as their JSutton, sons, 5-year-old Fields and 3-year-old tromp across farmland in Dale
County. A planter will soon cover the field burying peanut seed, the foundation of the McCoys’ multigenerational farm. “We feel the blessing and weight of responsibility to preserve, sustain and grow the operation for our sons,” said Josh, 32, the county Young Farmers Committee chair. Josh is an accountant-turnedfarmer, crunching numbers as a managing partner at Chris Thompson Farms, where Savannah was raised. Josh joined the operation in 2014 to help with its newest endeavor, a buying point. Continued expansions to treat seed and shell peanuts led Josh to a partnership with Savannah’s father in 2015. “Our row crops, shelling plant and buying point feed into one another,” said Josh, a Peanut Leadership Academy
The Peek Family Limestone County
he sun sinks as Brady Peek finetunes T a planter in Limestone County. He and wife Anna were stalled
while planting sweet corn — an unexpected blessing allowing Brady to troubleshoot equipment before sowing 1,200 acres of field corn, cotton and soybeans. “Planting is the most important part of what we do,” said Brady, 28, who also grows winter wheat. “We have to lay the foundation for a successful crop.” Brady, an Auburn University agronomy and soils graduate, practices intense crop management. He prioritizes efficiency and yields over high acreage. “Our motto is ‘Better is better before bigger is better,’” said Brady, the Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee chair and member of Agricultural Leaders For Alabama Class V. Brady built the farm from the ground up. His family row cropped for years before shifting to equipment sales in 2005. A lifelong passion for agriculture led Brady to plant 100 acres alfafarmers.org
graduate who was raised around cattle and poultry. “Managing every step of the process allows us to handle the peanuts with more attention to detail so farmers can grow the best crop possible from our seed.” Since Josh joined the farm, advancements include doubling row crop acreage; tripling peanut-shelling capacity to 13 million pounds; and selling over 8 million pounds of seed. To improve efficiency, they upgraded equipment in the field and at the shelling plant. Goals include increasing irrigation and adding corn to their rotation. The McCoys, who attend Bay Springs Baptist Church and live in Midland City, have experienced challenges, too. In 2018, Hurricane Michael mangled irrigation and destroyed a bumper cotton crop. “You can’t be around farming long and not become a problem solver,” said Savannah, 30, who teaches English through Alabama Virtual Academy. “We want to teach the boys the value of hard work and how to use resources to make an honest living.” of soybeans in 2010. “My greatest accomplishment is that I get to farm,” he said. A decade later, Brady is continually improving infrastructure by repairing and installing irrigation pivots. He is increasing owned acreage, thoughtfully manages landlord relationships and is building grain bins. The Peeks, who attend Oakland Church of Christ, share farm life with Anna’s fifth graders at Athens Elementary School. Since attending Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute, Anna ties agriculture into reading and social studies lessons and hatched chicks in the classroom. “We love to plant the seeds of agriculture in their minds,” said Anna, 27, a Limestone County Women’s Leadership Committee member. As suburbia encroaches on his Athensbased farm, Brady said diversification is necessary. Plans include a U-pick operation. Their sweet corn patch is Step 1. “If we’re going to farm here, it may look different in 20 years,” he said. “We have to make every acre as productive as possible.” June/Summer 2021
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TOURS BLUE u
EXPO•2021
Tour stops include the National Poultry Technology Center (NPTC) on Auburn University’s (AU) campus and Blue Ribbon Dairy in Tallassee. The NPTC helps improve efficiency and profitability for the live production sector of the U.S. poultry industry. It features applied research in housing, equipment, energy conservation and environmental control, along with a processing facility and test kitchen. Blue Ribbon Dairy is a farm-to-consumer operation.
GREEN
Capital City To Host Farm And Land Expo By Debra Davis
history, technology and research all are parts of what farmers Iwillnnovation, find at the Alabama Farmers
Federation Farm and Land Expo in Montgomery Aug. 5-8. Farm and industry tours, along with educational workshops, await those who attend the meeting based at the Montgomery Convention Center. The expo also will feature a cotton sewing contest, Young Farmers contests and the new Ag Innovation Challenge. “The tours are always a favorite,” said the Federation’s Brian Hardin, who is the Governmental & Agricultural Programs Department director. “Poultry, cattle, forestry, wildlife, agritourism and research endeavors are all parts of the tour stops. Members enjoy seeing what other farmers are doing, and they like to see research that’s being developed to help them remain sustainable and profitable.” Saturday’s events will include keynote speaker Steve Robinson, the former chief marketing officer and executive vice president of Chick-fil-A. Other activities celebrate the Federation’s centennial, including an antique tractor show. 6
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Two outstanding Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension System personnel nominated by farmers will be honored at the expo. The Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture & Forestry Research will recognize Auburn University faculty for creative and original research. The winner receives up to $10,000 in program support, which can fund graduate students or research operations. The Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension will honor Alabama Extension staff for developing or implementing solutions to address stakeholder-identified problems. The winner receives up to $5,000 for programming costs. The conference concludes with Young Farmers contests results, including announcement of the Outstanding Young Farm Family, Excellence in Agriculture winner and four Discussion Meet finalists. The winner of the new Ag Innovation Challenge also will be announced. At the closing banquet, entertainment will be country music singer Billy Dean. Registration information is available at AlfaFarmers.org under Events.
u This tour features a plantation managed for timber, wildlife and recreation, plus visits to a family owned winery and a sport fish hatchery. High Ridge Plantation in Bullock County will share strategies for multiuse land management, while Lake Point Vineyard and Winery will reveal secrets for its famous fruit wines. American Sport Fish Hatchery rounds out the tour with a visit to one of the largest producers of sport fish for stocking ponds and lakes in the southeastern U.S.
