Neighbors by Alabama Farmers Federation

GRILL OF VICTORY Alabama BBQ Teams Smoke The Competition Auburn Names New Dean For College of Agriculture

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Neighbors A Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation

VOLUME 35, NUMBER 7

JULY 2010

Grill Of Victory

Barbecue teams from all across Alabama are smokin’ the competition in BBQ cookoffs throughout the Southeast. • 16

Learning In Columbus

Issues ranging from environmental concerns to animal welfare will be on the agenda when the 38th Annual Commodity Producers Conference travels to Columbus, Ga., next month. • 5

New College of Ag Dean

Auburn University has named a new dean to head its College of Agriculture and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. • 6

LifeStation Is New Benefit

ON THE COVER Making Pit Stops — John and Kathy Swift of Atmore are one of Alabama’s many award-winning competition BBQ teams, competing in events throughout the South wherever their Peterbilt motor home will take them.

LifeStation, a leader in medical monitoring services, is the newest benefit of membership in the Alabama Farmers Federation. • 11

Telling The Story

South Dakotans Troy and Stacy Hadrick will bring their brand of agricultural evangelism to the first Young Farmers Summer Conference this month. • 14

Photo By Darryal Ray N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

DEPARTMENTS 4

President’s Message

Federation Digest

Ag Briefs

Alabama Gardener

Country Kitchen

Classifieds w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

President’s Message “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

cording to the USDA’s Economic Research Service. This tax burden has serious implications not only for farms and small businesses, but for all Americans. The ability for families to build a legacy and pass down their farms and businesses to future generations is part of what has made Although writer and historian America strong. Family businesses James Truslow Adams is credited account for 50 percent of the U.S. with coining the term “American gross domestic product, 60 percent Dream” in 1931, the idea that all of the country’s employment and citizens have the opportunity to 78 percent of all new job creation. prosper is rooted in the famous preIn addition, 98 percent amble of the Declaration of the nation’s 2.2 million of Independence. farms are family owned, and But as we celebrate although these families repour nation’s 234th birthresent less than 2 percent of day this month, a loomthe population, they raise 92 ing increase in estate percent of our food and fiber. taxes has the potential to To help ensure these farms transform that dream into and small businesses have Jerry A. Newby a nightmare for thousands the opportunity to continue of American families. serving America, the Farm Bureau Farms, plumbing companies, lohas launched the “Put Death Taxes cal pharmacies, community grocers to Rest” campaign. This effort is and restaurants are but a few of the aimed at educating lawmakers family-owned businesses that could about the dire consequences of be forced to sell their assets to pay higher estate taxes. It also proposes the pending 55 percent death tax. In a permanent estate tax provision fact, any family with assets of more that would increase the exemption than $1 million would face this level to $5 million and adjust it for penalty. inflation with a maximum rate of For most of us $1 million 35 percent. sounds like a fortune, but even Although many of us would family businesses with modest like to see the estate tax repealed incomes often have land, buildings altogether, that is practically imand equipment worth that much. possible given America’s budget Consider this: According to the deficit and national debt. We can, U.S. Department of Agriculture the however, urge Congress to pass a average value of an acre of Alabama responsible estate tax law that will farmland is $3,100. That means a preserve the American Dream for farmer with as few as 323 acres of our family farms and businesses. land — not to mention their tracPlease join me in thanking Alators, home and barns — could reach bama’s senators and congressmen the estate tax threshold. for their unified support of higher In fact, if the 55 percent tax rate estate tax exemptions and encourand $1 million exemption is alage them to pass the new law lowed to take effect, about 10 times before Jan. 1, 2011. n as many farms and ranches would owe estate taxes than in 2009, acw w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

VOLUME 35, NUMBER 7

_________________________________________ Darryal Ray, Editor Debra Davis, Associate Editor Mike Moody, Graphic Designer ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION Paul Pinyan, Executive Director Jeff Helms, Director of Communications FEDERATION OFFICERS Jerry A. 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 Steve Tate, Huntsville Donnie Garrett, Centre Darrel Haynes, Cullman John E. Walker III, Berry Marshall Prickett, Wellington Richard Edgar, Deatsville Pat Buck, Emelle Garry Henry, Hope Hull Carl Sanders, Brundidge David Bitto, Elberta Sammy Williams, Columbia Gloria Jeffcoat, Gordon Jeff Maze, Horton Neighbors (ISSN 0162-3974) is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116. 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: Paul Hurst, Hurst & Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 6011, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Phone: 800397-8908; Fax: (847) 438-8105. 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 361910001. www.AlfaFarmers.org A member of American Farm Bureau Federation N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

Commodity Conference Seminars To Offer Guidance By Darryal Ray

he Alabama Farmers Federation’s 38th annual Commodity Producers Conference will offer insights into a wide range of issues when an estimated 800 farmers from all across the state gather Aug. 5-7 at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center in Columbus, Ga. The conference will cover a variety of topics, including feral hogs, on-farm storage of agricultural chemicals, animal welfare and farmland protection. While the seminars are slated for Saturday, the conference kicks off Thursday afternoon with registration and judging for the Women’s Leadership Committee’s tablescapes, quilting and handbag/purse contests. A welcome banquet will follow with comedian Rik Roberts, whose performance is sponsored by Alfa Health, Alfa Dental and the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Ag Expo. Friday will be marked by a day of touring area farms and related businesses, such as a horse and cattle farm in Gay, Ga., the beautiful gardens and grounds of Callaway Gardens and various tours at nearby Auburn University. “Saturday’s lineup of seminars will give our farmers the information they need to face many of the issues in agriculture today,” said Jimmy Carlisle, director of the Federation’s Governmental and Agricultural Programs Department. “No matter what kind of farming you do, there is something you’ll be able to take back home and make your operation more successful.” The seminars, which begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, will include a session to update producers on environmental topics, such as possible changes to pesticide labels dealing with spray drift, an update on the 6th Circuit Court ruling on aquatic pesticides and a review of the recently updated Environmen-

N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

tal Protection Agency spill contaminant rules that take effect in November. John Pudner, director of the Federation’s Department of External Affairs, will offer a two-hour morning session to update attendees on Alabama’s political landscape in advance of the November general election. Also on tap are Dr. Stephen Ditchkoff of Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and Drs. Nancy Cox and Tatiana Samoylova of AU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, who will discuss research efforts to develop a species-specific contraceptive to aid in controlling the feral hog population. Angela Hurst of the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries and Steve Musser of the Natural Resource Conservation Service will discuss the Farmland Protection Program in Alabama and how farmers who participate can preserve their farms for future generations through the sale of development rights. Kay Johnson-Smith, executive vice president of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, will address the challenges and opportunities facing farmers and ranchers in response to the animal rights movement. Kevin Smith, director of export services for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, will speak about the current state of meat exports and the importance of international trade. Smith joined the USMEF in 2002 as its resident meat scientist, addressing technical issues relating to foreign meat trade. Dr. Stephen Enloe, assistant professor of agronomy and soils at Auburn University, will present an overview of invasive plants and weed control in hay and pastures. His presentation will help farmers identify invasive plants, manage their growth and restore pastureland. 5

Anne Adrian, an Extension specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, will help producers understand how and why they should utilize social media. Bob Redding, a former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Charles Hatcher and U.S. Sen. Wyche Fowler Jr., will discuss the outlook for the 2012 farm bill as well as other important legislative issues at the Washington Update/Farm Bill seminar. Producers will be able to attend two CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) sessions, and earn two Continuing Eduction Unit hours. One session will address how the EPA would like to model the entire country’s water policies on the Chesapeake Bay Program. The other session, featuring Richard Hulcher of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), will address potential federal and state environmental regulations. The Saturday afternoon general session will offer all attendees a Department of Transportation Briefing from Cpl. Jay Whitehead of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, Jay Starling of the Alabama Department of Revenue and a representative of the Alabama Department of Transportation. The session will address vehicle tags, weight restrictions, trailers, DOT regulations and other information regarding the operation of farm vehicles on Alabama roadways. The Women’s Leadership Committee will also host a luncheon at noon Saturday in the Columbus Convention and Trade Center’s Ironworks Ballroom C. A “Candidates’ Reception” for Federation-endorsed candidates will be Saturday afternoon prior to the conference’s closing banquet and surprise entertainment. n

____________________________________ For more information, call Ginger Mullins at (334) 613-4293 or email gmullins@alfafarmers.org.

