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IN THIS ISSUE:
Editor-in-Chief: Samantha Carpenter Editor: Jessie Shook Contributing Editor: Jade Randolph Associate Editor: Mary Delph
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CO-OP MATTERS 20 Store Spotlight: Tennessee Valley Cooperative LIFE ON THE HOMEPLACE AND IN THE COMMUNITY 35 Hope Horses 39 God’s Hand on a Farmer 42 Southern Grounds Coffee Shoppe YOUTH MATTERS 23 PALS: Poster and Recycled Art Contest Winners
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24 4-H Extension Corner: A Night Under the Stars 28 FFA Sentinel: Wetumpka’s Terrance Crayton Brings Home Top Honors
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On the Cover: Hope Horses provides therapeutic riding lessons to children and adults with physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs. Story on page 35. (Featuring L to R: Volunteer Ashleigh Oden, Student Calista Mitchell, Volunteer Allison Oden Photo Credit: AFC Publication Staff)
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OUR REGULARS Letter from the Editor................ 4
How’s Your Garden?................... 47
Ag Insight.................................... 8
Weed’em and Reap................... 49
Business of Farming................... 12
Simple Times.............................. 53
Feeding Facts ............................. 14
Howle’s Hints.............................. 55
From the State Vet’s Office......... 16
The Magic of Gardening........... 58
What’s the Point.......................... 18
Food Safety................................. 60
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, news 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.
On the Edge of Common Sense... 22
Grazing Grace............................ 65
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Outdoor Logic with BioLogic.... 30
The Co-op Pantry....................... 67
Cooking with Stacy Lyn............. 33
What’s Happening in Alabama... 70
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January 2021
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Letter from the Editor Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and the chance to spend time with your family and friends. We are excited to celebrate AFC’s 85th Anniversary this year and look forward to another year of bringing you “down to earth news from your friends at the Co-op.” The thought of a new year and a new season always seems to bring hope, and this issue highlights just that. Hope Horses located in Cullman, Alabama, is a therapeutic riding center bringing smiles to those who need them most. This program celebrates differences and promotes independence with the help of some four-legged friends. We’re also announcing a Co-op merger between three North Alabama members resulting in the new Tennessee Valley Cooperative. This exciting partnership gives these locations the opportunity to work together to better serve their members. While we hit the ground running this year, we’re looking forward to celebrating our 85th birthday with all of you by sharing photos and stories throughout 2021. I hope you’ll join us in celebrating a company that is proud to serve the agriculture industry and its members every day. Thank you for being a loyal reader, customer and part of the AFC family.
Samantha Carpenter Editor-in-Chief
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Serving gardeners, farmers and everyone in between
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Cooperative Farming News
DIRECTORY OF MEMBER COOPERATIVES ALTHA FARMERS COOPERATIVE James Lynn, Mgr. Phone 850-674-8194
ELBERTA FARMERS COOPERATIVE William D. Carlew, Mgr. Phone 251-986-8103
ANDALUSIA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Russell Lassiter, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-222-1851 FLORALA - Pete Blackwell, Mgr. Phone 334-858-6142 OPP - Brandon Bledsoe, Mgr. Phone 334-493-7715
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
ATMORE TRUCKERS ASSOCIATION Todd Booker, Mgr. Phone 251-368-2191
FARMERS CO-OP OF ASHFORD Timothy Tolar, Mgr. Jerome Hinson, Asst. Mgr. Phone 334-899-3263
BLOUNT COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Eric Sanders, Mgr. Phone 205-274-2185 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. CENTRE - Seth Eubanks, Mgr. Phone 256-927-3135 JACKSONVILLE - Tommy Thomas, Mgr. Phone 256-435-3430 PIEDMONT - Kevin Bobbitt, Mgr. Phone 256-447-6560
FARMERS COOPERATIVE, INC. Todd Lawrence, Gen. Mgr. LIVE OAK, FL - Barry Long, Ag Div. Mgr. Phone 386-362-1459 MADISON, FL - Jerry Owens, Operations Mgr. Phone 850-973-2269 GENEVA COUNTY COOPERATIVE HARTFORD - Todd Smith, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-588-2992 WEST GENEVA - Robert Pittman, Mgr. Phone 334-898-7932 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
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
JAY PEANUT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Ryan Williams, Mgr. Phone 850-675-4597 LUVERNE COOPERATIVE SERVICES Perry Catrett, Mgr. Phone 334-335-5082 MADISON COUNTY COOPERATIVE Keith Griffin, Gen. Mgr. HAZEL GREEN - Phone 256-828-2010 MERIDIANVILLE - Matt Dunbar, Mgr. Phone 256-828-5360 NEW MARKET - Phone 256-379-2553 Ramsey Prince, Mgr. SCOTTSBORO - Phone 256-574-1688 Patricia Rorex, Mgr. STEVENSON - Phone 256-437-8829
DEKALB FARMERS COOPERATIVE Lance Ezelle, Gen. Mgr. RAINSVILLE - Andrea Crain, Mgr. Phone 256-638-2569 CROSSVILLE - David Tierce, Mgr. Phone 256-528-7188 ALBERTVILLE Phone 256-878-3261
MARION COUNTY COOPERATIVE Steve Lann, Gen. Mgr. HAMILTON - Phone 205-921-2631 FAYETTE - Kellie Trull, Mgr. Phone 205-932-5901 HALEYVILLE - Jessica Steward, Mgr. Phone 205-486-3794
MARSHALL FARMERS COOPERATIVE Brian Keith, Gen. Mgr. HOLLY POND - Phone 256-796-5337 ARAB - Mark Upton Phone 256-586-5515 MORGAN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Bradley Hopkins, Gen. Mgr. HARTSELLE - Phone 256-773-6832 DECATUR - Phone 256-353-4663 PIKE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Wayne Ward, Mgr. Phone 334-566-3882 QUALITY COOPERATIVE, INC. Daniel Salter, Mgr. Phone 334-382-6548 RANDOLPH FARMERS COOPERATIVE Tim Brown, Mgr. Phone 256-357-4743 TALEECON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Scott Hartley, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-257-3930 WETUMPKA - Timothy Richardson, Mgr. Phone 334-567-4321 TALLADEGA COUNTY EXCHANGE Chris Elliott, Gen. Mgr. Phone 256-362-2716 ASHVILLE - Allen Bice, Mgr. Phone 205-594-7042 PELL CITY - Joseph Taylor, Mgr. Phone 205-338-2821 COLUMBIANA - Barry Keller, Mgr. Phone 205-669-7082 TENNESSEE VALLEY COOPERATIVE, INC. John Curtis, President ATHENS – Britt Christopher, Mgr. Phone 256-232-5500 LYNNVILLE, TN - Kyle Doggett, Mgr. Phone 931-527-3923 PULASKI, TN – Celena Williams, Mgr. Phone 931-363-2563 Reggie Shook, Vice Pres. FLORENCE - Robbie Neal, Mgr. Phone 256-764-8441 ELGIN - Wendell Walker, Mgr. Phone 256-247-3453 John Holley, Vice Pres. MOULTON - Greg McCannon, Mgr. Phone 256-974-9213 COURTLAND Phone 256-637-2939 TUSCALOOSA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Wayne Gilliam, Mgr. Phone 205-339-8181 WALKER FARMERS COOPERATIVE Cody King, Mgr. Phone 205-387-1142
*PLEASE CONTACT EACH STORE DIRECTLY FOR ALL OF THE SERVICES THEY OFFER* PEANUTS
PECANS
PROPANE
PEA SHELLING
CATFISH
January 2021
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AG INSIGHT COVID’s impact expected to lower U.S. ag exports The toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy is expected to cause the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) to decline in 2020 for the first time since 2009. Because GDP is expected to shrink in some of the United States’ foremost agricultural export destinations, U.S. agricultural exports are expected to fall as a result of the reduction in overseas demand for agricultural goods. According to the Economic Research Service’s (ERS’s) latest outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade, U.S. agricultural exports are projected to be down $0.5 billion from 2019 at $135 billion in fiscal year 2020. Across the world, GDP is forecast to fall by 5.2% (adjusted for inflation) during fiscal year 2020. GDP in the Asia and Oceania region, which comprises the largest proportion of U.S. agricultural exports, is expected to decline by more than 4% in 2020. In North America, GDP is expected to fall by 6.1%, largely because of the expected reductions in the GDPs of Canada and Mexico – the top two purchasing coun-
tries of U.S. agricultural exports. By 2021, however, a return to positive GDP growth rates is expected among most major trading regions, and exports are projected to increase $5 billion over 2020 to reach $140.5 billion in fiscal year 2021.
Alabama forests on funding priority list Alabama’s national forests are on the priority list of deferred maintenance projects recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for funding under the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) in fiscal year 2021. Passed by Congress and signed into law last summer, the GAOA is designed to protect and enhance the economies of numerous gateway communities that surround the nation’s public lands by restoring and maintaining critical access and infrastructure. The project list will help the Forest Service reduce its $5.2 billion backlog of deferred maintenance and improve access and visitor experience by repairing and restoring roads, trails, bridges, recreation sites and other facilities on national forests and grasslands. Working with state and local governments and other partners, the projects will benefit from millions in partner contributions that will further bolster the funding provided under GAOA. After the GAOA was signed into law in August, the Forest Service spent several weeks reviewing project proposals from national forests and grasslands nationwide. After the analysis of all project proposals, the Forest Service worked with local communities and stakeholders to identify over 550 shovel-ready projects that, if fully funded, will give federal land managers resources to take aggressive steps in repairing and restoring facilities and infrastructure that the American people depend on when visiting their national forests and grasslands.
In North America, GDP is expected to fall by 6.1%, largely because of the expected reductions in the GDPs of Canada and Mexico – the top two purchasing countries of U.S. agricultural exports. 8
Cooperative Farming News
BY JIM ERICKSON
Farm production costs expected to decline
Farm Production Costs Farm sector production expenses are forecast to decrease by $4.6 billion (1.3%) to $344.2 billion in 2020. The expense total includes costs associated with operator dwellings and is not adjusted for inflation. The expenses represent the costs of all inputs used to produce farm commodities and strongly affect farm profitability. Although overall production expenses are expected to decrease, changes in specific expenses vary considerably. Specific expenses forecast to increase in 2020 account for approximately 69% of total expenses and are projected to collectively rise by $6 billion relative to 2019 before adjusting for inflation. Included are the two largest expense categories – feed purchases (1.4% increase from 2019) and cash labor (3.1%). In contrast, expenses expected to decrease account for 31% of total expenses and are forecast to collectively decline by $10.6 billion from 2019 to 2020. Specifically, livestock and poultry purchases are anticipated to decrease by 7.5%, pesticides by 2.1%, and oil and fuel spending by 13.9%. In addition, interest expenses are forecast to be at their lowest level since 2014 (not adjusted for inflation), dropping by 27.1% ($5.6 billion) from 2019 as a result of historically low interest rates. After adjusting for inflation, total production expenses in 2020 are 19% below the record high of $427.1 billion in 2014, continuing a six-year period of declining costs.
