Shift Work: Farms Benefit From Seasonal Labor

Temporary Ag Workers Fulfill Farmers’ Needs

Hunter Trees welcomed 16 seasonal agricultural workers to its nursery in Alpine this year to help with planting, pruning and staking.

By Marlee Moore

Phillip and Will Hunter hired a dozen local laborers to supplement staff on their wholesale tree nursery in 2020.

“Not a single one works here now,” said Phillip, who serves on the Alabama Farmers Federation state board. “We sell a high-quality, high-end product. Our quality was suffering because we didn’t have workers.”

After a year of planning, preparation and paperwork, Hunter Trees in Alpine welcomed 16 H-2A laborers in January 2022. The legal temporary agricultural workers will stay through November.

One year into the program, the brothers agree: H-2A’s immediate impact is worth the expense.

“We knew within days we had made the right decision,” Phillip said. “H-2A is great across all commodities because if you just need one or two guys, you can get that. These guys are proud of their work, and they want to do a good job.”

Some farmers manage mountains of compliance paperwork and logistics in-house, but the Hunters turned to seasonal labor management company AgWorks to facilitate the detail-driven program.

“The H-2A program changes often, and the nuances make or break you,” said Dan Bremer, president of Georgiabased AgWorks. “Eventually, you will be audited by the U.S. Department of Labor, and they expect you to do things right.”

Bremer said employers, who are still required to advertise locally, have trended toward H-2A labor for manual tasks as the domestic labor pool shrinks. Alabama’s unemployment hit a record low of 2.6% in July, according to the Department of Labor.

Step by step, Bremer and his AgWorks associates sweat the small stuff for clients, from nailing down a worker time frame to troubleshooting issues. H-2A supplies agricultural workers, while the similar H-2B program is for nonagricultural labor.

Specialists pinpoint skill levels and work with international facilitators to secure qualified laborers, who are thoroughly vetted via background checks before coming to the U.S.

Hunter Trees prioritized cultural work, such as pruning, staking and planting trees, for its 300-acre nursery.

The peace of mind, resources and

personalized service AgWorks provides makes the investment an easy repeat decision, Phillip said.

H-2A employers encounter extensive requirements for seasonal laborers from three federal agencies — the U.S. Department of Labor, Homeland Security and the Department of State. This includes housing specifications, transportation for weekly grocery store trips and paying the adverse effect wage rate ($11.99 in Alabama in 2022), plus providing bathroom and clean water facilities every quarter mile in the field.

The Hunters built a spacious, energyefficient four-bedroom, four-bathroom dormitory-style house with a shared living and kitchen area steps away from the nursery’s central hub. AgWorks provided housing recommendations to meet legal requirements.

The house includes two sets of bunk beds per room; individual lockers; a porch; and multiple washing machines, dryers, cooking ranges and refrigerators.

“We could have used house trailers, but the market made it really expensive,” Phillip said. “In for a penny, in for a pound. It was important for the workers to know they are appreciated and for us to build something we know will be here.”

Once the H-2A workers arrived in Talladega County, they were split into crews comprised of and led by long-time farm help (the nursery has about 40 staff total). The approach created bonds, quickly taught skills and helped complete tasks more efficiently.

Shouts of “buenos dias” and laughter echoed across the nursery as Phillip

Phillip and Will Hunter invested in an energy-efficient, spacious four-bedroom house for their seasonal agricultural labor. This on-farm housing includes two sets of bunk beds in each bedroom, a large communal living area and multiple washers, dryers, cooking ranges and refrigerators.

made the rounds one steamy summer morning and reflected on delving into H-2A.

“We want to be a good, local employer and provide employment and a better opportunity to make a living here,” he said. “We are proud of all our employees, but we need more help than we can access locally. Despite the hurdles for both us and the workers, we are so pleased these guys were excited to get here and enthusiastic about working. I wish we’d done it years earlier.”

ALABAMA

FARM-CITY

Faith, Determination Fuel Farm Of Distinction

By Jeff Helms

Morgan County farmers Mark and Sandy Byrd overcame skeptics and setbacks to build the 2022 Farm of Distinction. This month, the poultry, row crop and cattle producers will compete with nine other state winners for the title of Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year.

