Cooperative Farming News - February 2020 by afccooperativefarmingnews

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Cooperative Farming News

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editor-in-Chief: Samantha Carpenter Contributing Editor: Jade Randolph Associate Editor: Mary Delph

pg. 20

CO-OP MATTERS 18 Store Spotlight: Reggie Shook Celebrating 40 Years with Lauderdale County Co-op 46 Alabama Grain Rescue Tubes LIFE ON THE HOMEPLACE AND IN THE COMMUNITY 20 The Rose of Winter 34 A Sweet For Your Sweet: A Valentine Treat

pg. 34

pg. 46

YOUTH MATTERS 24 4-H Extension Corner: Fayette County Ag-Venture Day: A Day on the Farm 28 FFA Sentinel: JLDC 2019: “Championship Wins” 30 PALS: Southside’s JROTC is Outstanding Clean Campus Group On the Cover: We are recognizing National Grain Bin Safety week February 16-22nd. Pictured on the cover is our AFC Florence Grain Elevator.

OUR REGULARS Ag Insight.................................... 6

How’s Your Garden?................... 44

Business of Farming................... 9

The Herb Lady........................... 48

Product Spotlight........................ 11

Simple Times.............................. 50

Feeding Facts ............................. 12

The Magic of Gardening........... 52

From the State Vet’s Office......... 14

Howle’s Hints.............................. 55

On the Edge of Common Sense... 16

Food Safety................................. 58

From Wildlife & Freshwater

From Pastor to Pasture............... 61

Fisheries................................... 31

The Co-op Pantry....................... 64

Busy Bee Activities..................... 36

What’s Happening in Alabama... 68

Lawn and Garden Tips.............. 40 www.alafarm.com

Advertising, Editorial, Subscription and Publication Offices 121 Somerville Road NE Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609-2227 256-308-1618

AFC Officers Rivers Myres, President David Womack, Chairman of the Board

AFC Board of Directors Rickey Cornutt, Sam Givhan, Brooks Hayes, Ben Haynes, Rick Hendricks, Jimmy Newby, Bill Sanders, Jeff Sims, Mike Tate Subscription $15 per year For subscription inquiries or change of address: P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227 or call 256-308-1623

To advertise:

Wendy McFarland 334-652-9080 or email McFarlandAdVantage@gmail.com Cooperative Farming News is published monthly by Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. 121 Somerville Road NE, Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and will not be responsible for copy errors or misprints in advertising or editorial material, other than to publish corrections of errors in fact. Feature articles, new items and columns are published for the information of our readers from qualified, reputable sources; however, the editors and publisher make no guarantees and assume no liability for any reader’s decision to implement any procedure, recommendation or advice printed in this publication. Photos are credited to author unless otherwise noted. Advertised sale items may not be stocked by every Quality CO-OP store and prices may vary.

alafarm.com Postmaster: Please send notice of address change (enclosing latest address label) to publication office: Cooperative Farming News P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609-2227

February 2020

DIRECTORY OF MEMBER COOPERATIVES ALBERTVILLE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of DeKalb Farmers Cooperative Mark Searels, Mgr. Phone 256-878-3261

FARMERS CO-OP OF ASHFORD Timothy Tolar, Mgr. Jerome Hinson, Asst. Mgr. Phone 334-899-3263

ALTHA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Blountstown - James Lynn, Mgr. Phone 850-674-8194

FARMERS COOPERATIVE, INC. Todd Lawrence, Gen. Mgr. Live Oak, FL - Barry Long, Ag Div. Mgr. Phone 386-362-1459 Madison, FL Phone 850-973-2269

ANDALUSIA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Russell Lassiter, Mgr. Phone 334-222-1851 ATMORE TRUCKERS ASSOCIATION Todd Booker, Mgr. Phone 251-368-2191 BLOUNT COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Eric Sanders, Mgr. Phone 205-274-2185 CALHOUN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Cherokee Farmers Cooperative Jacksonville - Tommy Thomas, Mgr. Phone 256-435-3430 Piedmont - Kevin Bobbitt, Mgr. Phone 256-447-6560 CENTRAL ALABAMA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Tim Wood, Gen. Mgr. Selma - Thomas Reeves, Mgr. Phone 334-874-9083 Faunsdale - Bryan Monk, Mgr. Phone 334-628-2681 Demopolis - Tom Eunice, Mgr. Phone 334-289-0155 CHEROKEE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Andrew Dempsey, Gen. Mgr. Seth Eubanks, Mgr. / Phone 256-927-3135 CLAY COUNTY EXCHANGE Jeff Kinder, Mgr. Phone 256-396-2097 COFFEE COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Enterprise - Ricky Wilks, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-347-9007 Elba - Colin Morris, Mgr. Phone 334-897-6972 COLBERT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Daniel Waldrep, Gen. Mgr. Leighton - Tommy Sockwell, Mgr. Phone 256-446-8328 Tuscumbia - Chuck Hellums, Mgr. Phone 256-383-6462 DEKALB FARMERS COOPERATIVE Larry Leslie, Gen. Mgr Rainsville - Andrea Crain, Mgr. Phone 256-638-2569 Crossville - David Tierce, Mgr. Phone 256-528-7188 ELBERTA FARMERS COOPERATIVE William D. Carlew, Mgr. Phone 251-986-8103 ELMORE COUNTY COOPERATIVE Branch of Taleecon Farmers Cooperative Timothy Richardson, Mgr. Phone 334-567-4321

FARMERS COOPERATIVE MARKET Doug Smith, Gen. Mgr. Frisco City - William Womack, Mgr. Phone 251-267-3175 Fertilizer / Phone 251-267-3173 Leroy - Jeff Hughston, Mgr. Phone 251-246-3512 FAYETTE FARMERS CO-OP Branch of Marion County Cooperative Kellie Trull, Mgr. / Phone 205-932-5901 FLORALA FARMERS AND BUILDERS CO-OP Branch of Andalusia Famers Cooperative Pete Blackwell, Mgr. / Phone 334-858-6142 GENEVA COUNTY COOPERATIVE Hartford - Todd Smith, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-588-2992 GOSHEN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Danny Dewrell, Mgr. / Phone 334-484-3441 HEADLAND PEANUT WAREHOUSE CO-OP Jay Jones, Mgr. Chris Hix, Store Mgr. / Phone 334-693-3313 JACKSON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Madison County Cooperative Ramsey Prince, Mgr. Scottsboro - Phone 256-574-1688 Patricia Rorex, Mgr. Stevenson - Phone 256-437-8829 Austin Crocker, Mgr. New Market Ag Supply - 256-379-2553 JAY PEANUT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Ryan Williams, Mgr. / Phone 850-675-4597 LAUDERDALE COUNTY COOPERATIVE Reggie Shook, Gen. Mgr. Florence - Robbie Neal, Mgr. Phone 256-764-8441 Elgin - Wendell Walker, Mgr. Phone 256-247-3453 LAWRENCE COUNTY EXCHANGE John Holley, Gen Mgr. Moulton - Greg McCannon, Mgr. Phone 256-974-9213 Courtland - Phone 256-637-2939 LIMESTONE FARMERS COOPERATIVE John Curtis, Gen. Mgr. / Phone 256-232-5500 Britt Christopher, Location Mgr. Giles County Co-op - Celena Williams, Mgr. Lynnville, TN - Kyle Doggett, Mgr. Phone 931-527-3923 Pulaski, TN / Phone 931-363-2563 LUVERNE COOPERATIVE SERVICES Perry Catrett, Mgr. / Phone 334-335-5082

Cooperative Farming News

MADISON COUNTY COOPERATIVE Keith Grifﬁn, Gen. Mgr. Hazel Green - Phone 256-828-2010 Meridianville - Matt Dunbar, Mgr. Phone 256-828-5360 MARION COUNTY COOPERATIVE Steve Lann, Gen. Mgr. Hamilton - Phone 205-921-2631 MARSHALL FARMERS COOPERATIVE Brian Keith, Gen. Mgr. Holly Pond - Phone 256-796-5337 Arab - Adam Scott, Mgr. Phone 256-586-5515 MID-STATE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Talladega County Exchange Columbiana - Barry Keller, Mgr. Phone 205-669-7082 MORGAN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Lance Ezelle, Gen. Mgr. Hartselle - Bradley Hopkins, Mgr. Phone 256-773-6832 Decatur - Trevor Johnson, Mgr. Phone 256-353-4663 OPP’S CO-OP Branch of Andalusia Farmers Cooperative Brandon Bledsoe, Mgr. Phone 334-493-7715 PIKE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Troy - Wayne Ward, Mgr. Phone 334-566-3882 QUALITY COOPERATIVE, INC. Greenville - Daniel Salter, Mgr. Phone 334-382-6548 RANDOLPH FARMERS COOPERATIVE Tim Brown, Mgr. / Phone 256-357-4743 ST. CLAIR FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Talladega County Exchange Ashville - Allen Bice, Mgr. Phone 205-594-7042 Pell City - Joseph Taylor, Mgr. Phone 205-338-2821 TALEECON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Scott Hartley, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-257-3930 TALLADEGA COUNTY EXCHANGE Chris Duke, Gen. Mgr. Chris Elliott, Mgr. Phone 256-362-2716 TUSCALOOSA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Wayne Gilliam, Mgr. / Phone 205-339-8181 WALKER FARMERS COOPERATIVE Cody King, Mgr. / Phone 205-387-1142 WEST GENEVA COUNTY COOPERATIVE Branch of Geneva County Cooperative Robert Pittman, Mgr. / Phone 334-898-7932 WINSTON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Marion County Cooperative Haleyville - Jessica Steward, Mgr. Phone 205-486-3794

Quality Co-op: Specialty Products & Services For more information, contact your local Quality Co-op CatďŹ sh Filets All Year Albertville Farmers Co-op Altha Farmers Co-op - Blountstown Andalusia Farmers Co-op Atmore Truckers Association Blount County Farmers Co-op Calhoun Farmers Co-op - Piedmont Calhoun Farmers Co-op - Jacksonville Central AL Farmers Co-op - Selma Central AL Farmers Co-op - Faunsdale Central AL Farmers Co-op - Demopolis Cherokee Farmers Co-op Clay County Exchange Coffee County Farmers Co-op - Enterprise Coffee County Farmers Co-op - Elba Colbert Farmers Co-op - Tuscumbia DeKalb Farmers Co-op - Rainsville DeKalb Farmers Co-op - Crossville Elberta Farmers Co-op Elmore County Co-op Farmers Co-op Inc. - Live Oak, FL Farmers Co-op Inc. - Madison, FL Farmers Co-op Market - Frisco City Farmers Co-op Market - Leroy Fayette Co-op Florala Farmers & Builders Co-op Goshen Farmers Co-op

Pea Shelling Seasonal

Pecan Cracking

Seasonal

Propane All Year E&R

Seed Drills All Year

B B B B

R&E R&E R&E

B B B B B

R R S, E & R R&E R S&R S&R S&R

B B B B B

S&R E S&R

Geneva County Co-op - Hartford Headland Peanut Warehouse Co-op Jackson Farmers Co-op - Scottsboro Jackson Farmers Co-op - Stevenson Jay Peanut Farmers Co-op Lauderdale County Co-op - Florence Lauderdale County Co-op - Elgin Lawrence Co. Exchange - Moulton Lawrence Co. Exchange - Courtland Limestone Farmers Co-op Giles County Co-op - Pulaski Giles County Co-op - Lynnville Luverne Cooperative Services Madison County Co-op Marion County Co-op Marshall Farmers Co-op - Arab Marshall Farmers Co-op - Holly Pond Mid-State Farmers Co-op Morgan Farmers Co-op - Decatur Morgan Farmers Co-op - Hartselle Oppâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Co-op Pike Farmers Co-op Quality Co-op Inc. St. Clair Farmers Co-op - Ashville St. Clair Farmers Co-op - Pell City Taleecon Farmers Co-op Talladega County Exchange Tuscaloosa Farmers Co-op Walker Farmers Co-op Winston Farmers Co-op www.alafarm.com

Peanuts All Year B B B

S&R B

B R R R

S&R E S&R B S&R B B B B B

S, E & R S&R R S S&R

Thanksgiving & Christmas season

All Year B *Alligator also sold

Peanuts: Raw B: Raw & Roasted

Propane: R = Recharge

S = Sell E = Exchange

February 2020

AG INSIGHT USDA reports on household farm income A U.S. Department of Agriculture report released late in 2019 says that 57 percent of farm households received an income at or above $63,179, the median for all U.S. households in 2018. However, the median income for all family farm households is lower than the $86,401 median among all U.S. households with self-employment income. The report notes farm households often use offfarm income to cover farm expenses and fund farm operations. While self-employment and wage/salary jobs are the main sources of off-farm income for farm households, public and private pensions, interest and dividend payments, asset sales, Social Security payments, and other sources of income provide a significant share of off-farm income, particularly for retirement farms. Operators of small farms - especially retirement, off-farm occupation, and low-sales farms - often report losses from farming. For tax-reporting purposes, some producers who report losses write off farm losses against other income. Overall, 45 percent of principal operators work off the farm, the report says. More than 41 percent of U.S. family farms fall in the “off-farm occupation” category whose principal operators declare an occu-

pation that is not farming. More than 80 percent of those operators work off the farm, as do 62 percent of their spouses. Principal operators of large-scale family farms are less likely to work off the farm than are operators of small and midsize family farms. Of principal operators of large farms, 11 percent also hold off-farm jobs while just 3 percent of those at very large farms have off-farm employment.

Trade news good with USMCA pact… News on the agricultural trade front was mixed as 2019 ended and the new year began.The good news was the bipartisan support for the new U.S., Mexico and Canada trade agreement (USMCA) updating the former North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “USMCA is a big win for American workers and the economy, especially for our farmers and ranchers. The agreement improves virtually every component of the old NAFTA, and the agriculture industry stands to gain significantly,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Canada and Mexico are the first and second largest export markets for United States food and agricultural products, totaling more than $39.7 billion food and agricultural exports in 2018. These exports support an estimated 325,000 American jobs. All food and agricultural products that have zero tariffs under NAFTA will remain at that level. Since the original NAFTA did not eliminate all tariffs on agricultural trade between the United States and Canada, the USMCA will create new market access opportunities for United States exports to Canada of dairy, poultry, and eggs. In exchange, the United States will provide new access to Canada for some dairy, peanut, and a limited amount of sugar and sugar-containing products.

NOTE: The new trade pact requires Congressional approval. Although expected, that final okay had not come by the deadline for this issue.