Two Alabama communities to receive federal aid Two Alabama communities are among more than 200 in 43 states set to receive a total of $891 million in federal assistance to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The projects are being funded through USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Some 787,000 residents nationwide will benefit from the 220 projects, designed to promote economic growth and to protect the health and safety of those living and working in rural areas. Alabama recipients include: 1. The town of Kinston, which will receive a $47,000 loan and a $53,000 grant to add a third well that will enable the community to be dependent solely on its own water supply. 2. The Pintlala Water System, which will receive a loan of more than $2 million. The funds will expand and improve the system with a new deep water well and water treatment building and installation of an automated water meter reading system.
Mixed outlook for U.S. farm prices through 2030
USDA projections for changes in nominal (not adjusted for inflation) U.S. farm prices between 2020 and 2030 indicate a mixed outlook shaped by the expected recovery in U.S. and global demand, continued export competition and market conditions during 2020. For crops, the strongest gains are projected for wheat and cotton. Wheat prices are projected to rise as domestic and export demands begin to outpace domestic production, while higher cotton prices are driven by a projected recovery in export demand. Modest changes in prices for U.S. corn and soybeans from current levels reflect the relatively steady demand for these products during 2020, together with the moderating influences of productivity gains and continued export competition. Among livestock products, farm prices of hogs, broilers and eggs are projected higher by 2030, as economic recovery restores growth in domestic and exJanuary 2021
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Second round of virus food assistance program ends Although final figures are not yet available, interim results show that USDA’s Farm Service Agency approved more than $7 billion in payments to producers during the opening weeks in the second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. CFAP 2 provides agricultural producers with financial assistance to help absorb some of the increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The program builds upon the more than $10 billion disbursed under the first round of CFAP.
CFAP 2 made available up to $14 billion for agricultural producers facing market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. port demand. U.S. beef cattle prices are expected to rise during the early years of the 10-year projection period, before declining somewhat as the multiyear cattle cycle and a longer-term trend of sluggish demand growth turn prices downward. The projections are based on an assumed longterm macroeconomic outlook that includes a recovery in income growth – beginning in 2021 – from the declines that have occurred in most economies during 2020. The outlook for the U.S. economy, and for many important U.S. agricultural markets and competitors, however, remains uncertain. This chart is based on projections prepared by the USDA Interagency Projections Committee using data available as of fall 2020 and released by the Office of the Chief Economist in November. 10
Cooperative Farming News
During the opening weeks of CFAP 2 enrollment, which began in late September, FSA approved more than 443,000 applications. The top five states for payments were Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois and Kansas. CFAP 2 made available up to $14 billion for agricultural producers facing market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. CFAP 2 was a separate program from the first iteration of CFAP. Accordingly, farmers and ranchers who participated in CFAP 1 were not automatically enrolled and had to complete a new application for CFAP 2. Deadline for CFAP 2 applications was Dec. 11, 2020. CFAP 2 support has gone to eligible producers of row crops, livestock, specialty crops, dairy, aquaculture and other commodities, including many that were ineligible for CFAP 1.
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January 2021
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BUSINESS OF FARMING
Greetings Alabama:
A Look Toward 2021 Happy new year, Alabamians! As we begin 2021, I want to take an opportunity to introduce myself and take a look into 2021 for agriculture. My name is Adam Rabinowitz, and I am an assistant professor and Extension Economist in the department of agricultural economics and rural sociology at Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES). I arrived at Auburn in July 2020 – a strange time to build new roots for an extension specialist amid the COVID-19 pandemic. So while my first six months have been limited travel and restrictions on in-person meetings, I figured I would take the opportunity of writing this article as a means to reach out, introduce myself, give some thoughts on agriculture in 2021, and welcome all of you to reach back out to me. To give you a little history, I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I then obtained my Ph.D. at 12 12 Cooperative Cooperative Farming Farming News News
the University of Connecticut (UConn) in the department of agricultural and resource economics. During my graduate studies and the two years following as an assistant research professor, I worked on a variety of issues related to the dairy industry, ranging from the farm to the consumer, food security, and agricultural and food policy. Much of this work was under the organizational structure of the Food Marketing Policy Center and then the Zwick Center for Food and Resource Policy. In 2016, I left UConn for a new opportunity at the University of Georgia (UGA), Tifton Campus. As an assistant professor and Extension economist, I focused on row crops at UGA and worked with producers and other stakeholders on issues of policy, marketing and production. The four years I spent at UGA gave me an appreciation of the unique challenges and opportunities that agricultural producers face in the Southeast. When the opportunity arose to come to Auburn, my
B Y A D A M N . R A B I N OW I T Z , P H . D .
family and I saw great growth potential, personally and professionally. While I will not be teaching at Auburn, I have taught classes on agricultural and food policy, farm management, and consumer marketing and behavior. I enjoy teaching and working with students, and I will be advising graduate students at Auburn and integrating them into my research and Extension program. My primary responsibility, however, is my Extension program. My focus in Alabama is on production and policy issues across all sectors of agriculture, within the context of risk management. Some of the topics I have already been working on since my arrival include: 1. COVID-19 impact on agricultural production 2. Irrigation scheduling for peanuts and corn 3. Agricultural policy programs including farm bill, disaster assistance and crop insurance 4. Farm financials 5. Hemp marketing I have also been thinking about what 2021 holds for agriculture as we move past a tumultuous 2020. These are very uncertain times for agricultural producers, and we are at a time in agriculture when trade disputes are still prominent and new trade deals are still being negotiated. In particular, the structure of a long-term trading relationship with China is still to be decided. China returned to purchasing agricultural products in 2020, and that included many new products that had not been previously of interest for import. However, tariffs on Chinese goods still exist in the U.S. and the original “Phase One� deal was structured to provide guidance for just two years of exports from the U.S. We have also seen changing preferences of consumers, most notably with declines in consumption of food-away-from-home and increases in purchasing of food for at-home consumption. While this shift was due to COVID-19, initial research has shown that some consumers are expected to make these shifts more permanent behavior in the future. COVID-19 also resulted in great swings in commodity prices. For example, December 2020 cotton futures dropped from a high of nearly 73 cents/lb. in January to almost 50 cents/lb. on April 1. This was no April Fool’s joke, though, as corn dropped from just over $4/bushel in January to barely $3.20/bushel in August. Both prices have recovered, with cotton futures approaching 70 cents/lb. and corn futures over $4.10/bushel by mid-November.
Supply chain disruptions in the beef cattle market are also causes for uncertainty. Price declines of cattle occurred in 2020, with cattle prices off nearly 20% at one point before showing some rebound. While COVID-19 was a major reason for this, the Tyson packing plant fire of 2019 has also been a concern. It has been recognized that while the meat supply chain is efficient, there are also difficulties in adapting to shocks in the market. This market rigidity has already captured the attention of a USDA investigative report as well as policymakers that are expected to make this a policy agenda item for 2021. Meanwhile, net farm income in Alabama has declined from record highs in 2014 and government payments have soared. In 2019, government payments as a result of trade impacts, farm safety net programs, and crop insurance and disaster payments represented 15% of net farm income in Alabama and 32% of net farm income in the entire U.S. This does not even include the 2020 government payments for the two phases of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) with payments totaling over $160 million in Alabama and over $20 billion in the entire U.S. While these program payments were designed to assist farmers through periods of market disruptions and price declines, they are considered ad hoc programs and are believed to be an unsustainable policy approach. Thus, we must be aware of how net farm income recovers and the role government safety net programs play in the future. As I talk about some of the challenges and uncertainty in agriculture, I also think about the opportunities. There are emerging markets, such as production of industrial hemp. Meanwhile, innovation in agriculture remains strong at work with technological advancements and research programs addressing industry problems. As trade issues continue to be resolved, those areas of uncertainty will become future marketing opportunities. Thus, I remain optimistic, but recognize that growth will be slow during a time of worldwide economic struggles amid the global pandemic. In closing, I welcome you to reach out to me. Let me know what needs you see that should be a priority to address for the future of agriculture in Alabama. My email address is adam.rabinowitz@auburn.edu and my office phone number is 334-844-5620. I look forward to meeting more Alabama farmers in the year to come and wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. January 2021
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FEEDING FACTS
Winter Weather Factors There are many factors that determine how much feed an animal will eat each day. We have touched on many of them, from heat stress to feed quality. We have not spent a great deal of time discussing what is more relevant for this time of year. The environmental things that we see playing major roles this time of year are generally temperature, wind, rain and mud. Of course, feed or forage quality will still play a major role. When we talk about winter weather factors that influence nutritional demands, we normally think of energy demands, and rightfully so. That is what changes the most. Typically, the other nutrients do not really change a great deal with the colder weather environmental changes, although you could see the slightest increase in protein needs as hair growth ramps up. We have talked about energy sources before. The bulk of energy nutrition is centered around fat, starches and fiber digestion. Fat is the densest energy
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source and works well to increase the total calories provided, but has limitations for many reasons and can only be used sparingly. Starches are really good sources of energy as well and we find them added usually in the form of normal grains like corn. Fibers are a bit more complex and some are better sources than others. They do generally provide the base of caloric intake in ruminants. Some are easy to digest and some are almost impossible to use. The less digestible fibers also tend to hang around the rumen for longer periods of time and limit total intake. This is where putting up really mature grasses as hay will haunt you the most and probably causes as many problems in our cow herd as any one factor each year. Animals burn calories to maintain body temperature. Animals in good body condition are good at staying warm in cold weather. Hair and fat provide a great deal of insulation. Cattle don’t go into cold stress with normal winter hair until temperatures fall
B Y J I M M Y PA R K E R
Under wet, windy conditions, it is highly unlikely that cattle can maintain themselves on hay alone and unless additional calories are provided they will pull from their fat reserves to meet their energy needs. to around 32 degrees, but their energy needs go up considerably during wet windy conditions at temperatures below the mid-50s Fahrenheit. Animals’ energy requirements go up about 1% as the environmental conditions worsen and temperatures fall below a critical point with dry conditions, and requirements go up about 2% in wet windy conditions for each degree of temperature change. So, in dry, calm conditions with a body score of 5 and a normal hair coat, cattle would not see a real change in energy needs until temperatures reach the freezing mark or just a bit below, especially on a nice sunny day. That does change rapidly as temperatures fall further, 1% for each degree, so, at 25 degrees you would be 7 degrees below freezing and you would need to increase the animal’s caloric intake by 7%. That is pretty straightforward. When rain, wind and muddy conditions are factored in, the change is much more significant and starts in the mid- to high- 50s. Using 55 degrees as the benchmark for where cold stress starts on wet, windy days, we need to add 2% more energy for a cow to maintain her temperature. So, at 42 degrees on a wet, windy day, cattle would need a great deal more energy. 55-42=13 times 2 would be 26% more energy, just to maintain body temperature. At 36 degrees, 5536=19 times 2 would be 38% more energy needed. Under wet, windy conditions, it is highly unlikely that cattle can maintain themselves on hay alone and unless additional calories are provided they will pull from their fat reserves to meet their energy needs. That is very effective when fat reserves are plentiful, but as those fat reserves disappear and body condition suffers, then their ability to insulate themselves goes way down and they will need even more energy to stay warm. It is a vicious cycle and one that costs producers a great deal of production each year. When we talk about body condition and an animal’s ability to stay warm, we can think of their body
condition as like our clothing choices. Cattle with a body condition score (BCS) of 5 would be like you wearing a really heavy coat and you would be comfortable at reasonably cold temps. Cattle with a BCS of 3 would be like you wearing a light jacket and you would start to burn more calories at a higher temperature. BCS scores of 2 would be like you wearing shorts and a tee shirt and you would notice cold, rainy weather well before your friend with the heavy coat. Cattle with a BCS of 1 would be like a naked person out in the cold and survival would be questionable well before temperatures reach the freezing mark. Hopefully, your animals have started the winter with a good hair coat and a high BCS. If so, they are well-equipped to survive the cold, wet days to come. They will still need a little help on those hardest days and will probably need a bit more than just hay, or at the very least they will need your best hay on the worst days. If your animals enter the winter in less than ideal body condition, expect to need to supplement them on the nice days and feed them heavily as cold, wet weather becomes more common.