“I’ve always been the kind of person who hears, ‘no,’ and answers, ‘yes,’ when I want to achieve something,” Mark said. “Success hasn’t come automatically, and life’s been a struggle at times, but that’s not failure. Giving all you’ve got is the measure of success. And it’s only possible through hard work, focus and trust in the Lord to see you through challenges.”

During high school, family, friends and teachers discouraged Mark from pursuing his dream of farming. Undeterred, he bought a used tractor and hay baler at 14 and planted his first 15-acre soybean crop on rented land after graduation. In 1993, he and Sandy sold everything they owned except a John Deere 2355 tractor, cashed in his retirement from a truck-driving job at Walmart and bought a 102-acre farm with four poultry houses.

“We were told by many people we were out of our minds, but we were confident it was the right decision for us and our two sons, Perry and Rodney,” said Mark, who serves as Morgan County Farmers Federation president and represents District 2 on the Alabama Farmers Federation board. “I continued to drive a truck part-time for about six months to qualify for the necessary loan, and Sandy ran the poultry operation while substitute teaching to help make ends meet. We were blessed to have wonderful neighbors and friends around us who shared their farming knowledge and helped us in so many ways.”

Today, Byrd Family Farms spans almost 2,000 acres and includes seven poultry houses, a 25-cow beef herd and over 1,500 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. The Byrds recently expanded their grain-drying and storage capacity by 75% and plan to build a farm store where they can market meat, bagged grain and other Alabama-grown products.

Federation Area 1 Organization Director Barrett Gilbert nominated the Byrds for the Farm of Distinction contest, coordinated by the Alabama Farm-City Committee.

“The Byrds are the perfect example of how hard work and dedication can achieve the American agricultural dream,” Gilbert said. “They have built a farm legacy few first-generation farmers ever achieve. Mark and Sandy are efficient in their work methods, diversified in their operation, and through their work ethic and strong beliefs, they are an inspiration and blessing to others.”

As Alabama’s winner, the Byrds received a John Deere Gator from TriGreen and SunSouth dealers, a $1,000 gift certificate from Alabama Farmers Cooperative, an engraved farm sign from the Federation and Alfa Insurance, and $2,500 and an expense-paid trip to the Sunbelt Expo from Swisher International. Syngenta will donate $500 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in the Byrds’ honor.

The Southeastern Farmer of the Year will be announced Oct. 18 in Moultrie, Georgia, and will receive $15,000 from Swisher, along with other prizes.

Over the years, the Byrds have endured drought, severe storms, low commodity prices and a poultry house fire. Through it all, they’ve relied on faith to sustain them.

“When we make decisions here on the farm, I really seek the Lord’s guidance, and he’s never let me down,” said Mark, who sings bass for Living Faith Quartet. “In farming, we plant seeds, and we wait on the harvest. When we are out ministering, we’re planting seeds, and we hope and pray that it grows and their lives will change because of something we say or do.”

Laundry List: Farmers Tackle Tough Stains

A simple, multi-step process using hot water, bleach, Dawn dish soap and OxiClean helps Kara Creel remove deep stains from clothes for her five kids and husband Baker, a poultry and cattle farmer.

By Marlee Moore

BEEEEEP.

Kara Creel beelines it to the back of her family’s farmhouse in Louisville, ready to tackle her No. 1 never-ending farm chore.

“If I’m at home and don’t hear the washer and dryer in the background, I feel unproductive,” said Creel, moving a mound of damp clothes to the dryer.

Four years ago, Creel and husband Baker moved to Barbour County, where they raise poultry, cattle and five kids — Jack, Riley, Ella Monroe, Bear and Lilly Kate. Creel quickly embraced experimenting with techniques to remove mud, manure, grease and gunk from clothing.

“Before we moved to the farm, I used homemade detergent (1 cup each of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, Borax and Fels Naptha),” she said. “I learned quickly that would not cut it for farm smells because let’s be real, chicken houses just smell different.”

Creel is not alone. Ask any farmer, or parent of a little leaguer, and they’ll say laundry is the gift that keeps giving. While Creel highlights farmhouse experiences from kids to canning on her B7FarmsCreative Instagram page, she was eager to share washing wisdom with other stewards of the land.

