Foundation Report

2020 annual Report

AlabamaFarmersFoundation.org

Hurricane Relief Fund

Gov. Kay Ivey joined state agricultural leaders in proclaiming Sweet Grown Alabama Day during a farmers market at the State Capitol. board of directors Jimmy Parnell • Rhonda Hughes • Phillip Johns • Lester Killebrew • Keith McCurdy Cheryl Mitchell • Paul Pinyan • Mahlon Richburg • Raleigh Wilkerson Our Mission “To support and advance agriculture in the state of Alabama through education and research; increase awareness of agriculture in Alabama through public programs and activities; improve and expand agricultural services and products for the benefi t of all citizens and to establish and maintain high standards in agriculture.” The Foundation activated its disaster relief fund to assist

Sweet Grown Alabama Day

farmers with hurricane damage.

Support Ag Education. Purchase an Ag Tag today!

income statement Income Unrestricted Contributions $369,094.48 Ag in the Classroom Revenue 100,000.00 Ag Tag Revenue 260,257.09 Scholarships 58,750.00 Junior Beef Expo 136,210.00 Unrealized Gain (Loss) (8,250.64) Interest Income 38,964.31 Annual Skeet Shoot 72,058.00 Dairy Show 3,100.00 State Pork Show 2,400.00 Mike Henry Memorial 27,785.00 Scholarship R.W. Donaldson Memorial 39,081.00 Scholarship Alabama Rural Economic 247,667.00 Center (Farm Center) Donation Other Income 1,000.00 Total Income $1,348,116.44 Operating Expenses Ag in the Classroom $49,851.56 Junior Beef Expo 20,493.57 Ag Scholarship Luncheon 578.28 Scholarship Expense 87,473.08 Dairy Show 1,093.39 State Pork Show 1,750.00 Bank Fees 867.09 Offi ce Supplies 1,030.46 Legal & Audit Fees 2,350.00 Miscellaneous Expense 10,867.78 Postage 350.05 Sponsorship Expense 26,975.00 Ag Tag Advertising 3,300.00 Advertising Expense 45,196.57 Investment Fees 6,731.34 Meetings 712.45 Annual Skeet Shoot 23,529.38 Contributions 15,890.80 Alabama Rural Economic 127,045.14 Center (Farm Center) Total Operating Expenses $426,085.94 Net Income $922,030.50 “I Can Pick Up Chicks” Incubator/Brooder Project Shelby Atwood Florence Middle School, Lauderdale County Edible Garden Diana Bickelhaupt Cordova Elementary School, Walker County Learning Garden Meredith Campbell Eufaula High School, Barbour County Harvesting School Pecan Orchard Rachel Chastain Alabama Institue for Deaf and Blind, Talladega County “Grow Big Green” Greenhouse Susan Coleman Sparta Academy, Conecuh County Indoor Classroom Garden Jennifer Corbett Glenwood School, Russell County Garden Tiller To Teach Soil Preparation Ashton Cottingham Montevallo High School, Shelby County Outdoor Education Classroom/Nature Trail Riley Curtis Glenwood School, Russell County Outdoor Learning Center Garden Shelia Holt Forest Hills Elementary, Lauderdale County Tiny Flower Gardens Project Sarah Ingersoll Forest Hills Elementary, Lauderdale County Virtual Tours Ag Hill/College of Agriculture Brandon Justice Auburn College of Agriculture, Lee County School Garden Kasey Kilpatrick Parrish Elementary School, Walker County 4-H Food Safety and Fermentation Project Kisha King County Extension/4-H Club, Butler and Lowndes counties

