22 minute read
Women’s Leadership Helps Makes History
LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
ALABAMA FARM BUREAU
ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION
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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
Policy, politics, promotion and 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. 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
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.
MS AL LA
Blueberry Bliss: Ferguson Family Grows Sweet Summer Staple
By Marlee Moore
Abright burst of yellow towers over 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 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
Rotating, flexible spindles remove fruit from the bushes at Ferguson Blueberry Farm. The farm’s mechanical picker is a rare sight in Alabama.
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.
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.
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 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.”
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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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Taste The Difference: Sweet Corn Vs. Field Corn
By Marlee Moore
To the untrained eye, sweet and field 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 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 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.
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.
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I’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-Griffi th 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 fi rst 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 fi rst 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 fi gure 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 fl oured 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 Griffi th in vain.
She’s not like other people. She’s outgoing, opinionated, outspoken at times and magnifi cent. 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.
Meet Alabama Extension’s Agronomic Crops Team
By Katie Nichols
Farmers face a myriad of challenges in the field each year. It comes with the territory. 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, 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.
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.
2021 ANNUAL MEETING DATES, TIMES & LOCATIONS
COUNTY DATE TIME BUILDING ADDRESS
Baldwin Thursday, Aug. 12 6:00 p.m. Baldwin County Farmers Federation Building 21332 Hwy. 59
Butler Tuesday, July 27 5:30 p.m. Southside Baptist Church Pavilion
Coffee Monday, July 19
6:30 p.m. Community Room Conecuh Monday, Aug. 16 6:00 p.m. Alfa Service Center
211 King St. 1055 E. McKinnon St. 534 West Front St. Cullman Tuesday, Aug. 3 7:00 p.m. Cullman County Farmers Federation Building 307 Main Ave. NW Escambia Tuesday, Aug. 10 6:00 p.m. Camp 31 Restaurant 222 St. Joseph Ave.
Fayette Thursday, Aug. 12 6:30 p.m. Fayette Civic Center 530 Temple Ave. N
Lamar Monday, Aug. 16 6:30 p.m. Vernon City Complex
44425 AL 17 Lawrence Tuesday, July 27 6:30 p.m. Moulton Fairgrounds (Livestock Building) 455 School St. Marion Mobile Friday, Aug. 13 6:30 p.m. Tombigbee Electric Cooperative Thursday, Aug. 19 6:00 p.m. Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds 3196 Co. Rd. 55 1035 Cody Rd. N
Pike Tuesday, July 13 7:00 p.m. South Alabama Electric Cooperative
Sumter
Monday, July 12 7:00 p.m. Alfa Service Center Tuscaloosa Tuesday, Aug. 17 7:00 p.m. Alabama Extension Office 13192 US Hwy. 231 S 106 Marshall St. 2513 7th St.
Wilcox Thursday, July 22 7:30 p.m. Gaines Ridge 933 AL 10
CITY
Robertsdale Greenville New Brockton Evergreen Cullman Brewton Fayette Vernon Moulton Hamilton Mobile Troy Livingston Tuscaloosa Camden
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. how has your farm evolved? My grandfather was pretty diversifi ed 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.
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.
By Lois Chaplin
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
Do tomato plants in your garden look reinforcement wire, or tie the plant to include all cherry tomatoes and slicing promising, or are they struggling? two or three 8-foot stakes as it grows. tomatoes such as Heatmaster, Phoenix, Tomatoes are challenging, especially in our hot and humid climate. Here are some tips to cultivate a better crop as summer cranks up.Alabama 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 Solar Fire, Summerset, Fourth of July, Florida 91, Arkansas Traveler and Homestead. Avoid overhead watering.
Tomato plants need some fertilizer, varieties such as Celebrity, Heatmaster, Hand-water at the base of the plant or just not too much. If you didn’t use Roma, Amelia and Summer Set. use a soaker hose or drip system. a vegetable or tomato plant food Tomato plants get hungry for Late afternoon shade can help. The at planting time, get some now and potassium. Most plants are fine long afternoon shadow of a distant fertilize plants according to label until they start setting fruit; then the tree can cast cooling shade to ease directions. diseases begin. As developing fruit mid-summer heat stress. Sunshine for
Tomato plants need sturdy support pulls potassium from the foliage, leaf six to eight hours beginning in the for their vines. Even 54-inch tomato defenses against disease decrease. A morning is best; early morning sun dries cages sold in garden shops are spray of kelp extract supplies potassium dew on the leaves. challenged by the weight and height to the leaves instantly. Or use a granular of rambling cherry tomatoes, Better fertilizer especially developed for Boy, Early Girl or Cherokee Purple and tomatoes. It should contain extra other tall, indeterminate varieties. Make potassium but is slower to act. your own cage from a ring of concrete Avoid splashing soil. Trim off leaves
Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.