January 2021
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FROM THE STATE VET’S OFFICE
RABIES:
It’s Not a Disease of the Past
A few short weeks ago, a donkey was brought to the Hanceville lab for diagnostic testing after exhibiting more than just odd behavior. The question of some type of encephalitis such as West Nile virus or Eastern equine encephalitis came to mind; however, there have been no reported cases of either across the state. Quite fittingly, on Friday the 13th, we were notified that the donkey’s pathology revealed rabies. Reports of positive rabies in domestic animals has decreased over the years and kept itself off our radar. The donkey being positive has reminded us that it has not gone away, and we must remain vigilant in the fight to end this virus. 16
Cooperative Farming News
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that is found mostly in animals – however, it can be a serious public health problem. After infection, and signs or symptoms begin, the virus has a 100% fatality rate. There have been four exceptions of humans surviving. The best advice is to eliminate exposure to the virus and seek immediate medical attention if there is the possibility of exposure. Thanks to the vaccination of companion animals there has been a significant decrease in reports of rabies. Since 1948, there have been 8,165 positive cases of rabies. This number includes bats, cats, cattle, dogs, foxes, horses, humans, pigs, raccoons, and other wild and domestic animals, including the
BY DR. TONY FRAZIER opossum. The peak year was 1953 with 732 positive these animals tend to not be vaccinated and have a cases (the rabies vaccination law went into effect in higher risk of carrying rabies. When normally tame or 1954) and the year with the least number was 2004 docile pets become aggressive or exhibit a change in with 64 cases. After the introduction of the vaccina- behavior, veterinary medical advice should be sought tion law in 1954, the number of positive dogs was less immediately. than 100 for the first time, and within three years it had It is against the law to possess wild animals such dropped below 10 cases per year in dogs. Since 1963, as raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes as pets bethere have not been more than seven positive cases cause they may be a reservoir for the rabies virus. in any calendar year. In fact, the canine variant of the There are certain situations where selected popularabies virus has not been seen in Alabama in many tions of free-ranging wildlife are vaccinated through years, except for a gray fox bait drops; however, no apthat was imported from Texproved individual vaccine as a few years back. In Alaexists for wildlife species. When wildlife that is bama, racoon and bat variWhen wildlife that is normalants are the strain of rabies ly afraid of humans begins normally afraid of humans that is generally seen. to act tame, rabies should be begins to act tame, rabies From the late 40s considered. NEVER attempt through the early 70s, there to pet wildlife, especially wild should be considered. was a great deal of rabies animals that act tame or unNEVER attempt to pet wildin foxes. It seems to have afraid of human contact. declined as the population There is a commercial life, especially wild animals of red foxes in our state vaccine that is approved for declined – just an observalivestock including sheep, that act tame or unafraid of tion. Raccoons with rabies horses and cattle. While it human contact. have remained somewhat is not a common practice to steady since the late 70s – vaccinate these species in in the double-digit figures every circumstance where every year. This increase seems to coincide with an in- there may be risk of exposure to rabies, you should crease in the raccoon population. Raccoon rabies was consult your veterinarian about the use of rabies vacincidentally introduced into the state when some rac- cine. Rabies in livestock may exhibit as a change in coons were brought in from another state and turned behavior such as aggressiveness, becoming more out into the wild. Skunk rabies seemed to see its high- docile, an altered gait, appearing choked or even apest numbers from the early 70s to the mid-80s. There pearing to strain to urinate or have a bowel movehave been seven human cases (all fatal) since 1948, ment. the last being in 1994. Veterinary medicine, wildlife services and public Rabies still exists in Alabama, and despite drastic health have come a long way toward the elimination measures by veterinarians and wildlife professionals, and prevention of rabies. The secret to success is that the disease does not seem to be going away any time pet owners, farmers, hunters and the general public soon. Because of that, it is crucial that we affect those remain vigilant and abide by those prudent practices risk factors that we have the ability to control in reduc- mentioned earlier. In every situation, be very cautious ing the occurrence of this virus. when an animal exhibits abnormal behavior. That All dogs and cats over three months of age should doesn’t mean that every animal that acts strangely be vaccinated annually against the disease. The law has rabies; quite the contrary, it can be difficult to disused to be that all dogs, cats and ferrets over three tinguish those that have rabies from those that do not. months of age were to be vaccinated annually for As we continue to educate the public about this rabies. Now the law reads that these animals are to disease, it is important that you report suspicious anibe vaccinated in accordance with the label on the mal behavior to your veterinarian. Report animal bites product and the vaccine must be administered by a to your health department, especially wild animals, licensed veterinarian. should medical care be recommended. The chances It is also important to have strays and unwanted of a human contracting rabies are rare, but keep in animals removed by the proper authorities, because mind the mortality rate is 100%. January 2021
17
WHAT’S THE POINT WITH GREENPOINT AG
How to Interpret Your Soil Test Results At first glance, it might seem like you need a Ph.D. in agronomy to understand the soil analysis your lab provides, but if you break it down piece by piece, it’s much easier to digest. So, here is how we break it down when we’re interpreting soil reports received from the lab.
BASIC SOIL TEST RESULTS
A basic soil analysis provides: • Soil pH level: The ideal pH range for most crops grown in our service territory is 5.5 to 7.5. If your soil pH is low, the lab will recommend a specific lime application to help you achieve a pH of 6.5. • Buffer pH: An indicator generated by the lab to determine how much lime is needed to adjust pH to ideal levels. The lower the buffer pH reading, the higher the lime requirement. • Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): CEC is a measurement of your soil’s ability to hold nutrients. A higher CEC (>25) is desirable because it means your soil can hold more nutrients, usually indicating it is a silty clay loam with good organic matter levels. A low CEC (<5) means your soil is unable to hold nutrients or deliver them to the roots. 18
Cooperative Farming News
• Phosphate (P) and potassium (K) levels: The amount of nutrients present in your soil is reported in either lbs./A or parts per million (PPM); 1 PPM equals 2 lbs/A. In addition to this figure, the lab will also categorize the nutrient levels in your field as very low, low, medium, optimum or very high. These designations often vary between labs. (I.e. what one lab might consider “low,” another might classify as “very low,” etc.) Therefore, it’s best to have the same lab analyze your soil samples year after year to avoid any discrepancies. • Soil fertility recommendations: The lab provides application rate recommendations based on the crop you intend to plant next season and the nutrient levels you currently have in your field. Sometimes application timing is also recommended. If you change your mind and decide to plant a different crop next season, your agronomist can generate new nutrient application recommendations for the appropriate crop.
ADDITIONAL ANALYTICAL DATA
For an additional fee, a more detailed soil analysis can be ordered. This will contain the same information from a basic soil test, but can also include items like:
FROM THE GREENPOINT AG AGRONOMY TEAM
• Secondary micronutrient levels: The levels of nutrients like calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and sodium (Na) can also be tested. If you ordered them, they will appear right after your P and K levels. • Organic matter content and estimated nitrogen release (ENR): The percentage of organic matter is a measurement of the amount of plant and animal residue in the soil. The organic matter serves as a reserve for many essential nutrients, especially Nitrogen. During the growing season, a part of this reserve N is made available to the plant through bacterial activity. The ENR is an estimate of the amount of N (lbs./A) that will be released over the season. • Soil texture analysis: You’re likely well aware of the types of soil that make up your fields, but analyzing the texture can be helpful when farming a new piece of land for the first time.
WHERE’S THE NITROGEN?
You’ll likely notice that your field’s current N levels are not included on your report. Since N is leach-
able, it’s difficult to measure in the fall and accurately assume how much will be available for crop use. Therefore, labs typically only test for N when a grower is preparing for a preplant or side-dress application. However, the lab still supplies a general N recommendation based on the yield goal and expected uptake of your intended crop.
CONSISTENCY IS IMPORTANT
The fewer changes you make between labs, the more consistent your soil analysis will be. Labs can use varying extraction methods and buffering agents when performing soil tests, which can lead to differences in the nutrient applications recommended. So, if you’re satisfied with the analysis your lab provides, it’s best to stick with them. Reviewing soil test results can be a challenge, so don’t hesitate to contact your local Co-op crop specialist or GreenPoint Ag agronomist if you have any questions. Whether you need a quick phone conversation or an in-person visit, we’re happy to help.
Ison’s Nursery SINCE 1934
Grow Half-Dollar Sized Muscadines and Blackberries!
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40 two-year-old Bulls Charolais, Angus and Sim Angus Registered Charolais and Angus Females
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January 2021
19
STORE SPOTLIGHT BY C O R E Y E S P Y
Tennessee Valley Cooperative
As of Jan. 1, 2021, Limestone Farmers Cooperative, Lawrence County Exchange and Lauderdale Farmers Cooperative will merge to form the Tennessee Valley Cooperative. This new partnership comes after intense planning from the managers and board of directors along with great support from the members of each Co-op. This partnership stems from the ever-changing landscape of agriculture in North Alabama where these Co-ops reside. As many Alabamians know, the area is experiencing large economic growth with many industries moving into Huntsville and surrounding areas. This is great for jobs, but has caused great loss of prime farmland.