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Auburn Names New College Of Agriculture Dean

illiam Batchelor, head of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Mississippi State University, has been named dean of Auburn University’s College of Agriculture. He succeeds Dr. Richard Guthrie, who is retiring as dean after more than 25 years. Batchelor also will assume the directorship of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. He will begin his appointment on July 15. “The role and practice of agriculture is much different today than just a few years ago, and it continues to rapidly evolve,” Auburn President Jay Gogue said. “Dr. Batchelor is a highly accomplished researcher and administrator whose leadership will ensure that Auburn stays ahead of those changes and strengthens our service to the state.” “Auburn has an outstanding reputation for teaching, research and outreach in agriculture,” Batchelor said, “and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station is nationally recognized for its valuable service to Alabama, the nation and the world. I look forward to working with the faculty and staff as

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we build upon the history of accomplishments and continue to seek ways to serve the people of Alabama. Dawn and I are looking forward to Batchelor joining the Auburn family and being part of the university’s success in the future.” At Mississippi State, Batchelor is director of the Sustainable Energy Research Center, an entity he played a lead role in establishing in 2005 with $26 million in U.S. Department of Energy grants he was instrumental in securing. The center conducts research on sources of renewable fuels (including bio-crude, bio-oil and syngas) that don’t compete with existing global food supply crops, such as corn and soybeans. Batchelor also is director of the Energy Institute at Mississippi State, which has about 200 researchers in several centers and departments. In 2009, he was named a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for his contributions to informa-

tion and electrical technologies and biological engineering. He also serves as president of the Institute of Biological Engineers. “Dr. Batchelor’s outstanding academic and administrative records will provide the College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station with a nationally and internationally recognized scholar and leader,” Auburn Provost Mary Ellen Mazey said. “We are pleased to welcome him to Auburn.” As dean of the College of Agriculture he will report to Mazey, while, as director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, he will report to Gogue. Batchelor earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering at the University of Georgia in 1986 and 1987, respectively, and his doctorate in agricultural engineering at the University of Florida in 1993. He worked at Iowa State University from 1994 until 2005, advancing to the rank of professor. He joined the Mississippi State faculty in 2005. From 2005 to 2007, he served also as a Distinguished International Professor for the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany. n

N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

Federation Digest Obituaries Hope Henderson Burger, longtime board member of the St. Clair County Farmers Federation and vice chairman of its Women’s Leadership Committee, died April 28. She was 93. Mrs. Burger, a native of Georgia and resident of Ashville since 1965, had served on the St. Clair County Farmers Federation Board of Directors since 1995 and had been vice chairman of the Women’s Leadership Committee since 1976. She was also active in the St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Association and served as vice president of both the St. Clair County Historical Society and the St. Clair County Tourism Committee. She was a member of the St. Clair County Community Resource Development and chairman of the St. Clair County Preservation Committee. A member of Avondale Presbyterian Church, she had been attending White Springs Baptist Church. Burial was at Tillison Cemetery. Pallbearers were St. Clair County Farmers Federation President Stanley Morris, David Evans, William Bearden, Richard Smith, Alabama Farmers Federation Area Organization Director David Farnsworth, Donald Ray Walker and Johnny Bolton. Mrs. Burger is survived by her niece, Donna Henderson; nephews, Thomas Jr., LeBron, Chris and Mike Henderson, all of Georgia; special friends, Margaret Evans and Tammy Bearden. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, 800-805-5856. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Auburn University’s equine division of the Animal Sciences Department now has a new, portable ultrasound unit that will aid students in the reproductive study of pregnant mares. From left are Nate Jaeger, director of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Equine Division; Dr. Betsy Wagner, assistant professor; and animal science students Megan Kendrick, Shelby Million and Rachel Hogue.

County Federations, Alfa Aid Equine Class

onations from 16 county Farmers Federations and Alfa Insurance have enabled the equine division of the Animal Sciences Department at Auburn to purchase a new, portable ultrasound unit that will enable students to study the reproductive process in pregnant mares. This high-quality, portable veterinary ultrasound system replaces an older machine that no longer presented clear images and hindered learning for students in the equine reproductive techniques class. County Farmers Federations that donated were: Autauga, Cullman, Dale, Etowah, Jackson, Jef8

ferson, Lawrence, Macon, Montgomery, Morgan, Russell, Shelby, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa and Walker. Alfa Insurance contributed matching funds. “The students will be able to visualize the mare’s reproductive tract and follow its changes during the estrous cycle,” explained Dr. Betsy Wagner, an assistant professor in the department. “By observing the changes such as the development of an ovulatory follicle, students will learn to make decisions about the optimum time to breed, timing of hormone treatments and scheduling follow-up diagnostics like checking for pregnancy.” n N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

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Endor sed by Ala bama Far mer s Feder ation

County Federation Annual Meetings DATE & TIME

COUNTY

LOCATION

DATE & TIME

COUNTY

LOCATION

July 1— 7 p.m.

Pike

Alfa Service Center, 1208 South Brundidge St., Troy

Aug. 12 — 7 p.m.

Geneva

Geneva County Farm Center, 2765 Highway 52, Geneva

July 16 — 6:30 p.m.

Coffee

Community Room, 1055 East McKinnon St., New Brockton

Aug. 13 — 6:30 p.m.

Cherokee

Health & Rehab/Activity Center, 877 Cedar Bluff Road, Centre

Aug. 13 — 7 p.m.

Morgan

Hartselle Civic Center, Hartselle

Aug. 14 — 6 p.m.

Chambers

Chambers County Federation Building/Alfa Building, Lafayette

Aug. 16 — 6 p.m.

Butler

Pioneer Electric Conference Room, Greenville

Aug. 16 — 6:30 p.m.

Etowah

Federation Office, 125 Broad Street, Gadsden

Aug. 17 — 6:30 p.m.

DeKalb

Alfa Service Center, 346 McCurdy Ave. South, Rainsville

July 19 — 7 p.m.

Sumter

Alfa Service Center, Livingston

July 20 — 7 p.m.

Elmore

Wetumpka High School, Wetumpka

July 22 — 7 p.m.

Clay

Lineville High School Cafeteria, Lineville

July 22 — 6 p.m.

Montgomery

Alfa Home Office Auditorium, 2108 E. South Blvd., Montgomery

July 26 — 8 p.m.*

Russell

Old Russell County Court House, Seale

July 27 — 6:30 p.m.

Shelby

Alfa Service Center, Columbiana

July 29 — 6 p.m.

Lee

Cooperative Extension System, office kitchen, Opelika

Aug. 18 — 7 p.m.

Autauga

Ag Center, Autaugaville

July 29 — 7 p.m.