To combat overwhelming odors and cakey, earthy mud, Creel turns to Tide Ultra Oxi. She often rotates detergents to avoid building up an immunity to the product’s scent.

But stains? Those are another story.

“Life’s too short to get stains out of farm clothes,” she said.

Creel acquired an appreciation for well-done washing from her mom, Sandy Naylor, a master stain remover who often helped coworkers and friends remove unwelcome spots on clothes.

This fall, Creel put her talents to the test when washing son Bear’s white-andblue striped polo, which was coated with grime and grass streaks after playing with friends at a football game.

After returning home late that Friday, Creel threw the shirt in a sink of hot water with a squirt of Dawn dish soap to soak overnight and loosen the dirt. A 1/2 cup of bleach and another squirt of Dawn joined fresh hot water the next morning. Following a 10-minute soak, Creel sprinkled powder detergent (OxiClean Stain Remover works, too) on the problem area, worked it in and scrubbed.

Rinse, repeat till stains are gone, and wash.

Voila. The shirt was saved.

Other tricks include breaking out a toothbrush for problem areas like collars, drying on a clothesline outside to fade stains and using a steamer to lift spots.

Creel is quick to note she doesn’t know everything and finds many of her laundry solutions online. That includes using powder detergent in mop water or stripping dirt from sheets by adding 1/4 cup baking soda in the washing machine drum and 1/2 cup vinegar in the rinse cycle.

The Creels’ farmhouse was built in the early 1900s, well before automated machinery lent a constant hum to the background of Americans’ lives — and when farm families scrubbed garments by hand.

That visual fills Creel with gratitude as she completes other chores while her tag-teaming appliances work in tandem.

“I’m so grateful to have a washer and a dryer and think about how much time and effort it took back in the day,” she said. “My family is my job. This is the most important work I could be doing, taking care of my kids. Laundry is part of that.”

Kara Creel is a pro at removing mud, manure, grease and gunk from clothes for her family of seven. She and husband Baker raise chickens and cattle in Barbour County.

Stain Removal Made Easy | Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension System n Grease: Pre-treat with liquid detergent. Wash in hot detergent water. Add ammonia for heavy stains. n Proteins (meat, blood, eggs): Wash in lukewarm water and synthetic detergent. If the stain has set, treat it with enzymes (chlorine bleach will negate the enzymes’ effectiveness). n Mud: Wash with perborate bleach. n Rust: Pre-treat with lemon juice or commercial rust remover in a glass or plastic bowl. Do not use chlorine bleach. Then wash.

Tullis Honored For Service To Alabama 4-H

By Katie Nichols

Few people have impacted the lives of Alabama youth like Eddie Tullis. Known for his dedicated work as a philanthropist, Tullis is a respected, outspoken leader for programs and young people served by Alabama 4-H.

For his incredible contributions of time, talent and resources to 4-H, Tullis is being inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

“I didn’t get involved in 4-H for an award,” Tullis said. “But I am really thankful for this opportunity and appreciative that my fellow 4-H advocates thought my efforts were worthy of recognition.”

Tullis is a Mobile native and proudly serves as a member of the Alabama 4-H Foundation board. In addition to 4-H, he has dedicated his life to the betterment of Native Americans. He remains a national leader in Indian Country and continues to tout benefits of 4-H to members of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

“4-H has been a wonderful avenue for communication with my daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” Tullis said. “Once your family gets involved, it is something you can all do together — no matter how busy life gets.”

Molly Gregg, the Alabama Extension assistant director over 4-H, said Tullis encourages her to be a better person because he believes and lives Alabama 4-H’s mission to grow the future through young people.

“Mr. Tullis’ life is an example for others to follow,” Gregg said. “His life experiences impact his hopes for the future and propel his decisions. His quiet reserve and inner strength have served not only his community, but they have made a lasting legacy throughout the state and nation.”

Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan also chairs the Alabama 4-H Foundation board and has firsthand experience with Tullis’ impact on 4-H.

Pinyan said Tullis is always eager to offer wisdom, support and encouragement.

“Eddie will tell you that the happiest people in the world are those who help others,” Pinyan said. “That’s certainly true of Eddie. From volunteering for the U.S. Navy and working to improve education for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, to national leadership on behalf of American Indians and helping youth through the Alabama 4-H Foundation, Eddie’s legacy is one of service.”

