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Neighbors A Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation
VOLUME 36, NUMBER 10
OCTOBER 2011
Alabama-Grown Apples
Bob Deutscher’s apple orchard found sweet success in an unlikely place – high atop a mountain in north Alabama. • 16
Shining At Sunbelt Alabama’s Farm of Distinction Winner Andy Wendland will represent the state in the Swisher Sweets Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition later this month in Moultrie, Ga. • 5
Outstanding Young Farmers Meet two young farm families competing as finalists in the annual Outstanding Young Farm
ON THE COVER Bob Deutscher picks apples from his Crow Mountain Orchard in Jackson County. Photo by Debra Davis
Family contest sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation. • 10
DEPARTMENTS 4
President’s Message
Canola Is Coming
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Alabama Gardener
A new canola buying point in north Alabama is
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Country Kitchen
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Classifieds
expected to provide opportunities for farmers who traditionally have turned to wheat as a winter cover crop. • 18
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VOLUME 36, NUMBER 10
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hile the United States economy labors under the weight of 9 percent unemployment, trade agreements that could boost exports and create jobs continue to languish in Washington. For more than four years, congressional Democrats and the Obama administration have sat on agreements with South Korea, Columbia and Panama while other countries negotiated bi-lateral trade deals that cut into the market for U.S. Jerry Newby goods. Now is the time to act. If lawmakers don’t pass the trade agreements this fall, U.S. businesses — especially farmers — will be at a competitive disadvantage with other nations. The American Farm Bureau Federation, of which the Alabama Farmers Federation is a member, estimates the three trade agreements represent almost $2.5 billion in new agriculture exports. And since every $1 billion in farm exports supports almost 9,000 U.S. jobs, the pending deals with South Korea, Columbia and Panama could create nearly 22,500 new ag-related jobs. When exports of other goods are added to the mix, some estimate as many as 300,000 American jobs hang in the balance. Just as important as job creation, however, is the fact that these trade agreements level the playing field for American farmers. Currently, U.S. agricultural products face tariffs of up to 500 percent in South Korea. Columbia and Panama have duty-free access to U.S. markets while American exporters pay an average tariff of 30 percent to access the Columbian market and up to 160 percent in Panama. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the U.S.-South Korea agreement alone would boost w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
U.S. beef exports to more than $1 billion per year over the 15-year implementation period. For pork, U.S. exports would more than double by 2016. The Colombia and Panama agreements would add another $35 million in beef exports and about $25 million in pork exports by 2016. While not as dramatic as the potential meat exports, farm leaders also expect trade to increase for other agricultural products, including grains, vegetables and processed foods. But if the Obama administration and Congress fail to reach agreement on the trade deals, U.S. agricultural exports — the lone bright spot in America’s trade balance — could dry up. Already, competitors like Australia, Chile, Canada and the European Union are doing business in South Korea, the world’s fifth-largest trade market. Meanwhile, U.S. exports to Columbia have dropped 50 percent since the trade agreement was signed in 2007 due to increased competition from other countries. This is a trend we must reverse. Exports account for 24 percent of all U.S. agricultural production, and total almost $900 million a year in Alabama alone. Nationally, we export about $115 billion in farm products, compared to ag imports of about $79 billion. This positive trade balance creates jobs, keeps farm families on the land and helps feed the world. Please join me in urging the Obama administration and Congress to pass these three trade agreements as an important part of their efforts to create jobs and grow the economy. n
Debra Davis, Editor Mike Moody, Graphic Designer ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan, Executive Director Jeff Helms, Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS Jerry Newby, President, Athens Hal Lee, Vice President/North, Hartselle Dean Wysner, Vice President/Central, Woodland Ricky Wiggins, Vice President/Southeast, Andalusia Jake Harper, Vice President/Southwest, Camden Steve Dunn, Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen DIRECTORS Joe Dickerson, Lexington Ted Grantland, Somerville Donnie Garrett, Centre Darrel Haynes, Cullman John E. Walker III, Berry Marshall Prickett, Wellington Richard Edgar, Deatsville Dickie Odom, Boligee Garry Henry, Hope Hull Carl Sanders, Brundidge David Bitto, Elberta Sammy Williams, Columbia Debbie Freeland, Grand Bay Ben Haynes, Cullman 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 member benefits of the Alabama Farmers Federation, visit the Web site 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. ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: Wendy McFarland, McFarland AdVantage, 133 Bridlewood Lane, Hope Hull, AL 36043. Phone: (334) 652-9080. Email: mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com. Classified ad and editorial inquiries should be directed to the editor at (334) 613-4410. ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER: Advertise ments contained in Neighbors do not represent an endorsement by the magazine or the Alabama Farmers Federation. EDITORIAL MATTER from sources outside of the Alabama Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for the information and interest of our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Alabama Farmers Federation policies. Publication of material does not necessarily imply its endorsement by the Alabama Farmers Federation. ADDRESS editorial, advertising and change of address correspondence to Neighbors, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001. www.AlfaFarmers.org A member of American Farm Bureau Federation
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Alabama’s Farmer Of The Year Competes For Southeastern Title By Jeff Helms
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n Autauga County cattle and row crop farm known for its pioneering work in marketing is among nine state winners competing for the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award, to be presented Oct. 18 at the Sunbelt Ag Expo farm show in Moultrie, Ga. Third-generation farmer Andy Wendland of Autauga Farming Co. was nominated to represent his family in the competition. Wendland, who farms in partnership with Members of the Wendland family are, from left, Dan, Katie, Dawn, Drew, Andy, Emma and Will his father Milton Howard. “Buzz” Wendland Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee members of Autauga Quality Cotand other family as well as a $1,250 gift certificate ton Association, which has grown members, said he is honored to from Alabama Farmers Cooperative to one of the nation’s leading cotton continue the farming legacy of his and an engraved farm sign from the marketing cooperatives — servfather and grandfather. Alabama Farmers Federation and ing 2,000 producers in nine states. “I’m fortunate that I grew up Alfa Health. They also joined forces with neighfarming,” Wendland said. “I love The Sunbelt Ag Expo sponsors bors to form the Producers Feeder what I do. No two years are the will present each state winner a Cattle Sale, which markets calves same. There’s a constant challenge $2,500 cash award, a jacket and a in uniform truckload lots. to remain frugal and profitable, and $200 gift certificate from the Wil“Because of the herd health to keep up with management and liamson-Dickie Co., and a $500 gift program and the reputation of the technology. My goal is to improve certificate from Southern States. sale, we hope we sell for premium our production, refine our practices The overall winner will receive prices,” Wendland said. “Our sale is and be successful. We have a great $15,000 and several other prizes. a model that other Alabama groups team here helping us work toward Autauga Farming Co. has have followed.” that end.” about 2,500 acres of cotton, corn, Wendland is an alumnus of the The Wendlands qualified to repsoybeans and wheat, as well as Executive Program for Agriculresent Alabama in the competition tural Producers sponsored by Texas by winning the Alabama Farm-City about 750 commercial brood cows. Perhaps the most impressive thing A&M University and serves as presCommittee’s Farm of Distinction about the 5,000-acre farm, however, ident of the Autauga County Farmcontest in April. is the family’s pioneering work to ers Federation. He and wife, Dawn, As the state winner, the Wendcooperatively market its cotton and have five children, Katie, Drew, lands received a John Deere Gator feeder calves. Will Howard, Dan and Emma. n donated by SunSouth, Snead Ag The Wendlands are founding and TriGreen Equipment dealers in NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