Cooperative Farming News

BY JIM ERICKSON

…but questions linger with China The United States and Chinese trade negotiators have endorsed what’s called a “Phase One agreement” in efforts to end the trade war that started almost two years ago. But the Farmers for Free Trade organization is skeptical of its value. “While any relief is welcome, one-time purchases are not a substitute for sustained market access into one of American agriculture’s largest export markets,” said Brian Kuehl, the group’s co-executive director. “There are rightfully many doubts about the President’s (Trump) claim that China will purchase $50 billion in ag products in a single year - more than twice the level of pre-trade-war annual purchases,” Kuehl continued. “First, China has yet to confirm this pledge or provide any details on how they will meet it. Second, because the trade war has given a leg up to our competitors, China now sources ag from an even more diverse array of countries, making it difficult, if not impossible, to quickly purchase such a large amount solely from the U.S. “Our hope is that this is not another empty political promise to farmers,” Kuehl said.

Farm Act conservation funding changes outlined Three USDA efforts – the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) – account for approximately 88 percent of conservation spending mandated by the 2018 Farm Act. While the share of conservation funding for working lands was increased through the 2002, 2008 and 2014 Farm Acts, spending projections suggest that working land programs will receive 53 percent of con-

servation spending under the 2018 Farm Act (201923), nearly identical to the proportion under the 2014 Act. Within the working land category, however, the new Farm Act shifts funding away from CSP and toward EQIP. CSP supports farms that have already met certain conservation thresholds to maintain and enhance existing conservation practices and expand conservation efforts using a comprehensive, farm-wide approach. EQIP is available more broadly (there are no minimum conservation requirements for program eligibility and no payments provided for continued adoption of existing practices), offering farmers and ranchers a more “a la carte” approach. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline (spending under a continuation of programs in the previous Farm Act) projected average annual spending of roughly $1.75 billion for each program during FY 201923. Under the 2018 Act, CSP spending (for new contracts) is limited to $700 million for FY 2019, increas-

The 2018 Farm Act increases CRP’s overall acreage cap from 24 million to 27 million acres but also includes changes likely to reduce the size of annual rental payments to participants. February 2020

ing to $1 billion by FY 2023, both a decline from the $1.32 billion of CSP funding in 2018. In contrast, EQIP funding holds steady initially, going from $1.76 billion in FY 2018 to $1.75 billion in FY 2019, and then increases gradually to $2.025 billion in FY 2023. CRP funding is projected to be roughly $2 billion per year over the course of the new farm bill (according to CBO projections). The 2018 Farm Act increases CRP’s overall acreage cap from 24 million to 27 million acres but also includes changes likely to reduce the size of annual rental payments to participants.

Funds for rural high-speed broadband, energy saving announced USDA has announced it will invest $62.3 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-connectivity for more than 8,000 rural households, 57 farms, 44 businesses, 17 educational facilities, 14 critical community facilities and three health care facilities in rural Alabama. The Alabama announcement was one of many in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments. Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, Inc. will use a $29.5 million 50 percent loan-grant combination to develop an All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) fiber network in unserved areas of Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Franklin, Winston and Walker counties. Millry Telephone Company, Inc. will use a $28.2 million 50 percent loan-grant combination to develop a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Choctaw and Washington counties. Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. will use a $2 million loan to develop a FTTH network in Jackson and DeKalb counties. National Telephone of Alabama, Inc. will use a $2.7 million 50 percent loan-grant combination to develop a fiber-to-the premises (FTTP) network in Colbert County. In another rural development effort, USDA is investing $237 million through its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to help farmers and rural-based businesses lower energy costs. The funding will go to 640 applicants in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific. Included are a number of Alabama recipients. 8

Cooperative Farming News

REAP also is accepting applications for its next series of awards. Deadline for those requests is March 31, 2020. For more information, contact USDA’s rural development office in Montgomery or check the website at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/al.

Potatoes top list of favorite vegetables If potatoes are on your menu often, you are not alone. Potatoes rank first among vegetables in terms of consumption. In 2017, 49.2 pounds of fresh and processed potatoes per person were available for Americans to eat after adjusting for losses, according to the Economic Research Service’s (ERS) food availability data. The loss-adjusted food availability data series takes per capita supplies of food available for human consumption and more closely approximates actual consumption by adjusting for some of the spoilage, plate waste, and other losses in restaurants and grocery stores, as well as at home. While loss-adjusted canned tomato availability, at 16.1 pounds, leads fresh tomatoes, total tomato loss-adjusted availability - fresh and canned - came in second (28.7 pounds per person). Loss-adjusted availability of fresh and dehydrated onions was 11.3 pounds per person in 2017, while head lettuce came in fourth at 8.3 pounds per person. At 6.8 pounds per person, romaine and leaf lettuce were fifth and carrots and sweet corn completed the list of the nation’s top seven vegetable choices.

BUSINESS OF FARMING

Do I Need to File a Form 1099?

ROBERT A. TUFTS AND WILLIAM K. KELLEY “Did you make any payments in 2019 that would require you to file Form(s) 1099 (see instructions)?” That is Line F on your Schedule F – Profit or Loss From Farming? Why does the IRS ask this question? The Tax Gap is the difference between what the IRS determines as the “Estimated Total True Tax Liability” and the “Tax Paid Voluntarily & Timely.” The most recent information on the tax gap, Publication 5365,

estimates that the amount of the Tax Gap is $441 billion with the largest amount, $352 billion, in the underreporting category. The Form 1099-MISC is used to report payments made to individuals other than employees. You must report payments made in the course of your trade or business, but personal payments are not reportable. The instructions for Form 1099 MISC, Mis-

February 2020 2020 9 February

cellaneous Income, lists ten categories of payments you might make in the course of your business in the amount of $600 or more that require a filing. For farmers the three most common are for rent (that is paid to the owner and not a real estate agent or property manager), services performed by someone who is not your employee (including parts and materials), and medical and health care payments. You must report amounts paid to independent contractors. You must also report exchanges of services between individuals in the course of their trades or businesses. In addition, use Form 1099-MISC to report that you made direct sales of at least $5,000 of consumer products to a buyer for resale anywhere other than a permanent retail establishment. Report in box 3 compensation of $600 or more paid in a calendar year to an H-2A visa agricultural worker who did not give you a valid TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number). You also must withhold federal income tax under the backup withholding rules.

The 3 most common categories of payments that farmers make in the amount of $600 or more that require filing: 1. Rent

that is paid to the owner and not a real estate agent or property manager

2. S ervices performed by someone who is not your employee including parts and materials

3. M edical and Health Care Payments

Cooperative Farming News

Many farmers will claim a deduction for veterinary service. Some farmers will also claim a deduction for accounting and legal fees. If the amount paid to a single provider exceeds $600, you probably should file a Form 1099-MISC. Generally, you do not have to report payments made to a corporation unless the payment is for medical or health care or attorney’s fees. Corporations include limited liability companies that are treated as Cor S-corporations. Almost every farmer will claim a deduction for repairs and maintenance, and the instructions say to report “payment for services, including payment for parts or materials used to perform the services if supplying the parts or materials was incidental to providing the service.” Many farmers will claim a deduction for veterinary service. Some farmers will also claim a deduction for accounting and legal fees. If the amount paid to a single provider exceeds $600, you probably should file a Form 1099-MISC. If you are reporting non-employee compensation, the Form 1099-MISC must have been sent to the IRS by January 31, 2020. For all other reported payments, file Form 1099-MISC by February 28, 2020, if you file on paper, or March 31, 2020, if you file electronically. If you are required to file Form 1099-MISC, you must furnish a statement to the recipient so the individual does not “forget” to claim the income on their tax return. You can furnish each recipient with a single payee statement reporting all Form 1099-MISC payment types. Regardless of how you file with the IRS, you are required to furnish the payee statements by January 31. The failure to file penalty for non-compliance is steep. Under IRS Sec. 6721(a) the penalty can be as much as $250 per Form up to a maximum of $3,000,000 per calendar year. There are four categories on the Schedule F, Lines 13, 22, 25 and 31, as well as other expenses that indicate to the IRS that you may have a responsibility to file. You may want to seek tax advice before the end of the year to be sure you are in compliance. It is also a good idea to estimate income tax liability before the end of the year in case there are options to decrease your tax liability.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

BY JOHN SIMS

Horizon Milk Plus Milk Plus is a highly palatable, nutrient-dense source of high-quality protein and energy to supplement all stages of cattle, horses, swine, goats, rabbits, and poultry. • Milk Plus contains organic trace minerals for increased absorption and utilization. (These trace minerals help improve reproduction and immunity.) • B vitamins, including Biotin, improve hair and skin quality. • Vitamin E helps maintain performance levels during periods of stress.

• Milk Plus contains molasses, dried whey, and anise powder to give it unbelievable palatability, and assure your animal will consume it well. • Yeast cultures ensure proper digestion of feedstuffs. This is a pelleted supplement that will mix easily and increase the performance of your animal no matter your current feed program. Milk Plus is a great protein booster for producing muscle and frame on growing animals, putting bloom on show animals, and increasing milk production and maintaining body condition on lactating animals.

To find a Quality Co-op store near you, go to www.alafarm.com. February 2020

FEEDING FACTS

Deciding When to Creep Feed I am sure that most of you know and understand that creep feeding is the practice of providing nursing calves, lambs, goat kids, or even piglets, feed that their mothers do not have access to. This can be a valuable management option for most any of the species of farm animals that we produce, but is most common in cattle here in Alabama. This is usually accomplished by providing feed in an area that the offspring can access and the mothers cannot. Creep feeding can also be done by providing high quality forages (except for pigs) that cannot be accessed by the grown animals as well. There are a number of advantages to creep feeding. A multitude of colleges and universities all around the world have studied the subject and while they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all 12

Cooperative Farming News

agree in perfect unison on some of the minor points, they do tend to agree that you will wean heavier animals when a good quality creep feed is available. Creep feeds are most often provided free choice but can be hand fed and some studies have shown more efficient and economical weight gains when the producer has taken time to hand feed at a desired level. In theory, most beef cows with adequate nutrition will produce enough milk to meet the calvesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs for the first ninety days or so, but after that, the calf will generally have to find an additional source of nutrients to continue to grow to his or her genetic potential. They will start to graze or consume creep feed and continue to grow at a fast rate. Most research has indicated that

B Y J I M M Y PA R K E R providing creep feed will take some the pressure off the brood cow and cause her to produce a little less milk which in turn will help her maintain a better body condition and theoretically breed back a bit faster, all of which will add some dollars to the producer’s bottom line. Research has shown that the quality and quantity of the available forages will make a great deal of difference in the efficiency and effectiveness of creep feeding. It is not surprising to see research indicate that creep feeding is most effective and efficient when forage quality is poor and available forage quantities are limited. The quality and type of creep feed are critical factors as well. Some creep feeds will require ten to twelve pounds of feed to get an extra pound of gain, whereas better creep feeds will be far more efficient and many will only take four to five pounds of feed to get an additional pound of calf to sell. So how does a producer make the decision to creep feed or not? It is almost impossible to calculate the value of keeping brood cows in better condition and adding the value of breeding back a few days sooner, so most producers who decide to creep feed tend to just take those advantages and not add any of the value that might be associated with those factors into the equation. There are more easily measured or calculated values that are commonly used. The cost of the creep feed itself, the price of the cattle and the conversion rate (pounds of feed to add a pound of calf) are the most critical and often-used numbers used for making good decisions. Walking through some of those calculations is probably justified. Let’s say that a producer has two options for creep feed. Option One is a higher-fiber, lower-protein “economical” byproduct that costs $160/ ton (which equals 8 cents per pound) and takes about 10 pounds of feed to get a pound of gain. Option Two is a higher-protein, higher-energy complete feed with vitamins and minerals added to more closely meet the

calves’ requirements and costs $240/ton (which is 12 cents per pound) and takes about 4.5 pounds of feed for each additional pound of gain. Which is better? Option One is clearly cheaper until you calculate cost/pound of gain. Option One takes ten pounds of feed to get a pound of gain and costs 8 cents per pound, so one pound of gain would cost 80 cents. Option Two clearly costs a lot more per ton but takes a great deal less feed to get your extra pound of weight gain. It takes 4.5 pounds of feed at 12 cents per pound which means your additional weight gain would only cost 54 cents. Fifty four cents is clearly less than 80 cents so it makes sense to buy the more expensive feed and get the cheaper gains. A good economist might also point out that by having to carry less feed to the cattle to achieve the same gain, you would save on labor cost by using the “higher priced, more efficient” feed in Option Two. So, if you can get an additional pound on a calf for 54 cents and cattle are selling for more than 54 cents, it is probably a good idea to creep feed. Obviously, if the cost of feed goes up or the price of cattle goes down, those things would have to be reevaluated, but that process is fairly simple and one any producer can do. There are other things at play here that are also impossible to calculate but are important to consider. Option Two provides a better vitamin and mineral supplementation and theoretically the cattle getting it should have a more robust immune system, to be better able to handle the stress of weaning and a multitude of challenges thrown at them as they move through the system of stockyards, backgrounding facilities and feedyards. Creep feeding makes sense more times than not, as long as feed is relatively cheap and cattle are bringing a decent price. It is most important when forage quality suffers and forage quantities are limited. The total scope of benefits is hard to calculate but the basic dollars and cents are pretty easy to see and put a pencil to.

The cost of the creep feed itself, the price of the cattle and the conversion rate (pounds of feed to add a pound of calf) are the most critical and often-used numbers used for making good decisions.

February 2020

FROM THE STATE VET’S OFFICE

As I started putting together thoughts for this month’s article I decided to look back at articles from the past. I realized we have been doing this for quite a while now (April 2020 will mark 17 years) and that we are fortunate to have friends at AFC who provided a good way to get regulatory information out to livestock producers across the state. I thought about how the article itself was usually about an animal disease event we were dealing with or regulatory issues of the day like Traceability or the Diagnostic labs or people that just needed to be remembered. I usually get with my good friend Dr. Terry Slaten, director of our diagnostic lab at Hanceville, to discuss some ideas, what interesting cases he might have seen. We compare notes and I get an article out. I also realized that I used to get a yellow legal pad, or piece of copy paper, or napkin at Hardee’s, and write down some notes. Now I’ve got this new gadget, a Surface Pro that I can write on that will try to digitally convert those notes to text. That’s not going very well so I just use the keyboard. By the way I heard that most kids today don’t know how to write in cursive and that that is a lost art of penmanship. I am proud to say I was taught cursive; you just can’t read it! 14

Cooperative Farming News

You may be wondering what this has to do with Foot and Mouth Disease Preparedness and Response, Brucellosis, African Swine Fever or the price of corn in China? Well I’ve been thinking about other ways to get information out and while I hope to bring many more articles to the AFC magazine, we might need to embrace some new ways. As my preacher says, “When you are dealing with family members, church members and those around you, if the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer then everyone will start to look like a nail!” Sage advice. So, I was asking my daughter who is graduating from Auburn with a degree in Poultry Science about Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChaps, or whatever that is, as a way to provide more information. She suggested I start asking for questions from readers of the articles and then do a podcast with answers and discussion that could be shared on our Department’s website. Now I know what a bait cast rod and reel is and I have heard podcasts in the past but never had one of my own. Last year I did participate in an interview with a young lady from the UAB School of Public Health about Agricultural Sustainability that got put out as a podcast.