1. Lynnville, TN 2. Pulaski, TN 3. Athens, AL 4. Elgin, AL
5. Oakland, AL 6. Florence, AL 7. Courtland, AL 8. Moulton, AL
The intended effect of this new Co-op is to increase the ability to buy in bulk, then divide the product among each location to get the best value possible on products. “Although economic development is good, it can have a negative impact on production agriculture acres,” said John Curtis, General Manager of Tennessee Valley Cooperative. “By combining the assets of these three counties, we will offer more services to our customer and streamline our purchases.” The management of Limestone Farmers, Lawrence County and Lauderdale Farmers along with their respective boards of directors put their collective heads together and felt that joining forces, and building upon 20
Cooperative Farming News
an already outstanding working relationship, would help the Cooperative continue to thrive for future generations. The idea was supported by the membership of each Cooperative because of the trust in the leadership. John Curtis (Limestone County), John Holley (Lawrence County) and Reggie Shook (Lauderdale County) are not rookies to the Co-op. These managers have 122 years of combined total experience – that’s at least 40 years each. This experience, along with feedback from oth-
er successfully merged Cooperatives and with support from Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. (AFC) personnel such as Al Cheatham, Chief Operating Officer, and James Fudge, Vice President of Management Services, has led to a successful planning and execution process. Limestone Farmers Cooperative has experience in merging Cooperatives as they grew from their Athens, Alabama, location to the addition of the Pulaski and Lynnville, Tennessee, locations in 2011. These factors culminated in a smooth process that is now coming to fruition. The new Tennessee Valley Cooperative will consist of eight locations. These include Alabama locations in Moulton, Courtland, Florence, Elgin, Oakland and Athens; and Tennessee locations in Pulaski and Lynnville. Each of these sites has something that make them unique, yet they all complement each other well. Moulton, Courtland, Florence, Oakland and Athens are heavy row cropping areas, but also serve cattle producers. Pulaski is an even balance between agronomy and livestock production, while the Elgin and Lynnville locations have a larger concentration of livestock production, with Elgin offering a poultry equipment department. The intended effect of this new Co-op is to increase the ability to buy in bulk, then divide the product among each location to get the best value possible on products, which is then passed on to the customer as savings. The benefits do not stop with the customer. This new Co-op also helps the location agronomy departments by allowing them to keep improving their technology in spreading/spraying machines to better serve customers more effectively and efficiently. This support comes through the partnership with their main agronomy supplier, Greenpoint Ag, LLC. These improvements allow Tennessee Valley Cooperative to be more efficient from an administrative standpoint by streamlining logistics and transportation or products. The partnership of these successful Co-ops is yet another example of becoming stronger together. Though there may be a new Co-op in town, the same
Lauderdale County Co-op, Florence, Alabama
Lawrence County Exchange, Moulton, Alabama
Limestone County Co-op, Athens, Alabama
great customer service is here to stay. It was what each of these locations were built on, and they plan to keep that identity for many years to come while also making strides to stay ahead of the times in order to successfully serve the customer in every way possible. January 2021
21
ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE
B Y B A X T E R B L A C K , DV M
The Power Professional Processing Team
It struck in late October like a plague of mustard gas. It started with a trickle, but then soon began to mass. In pens and cattle alleys on the new receiving side, The fall run was beginning and there was no place to hide.
A vacuum was created like a swirlin’ whirlwind. As soon as one was turned out, it sucked the next one in. The final bunch was brought up, but when the last one fled They couldn’t quit, their auto pilot stuck full speed ahead!
The boss said, “Git’em processed, just as fast as they come in! A crew’ll bring’em to ya and then take’m back again.” So, K.T. got three cowboys and headed toward the shed, “You shovel out the squeeze chute, Clyde. Juan, come with me,” she said.
They might have gone forever ‘cept the power went haywire. The crew walked out like robots whose brains had caught on fire. They stood around unknowing, ears still ringin’ from the fray, So numb they could remember nothing that transpired that day.
They filled a gooseneck trailer with the stuff she thought they’d need. “We’ll inventory later, right now, all that counts is speed!” By eight, the chute was bangin’ through the second semi load. The cattle to be processed stretched a mile down the road. Syringes on the fast draw firin’ doses of vaccine, Hydraulic handles flippin’ like a bad pinball machine, Blue smoke and buzzin’ bee stings from the hotshots and the brands, An ear tag like a snake bite, bawlin’ calves and flashin’ hands.
But driftin’ in next morning came the news of all they’d done, Two thousand head they’d processed, caught and treated every one, Plus, a hundred saddle horses, the neighbor’s feeder pigs, A pair of tawdry mannequins with English lawyer wigs, A marching band from Goodland, 16 greyhounds from the track, The local Veterans Colour Guard, a llama and a yak, Assorted order buyers and a great big plastic steer, Not to mention one truck driver with a lot tag in his ear.
An implant undercover, some pour-on down the back, Dewormer for the poor ones, dehorning with a crack. Release the head, a clatter. Release the squeeze, a pause. He bolts, but then the next one is captured in the jaws.
Reports just kept on comin’ from the countryside around. The feedlot was a’buzzin’ with each new add-on they found, But Boss, he saw things different, “K.T., what about the cost? Them extra ones you processed guaranteed a hefty loss.
On and on they processed till their hands were just a blur, The cattle like a carousel, the headgate just a whir. Above the shed an aura that so brightened up the skies The cowboys bringin’ new ones had to cover up their eyes.
We’ll never get our money back no matter how we tried, Unless you got some brainstorm …” K.T. pondered, then replied, “I reckon we could bill’em … or, if mark-ups ain’t a crime, Just charge’m twice the goin’ rate at reimplanting time.” www.baxterblack.com
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Cooperative Farming News
PALS
BY JAMIE MITCHELL
Poster and Recycled Art Contest Winners
The Alabama PALS Clean Campus Program Poster and Recycled Art Contests are traditionally held in April every year, but with the school shutdown last spring, our contests had to be postponed. We were overjoyed in September when we received a high volume of entries in our contests despite the unusual circumstances surrounding this year’s contests. Congratulations to the 2019-2020 winners! First place in the K-3rd Poster Contest is Grant Glasscock from Crestline Elementary in Morgan County (“Straws” Poster). First place in the 4th-6th Poster Contest is Jane Kimbell Wells from Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery County (Turtle Poster). First place in the 7th-12th Recycled Art Contest is Lauren Bonikowski
and Caitlin Russell from LAMP High School in Montgomery County (Flower Sculpture). Each winner will be presented with a monetary scholarship and a plaque at a local ceremony in their county. Our contests for the 2020-2021 school year will still be held in April 2021, and the theme will be announced in the January PALS Newsletter. If a school near you would like to learn more about the Clean Campus Program or our contests, please give me a call or email at 334-263-7737 or jamie@alpals.org. Schools may also find more information at www.alpals.org. As always, the Clean Campus Program is available at no cost to schools thanks to our wonderful corporate sponsors. January 2021
23
4-H EXTENSION CORNER
A Night Under
the Stars
When COVID-19 prevented 4-H’ers from having a sit-down banquet, the families “social distanced” at the 411 Twin Drive In in Centre. Over 80 cars drove through the gates to enjoy the movie, starring Etowah County 4-H members.
Cooper Smith sat at home before his computer screen as part of a virtual small-group meeting with the Etowah County 4-H Youth Council. A seventh-grader at Hokes Bluff Middle School, Cooper was attending his first meeting as a member of the Etowah County 4-H Youth Council, and even though it was a virtual small-group meeting, he was excited. His group leader, Jacob Hodes, explained that they were looking for ways to hold their end-of-year 4-H banquet, which had been canceled because of COVID-19. Jacob asked the group to brainstorm ways that 300 people might possibly social distance, yet safely celebrate the accomplishments of all Etowah County 4-H’ers. The banquet is usually held in May, with over 300 parents and guests coming together for a traditional sit-down meal to honor Etowah County’s 4-H’ers. 24
Cooperative Farming News
“Our 4-H banquet is the main attraction each year,” stated Amy Burgess, Etowah County Extension Coordinator. “Our kids look forward to it, and it’s really popular with our community.” However, the pandemic had changed everything. As Cooper listened intently, an idea popped into his head! Why not have their awards ceremony at the 411 Twin Drive In? Cooper and his family had been going to this place since he was three, and he had enjoyed seeing many movies there. Cooper also knew that the 411, located in Centre, was not doing well because of the virus. “At first, I was kinda scared to say anything,” Cooper stated, “because this was my first meeting, and I didn’t know if my idea would go over with the others.” Cooper finally mustered up the courage to suggest the 411 Twin Drive In. Not one of the other students
B Y C A R O LY N D R I N K A R D
As a new member of the 4-H Youth Council, Cooper Smith was reluctant at first to speak out about his idea of having the 4-H Banquet at the 411 Twin Drive In. When he told his group leader, however, he discovered that everyone thought it was a fantastic idea. Certainly, everyone would always remember this banquet!
had ever been to a drive-in; however, they were intrigued by his idea. In fact, as they began to brainstorm, they got more and more excited. Jacob took Cooper’s idea to Michael Dillon, the 4-H Foundation Regional Extension Agent for Etowah County. Michael contacted Rex Johnson, the owner, who gave permission to have the program at the 411
Jacob Hodes led the small group session on Zoom. When Cooper Smith made the suggestion to have the banquet at the 411 Twin Drive In, Jacob took that idea to Michael Dill, the 4-H Foundation Regional Extension Agent for Etowah County, who agreed that Cooper’s idea was a real winner.
Members of the 4-H Youth Council chose the theme “Roaring ‘20s” for their banquet at the 411 Twin Drive In. Hannah and Elizabeth Griffith dressed in flapper costumes to add some zest to the fun festivities.
Twin Drive In. Because of the virus, Johnson’s business had suffered, so he had been looking for creative ways to get more people to come to a movie. “It was a great idea,” stated Amy, “but at first, we weren’t sure how we could make it happen.” As the Etowah County 4-H Youth Council made even more plans for this unique event, ideas flowed and enthusiasm increased. They chose the theme, “The Roaring ‘20s,” and all the council and staff dressed in costumes from the ‘20s. They decided to make a video to show on the big screen, starring all the 4-H members and highlighting their many accomplishments. The 4-H staff felt that technology might be their biggest challenge, so they sought outside help from Tommie Goggans with Tommie Goggans Tech, LLC to put the production together. Seth Tuttle with the Alabama 4-H Club Foundation filmed a congratulatory video for Etowah County 4-H members, and Youth Council members Willow Sayles and Cami Cleveland collected and edited pictures and videos from 4-H members. “I had never done this before,” Willow said, “so I wasn’t sure I could do it at first. But it was fun to put together, and I learned a lot. I’m just glad I was able to help!” The girls sent their work to Tommie, who then produced the movie. On the night of the banquet, over 80 cars rolled through the gates to sit out under the stars. The enJanuary 2021
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Willow Sayles helped to collect pictures and then put part of the video together, featuring each member of Etowah County 4-H. She had never edited before, but she was eager to help.
Each year for the awards banquet, 4-H students have a community service project. This was the first time, however, that 4-H members held a food drive for the Catholic Center of Concern. The members were very pleased with the response.
try “fee” was canned food for the Catholic Center of Concern in Gadsden. Families stayed in their cars, turned on their radios, munched on their own snacks and watched an award-winning “movie,” starring the Etowah County 4-H members. Parents enjoyed this family night out under the
stars, because they all had the best seats in the house. “We had been staying at home so long that this night was something we could look forward to and enjoy,” stated parent Alan Smith. “We parents got to see our own kids on the screen, and it gave all the kids such a sense of accomplishment!” Etowah County’s 4-H staff had bagged each child’s awards, so that when a family’s car drove out of the gates, 4-H’ers could pick up their honors without leaving the car. “This was an incredible, out-of-the-box idea,” parent Tiffany Sayles exclaimed. “It was such a wonderfully exciting family night. This whole experience challenged our kids, but you don’t know what you can do until you try. Just look at what they did!” Each year, Etowah County 4-H members do service projects, but 2020 was the first time the 4-H’ers had sponsored a food drive. It was an amazing success. For his innovative idea, Cooper Smith received a big shoutout at the beginning of the movie. He was proud that his idea made it possible for families and community members to recognize the hard work of Etowah County 4-H’ers and honor those who had achieved outstanding goals. A night under the stars at the 411 Twin Drive In is one that Etowah County 4-H’ers and their parents will never forget. “I am just thankful that we were able to celebrate in such a memorable way,” added Michael Dillon. “It showed these kids we cared, and we were willing to make it happen, because they deserved it!”
Sierra Bennett received the County 4-H Member of the Year award at the 4-H banquet. The awards and certificates were bagged, and members collected their honors as they drove out of the drive-in.