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By Jillian Clair
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any children have never visited a farm, but thanks to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and Pioneer Hi-Bred, kids throughout the country can have a virtual farm experience by playing a series of “My American Farm” games. In addition to teaching students about the importance of agriculture, the games provide lessons in geography, mathematics, reading comprehension, geometry, science and health. “Sixty years ago, many children either grew up around production agriculture or at least visited their grandparents’ farms,” said Jeff Helms, director of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Communications and Public Relations Department. “Today, however, some kids are three generations removed from farming. To them, food comes from the grocery store or fast-food chain. Few make the connection that somewhere a farmer had to gather the crops, milk the cows or raise the animals so that we have food to eat. These game help educate children and adults about our food and fiber system. They also compliments other Farmers Federation programs like Ag in the Classroom and Farm-City.” The games are aimed at students in third through sixth grades,
with varying degrees of difficulty. A third-grade class at Catoma Elementary School in Montgomery recently combined SMARTBoard technology with the “My American Farm” gaming platform. Students experienced the games as a class rather than on individual computers. Chyanne Frizzell, a student in Brandi Walker’s class at Catoma said before she played the games, she never knew farmers used math, science, reading and geography—all subjects she’s learning in school. “I learned that farmers are very smart, and they can do almost anything,” Chyanne said. For almost an hour, the students gathered at the board and played the games together, taking turns and helping each other find answers. For each correct answer while playing the games, players receive facts like, “A farmer gets about 23 cents from each dollar you spend to buy food that came from their farm” as well as celebratory cheers from the computer. The overall favorite game of the class was “Let’s Make Something Tasty,” which requires players to find missing recipe ingredients in a word search. The children also played “That’s Life,” which explores life and production cycles of crops, animals and products, including soy, cotton, pumpkin, horses and paper.
“Where in the World” took the class to places like England, Mexico and Spain to learn about the origins of animals and crops. In addition to learning about farmers while playing the games, the students learned that even though farming is a large part of agriculture, it isn’t the only occupation encompassed within the industry. By playing “My Little Ag Me,” the class learned about the responsibilities of food chemists, large animal veterinarians, loggers, plant scientists, diesel mechanics, produce buyers and environmental engineers. In January, all 13 “My American Farm” games were tied together to make one longer game, “The Ultimate Challenge.” To play that game, students select a “farmer” avatar and take on the challenge of building a virtual farm as they play each of the games on “My American Farm.” “‘The Ultimate Challenge’ gives students an opportunity to see and experience the story of agriculture from gate to plate,” said Curtis Miller, director of education for the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. “Further, it does so while sharing accurate and up-todate messages about agriculture.” To find the “My American Farm” games, visit www.AlfaFarmers.org. n
Left: Chyanne Frizzell and her classmates in Brandi Walker’s thirdgrade class at Catoma Elementary School in Montgomery use SMARTBoard technology to play the ‘My American Farm’ games. Right: Students learned about geography, mathematics, reading comprehension, geometry, science and health through agricultural games. NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
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Moo-ve Aside Tradition, Organic Dairy’s Popularity On The Rise By Melissa Martin
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n Alabama farm family is filling a special niche in the growing organic dairy market and recently was nominated as the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year. Working Cows Dairy, owned and operated by Jan and Rinske de Jong alongside sons Jonny, Mendy and Ike, is Alabama’s first certified organic dairy. The certification process, completed November 2009, took an exhaustive three years to complete, but the de Jongs haven’t looked back. “The transition time is the toughest,” said Jonny, “but it’s also the time when you learn the most – what works, what doesn’t.” For their efforts to bring a new product to the state, the de Jongs have been nominated as the 2011 contender in the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) awards program. “We appreciate the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries nominating the de Jong family’s farm as the Alabama candidate for the IDFA Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Dairy Director Guy Hall. “If being an organic milk producer wasn’t hard enough, the de Jongs decided to package and market their milk directly on the farm.” Since bottling their first batch of “Alabama’s Organic Milk” on May 15, 2010, the de Jongs have expanded their product line to include
NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
Extension Specialist Boyd Brady and Tom McCaskey, microbiology and food safety professor at Auburn University, evaluate the Working Cows Dairy for the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award sponsored by the International Dairy Foods Association. From left are: Ike, Mendy, Jonny, Rinske and Jan de Jong; Brady; McCaskey; and Alabama Farmers Federation Dairy Director Guy Hall.
whole, 2 percent, 1 percent, skim and chocolate milk. Covering all aspects of product development and distribution, they also deliver milk to specialty food stores and markets in parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Running a dairy is hard work, but utilizing high-tech machinery like a the 48-stall rotary carousel has certainly helped simplify a few things for the family. “The carousel is pretty unique,” said Jonny. “It makes milking a quicker, more efficient process. Better yet, it allows the milking to be a one-person job instead of requiring help from two or three people. We’re able to process our own milk on the farm and have it in the stores about 24 hours after being milked, so you get a fresh product.” While their process may appear seamless today, Jonny noted that arriving at this point hasn’t been without its difficulties. Transitioning from a traditional dairy farm to 9
an organic farm is a decision they’re glad they made, but it did bring financial struggles. “The way things were going, we knew we couldn’t keep operating and make a profit with fuel prices going up, feed prices going up and the cost of milk staying the same,” said Jonny. “It’s been a tough couple of years, but financially, we know it’ll be a good idea in the long-run.” In the future, the family hopes to slowly increase their market and maybe add a few more cows. They also hope to add more items to their product line including cheeses and ice cream, said Jonny. To purchase “Alabama’s Organic Milk,” visit Working Cows Dairy at 5539 N. State Highway in Slocomb, Ala. For more on their product or to find additional locations where their products are sold, visit WorkingCowsDairy.com. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
Sponsored each year by the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Outstanding Young Farm Family Awards Program recognizes young farmers between the ages of 17 and 35 who do an outstanding job in farm, home and community activities. Division winners representing 12 commodities were selected in February. Of those, six finalists will compete for the title of overall Outstanding Young Farm Family for 2011. The winner, who will be named at the Federation’s 90th Annual Meeting in December, will receive a John Deere Gator, courtesy of Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; the use of a John Deere tractor, courtesy of SunSouth, Tri-Green and Snead Ag; a personal computer package courtesy of ValCom/CCS Wireless; the use of a new vehicle and other prizes. The winner will represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureau Federation contest. This month, Neighbors profiles finalists in the Poultry and Wheat and Feed Grains Divisions. Look for features on other finalists in next month’s issue.. By Jillian Clair
The Browns
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he sign at the end of Jeremy and Lindsey Brown’s driveway says it all. The sign is 20 feet wide, 14 feet tall and emblazoned with the words “Farming Feeds Alabama: Alabama’s No. 1 Industry.” The Browns joke that no one will ever miss their driveway again, but that’s not the reason the sign marks the entrance to their poultry farm. “We’re actively trying to promote farming and get the message out in our county,” Jeremy said.