BY DR. TONY FRAZIER

I guess it went ok and I enjoyed talking with her about your plate with fried chicken, barbequed ribs, and pothe fallacies of added hormones in beef and chicken tato salad and asks, “How can you possibly eat meat and that pink Himalayan salt shouldn’t be labeled “non- with the barbaric way those animals are raised and harGMO.” I am not a frequent flyer of Facebook and never vested?” Then you will remember listening to the podcould imagine that someone would be interested in the cast I did answering someone’s question from my arfact that I had checked in at the Waffle House or of a ticle, “Animal Welfare versus Animal Rights.” Not only picture of the food I had ordered. I do realize after lis- will you be able to answer with your opinion, you will be tening to my daughter and observing most people with able to present the factual case about how these anitheir adult pacifier, their iPhone, that much information mals are not raised under barbaric conditions and mayis shared over these social media platforms. be throw in a couple of studies that show that these If you are a regular reader animals thrive on present-day of my column, you may have husbandry practices. noticed that I end most of them So, if you want to ask a quesI figure that in the with the generic sentence, “If tion about anything we have you have questions, please do published related to livestock information age, I want not hesitate to call me. My and poultry health and well-beto be able to provide innumber is 334-240-7253.” And, ing, meat safety, the diagnosformation that is not just you know, I often do get calls tic labs, or life in general, just with questions that are a result send that to my office. You can opinion, but fact that is of someone reading these artisend an email to: stvet@agi.albacked up by . . . cles. So, I figure that I will begin abama.gov or write it down and doing a podcast that responds fax it to: 334-240-7198. I will well, facts. to these questions. I have albe developing a podcast that ways thought that if one perbrings factual information that son asks a question, there are should be useful to both the several more that would like some clarification on the consumer and the producer. There is an old saying. “If same subject. I sort of have it in mind that the podcasts the facts are on your side, use the facts. If the law is will begin something like this. “Hello, this is Dr. Frazier on your side, use the law. If you have neither on your with our weekly podcast. We have a question from Mr. side, pound the table.” I suppose we hear plenty of taJohn Doe from Dothan who has sent this in: ‘I read in ble pounding nowadays. But I promise, my podcasts one of your articles that poultry we buy in grocery stores will not include table-pounding. does not contain added hormones and antibiotics. How can this be true because I hear everywhere that chickens are pumped full of hormones to make them grow faster. Can you please address this?’” Then I would go on to explain in some detail, all the reasons that I state in my article are true. I plan to use the science and regulations and laws that support the position stated in my article. We live in a time when everybody has an opinion. And it seems that the larger a platform someone has, the more their opinion tends to sway the way people think. Celebrities generally have some forum or stage they can use to espouse their opinions. The only problem is, “Where did they get their degree in meat science, animal science, or any kind of science?” I figure that in the information age, I want to be able to provide information that is not just opinion, but fact that is backed up by . . . well, facts. I want it to be so that when you are at a family get-together and that cousin from New York looks at February 2020

ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE

B Y B A X T E R B L A C K , DV M

He Wondered How He’d Tell Her The rancher told his foreman, “Looks like things are gettin’ tough The price of calves is deadly, heck, there may not be enough To pay the note this winter, I’m already overdue What with buyin’ that new tractor, shoot, it wuddn’t even new ‘Course I’d bought the neighbor’s cow herd back when things were lookin’ good Then we had that bout with Anaplaz, which I never understood. We buckled down and rode it out but luck weren’t on our side. You’ve worked for me for twenty years, you know how hard I’ve tried. I’m not worried for my own self, it’s mother and the kids I don’t know how they’ll take it if they put us up for bids. The last two kids were born here in that house where you live now We’ve raised ’em right and taught ‘em all there is about a cow And now they’re off to college to explore a new career But deep inside they’re plannin’ to come back and live right here. But that’s never gonna happen. The writing’s on the wall. It’s what I’ve always dreaded and today I got the call. Bankruptcy’s hangin’ over me. The lawyer says I’m through I’ve lost it all. A lifetime’s work. I don’t know what I’ll do.” The cattle foreman nodded. But his mind was faraway On doctor bills and braces, pickup payments left to pay He glanced up to his little house, his kids and wife and truck, And wondered how he’d tell her. But he said, “Boss, I wish you luck.” www.baxterblack.com

Cooperative Farming News

February 2020

Store Spotlight: Reggie Shook (40 Years) Shook Celebrating 40 years with Lauderdale County Co-op Reggie Shook is celebrating 40 years with the Co-op this year. Reggie began his career in 1979 at Lauderdale County Coop in Elgin after working on and off as a machinist. Shook got his start as a sales associate for three years until he became assistant manager at Elgin in 1981. Shook was assistant manager until 1988 when he was named the general manager of the Lauderdale County Co-op and has been in Florence ever since. Under the guidance of Shook and his board, the predominantly row crop-oriented member turned over its grain operation to AFC in 1989 and acquired the fertilizer warehouse from the Oakland Gin Co. in 2005, which is located north of the Florence location and has become the locationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main fertilizer terminal. Today, the Shook family has made the Co-op family business. Reggieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father was the general manager for Lauderdale Co-op until his untimely death in 1976 and recently, Reggieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son Blair has joined the Lauderdale Co-op crew to work alongside his father at the Florence location. Alabama Farmers Cooperative would like to thank Reggie for his dedication and service to the Lauderdale County community. 18 Cooperative Cooperative Farming Farming News News 18

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February 2020

ick Crow has always loved the outdoors. For years, his father had a timber and pulpwood business in Thomasville, so this gave Rick many opportunities to be in the forests, where he developed a deep love for trees and plants. In 1966, Rick Crow went to Auburn University and majored in forestry and business. He took a job in Louisiana at first, but in 1973, he accepted an offer to return to Thomasville to work as a timber cruiser and marker with Southern Piling Company, a local forest products company which had developed as a major supplier of untreated SYP (southern yellow pine, utility) poles, serving domestic wood treating plants, as well as Canadian-based wood preserving operations.

The Rose of Winter BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

In 1979, Crow bought the company and diversified it to market not only untreated products but also pressure-treated poles, piling and timbers. Today, Southern Piling Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customers include wood treating plants throughout the east-

Rick & Joyce Crow

Cooperative Farming News

Rick Crow said that had he not crossed paths twenty years ago with his good friend and mentor, Blanding Drinkard, he would not have the camellia interest nor the garden he has today. Drinkard taught Crow the love for camellias and the joy of growing and appreciating their beauty.

ern half of the U.S., electric utilities, municipalities, governmental agencies, pole line builders, pile drivers, bridge builders, home builders, lumber dealers, brokers and anyone else with a need for quality wood products. Crow and his wife, Joyce, now live in west Mobile on a 20-acre tract, filled with both a long-leaf pine forest and an adjacent pasture, where Joyce tends her horses. Two decades ago, Rick Crow began to collect and plant camellias under the canopy of his tall pines. “Had I not crossed paths with Blanding Drinkard about twenty years ago, I would not have my camellia interest and garden today,” Crow explained. “Though Auburn taught me how to grow things, like pine trees, it was Blanding who taught me the love of camellias and the joy of growing and appreciating their beauty.” Blanding Drinkard worked most of his adult life as a camellia/nurseryman in the Mobile area. During his nurseryman years, Drinkard propagated, registered and named several camellias after his family members, who are still camellia lovers and growers in the Mobile area. He is often referred to as Mobile’s “Camellia Dean.” Rick and Drinkard developed a very close friendship through the years as both shared a passion for camellias. Crow has a number of Drinkard’s camellias thriving in his garden today. Often called “the rose of winter,” camellias grow well in Alabama’s climate. Crow’s property is situated on an ancient sandy shoreline, dating from prehistoric times before the oceans receded. The fertile soil is

Camelias Pictured, as numbered: 1. Mabel Bryan Strawberry 2. Florence Statton Blush 3. Miss Sally 4. Princess Masako 5. Japonica, ‘Barbara Grace’ 6. Cleo Gliddon Arras 7. Gunsmoke Variegated 8. Ella Jee

February 2020

ideal for the camellias he planted along the canopy of pines. His garden now has nearly 500 camellias, including the largest collection of outdoor japonica and reticulata hybrids in Alabama. “The simple beauty of the camellia flower itself is the main thing fueling my passion for growing them,” Crow explained. “More than ever before, we have a wider range of colors, flower forms and varieties, many of which were non-existent a decade or two ago. But the best thing about camellias is that they bloom during their dormancy - the winter time, when everything else is dull, depressing and brown.” Crow’s garden is a wondrous sight to behold. When his plants bloom, they showcase his master plan of grouping his plants, using various themes. “The plants may be all reds in one grouping,” he said, “or they may be all fragrant blooms. They may be all ‘formal double’ bloom forms. They may be all varieties of a particular ‘famous’ camellia grower or nurseryman. Or in my case, a group may be just simply an assortment of my favorites. “ Crow’s deep love of plants has also led him to integrate some other favorites into his beautiful landscape. He has already added a few

Rick Crow shows off a large bloom of ‘Peggy Miller,’ one of the impressive new camellia hybrids in his private garden.

deciduous-honeysuckle azaleas. He is now dabbling with some hydrangeas, but on a much smaller scale. Even though he enjoys flower gardening, Rick regrets that he is not able to vegetable garden. “I did do vegetable gardening as a youth,” he added, “and I could enjoy it again today, but running a business leaves little time for an avocation.”

Joyce and Rick Crow love the outdoors. Both enjoy their beautiful camellia garden and the great pleasure it affords them.

Cooperative Farming News

Rick and Joyce share the amazing colors and forms of their winter-blooming camellias with close friends and family. However, in February 2019, they had the opportunity to share their garden with guests from around the world when they opened their private camellia garden for a special guided tour to some who had attended the American Camellia Society Convention at the Mobile Convention Center. Rick led the guided tour of camellia lovers. The Alabama Camellia Society hosted this show, along with the American Camellia Society, which came to help Alabamians celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Alabama’s winter-blooming State Flower, the Camellia. Visitors from all over the world converged on Mobile to revel in the beautiful exhibits. This event was also part of the state’s 200th Anniversary of Statehood, as the Alabama Bicentennial Commission was one of the co-sponsors. Top growers from across the nation displayed some of their most exquisite camellias for everyone to enjoy. “It was a great treat and honor for Joyce and me to host the

Free trees for farmers Joyce Crow holds a bouquet of camellias she picked while on her morning stroll. These showy blooms make stunning displays for any special event.

American Camellia Society tour of our camellia garden,” Rick stated. “We were blessed by perfect weather, an abundance of flower blooms and about 200 guests in attendance, seemingly enjoying themselves.” Rick and Joyce Crow work to promote awareness and appreciation for camellias in other ways. Each day during blooming season, Joyce snaps a picture of a different camellia and posts it on her Facebook page. She identifies each beauty and answers questions that her readers may pose. She has hundreds of followers who look forward to this time of year.

Rick Crow is most at home among pine forests. He worked as a timber cruiser and marker with Southern Piling Company before buying the forest products company, developing the company into a major supplier of untreated SYP poles, serving domestic wood treating plants, as well as Canadian-based wood preserving operations.

At a very young age, Rick and Joyce Crow developed a deep love for nature and the outdoors. Rick learned years ago that the colors and textures of his camellias not only changed the landscape of his garden, but they also soothed the spirits of those who glimpsed them. By opening their beautiful garden and sharing their blooms with others, Rick and Joyce Crow have shared the personal joy these amazing beauties have long brought to their own family.

Do you have land that you just don’t know what to do with? Are you looking for an alternative to pine? Do you need a great tree for inter-cropping? World Tree is looking for farmers to grow our beautiful Empress trees. With our support these trees will grow into highly valuable lumber in just 10 years. World Tree will sell the lumber and together we will share in the profits. • • • • • • • • • •

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“I have dealt with trees and logging my entire life, and at first glance I was skeptical. Four years later, I have my own plantation and an amazing professional relationship with World Tree. A great company and great people to work with!” Johnny Walker – World Tree Farmer, Alabama

World Tree In February, legendary coach Vince Dooley picked up a special camellia graft that Rick had done for him. A native of Mobile, Coach Dooley lives in Athens, where he has his own fabulous camellia garden. The two have become “buddies” through their camellia connection.

Find out how to qualify

worldtree.info/farmers February 2020

4-H EXTENSION CORNER

Fayette County Ag-Venture Day

A Day on the Farm Today, less than 2% of the American population lives on farms. Many students actually have no idea what farm life is all about, nor do they understand the relationship between agriculture and their food supply. Therefore, as Fayette County Extension employees and advisory board members planned their Ag Day, they wanted to do agriculture in a “new way.” As they brainstormed ideas, they all agreed that students needed to go to the farm! The 2019 AgVenture Field Day took 190 fifth-graders from every school in Fayette County to not just one farm, but four! Students were divided into groups, rotating around the county throughout the day for hands-on agriculture experiences. They traveled on buses, took along sack Top left photo: Charlotte Smith showed how Alabama Sunshine processes peppers into 9 different pepper sauces, as well as jams, jellies, barbecue and wing sauces. Aubrey Deavours and Beau Brantley watched this interesting presentation. Bottom leftt photo: Layla Whitehead and Atticus Gray show their ear of corn that they tried to shell.

The fifth-graders watched a presentation at Vista Farm, learning the basics of raising angus cows. They learned many interesting facts about cows, such as one cow hide makes 12 basketballs and the hooves and horns of cattle are used in shampoo.

Cooperative Farming News

B Y C A R O LY N D R I N K A R D

lunches and went to the farms to learn firsthand about farming. The purpose of this day was to show students where their food comes from, while introducing the many careers associated with agriculture. One stop was Vista Farms, where managers Scott and Sara McElfresh raise Black Angus cows. Here, students learned that one cow could feed 862 people. The U.S. produces 20% of the world’s beef supply with just 7% of the cattle. Students were also introduced to many of the careers available in the beef industry.

Another venue was Gilreath Farms, owned by Chad Gilreath and his family. Chad works in the poultry industry for PECO Foods. Because of biosecurity, students could not enter the chicken houses. Instead, they watched videos and looked at pictures of the farm. Commercial Poultry accounts for an astounding 65% of annual farming revenues in Alabama. At Alabama Sunshine, a farm-to-table operation, students watched a video of the farm. Then they looked at various kinds of peppers. Approximately twelve different varieties of peppers are grown here and then hand picked at just the right color for the production of a particular product. After the peppers are washed, stemmed, and chopped for processing, they are either steamed for immediate production or frozen and stored to provide a year-round supply of peppers. The best part was watching as workers produced pepper sauce. “I like that we learned about the pepper chart at Alabama Sunshine,” stated Aubree Barrett, a student at Fayette Middle School. “I want to try a Ghost Pepper or a Carolina Reaper.” Jay Lawrence welcomed 4-H’ers at the Lawrence Mill Community Center, which was originally built with ag-education in mind. Lawrence has a row crop operation, growing cotton, peanuts and corn. He also dis-

Jay Lawrence displayed many products made from the oils of cotton, peanuts and corn. Most students had no idea how many products they use every day contain these oils.