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Cooperative Farming News
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January 2021
27
FFA SENTINEL
Wetumpka’s Terrance Crayton Brings Home Top Honors By 2050, the world population is expected to increase to 9,000,000,000 people. It will be the duty of the agricultural industry to devise ways to feed this growing population. The FFA will be our main supply of educated agriculturalists to meet this demand. At the Wetumpka FFA Chapter, there is certainly one member willing to help tackle this challenge: Terrance Crayton. Crayton started out by taking agriscience classes in 2015 at Wetumpka High School and began his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) by starting Terrance has also been a tremendous leader within the Wetumpka FFA chapter. a small-engine repair shop. SAE projects are designed to give FFA members an opportunity to apply hands-on skills that they have will follow them throughout their lives. Crayton’s SAE learned in the agriscience classroom. This provides allowed him to improve his entrepreneurial skills by FFA members with employability skills, a functional owning his own business, interpersonal skills by knowledge of the workplace and technical skills that communicating with customers and technical skills by learning how to replace spark plugs, rebuild carburetors, replace coils, replace piston rings and rod bearings. In July 2020, Terrance was selected as a National Proficiency Finalist for Agricultural Mechanics: Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship along with FFA members from California, Minnesota and Kansas. At the 93rd National FFA Convention, Crayton was selected as the national winner among the four finalists. In this proficiency area, each state is allowed to submit their state winner’s application to compete to be selected as a national finalist. “Only the top four applications in the country are selected as national finalists each year,” said Crayton. “There are over 40 proficiency award categories ranging Terrance was able to take equipment that had been thrown out and restore it to from Landscape Management to Agricultural Meworking condition.
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Cooperative Farming News
J OY A N N A L OV E
Terrance hard at work on a customer’s lawn mower.
Terrance with his Alabama State Officer Team where he served as Secretary.
chanics because students have such a diverse array of SAE projects.” In 2020, Crayton was the only FFA member from Alabama to be selected as a national finalist in any proficiency award area and is the first national proficiency winner from the Wetumpka FFA Chapter since the chapter was chartered in 1930. This year, Crayton was selected from over 20 different Agricultural Mechanics: Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship applications from all over the U.S. By being selected as a national finalist, Crayton was invited to create a video showcasing his project and was judged at the 93rd National FFA Convention against the three other finalists. As a national proficiency winner, Crayton was
awarded over $2,500 in scholarships and prizes for his award. In the future, Crayton hopes to continue working with mechanics as a hobby. He is currently a sophomore at Central Alabama Community College and aspires to transfer to Auburn University to major in agriscience education. Upon graduation, Crayton plans to become an agriscience teacher within the state of Alabama. He also served as the 2019-2020 State FFA Secretary. The skills he has learned from his time in FFA will help him pursue these passions. According to one of Crayton’s agriscience teachers, Keith Lucy, “Terrance is one of the most hard-working students I have had the opportunity to come in contact with, and he will be successful in his future endeavors.”
Terrance celebrates with his teammates as they placed 1st in the state Small Engines Career Development event.
January 2021
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OUTDOOR LOGIC WITH BIOLOGIC
Bring the Deer To the Food, or the Food To the Deer? Proper Food Plot Location, Size and Design Regardless of your food plot goals, variety can be very important. There are so many changes happening in the whitetails’ world during the year that if you would like a well-rounded program you want to have a food available that covers their needs regardless of the time or conditions.
Every property is different – from the obvious disparities such as topography, natural flora and the type of agricultural crops grown in the region, to more specific, subtle variances like herd dynamics, property history and each land manager’s goals. So the job of food plot design is definitely not a “cookie-cutter” procedure. Although we want to base our management decisions on science and facts, food plot design may be more of an art than a science. Breaking it down to its most basic elements, you must weigh the property manager’s goals, read a deer herd’s potential reactions and design a plan for each food plot. An often-asked question of our management consultants at Mossy Oak is, “How many acres do I need in food plots?” Some claim to have formulas, but in reality, it’s impossible to tell you how much acreage you should put into food plots simply by going off 30
Cooperative Farming News
of how many total acres the property consists of. There are so many variables – the number of deer per square mile, the quality of your native vegetation, agricultural area vs. big woods, what your neighbors are doing, etc. I’ve heard people say that you should put roughly 5% to 6% of the total acreage of a property into food plots. But that doesn’t make sense … what if someone owns 10 acres in the middle of a 3,000acre chunk of state land? They could plant their total acreage in food plots and it still wouldn’t be enough. Granted, that’s a very extreme example, but about the only thing you can do is to plant what you think is enough and monitor everything closely. Put a utilization cage on each plot, record body weights, examine your native vegetation, etc. So, how many and what size food plots do you need? For the most part, like many land managers, I
BY TODD AMENRUD classify my plots into either “feeding plots” or “hunt- sible. In this case, you’ll need to bring in equipment to ing plots.” But … I do hunt some feeding plots, and my clear plantable areas. hunting plots in turn provide lots of nutritious food, so If you have this “big woods” dilemma, I suggest there are no hard and fast rules that you absolutely you plan very carefully, because where you place your have to adhere to. plots and how you design them will have a huge imSome basics that I will try to provide if adequate pact on your future hunting. Combined with properly acreage is present are a productive perennial like Clo- placed sanctuaries and bedding areas and well-dever Plus, cereal grains, brassicas and beets including signed travel corridors, you can dictate to your herd Deer Radish, Maximum and Winter Bulbs & Sugar – where they will bed, where they will travel and where Beets along with several annual legumes and corn. they will feed – and hunting them can seem easy if Certain plants are for attraction, some for nutrition, you have it laid out properly. but many provide both. Placement and timing will dicWhen designing your plots from scratch, I believe tate how they’re used. that hunting plots take much more thought than feedIf you have limited available acreage for plots, then you must be precise in your food plot-related goals – what is most important to you? Attraction, nutrition, holding tight on your property, antler growth, etc. … most people with limited acreage tend to devote all that they have to “hunting-time attraction.” Lucky for us, some of the most attractive plants are also the most nutritious, but when hunting season comes, they’ll have the best “draws” planted for that timeframe. If you have plenty of ground so that you can seed enough acreage to “do it all,” then most of what a plot is used for is your choice. By what you plant, how you design the plot and how you treat the area, you direct the action. Ultimately, you and your deer herd will determine what each plot will be used for. In agricultural or rural areas, it’s a little more “black and white.” Thickets and timber give way to open agricultural areas, so the typical property setup will have smaller hunting plots located closer to the bedding areas and the bigger feeding plots further away in the larger open areas. Two of the most significant determinants will be what your topography has dealt you and what your budget can afford. Are you in an agricultural area or maybe the “big woods?” Do you have natural open areas or will you need big machinery to create them? Budget constraints can force many people to use the property’s natural Just as an angler searches for that “spot on the spot,” a manager needs to design their hunting open areas for food plots. In an agricultur- plots with specifics in mind. Ideally you’ll have a spot to hunt regardless of the wind or other conal area, it’s very easy to find open areas to ditions if you do things right. Here, the author poses with a Minnesota buck that chased a harem plant, but in the big woods it can be impos- of does into one of his plots. January 2021
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ing plots. This is oversimplifying it, but with feeding plots you just need to make sure there are the right foods and enough of each. With a hunting plot, you need to construct the plot to give you as many options for an ambush site as possible. With hunting plots, the more structure to the contour the better. A plain square doesn’t let you play many options. With hunting plots, I want twists, turns, curves and bends; obtuse and acute angles; odd shapes; and multiple access points. With all of these features, creating productive ambush sites is much easier. Since you also have to factor in the preferences of a whitetail, if you only have a big square or rectangle for a plot, under certain wind directions or conditions, you may not have any huntable options. A plot with many different angles and turns will likely offer you at least one option for a setup regardless of the wind direction so you can remain undetected by their noses. Think of it how a good angler reads it – you don’t just want the “spot,” you want the “spot on the spot.” As stated, much of what a plot can be used for will have to do with how far it is away from bedding areas and security cover, so there really isn’t a straightforward “one-size-fits-all” approach to food plot design. A land manager’s goals are the biggest determinant. You need to play what the natural topography deals you, figure out what you would like to accomplish with each plot and adjust the layout and design to realize those goals.
With small plots, you must be very specific with your goals and the plants you will plant. The spot isn’t large enough to do the “variety idea” justice. With too much variety there’s not enough to go around when a specific plant turns palatable.
When designing hunting plots it’s best to include as much contour and structure as possible. A plain square doesn’t let you play many options. The more features you have the more options available for creating ambush sites. This buck makes a great target in this clover plot.
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Cooperative Farming News
Creole Fried Catfish Tacos with Black-Eyed Pea, Corn and Avocado Chutney with Fried Pickled Okra Fried Catfish Ingredients: 5 catfish fillets 2 cups cornmeal, divided 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard 2 eggs, beaten 2 Tablespoons creole seasoning (Creole Kick) 1/2 cup hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot Sauce) 1 Tablespoon paprika 1 Tablespoon black pepper 1 Tablespoon garlic powder 1 Tablespoon onion powder 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional Vegetable oil, for frying Black-eyed Pea, Corn and Avocado Chutney: 1 cup black-eyed peas, cooked and drained 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped 1 cup fresh corn 1 avocado, chopped 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper Pinch of granulated sugar 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Fried Pickled Okra Ingredients: 1 cup yellow self-rising cornmeal 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning 1 teaspoon salt January 2021
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper 12 whole pickled okra (or you can use prepared pickled okra) 1 large egg 1 teaspoon hot sauce Vegetable oil, for frying
and gently stir until well combined. To Prepare Fried Pickled Okra:
1/2 cup plain yogurt Juice of 1/2 lemon 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt Freshly ground pepper
In the same skillet you cooked the fish, heat oil to 350 F. In a shallow dish or plate, combine cornmeal, flour, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper and red pepper. In a small shallow bowl, whisk eggs and hot sauce. Coat okra with the egg mixture, then liberally coat okra with the cornmeal mixture. Once oil reaches 350 F, fry in batches until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove okra to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet.
Taco Ingredients:
To Build the Taco:
8 flour tortillas Lettuce
In a dry hot skillet or grill pan, heat tortillas for about 1 to 2 minutes. Add shredded lettuce to the center of tortilla. Gently break catfish into pieces and place on top of the lettuce. Add a scoop of chutney and 3 fried okra pieces; then drizzle yogurt topping over the top.
Yogurt Topping:
To prepare the fried catfish: In a large cast-iron skillet, add oil halfway up the side. Heat oil to 375 F. In a medium bowl, add 1 cup of cornmeal and 1 cup flour. In a small bowl, add paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Add 3 tablespoons of the spice mixture to the flour cornmeal mixture. To make the wet mixture, in a medium bowl, add remaining cornmeal and flour, mustard, eggs, hot sauce and the remaining spice mixture, and mix thoroughly. Add the fish fillets to the wet mixture and completely coat each fillet. When oil has reached 350 F, coat 2 fillets with flour cornmeal mixture. Place the fillets in the hot oil and cook until fish is golden brown and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove fillets to a cooling rack placed on top of a cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining fillets and drain on the cooling rack. To Prepare the Black-eyed Pea, Corn, and Avocado Chutney: In a large bowl, combine black-eyed peas, bell pepper, onion, corn and avocado. In a medium bowl, add vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper and sugar. Continuously whisk ingredients as you drizzle in olive oil. Pour vinaigrette over the black-eyed pea mixture 34
Cooperative Farming News
About Stacy Lyn Harris Stacy Lyn Harris is a best-selling cookbook author, blogger, TV personality, public speaker, wife and mother of seven children. She currently lives in Pike Road, Alabama, with her husband Scott and their children. Stacy Lyn regularly appears on cable and broadcast television as a guest chef and sustainable living expert. Her critically-acclaimed “Harvest Cookbook” was published in 2017 and contains many of her family’s favorite recipes, along with stories from her life growing up in the Black Belt and tips she’s learned along the way.