Seth Tuttle, Alabama 4-H Foundation development officer, said Tullis is a servant-leader who always puts others first.

“The time he spends with others makes you feel proud to be in his presence,” Tuttle said. “He truly cares about young people and his community. He has made this world a better place.”

Tullis said he has had the good fortune of living a long life. In that time, he has reaped the rewards of watching 4-H youth make a difference.

“4-H is a contribution to the community,” Tullis said. “It is the most effective way to teach young people critical life skills — working together, respect for fellow man and caring for your neighbor. 4-H programs also provide leadership that is sometimes not available at home. It really makes a difference.”

The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to recognize 4-H volunteers, Extension professionals, staff employees, donors and others who made a significant impact on 4-H or 4-H members through contributing time, energy, financial resources or more at the local, state or national levels. Tullis and other inductees will be honored Oct. 7 in Washington, D.C.

Eddie Tullis will be inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame Oct. 7. Tullis, left, is pictured with Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan at the 4-H Center in Columbiana.

Prevatt Joins Federation As Commodity Director

The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed Christopher Prevatt as commodity director for the Beef, Equine, Hay & Forage and Sheep & Goat divisions Sept. 6.

Prevatt, who grew up in Auburn, said he is excited to be back on familiar turf in his home state. He thanked the Federation for providing the opportunity to learn from and work with Alabama farmers and ranchers.

“When I wake up each morning, this is the job I want to do,” Prevatt said. “Working in grazing animal production and with different forages in Alabama is a great passion of mine. I know the Alabama Farmers Federation is the place for me.”

Prevatt is a two-time graduate of Auburn University (AU). He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Economics in 2011 and 2013, respectively.

He comes to the Federation after eight years with the University of Florida (UF), where he was a state Extension specialist focused on beef cattle and forage economics to help farmers develop more sustainable, profitable operations. In his role with UF, Prevatt evaluated the marketing of feeder calves, conducted economic analysis of agricultural inputs and developed management strategies for livestock and forage producers. He also trained county Extension faculty across Florida in beef management.

Prevatt co-owns and operates Prevatt Farms, a stocker cattle and cow-calf operation in Furman, Alabama, and Starke, Florida, with his parents, Walt and Peggy. Walt is a well-known, retired AU ag economist who passed to his son a penchant for wrangling cattle profits.

Federation Governmental & Agricultural Programs Department Director Mitt Walker praised Prevatt’s past experiences with the cattle industry.

Walker said Prevatt’s practical production knowledge and strong ties to Alabama agriculture will make him an asset to the organization’s commodity team.

“Chris understands our farmers and their needs, concerns and opportunities for growth,” Walker said. “We’re excited for him to put boots on the ground, meet our members, dig into policy discussions and become an active part of the Federation.”

Prevatt and wife Trisha, a veterinarian, live in Montgomery and are expecting their first child in February.

Prevatt

The fi lling station sits on a rural highway, across from a kajillion acres of peanuts. A kajillion is more than a bazillion, less than a zillion.

He is outside the fi lling station, sitting in a wheelchair. He wears a camoufl age cap, hunting T-shirt. He is drinking coff ee. He is young.

“Nice weather,” he says.

“Great weather. A little hot," I say.

“I know,” he says. “But I like the heat. It’s better than being stuck in a dark house.”

He parks his motorized wheelchair here at this station almost every day except Sundays. He is Chatty Cathy.

“I get all cooped up in my house,” he says. “I need to be around people.”

After his accident — which he tells me nothing about — he’s been isolated. His friends have jobs and girlfriends, and he’s been fi ghting to recover.

“Man,” he says. “I used to do so much cool stuff , four-wheeling and hunting and fi shing. It’s tough not being able to do that.”

Even so, this isn’t getting him down. Not when the weather is pretty.

I ask about his daily life.

“Dude,” he says, “I come up here and meet all kinda people. I even met a guy from Alaska. You know what I tell the people I meet? ‘Have a good day,’ and, ‘God bless you, bro.' That’s my main thing.”

He doesn’t push himself on gas station visitors. But he likes to talk, and he hopes they do.