(L to R) Ameigha Watson and Joredyn Dumpson inspect bolls of cotton grown on Lawrence Farm. Jay Lawrence provided samples of the crops grown on his farm so that students could touch and understand how real cotton feels.

Chad Gilreath, of Gilreath Farms, produces poultry for PECO Foods. Here, the students watched videos and looked at pictures because of biosecurity. They also learned about careers in the poultry industry.

February 2020

played many everyday products made from the oil from these plants. Lawrence stressed the importance of the U. S. producing its own food and not relying on outside sources. The students were able to see the tractors he uses in his farming and learn how technology plays such a vital role in today’s agriculture. Lawrence also talked about the number of different jobs available in farming. Each of the farmers welcomed the 4-H’ers, eagerly answered their questions and made the students feel welcomed. It was evident these farmers enjoyed sharing their love of farm life while growing food for the world. “I got to learn about agriculture, chickens and eggs,” added Aubree Barrett. “I would go back again! It was really fun!” Although this was the first year for Fayette County 4-H’ers to take part in this agricultural tour, everyone now wants to make it an annual event, adding even more hands-on experiences. This successful project involved the Fayette County School System, members of the Fayette County Farmers’ Federation and the Fayette County Cattlemen’s Association and the Fayette County Extension Staff. Many others helped behind the scenes.

(L to R:) Chevy Gibson and Aaron Sumners shuck and shell corn. This is another row crop grown on Lawrence Farm, where 4-H’ers were able to touch the products produced on the farm.

Seeing first-hand the hard work it takes to produce food gave Fayette County 4-H students a better understanding of agriculture and the role farming plays in their food supply. These fifth-graders learned the amazing things that farmers produce on their fun-filled day on the farm.

Berry Elementary fifth-graders learned about farm equipment at Lawrence Farms. Many students had never seen these giant tractors firsthand.

Cooperative Farming News

February 2020

FFA SENTINEL

JL DC 2 0 1 9

“Championship Wins” On December 9th, JLDC began at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama. JLDC stands for Joint Leadership Development Conference and comprises all the career and technical student organizations in the state of Alabama. Student organizations represent the 16 career clusters in career and technical education in Alabama. These groups include FFA, FCCLA, DECA, Skills USA, TSA, JAG, JROTC, FBLA, and HOSA. JLDC is also the largest non-sport centered youth gathering in the South. This year’s theme was Championship Wins. As each of my teammates arrived at the BJCC, we excitedly began to set up the FFA area. We worked to-

gether to ensure that it would be ready for the over 450 members registered for the next two days’ events. That day, after General Session Rehearsals, we kicked off our 1st Session with some leadership training. During this session, my teammate Will Aycock, FFA State President, presented on the importance of being an advocate for agriculture. He even had the members make their very own advocacy model in small groups. Alyssa Glover, State Vice President, presented a workshop about the roles we play as leaders. She informed the members that everyone has a specific role that they play in a team and that each of these roles are important. Next, our State Secretary, Terrance

Alyssa Glover ensured that the members knew what Alabama’s #1 commodity is alongside Colby Spears from Pilgrim’s of Carrollton, Georgia.

Garrett Springs monitored members racing their way through row crop production.

Cooperative Farming News

B Y K A ’ S H I YA M C K I N N E Y

Will Aycock spent the day teaching members about beef production.

Terrance Crayton excitedly helped members change oil filters.

Crayton, presented on the values of setting goals and having our very own mission statement. Lastly, Megan Woodall, State Treasurer, demonstrated leadership through teamwork with various games and activities. After she finished, Garrett Springs, State Sentinel, and I dismissed the members to dinner with their respective chapters. That night, we all attended the Premier General Session. In this session, Will Aycock had the opportunity to introduce the team on the main stage as part of the general session. The next morning, JLDC participants hit the ground running with another Premier General Session featuring Jessie Funk. After the session, all participants were divided into two groups. These groups rotated between The World

of CTSOs and another session. The World of CTSOs provided a look at the industries each cluster represents as well as careers in those fields and additional leadership workshop training for attendees. Similar to day one, each officer was tasked with covering one area of the agriculture industry. Overall, it is safe to say that each JLDC participant who entered the FFA area left agriCULTURED. The FFA area was filled all day long with very excited students eager to learn more about this organization and the industry that we all love. Alabama FFA was proud to have as our guests Auburn University College of Agriculture, representatives of the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association and Pilgrim’s Pride, and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

Ka’shiya McKinney informed students about the important role agricultural communications plays in the success of the agriculture industry.

Megan Woodall shared her passion for the forestry industry with the JLDC participants.

February 2020

PALS

BY JAMIE MITCHELL

Southside’s JROTC is Outstanding Clean Campus Group!

Southside High School JROTC has been a proud member of the Clean Campus Program for several years now! This group has maintained an Adopt-a-Mile for many years, and they pride themselves on keeping that mile looking pristine. They have even won the Alabama PALS “Adopt-a-Mile” Governor’s Award for the past three years! Now that is commitment! I have gone to speak to the cadets of the JROTC for the past several years, but this year was a little different. More than half the group are graduating seniors, and I was really sad to have to say goodbye to them. This group is full of leaders that will make a big impact for years to come in Alabama. They show pride in all they do for Alabama PALS, and I can’t wait to see where life takes them. Lt. Col. Stephen Ruiz has led this group with kindness while maintaining the highest level of expectation. It is easy to see that these cadets will always be anti-litter leaders, as well as leaders in general as they progress in life. The younger cadets now get to step up and continue the tradition as this graduating class prepares to move on. Does a school near you have a JROTC that may like to Adopt-a-Mile? We also work with many eco-clubs, 30

Cooperative Farming News

green teams and environmental clubs within schools. I can also come speak to the entire school if they so wish. Please contact Jamie Mitchell at (334) 263-7737 for more information if you would like a local school involved in the Clean Campus Program. As always, the Clean Campus Program is available at no cost to schools thanks to our corporate sponsors. We are here to help you as you journey toward a litter-free community!

FROM WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES

BY CHUCK SYKES

The Alien Invasion of the When looking for these aliens, Aquatic Variety donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look to the sky. Alabama is being invaded by aliens. Not the type from outer space, but instead by strange and destructive fish imported from Asia. Asian carp were first introduced to the United States in the 1960s and 1970s as a means of controlling water quality and vegetation issues in aquaculture ponds. These fish eventually escaped containment because of nearby river flooding and have since migrated into many new areas seeking their preferred habitat of large, slow-moving rivers. War has been declared against these intruders as they slowly but steadily encroach on the waters of Alabama. Four species of Asian carp have invaded the United States: silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp, and black carp. Three of these species have already been documented in Alabama, with the exception being the black carp; however, this species was recently found in Kentucky Lake on the Tennessee River, which is just one navigational lock away from Alabamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pickwick Reservoir.

Silver carp, the wild and erratic jumping fish, have been well documented on internet videos that show them slamming into boats and conducting aerial acrobatics that have injured boaters. This alien invader has meandered its way throughout the Mississippi River drainage to the Tennessee River region in Alabama. Silver carp filter both zooplankton and phytoplankton from the water, competing with our native fishes such as paddlefish, gizzard shad, threadfin shad, bream, and even small bass. Their large schooling behavior can overwhelm river systems and diminish available resources.

Silver carp are known for their aerial acrobatics.

Bighead carp have been found throughout the Alabama portion of the Tennessee River as well as in locations farther south, such as the Alabama River. These alien invaders can exceed 100 pounds but are not a jumping threat like their cousin the silver carp. Bighead carp feed primarily on zooplankton, so they compete with native fishes to a lesser degree and do not have the tendencies to overwhelm river systems like the silver carp. February 2020

unknowing live-bait anglers. To reduce this threat, the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries enacted a new regulation in 2019 that prohibits the transportation of live baitfish between water bodies.

Grass carp, also known as white amur, have been around for more than half a century and are popular with private pond owners for managing undesirable aquatic vegetation in their ponds. They have been stocked in some public reservoirs to manage nuisance aquatic vegetation, such as hydrilla and milfoil. Grass carp do not devastate river systems like the silver carp, but they can deplete valuable native aquatic vegetation when present in large numbers.

Black carp have now been documented in Kentucky Lake. They resemble grass carp and may have been mistakenly brought into the United States with shipments of grass carp. This alien invader is another nuisance species that concerns biologists, but for different reasons than the other Asian carp species. Black carp feed almost solely on snails and mussels (mollusks). Alabama is the most diverse state for aquatic biodiversity and has many native mollusks that are already of conservation concern. If black carp become established, these already-threatened species could disappear along with animals that rely on mollusks for food. Mollusks are filter feeders and nature’s water purifiers, so if their abundance is reduced, water quality problems are likely to result. Commercial gillnet angling and bowfishing are currently the only means of managing these species. To entice commercial anglers to target these fish, a viable market must be identified. Barriers that utilize sound, bubbles, lights, and even electricity have been used in some areas of the U.S. to deter upriver migrations, but barriers do not stop humans from moving carp from one body of water to another. Young Asian carp are very difficult to identify because they are similar in appearance to skipjack herring, gizzard shad, and threadfin shad; therefore, they can mistakenly be transferred to new areas by 32

Cooperative Farming News

From top to bottom: skipjack herring, gizzard shad, threadfin shad (aka yellow tail), and silver carp. (Photo courtesy of MSWFP/Nathan Aycock)

To minimize the potential spread of Asian carp, follow these simple steps: • Never move live organisms from one water body to another – it is illegal! • Don’t harvest bait or transport water from infested water bodies. • Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, NOT in lakes and rivers. • Drain all water from your boat (including the bilge and live well) away from waterways and storm drains. • Learn to identify Asian carp. If you think you have found or captured a silver, bighead, or black carp, please contact the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries District 1 office at 256-353-2634 to report this information. Do not release the fish back into the water; instead, remove the fish and dispose of it properly. It will take a concerted effort from all users of our aquatic resources to limit the spread of these harmful alien invaders.

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February 2020

A Sweet For Your Sweet:

A Valentine Treat! BY LAURA TUCKER

Love is in the air, and Cupid’s arrow hit me right in the heart when this batch of Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies came out of my oven. Chocolate covered cherries are one of my favorite treats to indulge in between Christmas and Valentine’s Day, and biting into one and tasting that sweet cherry filling gives me heart eyes bigger than a cartoon character in love! Knowing that love is best when it’s shared, I often make a large batch of these cookies for Valentine’s Day every year to share with friends and family. They’re a simple little treat with a rich, brownie-like texture that is oozing in the middle with that old familiar sweet cherry goodness; and they’re the perfect gift to package up with a ribbon and give to those you love! These cookies bake in the oven for only 12 minutes. Once they’re done, you simply press a chocolate covered cherry into the center and allow to cool. Pipe a smidge of white chocolate over each cookie and enjoy! The hardest part about making these cookies is not devouring a handful of them while you’re waiting on them to cool. The warm chocolaty texture and the 34

Cooperative Farming News

slightly melted center of the chocolate covered cherry is a special kind of love that always reels me in every time I make a batch! To make these cookies extra festive for the Valentine’s Day season, you can opt to use a pink- or redcolored melting chocolate to drizzle over top. You can typically find colored melting chocolates in the specialty baking aisle at your local grocery store. Chocolate covered cherries are a very inexpensive confection, and their price point is way better than those heartshaped boxes of candy that are flooding the shelves this time of year. These cookies are an inexpensive treat to make, but they certainly bring a bigger smile to my face than those overpriced boxes of chocolate with mystery fillings do! Wrapping up a dozen of these cookies with a little love note on the side would make the heart of anyone flutter, and I can’t think of anything I’d rather do on Valentine’s Day than curl up with a Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookie and a tall glass of milk! Want to give these cookies a try? Here’s the recipe! Warning: prepare to fall head over heels!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

Author: Southern Made Simple Cook time: 12 mins Total time: 12 mins Serves: 18 Ingredients 1 stick salted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 large egg 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda 2 packages chocolate covered cherries White chocolate baking bars to drizzle

These cookies are also perfect for children to help make, as the dough is very thick and is fun to roll out into balls with your hands. My daughter loved rolling the dough and pressing the chocolate covered cherries into the center when they came out of the oven. Once you pipe the chocolate drizzle over top, consider adding a few red or pink sugar sprinkles on top while the chocolate is still wet to give these cookies an extra dose of pizzazz! Valentine’s Day treats are always sweetest when they’re shared with the people you love. Baking instead of buying pre-made treats adds a much more personal touch to the day that makes it even more special. Skip the dozen roses and wrap up a dozen of these Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies instead. The recipient will fall in love with the very first bite, guaranteed!

Instructions 1. B eat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy 2. Add egg and beat until blended 3. I n a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda 4. B eat in the flour mixture until blended and chill dough covered for at least 1 hour. Dough will be very thick! reheat oven to 5. P 350 F and line baking sheet with parchment paper oll dough into ping-pong sized balls using your 6. R hands, and lightly press them into a thick patty shape lace about an inch apart on cookie sheet and 7. P bake for 12 minutes emove from oven and immediately press choc8. R olate covered cherries into center, being careful to keep cookie shape intact llow to cool briefly, then transfer to a wire rack 9. A to continue cooling 10. Once cookies are cooled completely, melt white chocolate in a bowl and spoon into a Ziploc bag. Snip the end off a corner and drizzle onto cookies 11. Enjoy!

February 2020

Busy Bee Activities

Did You Know? Several Alabama farmers grow sweet potatoes, in fact, Alabama ranked 5th in the nation for sweet potato production. 36 36 Cooperative Cooperative Farming Farming News News

FEBRUARY February 2020

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February 2020

PLANT • This year plan to grow at least one new vegetable or vegetable variety that you've never grown before; it may end up being the tastiest thing in the garden! Go to bonniepiants.com for ideas. • Last half of the month, plant asparagus, onions, lettuce, spinach, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and early peas. • Strawberries can be planted as soon as they become available. • Because cool-season annuals/biennials tolerate frost, they can be planted. Balsam, calendula, coneflower, four o'clock, hollyhocks, annual phlox, California poppy, nasturtium, lobelia, pansy, dianthus and snapdragon are good options. • Late this month and early next are good times to start seeds indoors of summer annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables. Use a good sterilized soil to start the seeds. • Don't be tempted to sow too many seeds this early in the season — they may become leggy due to low-light levels. Later sowings will catch up and grow just as fast. • Get roses in the ground so they'll be established before hot weather arrives. • February is a good time to purchase trees and install them in your garden while they are still dormant, as long as the ground can be worked.