Mobile

Mobile County Fairgrounds, 1035 North Cody Road, Mobile

Aug. 19 — 6:30 p.m.

Blount

Frank J. Green Building, Oneonta (BBQ served at 6 p.m.)

July 29 — 7:30 p.m.

Wilcox

Lower Coastal Plain Substation, Highway 28, Camden

Aug. 19 — 6:30 p.m.

Bullock

Greenway Sportsman’s Club, 2621 Highway 223, Union Springs

Aug. 2 — 7 p.m.

Dale

Dale County AgPlex, 202 Highway 123 South, Ozark

Aug. 19 — 6:30 p.m.

Lauderdale

Underwood-Petersville Senior Center, Florence

Aug. 2 — 4 p.m.

Madison

Holiday Inn Express Downtown, Huntsville

Aug. 19 — 6:30 p.m.

Talladega

Alfa Service Center, 314 East Battle St., Talladega

Aug. 2 — 6:30 p.m.

Pickens

Gates Restaurant, Aliceville

Aug. 19 — 7 p.m.

Tuscaloosa

Aug. 3 — 6 p.m.

Escambia

Ag Center, 175 Ag Science Drive, Brewton

Leroy McAbee Center, 3801 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa

Aug. 20 — 6:30 P.M.

Limestone

Aug. 3 — 7 p.m.

Henry

Wiregrass Research & Experiment Center, 167 E. Highway 134, Headland

Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives, 100 Pryor St., Athens

Aug. 20 — 6:30 p.m.

Marion

Hamilton Recreation Center, Hamilton

Aug. 3 — 6:30 p.m.

Jackson

Federation Office, 23625 John T. Reid Parkway, Scottsboro

Aug. 23 — 7 p.m.

Covington

Oakwood Lodge, 13725 Brooklyn Road, Andalusia

Aug. 3 — 6:30 p.m.

Lawrence

Lawrence County Ag Center, Moulton

Aug. 24 — 6:30 p.m.

Clarke

Federation Office, 148 S. Jackson Street, Grove Hill

Aug. 9 — 6:30 p.m.

Franklin

Russellville Hotel & Suites, Highway 43, Russellville

Aug. 24 — 6 p.m.

Conecuh

Frank Burt Building, 102 Liberty Street, Evergreen

Aug. 9 — 7 p.m.

St. Clair

Alfa Service Center, 32775 U.S. Highway 231, Ashville

Aug. 24 — 7 p.m.

Marshall

Federation Office, 1333 Blount Avenue, Guntersville

Aug. 9 — 7 p.m.

Washington

Federation Building, 54 Court Street, Chatom

Aug. 24 — 6:30 p.m.

Tallapoosa

First Baptist Church, Dadeville

Aug. 10 — 6:30 p.m.

Cleburne

Federation Office, Heflin

Aug. 27 — 10 a.m.

Jefferson

Aug. 10 — 6:30 p.m.

Houston

Alfa Service Center, 1038 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham

Aug. 30 — 7 p.m.

Chilton

Ag Center, 334 Agriculture Drive, Monroeville

Federation/Alfa Building, 301 1st Street N., Clanton

Aug. 30 — 6:30 p.m.

Colbert

Federation Building, 21332 Highway 59, Robertsdale

Northwest Shoals Community College, Muscle Shoals

Aug. 31 — 7 p.m.

Walker

Clayton Dime Store Restaurant, 10 Eufaula Ave., Clayton

Walker County Federation Office, 903 Airport Road South, Jasper

Sept. 9 — 6:30 p.m.

Crenshaw

E.L. Turner Park, Highway 331 South, Luverne

Aug. 10 — 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12 — 7 p.m. Aug. 12 — 7 p.m.

Monroe Baldwin Barbour

Aug. 12 — 6 p.m.

Calhoun

Federation Office, 1535 Pelham Road South, Jacksonville

Sept. 9 — 7 p.m.

Winston

Aug. 12 — 6:30 p.m.

Coosa

Old School Building, Nixburg Road & County Road 18, Rockford

Traders & Farmers Bank, Double Springs

Sept. 14 — 6:30 p.m.

Dallas

Alfa Service Center, Selma

Aug. 12 — 7 p.m.

Cullman

Cullman County Farmers Federation office, Main Avenue, Cullman

Sept. 21 — 6:30 p.m.

Marengo

Alfa Service Center, Linden

*Note: Russell County meeting is Eastern Daylight Time. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

Monitoring By LifeStation Is New Federation Benefit

labama Farmers Federation and LifeStation Inc., a medical monitoring company with more than 30 years of experience in emergency response systems, have joined forces to offer members a $4 per month discount on medical monitoring plans. With no contract restrictions and a 30-day money-back trial, members can cancel at any time without penalties. Valued at $25.95 per month and no charge for the equipment or shipping, gaining peace of mind has never been simpler.   LifeStation provides 24-hour access to help without requiring users to rely on telephones to call for help. In the event of an at-home emergency, users simply press the Help Button — which they can wear as a wristwatch, belt clip or neck pendant — to connect with the LifeStation Monitoring Center. Within seconds, a trained Care Specialist will assess the call through the medical alarm console, dispatch emergency help when needed and notify friends and family members of the situation. Along with several items and services available for an additional monthly charge, a wall-mounted Help Button can be purchased and placed in any area of the home. Not only does this establish a safety net for users, but it allows them to remain independent longer by providing security for them and their

N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

loved ones. The LifeStation Medical Alert System takes only a few minutes to set up and can be tested weekly for additional assurance.   LifeStation earned an A-rating from the Better Business Bureau. All care specialists are trained and

certified by Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), a trade association representing companies that offer monitoring systems certified by Underwriters Laboratories, a CSAA-approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. n ____________________________________  For more information or to set up an appointment, contact LifeStation toll free at 1-877-288-4958, or visit MembersMedicalAlert.com.

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Federation Officials Testify At Farm Bill Hearing

labama farmers had their first shot at shaping the 2012 farm bill when they addressed members of the House Agriculture Committee during a May 15 meeting in Troy. Several leaders of the Alabama Farmers Federation testified before the committee, which is holding hearings throughout the country seeking input into the bill that will cover everything from crop insurance and support prices to food stamps and rural development. Federation Southeast Area Vice President Ricky Wiggins of Andalusia told members of the committee that good farm policy is not only important to farmers, but to all Americans. He said he thinks the current farm bill works well and cautioned committee members not to shift funds out of the commodity programs or implement more costly environmental regulations.

“Providing for the continued stability of American farms is the best way to strengthen rural communities, conserve natural resources and ensure a safe and affordable food supply,” he said. Federation Board Member Carl Sanders, who serves as president of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, also testified. He said the peanut marketing loan amount set by the current farm bill is not sufficient to be a real safety net for producers. He asked that world market prices be included when establishing the loan repayment rate for peanuts. Clay County Farmers Federation President Lamar Dewberry encouraged the committee members to continue cost-share funding for forest management practices and to supply proper funding to the U.S. Forest Service Cooperative State and Private Program. n

Alabama Farmers Federation Southeast Area Vice President Ricky Wiggins of Andalusia testifies before members of the House Agriculture Committee during a hearing on the 2012 Farm Bill. Wiggins and other farm leaders throughout the South encouraged members to retain safety nets for farmers, improve crop insurance programs and control wasteful spending by Congress.

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Cord

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$45.95

Cord

$15.85

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Stacy and Troy Hadrick have passion for agriculture.