Hope Horses:
Living up To Its Name BY JESSIE SHOOK Hope Horses, of Cullman, Alabama, has been restoring hope to individuals with special needs since its beginning in 2014. “The goal was to have a place within our community to serve individuals with special needs where they would not only have fun but also find hope,” said Kelsey Scott, Executive Director of Hope Horses, Inc. Scott explained that the mission of Hope Horses is to provide therapeutic riding lessons to children and adults with physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs. “We have come to realize that there are many individuals in the community that can benefit from Hope,” Scott said. Therapeutic riding is much more than someone with a physical disability receiving benefits from riding a horse. Therapeutic riding is beneficial to individuals in need of cognitive and emotional support as well. “When it comes to someone with a physical disability, proper riding position will help their body tremendously,” Scott said. “Whereas someone with social, emotional or a cognitive disability will learn different ways to communicate with the horse.” Scott gave the example of a nonverbal student – they will not be able to tell the horse to “walk-on.” These students will have to physically communicate to the horse for movement. “We call it ‘bump-bump,’ which is simply squeezing their legs asking the horse to move,” Scott January 2021
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explained. “Students are getting a lot of benefits just from the riding portion of the program, such as building fine motor skills, core strength, gross motor skills, while also building confidence.” Besides the riding portion of the program, students are also responsible for the care of their horse, including the opportunity for barn chores. “We tell our students that this is their horse and they need to take responsibility for it,” Scott said. “When our students come for a lesson, they have to groom their horse, tack-up their horse and then they ride, so they are learning responsibility, too.” When it comes to lessons, each student has individual goals and lesson plans. “We take the parents’ and the students’ goals and expectations of the program, and we work toward those goals,” Scott said. “All of our students have different needs and we accommodate them to help accomplish their goals.” Students of Hope also learn problem-solving skills through activities on horseback, such as an obstacle course. “We incorporate games and activities that will reinforce the skills we are trying to teach,” Scott said. “These are skills they can apply in their everyday lives.” Hope also has days for ground lessons. These lessons consist of teaching the anatomy of the horse, parts of the saddle and grooming. “We partnered with Wallace State Occupational Therapy Assistant Program and one of our interns created a classroom that is tailored specifically to ground lessons,” Scott said. Students are receiving much more than riding lessons with Hope Horses. The program runs much deeper than what meets the eye. “Recently we have seen an increase in participants with emotional needs
Executive Director Kelsey Scott has been with Hope Horses since 2015. She said that she originally planned to just volunteer, but the Lord had a different plan for her.
who are struggling with issues such as bullying,” Scott said. “Having a place like Hope Horses that students can come to, with an animal that is their teammate and that is there for them, really gives those students who are struggling hope.” Scott explained how important this connection to the horse is and how rewarding it is to step back and see it all come together. “Our horses don’t see your child or family member the way the outside world does,” Scott said. “They just see their teammate.” Other than their riding program, Hope Horses partners with others in the community, such as other nonprofit organizations, service groups and North Alabama schools’ special needs programs. Hope also
As a nonprofit, Hope relies heavily on their volunteers. (L to R) Volunteers Abbey Stivender, Mallory Walker, Meagan Writesman, Instructor Lauren Koller, Executive Director Kelsey Scott, Instructor Mariah Miles, and Volunteers Gabby Brown, Allison Oden, Ashleigh Oden.
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Students also participate in ground lesson where they learn about the anatomy of a horse and parts of a saddle. An intern from the Wallace State Occupational Therapy Assistant Program created a classroom tailored to ground lessons.
hosts field trips and camps – none of which would be possible without the volunteers of Hope Horses. “As a nonprofit, we really rely on our volunteers,” Scott said. Student Calista Mitchell is building fine motor skills, gross motor skills and core “We have between 30 to 40 volunteers weekly.” strength while taking her therapeutic riding lesson on Gray. When you volunteer at Hope Horses, you are going to get as much out of the volunteer program as the From lessons to barn work, and working around students do from lessons. Scott explained that when the facility, there is always something for volunteers to a volunteer assists a student for an extended period do. Volunteer Ashleigh Oden expressed how it makes of time, the volunteer gets to witness the growth and her day when a student gives her a hug goodbye at accomplishments with their student. As Scott said, the end of a lesson. “It’s so rewarding because of the “It’s definitely a multiservice organization because we students we work with,” Oden said. “They are always are not only impacting our students but also the indi- so happy to be here.” viduals that make our mission possible.” There are many ways that the public can support
Hope has future plans to expand by adding more areas for lessons, new trails and growing their name in the community.
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Hope Horses and their mission. Some of those include donating your time, sponsoring students or horses, monetary donations and attending one of their fundraising events. Hope Horses also finds support through their local Co-op. Scott said, “Both the Cullman and Marshall Farmers Co-op has given Hope Horses great support through horse care and horse feed, but most importantly, friendly, supportive service.” The future is bright for Hope Horses as plans to expand are coming. “We are looking forward to the future of Hope because we have plans to expand our services to the public and plans to expand our therapeutic riding program,” Scott said. “We just finished adding more stalls onto our barn which allows us to bring in more horses to serve more individuals.” The “Grow Hope Campaign” was created to help accomplish the goals of Hope Horses. “We want to add more areas for lessons, new trails and expand our name in the community,” Scott said. Hope relies heavily on general donations, grants and fundraising events to keep their program going. If you are interested in supporting Hope Horses or learning more about their therapeutic riding program, you can find more information on their website www. hopehorsesinc.com, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, @HopeHorsesInc, or give them a call at 256841-6290.
Student Calista Mitchell grooms her horse Gray before and after her lesson.
MID STATE STOCKYARDS LLP.
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Sale Day: Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. 1-877-334-5229 | 334-227-8000 www.midstatestockyards.com “Serving the Southeast since our beginning in 2003”
Wishing You A Happy New Year! Billy Younkin 334-313-3542 Clanton205-288-6298
Hope Horses has a sensory trail that includes different activities to complete.
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Wetumpka334-313-3695
Partners:
Scott Garrett 334-303-1488
Dick Farrior 334-399-0170
Drop-Off Locations: East AL706-577-1900
Covington Co. 334-488-0934
SW AL 251-989-3992
God’s Hand on a Farmer By Darlene Palmer
Danny Ray, Derek Palmer, Carl Lucas and Johnny Ray
Every now and then something extraordinary happens and, for one farmer in Hamilton, Alabama, the unfolding events of this story changed his life forever. Carl Lucas, owner of Lucas Farms, started out his day Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, by heading to the shed to bag corn. As usual, he met with his friend and fellow farmer, Danny Ray, owner of Ray Farms, to get the day rolling and get many bags of corn out. But, on this day, something different happened. Carl was reaching near the auger as the corn was moving up the elevator to the grain bin when the wind blew his shirt sleeve into the power take-off. Carl was jerked in under the auger, flipping him three times causing his left arm to be pulled off near the shoulder. Another friend and farmer, Johnny Ray, jumped into action by turning off the auger. Without hesitation, one of Carl’s workers, Derek Palmer, jumped off the ladder at the top of the grain bin and crawled up under the auger to get to Carl. With an adrenaline rush, Derek picked up Carl, who was twice his weight, and pulled him out. Carl’s arm was pumping out blood. His face had turned gray.
Johnny cut Carl’s T-shirt, and both he and Derek wrapped what was left of his left arm in a handmade tourniquet. With those life-saving efforts, the blood flow stopped. Johnny continued to brace Carl’s head in his lap. Carl could not move his left leg which appeared to be broken, so Derek braced the leg to prevent any further movement. Amazingly, during this time, a still conscious Carl told Derek to go close the door on the grain bin because the corn was falling out. Derek did just that. Danny quickly called 911 and stayed on the phone giving directions and waiting on the Hamilton RPS and Hamilton Fire and Rescue to arrive. After observing Carl, the paramedics did not see any blood at that time leaking from the tourniquet, so they decided to put another medical tourniquet over the handmade one. While being put in the ambulance, a paramedic asked Carl how he was doing and Carl replied, “I am doing fine. You need to go check on the other three at the shed.” Due to the seriousness of Carl’s injuries, there was a need for Air Evac to transport him to a hosJanuary 2021
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pital. Fortunately, there happened to be a landing strip near the shed area, so the helicopter was able to land close by to meet the ambulance. During this time, Carl’s wife, Glenda, son Richard and daughter Amanda had received the devastating news of his accident and rushed to the scene. As Carl was being transferred to the helicopter, his daughter remembered him saying in a calm and comforting tone, “I will be just fine.” Carl was flown to the UAB hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, where his doctors had the crucial responsibility of examining his injuries. As the doctors examined his left arm area, one doctor said that the swiftly applied, handmade tourniquet had saved Carl’s life. Not only having to deal with the loss of his left arm, Carl also suffered a compound fracture in his left leg and both ankles were broken. He never lost consciousness. The doctors and medical staff stated that they had never seen a person go through that much trauma and remain conscious. He remained conscious until he had to go into surgery. The Lucas family arrived at the hospital where they were surrounded by friends and church members. Carl and Glenda attend church services at the Fulton Bridge Baptist Church in Hamilton where he has served as a deacon for 35 years. Prayers were being prayed all over the hospital waiting area as family and friends anxiously awaited any news from the doctors.
After a few hours, the doctors finally told the family that due to the complexity of Carl’s injuries, there was no guarantee he would even survive through the night. By the grace of God, he did survive. During the next 34 days at UAB, Carl had 11 surgeries. As the hours turned to days and the days to weeks at the hospital, Glenda remained steadfast by her husband’s side, holding his hand and praying for the man to whom she had been married since Oct. 30, 1965. Carl was given a prayer shawl from the Hamilton United Methodist Church and he continuously wore the prayer shawl in faith. During some of those trying days, the doctors would tell Carl that he would probably never farm again and he would always confidently reply, “I will farm again before too long. I have too much work to do.” Carl was later transferred to The Meadows’ Rehabilitation Unit in Fulton, Mississippi (about 15 miles west of Hamilton). Before the accident, he would get up at 4 a.m., get dressed and then head out to the local restaurant. This is where he would meet up with the local farmers to talk about the weather, crops and plans for the rest of the day. One thing Carl missed was the homemade biscuits from that restaurant. His farmer friends decided that they would take turns picking up the homemade biscuits and delivering them to Carl.
Carl Lucas with his son, Richard Lucas, who is employed at the Marion County Co-op in Hamilton.