The 2020 Ag In The Classroom Summer Institute was canceled due to COVID-19. Bee Bots and Pollination Project Julie Lane Forest Hills Elementary, Lauderdale County Maintain School Garden/Ag Fridays Judy Lawrence Callahan School for the Deaf and Blind, Mobile County Teach About Ag Careers, Alabama Farm Facts and Commodities Janet Lovelady County Extension, Coosa County Work in School Gardens Kathryn Manley Kermit Johnson School, Jefferson County Magnifying Tables Merdith Nicholson Forest Hills Elementary, Lauderdale County The Terrifi c Tomato Gina Nimmo County Extension, Lee County Public Community Seed Library Kristin North Dothan and Houston County Library System Classroom Aquaponic Demo Garden Deven Peek Marbury High School, Autauga County Raised Bed Garden/Science Projects Beth Potts Marion Academy, Perry County Outdoor Classroom and Learning Stations Tina Raper Hackleburg Elementary, Marion County Outdoor Garden and Classroom Sharon Redding Lakeside School, Barbour County Forest Hills Flower Beds Project Jennia Russell Forest Hills Elementary, Lauderdale County Life Cycle of a Chicken Hatching Project Kelsey Thompson W. S. Neal Elementary, Escambia County Outdoor Courtyard Garden Dianne Williams Cordova Elementary, Walker County

Alabama Association of County Agricultural Agents and Specialists Catfi sh Farmers of America Conference Storybook Farm 4-H Foundation (Dairy U, Dairy Goat U, National Environmental studies and governance Dairy Conference) structures were fi nalized for the 500-acre 1 | Main Arena 169,583 sq. ft. Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association RoundupAlabama Farm Center at Alfa Centennial Park. AFAF Contributions & sponsorships

AU Foundation (Ag Roundup) North Alabama Agriplex Southern Cattle Showdown Alabama High School Rodeo Association Alabama Lamb Producers Association – Alabama

Born and Bred Lamb Show Alabama Junior Rodeo Association

Seventy-six scholarships totaling $128,000 were awarded to students majoring in agriculture and forestry at Auburn University (AU). From left are forestry senior Orum Snow of Wilcox County, AU College of Agriculture Associate Dean for Instruction Amy Wright, AFAF President Jimmy Parnell, agricultural business and economics sophomore Brittany Carroll of Dale County, and AU College of Agriculture Dean Paul Patterson.

The State Beef Committee led creation of an endowed Foundation scholarship in memory of Montgomery County cattleman Mike Henry.

The Foundation honored Federation leaders who passed in 2019 during a Tribute Breakfast at the annual meeting. The new program is a chance to recognize the families of those who served Alabama agriculture. The Junior Beef Expo was canceled due to COVID-19, but an Alfa Jackpot Show at the Alabama National Fair was held to give students another chance to exhibit their animals and earn prize money. The 5th annual Skeet Shoot raised funds for the Alabama Farmers Ag Foundation to support ag education. Thirty-six teams competed at the Nov. 6 event at Selwood Farm in Alpine. To date, the event has raised nearly $200,000 for the Foundation.

in memoriam Honoring Alabama Farmers Federation leaders we lost, with prayers of healing and strength for their loved ones. Buster Thornton

December 7, 2019, Lauderdale County, 83 Robert Lee Lauderdale

December 17, 2019, Limestone County, 88 Harold McCool January 1, Pickens County, 80 Howard Keeton January 2, Colbert County, 83

Shirley Jane Fields McDonald January 9, Madison County, 83

Jeanette Broxon (Byrd) Moates January 9, Coffee County, 94 John Dorrill January 28, Pike County, 90 Mike Jenkins March 3, Jefferson County, 70 Larry Fort April 22, Mobile County, 77 David Pearce May 21, Dallas County, 72