FERTILIZE • Get ready to fertilize everything! Let the staff at your local Co-op store advise you about the best fertilizer for the type of plants and lawn in your landscape and garden. Unlike many retail establishments, they actually know what they're talking about. • Feed English peas, spinach, kale and onions. • If you have not soil-tested your lawn areas in the past 12 months, now is a great time. DON'T fertilize warm-season grass lawns in the winter; wait until they begin to green-up early to mid-spring. • Trees not fed last fall should be deep fed by punching a series of 1-2-inch holes two feet apart around the drip line and filled with an appropriate food. • For folks in the Florida panhandle and south Alabama, and you adventurous gardeners in north Alabama who have found hardy cultivars, fertilize palms late this month. Use a product labeled specifically for palm trees. It should contain manganese, iron, potassium and, possibly, a systemic pesticide.

Cooperative Farming News

PRUNE

ODD JOBS

• Now is a great time to prune most trees and shrubs. However, do not prune azalea, quince, Carolina jessamine, spirea, dogwood, Peegee hydrangea, forsythia, redbud and rhododendron — they should be pruned after they bloom, since they set blooms in the fall. Almost anything blooming after June 1 (except oakleaf hydrangea and late-flowering azalea cultivars) can be pruned safely now.

• There are many, many good reasons to start your own vegetable garden in 2020 — it's healthy, you can save money, the taste of fresh vegetables is so much better than vegetables grown a thousand miles away and exercise just to name a few. Start planning and, when the time comes, make a short trip to your local Co-op store for the widest selection of seed and Bonnie plants.

• Always start your pruning by removing all dead, decayed or broken branches. Pruning should be done to improve the shape of the plant, as well as to open up the center of the plant to good air circulation and sun exposure.

• First half of the month, if weather permits, prepare your vegetable garden soil by turning under your cover crops and/or tilling in compost or composted manure. This allows the weather to aid in breaking up the dirt clods.

• Cut crepe myrtle branches that do not add to the beauty of the plant. NEVER top or crepe murder them; that will ruin their natural form forever. If someone has done this to your trees, cut the plant off at the base (near ground level) and, in a few years, they will regenerate themselves.

• Plan your vegetable plot to ensure good crop rotation to prevent problems in the soil. For example, don't plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and potatoes in the same spot, year after year. They are all from the family Solanaceae (nightshade) and are affected by the same pests.

• Summer-bearing raspberries and blackberries should have all the canes that produced fruit last year removed.

• If you garden in heavy-clay soil but want to make an early start in the garden, build raised beds before the growing season gets under way. The soil will warm up faster and raised beds drain quickly too.

• Kiwis and grapes must be pruned by Valentine's Day.

WATER • Your warm-season lawn might need a little water this month. If there is an extended dry period during the winter (four or more weeks), adding one inch of water (on a warm day, of course) will help the soil retain heat and may help prevent injury to cold-sensitive grasses. • Irrigate established trees and shrubs a few days before the arrival of a cold front, but not just before. • Once you plan your plantings, pots and beds, you can design an irrigation system to save you time and money by more efficient watering.

PEST CONTROL • Apply a pre-emergent weed killer this month. This type of weed killer interferes with seed germination. Do not use it in areas where you plan to sow seed. Use it only around established planting areas. • Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control when soil temperatures have reached 55 degrees for four or five consecutive days. • Stay on top of any slug problem you may have! Baits can be used for effective control. If you have pets, look for slug baits safe to use around them.

• If you've started plants in a cold frame, be sure to ventilate it on warm days. • Feb. 2 marks the official midpoint of winter; but remember, in many years past, the coldest weather of the entire year occurs between Feb. 1 and March 1. If exceptionally cold weather is forecast, you can provide some protection to early flowering or tender plants by covering them with some type of cloth material. Remove the covering as soon as the weather becomes moderate again. • Check stored fruits and vegetables, such as potatoes and apples, for bad spots that may lead to decay. Remove and use those with signs of spoiling. Separate others into slotted trays or bins to increase air circulation and reduce decay possibilities. • Mulch fruit trees with well-rotted manure or garden compost, taking care not to mound mulch up around the trunk. • Refresh the mulch layer around azaleas to protect their shallow root systems from drying out. • Avoid heavy traffic on the dormant lawn. Dry grass is easily broken and the crown of the plant may be severely damaged or killed.

• Check all houseplants closely for insect infestations.

If you have any specific lawn and garden questions, please send them to advertising@alafarm.com. February 2020

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Cooperative Farming News

February 2020

HOW’S YOUR GARDEN BY L OIS T R IG G C H A P L I N

The Earliest Flowers

A Living Valentine

The blooms atop a red maple tree are hardly visible to us until after the little flowers have faded and the red samaras (winged seed) are backlit and dangling from bare winter branches. However, these early blooms play an important role as one of the first sources of food for honeybees on a mild winter day. Those of us who depend on wild honeybees to pollinate our garden or fruit trees do well to support bees by providing early sources of pollen and nectar. Beekeepers especially appreciate this tree. As stewards of the land, farmers and homeowners everywhere can see that native red maples are in the area, either by conservation or planting. In heavy soils, red maples often have shallow roots that are difficult to garden under, so plant new trees in a spot where that won’t matter. Leaf mulch is often the best ground cover.

I mentioned this about six years ago, but I could not resist sharing this giant topiary shrub again for the month of Valentine’s. When my husband and I spotted this heart-shaped shrub in Pacific Beach, California, we stopped to take a picture. Shortly thereafter the owner of the house came out to tell us that her late husband created the topiary many years ago and she has kept it up in his memory. Of course, it has grown bigger and taller each year, I reckon much like their love. For many of us, plants offer a link to memories of a loved one. This one tells a touching story of devotion.

SIMPLE TIMES

THE CO-OP PANTRY

Hardly visible in the tree tops, red maple blooms are one of the year’s first sources of food for bees.

Cooperative Farming News

Epcot Bench Blooms Year-Round

Some things are timeless. I saw this cool bench design at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival years ago and would still like to have one in my garden. It’s such

A topiary with a sweet love story.

This sunflower bench blooms every day of the year.

a happy design – I love the sunflower back. This bench offers a spark of color anytime, but especially in winter. Perhaps the woodworker in my life will make me one when our new garden is established, and here it is for inspiration at your house and woodshop, too!

Watch for Nasty Rose Rosette Now that it is rose pruning time, be careful that you don’t end up spreading a relatively new but nasty disease to your healthy roses. It is called Rose Rosette, and it has been present in our region for several years. The disease is caused by a virus that can be gardener-spread by pruning, but is naturally spread by the feeding of microscopic mites blown in on the wind. The mites can also crawl along leaves and stems to adjacent roses to spread the disease. Typical symptoms include red or green witches’ broom growth (which also looks like Roundup® damage), malformed flowers, swollen stems, extra thorniness, and leaves that are otherwise distorted and stunted. Because new leaves

of many rose selections have red new growth, don’t judge by color alone; look for other symptoms too. For more information and pictures of infection, search “rose rosette” with an “edu” domain to bring up articles from various university Extension sites. Now is a critical time to be aware of the disease and whether it has been present in your roses so as not to spread it to other roses by pruning. The only solution is to dig up an infested plant and bag it in the trash (or burn it where permitted). Infected plants left in the garden are a sure source of the virus that will spread to more of yours or your neighbor’s roses. The wild, invasive multiflora rose is a host as are the popular Knockout landscape roses. The photo that you see here is from our much loved, 20-year-old Climbing Pinkie that fell to the disease last year. We will miss it this spring.

Simple Reminder About Refrigerated Seeds Many of us store leftover garden seeds in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer. I have 15-year-old lettuce seeds in my freezer that still germinate! However, be reminded that the container needs to come to room temperature before opening so that there is no condensation on the seed packets. I try to get mine out the night before, but if not, they get at least two hours in a room before opening. Moisture is a sure way to ruin the potential longevity of stored seeds.

Rose Rosette is unwelcome, but it’s here.

February 2020

Alabama Grain Rescue Tubes Dealona Bozeman had read the entrapment stories, the encounters that can leave a person clinging to life inside a bin as grain breaks free, flows, and surrounds its victim, beginning to suffocate them within seconds. The fortunate ones keep their heads above the grain. Although in a dire situation with a 50-50 chance of survival, quickly-summoned nearby emergency responders can free victims with the right equipment and training. “I was seeing articles in magazines like Grain Journal and on Facebook, and noticed that there is equipment for entrapment rescue,” said Bozeman, a grain merchandiser for Alabama Farmers Cooperative Inc. (AFC) in Florence, AL. “I had heard very little about them (rescue tubes), but enough to know it was a really good idea. It made sense to me that grain is like quicksand and there’s got to be something to get someone out.” Bozeman said she asked around, and none of the fire departments in her immediate area of Florence had grain bin rescue tubes or any experience with them. That was about to change with a team effort involving fellow AFC Grain Merchandiser Jack Segrest and Grain Vice President John Gamble. Bozeman and Segrest began to think that a grain entrapment rescue demonstration and training, coupled 46

Cooperative Farming News

with the donation of a rescue tube to an area fire department, would be a helpful addition to the co-op’s annual expo, which is held each January in Decatur, Ala. Bozeman said Segrest “dove in” to the idea and secured the Mississippi Farm Bureau to present the demonstration with a mock grain bin trailer system. “Dea and I talked and headed it up together. We got to thinking about doing the training. I did my own research and realized, what’s the point of training if they don’t have the equipment to allow them to do the training scenario,” said Segrest. “So, we decided to work with agribusinesses in the state and the Alabama Farmers Federation to get the resources to do the training and donate equipment, if something should ever happen where they would need it.” Segrest said the initial goal was one or two grain rescue tubes, but sponsor support quickly allowed the purchase of six. During the expo, farmers and emergency responders were able to witness firsthand the value of a grain rescue tube, “The Great Wall of Rescue,” and receive training, said Bozeman. KC Supply Co. provided the tubes that were purchased for six participating fire departments through expo sponsorships by Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain Producers, Alabama Feed & Grain Asso-

ciation, First South Farm Credit, Aviagen, Alabama Agribusiness Council, Alabama Farm Credit, and AFC. “This started as something interesting that we thought the farmers at our expo would appreciate,” said Segrest. “Once we thought of this, to provide information on grain bin dangers to farmers, then we thought fire and rescue people would be interested in case something like this should ever happen.” Tube, Training Save Three Lives Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program has documented 1,225 cases of grain entrapment or engulfment between 1962 and 2018 in the United States (www.grainnet.com/2018 entrapments). During this time, 70% of grain entrapments have occurred on farms, which are exempt from Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations and injury reporting requirements, so the numbers likely are much higher, according to Purdue. In 2018, Purdue tracked 61 agricultural confined-space accidents across the United States. Grain entrapments accounted for 49% of the documented cases, and half of the victims trapped in grain died. Over the past half century, Alabama, which historically has grown more cotton than corn or soybeans, has reported six cases of entrapment, and none in 2018, according to the Purdue research.

Those statistics were put to the test earlier this year when one of the new grain rescue tubes provided during the AFC expo assisted in a grain bin rescue May 22 at a farm in Stevenson, Ala. Scottsboro Fire Department, which received a rescue tube and training, was among several agencies called in to help by the Stevenson Volunteer Fire Department when Jackie Loyd, 76, and his brother, George, 79, became entrapped. According to reports, Jackie had been cleaning out the bin when he was entrapped, and George entered to help. Jackie found himself in grain up to his chin, and George up to his waist. A third worker, who was attempting to help, was trapped above his knees.

February 2020

Greg Lockard, Scottsboro training/safety officer, said Alabama Fire College had reached out to his department, which covers much of rural Jackson County, about the AFC Expo and training opportunity. He said the rescue tube and training they received helped saved three lives that day at the Loyd farm. “I had seen it before; I was familiar with the concept and had read about it but had never seen it work,” he said of the grain rescue tube. “We didn’t think we’d ever use it. It’s a big farming community here in Jackson County, but there had not been a report of an entrapment, not as far back as we could go, even talking to the older guys.” He said the Stevenson response involved removing the third man first. Plywood was placed around George to free him. The Great Wall of Rescue was used for Jackie, who had grain up to his mouth, and at one point over his head, by the time Scottsboro firefighters arrived on the scene. The barrier was able to free him enough so he could breathe dust-free air with a self-contained breathing apparatus, like those used by firefighters. Holes were cut into the sides of the bin to release grain, and Jackie was freed. The entire rescue took about three hours. “If we hadn’t had that (rescue tube), one poor guy would have died, if not more than one,” Lockard said. It was this incident, Bozeman said, that caused AFC to realize not enough tubes and training were available in the state. “Initially, I realized that my service area on the opposite end of the state (from Stevenson) needed the tubes,” said Bozeman. “For the vice president of our division, John Gamble, it was just on his heart after (the 48

Cooperative Farming News

incident) that we needed to do more. We needed to try our best to find more sponsorships, more hands, to help pull this together and get more tubes in our state.” Gamble said he has been buying grain from the Loyd farm for more than 40 years. With such a personal connection, and the great fortune of a nearby rescue tube, the idea to do more came quickly, he said. “After that happened, that really touched me. I thought, ‘We actually contributed to saving lives of our farmers,’” said Gamble. “What we’re trying to do is get as many (rescue tubes) as we can placed strategically to have better access. And what better way to help our farmers. Hopefully, we’ll never need them, but they’ll be available.” Gamble pointed out that while Alabama, a major cotton-producing state, historically hasn’t had many reported grain entrapment cases, the need for training and rescue tubes is growing. In the past 10 years, he added, the state has seen more farmers converting their fields to corn and soybeans and building on-site storage in response to better prices. As a grain merchandiser, Segrest sees this firsthand. “The more grain bins go up, the more people will have to get in grain bins,” said Segrest. “Jackie has been around grain bins his whole life. They were scooping out a bin, and he happened to drop his shovel and the shovel funneled to the auger. When he tried to grab it, he ended up trapped in corn up to his chin.” Program Grows Quickly Segrest said the program has already grown beyond the expo, and AFC wants to provide tubes and training throughout the year in the areas that cover the most farms across Alabama. Bozeman said the response from fire departments has been enthusiastic. “They love the idea of being able to access the equipment, even though there may not be a need for it for years,” she said. Gamble said during an interview with Grain Journal in early November that they have enough support for five more grain rescue tubes and training for 2020 and hope 10 will be ready when this initial push has concluded. Segrest said tubes and training will go together. For example, a tube would be placed with a fire and rescue department in an area and nearby departments would come for the training, too. “The awareness from all this has grown so much. We wanted to help farmers be safe, and it’s just grown from there, and we want to keep it growing,” Segrest said. To help Alabama Farmers Cooperative Inc. with its grain tube rescue project, contact Dealona Bozeman at 256- 274-2863 or dealob@alafarm.com; or Jack Segrest at 256-308-1620 or jacks@alafarm.com.