Poultry “We don’t think it’s enough just to farm—we want to promote agriculture as well.”
In addition to raising their daughter Ansley, 2, and maintaining a six-house, 132,000-bird poul-
Jeremy and Lindsey Brown of Montgomery County and their daughter, Ansley, have six broiler houses. They are involved in the Federation’s Young Farmers Division and Jeremy serves as county Young Farmers chairman and is on the state Poultry Committee. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
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try farm, Jeremy and Lindsey see better by the Farmers Federation.” grandfather. When he visited his it as their duty to serve on several Jeremy is a third-generation grandfather as a child, he rememcommittees within the Alabama poultry farmer. bers thinking he was the richest Farmers Federation on a local and “I’ve been in chicken houses man in the world. state level. since I was in diapers,” Jeremy said. “Now that I’m an adult, I see This kind of passion and enthu“I was driving a tractor by the time that his wealth was not in his siasm for agriculture is money, but it was in what made the Brown the opportunity he had family the Poultry to raise his family on Division winner in the farm,” Jeremy said. the Alabama Farmers The Browns look Federation’s Outstandforward to raising Ansing Young Farm Family ley and a new baby girl contest. who is due to arrive “Farming is a this month on the farm seven-day-a-week job, as well. but it’s not a set time “I’m looking foreveryday,” Jeremy said. ward to them growing “That allows us to give up on the farm and back on a local level, a learning about the bencounty level and state efits of hard work,” Jerlevel, but I still feel emy said. “With farmlike I haven’t contribing, just like anything uted as much to it as else, there’s going to be I’ve received from it— some disappointments. I’ve obtained so many You’re gonna have to contacts and so much learn that things don’t guidance through being always go your way. I involved with Alfa.” think the earlier you Jeremy serves as can learn that, the betthe youngest member ter off you’re going to of the Alabama Farmbe.” ers Federation’s State Lindsey, who has Poultry Committee, a bachelor’s degree in has been the county education from Troy Poultry Commodity University, said she chairman, served on wants to expand the the county Farm-City poultry farm into an Committee and is the agritourism center for county Young Farmers the community. chairman. “I think we have a Lindsey serves on nice farm and a nice the Montgomery Counarea that we could ty Farmers Federation somehow incorporate Women’s Leadership into Brown Farms, Committee, the county Lindsey and Jeremy Brown say their involvement with the Alabama and the MontgomPoultry Commodery County Farmers Farmers Federation has opened their eyes to the importance of ity Committee and Federation could be telling others about their farm, including leaders in Washington, D.C. During a Federation trip to the nation’s capital, the couple is involved with the affiliated with that – county Young Farmers. met with congressional staffers to discuss environmental issues and whether it’s just a corn rising input costs. “Before we joined maze, a pumpkin patch Alfa, we didn’t know or a hayride – it’s just the significance of our role within I was 4 or 5 years old. I’ve never important to get them out here and agriculture,” Lindsey said. “We shied away from work—I always see what we do,” Lindsey said. “I knew we wanted to farm, but we wanted to be in the middle of what think that would be a great way for didn’t know how significant our was going on.” us to promote agriculture in anothpart was until we got behind an Jeremy said he has always had er way.” n organization and were pushed to be great respect for his father and his NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
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The Looneys By Jillian Clair
Wheat and Feed Grains since he was a child, preparing him to work on the farm as an adult. “If there’s anything we’ve known in farming, its change,” Ben said. “I’ve seen just about everything – from chicken houses
farm, he and Miranda still had to start small with their own farm. “When we got married, I had en Looney said he was in 200 acres that I rented, and I fourth grade before he realworked a second job and sometimes ized not everyone’s dad was a a third job,” Ben said. farmer. While he spent his “I thought that days inside working at was just what everya machine shop, Ben body did,” said Loosaid all he could think ney, who grew up about was farming. on a dairy farm. “I “I had the prettiest never knew anything garden there because different.” I just had to grow The Looneys’ something,” he said. family dairy was “After sitting in that outside Athens, Ala., machine shop watchwhere Ben lives and ing the sun shine farms today with outside the window, his wife, Miranda I finally said, ‘I gotta and their two sons, go.’ So I put in my Colby, 11, and Clay, two-weeks’ notice, 5. and I’ve been farming Now, however, ever since.” the couple uses the Ben currently land Ben rents from grows row crops, and his father to grow he said he’s content row crops, and their with the size and success and dedicascope of his farm. tion to farming has His future goals are made the Looney to create a five-crop, family the Wheat three-year rotation, and Feed Grains to use more precision Division winner in agriculture techniques the Alabama Farmand to begin replacing ers Federation’s old equipment. Outstanding Young As their sons get Farm Family conolder, Ben and Mirantest. da said they hope the The Looneys boys develop an apprehave been involved ciation for agriculture. with Young Farmers “I have a sneaking and the Limestone suspicion they will,” County Farmers Ben said. “Colby Federation for 14 helped me this year, years—since they and he did great and were 17. really enjoyed it.” Ben served as Ben and Miranda Looney with their sons, Colby, 11, and Clay, 5, grow corn, wheat and other crops on their farm in Limestone County. Being able to work Limestone Countogether is something ty’s Young FarmBen and Miranda ers chairman for to cattle to dairy to cotton. We’ve value about their lives. two years, and Miranda served as “I don’t look at it as work,” Limestone County’s Young Farmers always changed and adapted, and I think that’s probably why we’re Ben said. “I enjoy what I do, and secretary for four years. still here.” my family enjoys it. We get to do a Ben said he’s had experience Although Ben grew up on a lot of stuff together because we’re doing almost every type of farming
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about my wheat,” Ben said. “We were really depending on it. But we realized how lucky we were when we saw what so many other people went through. We still had a house. We still had each other. Some others lost everything, including their loved ones.” Ben and Miranda spent the next few weeks after the storm cooking for members of their community, clearing trees from people’s driveways and praying for those who had lost everything. “My wheat turned out okay, and we only had one small field that we had to burn because there was so much The Looneys accept their Outstanding Young Farm Family Wheat and Feed Grains debris in it, but it didn’t really Division Award at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Young Farmers Conference matter as much anymore when earlier this year. From left are Federation President Jerry Newby, Clay, Miranda, Colby I thought about my neighbor and Ben Looney and Young Farmers State Committee Chairman Ben Haynes. getting killed or the grandparworking together.” astated by tornadoes that ravaged ents down the road who died In April, the Looneys said they much of the state. protecting their grandkids,” Ben became even more thankful for “When the tornado came said. “It just put a whole new pereach other after Athens was devthrough, I was worried to death spective on things.” n
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Cullars Rotation Marks 100 Years of Crop Research By Jamie Creamer
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four-acre cotton fertility experiment that Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API) scientists established in a Lee County farmer’s field a century ago is still going strong and generating data that documents the impact fertilization and soil nutrient deficiencies have on non-irrigated cotton and other crop yields over the long haul. Known as the Cullars Rotation, the project is the South’s oldest continuous soil-fertility experiment, the second-oldest cotton research project in the world and a 100-year-old laboratory for sustainable agriculture. “The research at this site shows how, with good management practices, the fertility of soil that has been farmed for decades and decades can be preserved and continue to supply plant nutrients to non-irrigated crops year after year,” said Auburn University agronomy and soils professor Charles Mitchell. The Cullars Rotation is on Woodfield Drive at South College Street in Auburn, directly behind the Jule Collins Smith Museum. The long-term field-crop experiment is named in honor of the late J.A. Cullars, who, with brotherin-law John P. Alvis, owned and farmed cotton on the land in the late 1880s and early 1900s. In 1911, they allowed Alabama Agricultural
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A 40-foot border was left around the Cullars Rotation when the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art opened in 2003. The rotation is a 100-year old sustainable agriculture laboratory located near the Auburn University campus.
