New Economic Developer To Focus On Forestry

Grassroots Concept Fuels Forest Economic Development Hire

By Marlee Moore

Thanks to a grassroots push from the Alabama Farmers Federation, the state has a new economic development specialist focused on growing the $4 billion-plus forest products industry.

Al Jones joined the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) Oct. 17. In his first two weeks, Jones fielded calls from five potential forest products businesses interested in Alabama — and its mass of raw materials available thanks to the state’s 23 million acres of timberland.

“The potential is so much greater than what we’re doing,” Jones said. “I want to see our industry expand, see landowners get more for their timber and put out more products made in Alabama.”

The Federation’s State Forestry Committee originally conceived the economic development position to bring industry to the state, ultimately helping forest landowners better market their timber. According to the Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA), Alabama plants 1.57 trees for every tree harvested, generating a surplus of quality wood.

Multiple departments within the Federation helped make the economic development specialist position a reality. That included External Affairs pushing the line item through the Legislature during the 2022 Regular Session and the Governmental & Agricultural Programs Department helping draft language for the role.

“Creating this position was a team effort,” said Federation Forestry Division Director William Green. “It started at the ground level with an idea from our members. Al’s work will pay real dividends for those landowners and the next generation of property owners.”

Jones brings decades of economic development experience and enthusiasm to AFC. He previously worked as Alexander City’s community development director following years with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, where he developed a passion for increasing Alabamians’ quality of life.

“The measure of success to me is the number of jobs created,” Jones said. “If you’re not creating jobs, you’re not making the whole of Alabama that much better.” As AFC’s economic developer, Jones will work with the Federation, local developers, the governor’s office and partner agencies to recruit new businesses or expansions. Jones hit the ground running in October, developing a deep understanding of Alabama forests’ capabilities and the in-depth needs of forest products businesses. That single-minded focus will be a boon for Alabama, said AFC’s Dan Chappell.

“Some landowners manage their forests without income in mind, but most landowners depend on some timber revenue to make things happen on their property,” said Chappell, AFC’s Management Division assistant director. “Better markets will give landowners more opportunities to sell their forest products. In turn, they will reinvest that money in the land and make sure we have sustainable, well-managed forests.”

State Forester Rick Oates thanked the Federation for promoting the idea of a full-time economic development specialist.

“Creating this position is a great step toward helping improve markets for Alabama’s landowners,” Oates said. “Al’s work will have a positive impact, not only on the economy of the state, but also on the health of our forests.”

Jones’ approach to economic development tag-teams relationshipbuilding and number-crunching. He’s already gathering reports, graphs and charts detailing timber available for prospective projects.

“Alabama has such an availability of materials,” Jones said. “We provide that information and try to convince prospective industries what we already know: Alabama is the place they need to be.”

Al Jones, left, brings decades of economic development experience to the Alabama Forestry Commission. His work will ultimately help landowners, such as Federation State Forestry Committee member David Wright of Dallas County, have more diverse options to market their timber. Jones

Cherokee County’s Farm-City Committee hosted its annual Farm-City Day for third graders in October, while Montgomery County’s Farm-City Festival taught attendees of all ages about agriculture.

Farm-City Shines Light On Importance Of Agriculture

By Maggie Edwards

One hundred thirty-five miles separate Cherokee and Montgomery counties, and while agriculture has a key economic impact in both areas, locals still battle a disconnect between farmers and consumers.

That’s where Alabama Farm-City and local county committees shine.

“Even in a rural area, a lot of kids have never seen a dairy cow, been around farm equipment or seen what farmers do,” said Cherokee County Farm-City Committee Chair Barry Bailey. “It’s important for kids to see what agriculture is like in their own county.”

Cherokee County Farm-City Day in Sand Rock was bright, sunny and filled with exhibits showcasing cotton, corn, greenhouse products, poultry, livestock and more. The Cherokee County Farmers Federation, with assistance from Alabama Extension, hosted the event in October, bringing hundreds of third-grade students from all five county schools to hear about and see agriculture firsthand.

“As a former agriscience teacher, I see this as an educational event for young kids,” said Bailey. “It’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

The Montgomery County Farmers Federation also finds value in sharing agriculture with the community. Its annual Farm-City Festival, held in October, welcomed 400 individuals across generations to Pike Road.

The festival featured pony rides, agricultural exhibits, farm animals and Cowboy Bruce’s Wild West Show.

“We have held this event for the past 25 years,” said Montgomery County Farm-City Committee Chair Kathy Gordon. “This is our way of thanking urban families while showing them what we do and sharing the country way of life.”

Farm-City is a state and national program bridging the gap between rural and urban families. Alabama’s 2022 theme was Sustaining For The Future, a play on the yearlong Down To Earth: Agriculture Sustains Alabama conservation awareness campaign.

Aside from farm days, media events, banquets and other local activities, students of all ages participate in contests showcasing their artistic skills in drawing, writing and video editing. All creative projects must be centered around the theme, giving students the chance to cultivate personal research about agriculture.

Celebrations took place across the state this fall and culminated during Farm-City Week Nov. 18-24. County committees and statewide contest winners will be recognized during the Alabama Farm-City Awards Program April 13 in Birmingham.

For more information, visit AlabamaFarmCity.org.

Regional Extension Agent Landon Marks, right, shared fun livestock facts with third-grade students at Cherokee County Farm-City Day.