THE HERB LADY

BY NADINE JOHNSON

AMARETTO CAKE Ingredients: 1 cup Butter 8 Ounces Cream cheese 2 2/3 cups Sugar 6 Eggs 1 ½ teaspoon Almond extract 4 cups Flour 2 teaspoon Baking powder 1 teaspoon Salt ¾ cup Milk ¼ cup Amaretto Directions: Mix cake batter in the usual manner. Place in prepared 12-inch Bundt pan. Bake 350 degrees for one hour. Meanwhile, prepare the following glaze--3/4 cup Amaretto and 1/3 cup sugar. Place in saucepan. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Set aside. After removing cake from oven, prick it well with a toothpick and pour the glaze over it. Allow it to sit for at least ten minutes before inverting cake to a plate. Since it’s February, “THE MONTH OF LOVERS,” I think this is a good time to share this recipe containing amaretto, “THE BEVERAGE OF LOVERS.” Amaretto is an Italian liqueur which is flavored with almonds. Almonds are a very health beneficial and tasty nut. Almond trees are native to the Middle East and South Asia. The almonds we enjoy eating are their seed pods. Almonds are now grown in a number of other areas of the world. Spain produces a large part of the world’s supply. However, California can claim the largest world

production. (I keep hearing that California will someday drop off the earth and be swallowed up by the Pacific Ocean. Won’t that be a great loss for the world though?) Almonds are low in saturated fat. They contain no cholesterol. They are very low in sodium. They are very low in sugar. They are high in manganese and also high in magnesium. In fact, it is impossible for me to list here all the wonderful benefits of almonds. By eating a handful daily, you will possibly lower your level of LDL cholesterol (known as “BAD” cholesterol). In fact, almonds are known as one of the world’s healthiest foods. You can easily find whole, sliced or slivered almonds. Other almond products are available such as milk, oils, syrup and flour. If this Valentine’s Day you are not in the roses or chocolates mode, you might bake your sweetheart an Amaretto Cake and toast each other with amaretto. I wish my sweetheart of over 57 years was here for another Valentine’s Day.

The Herb Lady Nadine Johnson

For Information on herbs or to order Nature’s Sunshine Products: P.O. Box 7425 Spanish Fort, AL 35677 or njherbal@gmail.com

Accepts Checks and Money Orders

February 2020

SIMPLE TIMES BY SU Z Y Mc C RAY

THE CO-OP PANTRY

God Sent a Bear

We give directions to our farm by noting, “go to the 3-mile marker and we’re next on the right.” So, when I checked Facebook one more time before going to sleep on Saturday night November 16 we were a little surprised to see “our” woods were making headlines. A passerby had posted: “Just a heads up if you live on highway 132....We spotted a decent size bear at 9:45 tonight. He was crossing the road just south of McCray’s Old Field Farm, about mile marker 3. Yes we reported it to the Alabama Wildlife. “I know there is a home or two with some elderly folks right where we saw him so if you know them give them a heads up! Thanks” 50

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A bear??? traveling across the highway to “our” woods! Wow! When I was growing up here in the 1950s (in a house down closer to the “creek!”) the only wildlife anybody saw around here were numerous squirrels and rabbits, and an occasional raccoon. By the time I graduated high school, deer had been released in Alabama and were beginning to come through the county. By the late 1970s, deer were numerous, following by packs of hungry and vicious coyotes. But a bear??? During my more than 30 years as a newspaper reporter, we often got calls about “bear” sightings, but

none were ever confirmed. I traveled many miles to photograph what someone would call in as a bear that had been run over, only to find it was someone’s very large and very dark black dog. But about 15 years ago, when a lot of grading and construction was taking place on a mountain across the county from us, a neighbor about a mile north of us knew something unusual was getting into his metal garbage can. Officials from the state came and tested the scat and confirmed it was likely a small black bear. But although I looked and looked for months as I traipsed around our little farm, I never go to see it so folks said it was likely just upset by the construction and was just passing through. In November 2018 a 230-pound black bear was hit on U.S. 278 by a supposed 18-wheeler and had to be euthanized by officials. James Pettit, who lives in that Brooksville area of Blount, said other family members had seen the bear in their back yards and other locations prior to it being hit. In 2018, a black bear was seen in a parking lot of a Leeds Waffle House, and another was spotted by a family near their Hoover home off Highway 280, both areas near Birmingham. Then in November 2019, the “good sized” black bear was seen going into our woods. We’re getting our son to reinstall our game camera but so far, we’ve not seen him or her! Unbeknownst to us, our pastor’s wife had left for work early one morning about ten years ago and spotted a mama bear and two small cubs beside one of the ponds behind their home just “up the road” from our farm! I phoned Toby Lucas, our area’s Game Warden for the last 16 years and he confirmed black bears ARE in Blount County and all around. He noted that this past fall, two bear cubs were spotted in the Graystone Subdivision in Oneonta, stealing and eating the pumpkins the homeowners had outside for Halloween decorations! While a mama bear was not spotted, Lucas said it was assumed there was one nearby! Some men from our church had been bow hunting (and didn’t spot a deer) in a wooded area from where “our” recent bear came. So, it was surmised he was probably spooked from his home area and likely went back after he was sure they had all left. Lucas explained bears are usually not a danger to homeowners if you just proceed with caution. “They’re usually more scared of you than you are of them,” he noted. Never run from a bear. Try to make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms up and down by your side and slowly backing away.

Never ever feed or try to pet or get near a baby bear cub because a mama bear hiding nearby will likely get very upset and could harm you in that situation. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service noted in a July 29, 2019 article on their website that there are believed to be 85 to 160 bears in the southern part of Alabama and 30-40 bears in the northern part. They don’t hibernate in Alabama but do stay in their dens on the coldest days, having put on extra fat for the winter just like their northern counterparts. But the Alabama bears do wander some throughout the winter. According to State Symbols USA on the internet, the Black Bear is the official state mammal of Alabama. They are omnivorous and will eat just about anything. While they prefer nuts, berries, grasses and roots, they also eat insects and small mammals and if nothing else is available, carrion. Lucas said he advised those in the Oneonta suburb this past fall to make sure no cat or dog feed was left outside each night. Through the years, whenever I was having a rough time, whether emotionally, financially or just life in general, it seemed God always sent a special sign of encouragement, a beautiful herd of does and small fawns that would graze across our pasture ... providing me with peaceful viewing while my soul healed. But we’ve commented recently that we haven’t seen any deer in quite some time.... I couldn’t help but laugh to myself after the bear sighting going into our woods.... The Bible notes in Isaiah 11:7 “the cow and the bear will graze. Their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like an ox” during a glorious future time. So, as I fretted over some health concerns that God ALREADY had under control, He sent me a BEAR this time, not deer! (even though I haven’t yet got to see it personally). I feel like He was giving me a sign that no matter what approaches us in our “golden years,” we should continue onward, not as the peaceable deer, but strong and powerful when necessary, just like our neighborhood black bear, not looking for problems, but prepared to meet them head on in our simple lives when necessary! (Suzy and her husband Mack strive to live a simple life on a small homestead in Blount County. She can be reached through their Facebook page or at suzy. mccray@yahoo.com) February 2020

THE MAGIC OF GARDENING

Landscaping a Wall Vines are often beautiful plants but letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face the fact that in nature they are often quite thuggish in character. They crawl along on the ground until they find a taller plant they can climb upon. This is often to the detriment of the tree or shrub who is just growing along, minding its own business. Frankly speaking, they get access to more light by climbing on other plants that they then cast an unhealthy shade upon. Think about kudzu, Chinese wisteria and even English ivy, which make their living by climbing whatever they are close to. Although it seems these vines have evil intent, I will go no further to anthropomorphize these plants. These plants gone wrong can be put back to good use by providing them something harmless to climb upon. It is all about proper plant selection for the job you have in mind. For instance, vines can be used to cover an arbor or pergola or they could be used on a southern wall to reduce heat buildup in the summer. There are several things to consider when choosing an appropriate vine for your intended purpose. First, vines climb in various ways. They may use tendrils to grab, they might twine around something or lastly, they may cling with disk-like adhesive tips. The first two will require something to attach the tendrils to or twist around such as a frame or wire support. The last type can attach itself directly to a structure but be 52

Cooperative Farming News

forewarned that they can do damage to the structure over time. You would not want to use clinging vines on wood structures because they can cause moisture problems which would lead to decay. Some of these vines can even cause problems to the mortar in brick or block buildings. To avoid damaging a building, it is best to grow vines on a support system a few inches from the building, both to allow air flow and reduce direct attachment. Aluminum wire or conduit-type tubing can work very well or even concrete reinforcing wire. Wood material can be used if it has been treated or is a slowly decaying type of wood such as cedar or cypress. When choosing which vine to plant, you first need to determine whether or not you want an evergreen or deciduous vine. If you are covering a wall or structure for summer shade and want the sun to shine through during the cold winter months, then choose a deciduous vine. Next you need to consider the amount of light the vines will receive. Lastly, think about the soil and water issues that may come up. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good idea to test the soil and adjust the pH as needed for the species you choose. Pay close attention to water issues because plants near walls may miss out on natural rainfall due to the overhang of the roof or there may be areas that get excess water because of the roof runoff being directed into low spots near the home.

B Y T O N Y G L OV E R There are many great vines to consider, but some of my favorites include the following: • Madison Confederate Jasmine is a fragrant, fast-growing, twining, evergreen vine reaching 20 to 40 feet at maturity. • Armand’s clematis (evergreen clematis) has beautiful white and fragrant blooms in spring that grow best in part shade. • Coral honeysuckle is a great hummingbird plant for full sun to part shade that is native and not invasive like its Asian cousin, the Japanese honeysuckle. • Climbing hydrangea has a beautiful white bloom and tolerates shade well. • American wisteria – Amethyst Falls makes a beautiful arbor covering and is not a complete thug like the Chinese wisteria seen taking over large trees on roadsides all over Alabama. • Virginia creeper is often thought of as a native weed but it has great fall color for spots where you want summer shade and winter sun; and it is a great food source for many native bird species. • Trumpet creeper is another deciduous vine with a fast growth rate where summer shade and winter sun are desired. It is aggressive so be careful where you plant it and be willing to cut it back periodically.

Climbing Hydrangeas

Amethyst Falls Wisteria

This is actually a good time to plant most of these vines except for the least cold-hardy of the group, which is the Confederate Jasmine. Mulch newly set plants to protect from extreme cold and water the first year until well established.

Virginia Creeper

February 2020

. . . e d i S d l i W e h t n o g n i k o o C MURRELL FRAZIER, Rib Ticklers The Rib Ticklers got hooked on the AWF Wild Game Cook-Offs back in 2003, when we received a 3rd Place trophy in the Fish Category. Seventeen years later, and over 30 AWF Wild Game Cook-Off trophies, we are still going, and sharing our dishes with hundreds each year! We have a passion for cooking and eating good food, and fortunately, we have instilled that same passion in our children and grandchildren. For the last several years, the Jr. Rib Ticklers have entered delicious dishes in the Youth Category, and lived up to the “Ticklers” winning tradition, with multiple trophies under their belts. For us, it’s not just about cooking, it’s cooking with family, and sharing our recipes with people who enjoy the same thing.

So simple, but so delicious - Chili-Rubbed Salmon with Avocado Salsa First, preheat grill to about 300 degrees. Take a whole salmon and cut it into about 3-inch wide fillets, and brush with olive oil. Leaving the skin on, place meat side down on the grill. Let it cook for about 4-5 minutes, just enough to get good grill marks on the salmon. Turn salmon over, and brush with olive oil and Moore’s sauce. Continue to grill until the salmon flakes when you touch with the point of a knife. Remove fillets, and coat them nicely with chili rub mixture. Spray mist with with a good Jamaican rum, to add a little extra kick! Place a tablespoon of the Avocado Salsa on top, and it is ready to serve. Come be a part of one of AWF Wild Game Cook-Offs!

Spring AWF Cook-Offs

} BEGIN MARCH 2020

CHILI-RUBBED SALMON WITH AVOCADO SALSA

INGREDIENTS:

Salmon (skin on) Olive Oil Moore’s Sauce Jamaican Rum CHILI RUB:

3 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp chili powder 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp red pepper (optional) 1 tsp salt mix together in bowl AVOCADO SALSA:

3 med ripe avocados diced small 4 tbsp cilantro finely chopped 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (different colors) quartered 1-2 fresh limes squeeze juice mix in bowl and chill for a few minutes in fridge

Not Wild About Your Tag...This Ones Pretty Hot! 54

Get AWF’s Wildlife Tag at your local county tag office or call 334.285.4550.

Cooperative Farming News

For more information about our Wild Game Cook-Off visit

alabamawildlife.org

HOWLE’S HINTS BY JOH N HOW L E

THE HERB FARMER HOW’S YOUR GARDEN Frosty February

SIMPLE TIMES

“How well I have learned that there is no fence to sit on between heaven and hell.There is a deep, wide gulf, a chasm,and in that chasm is no place for any man.” - Johnny Cash

fields under some of the “New Deal” farming programs. The whole family worked the land just to have enough food to eat. Cash’s first experience with tragedy was the loss of his older brother, Jack, who was pulled into an unguarded table saw while he was cutting oak into fence posts and was almost cut in two. Jack died a week later, and Johnny often had guilt over the incident. In 1954, Cash moved to Memphis, Tennessee, selling appliances while studying to be a radio announcer. At night he performed with guitarist Luther Perkins and bassist Marshall Grant, known as the Tennessee Two. After approaching Sam Phillips at Sun Records with some gospel recordings, Cash was turned down.

THE CO-OP PANTRY

Known as the man in black, Johnny Cash was a man who continually struggled to balance a life of fame with his Christian walk. When he was three years old, his family settled in Dyess, Arkansas, to work in cotton

February 2020

February Coyotes

In 1955, Cash came back to make his first two recordings with “Hey Porter” and “Cry! Cry! Cry!” In 1956, Elvis stopped by Sun Studios while Carl Perkins was in the studio cutting new tracks with Jerry Lee Lewis on piano, and Cash singing in the background on some gospel songs. Phillips left the tapes running, and the songs were released with the name Million Dollar Quartet. After this, Cash released “Folsom Prison Blues” and “I Walk the Line,” and these two secured his spot in country music history. For the rest of his career, Cash was plagued by substance abuse. Even during his marriage to June Carter Cash, she often had to take drugs away from him to flush down the toilet. Cash developed a friendship with Billy Graham, and was able to come back to his religious roots. Cash and June Carter often appeared on the Billy Graham Crusade TV specials. Cash started including many gospel songs on his albums, and you could hear in his voice his passion for bringing songs of praise to life with his deep, baritone voice. In 1983, Cash, a man well-versed in the Bible and considered a Bible scholar, wrote the book “Man in White.” In the book, a reporter asked him if the book was written from a Baptist, Catholic or Jewish perspective. Cash responded, “I’m a Christian. Don’t put me in another box.”