William “Bill” Hixon May 28, Pike County, 87 Milton Johnson June 1, Autauga County, 86 Dr. Gaines Smith June 10, Autauga County, 77 Ginny Costner June 28, Calhoun County, 89 Lenn Costner Sr. July 12, Calhoun County, 87 Robert Parker July 30, Baldwin County, 91 Frank Benford August 12, Chambers County, 75 Brenda Reese August 18, Lee County, 67 Russell Wood August 18, Autauga County, 95 Hershel Seymore August 29, Winston County, 76 Bob Adams August 30, Bullock County, 91 Waymon Buttram August 30, DeKalb County, 83 Hobert Harris September 1, Cleburne County, 88 Starland Newell September 9, Franklin County, 89 Barton Willoughby September 22, Houston County, 70 Billy Joe Johnson September 25, Cherokee County, 66 Randall Paramore September 30, Macon County, 89 James Gachet October 1, Barbour County, 89 Trey Langford October 15, Autauga County, 58 Roland Williams October 15, DeKalb County, 62

3L Ranch ACES Extension (Auburn) Alabama 4-H Club Foundation Inc. Alabama Ag Credit Alabama Angus Association Alabama BCIA Alabama Catfi sh Producers Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Alabama Farm Bureau Services Inc. Alabama Farm Credit Alabama Farmers Cooperative Inc. Alabama Farmers Federation Alabama FFA Foundation Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Alabama Municipal Electric Alabama Peanut Producers Association Alabama Pork Producers Alabama Power Co. Alabama Simmental Association Alabama TREASURE Forest Association Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers Alexia & Mike Garner Alfa Foundation Andrew Wendland Angelen Hochberger AT & T AU Clarke Cooperative Extension Autauga County Cattlemen’s Association Autauga County Farmers Federation B L Harbert Baldwin County Farmers Federation Barbour County Farmers Federation Beck’s Turf Inc. Bibb County Farmers Federation Billy Hixon Blount County Cattlemen’s Association Blount County Farmers Federation Boyd Cattle LLC Boyd Farm Bradford & Page Sturgis Brady Ragland Brentwood Farms LLC Brian Hardin Brian Mitchell Bullock County Farmers Federation Butler County Farmers Federation Calhoun County Farmers Federation Calhoun County Young Farmers Committee Calvin Freeland Cargill Carin Schofi eld Chambers County Cattlemen’s Association Chambers County Farmers Federation Cherokee County Farmers Federation Chilton County Farmers Federation Choctaw County Farmers Federation Circle H Farm CK Cattle Clarke County Farmers Federation Clay County Farmers Federation Cleburne County Farmers Federation Clinton & Barbara Hardin Clyde Scott Coffee County Farmers Federation Colbert County Farmers Federation Conecuh County Farmers Federation Conecuh County Young Farmers Cook Timber & Wildlife Farms Coosa County Farmers Federation Covington County Farmers Federation Crenshaw County Farmers Federation Crenshaw County Young Farmers CTE/Workforce Development Cullman County Farmers Federation Dal-Dav Charolais Dale County Farmers Federation Dallas County Farmers Federation DeKalb County Farmers Federation Don Allison Equipment Donald & Barbara Sewell Elizabeth Kish Elmore County Farmers Federation Escambia County Farmers Federation Etowah County Farmers Federation Farm Bureau Bank Fayette County Farmers Federation First South Farm Credit Fran Pearce Frank Ellis Charolais Franklin County Farmers Federation Fred Bowman Bear Geneva County Farmers Federation Ginger Gaines Glenview Farm LLC Great Southern Wood Greene County Farmers Federation Greenway Plants Inc. Hale County Farmers Federation Hank Gaines Henry County Farmers Federation Hicks Hereford Houston County Farmers Federation J & R Feed Service Jackson County Farmers Federation Jackson County Young Farmers Jackson Thornton & Co., P.C. Jacqueline R. Davis James & Debbie Lavender James Cravey James L. Parnell James Till Jeff Helms Jefferson County Farmers Federation Jeffrey & Kay Peek Jeremiah Davis Jerry & Dianne Newby Jimmy & Sue Jimmerson Jimmy & Susan Davis Joe Williams John & Amie Hardin Judge Bill Cole Kimberly Price L O Bishop Lamar County Farmers Federation Langley Farms Larry Reeves Lauderdale County Farmers Federation Lawrence County Farmers Federation Leanne Worthington Lee County Cattlemen’s Association Lee County Farmers Federation Leto Farms Limestone County Farmers Federation Limestone County Young Farmers Lisa Bagents Lowndes County Cattlemen’s Association Lowndes County Farmers Federation Macon County Cattlemen’s Association Macon County Farmers Federation Madison County Farmers Federation Mahlon Richburg Marengo County Farmers Federation Margery & Davis Henry Marilyn Hos Marion County Farmers Federation Marshall County Farmers Federation Marshall County Young Farmers Martha Ferry Mary Wilson Max Bozeman Merchants Bank Michael Strickland Midstate Stockyards Mike & Regina Carnes Mike Tidwell Mobile County Farmers Federation Monica Carroll Monroe County Farmers Federation Montgomery County Farmers Federation Montgomery Stockyards LLC - Phillip Adkins Montgomery Stockyards LLC Morgan County Farmers Federation Mr. & Mrs. James H Gasser National Christian Foundation Next Step Cattle Co. Paramore Angus Paul Pinyan Perry County Farmers Federation Phil Slay Pickens County Farmers Federation Pike County Cattlemen’s Association Pike County Farmers Federation PowerSouth Energy - Horace Horn Randolph County Cattleman’s Association Randolph County Farmers Federation Ray Hilburn Rhonda Hughes River Bank & Trust Roberta & Timothy Mullek Roger Morgan Chapman Roslyn Carson Byrd Russell County Farmers Federation Selwood Farm Inc. Sharon Hardy Shelby County Farmers Federation Southeastern Livestock Exposition St. Clair County Farmers Federation St. Clair County Farmers Federation Alumni Stocker Supply LLC Sumter County Farmers Federation SunSouth Sweet Grown Alabama Taber & Grace Ellis Tacky Farms - The Bridge Builders of Alabama Talladega County Farmers Federation Tallapoosa County Cattlemen’s Association Tallapoosa County Farmers Federation Tommy & Debi Martin Trigreen Equipment LLC Trustmark Tucker Milling LLC Tuscaloosa County Farmers Federation US Foods - Louis Monte Van Smith Campaign Vaudie Hallman Walker County Farmers Federation Walker Family Simmental Walter Owsley Washington County Farmers Federation Wells Fargo Wilcox County Farmers Federation William Harris William Hooper Winston County Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Division