“I learn from people,” he tells. “And maybe I can even encourage them.

“I mean, if I can come as far as I have, anyone can do it. You wouldn’t believe how far I’ve come.”

I see scars on his face. They stretch along his temples and beneath his cap.

“Know what?” he goes on. “At physical therapy, I walked. For TEN WHOLE MINUTES. End of this year, I ain’t gonna need this chair.”

I go into the fi lling station to buy snacks for the road: Chili Cheese Fritos, sunfl ower seeds and coff ee.

The cashier is an older woman. She hands me change and says:

“That child is the sweetest. He tell you about his girlfriend?”

No.

“Oh yeah, he’s got him a little girlfriend. Drives him on dates and stuff . It’s precious.”

I’ll bet it is.

I walk to my truck. I say goodbye to my pal. Before I roll away, he smiles and God-blesses me. He turns his wheelchair toward home. He’s gone.

I don’t know much about life. But I don’t need to. Not after meeting this boy. A man who surprised a room of medical professionals when he gritted his teeth, strained his muscles, hollered, shouted and maybe even cried. And by unseen forces, he got out of his chair.

And walked again.

Yes. It sure is nice weather we’re having. ■

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.

It’s time to reserve strawberry plugs for October delivery!

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FREE CATALOG

Sponsored By Alabama Ag Credit Moody Dee

Enjoy this excerpt from an Alabama AgCast featuring Annie Dee and Seth More from Dee River Ranch in Pickens County talking with Alabama Farmers Federation Creative Technical Director Mike Moody.

Mike Moody: Let’s get into succession planning. What made you think to start this conversation?

Annie Dee: We moved here in 1989. My parents owned property in Florida, and we moved our entire operation here. Over time, they gifted this operation to my 11 brothers and sisters and myself. Only two of us are still here, me and my youngest brother, Mike. We had on-farm heirs and off-farm heirs. We all had different goals. Mike and I, and my sons, Seth and Jesse, just wanted to continue this lifestyle. The ones that weren’t on the farm wanted more income or to have the value of the asset. We called in outside facilitators to help us communicate our goals.

MM: Was it difficult to begin the conversation?

Seth More: I was always influenced by how this was going to affect me and the operation we were going to run. Now that most people have stepped out, we are able to have the next conversation on how generation two will pass the farm on to generation three.

MM: What roadblocks did you encounter when you started succession planning?

AD: Some of the initial work we did was taking a test to determine our communication style. With 12 of us at the table, I fell right in the middle at No. 6. It was a long, hard time for our family. A few of my siblings passed away, and that really pushed it over the edge, and we had to make some changes. The important part is to communicate and let everyone figure out what they have and what they want — whether in or out. This year, Mike and I are purchasing the farm from our remaining siblings. We love this and are passionate about it. I think we really solved the issue.

Catch the entire interview on the Alabama AgCast. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or visit AlfaFarmers.org/agcast. New episodes available every Wednesday.

Locating a local gardener who has garlic may be the best way to secure cloves for planting. These cloves will be adapted to a local area’s weather patterns.

Add Flavor To The Garden By Planting Garlic

By Dani Carroll

Cooking a meal without using garlic? That’s a hard thing to do!

Garlic is a pantry staple and an easy addition to winter gardens. It’s a member of the large lily family, which includes onions, garlic and leeks. Garlic differs from onion as it produces many smaller bulbs or cloves as opposed to uniform onion bulbs. Garlic also has flat leaves, while onion plants produce round, hollow leaves. In central and north Alabama, the best time to add garlic to a garden is from October to November, so it’s time to start getting the site ready.

Garlic thrives in well-draining soil amended with organic matter. Make sure the site gets plenty of sun — preferably more than six hours of uninterrupted sunlight each day. Since garlic requires up to six months to mature, plant in an area where it won’t be disturbed. Garlic can get out of hand over time, so giving it a bed or border in a vegetable or perennial garden is ideal.

Traditionally, garlic grown in Alabama gardens is the softneck type (Allium sativum). Softneck garlic is more forgiving of mild winters than hardneck types, resulting in better production. Elephant garlic is a different species (Allium ampeloprasum) and has a milder flavor. Elephant garlic is more closely related to a leek and is so mild it can be eaten raw.