A pack of coyotes can wreak havoc on your younger livestock. February is an ideal time to control the coyote population around your farm because this is the breeding month. You may hear the tell-tale yips and yaps this time of year. Coyotes can often be found around field edges just before dark. They will often enter the pastures during this time of day to scout for food and eat cow manure for the folic acid present in the waste. Keep a rifle handy as you feed cattle this time of year and you might get a shot. If you plan to set up a hunting blind and call coyotes, mouse squeakers, rabbit in distress calls, and other coyotes yapping will often entice a coyote to enter the pasture. To add another enticement, coyote decoys that show movement work well. Some of these fur-covered, spinning decoys work off AA batteries. Once the coyote sees movement in addition to the sounds, it is more likely to come in for a shot. I was softly calling to a gobbler on a ridge on our farm and called in two hens that flew down 25 yards in front of my hunting blind. Once the hens clucked and yelped a time or two, a large coyote approached from behind my ground blind and came to within 10 feet of where I was sitting. He was so zoned in on the two hens

Pictured left to right are Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and seated is Elvis unwittingly being recorded while they were singing gospel songs in Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.

This coyote was 10 feet away when I shot him with turkey load. His intent was to lunge at the two hens that flew down in front of me.

Cooperative Farming News

that he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t notice me. Fortunately, I was able to dispatch him with a shotgun blast of turkey load.

Turkey Season Preparations Once you have the coyote population under control, your turkey flocks will have better survival rates. Turkeys are well adapted to avoid predators, but they can still be prime targets for nocturnal predators. This is why hens select well-hidden nest sites, and they will often visit the nest during the middle of the day, so they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lay a scent trail for predators that come out at night. Also, they will cover the nest with leaves. The main predators for wild turkeys are coyotes, bobcats, and raccoons. Raccoons are notorious for eating turkey eggs. To remedy

White clover is my favorite choice for turkey food plots. Add brown top millet for high protein seed heads and insect holding ability.

With some management, you can hold gobblers like this on your property year-round.

this, you might want to consider removing hollow den trees from your property. My favorite choice for food plots for turkeys is white clover. You can also get good bird holding results with brown top millet. The birds love the green forage and seeds, and these are great insect holding areas for the poults as well. Pastureland broken by timberland provides great natural holding areas for wild turkeys, and with a little management, you can hold the turkeys on your property year-round. This February, take some time out between cattle feedings to hunt a few coyotes and scout for ideal turkey habitat on your property.

BLACK & WHITE Leap Forward Sale 75 2-year old Bulls Angus | SimAngus | Charolais

Saturday, February 29, 2020 Noon - Montgomery Stockyards | Consignments from Akin Charolais | Stewart Hill | Collins Farms

60 Registered Females Charolais | Angus Commercial Females Meadows Creek Farms Richard Meadows 334-797-4870

Montgomery Stockyards Jerry Etheridge 334-422-1306 Darrell Stokes 334-309-5255

Collins Farms Jim Collins 478-957-6572

Online Bidding cowbuyer.com

February 2020

FOOD SAFETY

New Generation of Pressure Cooking Did you receive a new pressure cooker or instant pressure cooker for Christmas and are you not really sure how to use it? Some of you may be hesitant in using it because of some of the horror stories you have been told of your mother or grandmother having one to explode on them years ago. Well, todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cookers, especially the new electric pressure cookers, are much safer to use. As long as you follow the operating instructions correctly most foods, especially meats, can be fixed safely, quicker and much more tender than traditional cooking methods. The new electric pressure cookers have their own heat source that is automatically regulat58

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ed to maintain the desired pressure, and you really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know they are on, they are so quiet.

HOW PRESSURE COOKERS WORK The pressure cooker works by creating steam to build pressure. Only a small amount of liquid is needed. The liquid is what boils and causes the steam which is sealed under a tightly sealed lid, which raises the pressure and temperature to very high levels, so that food cooks thoroughly in just minutes.

B Y A N G E L A T R E A D AWAY

GENERATIONS OF PRESSURE COOKERS OLD: Pressure cookers that fit into this category operate with a weight-modified or “jiggler” valve that releases pressure during operation. They are very loud because the weight-modified valve operates similarly to the piston in a steam engine. Many older pressure cookers offer only one pressure level. NEW: Newer models of pressure cookers have two or three redundant release valves for safety and many also have an interlocking lid that will not allow the user to open the lid if the internal pressure is unsafe for release.

**Do not use a pressure cooker as a pressure canner because: To be classified as a pressure canner, a pressure-cooking vessel must hold at least four, upright, closed quart jars. That is because smaller pressure cookers or pressure saucepans heat too quickly and cool down too slowly to provide adequate heat for a canning process. Both heating and cooling-down times are included in calculating the recommended process for killing the organism that causes botulism. ELECTRIC: This type includes an electric heat source that is automatically regulated to maintain the operating pressure. They also include a spring-loaded valve. Two or more pressure settings are available on this type of pressure cooker. However, the pressure cooker type cannot be opened with cold water quick-release method and should be operated with caution when releasing vapor through the valve, especially while cooking foamy foods and liquids (beans, lentils, grains, milk and gravy). ** Do not use these to pressure can vegetables as discussed on TV infomercials because there has been little to no research done to prove that it’s safe.

BENEFITS OF PRESSURE COOKING The following benefits make learning how to use a pressure cooker worth it! COOK MEALS IN LESS TIME. While meals prepared in crock pots or ovens can take hours to cook, pressurecooked meals are usually ready in a half hour or less.

SAVE MONEY. With shorter cooking times, families can save money on their energy bills every month. Grocery bills can also drop since cheaper cuts of meat can be used in pressure cooker recipes. This can lead to big savings over the year! MAKE HEALTHIER MEALS. Certain traditional cooking methods can destroy some of the vitamins and minerals in food. Pressure cooking preserves these nutrients because the food is cooked quickly in a sealed environment. This results in healthier meals.

USE YOUR COOKER SAFELY Not every pressure cooker operates exactly the same way, so before using yours, read the owner’s manual for specific instructions and follow them carefully. Here are some tips to make sure pressurecooked meals are prepared safely: • Always use cooking liquid when you are using pressure to cook the food. Although you can brown meats in the bottom of the cooker first, you must then add liquid before sealing the lid and building pressure. Operating the pressure cooker without liquid or allowing the cooker to boil dry will damage the unit and can be dangerous. • Never fill the cooker more than 2/3 full of liquid. You need enough head space for the cooker to function properly and safely. Leaving adequate space helps prevent boiling liquid from seeping out of the pot. • Brown meats before adding liquid or other ingredients to develop good flavor. Do NOT open the lid of the device until the pressure has completely dropped. • Do not leave the cooker unattended during use. Check the pressure gauge occasionally to be sure everything is working well.

BEST FOODS TO PRESSURE COOK

Since the pressure cooker cooks food at such a high temperature, things that are naturally tougher or take a long time to cook with other methods tend to do well cooked under pressure. Examples of perfect pressure cooker foods include, but are not limited to, chicken thighs, pork chops, rump roast, brown rice, bulgur, dried beans, or vegetables such as beets, carrots, potatoes, or winter squash. February 2020

A GOOD RULE OF THUMB: An ingredient will cook in one-quarter to one-third of the time it takes with another method. The reason is simple. Putting the contents of the pot under pressure by trapping the steam raises the boiling point of water. Your pressure cooker probably came with a lot of recipes and if not, there are many many online you can use. Here is one of my favorites

POT ROAST WITH ONIONS & VEGETABLES • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 (3 pound) boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed • Ground black pepper to taste • 1 pinch seasoned salt, or to taste • 1 pinch onion powder, or to taste • 1 can of beef broth or use a couple of beef bouillon cubes or even use 1 envelope of dry onion soup mix • 1 ½ tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce • 1 large onion cut in 4 wedges or sliced in large slices • 4 carrots, washed peeled and cut into bite-size pieces or use a small bag of baby carrots • 4 large potatoes, washed peeled and cut into bitesize pieces or peeling can be left on Directions 1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Brown roast on all sides in the hot oil; season with pepper, seasoned salt, and onion powder. 2. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, add the quartered onion, and seal the lid. Bring the cooker up to full pressure. Reduce heat to low, maintaining full pressure, and cook for 30 minutes. 3. Use the quick-release method to lower the pressure. Mix in carrots and potatoes, seal the lid again, and return the pressure cooker to the heat. Bring the cooker up to full pressure and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Use the quick-release method again and transfer the roast and vegetables to a serving dish.

Cooperative Farming News

FROM PASTOR TO PASTURE

BY GLENN CRUMPLER

It Was Me!

My Mama and Daddy always found a way for our Christmas tree to look exceedingly full when we woke up. There might not be much inside the boxes wrapped in old newspapers and brown paper sacks except socks, underwear, blue jeans and a shirt or two (depending on what hand-me-downs did not provide), but it sure looked like a lot. Some of the packages would have the oranges, apples, and nuts that we always got at Christmas. We also knew that somewhere under there we all had a huge 25 cent peppermint stick that

was ALWAYS under our tree. You could lick on that thing until your tongue bled. It was my Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intent to drag Christmas morning out just as long as he could. I know now that he did that partly to make us suffer, just like I did my children and like I now do my grandchildren. The primary reason that he dragged it out, however, was because he knew that he could not and would not be buying us anything new for the rest of the year, so he wanted to make the best of Christmas morning. February 2020

He and Mama would have to make and drink cof- ing that. I would sure do the same thing if I had only fee, slowly blowing and sipping it out of saucers before gotten my BB gun, but I did not. we could touch anything. Then, before we could open For the most part, I think we were all grateful for presents, we had to go outside and see if the reindeer whatever we got, whenever we got it. I do not think that left any hoof prints in the dirt. Ole Rudolph rarely let us any of us would do anything that would make Mama down. The Christmases that he did, Daddy would send and Daddy think that we were disappointed, because either Steve or me outside to make some before the we knew it was hard for them to provide for a family girls found out. I can still see the faces of my sisters of eight. But, on this particular Christmas morning, I looking out the window laughing at me when I was out just could not help myself, so I hid my face as I silently there drawing in the dirt, wondering all the while if any- began to cry as we picked up the trash. My heart was one that I went to school with might be driving by and broken. Those tears just had to flow. All the birds I had catch me in the act. planned to shoot out of the cedar trees that morning Another rule in our house was that only one person were safe for sure. could be opening one present at any given time, and Finally, Daddy called me to him and asked me why even then, we had to rotate around the room so that ev- I was crying, but I did not want to tell him. I think I saw eryone had the same number of presents to open. Not him fighting tears himself as he stood up and walked only could only one gift be opened one a time, you had away, firmly patting me on the back of the head as he to show it off to everyone else before the next child left, with the same rhythm that he always used (four could open theirs. Ha! This is another torturous tech- short fast pats, a short pause, then one last pat that nique that I have implemented through the years in my rung your ears). This was always his way of showing home with my children and grandchildren. It drives ev- affection. erybody crazy, but it sure is fun! In just a few seconds, Daddy spoke up and got evThe Christmas morning that I most remember was erybody’s attention. It appeared that Santa had somein either 1966 or 1967. All six of us young’uns had one how dropped one present that had fallen behind the “big” item that we had asked for, beyond the things couch. “Could it be?” I thought. Daddy looked the that Mama and Daddy knew that we had to have. We long, slender package over several times looking for could not ask for the moon, a name. About that time, I nor would we, but we did ask was wiping my eyes so that for one item that we really I could see, and I saw him Just as Steve and I headed around wanted and that Mama and look over his glasses and the side of our old black, Daddy had given us some smile as he looked at me unpainted, rental house toward assurance that it “might” and called my name. happen. Hallelujah! It was my the hedgerow that separated our On this particular Christvery own, brand new, shiny yard from the neighbor’s corn mas, Steve wanted a rifle and Daisy Red Rider BB gun, field, it appeared. Right there, on I wanted a BB gun. After all complete with a whole of Daddy’s delay techniques cardboard tube of BBs! Noa naked limb that protruded out of to drag the morning out, and body could have been more the hedgerow, landed a solid white after all the presents under proud or more anxious to dove that was without blemish. the tree had been distributstart sending lethal BBs ed and opened, Daddy told flying through the air. us to start cleaning up the As soon as the commess. What? Everybody had gotten their clothes, ev- motion was over and Daddy talked to us about being eryone had opened their fruit and peppermint, and ev- careful, Steve and I headed out the front door, hearing eryone had gotten their one big present they had asked the screen door slam shut long after we had flown off for (which always had to be opened last), except me. I the side of our large front porch. This scene was sure did not get the one present that I had been asking for, memorable, but the rest of this story is what I most and all the presents were gone. The BB gun was no- remember about this special Christmas morning. where to be found. I did not even get the BBs! Just as Steve and I headed around the side of our I looked over at Steve, as he proudly held his new old black, unpainted, rental house toward the hedgerow Remington 22LR automatic rifle up to his shoulder, that separated our yard from the neighbor’s corn field, looking through his new scope, anticipating how good it appeared. Right there, on a naked limb that protrudit was going to shoot. I sure did not blame him for do- ed out of the hedgerow, landed a solid white dove that 62

Cooperative Farming News

He was innocent. He was gentle. He was full of love and compassion, much like we experienced in the presence of the dove, whose chest I pierced that Christmas morning.

was without blemish. The beautiful dove just looked at us. Neither of us had ever seen a white dove before. At first, we just looked at one another, I suppose initially out of shock because we had never seen a dove like that, but then, I imagine, we were feeling each other out to decide which one of us was going to shoot him. To this day, neither of us have ever forgotten this moment, and though we rarely talk about it, we both think about it. Occasionally, it will come up, but we both find ourselves unable to talk too much about it. The best I remember, I was nine at the time and Steve was 15. We lived out in the country in Geneva, Ala. Neither of us really remember which one of us pulled the trigger on that beautiful dove that had such gentle eyes, but we both remember the blood spot on his breast as he woundedly fluttered away back into the hedge. We looked for him knowing that a white dove would be easy to spot, but he was not to be found. Once we saw the blood, though we had little church background or Bible stories that would have shaped our thinking, we both somehow knew that we had done something dreadfully wrong. I will not speak for Steve, but I specifically remember the gentleness of the doveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes and how intently he looked at us. He did not have a look of fear, but a look of gentleness, compassion and peace. It was a serene moment that ended just as soon as the trigger was pulled. One thing that I do know is that we both would love to be able to take that moment back if we just had the chance. Steve and I disagree on our memories of which one us pulled the trigger that Christmas morning, wounding and spilling the blood of that beautiful, gentle dove who looked at us as if he wanted to give us something. Steve would never put the blame on me, but I am pretty sure, though he says I am wrong, that it was me. I am the one who wounded him. It was I who inflicted his fatal wound. Now, 51 years later, Steve and I are both in our final years of serving Christ in fulltime Christian ministry. Neither of us are quitting, but we both know our days

on this earth are almost over. We were both together the morning of the dove. We were together the night we both got saved. We were together when we both got baptized. I was 11 and Steve was 17. I know that I failed God before I was saved, though I may not be able to remember the details - except for this Christmas memory. But, it is when I look back on all the times that I have failed Him after He reached out to me, that makes me know that it was my sin that drove the nails in His hands. He was innocent. He was gentle. He was full of love and compassion, much like we experienced in the presence of the dove, whose chest I pierced that Christmas morning. I often wonder just what might have happened had I not pulled the trigger. I have no way of knowing, but I honestly believe that the Lord may have actually audibly spoken to us had we just drawn close to him. Perhaps He wanted us to remember that no matter who we are and how many years we have served Him, our sin alone was enough to nail Him to the tree. His love for us alone was great enough to keep Him there. You know what? He loves you enough that no matter what you have done, no matter how far you have fallen, His shed blood was sufficient for you! He wants to speak to you and give you His peace, and He will, if you will just draw close to Him.