ORANGE
u The Old Rotation at AU is the oldest continuous cotton experiment in the world. This tour will reveal practices developed from research there. Other stops includes the Cullars Rotation, the oldest soil fertility experiment in the South, along with the new Transformation Garden at Auburn, a 16-acre teaching and demonstration garden adjacent to the Old Rotation. Following lunch at Jordan-Hare Stadium Tiger Walk Club, the day wraps up with a stadium tour.
RED u
Transitioning farms to alternative uses is at the heart of this tour. A Lowndes County farm transformed from cotton to sod, positioning itself to become a premier provider for golf courses, commercial landscapes and homeowners. A historic farm in Perry County traces its roots back six generations. It provides a glimpse back in time with 50 buildings listed on the historic register. Farm equipment from the past and present show how the farm was transformed from a homestead to an agritourism destination.
YELLOW u
Beef cattle and an exciting horse demonstration are featured on this tour. Stops include visits to two successful cattle farms and a thriving stockyard. CK Cattle in Hope Hull raises Angus, Chiangus and SimAngus cattle and operates a successful bull seed stock operation that includes an annual on-farm sale. The Dixie Riders will perform a mounted shooting demonstration on horseback at CK Cattle. Henry Farms, also located in Hope Hull, operates a diversified forage and beef cattle farm with Angus, Charolais and Simmental cattle. The tour also includes a stop at Mid-State Stockyards, which began as a dream of three young men with a passion for the livestock industry. Their attention to service and quality has branded them as leaders in cattle auctions. alfafarmers.org
How has agriculture changed in your lifetime? At a seminar years ago, they said, “There will come a time when capital will replace labor.” Back then, I couldn’t comprehend what that could look like.
Ed White
How has peanut production evolved?
Henry County Farmers Federation President Ed White is a teacher-turned-farmer who holds degrees from Troy University and Auburn University. While teaching at Carroll High School, he bought a tract of land to raise cows. That was 1962. Two years later, row crops were added to the farm. White taught until 1977 when he started farming full time. White and his late wife, Bonnie, were married 46 years and have four children.
We’ve gone from picking peanuts into 200-pound sacks to filling 25-ton trailers. I’ve lived through a whole era of technology.
Why is research important for farmers? I can make over 4,000 pounds of peanuts an acre, double what we used to. Research did that. The most important thing the checkoff has done is the peanut allergy introduction program.
What are your thoughts on farming? Farming in town can be a little challenging, but it’s also good. I’m so blessed. I’m proud to be a farmer.
Planting seeds. Instilling values.
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ALABAMA FARM BUREAU INSURANCE
ALFA INSURANCE®
Alfa’s corporate home office complex is located on 67 acres and exceeds 492,000 square feet. The facilities accommodate over 900 employees.
A Foundation Of History By Brooke Foster
1947
lfa Insurance was built on a strong A foundation. Its presence came about through the Alabama Farmers
Federation. The Federation founded the insurance company while housed at rental offices at the Fourth National Bank Building in downtown Montgomery in 1946. Membership growth led to the expansion of Alfa buildings over the years to better serve its member. From its humble beginning of offering fire insurance on farm buildings, Alfa has grown to provide coverage for almost 1.2 million homes, cars, farms and business, as well as more than $31 billion in life insurance. The evolution from smaller buildings in downtown Montgomery to corporate headquarters on the city’s East South Boulevard allows Alfa’s team members to better serve its customers and employees in the 11 states where it conducts business.
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Federation and insurance offices moved into a two-story building at 108 North McDonough St. in Montgomery.
1948 Federation and insurance offices expanded again, moving to a three-story building at 201 Clayton St. in the Capital City. June/Summer 2021
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1958 Federation and insurance offices relocated to a new complex with approximately 40,000 square feet on the East South Boulevard in Montgomery.
1968, 1972, 1986 Alfa’s home office building continued to grow, expanding three times in 18 years. The building nearly doubled in size during each expansion, adding additional spaces for human resources, the cafeteria, mailroom, accounting and other administrative departments.
1991 Alfa built a state-of-the-art daycare facility adjacent to its main office for preschool children of employees. The 10,000-square-foot facility is licensed for 125 children.
1993 Alfa remodeled the office complex, growing from 160,000 to 310,000 square feet. The expansion allowed the company to update its facilities with the latest computer technology. The project included 35,000 square feet of unfinished office space to accommodate Alfa’s future growth.