South Dakota’s Ag Storytellers To Headline Young Farmers’ First Summer Conference By Darryal Ray

roy and Stacy Hadrick, whose passion for agricultural evangelism vaulted them into the limelight, will deliver the keynote address and conduct an ag issues workshop at the first Young Farmers Summer Conference on July 2325 at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s home office in Montgomery. The Hadricks are fifth-generation cattle farmers who became active in their Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program, and quickly realized the best way to combat negativity toward agriculture was to stand up and tell their own story. Soon, what began as a 25-minute speech at the South Dakota Women in Agriculture Conference evolved into Advocates for Agriculture with its own speaking circuit, website and a widespread use of social media. “This summer conference will give many of our young farm families a chance to catch up and learn from some of the best in the industry,” said Brandon Moore, director of the Young Farmers program. “We look forward to making this a great event.”

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State Young Farmers Chairman Jeff Maze will preside over the two-day event that is expected to draw young farm families from across the state for district meetings, workshops and competition in its annual Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet. Lamar County dairy farmer Will Gilmer, chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s State Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, will also speak. The event will also feature a legislative update and a workshop conducted by Alabama State Troopers. The Hadricks are active in the South Dakota Farm Bureau and the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. Through Farm Bureau, they have both won the State Discussion Meet and, as a couple, they won the state Excellence in Agriculture Award. In 2004, they were awarded the National Excellence in Agriculture Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. They were also chosen to participate in Farm Bureau’s most prestigious leadership training program, Partners in Agricultural Leadership. n N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

Let your lens do the talking — and show us how Alabama’s farm families care in these categories ...

...For Our Animals ...For Our Land ...For Our Food

Win Cash Prizes In EACH Category

$300 — First Place $200 — Second Place $100 — Third Place

RULES • Prizes for each “We Care...” category - For Our Animals, For Our Land, For Our Food - are: 1st Place, $300; 2nd Place, $200; 3rd Place, $100. • All photos must have been taken in Alabama. • Each photographer is limited to three entries per category. • Prints must be 8” by 10” and should be packaged to prevent bending. • The entrant must include his or her name, address, phone number, title of photo, name of category and Federation membership number on a 4” by 5” card. Any persons in the photo must be identified on the card as well. • Entries must be received by Nov. 1, 2010. • Ship entries to: “We Care…” Photo Contest, Neighbors Magazine, 2108 E. South Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36116. The Federation is not responsible for any lost or misdirected materials.

ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN NOV. 1, 2010 SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO: ‘WE CARE...’ PHOTO CONTEST, Neighbors Magazine 2108 E. South Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36116 • Competition is open to amateur photographers living in Alabama who are members of Alabama Farmers Federation. • Employees of the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance and their immediate families are not eligible. • All entries must be original photography taken between Nov. 1, 2008 and Nov. 1, 2010. • No retouching of photos or digital manipulation of images is permitted. • Entrant acknowledges entry constitutes permission to publish the photo and has the right to grant permission for publication of photo as well as permission of any person or persons depicted in the photograph. • Photos become the property of Neighbors magazine and the Alabama Farmers Federation and will not be returned. • Decision of the judges is final.

By Darryal Ray

t’s a game of chicken — and ribs and rubs and butts and briskets. It’s also a game of secrets, sauces and seasonings, a contest where teams with rib-tickling monikers like Jiggy Piggy, Wild Bunch Butt Burners and South Pork turn up the heat at least two weekends a month. This is the world of competition barbecue, a fast-growing sport where the backyard burger meister at this Fourth of July’s cookout could very well be next month’s world champion pit master — or vice versa. “You’ve got to learn to lose to be successful in this sport,” says John Swift of the Wild Bunch as he tends the wood fire he lit almost 12 hours

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Kathy and John Swift (right) of Atmore’s Wild Bunch Butt Burners are one of the nation’s top-ranked competition BBQ teams. They compete in about 30 events per year.

earlier. “We’ve seen the top team in the nation win a contest one weekend and finish dead last the next.” Yet, when the hickory smoke clears most weekends, Alabama teams are usually near the top of the heap in each of the four contest categories — chicken, ribs, pork butts and beef briskets. Swift and his wife Kathy, who drive a customized Peterbilt motorhome from their home in Atmore to almost 30 contests a year, have raked in at least five grand championships in nine years of competition. As of June 7, they ranked 25th out of almost 2,500 teams in the Kansas City Barbecue Society’s (KCBS) overall Team of the Year rankings. Scott and Suzanne Burton, the husband-wife South Pork team from Madison, have won eight grand championships in seven years, and Jiggy Piggy pit partners Steve Blake and Bob Fite of Decatur count at least a dozen grand championships and as many reserve grand championships since teaming in 2002. On June 7, South Pork ranked 27th in the Team of the Year standings; Jiggy Piggy was 57th. The king of the ’cue, of course,

is Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q restaurant in Decatur. Lilly captured so many major awards (10 world championships among them) since taking to the competition trail in 1997 that he frequently appears on the Today Show, the Food Network, The Learning Channel’s BBQ Pitmasters and, in 2009, captured the National Barbecue Association’s Book of the Year Award with Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ Book (Clarkson Potter, $24.99). In his third year as national spokesperson for Kingsford Charcoal, Lilly stays so busy nowadays that he only has enough time to compete twice a year. When he is at home, he can usually be found in

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Scott and Suzanne Burton (top center) of Madison’s South Pork team have won eight grand championships in seven years. Her grandmother’s BBQ sauce recipe has been one of the team’s best-kept secrets.

the kitchen of the 85-year-old restaurant’s Sixth Avenue location, a place where chefs from Denmark, Switzerland and Italy have labored just to learn Lilly’s “low-and-slow” cooking secrets. “Doing only two competitions a year puts me at a disadvantage because trends change, tastes change and what the competitors are doing changes,” said Lilly. “But I rely on great friends like Bob and Steve at Jiggy Piggy to find out what’s happening on the circuit.” The KCBS, the sanctioning body for nearly 300 barbecue contests around the U.S., lists 40 professional teams from Alabama on its website registry, but Lilly estimates there are “hundreds” of Alabama teams. The state even has its own “barbecue trail” with numerous events of its own as part of an effort of the Alabama Bureau of Tourism. “Competition barbecue is pretty significant in Alabama,” said Guy Hall, director of the Alabama Farm-

ers Federation’s Pork and Poultry Divisions. “The South is known for its barbecue, and the professional teams we have in Alabama are among the best. These teams know how to get the most out of their pork and chicken.” The teams, stretching as far north as Athens and as far south as Bay Minette, are mostly husbandwife duos or buddies who were drawn to the sport … well, like a pitmaster to a flame. Most teams decide to “turn pro” after unexpected wins as amateurs in the Backyard Division at a city festival or similar event. For the Swifts, it was a fourth-place finish in the chicken category in Slidell, La. “I looked at Kathy and I said, ‘There’s nothing to this! Let’s do this again!’” said John Swift. Contestants often describe competition barbecue as a giant tailgate party without the football game.

“There’s just something about being around a fire with good food and lots of people,” said Scott Burton. But once the fires are lit, the competitiveness fills the air like thick hickory smoke. With some teams shelling out anywhere from $500 to $10,000 in contest expenses on some outings, the tension can run high. Plus, the bigger events like Memphis in May (not a KCBS event) pay out more than $110,000 to winners. Sleek, customized smokers can run as high as $25,000, but most contestants will say it’s not the cooker that makes a difference — it’s the cook. Scott Burton keeps a down-tothe-minute timetable beside his cookers, noting everything from general weather conditions to when the pork comes off and the chicken goes on. “I record if I use more wood. If I did well in a contest, I

Steve Blake and Bob Fite of Decatur’s Jiggy Piggy team have been among the more consistent winners on the competition barbecue trail.