Experiment Station researchers from API to plant research plots there to determine the effects of new synthetic phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen fertilizers on cotton production. Design-wise, the project consists of 14 soil treatments replicated three times on 42 separate plots in a three-year rotation of cotton, winter clover, corn, winter wheat and soybeans. Included in those plots are some that Mitchell calls the “no-nothings,” because they haven’t been fertilized at all during the 100 years of the study. “And I don’t think anybody would have any trouble picking those plots out,” said Mitchell, who is in his 27th year as curator of both the Cullars Rotation and Auburn’s Old Rotation, located on Lem Morrison Drive, less than half a mile as the crow flies from the Cullars site. Mitchell, an admitted history buff who long recognized that the two ongoing experiments were of major significance not only agriculturally but historically as well, was successful in getting the Old Rotation placed on the National 14
Register of Historic Places in 1988 and the Cullars Rotation, likewise, in 2003. When the open pasture known as Alvis Field in which the Cullars Rotation is located, was selected as the site for the art museum a decade ago, a 40-foot border was left around the Cullars Rotation to preserve it for ongoing research and demonstration of sustainable crop production on soils of the southern U.S. Granted, it isn’t every day that you’ll find a fine arts museum with row crops next door. Mitchell says the arrangement makes sense, when you think about it. “The two have been surprisingly complementary,” he says. “Here you have the museum, with all the glitz and glamour associated with it, and, right across the street from it, have crops growing, showing, in effect, the history of Alabama agriculture,” he says. n ____________________________________ To learn more about the Cullars Rotation and the Old Rotation, visit www.ag.auburn.edu/agrn/longterm. NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
Pickens County Farmer Appointed To U.S. Soybean Board By Debra Davis
Wheat and Feed Grains Committee. She operates a 10,000-acre farm and ranch alongside her family where, in ickens County farmer Annie addition to soybeans, they raise corn, Dee has been appointed to the wheat, rye, sunflowers, cattle and United Soybean Board by U.S. timber. Agriculture Secretary “I have a passion Tom Vilsack. Pat Buck for agriculture producof Sumter County was tion,” Dee said. “I love elected as an alternate raising crops, especially board member. harvesting. I run the “These appointees combine, and I realize represent a cross secthat is the only part tion of the soybean of the farming process industry, and I am that actually brings the confident that they money in.” will serve the soybean Dee said she likes producers well,” said to focus on improveVilsack. ments in soil fertility Dee is a member and quality, adding of the Pickens County Annie Dee that her farm has used Farmers Federation cover crops and no-till board of directors and planting to build organic matter in serves as chairman of the county’s the soil. Equine Committee. She previously Dee often combines her love of served on the Federation’s State
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horseback riding with work on the farm. Dee holds a degree in animal industries from Clemson University. She has three children: Rachel, 27, an activities director at an assisted living facility in West Palm Beach, Fla.; Seth, 25, who lives and works on the farm alongside his wife, Jodie, and their son, Mason; and Jesse, 25, who also works on the farm. Jesse is married to Leslie, and they have two children, Clay (6) and Carly (4). The family attends the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Macon, Miss. Dee’s husband, Ed Sikora, is a plant pathologist at Auburn University. United Soybean Board appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning December 2011. The board’s goal is to strengthen the position of soybeans in the marketplace and to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for soybeans and soybean products. n
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NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
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By Debra Davis
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hen Bob Deutscher moved to Jackson County nearly 40 years ago, there were rumors that a crazy man was going to plant an orchard on top of Crow Mountain. Now, some of those same folks are just crazy about his apples. And there’s a lot to be crazy about. Deutscher and his wife, Carol, operate what is believed to be the state’s largest fruit orchard with nearly 50 acres of apple trees and 25 more acres of peaches, pears and seedless grapes. “I guess you could classify us as a large, small farmer,” Deutscher said. “During our peak season, we employ about 15 people. My wife and I work here year round and our daughter and son-in-law (Barbara and Chuck Endson) help us during the busy season.” Deutscher moved to Fackler, a community in north Jackson County, in 1974 from northern Indiana. He planted his first trees the next year. It was HOW and WHERE he planted the apple trees that made many of his neighbors skeptical. Normally, apple trees are planted 35 feet apart,
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or about 75 trees per acre, he said. Deutscher planted his trees on trellises, spacing them 7 feet apart on 15-foot rows, packing in about 400 trees per acre. “The trellises are made from three coated wires that run along the trees and keep the limbs closer to the ground,” Deutscher said. “We can pick about 90 percent of the fruit from the ground or by using a 6-foot picking ladder. That’s saves us quite a bit of time and labor when we pick apples.” The elevation on Crow Mountain is 1,720 feet. The warm days and cool nights at that height provide an ideal growing season for the fruit, Deutscher said. “During the hot part of the summer, we’re usually 6-10 degrees cooler up here than in the valley,” he said. “We also chose this elevation because the mountain is a mile wide and has excellent air drainage that keeps frost off us most of the time.” Deutscher’s farm was a tour stop during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Commodity Producers Conference in August. Members on the tour were eager to hear how Deutscher started his farm and were equally eager to sample some of his delicious apples and peaches. Federation Horticulture Director Mac Higginbotham said Deutscher’s farm is an inspiration to all farmers who are willing to explore a new way of doing things. “Bob Deutscher holds a patent on a type of Red Delicious apple called Cumberland Spur,” Higginbotham said. “It has outstanding flavor and a deep red color. He gave it that name because it’s grown on the Cumberland Plateau (where Crow Mountain is located) and the trees’ buds are formed from several spurs on the limb. Securing your own patented variety is a rare opportunity.” In Indiana,
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Shoppers select from a variety of fresh apples, peaches and other fruits at the Crow Mountain Orchard store near Fackler.