donate online at alabamafarmersfoundation.org Make Checks Payable To: Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City __________________________ State ____ ZIP _________ Phone ____________________ Email ____________________________________________

In Memory / Honor Of: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Gifts to the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Questions? Contact Amanda Butts at (334) 612-5525 or abutts@alfafarmers.org.

DELIVERY MAN

Daddy used bolt cutters to cut the With each handshake, Daddy said, chain on a livestock gate. We rode “Care to donate to needy kids who in the bed of his truck, speeding across can’t aff ord trees?” a bumpy fi eld. People handed over bills. Tens,

In the pickup: Daddy’s friends twenties, even a few hundreds. Willie and Stuart and me. After service, Daddy drove a maze

“This is a bad idea,” said Willie. of dirt roads. We stopped at a faded “Old man Luke’s liable to shoot us.” house in an overgrown fi eld.

The truck came to a stop. It was An old man answered the door. night. We could see our breath. We My father said, “Evening Luke, just looked across acres of pine trees which wanted to see if you’re interested in grew in a fi eld of weeds. donating any trees this year.”

Daddy aimed headlights at trees. In “Already told you THREE TIMES, a few minutes, chainsaws screamed, I don’t SELL trees anymore.” men laughed. They shaped balsam fi rs “But Luke,” Daddy reasoned. “Your with trimmers and cut down nearly 45. tree farm went to weed years ago.”