2006 Alfa opened its Business Processing Center July 24. The 134,000-square-foot building is behind the corporate headquarters. It is designed to protect the company’s key processing functions and ensure business continuity. Over 22,000 tons of concrete and 775 tons of reinforced steel were used in its construction. The building is designed to sustain winds from an F3 tornado or a Category 5 hurricane. 10
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Elite Teens Train At Annual Leadership Conference Youth Leadership Conference attendees learned to work together to accomplish goals, including successfully scaling a 10-foot wall with help from others.
By Debra Davis n elite group of ninth and 10th A graders from throughout Alabama attended the Alfa Youth Leadership
Conference at the 4-H Center in Columbiana April 29-30. Students applied for the conference, which focused on training future leaders. It is sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation, county Farmers Federations and Alabama Farm Credit (AFC). “This meeting helps prepare students to be future leaders, but in many cases they’re already leaders in their schools and communities,” said
Abby Cain of Chambers County, left, spots Lawrence County’s Olivia Newman as she walks the wire on an obstacle course. 12
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Wiley Bailey, who helped coordinate the conference for the Federation. “It’s important to inspire young leaders and get them involved as advocates for agriculture and to encourage them to serve their communities.” Attendees hailed from 30 counties and worked to identify personal strengths, develop negotiation skills and discover a passion for service. The agenda included team-building activities at the 4-H Center’s challenge course and teen safety workshops. AFC was a new supporter of the program and sponsored motivational speaker and leadership trainer Rhett Laubach, who challenged students to be a positive influence on their peers. “Alabama Farm Credit understands the importance of creating advocates for agriculture through our next generation,” said Samantha Southerland, AFC’s public relations and marketing manager. “That is why alfafarmers.org
Participants in the Youth Leadership Conference were challenged to develop new ways to solve problems through teamwork and communications skills.
helping sponsor this event for the Alabama Farmers Federation was important to us. The Federation does an excellent job providing education to our youth in a way that motivates them to become leaders in their communities.”
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Bailey, a former National FFA officer, said students formed networks that will last through college and into their careers. Students like Jessica Pratt, a ninth grader from Marbury High School in
Autauga County, and Brayden Sexton, a Hazel Green High School 10th grader from Madison County, said the conference was a great experience. “The whole conference was fun,” Pratt said. “I enjoyed getting to meet new people and learned communications skills and leadership goals that will help us in the future and help us grow.” Sexton, who attended the conference in 2019, said he loves the atmosphere for the event. “This is a great opportunity to meet new people from around the state,” he said. “I’ve made some new friends from Baldwin County — the farthest end of the state from me — whom I would have never met otherwise. The program and the speakers are all great. I would encourage anyone interested in developing their leadership skills to apply for this conference.” Another Youth Leadership Conference is scheduled for November. Watch for application information in upcoming issues of Neighbors magazine.
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Trespassing And Purple Paint By John Allen Nichols Agriculture Counsel Alabama Farmers Federation
conduct requires proof the potential trespasser knew or should have known they were on someone else’s property and requires notice of the property lines. andowners have an inexpensive Historically, “No Trespassing” signs method to warn would-be provided such notice. Under Alabama trespassers, thanks to a law passed by law, those posted signs the Alabama Legislature in remain a valid notification. 2016. Known as the “Purple However, the purple paint Paint Law,” it was fashioned rule provides landowners a after laws from several second option. other states in an effort to If property is properly discourage trespassers. marked with purple To properly mark paint or posted with “No property with purple paint, Trespassing” signs, it can Alabama Code § 13A-7-1 then be assumed anyone requires: entering the property a. Vertical stripes at least Nichols knew it was someone else’s 8 inches tall and at property, even if they claim to not have least 1 inch wide; seen the sign. Purple paint markers are b. The bottom of the stripe must sufficient to establish the “knowing” or be at least 3 feet from the “willful” component of the trespassing ground but no higher than 5 offense. feet from the ground; Landowners should remember c. The marks must be 100 feet or establishing “notice” is only the first step less apart on forestland and in pursuing a trespassing claim. With less than 1,000 feet apart on purple paint, landowners can satisfy this non-forestland. requirement efficiently without investing An essential element of trespass in signage. offense is the trespasser enters a property that is not their own “willfully” The material presented above is or “knowingly”. Conduct that is willful meant for educational purposes only. or knowing requires the trespasser be The content does not constitute legal aware he is entering property that does advice. If readers require specific advice not belong to him or her. or services, a legal or other professional Establishing willful or knowing should be consulted.
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LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
ALAB AMA F ARM BU REAU
ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION
1921
2021
The farm family stood as a bulwark of freedom, Gov. Lurleen Wallace observed at a 1967 meeting of the Alabama Farm Bureau Women’s Committee where she was a luncheon guest. From left are Dot Smith, Tuscaloosa County; Annie Ruth Loyd, Jackson; Judi Coers, Dale; Nell Guthrie, Bullock; Mabel McDale, Limestone, chairman; Wallace; Clara Bell Dial, Sumter; Caroline Bacheldor, Russell; Alice Gregg, Marion; and Gay Langley, Talladega.