Most of the apples and other fruits raised by the Deutschers are sold directly to customers from a retail market store on the farm. It’s open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The orchard also provides apples for the state’s school lunch program on occasion. The orchard’s website, CrowMtn.com, lists what fruits are available and directions to the farm. For a man who began his career as a brick mason, Deutscher said he finds growing apples to be a much more rewarding job. “I like planting something and watching it grow into something that’s delicious and people enjoy,” he said. “It’s very satisfying to grow something that tastes so good. When we plant a tree, it becomes like a part of the family.” n
Deutscher owned an orchard that focused on the early-season apple varieties. He moved south to get a head start on that same market. Eventually, that market faded, but he had the foresight to plant so many varieties of apples that he has apples ripening five months out of the year. His best sellers are Red Delicious, followed closely by Golden Delicious. He also grows Jonathan, McIntosh, Winesap, Granny Smith, Rome Beauty, Mutsu and his personal favorite, Pink Lady. “Pink Lady apples ripen in late October and just seem sweeter to me,” he said. “I like the flavor, and they have a beautiful, rich pink color. But truthfully, I like all types of apples.” What’s his favorite way to eat an apple? “Right off the tree,” he said. “They never taste any better than that.” That fresh, delicious taste is what brings customers to Crow Mountain Orchards from hundreds of miles away. “We have lots of people who drive as far as 200 miles from here in any direction just to buy our apples,” Deutscher said. “Our best advertising is word of mouth, and we have lots of customers who have been coming here for years.”
For directions and availability of fruit, visit
www.CrowMtn.com ___________________________________ Crow Mountain Orchards 6236 County Road 39 Fackler, Alabama 35746 (256) 437-9254
At left, Jackson Hornady enjoys a juicy apple. Right, members of the Alabama Farmers Federation toured Crow Mountain Orchard earlier this year during the organization’s annual Commodity Producers Conference.
NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
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By Melissa Martin
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labama farmers are venturing into a budding crop industry that until recently was thought of primarily as a staple in their kitchen pantries. “Canola, a food-grade oil, is primarily used as a cooking oil and a base for salad dressings,” explained Robert Davis, president and CEO of AgStrong LLC in Georgia, a firm that designs, builds and operates oilseed processing plants in the southern United States. “What many are starting to learn, however, is that the byproduct of canola, canola meal, makes a good protein source for poultry and dairy cattle rations. It’s also a profitable crop that farmers in the South can grow as a winter alternative.” AgStrong is breaking ground on a new processing facility in Lawrence County this fall. Additional facilities are scheduled to open next spring. This year marks the fifth season canola has been grown in north Alabama. Fifteen farmers from Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence and Limestone counties are growing it on about 4,000 acres. Though 4,000 acres
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NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
isn’t substantial when compared to wheat, cotton or soybean acreage in the state, Alabama canola farmers are discovering just how profitable the crop can be. “In addition to its rotational benefits, studies show there can be more profit from canola, even though production costs may be slightly higher,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Wheat and Feed Grains Division Director Buddy Adamson. “I think it’s a crop that more farmers should take a look at as an alternative in their farming operations.” Though canola yields are less than that of wheat, canola prices usually are based on soybean prices. As soybeans increase in value, so does canola, making it more profitable. “Right now, its value as an oilseed crop is 80 percent more valuable than that of wheat,” said Davis. “Given that canola has been profitable to area farmers, we’re fully expectant that acreage will expand here.” Canola can increase Robert Davis yields of companion winter expects canola acreage to expand wheat or summer crops like in north Alabama. soybeans, cotton, peanuts or sunflowers when included in a 3-year rotation, said Davis. Some of its land-enhancement benefits include reducing disease and insect pressure and improving soil fertility and structure. Lawrence County Farmers Federation President Brian Glenn is among the state’s farmers who took a chance on canola a few years back. Fortunately for Glenn, it’s proven to be a profitable, land-improving venture. “Unlike a lot of farmers in my area, I don’t grow cotton,” said Glenn. “By double-cropping soybeans,
NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
we are able to grow five crops in three years. We plant corn, followed by canola that’s double-cropped with soybeans, then wheat double cropped with soybeans. Canola allows us excellent rotational capabilities and the ability to have growing crops on the ground two of three winters.” Glenn planted 500 acres of canola in September, an increase from the 125 acres he had originally planned. Though he already enjoys the benefits reaped from the new crop, Glenn is looking forward to having an instate processing facility. “We need a local processor,” said Glenn. “Not only would it provide the convenience of processing canola, but it would also give a boost to the area economy. It also costs us a little extra to take it over to Georgia, and it’d be nice to get that back.” According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Americans used just over 3 billion pounds of canola oil in 2010, with about 2.5 billion pounds of that imported from Canada. Canola offers the highest levels of unsaturated fat, the most omega-3 anti-inflammatory fatty acids and is trans-fat and cholesterol-free. The national average yield for canola is 27 bushels an acre, but Alabama farmers are averaging 50 to 70 bushels per acre, said Davis. Canada is the largest grower in North America with more than 20 million acres each year. However, Assistant Director of the U.S. Canola Association Dale Thorenson said there’s no reason that 4 to 5 million acres couldn’t be planted from the Carolinas to the Great Plains. Currently, about 90 percent of the 1.5 million acres of American canola is grown in North Dakota. n
________________________________________________________ To learn more about Alabama-grown canola, contact Robert Davis at rbdavis@agstrong.com or visit AgStrong.com.