CATTLE FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Glenn Crumpler, President

Cattlemen helping you take the Gospel and love of Christ around the world. 334-393-4700 (Home). 4125 CR 636 Enterprise, AL 36330 334-333-4400 (Mobile) www.CattleforChrist.com 2 Corinthians 5:15 e-mail: glenncrumpler@cattleforchrist.com February 2020

THE CO-OP PANTRY BY M A RY DE L P H

It is always good to start your day with breakfast! This month we are featuring breakfast recipes that, along with breakfast staples eggs, bacon and sausage, will give you a delicious meal! Mary

Homemade Biscuits 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter very cold 3/4 cup whole milk For best results, chill your butter in the freezer for 1020 minutes before beginning this recipe. It’s ideal that the butter is very cold for light, flaky, buttery biscuits. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a cookie sheet with nonstick parchment paper. Set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl and mix well. Set aside. Remove your butter from the refrig-

erator and cut it into your flour mixture using a pastry cutter. Cut the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk, use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir until combined (don’t over-work the dough). Transfer your biscuit dough to a well-floured surface and use your hands to gently work the dough together. If the dough is too sticky, add flour until it is manageable. Once the dough is cohesive, fold in half over itself and use your hands to gently flatten layers together. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and fold in half again, repeating this step 5-6 times but taking care to not over-work the dough. Use your hands (do not use a rolling pin) to flatten the dough to 1” thick and lightly dust a 2 3/4” round biscuit cutter with flour. Making close cuts, press the biscuit cutter straight down into the dough and drop the biscuit onto your prepared baking sheet. Repeat until you have gotten as many biscuits as possible and place less than 1/2” apart on baking sheet. Once you have gotten as many biscuits as possible out of the dough, gently re-work the dough to get out another biscuit or two until you have at least 6 biscuits. Bake on 425 degrees for 12 minutes or until tops are beginning to just turn lightly golden brown. If desired, brush with melted salted butter immediately after removing from oven. Serve warm and enjoy.

Up the Creek Drop Biscuits 1 stick (4-ounces) cold unsalted butter cut into 1/4inch pieces and refrigerated 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 cup whole milk Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease the baking sheet with butter. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Toss butter into dry ingredients until coated with flour. Working quickly, using your fingers or a pastry blender, rub or cut butter into flour until it resembles coarse meal. Transfer to a large bowl. Add milk and stir with a fork until the mixture just comes together into a slightly sticky, shaggy dough. For small biscuits, use a teaspoon 64

Cooperative Farming News

or a small cookie scoop to mound walnut-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheet. For large biscuits, use a 1/4-cup measuring cup to mound balls of dough onto prepared baking sheet. Bake biscuits until golden brown, about 15 minutes for small biscuits and 20 minutes for large ones. Let cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Note: Perfect rescue recipe when those unexpected things happen and you need quick and easy biscuits!

Easy Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast 16 ounces frozen hash browns, defrosted (this is usually half a bag) 1 pound breakfast sausage, browned 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded 6 eggs 1/2 cup milk or cream 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Preheat oven to 350 degrees and brown sausage. Layer defrosted hash browns in greased 7-inch x11-inch or 9-inch x 9-inch casserole dish. Layer the browned sausage over the hash browns. Sprinkle cheese over top of the sausage and hash browns. Mix together the eggs with seasonings and milk and pour over the layers of hash browns, sausage and cheese. Bake for 3035 minutes or until eggs are set.

Easy Coffee Cake 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed 1 large egg, beaten 3/4 cup whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Topping 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional Glaze 1 tablespoon water 6 tablespoons powdered sugar Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease an 8-inch x 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form. Add in the egg, milk, and vanilla and mix with a rubber spatula until combined. The batter will be lumpy. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar, then sprinkle it over the top of the batter in the pan. Use a butter knife to cut lines through the batter. Sprinkle the top with the chopped walnuts, if desired. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, then allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes on a cooling rack. Whisk together the water and powdered sugar to make the glaze and drizzle over the top of the cake before slicing and serving. February 2020

No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls 2 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons cold butter, + additional 2 tablespoons butter for baking 3/4 cup milk

like a paste. Spread the filling over the rectangle of dough, leaving about 1/4” of space as a perimeter around the filling. Carefully roll dough starting with one of the 12” ends and rolling tightly. Press the edge of the roll into the dough so that it sticks. Cut the log, spacing your cuts about 1” apart. If the log is not holding its shape well, transfer it to your freezer for about 10 minutes and then try to cut again (it should hold its shape this way so you will have mostly round cinnamon rolls). Place the reserved 2 tablespoons of butter into a 9” pie pan and set it in your preheating oven for a few minutes until the butter has melted. Remove from oven. Place your cinnamon rolls in baking dish; they do not need to be touching as they will spread to fill their surrounding area. Bake at 375 degrees for 28-30 minutes (until edges are brown). Prepare your icing while the rolls are baking. With mixer, combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Gradually add sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add milk, stirring until combined. When cinnamon rolls are finished, remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before spreading icing over rolls. Note: This is the time-friendliest cinnamon roll recipe that I have ever found. Since yeast is not used, it is much faster to make. If you don’t like a lot of icing, cut the icing recipe in half.

Filling 2/3 cup brown sugar 3 tablespoons white sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 4 tablespoons butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

MID STATE STOCKYARDS LLP.

Icing 3 oz cream cheese, softened 3 tablespoon butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon milk

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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and mix. Using a pastry cutter, cut butter into dry mix. Add milk and mix until all ingredients are combined. Place dough onto a very well-floured surface and roll until it forms a cohesive ball. Continue to flour the surface you are working with as needed. Generously sprinkle flour on the top of the ball of dough and place a large piece of wax paper on top. If dough is too sticky, work in more flour until it is manageable. Use a rolling pin to roll dough out to roughly a 10-inch x12-inch rectangle. Remove the wax paper and make your filling by combining brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon and then stirring in butter and vanilla. This will be very much 66

Cooperative Farming News

8415 State Highway 97 South, Letohatchee, AL 36047 - Interstate 65 Exit 151

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February 2020

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Call 251-432-3324 PRATTVILLE MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION February 8, 2020 Prattville - Downtown 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 334-595-0854 MUSCLE SHOALS GUN AND KNIFE SHOW February 8-9, 2020 Muscle Shoals - North Alabama State Fair Grounds Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 256-335-8474

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19TH ANNUAL GENEALOGY WORKSHOP February 1, 2020 Monroeville - Old Courthouse Museum - 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 251-575-7433 ROAD TO FREEDOM WAGON TOUR February 1, 2020 Old Cahawba Archeological Park 10:00 a.m. Call 334-872-8058 JASMINE HILL GARDENS GARDEN TOUR February 1, 2020 Wetumpka - Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum - Admission 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Call 334-567-6463 DAUPHIN ISLAND PEOPLE’S PARADE February 1, 2020 Dauphin Island - Dauphin Island Sea Lab - 1:00 p.m. Call 251-861-5525 68 Cooperative Farming News

FARM TOY SHOW February 7-8, 2020 Sheffield - Clarion Hotel 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. Call 256-740-4141 BAYPORT PARADING SOCIETY, MYSTIC DJ RIDERS February 8, 2020 Mobile - Route A Call 251-432-3324 ALABAMA WILDLIFE CENTER’S WILD ABOUT CHOCOLATE February 8, 2020 Birmingham - The Harbert Center Admission - Cocktail attire Call 205-663-7930 VON BREWSKI BEER FESTIVAL February 8, 2020 Huntsville - Von Braun Center South Hall - Admission - 2:00 -6:00 p.m. Call 256-533-1953 PHARAOHS, ORDER OF HEBE, CONDE EXPLORERS February 8, 2020 Mobile - Route A - 6:30 p.m.

POUR YOUR HEART OUT February 14, 2020 Huntsville - U.S. Space and Rocket Center - Admission 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Call 256-837-3400 MERCEDES-BENZ MARATHON WEEKEND February 14-16, 2020 Birmingham - Linn Park Call 205-870-7771 MYSTIC MUTTS OF REVELRY PARADE February 15, 2020 Fairhope - 105 South Church Street Call 251-929-1466 LULU'S 12TH ANNUAL TROPICAL RE-UNION WEDDING VOW RENEWAL CEREMONY February 15, 2020 Gulf Shores - Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s 2:00 p.m. Call 251-967-5858 MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL & PARADE February 15, 2020 Millbrook - Village Green Festival begins at 9:00 a.m. Parade begins at 12:00 noon Call 334-799-1801 WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY February 15, 2020 Montevallo - American Village Call 205-665-3535 DINOSAUR WORLD February 185, 2020 Oxford - Oxford Performing Arts Center - Admission

7:30 p.m. Call 256-241-3322 28TH ANNUAL ORANGE BEACH SEAFOOD FESTIVAL AND ANTIQUE CAR SHOW February 19, 2020 Orange Beach - The Wharf 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 251-981-1524 MAIDS OF JUBILEE MARDI GRAS PARADE February 21, 2020 Fairhope - 161 North Section Street 6:45 p.m. Call 251-928-6387

LOYAL ORDER OF THE FIRE TRUCK PARADE February 23, 2020 Daphne - Main Street - 2:29 p.m. Call 251-928-6387 LAKE MARTIN WEDDING SHOW February 23, 2020 Dadeville - 357 West Columbus St. Admission - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Call 256-825-1622 2ND ANNUAL MARDI GRAS PARADE & PARTY February 23, 2020 Foley - Downtown - Owa Blvd 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Call 251-923-2211

FINS, FEATHERS AND FLOWERS MONTGOMERY'S JEWISH February 21-23, 2020 Eufaula - Lakepoint Resort State Park FOOD FESTIVAL February 23, 2020 Call 334-687-8011 Montgomery - Temple Beth Or. AUBURN MARDI GRAS PARADE 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. February 22, 2020 Call 334-262-3314 Auburn - Downtown - 2:00 p.m. LULU’S ANNIVERSARY Call 334-750-7340 CELEBRATION AND MARDI GRAS MARDI GRAS PARADE BOAT PARADE February 22, 2020 February 25, 2020 Chatom - Downtown - 10:00 a.m. Gulf Shores - LuLu’s Homeport Call 251-847-2580 Marina CARNIVAL CANINES ON PARADE Call 251-967-5858 February 22, 2020 COTTONTAIL'S VILLAGE ARTS, Decatur - Bank Street CRAFTS AND GIFTS SHOW 11:00 a.m. - Canine Parade February 28 - March 1, 2020 2:00 p.m. - Children’s Parade Birmingham - BJCC - Admission 6:00 p.m. - Carnegie Carnival Parade Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Call 256-341-0562 Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. MARDI GRAS PARADE Sunday: 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. February 22, 2020 Call 205-836-7178 Orange Beach - Perdido Beach Blvd BRIDGE CROSSING JUBILEE 2:00 p.m. February 28 - March 1, 2020 Call 251-981-6973 Selma - National Voting Rights KREWE OF SPARTA MARDI Museum & Institute - Admission GRAS PARADE Call 334-526-2626 February 22, 2020 RUSSELL FOREST RUN Saraland - Route 43 - Noon February 29 2020 Call 251-675-5103 Alexander City - Russell Crossroads ORDER OF CIMARRON MARDI Admission - 7:45 a.m. GRAS FESTIVAL Call 256-397-1019 February 22, 2020 PLAY SELMA MUSIC IN THE Wetumpka - Gold Star Park STREET 11:00 a.m. February 29, 2020 Call 256-362-9075 Selma - Play Selma Music Hall 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.

facebook.com/pg/PlaySelma ALABAMA ANTIQUE TRAIL SALE March 1-31, 2020 Statewide - Various locations Call 256-797-5640 AZALEA BLOOM OUT March 1-31, 2020 Theodore - Bellingrath Gardens and Home Call 251-973-2217 SPRING BIRD MIGRATION March 1 - April 30, 2020 Dauphin Island - Audubon Bird Sanctuary Call 251-861-3607 JERRY BROWN ARTS FESTIVAL March 7-8, 2020 Hamilton - 465 Airport Road Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 205-921-9483

“What’s Happening in Alabama” Policy The AFC Cooperative Farming News publishes event listings as space allows, giving preference to agricultural events of regional or statewide interest and those that are annual or one-time events. The magazine assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information submitted for publication and advises calling ahead to confirm dates, locations, times and possible admission fees. To be included in the calendar, send listings to: Cooperative Farming News Calendar of Events P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609 -oremail to Calendar of Events at subscribe@alafarm.com *Please include name of event, where it will be held (both town and physical location), a phone number for more information, and an email or website.* *Event Listings must be received at least two months in advance and will be accepted up to a year in advance.*

February 2020

AFC Grain Elevator Locations Florence PO Box 998 Florence, AL 35631 1090 South Court Street Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256-308-1681 Fax: 256-560-2681

Decatur PO Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609 800 B Market Street Decatur, AL 35601 Phone: 256-308-1670 Fax: 256-351-8424

Guntersville PO Box 516 Guntersville, AL 35976 117 Signal Point Road Guntersville, AL 35976 Phone: 256-582-3121

Uniontown PO Box 610 Uniontown, AL 36786 US Hwy 80 east (behind Stockyard) Uniontown, AL 36786 Phone: 334-628-2611 Fax: 334-628-9000

Satellite Elevator - South 2414 Brown Street Guntersville, AL 35976 Phone: 256-582-3122

Satellite Elevator - Browns 21145 US Hwy 80 Browns, AL

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USE TOGETHER AND

ENJOY THE BOUNTY *vs. unfed plants over a growing season when using both Miracle-Gro® soil and plant food as directed.

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