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Judges score the entries according to taste, texture and appearance — a process which takes place in almost silence.

want to know if it was raining — did the humidity factor into it?” he said. The Burtons will spend 90 minutes preparing the chicken, using tweezers and cotton-tipped swabs to meticulously clean the thighs before putting them into the smoker. John Swift will spend a full day shopping for the best ribs possible; Bob Fite will spend two days shopping. All will share some of their secrets with a competitor, but not everything. “I’ll help somebody who’s struggling, but I won’t share enough for them to beat us,” said John Swift. The judging is a blind process with points awarded to the 10,000th of a point for taste, appearance and texture. Six KCBS-certified judges judge each entry. That means a single team’s entry will go before 24 different judges by contest’s end. The judges, who must attend a class to learn the standards by which to judge, must also take an oath to “objectively and subjective-

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ly evaluate each barbecue meat that is presented to my eyes, my nose, my hands and my palate.” What each judge is looking for is anyone’s guess — and it could vary widely between events. “When a judge tastes your food in competition, in two bites you have to absolutely blow his or her mind,” said Lilly. “So what I do is take the flavors that we have here at the restaurant every day and amplify them into a super rich, extraordinary experience in two bites. In competition, you want to think what the average judge likes and what the average judge is used to. But you’ve got to push all the limits.” As a result, Steve Blake says competition barbecue is usually sweeter or spicier than most people want. “It may sound funny, but judges will say, ‘That’s a good-eating rib, but it’s not going to win,” said Blake. “Probably more times than not, people get dinged for having mush and no texture,” said Fite. “There’s a fine line between being cooked properly and being overcooked or undercooked. At some point, you’re chasing a pork chop into oblivion.” In an effort to stay abreast of what the judges want, the Jiggy Piggy duo is usually first in line whenever a frequent winner holds a barbecue cooking class. “There’s no way you can’t go,” said Fite. “If nothing else, it validates what you’re doing. When somebody’s winning and you think, ‘I’d like to know what he does.’ For $500, if he wants to show you, you’ve got to look.”

Lilly is a bit more philosophic. “All I can do at a barbecue contest is put out phenomenal BBQ – that’s all I can control. I can’t control the judging,” he said. Kathy Swift, who says she doesn’t even eat barbecue but is a critical part of the Wild Bunch’s success, has also learned to keep it all in perspective. “You never know what kind of judges you are going to get or what flavor they want,” she said. “When you cook as much as we do, you know if it’s good or bad. If you know your food is excellent and you get a bad score, it’s hard to smile. You get mad for about 10 minutes then you get over it and say, ‘Oh well, there’s always next week.’” n

____________________________________ For more information about competition barbecue, visit bamabbqtrail.com and www.kcbs.us. Chris Lilly is scheduled to appear on Fox Network’s “Fox and Friends” morning show on July 4. To order “Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ Book”, visit www.BigBobGibsons.com or call (256) 350-6969.

Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q in Decatur has built a world-wide reputation and appears frequently on “Today” and the Food Network.

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Spanish-Style Pork Tenderloin Cooking time: 35 minutes

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Poultry Farmers Ask Government Leaders For Fair Treatment By Debra Davis

oultry farmers throughout the Southeast told government leaders at a May 21 meeting on the campus of Alabama A&M University they want better treatment and more money from the companies who provide them with the birds and feed used on their farms. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack listened as farmers expressed concern over how little control they have once they invest hundreds of thousand dollars to become a contract grower for an integrated poultry system. The meeting was the second of five workshops President Obama’s administration will hold this summer and fall to examine competition in agriculture. The meetings are to explore whether a few large corporations dominate seed, cattle, chicken and hog markets in the United States. Holder said stepped up antitrust enforcement in agricultural businesses is a top priority for the administration. Alabama Farmers Federation Pork, Dairy and Poultry Division Director Guy Hall attended the meeting as did several members of the Federation’s State Poultry Committee. Hall said it was good to see the dialogue the meeting created. “It was an emotionally charged meeting because we’re dealing with farmers’ livelihoods,” Hall said. “I am hopeful that the meeting will help generate more open

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Garry Staples, left, a grower from Steele, tells federal officials at a hearing May 21 at Alabama A&M University that profit margins have continued to narrow in the poultry industry.

communication between integrators and producers. “Many poultry growers feel their contracts need to keep pace with increasing energy, labor, building and other production costs. As the cost of these inputs increase, so should the rate of pay on their contracts, giving them the opportunity to make a living.” However, U.S. poultry companies claim export restrictions and high feed prices have made them less profitable for a number of years, causing them not to be able to give pay increases to farmers. “The vertically integrated poultry production system has evolved over several decades, and it is highly efficient,” Hall said. “However, if farmers can’t make a profit, they won’t be able to stay in business. We support an open dialogue between growers and integrators that will result in contracts that are mutually beneficial for both farm families and the companies that invest in our communities.” Gary Staples, a poultry farmer from Steele, was among the farmers who spoke at the meeting. He told federal officials that while he has made money in the past as a poultry 20

farmer, profit margins for him and other farmers have narrowed, adding that there is not an “open market” in the poultry industry. Staples said he and other farmers are forced to follow the demands of the integrator for fear of losing their contracts to raise chickens. Without a contract, farmers can’t repay the considerable debt they owe for their farm, he said. Other common concerns voiced by farmers in the meeting included little negotiation power for farmers when their contract expires; fear of retaliation (loss of contract) if they speak out against unfair practices; no control or compensation for inconsistency of feed or poor chick quality; payment method that compensates farmers (ranking system) based on other flocks collected at or near the same time from other farmers; and consideration in compensation for extended time between flocks which greatly reduces the farmer’s income. Vilsack said the USDA could use its regulatory power to complement the Justice Department’s antitrust efforts. Alabama ranks third in the nation in broiler poultry production. n N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

Oil Spill Regulations Could Affect Alabama Farms

armers utilizing storage tanks for petroleum products or other oils should be aware of changes to the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Program intended to prevent oil spills into waters of the United States. SPCC rules were included in early Clean Water Act legislation and the revisions are set to take effect Nov. 10. “While the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has indicated the compliance date may be postponed again, farmers should pay close attention to this issue and begin taking steps to comply with the rule now,” said Mitt Walker with the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Department of Governmental and Agricultural Programs. “Even though there is virtually no history of agricultural facilities being linked to oil spills, EPA has no specific exemptions for farms in the program. However, the agency has taken steps to simplify the compliance process for farms at the request of numerous organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation.” The SPCC Program applies to farms that meet all three of the following conditions: stores, transfers, uses, or consumes oil or oil products; stores a total of more than 1,320 U.S. gallons in above-ground containers or 42,000 U.S. gallons in completely buried containers; and could reasonably be expected to discharge oil into waters of the U.S. or adjoining shorelines, such as interstate waters, interstate lakes, rivers or streams. Farmers should count only containers of 55 gallons or greater toward this total. Oil and oil products may include diesel fuel, gasoline, lube oil, hydraulic fluid, vegetable oils or animal fats. Oil-based pesticides or pesticides mixed with oil that are stored on the farm, are also covered. A professional engineer may need to prepare and certify the N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

plan unless certain conditions are met allowing the farmer to prepare self-certify a plan, Walker said. The conditions for self-certification are a total oil storage capacity on the farm of between 1,320 and 10,000 U.S. gallons, and a good spill history as defined in the SPCC Rule. A template for a self-prepared and self-certified plan and a fact sheet developed specifically for

farms, along with other information related to the rule, is available at www.epa.gov/emergencies/spcc. For more information, contact mwalker@alfafarmers.org or the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) at (334) 271-7700 to determine if a farm is required to implement a plan. n