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Cooperative Farming News
Carl Lucas with his family, Amanda Winsett (daughter), Glenda Lucas (wife), Carl and Richard Lucas (son).
his son and friends, Carl was lifted in the bucket of one tractor to be able to reach the inside of the other tractor. Finally, he slid into the tractor seat and started the ignition! And oh, what a feeling of excitement! Tears of joy rolled down the faces of those watching these miraculous moments! With Carl’s strong determination, perseverance and faith in God, he started farming. He now gets into the tractor without assistance and has farmed over 500 acres this year. When Carl is seen operating a tractor out in the fields, people watch with amazement and disbelief. He is often asked the question of how he is able to do this, and Carl will reply, “I can’t give up. I have farming to do.” Carl’s family kept his torn-up overalls as a reminder of how thankful they are to still have him with them. Due to his injuries, Carl had worn loose fitting clothes for several months, but Oct. 27, 2020, Carl put on a brand-new pair of overalls with a smile on his face. Besides being actively involved with farming, Carl enjoys his three grandchildren: Makayla Reese, Jacob Lucas and Bella Winsett. He also stays busy serving as a County Committee member for the USDA. So, there is no question that this is an extraordinary story, but also that Carl Lucas is an extraordinary man. Still, when talking about that day, Carl will pull out a tissue and wipe his eyes because even though this was a terrible experience, a miracle still happened. To sum it up, he truly lives the story of “God’s Hand on a Farmer.”
Carl Lucas had several visitors during his 74 days at The Meadows. These visitors would go see Carl in hopes of lifting his spirits, but before leaving there, they would realize that he was the one lifting them up through his unceasing inspiration and faith in God. Carl, now 74, was away from home for a total of 108 days. He returned home on March 13, 2020, with the eager desire to get back to farming. His journey back to the fields was not an easy one, but as each day passed, Carl gathered inner strength to keep going. His thoughts would reflect back to when he farmed fields for family-friend Wade Rollins. In those years of learning and experimenting with innovative farming techniques (some by trial and error), Carl became a successful farmer. Those experiences have led Carl to share his valuable knowledge to upcoming young farmers in the area. On May 20, 2020, Carl decided that the time had come to get back on the tractor. He couldn’t wait to see the green grass, breathe the fresh air and plant his crops. Different creative thoughts came into play as to how he was going to make this work. With help from January 2021
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All photos by Brett Cardin Ousley
B Y C A R O LY N D R I N K A R D
Southern Grounds relocated to the downtown historic district of Thomasville and into the Champion House, a two-storied historic home listed on the National Registry. Built in 1896, this building features an eclectic array of modern and neoclassical architecture, with New Orleans-style balconies overlooking two city streets.Â
I
n 2006, Henrique Aguiar came to America as an exchange student from Brazil. While here, he not only fell in love with this amazing country, but also with a beautiful young lady named Bailey Jordan. The two later married and started their lives together. While Henrique was attending college at the University of West Alabama in Livingston, he often visited a small coffee cafe. He loved the calm, relaxed atmosphere centered on family, friends and good coffee. He knew that he and Bailey could create their own unique space in Thomasville, which had no coffee culture. In 2017, the Aguiars opened Southern Grounds Coffee Shoppe in a storefront on Highway 43. With 42
Cooperative Farming News
a trendy aesthetic, they soon attracted customers of all ages. A year later, they relocated to the downtown historic district of Thomasville and into the Champion House, a two-storied historic home listed on the National Registry. Built in 1896, this building features an eclectic array of modern and neoclassical architecture, with New Orleans-style balconies overlooking two city streets. For some, this backdrop seemed almost anachronistic for a contemporary coffee cafe, but when Bailey and Henrique added their personal touches, Southern Grounds became not only a very special place but also a popular destination site for locals and visitors.
(L to R) Henrique and Bailey Aguiar opened Southern Grounds in 2017, hoping to create a coffee culture that promoted family and friends. A year later, they relocated to the downtown historic district of Thomasville.
Visitors who enter Southern Grounds are greeted with K-Love music and warm smiles. “We welcome the Lord here,” Bailey explained. “And people feel that! We love talking to everyone and getting to know them. It’s a good feeling when people are happy.” Bailey has creatively redesigned the interior, pairing her love of Southern culture with touches of nostalgia and whimsy. “I guess I’m just an old soul,” she laughed. “I really wanted to keep it classy and Southern!” And she has done just that! The home is divided into several downstairs rooms, each with its own am-
bience and charm. Named the Azalea Room, Magnolia Room, Sweet Spot, the Nook and the Charbella Boutique, each area’s decor reflects the couple’s love of antiques. From paintings on the walls to fresh flowers on each table, Bailey’s touches are evident throughout. The warm, welcoming atmosphere of Southern Grounds sets the stage for a Southern cuisine, punctuated by Brazilian zest and zing. Before opening, Bailey spent three months creating her artisanal paninis, adding ingredients and flavors not normally found in this rural area. At first, the Aguiars offered only five
On a campaign stop in Thomasville, Alabama Senator Richard Shelby visited with Bailey and Henrique Aguiar at Southern Grounds.
Southern Grounds offers a wide array of popular coffees, which are roasted in house. Bailey’s Southern names, coupled with Brazilian aromas, are sure to appeal to even the pickiest of tastes.
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The inside of the Champion House is beautiful, but Bailey added her personal “Southern” touches to make it even more incredible. The door in the center leads to an outside seating area on the deck.
sandwiches, but after moving into their current location, they doubled their menu, even adding weekly specials. They also serve a variety of homemade soups to go along with the paninis. Their breakfast menu includes a variety of paninis, omelets and waffles. Whatever the craving may be, there is something to satisfy any taste, and it’s all served with the best coffee in town! Guests can dine indoors, outside on a spacious deck or at picnic tables among the magnificent old oaks.
Southern Grounds is known for its flavorful barbecue, cooked on site by Henrique, who has his own recipes for the smoky, flavorful rubs and spices he uses. They also sell barbecue by the pound and prepare butts for special orders.
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Bailey Aguiar is a fantastic baker. Her daily pastries are popular, not only as sweet treats with coffee but also as desserts. She bakes all the goodies, using time-honored family recipes, many from Brazil. Her devil’s food cake, which she calls “Matilda,” has become her signature delight, with customers ordering the cakes for special events. At Southern Grounds, visitors gather to sip coffee, espressos, lattes and teas from a selection of 30 different beverages, including six frappes and five specialty drinks, mixed three different ways. One of their new creations is a healthy, specialty detox, called “My Skinny Do,” made with green tea, ginger, pineapple and spinach. It was patterned after a Brazilian recipe from Henrique’s mother. Southern Grounds now roasts its coffees inhouse. A few of their popular favorites include “Just a Swingin,” a Brazilian medium roast; “Over Yonder,” a Colombian dark roast; “Southern Roots,” an Ethiopian dark roast; and “Southern Blend,” a Colombian and Brazilian blend. For those looking for healthier fare, Southern Grounds serves salads that can be topped with meats of choice. Bailey’s specialty chicken salad is in a category by itself. Using her own recipe, Bailey stirs up chicken salad in five distinctive flavors: “Classic,” “Gussied Up,” “Poppy Seed,” “Wickler” and “Kickin’
Chicken.” All are customer favorites. Recently, Bailey and Henrique opened an upstairs room called “The Happy Place.” Here, customers can host community-painting parties for ages 12 and up. Guests can paint a wide array of round door hangers with traceable templates as easy guidelines. The hours are flexible with after-hours or weekday parties being available. This popular spot holds the same friendliness and charm as the other areas. Southern Grounds does attract the occasional laptop and headphone, but casual dining and friendly conversations are the norm. Meals here become a social experience with a warm community atmosphere. Popular with loyal locals, Southern Grounds also attracts many out-of-town guests, especially millennials who have heard about this place on social media and stopped by, seeking something different. Large groups reserve the areas, and private parties are quite common. The talented Aguiar family members are part of the social fabric of their community. Bailey and Henrique have two children, Thomas (12) and Charlotte (6). All are active in this area’s thriving arts community, especially Thomasville’s Rambling Rose Players. Thomas is an accomplished vocalist, who performs at many different functions in the area. At five, Charlotte started her own cooking videos on YouTube, with the
Bailey Aguiar is known for her delicious pastries. Using time-honored family recipes, many from Brazil, she creates sweets that delight the palate.
The talented Aguiar family is active in Thomasville’s arts community, especially the Rambling Rose Players. (L to R) Henrique, Bailey, Thomas and Charlotte (back).
help of her grandmother, Donna Jordan. Southern Grounds offers not only coffee but also character! Harkening back to a simpler time, when life was slower and less stressful, Southern Grounds offers good food, good conversations and good vibes. “We want this to be your home away from home,” Bailey explained. “When you are here, you are family. That’s what life is all about: family, friends and good coffee!”
In addition to all of its regular drink and food offerings, Southern Grounds also offers a wide assortment of branded merchandise.
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AlfaInsurance.com 46
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HOW’S YOUR GARDEN BY LOIS TRIGG CHAPLIN
Another Use for Tulle Fabric Tulle is a finely-textured textile for crafting and sewing that also makes a good insect barrier for plants. The netlike fabric is soft, flexible and fine enough to block out all but the smallest insects. Easy to cut and shape to wrap around individual plants or a small framework, tulle is a handy material to have on hand for that special plant, or until larger insect netting is acquired. My garden shed contains yardage of 54-inch wide tulle to make a quick cover for cole crops when the cabbageworms and other moths appear. One year, I used it to protect my giant OS Cross exhibition-sized cabbage. When you need a quick insect barrier, run to the fabric store.
SIMPLE TIMES
THE CO-OP PANTRY
American beech has a distinctive look in winter.
and as a wildlife habitat and refuge in an increasingly urbanized area, so one day the tree’s beechnuts will be appreciated by small mammals and birds. Now is a good time to plant beech and other deciduous trees, while they are dormant. Keep trees well-watered for the first couple of years after planting until their roots are well established.
Evergreens for Screening Winter is the season when the need for an evergreen screen becomes apparent, whether for privacy, to hide a messy work area or to create a garden room Tulle makes a good insect screen for prized plants.
American Beech Tree This summer a group of Scouts created a garden at our church that includes a promising, young American beech tree, one of Alabama’s grandest natives. Beech tree foliage turns a golden color in fall. Leaves on the lower branches linger on the stems to curl and dry like parchment, making the tree easy to recognize in winter. Look for its stately presence in the woods, unmistakable from the side of the road. It is often found in moist soils near creeks. The grounds at our church are being slowly restored with native plants
Now is a good time to plan for an evergreen screen.
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enclosed in a wall of foliage. When the leaves drop from deciduous trees and shrubs, you can see right through them, but dense, medium-height evergreen shrubs or small trees provide foliage cover every day of the year, not just during the warm months. Some good choices include Osmanthus, which has very fragrant flowers; assorted hollies that vary in height from 5 to 30 feet; evergreen Japanese or Florida anises, which have big, spoon-shaped, upright leaves; Emerald Green arborvitae, a narrow, dense conifer that literally makes a green wall; and wax myrtle, which can be formed into a small, multitrunked tree as it ages.
Start Cool-Season Seedlings Most serious gardeners usually have favorite items to start from seed, just to assure that we will have them. Now is the time to start those cool-season items indoors or in a cold frame to transplant to the garden in February or March. These include prized varieties of arugula, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, corn salad, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, spinach and Swiss chard. Use a premium seed starting mix. Mixes may include ingredients like worm castings or beneficial microbes to boost fertility and biological activity in the rooting medium and help prevent seedling diseases such as damping off. Be sure to make enough labels to keep things marked both in the starter container and in the garden bed upon transplanting. Wooden craft sticks last just long enough and can stay in the garden to decompose.