Politics, Policy, Promotion And Education Women Plow The Way For Organizational Growth
By Debra Davis
olicy, politics, promotion and P education. Those are the building blocks of the Alabama Farmers
Federation Women’s Leadership Division. As the Federation celebrates its centennial, it’s also a time to reflect on the role females played in parlaying the organization into a political powerhouse
with grassroots members as its core strength. In 1924, Mrs. John S. Morris of Alpine in Talladega County became the first woman to hold statewide office in what was then known as Alabama Farm Bureau. Two years later, she was elected the first president of the State Women’s Council, a forerunner to the State Women’s Committee. The group became the Women’s State Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Kathy Gordon, right, and longtime member Lillian Slay of Chambers County discuss the organization’s history during the Women’s Leadership Conference earlier this year in Birmingham.
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Leadership Division in 2010. The new name reflects women’s contributions and is more closely aligned to its American Farm Bureau counterparts. The headline in the Alabama Farm Bureau News Sept. 6, 1965, read: “On Their Way! Farm Bureau Women Organized To Carry On Important Duties.” Formal organization of the Women’s Committee was completed during the group’s first meeting at the state headquarters Aug. 26-27 that year. That was in accordance with recommendations made by the 1963-64 Study Committee and approved by the Special Delegate Session in February 1965. The late J.D. Hays, state president at the time, was quoted in the article saying, “Farm Bureau from this day is going to be a better organization.” His prediction was spot-on. Women’s Leadership Committees across the state continue to organize county events to educate a growing urban population about the importance of Alabama agriculture. County leaders also help with statewide projects like Alabama Ag In The Classroom June/Summer 2021
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Kicking off the 1968 Rural Clean-up drive are Houston County Sheriff A.B. Clarke; Mrs. Rudolph Weeks and Mrs. A.C. Singleton, Farm Bureau Women’s Committee; W.O. Mendhein, sanitation supervisor; County Engineer F.R. LeBron; and Mrs. Tullie Hollis, Farm Bureau Women’s Committee chairman.
First-place winners in the 2010 Women’s Leadership Division contests from left were, Deloris Mount of Crenshaw County, hand-stitched quilts; Gayle Smith of Limestone County, machine-stitched quilts; Lydia Haynes of Cullman County, handbags; and June Flowers of Pike County, tablescapes. The contests were at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 38th Annual Commodity Producers Conference in Columbus, Georgia.
Farm Bureau Women’s leaders attended the 1965 convention in Birmingham. From left are Mrs. Thomas McDole, Limestone County, chairman of the new Alabama committee; Mrs. Haven Smith of Chappelle, Nebraska, chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Committee; Mrs. D. C. Till Jr., Lowndes County, vice chairman; and Mrs. L. D. Smith, Tuscaloosa County, secretary.
and Farm-City. County committees frequently organize meetings where local politicians communicate with members about pending legislation. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System played a significant role in the early years of the Women’s Division. Extension workers helped educate homemakers about gardening, food safety and preservation, and sewing. Today, many women are decisionmakers on their family farms. It’s not uncommon to see women driving a tractor, combining grain, running a multi-million-dollar poultry farm or working cattle. While their have evolved, their mission remains the same — making certain Alabama agriculture has a seat at the table when decisions are made about its future.
Alabama voting delegates to the 1973 American Farm Bureau Women’s Conference in Los Angeles, California, were from left, Mrs. Rex Roberts, Mobile County; Mrs. Ada Lee Hood, Etowah County; Mrs. Oscar Jones, Autauga County; Mrs. Fred Whitfield, DeKalb County; Mrs. B.B. Phillis, Henry County; Mrs. Emma Saxon, Etowah County; Mrs. Fern Kitchens, Walker County; Mrs. Edna Hughes, Jefferson County; Mrs. Emmett Gaston, Mobile County; Mrs. Ocie Tucker, Jefferson County; and Mrs. Loretha Hall, Escambia County. Mrs. Hood was elected by the Southern Region as its voting delegate to the American Farm Bureau Federation business session. 16
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MS AL
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Blueberry Bliss: Ferguson Family Grows Sweet Summer Staple By Marlee Moore bright burst of yellow towers over A deep green bushes heavy with blueberries each May and June in
Washington County. It’s the mechanical picker at Ferguson Blueberry Farm, manned by Jimmy Ferguson, a retired electrician who picked up a penchant for blueberries in 2008. “One day, I ran into a blueberry farmer, who told me his story about farming blueberries,” said the Chatom native. “It sparked my interest, so of course, I had to visit his operation. After that, I was hooked on blueberry farming. The next step was to convince my wife, Katie, to accompany me on this venture.” Thirteen years later, the 23-acre farm is booming with 15 cultivars of rabbiteye
Rotating, flexible spindles remove fruit from the bushes at Ferguson Blueberry Farm. The farm’s mechanical picker is a rare sight in Alabama. 18
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and Southern highbush blueberries. Experimenting with varieties allows the Fergusons to pick the best plants for their soil type and extend harvest. They’re also searching for hearty berries that hold up to mechanical picking and quality berries consumers will enjoy. Reaching this point was a labor of love. The Fergusons said Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) conferences were invaluable for troubleshooting issues. Visiting other farmers for information was a boon, too. “Jimmy and Katie are great, welcoming folks who are passionate about what they do,” said AFVGA Executive Director Hunter McBrayer. “Specialty crop production is small in Alabama compared to other states but is growing. It’s great to see farmers like the Fergusons invest in high-tech machinery so they can operate on a larger scale.” The Fergusons’ mechanical picker uses a series of rotating, flexible, vibrating spindles to shake fruit from the bushes, often at night when the berries alfafarmers.org
Growing blueberries is an all-hands-on-deck affair at Ferguson Blueberry Farm in Washington County. At the top of the facing page: A mechanical picker harvests blueberries at the Chatom farm every May and June. Trays of berries are then stacked before heading inside to be sorted and packaged. Left: All members of the Ferguson family pitch in to make the farm successful, including patriarch Jimmy and his wife, Katie; son Brad and his wife, Stacy; and grandson Brayden.