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By Debra Davis

“It’s wonderful to watch people take a bite of a juicy strawberry and love how good it tastes,” Allie said. “And it’s great to see children learn about where their food comes from.” The Corcoran family has a long history of farming in Barbour and Russell Counties. Allie and Cassie’s father, Walt, along with his brother, Tom, and their cousin, Liston Clark, are well known for their ability to grow great crops of peanuts, corn and cotton. But growing fruits and vegetables is a new twist to the family’s farming operation. When Allie graduated from Auburn University in 2009 with a communications degree she wanted to come home to the farm. It was then that the family began to develop the plans for Backyard Orchards, she said. Walt Corcoran supported the idea, but encouraged his daughters to take a different approach to farming. “When we started talking to dad, he told us agriculture is changing and that we need to change with it,” Allie recalled. “Cassie wanted to work on the farm, too, so this seemed like a good way for us to do it.” The sisters rent land from the family and say they are fortunate to have access to equipment such as tractors, plows and planters used for other crops on the farm. But even the new farming venture is deeply rooted

he aroma of fresh peaches, the taste of ripe tomatoes and the glow of bright yellow squash are sure signs that summer has arrived at farmers markets and roadside stands across the state. A bright spot that seems to have accompanied the nation’s economic slump is the effort by consumers to “reconnect” with locally grown food, said Alabama Farmers Market Authority Director Don Wambles. He said few states have more to offer than Alabama. “More and more farm families are creating an experience for consumers who want to make that connection, and it’s a success story for farmers and shoppers,” Wambles said. “Alabama has more than 200 roadside stands, 126 farmers markets and 130 u-pick farms that provide shoppers what they’re looking for. It’s also giving many of these consumers an opportunity to make a connection with the person who actually grew the food they’re eating. One of the most rewarding things for me is to be at a market or roadside stand and see that connection take place between a farmer and a consumer.” Sisters Allie Corcoran and Cassie Corcoran Young of Barbour County are creating just such an experience at their new roadside stand, Backyard Orchards, which opened earlier this year.

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in the family’s agricultural history. Their roadside stand is built on the former home site of their great grandmother Helen Taylor. The sisters’ grandmother, Hallie Dalon, grew up there and still enjoys sharing stories about the farm. Although the old house has disappeared, towering oaks and pecan trees that once shaded the home place now provide a canopy for the new roadside stand. Plans for the stand started in May 2009, and the first crops were planted last August. The stand held its Allie Corcoran and Cassie Corcoran Young of Backyard Orchards hope their new grand opening April 10 and is roadside stand will bring in enough customers that they can someday open their own still a work in progress. restaurant where they can serve the food they grow. “We have a lot to learn, and we’ve learned a lot already,” it is grown within sight of the stand, but some items said Allie who boasts a golden tan and strong arms. are purchased from other local farmers to increase the She is obviously accustomed to the physical side of the variety of what’s offered. More information about their business. Cassie, who along with her husband, Cody, farm is available on Facebook pages by searching for is expecting her first child in late June, focuses on the Backyard Orchards. n ________________________________________________________ business side of the operation, providing accounting For a list of farmers markets, roadside stands and u-pick skills. Allie said Cassie has a knack for filling out apoperations, visit the Alabama Farmers Market Authority plications for grants and permits, an area of the busiwebsite at www.BuyLocalAlabama.com. ness that required a lot more work than they expected. But despite the hard work, the sisters are looking to expand what they offer. One day, they’d like to have a restaurant on site that serves what they produce, and they’d like to have a real farmhouse and farm equipment for children to see and touch. “We want children to know and appreciate what farmers really do,” Allie said. “We’ve already had some field trips this year, and it’s amazing to see children wander through the fields learning about agriculture first hand. They know then that someone actually grew what they’re eating. It didn’t just come from the store.” And the taste is one thing that gives Alabama farmers a big advantage over fruits and vegetables purchased in the grocery store. “The flavor is so much better, it’s undeniable,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Horticulture Division Director Mac Higginbotham. “That’s another great reason to buy locally grown fresh food that hasn’t been shipped across the country. It definitely tastes better, and I think consumers appreciate knowing they’ve supported a local producer in their community.” Backyard Orchards offers blueberries, watermelons, tomatoes, peaches, squash, okra, cucumbers, corn, peas and more. Much of N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

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Ag Briefs AlabamaHayBarn.com Links Producers, Buyers

ate Jaeger, director of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Hay and Forage Division, is reminding the state’s hay producers that AlabamaHayBarn.com can help connect them with buyers year round. The website allows hay and forage farmers to market their hay through detailed listings featuring photos and descriptions of the type, location, size, storage and price. Farmers (sellers) also may provide forage analysis information. The site’s e-mail alert feature notifies buyers whenever new listings become available. This service is free to Alabama Farmers Federation members in good standing. Non-members pay only 20 cents per round bale and 2 cents per square bale advertised, plus a listing fee of $30. Non-members are encouraged to join the Alabama Farmers Federation because dues are only $30. “Free advertising is rare any place, but having my hay listings sent out to hundreds of potential buyers is a big help when it comes to marketing my hay,” said Jeff Whitaker, a DeKalb County farmer and member of the State Hay and Forage Committee. “I made several new customers last year because of the AlabamaHayBarn.com website.” Visit AlabamaHayBarn.com and complete the form on the “Get Listed” page to list hay. For more information, contact njaeger@AlfaFarmers.org or call Jaeger at (334) 451-2877. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Service Honored The Russell County Farmers Federation, represented by County Women’s Leadership Committee Members Caroline Batcheldor, left, and Joann Laney, honored Staff Sgt. James Mosley at the Russell County/Phenix City Chamber of Commerce Biscuits and Breakfast meeting in May. Baskets, like the one presented to Mosley, are routinely given to service members and contain items produced and distributed in Russell County. Batcheldor and Laney serve as chamber ambassadors.

Extension Sets Precision Ag Meetings July 6

utomatic section control, yield monitoring and Continuously Operating Reference Stations will be among the topics on the agenda July 6 when the Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems hosts two meetings on precision agriculture. The first meeting will be 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. (lunch provided) at the Wiregrass Research & Extension Center in Headland. The second meeting will be in New Brockton at the Coffee County Community Room, 6-8:30 p.m. (dinner provided). Registration for the meetings is not required, but is encouraged. 24

Other topics will include variable-rate applications, adoption of technologies and economic considerations. An introduction to precision ag technologies will be provided, followed by an open discussion period to allow producers to address specific questions with Extension precision ag specialists. Company representatives will also be on hand to address product questions. For more information or to RSVP, contact Amy Winstead at (256) 353-8702 or visit the Precision Ag website at www.AlabamaPrecisionAgOnline.com. n N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

Alfa Awards Automobile To State’s Teacher Of The Year By Debra Davis

labama’s 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year, Phil Rodney Wilson, a music teacher at Ogletree Elementary School in the Auburn City School System, received a year’s use of a new automobile courtesy of Alfa Insurance Co. and the Alabama Farmers Federation during a ceremony at the Alfa home office in Montgomery on May 13. Alfa Executive Vice President of Marketing Herman Watts presented Wilson the keys to a 2010 Chevrolet Impala as part of his award for being named the state’s top teacher. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joseph B. Morton made the announcement of Alabama’s Teacher of the Year during an awards ceremony the previous evening that honored the final four candidates for the honor. Wilson has been teaching for eight years, the last seven of those at Ogletree Elementary School, where he teaches first- through fifth-graders. He said his love of music was cultivated by encouragement from his parents, his firstgrade teacher and later, his high school band director. He compared his teaching philosophy to a musical ensemble where students, teachers and parents work in harmony. “Teachers should communicate their expectations to their students and parents, and make parents aware of everything in the classroom,” he said. “I firmly believe that when parents are kept in the loop about everything pertaining to their child’s education, the outcome is mostly positive. By working as an ensemble, I believe that we ensure the child’s successful education and prove that education truly is a partnership.” N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

Alabama Teacher of the Year Phil Rodney Wilson addresses the audience during a ceremony in which he received a year’s use of a new automobile, courtesy of Alfa Insurance Co. and the Alabama Farmers Federation. Also pictured are, from left, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joseph B. Morton, Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan and Alfa Executive Vice President of Marketing Herman Watts.