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Federation Awards Scholarships To AU Ag/Forestry Students By Jillian Clair
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he Alabama Farmers Federation awarded 20 scholarships to Auburn University agriculture and forestry students from across the state during the College of Agriculture’s Scholarship Recognition Program, Aug. 20. For almost 30 years, the Federation has awarded scholarships to students at Auburn University who are studying agriculture, forestry, fisheries, agricultural engineering, biological sciences or agricultural education. This years’ recipients were Anna Adcock of Woodland, James Bailey of Cedar Bluff, Erika Becker of Wadley, Caleb Bright of Cullman, Kendall Bur- Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan talks with Anna Marie nett of Lawley, Hunter Duncan Adcock, an Auburn University senior majoring in agricultural economics who has of Moundville, Ashley Durrett received the Alabama Farmers Federation Scholarship since her freshman year. of Northport, Jessica Farrow Bartley and Martha Funderburk of Montgomery County of Ashland, Morgan Harper of Camden, Benjamin Johnson of Wedowee, Zachary Jones received a total of $13,000; Andrew Golden of Monroe County received $1,000; Meghan Sparkman, Sarah of Piedmont, Anna Peek of Elkmont, David Reeves of Hartselle, Curry Sanders of Dothan, Jonathan Tharpe of Larosche, Sonja Cox and Jeremy Comer of Madison County received a total of $9,000; Kira Chaloupka, Skipperville, Trey Tidmore of Scottsboro, Carla WeisSavannah Warren, Jeekin Lau and Frank Reeves of Lee send of Montgomery, Kevin Wells of Jasper, Solora County received a total of $4,000; Jonathan Cross of Wright of Rogersville and Zachary Lee of Prattville. Lawrence County received $3,128; Hunter Duncan of The scholarships, valued up to $1,750 per student, Hale County received $3,500; Kammie Bowman and may be renewed annually to students who maintain a Katelyn Waters of Etowah County received $1,000 2.5 grade point average and exhibit good moral characeach; Wesley Snell of Dale County received $2,472; and ter and citizenship. Codie Yelverton of Covington County received $1,500. “Getting scholarships makes you feel confident,” Other county Farmers Federations offer scholarships said Anna Adcock, a senior in agricultural economthat are not administered through Auburn University. ics from Woodland. “It makes you feel like someone Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan was on believes in you, and it makes you want to do better in hand at Auburn when the scholarship recipients were school and set goals for yourself.” recognized. He said it was an honor to meet so many Adcock, who wants to attend law school and pracoutstanding young people and to work for an organizatice environmental law after graduating from Auburn, tion that helps them work towards a career in agriculsaid she wouldn’t have been able to come to Auburn ture or forestry. without scholarship money. “This scholarship program is an excellent resource “I want to be a voice for rural farmers like my dad,” not only for students, but for everyone involved in Adcock said. “I grew up on a really small farm, and I Alabama agriculture. It ensures that the highest calijust think farmers need a voice.” ber of young men and women will pursue agricultural In addition to the 20 students who received the Alacareers,” Pinyan said. “As the state’s largest farm bama Farmers Federation scholarship, several county organization, we’re proud to support this program. Our Farmers Federation scholarships were also awarded at investment in Alabama’s students will pay dividends the ceremony. for many years to come.” n Jacob Williams of Morgan County received $2,476; John Higgins, William Green, Carla Weissand, Paul
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NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
Landowner Protection Act Could Increase Hunting, Fishing Opportunities
By Jillian Clair
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ore landowners may choose to lease their land for outdoor recreational purposes as a result of a new law passed by the Alabama Legislature earlier this year. The “Landowner Protection Act,” sponsored by State Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, and supported by the Alabama Farmers Federation, protects landowners who lease property for hunting or fishing. The law says landowners are not liable for damages to a lessee. Allen said he believes the law could boost the amount of outdoor recreation land available for lease in the state, providing a boost to local economies. Alabama Farmers Federation Wildlife Division Director Steve Guy agrees. “In the past, many landowners have been reluctant to lease their NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
property for hunting and fishing because of the high risk of frivolous lawsuits,” said Guy. “This legislation will help protect landowners from such lawsuits.” Allen said he was motivated to sponsor the bill after he learned about a Tuscaloosa constituent who was sued after a lessee injured himself on the landowner’s property. “Alabama has some of the best hunting and fishing land in the country, and we need to give landowners the opportunity to lease their land without fear of an accident on their land that is out of their control landing them in court,” Allen said. While the Landowner Protection Act lessens the likelihood of a lawsuit against landowners, it also protects lessees from negligence or malicious intentions of a landowner. Under the law, landowners are still responsible for informing les21
sees of hidden dangerous conditions on the land, and it does not protect landowners who intentionally or willfully cause injury to a lessee who is rightfully using the land. Guy said the Landowner Protection Act is a good first step toward protecting landowners, but more work still needs to be done. Landowners are still liable for damages to trespassers on their land, and other forms of agritourism have not specifically been addressed. “We’ve still got a way to go to protect the private property rights of our forest landowners and farmers,” Guy said. “Hopefully during this next session, we can address the unwarranted lawsuits brought by people who trespass on private property as well as those who are invited in certain situations, such as a pick-your-own fruit and vegetable farm.” n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
By Melissa Martin
spread size and success rate capabilities of producing quality fawns.” Deer with up to 16 points and a 21-inch spread have been taken from the family property. To raise the healthiest, largest deer, good nutrition may seem obvious. However, people who are inexperienced with hunting or animal welfare don’t often realize how beneficial proper amounts of protein and fat are or how less-than-adequate nutrition can critically impact the size of the herd, said Guy. Unfortunately, the Montgomerys experienced that impact first-hand. “We had a very serious situation happen when we weren’t monitoring what our deer were eating,” recalled Pam. “It was a very hard lesson to learn, but out of it, I spent seven months learning about deer nutrition – what they needed, what they didn’t.” It was from this research and extensive work with nutritionists and deer scientists that the Montgomerys developed a successful soybean-based feed recipe. “You really have to develop a complete nutrition for the deer in a supplemental form,” explained Trey. “Some people feed deer textured feed, which the deer like. But what happens then is the deer, like humans, pick through what they want and don’t eat the other stuff – which is generally the healthiest ingredients for them.” To combat that tendency, the Montgomerys developed a complete pelleted feed. Now, when the deer walk up to a supplemental feeding station on Leavellwood’s property, every bite taken is fully nutritious. “It provides our deer with more than adequate protein, fat . . . [and] the best nutrition they can possibly get in a short amount of time, which allows them to still be healthy when they’re not actively pursuing a food source,” said Pam. “If it’s too hot, like it is now, they’ll get up and get water but have little appetite. This solves that problem.” Folks often question why they Montgomerys don’t just throw out corn or other types of feed for the deer rather than going through so much trouble to develop a special feed and monitor their herd. Trey and Pam are quick to point out that it’s not that simple. “A lot of people think deer would be fine by just eating corn, but it’s like ice cream – it works as an energy source, but it doesn’t really provide a whole lot of nutritional value,” said Pam. “They need a com-
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leverly hidden in the most convincing camouflage, hunters have one main goal during deer season – bagging the biggest buck. What many fail to realize, however, is the impact soybeans may have on their antlered trophies. “Of the soybeans produced in the United States, nearly 98 percent are used in animal feed. Animal agriculture is essentially the No. 1 customer of soybeans, and it really shows in their overall health,” said Steve Guy, director of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Forestry, Soybean, and Wildlife Resources Divisions. “Animals that eat soybeans are larger, healthier, better able to ward off diseases and more successful at handling stress from the heat and humidity in the South.” One animal that’s seen significant growth and health benefits from soybeans can be found in Alabama’s Black Belt, just 45 miles southwest of Tuscaloosa in Greene County. White-tailed deer roam 1,000 wellwooded acres inside a high fenced enclosure at Leavellwood, a hunting and fishing preserve owned by Pam and Trey Montgomery. To ensure they remain as healthy as possible and are prime breeding material, the Montgomerys closely monitor every buck and doe at Leavellwood. “While genetics play a role in their overall wellbeing,” said Trey, “nutritional supplements provided on a consistent basis are critical in determining each deer’s growth potential, w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
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Pam and Trey Montgomery own Leavellwood, a hunting and fishing preserve in Greene County. They provide nutritional supplements made from soybeans to their white-tailed deer for maximum antler growth.