The next night, Daddy and I sat He shut the door. But Daddy in the front seat, wearing Santa caps, wedged his boot in the jamb. “Please, heater blaring. Luke. You’d be a hero if—”

He handed me a clipboard. “Get off my porch.”

“You’re Santa’s Little Navigator “…And oh, how happy those kids tonight,” he said. would be when…”

I read. And we delivered fi rs to every “No.” dilapidated home, ratty apartment, “…like James Jacobson, whose camper and single-wide in the county. brother just died.”

We were greeted by men in work My father kept talking. boots, women in waitress uniforms and Finally, the man said, “You done?” giddy children. Daddy would set trees “Promise me you’ll think about it.” in dens and give them free smiles. “ALRIGHT! I’ll THINK about it.”

Most people thanked him until they “Promise?” wore out their voices. Some cried. “Yes, I PROMISE!”

Daddy would say, “Don’t thank me, They shook. Daddy handed the man thank the church.” a stack of cash.

But the church had nothing to do “What’s this?” with it — not offi cially. “Consider it a thank-you.”

The following Sunday, Daddy was “For what?” a door-greeter. I stood beside him “For thinking about it.” shaking hands, passing bulletins. I miss my father at Christmas. ■

Join us for a weekly conversation about news and information affecting Alabama farmers and forest land owners.

New episodes available every Wednesday. Subscribe to Alabama AgCast wherever you listen to podcasts or visit alfafarmers.org/agcast.

Grower Direct Grow half-dollar size Muscadines and Blackberries. We also offer over 200 varieties of Fruit and Nut Trees plus Vine and Berry Plants.

Ison’s Nursery Since 1934

Free Catalog PO Box 190PO Box 190 Brooks, GA 30205 1-800-733-0324 • isons.com

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.

By Lois Chaplin

seed viability declines with time. Pepper seeds do better in cool storage, but not cold.

According to the Seed Biotechnology Center at the University of California, Davis, a common rule of thumb for seed storage is the temperature plus the percent relative humidity in the air should total less than 100 for satisfactory storage. Store leftover seeds in sealed plastic food containers, and put a silica gel pack inside the container to keep the air dry.

Later, when seeds are removed from cold storage, let the container sit out long enough to come to room temperature; humidity will condense on a cold seed packet. Remove seeds you want and store the rest for next year. Note that every single seed will not sprout, even if fresh from a new pack. Federal minimum germination standards range from a 55% low for peppers, carrots and celery to 80% for cucumber, lettuce and peas.

This is an exciting time for gardeners because seed catalogs are appearing in our mailboxes and we’re thinking of purchasing seeds in our favorite stores. Last spring, COVID-19 interrupted the normal routine of buying seed. There was a rush on seeds as many folks were planting gardens for Alabama the first time because of the uncertainty around the pandemic. Orders were often late because of reduced fulfillment crews and a strained transportation system.

All that amounted to some shortages and delayed deliveries, sometimes too late for planting. I saw several mail- order companies halt orders for weeks until they could catch up. Now that the 2021 seed catalogs are in our mail and packets appear in stores next month, what can gardeners expect this spring?

Chris Bowman, product manager for Faithway Alliance, a supplier of garden seeds to the Alabama Farmers Cooperative and Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, expects this season to be normal but with a steady demand. Companies such as Faithway, who order seeds from U.S. growers, are least likely to be affected by the global situation. Seed companies that import from growers around the world, including China, are affected by new tariffs and the complexity of global logistics, so prices from some mail-order sources are up significantly.

As a gardener looking to try something new each season, I noticed a wide swing in mail-order prices in my frequent perusal of online seed catalogs. For example, small seed packets of Sungold tomato ranged from 11 to 39 cents per seed and Better Boy tomato from 10 to 20 cents per seed. For those who’d rather buy plants, these varieties are typically sold by Bonnie Plants.