Alfa President Jerry Newby said teachers like Wilson are the key to Alabama’s future. “As Alabama’s Teacher of the Year, Mr. Wilson will have the opportunity to inspire thousands of teachers, parents and community leaders as an ambassador for education. Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation appreciate the important role he and all teachers play in the lives of our children,” Newby said. Morton praised Alfa’s contributions to the Teacher of the Year Program.“For years, Alfa Insurance has shared our vision of acknowledging and celebrating the best and brightest in Alabama education,” Morton said. “Alfa’s commitment to supporting the Alabama Teacher of the Year program has been unwavering and, as always, is greatly appreciated. This year, as in years past, Alfa continues to express its support for those who inspire learning, spark imaginations and ultimately mold the minds that will carry Alabama forward.” 25

This is the 14th year Alfa has presented an automobile to the state Teacher of the Year. During the presentation, Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan announced the continuation of the Alfa Teacher of the Month program, a separate program from the Teacher of the Year, with the teacher receiving $1,000 and his or her school receiving $1,000. The most recent pledge to support the monthly awards brings the total to more than $324,000 that Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation have provided in cash awards to deserving teachers, principals and schools as part of the Teacher of the Month program. Wilson will spend the majority of the school year serving as the state spokesperson for education, presenting workshops, speaking to various groups and representing education and the teaching profession. By winning Alabama’s Teacher of the Year, he automatically becomes the state’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year. n w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Alabama Gardener By Lois Chaplin

here are two things that money can’t buy — true love and homegrown beefsteak tomatoes. This column can’t help you with the first, but we’ll give the second a try. Hopefully, you have some giant tomatoes in your garden now. But if you don’t, hurry and get them in the ground immediately so you can enjoy them in late summer and early fall. Beefsteak-type tomatoes can get really big. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the largest tomato at 7-pounds, 12-ounces — the size of a honeydew melon. It was grown in 1986 by Gordon Graham of Edmund, Okla. While the giant tomatoes you grow may not be as hefty as Graham’s, chances are they’ll weigh 1 to 2 pounds, and a single slice will overhang the edges of your sandwich. The only way to grow tomatoes this large is to choose a beefsteak variety. The term beefsteak is generally used to characterize this class of giant tomatoes. But there is also a variety with the proper name, Beefsteak. Other big names include Big Boy, German Queen, Goliath, Brandywine, Park’s Whopper and Big Beef. These are ready to pick 10 to 12 weeks after setting out transplants. That means that if you plant in early July, you will be harvesting in September. The easiest way to start is by setting out transplants. It’s almost too late to start from seed now unless you live in south Alabama where the first fall frost may not arrive until November. Because beefsteaks are so large,

Beefsteak tomatoes require too much room for growing in containers.

you must provide extra support for the stems holding the fruit or they can snap in wind and rain. This is easy to do by tying each stem to a stake or side of a wire cage near the point where it supports a tomato. You must also keep the soil evenly moist. The extra-large fruits are more susceptible to cracking than standard size varieties, so water faithfully so that the soil moisture stays steady. Cracking happens when there is a sudden flush of water after the plant runs dry. Starting plants this time of year demands dedication because it’s so hot and the soil dries out quickly. A soaker hose or drip system is best. Be sure to mulch around the plants to help keep the soil moist, too. Mulching also helps prevent soil from splashing up on the stems and lower leaves, which can give diseases that winter over in the soil a chance at the plant. At this time of year, gardeners should be ready to protect tomatoes from mites in dry weather and leaf

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diseases in humid weather. Insect sprays containing Neem also protect against some diseases, but for control of the more devastating fungus diseases such as late blight, use Daconil. Organic gardeners often use copper sprays instead, but they aren’t quite as effective. The key to disease control is prevention, which means spraying the leaves before you actually see signs of disease. One final word about giant tomatoes: Although they will grow in pots, for the biggest tomatoes, use good ground so the plants can reach full size. There are some big varieties bred, especially for containers such as Bush Goliath, which are shorter, stouter plants. n

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

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Davenport Named Alfa’s Principal of the Month for July

has a strong supn an age where social networkport team behind ing through websites such as her. How did she Facebook, MySpace and Twitter establish such a has become the norm, sometimes it strong rapport with takes good, old-fashioned collaboHeritage Elemenrating to ensure a student’s success tary teachers, stubeyond the classroom. dents and parents? How does Heritage Elementary Davenport “I start by Principal Lydia Davenport reach her building trust, showing enthusiasm students? By insisting they “make about my work and my role as a a splash” — with water safety, that leader, involving others in decisionis. making and fostering collaboraAfter partnering with comtion,” explains Davenport. munity leaders and the Heart of It’s because of her involvement the Valley YMCA in Madison, with her school and the Madison Davenport gained funding through community that Davenport earned the Make a Splash grant program, which teaches children water safety her place as one of two principals honored this year in the Alfa Teachand swim lessons during physical education class. While this program er of the Month program. As July’s honoree, she will receive $1,000 helps children gain confidence in from Alfa Insurance. Her school, the water, it also helps them gain part of the Madison City School confidence within themselves. Described as an exemplary prob- system, will receive a matching contribution from the1:03 Alabama lem-solver with extraordinary Alfa Health 1-2 an page-2m:Y2K Statement stuffer 10/1/08 PM Page 1 Farmers Federation. “willingness to listen,” Davenport

“Through her networking with the community, Dr. Davenport has secured money to provide afterschool tutoring for at-risk children,” said Heritage Elementary teacher Sheila Holt. “The funds provide a stipend for the teachers, snacks for the children, materials and bus transportation. Students have made tremendous academic gains through the program.” Davenport, a member of the Alabama Education Association, received her bachelor and master’s degrees in elementary education from Alabama A&M University. During 2010, Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers Federation are honoring one outstanding teacher from each of Alabama’s eight state board districts, two principals and two private school teachers. Application information is available under Alfa Teacher of the Month in the Ag Links section of AlfaFarmers.org. n

$2,000,000

IN HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALFA MEMBERS. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama insures eligible members of Alabama Farmers Federation through Alfa Health. Lifetime individual coverage has been increased to a maximum of $2 million. No deductible for cancer treatments. For rates and coverage information, contact your Alfa Insurance agent today or call us at 1-800-392-5705, or click on “Health” when you visit our Web site at www.alfains.com.