are cooler and less fragile. Trays of berries are then taken to the processing facility on the farm. A combination of conveyors, computerized sorters and manual labor inspect the fruit for quality. Leaves and stems are removed, as are damaged, burst or under ripe berries. The best berries are plump (no matter the size), deep purple or blue-black, and have a velvety matte finish called a bloom. The fruit is then packed in plastic clamshells, boxed and distributed to consumers across the U.S. The Fergusons have owned the land now home to their blueberry operation for over 100 years. Jimmy attributes the farm’s success to his family’s dedication. “I’m proud to continue the farming process that’s been in my family’s blood for centuries,” Jimmy said. Katie manages finances and food safety protocols, while Jimmy is responsible for general farm operations. Their son, Brad, and his wife, Stacy, hold off-farm jobs but pitch in, too. So do their grandkids, Lexi, Brayden and alfafarmers.org
Diannah. While Jimmy usually operates the picker, the family laughs remembering Brad’s first attempt. It was dead night, and Jimmy gave him three rules: Don’t back out of a row; press buttons from right to left to start and reverse the order to halt; and keep the picker centered on the plants. Row one went off without a hitch; halfway through row two, the picker started shaking and rattling. “I didn’t follow rule No. 3,” Brad said. “The plants were leaning to my left when I picked the first row but were leaning to my right when I started the second row. It was a rookie mistake I will never forget. For the record, rule No. 2 is easier to learn during daylight.” The family is humble, but Katie is quick to heap praise on her husband of 50 years. “Jimmy is the backbone of Ferguson Farms,” Katie said. “We love him and admire his dedication to our family and the farm.”
A combination of conveyors, computerized sorters and manual labor inspect the fruit for quality. The blueberries are distributed to consumers across the U.S. after harvest each May and June.
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More Savings. More Perks.
More Fun! Membership in the Alfa Farmers Federation helps you save at hundreds of local businesses across Alabama and on national brands you love. Join today and start saving!
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A l f a Fa r m e r s . o r g / p e r k s For a complete list of businesses, visit alfafarmers.org/perks or visit a local Alfa office.
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2021 East Alabama Living Perks Ad.indd 1
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4/28/21 3:35 PM
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Taste The Difference: Sweet Corn Vs. Field Corn By Marlee Moore o the untrained eye, sweet and field T corn are near-identical. Shuck and sample the ears, and even amateur
palates taste the difference. “Sweet corn kernels are higher in moisture and sugar content,” said DeKalb County farmer Ben Johnson. That sugar creates a sweet burst of flavor, whether kernels are gnawed off the cob, mixed in summer salads and salsas, or fried in a cast-iron skillet. In contrast, field corn kernels are starchier with a thick pericarp, or outer coating. Field corn is ideal for corn meal, corn chips, corn oil and livestock feed. Both corn types come in a plethora of colors — yellow, white, orange or even multicolored. “Generally, the big fields of corn you drive by are field corn,” said Carla Hornady, the Alabama Farmers Federation Wheat & Feed Grain Division director. “Alabama isn’t a big player in field corn production, but a lot of our acreage (about 330,000 acres in 2021) is processed for poultry feed. Sweet corn is planted on a much smaller scale.” Height is also a visual tell. While field alfafarmers.org
and sweet corn are planted in April, field corn reaches 8 feet or more and has fuller leaves. As the corn matures, cells at the bottom of the kernel start to dry. The kernel shrinks, creating a dent. Some people enjoy “roasting ears,” the colloquial term for field corn they’ll snap off, cook and eat, Johnson said. Some corn connoisseurs, prefer early field corn cut off the cob that’s cooked and serve as creamed corn. “You can tell the difference as soon as you shuck the field corn back,” said Johnson, a member of the Alabama Farmers Federation State Soybean Committee. The entire stalk on field corn will dry and take on a raspy texture and brown color before farmers climb in a combine for harvest. Months before, shorter sweet corn matures in time for the Fourth of July fresh-produce frenzy. Johnson and his students (he’s also an ag teacher) hand-harvest, bag and sell sweet corn as a fundraiser. Sweet corn should be cooled as soon as possible to prevent sugars turning to starch. The window for fresh sweet corn is short, but Johnson has a cheat. Cut off
Sweet corn is a summer favorite for visitors at Cassebaum Farms in Baldwin County. Todd Cassebaum and his family grow sweet corn that’s ready just in time for the Fourth of July. Sweet corn has more sugar than its starchier relative, field corn.
both ends of the sweet corn still in its husk. Wrap individual ears in aluminum foil and freeze. Craving corn? Remove foil and cook corn in the microwave or on the grill until tender. Peel off the husk and silks, and enjoy. Slathering butter and sprinkling salt are optional. June/Summer 2021
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Work Hard. Travel Easy.