Once your packets are purchased, either online or in store, hold on to extra seeds. They will keep until next year if stored in a cool, dark, dry place. Many folks keep leftover seed in a kitchen drawer in a plastic sandwich bag or other waterproof container. An air-conditioned home is usually cool and dry enough for short-term storage. For year-to-year seed saving, most seeds keep well in the freezer, although Check out this handy reference for seed longevity under optimum conditions published in “Seed to Seed.”

Crop

Basil Beans Beets Cabbage Cantaloupe Collard Cucumber Dill Eggplant Green peas Lettuce Okra Peppers Radish Spinach Squash Tomato Turnips Watermelon

Years

5 4 6 4 5 5 10 5 7 3 3 5 3 5 5 6 4 5 6

Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

Welcome To Wonderful Winter Savings E

ALAFARM.COM

If you ask my grandmother her favorite childhood Christmas memory, her answer is always the same. It’s the one where they had a silver Christmas tree — but not the silver tree you’re picturing.

She was one of six. Out of necessity, both her parents worked to make ends meet, and she was raised by older siblings. But when Christmas rolled around, poverty didn’t stand in the way of holiday magic.

Every year, each child would receive one toy, a homemade outfit and a handful of fruit, nuts and peppermint candies. That was a big Christmas.

It was her father’s job to hunt for the perfect tree, and he took great pride in procuring a prime specimen from the woods.

One year, he wasn’t able to find a suitable cedar tree. In a last-ditch effort, he cut down a holly bush. Feeling embarrassed with his haul, he set out to make the puny bush special.

With a can of found silver paint, he painstakingly brushed every prickly holly leaf. They added their few ornaments and one small strand of bubble lights. The result, as my grandmother puts it, was the most beautifully amazing Christmas tree she’s ever had.

It wasn’t about the size or color or even about it being a tree at all. The love he put into that tree made it beautiful. Something my great-grandfather thought inadequate became the main focus of one of the fondest Christmases they ever shared.

It doesn’t take much to make holidays special — just some time, a little effort and a heaping helping of love. I’m sharing a few favorite holiday recipes as my expression of love to y’all for reading the Farmhouse Kitchen in each issue. I hope they help you spread a little love, too.

My grandmother’s Icebox Fruitcake is a holiday must. Nothing like a traditional fruitcake, this no-bake icebox version is made from crushed graham crackers, raisins, cherries, marshmallows and sweetened condensed milk and is pressed into a baking dish and cut into squares.

If you’re looking for the perfect recipe for Christmas morning, French Toast Sausage Bake might be just what you need. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and salty and can be prepped the night before to make breakfast a breeze.

Eggnog Chess Pie is the holiday dessert you didn’t know you needed. Prep Time 20 mins Servings 12

Ingredients

1 (14.4-ounce) box graham crackers 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained with juice reserved 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup raisins 1 cup firmly packed shredded sweetened coconut 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

Lightly spray a 9-by-3-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Crush graham crackers using a food processor, or add to a large ziptop bag and crush using a rolling pin. Coarsely chop the cherries.

In a large bowl, combine crushed graham crackers, cherries, pecans, raisins, coconut, marshmallows and sweetened condensed milk, and mix well. Add reserved cherry juice by the tablespoonful until the mixture comes together but isn’t too soft — usually between 2 and 3 tablespoons.

Turn out into the prepared dish and press flat with your hands. Cover and chill at least 6 hours, then cut into bars. Keep refrigerated.

It’s got all the great creamy flavor of traditional chess pie but with an eggnog twist.

Making shortbread cookies can be finicky, but Easy Pecan Shortbread fixes that. Rather than individual cookies, you make one big cookie and slice it into individual servings.

They might not involve expensive ingredients or elaborate techniques. But as humble as they are, these recipes show your loved ones just how special they are. Merry Christmas, y’all.

Stacey Little is a foodie, recipe developer and cookbook author whose Southern Bite blog helps families put simple, down-toearth food on the table while preserving Southern cooking for future generations. See more recipes at southernbite.com.