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Alfa Health Celebrating 4O Years

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Country Kitchen

Aunt Myrtie was a wonderful cook, and she and Uncle Andy always made everyone feel so welcome there.” The Fish Sauce recipe Sandy shares with the Country Kitchen was her Aunt Myrtie’s. “This sauce is wonderful with boiled shrimp. Aunt Myrtie prepared it for our family’s Fourth of July fishing trip for many years,” she said.

andy Carroll Ward now lives in the city of Ozark, but having spent half her life on the farm has definitely put a love of the countryside in her heart. “It is a wonderful thing to raise children in the country,” she said, adding that watching her grandchildren, Brittany and Blake Carroll, growing up on the farm makes her very happy. “I grew up helping on the farm. When I was in high school, the boys used to tease me about my muscular arms.” In addition to strengthening her arms by carrying buckets of water for the animals, Sandy said she helped pick cotton and other row crops on her parents’ farm in Samson. “I’m the third of four daughters, and I did more outdoor work than helping with the cooking when I was young,” she said. “That’s how I made money for my school clothes. One summer, one of my sisters and I had an acre patch of cucumbers. Nearly all we did that summer was pick cucumbers, but I had plenty of money for new school clothes that year.” Growing fresh vegetables was a tradition Sandy carried on when she had a family of her own. “Planting a garden was a family thing, and (son) Chris couldn’t stand it. He used to say if he ever got grown, he’d never plant a garden,” Sandy said with a laugh. “And now a major part of Chris and (his wife) Monica’s farming operation is the fresh produce they grow.” Sandy and her husband, Doug, have a small farming property and pond just outside of Ozark where they grow some of their own vegetables, but their backyard is

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CHOCOLATE OATMEAL COOKIES

Sandy Carroll Ward’s granddaughter Brittany Carroll says her grandmother’s chocolate oatmeal cookies and chocolate pie are her favorites.

covered in fruits, vegetables and herbs as well. “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of her,” said Monica Carroll. “Everything she cooks is so wonderful. She puts a lot in the freezer for us, and her cooking is especially a blessing when we’re in the middle of growing season.” A retired teacher, Sandy now enjoys taking her grandchildren to summer reading programs at their local library, as well as workshops at Landmark Park in Dothan each summer. “And we’re looking forward to fishing from our pond this summer. We built the pond in ’08 and hopefully the fish will be big enough to keep by July,” Sandy said. “My Aunt Myrtie and Uncle Andy had a fishing camp in Pascagoula, Miss., and for years we spent every Fourth of July with them at the fish camp. 28

1/2 cup shortening 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup all-purpose flour 3 cups quick-cooking oats 1/3 cup cocoa 1/2 teaspoon soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (6-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate pieces

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together shortening, butter, sugar, egg, water and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 1-inch apart onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until almost no imprint remains when touched with finger (10 to 12 minutes). Remove immediately from baking sheet to cool. Can be served immediately or wrapped and frozen. To serve frozen cookies, remove from freezer and unwrap 20 minutes before serving. Arrange on serving plate and thaw uncovered at room temperature. Note: Substitute self-rising flour and omit soda and salt if desired. N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

FISH SAUCE 1 large onion, diced 12 pickle slices, diced 1 tablespoon mustard 1 cup mayonnaise 1 1/2 cups ketchup Dash of salt

Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir to mix. Keep refrigerated. Serve with any fish or seafood. SANDY’S DRESSING 2 tablespoons butter 2 large onions, finely chopped 1 1/2 cups chopped celery 2 recipes egg bread (recipe follows), cooked and crumbled 5 hard boiled eggs, diced 1 (10-ounce) can cream of celery soup 2 (10-ounce) cans cream of chicken soup 3 (14-ounce) cans Swanson chicken broth 1 cup chopped chicken or turkey, or more if desired

Saute’ onion and celery in butter to soften. Mix all ingredients. Add more chicken broth if needed to reach desired consistency. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. Squash Casserole 1 pound squash, cut up and cooked tender 1/2 stick butter or margarine, softened, plus more for pan 1 teaspoon sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup green pepper, chopped 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 small jar pimentos 1 teaspoon salt 1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and roughly chopped (optional) 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Drain cooked squash and mash with butter or margarine. In a separate bowl, mix sugar, egg, mayonnaise, pepper, onion, pimentos and salt. Add to squash. Pour into buttered casserole dish; top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Note: Peppers and pimento may be omitted if desired. Frozen squash may also be used. N E I G H B O R S • J U LY 2 0 1 0

Hushpuppies 2 cups cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 3 eggs 1 (8-ounce) can cream-style corn 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 cup buttermilk 1 large onion, diced 1 tablespoon baking powder

Stir all ingredients together in a large bowl. Set aside 2 hours before cooking. Drop by spoonful into hot oil and fry until browned. EGG BREAD 1/4 cup melted fat 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon soda 2 eggs

Stir all ingredients together to combine. Pour into a greased 8- or 9-inch square baking dish and bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Note: For melted fat, Sandy uses butter-flavored Crisco. SANDY’S DUMPLINGS 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling 1 egg, beaten 3 tablespoons butter-flavored shortening 1/2 teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons water Chicken broth 1 hard-boiled egg, finely chopped

Use a fork or spoon to combine flour, beaten egg, shortening, salt and water in a mixing bowl. Mix well to form a soft dough; divide into 3 parts. Roll out paper thin; let dough dry for 20 minutes. Bring chicken broth to a boil in a large stock pot. Cut dough into small strips and drop dumplings one at a time into boiling broth. Cook dumplings at a boil for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender. Add boiled egg; stir slightly. Note: Sandy says cut, uncooked dumplings may be arranged in single layers between sheets of wax paper and frozen for several months. 29

CHOCOLATE PIE 1 1/2 cups plus 1/8 cup sugar, divided 3 heaping tablespoons flour 3 heaping tablespoons cocoa Dash salt 2 cups milk 3 eggs, separated 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 9-inch pie shell, baked

Stir 1 ½ cups sugar, flour, cocoa and salt together. Stir in milk and cook in a double boiler until mixture begins to thicken. Add egg yolks slowly. Cook until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into baked pie shell. Beat egg whites with 1/8 cup sugar until fluffy. Top pie with meringue and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Chill before serving. BILLIE’S HAMBURGER CASSEROLE 1 (8-ounce) package egg noodles 1 pound ground beef 1 onion, chopped 1 (10-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup 1 (10-ounce) can tomato soup

Salt and cook noodles and drain according to package directions. Meanwhile, sauté beef and onion on a skillet. Combine cooked ingredients with soups in a large bowl and mix gently. Transfer mixture to a casserole dish and cover. Place in warm in oven while heating bread or rolls. Note: Serve with a salad and bread for an excellent meal. n _________________________________ Editor’s Note: Recipes published in the “Country Kitchen” are not kitchentested prior to publication. Look for more “Country Kitchen” recipes online at www.AlfaFarmers.org. w w w. A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Neighbors Classifieds Classifieds Facts For just $2 per work, your classified ad in Neighbors reaches more than 109,000 subscribers. Ads must be received by the first day of the month prior to publication. NO changes after closing. PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED FOR ALL ADS. Minimum 10 words per ad. No fax, phone orders or credit cards accepted. For questions, call Paula Culver at (334) 613-4410. Send your ad with payment, payable to Alabama Farmers Federation, to: Neighbors Classifieds P.O. Box 11000 Montgomery, AL 36191-0001

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Alfa has great dental insurance.

And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the tooth.

Alfa now has dental insurance. All Alabama Farmers Federation members qualify for this dental plan. Alfa dental is underwritten by Delta Dental Insurance Company, a member of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest dental insurance organization. For detailed benefits or quick and easy on-line enrollment, go to alfadentalins.com. Or contact Convenient Monthly Rates Single Family your local Alfa office or call 1-800-392-5705. $33.22

$75.72