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FRIED CHICKEN
m watching my wife cook. She’s frying okra in an iron skillet. A dog lies in my lap. The television is playing. My life ain’t bad. Except. Three’s Company is on. I don’t care for Three’s Company. “Turn it up,” my wife says. She likes this show. I don’t know what she sees in it. I’ve never cared for the trials and tribulations of Jack Tripper. I’m an Andy-Griffith man. John Ritter is no Andy Taylor. Anyway, cooking. This is what my wife does. It’s how she’s put together. If you’ve never met her, there are only two things you should know about her: 1. She talks with a loud voice. 2. Don’t ever touch her plate. On our honeymoon, we went to a greasy burger joint in Charleston. It was the kind of place with a jukebox and burgers so thick they cause cardiologists to recite the 23rd Psalm. I made a serious attempt to steal an onion ring from my wife’s basket. It was the first and only time I ever attempted such an act. Food, you see, is important to her. I’m not saying she’s a hobbyist. When we first met, she’d completed culinary school and worked in a kitchen. She doled out orders, stocked inventory and balanced budgets. A “chef de cuisine” is what they’re called. She knew all about beurre blancs, chèvre cheese, semi-rigid emulsions and beef bourguignon.
When we were dating, she cooked supper a lot. On one such occasion, she asked what I wanted for supper. I wanted to impress her with worldly culinary wisdom. I felt it important to appear to be a man of sophistication. I almost suggested “cuisses de grenouilles” but couldn’t figure out if this dish paired well with Miller Lite. So, instead, I said to her: “Can you make Kentucky Fried Chicken?” She didn’t even blink. She floured up her mother’s counter. We’re talking batter made from scratch, creamed corn, grits and sliced tomatoes. And a chicken good enough to make even the staunchest Baptist take the name of Andy Griffith in vain. She’s not like other people. She’s outgoing, opinionated, outspoken at times and magnificent. She likes animals, stories, butter, anything spicy, sleeping late and SEC football. She has worn the same pair of pajamas since I met her. And the same hairstyle. She is strong enough to make a common redhead believe he can do things. Things like writing. I would have never started my writing career if it weren’t for her. She helped me be me. She says: “You give me too much credit. I didn’t do anything.” Yes, you did, Jamie. You told me I was somebody. You cooked chicken in a skillet. I am me because of you. Even though you watch Three’s Company. ■
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. 24
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IT’S NOT JUST CHICKEN FEED
Our farmers help feed chicken, catfish, cows and horses, too.
WHEAT & FEED GRAIN PRODUCERS
GrainsofTruth.net
Meet Alabama Extension’s Agronomic Crops Team By Katie Nichols armers face a myriad of challenges in Fterritory. the field each year. It comes with the Crop pests, balancing budgets, nutrient management issues and crop input applications — with the addition of COVID-19 — made the 2020 growing season more of a challenge. Because the tractor tires never stopped turning, Alabama Extension’s agronomic crops team never stopped working. Extension personnel developed new teaching tools on the fly, so producers weren’t left high and dry in the field. “While many industries were at a standstill, farmers never stopped,” said Edward Sikora, the agronomic crops team leader. “Faced with an unprecedented slow of pace in the working world, our agents and specialists worked to adapt and provide support to producers on every level.”
Crops Regional Extension Agents
With the addition of four new agronomic crops agents, there are dedicated agents serving farmers in each of Alabama Extension’s seven sets.
Andrew Page (256) 280-7075 awp0009@aces.edu
Eddie McGriff (256) 557-2375 dem0029@aces.edu
John Vanderford (205) 479-9234 jdv0002@aces.edu
Andrew Sparks (334) 401-9164 ajs0015@aces.edu
Crops Team Highlights
In addition to research and field work, the team has several newsletters in circulation, as well as a podcast to keep producers and industry representatives informed of the latest happenings around the state. The Alabama Crops Report is a weekly newsletter highlighting happenings in the field, as well hot topics such as pest and weed control recommendations. This newsletter, initiated in 2020 in response to the pandemic, has various contributors from the Alabama Extension agronomic crops team. The effort is led by Katelyn Kesheimer. The Alabama Cotton Shorts monthly newsletter includes in-depth information about cotton farming in the state. From yield and market predictions to spider mite and boll worm control, Extension’s best and brightest in the cotton industry are working to help farmers make difficult production decisions. Regular contributors include Scott Graham, Ron Smith, Steve Li,
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Guilherme Morata (334) 332-0094 gtm0009@aces.edu
Jessica Kelton (334) 405-0699 keltoja@aces.edu
Sedrick Mack (334) 441-8384 slm0084@aces.edu
Additional contact information is available at aces.edu. Contact the local Extension office to find out about agricultural programming nearby. Audrey Gamble, Eddie McGriff and Tyler Sandlin. The Irrigation Newsletter is also available for Alabama producers, written by Brenda Ortiz. The crops team recently launched a weekly podcast — the Alabama Crops Report Podcast. The podcast includes four hosts; Graham, Kesheimer, Adam Rabinowitz and Amanda Scherer who interview colleagues about timely
issues in the field. Listen to the most recent podcast each Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. There is always an Alabama Extension agronomic crops agent ready to assist producers on-farm or on the phone. Find science-based research on all things row crops by visiting aces.edu.