Eggnog Chess Pie

Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 55 mins Servings 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 2/3 cup sugar 3 large eggs 1 1/2 cups real eggnog 3 heaping tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon vanilla Pinch of salt 1/8 teaspoon ground Stacey’s Recipe Notes If you see some butter on top of the pie after baking, don’t worry. It will absorb back into the pie as it cools. nutmeg 1 unbaked deep dish pie crust

Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

Heat oven to 400 F. With a mixer, cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and mix well. Add eggnog, flour, vanilla, salt and nutmeg. Mix well.

Pour into unbaked pie crust. Place in oven and immediately turn the heat down to 350 F. Bake 45 to 55 minutes, or until the pie is just set (but still has a little jiggle to it) and golden brown. Cool completely and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Store in the refrigerator. Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 45 mins Servings 8

Ingredients

1 (12- to 14-ounce) loaf French bread (not baguette) 1 (10- to 12-ounce) package breakfast sausage links 2/3 cup light brown sugar 8 large eggs 1 1/2 cups whole milk 1 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the crumble topping

1/3 cup light brown sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup chopped pecans 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature

Instructions

Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and cut breakfast links into 1-inch pieces. Lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Mix the bread and breakfast links together and pour it into the baking dish. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, cinnamon and vanilla. Evenly pour mixture over the bread. Press bread down into the mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge overnight (or at least 4 hours) to allow the bread to absorb the egg mixture.

Make the crumble topping by combining brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and pecans. Add butter and mix until butter incorporates and small clumps form. You can use the back of a spoon to press the mixture together or use your hands to pinch it all together.

When ready to bake, remove casserole from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. (Putting a cold dish into a hot oven may cause the dish to shatter.) Heat oven to 350 F. Once the dish is at room temperature, sprinkle crumble topping over the casserole and bake 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown. Serve topped with fresh fruit and maple syrup, if desired.

Stacey’s Recipe Notes Measure flour by spooning it into a dry measure measuring cup and leveling off. Do not scoop into the flour container with the measuring scoop.

Easy Pecan Shortbread

Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 30 mins

Servings About 20 pieces

Ingredients

1 cup salted butter, room temperature 1 cup powdered sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions

Heat oven to 325 F. With a mixer, cream butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix well. Add vanilla. Gradually add flour and mix until combined. Add pecans and mix briefly to combine.

Press dough evenly into the bottom of a ungreased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. If the mixture is too sticky, cover with wax paper and use the wax paper to press flat.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and use a pizza cutter to cut into squares. Allow to cool in the pan before removing. Store in an airtight container.

Christmas at the Co-op

School House Bird Feeder 3 QT. Hopper Bird Feeder with Suet Holders

Barn Bird Feeder

Church Bird Feeder Hybrid Bluebird House with Recycled Green Plastic Roof

John Deere® Green and Pink Stake 36” Wagon

Wagons are heavy-duty steel body with pneumatic tires. Get one while supplies last!

Detachable roof, doors open, and fence can be connected any way. Farmer’s arms move. Get one while supplies last!

Barn with Animals & Accessories

1:16 John Deere 62610R Tractor with Frontier Grain Cart Schrade Camo Mini Machete

This Machete is a lightweight fixed blade knife designed for easy carry while hunting or camping.

Schrade 3-Piece Knife Set This set features a folder, fixed blade, and axe. These will be useful for hunting, camping or just general outdoor use.

Uncle Henry Limited Edition Gift Set 3 traditional Pocket knives that are idea for camping, everyday carry, as well as most outdoor activity.

Old Timer Limited Edition Gift Set 3 traditional Pocket knives that are idea for camping, everyday carry, as well as most outdoor activity.