plete diet, and they need more than one item, just like people do.” In addition to their hunting service, the Montgomerys also maintain 100 acres of lakes stocked with largemouth bass and bream. As with the deer, Pam and Trey provide the fish with a supplemental food source made from soybeans. Feeders are staged throughout the lake and periodically disperse a high protein food source, providing optimum growth potential for the fish. “It’s not a cheap business to be in. If you do it, you want to do it right, and the Montgomerys are doing just that,” said Guy. “They want everyone to come visit, have a good time and a good experience, but they also want to produce the best possible deer, bass and other fish they can. It really makes all the difference.” Operating Leavellwood is a lot of hard work for the Montgomerys, but according to Pam, producing the largest, healthiest animals possible, either finned and four-legged, makes the stress of constantly monitoring, budgeting and improving their operation worthwhile. “We have found a way to take care of the land and let the land take care of us,” Pam said. “Our whole goal is to be good stewards over what we have so we can return it better than it was originally to the next generation.” n
Pears
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Yates ,Arkansas Black, Gala, Horse , Deer Gold, Gibson Gold, Autumn Rush and Anna. We also have Crab Apples, Blueberries, Blackberries, Plums, Japanese Persimmons, Chestnuts and Oak Trees. Great Selection Of Quality Wildlife Trees. See Us on Facebook & YouTube. Call or email for our 2011-2012 catalog. The Wildlife Group 2858 County Road 53 Tuskegee, AL 36083 800-221-9703 www.wildlifegroup.com email Allen@wildlifegroup.com
Annual Meeting Notice Greene County Farmers Federation Oct. 18 • 6:30 p.m. at the Eutaw Alfa Office NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
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High Pork Prices May Benefit Alabama Producers By Jillian Clair
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ringing home the bacon has been a little less stressful for Alabama pork producers with record demand generating recordhigh prices for hogs. “A little more than a decade ago, hog prices dropped to less than 10-cents a pound, but prices this year have jumped to more than 70 cents per pound,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Pork Division Director Guy Hall. “As with any market, supply and demand dictate prices. We are hopeful that China’s growing middle class will continue to increase the demand for U.S. pork products.” Good prices may provide relief to state pork producers who have struggled to stay in the industry since the Bryan Foods plant in West Point, Miss., closed in 2007. “Since that plant closed, many of the hogs produced in Alabama are now shipped to the Midwest as weaned pigs (12-to 15-pound pigs) or feeder pigs (50 to 70-pound pigs) and are finished there to a weight NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
of 240 to 280 pounds,” Hall said. “This means that some Alabama contract hog producers’ barns are empty for extended times because pigs are shipped ahead of schedule to save on feed and trucking costs. The Midwest also provides more access to competitive markets.” Hall is quick to point out that while hog prices have increased, input costs for producers have skyrocketed. “Feed, energy and labor all have increased significantly,” Hall said, adding that those costs, plus low prices just a few years ago, contributed to a drop in production. Since 2006, market hog numbers in the state have dropped 63 percent from 256,076 then to 93,898 in 2010. The hope of higher profits and the likelihood of more exports to China is good news for farmers still raising hogs in Alabama. Alabama Pork Producers Chairman Mark Pennington of Calhoun County said even if the number of hogs he raises doesn’t increase, he thinks good prices could provide opportunities for long-needed improvements on 25
his farm. “Good prices will help my integrator and hopefully trickle down to me,” Pennington said. “We’ve got some maintenance and building issues I’d like to work on. No one has been able to put much into facilities in the past few years, so maybe this will help us update facilities and equipment.” China accounts for 47 percent of world pork consumption, Hall said. Consumption of pork there in 2008 was 46.3 million metric tons, compared to 8.8 million metric tons eaten by Americans that year. Hall said the U.S. could be China’s main pork supplier if certain import tariffs and trade restrictions are adjusted. That could mean an increase in the number of pigs raised on Alabama farms, he said. “Pork can be produced at a much lower cost in the U.S. than in China,” Hall said. “In 2008, it cost about 55 cents per pound for U.S. farmers to produce a hog. In China, it cost producers about 84 cents per pound.” n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
By Lois Chaplin
FOR WINTER AND EARLY SPRING COLOR Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) Daffodils and narcissus (Narcissus varieties) Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) Snowdrop (Galanthus species) Spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) Thrift (Phlox subulata)
Give Perennials A Head Start This Fall Mexican Sage adds fall color to any landscape.
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t’s the beginning of a new gardening season. In some ways, fall is better than spring. The warm ground encourages roots to grow while cooler air isn’t stressful on plant tops. All this adds up to a great time to plant perennials, giving them a head start for better roots, bigger tops, and more flowers next year. Swamp sunflower, asters, ornamental grasses, Joe Pye weed, chrysanthemum, and salvias are just a few of the perennials peaking in fall. Their beauty is a signal to get busy planting them and others to enjoy for years because with a little care, perennials just get bigger and better each year. Visit a local garden center to see many of these for sale in bloom. The worst enemy of most perennials is a poor drainage. A few perennials such as cannas don’t mind soggy soil, but most need good drainage to avoid root rot. If a perennial that is known to be cold hardy disappeared over the winter, wet soil is probably the reason. If a site doesn’t drain well, build a raised bed for the plants. Plant each plant in groups of threes so they knit together into a
single, large show. Exceptions to this are large spreading perennials such as some of the salvias – where one is okay – and most bulbs, which need a dozen or more close together. Choose plants that are adapted to their locations; sunny, shady, moist or dry. Learn about each plant. The Internet makes this easy, but look for southern information. Perennials in the North often behave differently because of the cold. Plant the tallest plants to the back bed, the shortest to the front. Leave spots for annuals so there is always something in bloom. Perennials are great because they come back year after year, but their show generally lasts from 4 to 8 weeks, whereas annuals last for months. Here’s a list of some perennials and a few bulbs organized by season of bloom. There are many others, but this provides a few things to look up to get started.
____________________________________ Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.
GET GROWING AT THE CO-OP. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
FOR SPRING COLOR Astilbe (Astilbe species) Clump verbena (Verbena canadensis) Columbine (Aquilegia species) Coreopsis (Coreopsis species) Heuchera (many hybrids) Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) Irises (Iris species) Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) Peony (Paeonia varieties) Pinks (Dianthus species) Shasta daisies (Chrysathemun x superbum) Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa) FOR COLOR IN SUMMER Canna (Canna varieties) Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Crinum lily (Crinum species) Coneflowers (Rudbeckia species) Daylilies (Hemerocallis species) Firebush (Hamelia patens) Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) Ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium) Heliopsis (Heliopsis scabra) Hosta, types with showy flowers Lilies (Lilium species) Ornamental grasses, many species Phlox (Phlox paniculata) Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Salvias (Salvia species) FOR FALL COLOR Azure sage (Salvia azurea) Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum species) Cigar plant (Cuphea micropetala) Confederate rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) Goldenrod (Solidago species) Hardy ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum) Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium fistulosum) Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) New England aster (Aster novae-angliae) Ornamental grasses, many species Showy sedum (Sedum spectabile) Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) Swamp sunflower (Helianthus simulans)
WWW.ALAFARM.COM 26
NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
Cherokee County Chef Wins Heritage Cooking Contest By Debra Davis
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wo of Alabama’s tastiest crops — peanuts and pecans— were ingredients in the winning recipes of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Annual Heritage Cooking Contest in Montgomery Sept. 1. Dawn East of Cherokee County won first place and $150 with her Butter Pecan Bars. Shirley Ezzell of Franklin County won second place and $100 for her Apricot Sour Cream Tea Cookies, and Felicia Dewberry of Clay County won third place and $50 for her Salted Peanut Chews. East said this marks the third time she’s competed in the statewide cooking contest. She formerly competed in the pie and soup categories after winning her county contest in previous years. “I was shocked when they called out my name,” said East, who is vice chairman of the Cherokee County Federation Women’s Leadership Committee. “I found the recipe on my computer several years ago, and I like to make it for my family. I take it to church, and I’ve actually taken
Winners in the 2011 Heritage Cooking Contest were, from left, first place, Dawn East of Cherokee County; second place, Shirley Ezzell of Franklin County, and third place, Felicia Dewberry of Clay County. The annual contest is sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Division as a way to showcase the flavor, versatility and nutritional value of Alabama agricultural products.