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2021 ANNUAL MEETING DATES, TIMES & LOCATIONS COUNTY
DATE
Baldwin
Thursday, Aug. 12
Butler
Tuesday, July 27
Coffee
Monday, July 19
Conecuh
Monday, Aug. 16
Cullman
Tuesday, Aug. 3
Escambia
Tuesday, Aug. 10
Fayette
Thursday, Aug. 12
Lamar
Monday, Aug. 16
Lawrence
Tuesday, July 27
TIME
6:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Wilcox
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Thursday, July 22
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44425 AL 17
Brewton
Fayette
Vernon
Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds
1035 Cody Rd. N
Mobile
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 17
Vernon City Complex
222 St. Joseph Ave.
530 Temple Ave. N
Cullman
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 13
Tuscaloosa
Camp 31 Restaurant
Fayette Civic Center
307 Main Ave. NW
New Brockton
Evergreen
Moulton
Pike
Monday, July 12
Cullman County Farmers Federation Building
1055 E. McKinnon St.
534 West Front St.
Greenville
455 School St.
6:30 p.m.
Sumter
Community Room
Alfa Service Center
211 King St.
CITY
Robertsdale
Moulton Fairgrounds (Livestock Building)
Friday, Aug. 13
Thursday, Aug. 19
Southside Baptist Church Pavilion
ADDRESS
21332 Hwy. 59
6:30 p.m.
Marion Mobile
BUILDING
Baldwin County Farmers Federation Building
7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Tombigbee Electric Cooperative
South Alabama Electric Cooperative Alfa Service Center
Alabama Extension Office
Gaines Ridge
3196 Co. Rd. 55
13192 US Hwy. 231 S 106 Marshall St. 2513 7th St.
933 AL 10
Hamilton Troy
Livingston
Tuscaloosa
Camden
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how has your farm evolved? My grandfather was pretty diversified in the sharecropper days. Dad came back, and the farm had mainly livestock. We got out of cattle about six years ago and now grow corn, soybeans and wheat.
Charles butler Like most farm kids, Charles Butler has worked on the farm his whole life. He graduated from Auburn University with an ag economics degree and returned to his family’s farm near New Hope in 1974. He’s the Madison County Farmers Federation president and serves on the Alabama Farmers Federation State Soybean Committee. Butler, 69, farms with sons Samuel and Matthew. He and his wife, Donna, have three grandchildren and attend New Hope United Methodist Church.
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What is your biggest challenge farming? The most stressful thing is moving equipment on crowded roads. The encroachment has been unbelievable in Madison County. The roads were designed in the ‘50s.
What is your favorite season on the farm? I like harvest the best — especially if it’s a good one.
Do you have any hobbies? I enjoy horseback riding more than anything. I can mix business with pleasure while checking crops. My quarter horse is Senor Guapo, Spanish for Mr. Handsome. My wife is a retired Spanish teacher.
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By Lois Chaplin
o tomato plants in your garden look promising, or are they struggling? D Tomatoes are challenging, especially
Alabama
in our hot and humid climate. Here are some tips to cultivate a better crop as summer cranks up. Tomato plants need some fertilizer, just not too much. If you didn’t use a vegetable or tomato plant food at planting time, get some now and fertilize plants according to label directions. Tomato plants need sturdy support for their vines. Even 54-inch tomato cages sold in garden shops are challenged by the weight and height of rambling cherry tomatoes, Better Boy, Early Girl or Cherokee Purple and other tall, indeterminate varieties. Make your own cage from a ring of concrete
reinforcement wire, or tie the plant to two or three 8-foot stakes as it grows. Stems may also be tied horizontally along a chain link fence or wire trellis such as cattle panel. Typical tomato cages are okay for shorter, determinate varieties such as Celebrity, Heatmaster, Roma, Amelia and Summer Set. Tomato plants get hungry for potassium. Most plants are fine until they start setting fruit; then the diseases begin. As developing fruit pulls potassium from the foliage, leaf defenses against disease decrease. A spray of kelp extract supplies potassium to the leaves instantly. Or use a granular fertilizer especially developed for tomatoes. It should contain extra potassium but is slower to act. Avoid splashing soil. Trim off leaves
from the base of the plant. This keeps the foliage well above ground to help keep soil, which can harbor disease, from splashing onto the lower leaves. A layer of clean pine straw mulch is also helpful. Air circulation helps. Thin the growth of bushy plants by pruning out the suckers and any yellowing leaves so the healthy green stems have good circulation and can dry quickly from dew or rain. Plants next to a building or fence that impairs breezes won’t dry out as quickly as those in the open. Water consistently during dry weather. Fluctuations in wet and dry conditions cause blossom end rot and split fruit. Keep the soil consistently moist. This is critical for plants in pots because containers dry out more quickly. In the heat of summer, potted plants may need watering every morning. Mulch the ground around the plants. This helps keep the soil moist and cool. Mulch plants in pots, too. You can mulch with shredded bark, compost or pine straw. Be careful about using straw. Avoid unless you know it has not been grown with weed suppressants plicoram, aminopyralid or triclopyr, which will ruin tomatoes and other vegetables. Buy for heat tolerance. If planting tomatoes now, choose varieties best at setting fruit in hot weather. These include all cherry tomatoes and slicing tomatoes such as Heatmaster, Phoenix, Solar Fire, Summerset, Fourth of July, Florida 91, Arkansas Traveler and Homestead. Avoid overhead watering. Hand-water at the base of the plant or use a soaker hose or drip system. Late afternoon shade can help. The long afternoon shadow of a distant tree can cast cooling shade to ease mid-summer heat stress. Sunshine for six to eight hours beginning in the morning is best; early morning sun dries dew on the leaves. Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.