After the area is ready for planting, separate the garlic cloves. Plant cloves 4 to 6 inches apart. Plant elephant garlic at least 12 inches apart. Push cloves about 1 inch into well-prepared soil. A slow-release fertilizer will provide steady nutrition until mid-to-late winter when garlic will need more nutrients.

Once the garlic has a few leaves, it will not hurt to snip the leaves occasionally to chop and use in the kitchen. Fall plantings usually mature in late May or early June.

Harvest garlic when leaves begin to turn yellow and fall over. Take up plants and lay in a warm, shady, dry area for several days. Hang individual bulbs by a string or in mesh bags in a warm, dry place like a barn. Do not wash bulbs before curing or bang them together to remove soil. Garlic keeps well in a dry, well-ventilated area for many months. Braided garlic should be hung in the same type of environment to prevent the bulbs or cloves from rotting.

The health benefits of garlic are numerous. And the truth is, even if it was unhealthy, it would be hard to cook without it.

Alfa® team members donate their time to serve others and grow relationships.

Communities are built by those who work TOGETHER.

Simply Southern Spotlight

Dayspring Dairy

For Greg and Ana Kelly, sheep farming wasn’t in their initial plans. Greg formerly worked as an IT manager, and Ana was a chef and food stylist. When the stress of those careers built up, they decided it was time for something different and embraced a new adventure at Dayspring Dairy — Alabama’s first licensed sheep dairy — in Gallant in Etowah County.

Saturday, Central Time Market Station Time Columbus, Ga. WLTZ 38 5:00 PM Sunday, Central Time Mobile WPMI 15 6:00 AM Birmingham WBMA 33/40 6:30 AM Huntsville WAFF 48 9:00 AM Montgomery WAKA 8 10:30 AM Dothan WTVY 4 10:30 AM

RFD-TV: Wednesdays • 3 p.m. Central ALWAYS ON: SimplySouthernTV.net

With backgrounds in IT and food, what made you get into farming?

Greg Kelly: Being an IT manager was stressful. I got to a point where I was asking God, “Please show me something else I can do, because I can’t envision doing this the rest of my life.” We visited a goat dairy in north Alabama and thought maybe we could do something similar.

Ana Kelly: As a chef and food stylist, I learned about Halloumi cheese, which is made from sheep’s milk. It was relatively easy to make, and it’s a beautiful grilling and frying cheese. So that sealed the deal as far as picking sheep for our dairy. Plus, we knew we’d have a unique product to offer.

Tell us about Dayspring Dairy.

What are some characteristics of sheep’s milk?

How does it feel to know you’ve created a successful farm business?

AK: We’re a true farmstead business. All our products are manufactured on and distributed from the farm. We raise the sheep, so we have ultimate control over their health. We process milk two or three times a week. All our cheeses are pasteurized. We make six flavored cheeses, along with our Halloumi. We also make a dulce de leche sheep’s milk caramel. Greg worked on that recipe, because it’s incredibly complicated. Our dulce de leche was a finalist for Garden and Gun’s Made in the South awards.

GK: Sheep’s milk is very rich. Everything you like about milk, it has more of that — the proteins and fats. The flavor is mild. It’s also the least allergenic milk that you can get, so there are people with dairy allergies who can still eat sheep’s milk cheeses.

How do farming and working in IT management compare?

GK: Most things in IT include finding the problem and solving the problem — working from general to specific. Farming is similar. When you have problems with equipment or a sick animal, it’s the same thought process, so that helps. They both have their stressors. But sheep versus people — the sheep are more pliant. They tend to do more of what I want them to do, so that makes things easier.

Simply Southern TV is sponsored by

GK: It is great to get affirmation from customers, especially those who haven’t tried anything like our cheeses or caramel before. They get this look of joy on their faces. Also, my parents are really proud of what we’ve done. My dad was an electrician and my mom was a school administrator, which is pretty far removed from life on a farm. This has been wonderful. I don’t think we could ever go back to living in a big city or suburb again.

Simply Southern TV’s segment about this story airs on broadcast stations Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 and on RFD-TV Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. Central. For more information, visit SimplySouthernTV.net.

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