it to some of our county Federation meetings. It’s pretty popular.” East said the ingredients include some of her favorite things to eat: buttered pecans, cream cheese and
Sister Schubert Barnes signs a cookbook for Baldwin County Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Committee member Jean Fontaine at the Heritage Cooking Contest. Barnes told her life’s story of growing up in Troy and using her grandmother’s recipe to start her own business, which later became a multimillion-dollar industry. NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
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butter. The annual contest is sponsored by the Federation’s Women’s Leadership Division as a way to showcase the flavor, versatility and nutritional value of Alabama agricultural products. Dishes were judged on taste, appearance and ease of preparation. During the judging, contestants heard from Patricia Barnes, founder of Sister Schubert’s. She told her life’s story of growing up in Troy and using her grandmother’s Parker House roll recipe to start her own business, which later became a multi-million-dollar industry in Luverne. Barnes and her husband, George, founded the Barnes Family Foundation, a charitable organization, which has donated more than $2.3 million to charities, scholarships, historical preservation and the creation of a home for abandoned children in the Ukraine. The Federation made a contribution to the foundation following her presentation at the contest. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
FIRST PLACE
Butter Pecan Bars
Dawn East, Cherokee County 1 (18-ounce) box butter pecan cake mix 1 stick butter, melted 1 stick butter, softened 3 eggs 1 (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened 1 (1-pound) box powdered sugar 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
Mix together cake mix, 1 stick of melted butter and one slightly beaten egg. Press into a greased and floured 9-X13-inch baking dish. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add softened butter, two eggs and powdered sugar; mix well. Pour over cake mix layer. Top with pecans. Bake in a preheated 300 F oven for 1 hour. Cool and cut into squares.
SECOND PLACE
Apricot-Sour Cream Tea Cookies
Shirley Ezzell, Franklin County 1 roll (16.5 ounce) refrigerated sugar cookies 1 cup pecans, chopped ¾ cup dried apricots ¼ cup apricot preserves ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ cup sour cream ¼ cup all-purpose flour Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup milk
Let cookie dough stand at room temperature 10 minutes to soften. In food processor, place pecans, apricots, preserves and cinnamon. Cover, process with on/off pulses 20-30 seconds or until pecans and apricots are finely chopped. In a large bowl, mix pecan mixture and sour cream. Add flour. Crumble cookie dough into pecan mixture and stir until well blended. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray cookie sheets with non-stick coating. Drop 24 heaping, individual tablespoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto cookies sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely. Place waxed paper under cooling racks. In medium bowl, stir powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Dip tops of cookies into glaze; place on racks and let stand 5 minutes. Dip cookies again; let stand 5 minutes or until glaze is set.
THIRD PLACE
Salted Peanut Chews
Felicia Dewberry, Clay County 1 yellow cake mix 1/3 cup margarine (softened) 1 egg 3 cups mini-marshmallows Topping: 2/3 cup Karo syrup ¼ cup margarine 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring 2 cups peanut butter chips 2 cups Rice Krispies 2 cups salted peanuts
Mix first three ingredients at low speed until crumbly. Press into bottom of ungreased 9-X12inch pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes at 350 F until light brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven for 1-2 minutes until marshmallows are puffy. Cool. In a large pot, heat Karo syrup, margarine, vanilla and peanut butter chips until chips are melted and smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from stove and stir in cereal and peanuts. Spoon over marshmallows and spread to cover all. Makes 36 bars. Store in covered container. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g
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NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
Daisy Choco-Scutterbotch Cookies Dixie Black, Butler County 2/3 butter flavor shortening stick ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 eggs 1 (18 ¼-ounce) yellow cake mix 1 cup rice cereal 1 cup milk chocolate chips ½ cup butterscotch chips ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans
Heat oven to 375 F. Combine shortening and brown sugar in a large bowl. Beat until well blended. Beat in eggs. Gradually add cake mix and mix until well blended. Stir in cereal, chips and pecans until well blended. Shape dough into balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Remove from oven before cooked completely. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Yield: 3 dozen.
Sugar Cookies Glenda Cardwell, Coosa County Cream together: 1 cup Wesson oil 2 sticks butter 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring Sift together: 4 ½ cups White Lily plain flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Combine wet and dry ingredients. Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 F for 12 minutes or until golden brown. NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
Oatmeal Dream Cookies Lisa Terry, Lawrence County 1 stick oleo ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup plain flour ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon soda ¼ teaspoon baking powder 1 ¼ cups oatmeal ¼ cup coconut ¼ cup chopped pecans ½ cup chocolate chips
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together oleo, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Add egg, vanilla, plain flour, salt, soda and baking powder. Mix together. Add oatmeal, coconut, chopped pecans and chocolate chips. Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes or until done.
Sweet Potato Cookies Terri Gilley, Cullman County 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon soda 2 ½ cups flour 1 cup cooked sweet potatoes, mashed 2 eggs ½ cup melted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring 1 cup chopped nuts
Mix sugars, soda and flour together. Add sweet potatoes, eggs, butter, flavoring and nuts. Spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes. Yield: 4 dozen.
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Chocolate Chip Turtle Cookies DiAnn Townley, Randolph County ½ cup butter ¼ cup sugar 1/3 cup brown sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 large egg, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ cup milk 8 caramels 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix butter, both sugars, flour, salt, baking soda, egg, vanilla and milk. Melt caramels in microwave for 1 minute. Mix in chocolate chips and pecans. Mix in melted caramel. Roll into balls. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Yield: 10-12.
Toffee Graham Cookies Carole Clements, Lee County 1 box graham crackers 1 cup chopped pecans 1 stick margarine – no substitution 1 stick butter – no substitution ½ cup sugar
Preheat oven to 350 F. On a 9-X13-inch jellyroll pan lay out the crackers with as many as you can fit. Sprinkle with pecans. Melt margarine and butter on stovetop. Add sugar to margarine and butter mixture. Boil 2 minutes. Pour over crackers. Bake at 350 F for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool completely, then break into pieces.
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NEIGHBORS • OCTOBER 2011
Telling the Story of Agriculture Building awareness, understanding and a positive public perception of agriculture through education SM
American Farm Bureau
Foundation For Agriculture速
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