Our Deals Are Ripe For The Picking E ALAFARM.COM 30
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20 MILLION GALLONS
unitedsoybean.org
of Biodiesel
DRIVING
demand
IS WHAT WE DO
Alabama produces 20 million gallons of biodiesel every year. That’s a lot of #Cropportunity for Alabama soybean farmers — adding 63 cents per bushel of the whole bean sold. With more oil #Cropportunities like these, just imagine how far your soybeans can go.
JUST WATCH US
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
#CROPPORTUNITY
Aunt Betty’s OldFashioned Skillet Cake Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Servings 8 to 10
Ingredients 2 cups sugar 2 cups self-rising flour 1 1/4 cups milk 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Combine ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Pour batter into the prepared skillet. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and set. Allow to cool in the pan 15 to 20 minutes before turning the cake out. Top with fresh fruit and whipped cream or ice cream.
U-pick and farmers market season Ithist’sagain! I’m sure you look forward to season as much as I do. There is
no finer eating than farm-to-table fresh produce. Buying in-season favorites such as peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, okra and squash not only guarantees the most flavorful dishes but also offers the best prices. I heard from Stephen Talley, who is a farmer in DeKalb County, and he told me he has three main “seasons” on his farm — strawberry season in the spring; peaches and every vegetable imaginable in the summer; and pumpkin season in the fall. Stephen said, “My favorite thing
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about farming is seeing people take a bite out of a peach and realizing it tastes better than anything they’ve ever had in their life.” I couldn’t agree more. If you’d like to help support great farmers like the Talley family, one of my favorite tips this time of year is to check out SweetGrownAlabama.org when I make out my menu for the month. They have a searchable database that helps me find local sources for everything from fruits and vegetables to local-raised beef and chicken, too. Not only are we helping the local economy, but we’re also supporting our beloved farmers. When our farmers thrive, we all
benefit. This month, I’m sharing must-have seasonal classics. My Tomato, Onion and Cucumber Salad (often referred to as TOC for short) is the perfect side to any meal at home or at a potluck. It keeps well for several days in the fridge, so I often double the recipe to have extra for healthy snacking. Southern Fried Cabbage is a savory, smoky side dish that pairs well with just about any menu. I’ve been enjoying this recipe since I was just a boy, and I’m proud to say my own son carries on the tradition. Last up is an old-fashioned fluffy skillet cake that looks an awful lot like cornbread but makes the perfect base to delicious berries from farms like Talley’s. I hope you’re looking forward to the delicious season before us. Rustle up your family, pay a visit to your local farmers market or U-pick farm, and gather around the table to savor the flavors of the day! 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
Tomato, Onion and Cucumber Salad
Prep Time 20 mins
Servings 4
Ingredients 1 English cucumber (or 2 to 3 Kirby cucumbers), peeled and thinly sliced 3 garden-fresh tomatoes, cut into wedges 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced 1 cup vinegar 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil 1/4 cup water 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Re c
In a large bowl, combine cucumber, tomatoes and onion. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, water, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour dressing over vegetables and gently toss to coat. Cover and store in the refrigerator (tossing a few times) for at least 1 hour before serving.
e ip
atured Fe on
Southern Fried Cabbage
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Servings 6
Ingredients 5 slices bacon, coarsely chopped 1 small onion, chopped 1 small green cabbage (about 2 pounds), cored and chopped 1/3 cup chicken broth Salt Pepper
Re c
Instructions
e ip
atured Fe on
alfafarmers.org
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from the pan using a slotted spoon; allow bacon fat to remain in the skillet. Add onion to the pan. Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add chicken broth and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender to your liking. Add bacon to the skillet and stir to combine. Serve immediately. June/Summer 2021
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