Old Timer 152ot Sharpfinger and 720T Dog Leg Jack Knife Set

Pet In-Ground Fence for Stubborn Dogs For dogs 8 lbs. and up. 5 adjustable, higher-intensity levels of static correction. Tone-only mode alerts your pet with a beep. Waterproof receiver collar. Expandable up to 10 acres with additional wire

AS105 Dog Trainer Range up to 100 yards. Waterproof receiver. Water-resistant transmitter. Replacement batteries. Operating quide included.

Wireless Pet Containment System This system is simple, yet effective alternative to traditional outdoor fencing or buried wire fencing. Instead of using spools of boundry of wire around your yard, it uses radio frequency to guard your pet against straying. This system is also portable.

WG Shadow 18 MP

Adaptive illumination and exposure control automatically adjust for incredible image quality so you never miss a tine or a tail. Easily mounts to any tree or fence post.

Ameristep Chair Blind

Simplify your load with this chair blind. No assembly required, and only one piece of gear to keep track of. Include a convenient carrying case and a shoulder strap for easy transport.

ALAFARM DOG FOOD Premium Adult Dog Food 26-18

26% Protein - 18% Crude Fat - 50 lb. bag

High Energy Dog Food 24-20

24% Protein - 20% Crude Fat - 50 lb. bag

Maintenance Dog Food 21-8

21% Protein - 8% Crude Fat - 50 lb. bag

Puppy Food 30-20

30% Protein - 20% Crude Fat - 25 lb. bag

SS22-MBE AFC #407600 22 gun. Electronic 2-way locking system with 1” live action locking bolts. Adjustable Shelves. Fully carpeted interior. Black textured finish. Patented barrel rest and standoffs.

Big Foot Hang On

Floating seat made from durable TearTuff mesh to provide hours of comfort. Larger platform and footrest. This tree stand will give you plenty of space and added comfort

WG Vison 14 MP

Perform better than ever this hunting season with Wildgame Innovations Vision 14 Lightsout 14MP Infared Game Camera. Features .5 second trigger speed, 70 ft. range and black infrared flash capture.

Contact your local CO-OP store for all of your farming, hunting, or gardening needs!

Albertville 256-878-3261 Andalusia 334-222-1851 Arab 256-586-5515 Ashford 334-899-3263 Ashville 205-594-7042 Athens 256-232-5500 Atmore 251-368-2191 Blountstowon, FL 850-674-8194 Centre 256-927-3135 Columbiana 205-669-7082 Courtland 256-637-2939 Crossville 256-528-7188 Decatur 256-353-4663 Demopolis 334-289-0155 Elba 334-897-6972 Elberta 251-986-8103 Enterprise 334-347-9007 Faunsdale 334-628-2681 Fayette 205-932-5901 Florala 334-858-6142 Florence 256-764-8441 Frisco City 251-267-3175 Geneva 334-898-7932 Goshen 334-484-3441 Greenville 334-382-6548 Haleyville 205-486-3794 Hamilton 205-921-2631 Hartford 334-588-2992 Hartselle 256-773-6832 Hazel Green 256-828-2010 Headland 334-693-3313 Holly Pond 256-796-5337 Jacksonville 256-435-3430 Jasper 205-387-1142 Jay, FL 850-675-4597 Leighton 256-446-8328 Leroy 251-246-3512 Lineville 256-396-2097 Live Oak, FL 386-362-1459 Luverne 334-335-5082 Lynnville, TN 931-527-3923 Madison, FL 850-973-2269 Meridianville 256-828-5360 Moulton 256-974-9214 Northport 205-339-8181 Notasulga 334-257-3930 Oneonta 205-274-2185 Opp 334-493-7715 Pell City 205-338-2821 Piedmont 256-447-6560 Pulaski, TN 931-363-2563 Rainsville 256-638-2569 Rogersville 256-247-3453 Scottsboro 256-574-1688 Selma 334-874-9083 Stevenson 256-437-8829 Talladega 256-362-2716 Troy 334-566-3882 Tuscumbia 256-383-6462 Wedowee 256-357-4743 Wetumpka 334-567-4321