Start seeds of cool-season greens for late winter planting.
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Cooperative Farming News
Easy Mow Ground Covers Mondograss and liriope can look a bit tattered by midwinter, so they benefit from a trimming or mowing to remove the old leaves and let fresh ones sprout up soon. The new leaves begin sprouting from down in the crown of the plant in late January or February. The idea is to trim the plant before it sprouts so as not to clip the new foliage. Small clumps are easily trimmed by hand, but masses of ground cover or edging are easier to manage with a string trimmer or lawn mower set at the highest adjustment. Mulch bare areas between the clipped plants with fine pine bark to keep early weeds from becoming a maintenance problem later.
Finally! Shorter Paperwhites Paperwhites offer fresh flowers and fragrance indoors in midwinter, but the tall stems often fall over under the weight of the flowers. If you are growing your own by setting the bulbs on a bowl filled with pebbles and water, there is a way to stunt their roots just enough that the stems wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get quite so tall. A little alcohol can shorten the plant by about 40%! A Cornell University research project recommends rooting bulbs in plain water. When the top sprouts and reaches 1 to 2 inches long, replace the plain water with a solution of water with alcohol. A dilution of one part 70% rubbing alcohol to 10 to 11 parts water yields the 4-6% alcohol solution needed to stunt roots just enough, but not damage the plant. Keep the plant in a sunny window as that will also help keep it compact. For more info, see the study at https://blogs.cornell.edu/ hort/2009/11/10/pickling-your-paperwhites/.
Paperwhites (left) donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to flop over. (Photo Credit: ibulb.com)
Use this page to help you plan your 2021 Spring Garden! PLAN:
PREPARE & MAINTAIN: Take stock of all your garden tools. Make any necessary repairs, sharpen blades and oil moving parts. PLANT: GET ORGANIZED: Plan your seed order. Find a storage system for your seed packets. Clean your pottery. Replace outdated products.
TIP: January is a great time to look for those garden bargains! January 2021
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Cooperative Farming News
Showing up for work before the sun does.
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AlabamaAgCredit.com Call 800.579.5471 Joy Reznicek, Pickens County MEMBER
Jeff Register Building & Truss
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Clay County #2973
84+/- AC - This rural country home is located on Prospect Road near Goodwater in Clay County, AL. The 84+/- acre property is highlighted by the stunning 3 bedroom 3 bathroom 2650 sq ft log cabin home. This log cabin is made from Cypress wood from the floors to ceilings and features a picturesque wrap around porch with a door on all four sides. $499,000
randolph County #3084
707+/- AC - Just outside of the Rock Mills community in Randolph County, only two miles from the Georgia line. Features include: quality soils and gentle topography, mixed timber stands, Big Wehadkee Creek runs through this tract for over a mile, old farm pond and beaver ponds, wildlife food plots, abundant game, old farm structures like barns and silos are still standing. $1,302,060
talladega County #3124
174+/- AC - Cattle Farm located in Talladega County in Central Alabama. The farm is currently running beef cattle, but several acres have been row cropped in the past. The farm features gently rolling pasture, hay barn, cattle working pens, stream fed lake, cross fenced pastures, two rental houses, and mature hardwood timber. The farm can currently easily maintain 50 cow units with the capacity for more. $549,000
dallas County #3071
640+/- AC - 640ac cattle farm on the Cahaba River in Dallas County, Alabama. 3 bedroom home, 18 acre lake, and over 1 mile of river front. $1,472,000
chambers County #2947
595+/- AC - This tract is setup for hunting/recreation and has all the components to provide excellent recreational opportunities with a diversified timber investment. MUST SEE! $1,175,125
220+/- AC - This tract has it all! Approximately 1500 feet along the scenic Tallapoosa River, huge hardwoods and a well-managed pine plantation. This tract also has a 3 acre lake that is fully stocked and a landing on the river for canoe put in where the fish are plentiful along the shoals. Great turkey and deer hunting can also be had on the 220 acres of gentle rolling timberland. $550,000
perry County #2982
sumter County #2836
lamar County #3032
209 AC - The camp house has 4 bedrooms, a renovated bathroom, and a living room. A garage with an electric roll-up door is used for storing atvâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and equipment. The Sprott area is well known for good deer and turkey hunting. There are 6-8 food plots on the property for hunting, and miles of internal roads and four wheeler trails take you throughout the tract. $420,000 +/-
baldwin County #2980
143+/- AC - 100 ft of frontage on Stucki Road that goes back 525 ft opening up to the larger tract and access to the side/back of the property from Fell Rd. All utilities are available. Suitable use â&#x20AC;&#x201C; residential development or country retreat. Property is conveniently located: Beach Express(6 miles), Orange Beach & Gulf Shores(17 miles), Foley(9 miles), Mobile(47 miles), Pensacola(25 miles) Covenants and Restrictions can be provided by request. $629,000
174+/- AC - The topography on the tract is primarily flat with a gentle slope on the acreage to the south. There is also a lake site on the property that is close to an acre in size, but could be made larger. Tifallili Creek crosses the southwestern corner of the property. Timber on the tract consist of hardwoods, cedar thickets, hackberry, and some pine stands, which when all combined make great wildlife habitat. $346,260
Lauderdale County #3083
227+/- AC - This tract is as versatile as it is beautiful, with multiple homesites perched on top of hills with spectacular views. Threet Creek runs through the mixed hardwood stand providing year-round water and multiple springs can be found throughout the tract. $726,173
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FARMS CLOSED IN 2020
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PoultrySouth Co-Founder 256-239-5379 randall@selandgroup.com
Cooperative Farming News
ROBERT KING
PoultrySouth Co-Founder 844-855-0680 robert@selandgroup.com
SIMPLE TIMES B Y S U Z Y M c C R AY
THE CO-OP PANTRY
Addicting Plates Through the years, my mama really couldn’t seem to help it. If they were colorful, unique, crafty, quaint, modern, antique, beautiful or even somewhat ugly – if it was a dinner plate with all its accompanying bowls, cups and saucers, Mama wanted them! Through the years she went through the Hull pottery stage (I hated those brown, clunky plates, cups and saucers when I was a teen but would so love to have that set back now – she sold it at a yard sale when she tired of it); the grocery store buy-one-a-week set (with soup bowls, serving dishes and matching silverware given as extra dividends); the get-them-
out-of-a-box of detergent, lovely, flowered ones when I was a toddler; on to the more expensive Christmas set when I was already grown. They were each special in their own right. None were expensive china, but all were cherished, loved, and hand washed and dried carefully – until she caught sight of her NEXT favorite … She eventually had to sell some of her favorites and gift some to grown grandchildren just to make room for her latest love. That trade-off went on throughout her life! When she died, she only had one special set of January 2021
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dishes in her kitchen cabinet because she had gifted $5 for my pitcher! I knew my mama would be proud of the rest. me as I carefully set it on my kitchen shelf … I thought I was spared inheriting that addiction. But then a couple of weeks ago, my addiction alIf my family had a few dishes that somewhat most surfaced full force. While visiting a thrift shop matched as we ate hurriedly amid the schedule of owned by one of my cousins, I found a plastic crate church, home schooling, band, scouts, soccer and filled with eight-place settings of my Heartland dishfarm chores we were happy! To have enough clean es with one dish made into a charming kitchen clock! dishes for my clan was usually our biggest obstacle. And all for $15! We drank out of pint canning jars (which are inI couldn’t contain my joy and posted a photo of the credibly sturdy for kids!) and really didn’t have time for clock on social media. I couldn’t believe the response. anything fancy. Many noted they had had a set of those very dishes in But about three years ago something happened their past. But the best was what I discovered about unexpectedly. We were eating an impromptu lunch Mack’s family. with one of my new sisters-in-law and her husband Not only did his one sister have a set, but his niece when she set the table with the cutest dishes. They also told me that at one time every sister in the family were a simple design of houses, villages and farm an- had a set! So now I truly felt like I fitted in! imals set on a light beige background. I looked them So, I’m like my mama in so many ways but this over carefully and came home and looked them up on addiction is a little different. While she couldn’t resist the computer. any interesting set of dishes, The design was something I am entranced with only this called Heartland Village and one kind! And as I was writing the internet noted, “Pfaltzgraff this article, I’ve discovered that While visiting a Heartland is a classic collectwhen the dishes were first reible glazed stoneware pattern leased there was a silverware thrift shop owned that depicts life on America’s set released as well, with porceby one of my fruited plain.” lain handles with tiny matching One section noted they scenes painted on those grips! cousins, I found a were popular in the 1980s; anSo guess what I’m going to be other said they were completely on the lookout for now! plastic crate filled discontinued around 2010. But There’s so many things with eight-place there were lots of pieces for going on in this world today sale on different sites on the that we can’t control. We can settings of my internet for prices way beyond just pray and trust in God. But my budget! somehow something as simple Heartland dishes A few weeks later, Mack and as some dishes, with tiny paintwith one dish made I were attending a yard sale in ings of villages, cows and pigs, Oneonta. I almost missed a Stycan be comforting because into a charming rofoam ice chest sitting under they show how all can be right a tree with a dish or two stickin our lives … kitchen clock! ing out. A closer look revealed So if you happen to see me these were MY dishes! It was a at an estate sale, yard sale or complete set of Heartland Vilthrift store, with my blue jean lage dishes complete with the knees dusty from kneeling to canister set, saltshaker and more for only $10! look through boxes and a glazed look in my eyes, you I was ecstatic! We washed them carefully and know I’m on the hunt and my heart is filled with simple have used them every day ever since! The canisters joy! sit proudly on our counter and I smile every time I look “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and at them. send some to those who have nothing prepared. This One day I was simply looking at Facebook at day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the what my friends were talking about growing, doing or Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10) building on their homesteads when a small “for sale” thread popped up; it was the large pitcher to match (Suzy and Mack live on a small homestead in Blount my dishes! The lady not only delivered it to my store County and can be reached on Facebook or at but she also then shopped more than paying back the suzy.mccray@yahoo.com.) 54
Cooperative Farming News
HOWLE’S HINTS B Y J O H N H OW L E
THE HERB FARMER JANUARY
HOW’S YOUR GARDEN “Educate and inform the whole mass of people …. They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
for healthy eating during the gardening offseason. Many are supplementing their diet with wild game such as venison, turkey and freshly caught fish. Local farmers markets and community sustainable agriculture are making strides in popularity. My neighbor planted a turnip green patch close to the size of a football field. Even after all the neighbors picked all the greens they wanted, there was a sea of green left behind for the deer to browse during the cold nights of January. It would be great if more small communities became more sustainable and made local food readily available. Back in the day, neighbors would gather for a barn building, a hog killing or trading chickens, eggs and produce. This was not only a bonding event for the community but it was also a chance to share harvests, skills and information. In Michael Pollan’s book, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” he traces our food chain from farms to fast-food restaurants and showcases America’s national eating disorder and the constantly changing food trends and diets. Pollan shines a spotlight on an unconventional farmer, Joel Salatin and his 550-acre farm operation. He is known for only selling his food to locations that are within a four-hour drive from his house.
SIMPLE TIMES
- Thomas Jefferson
Mark Twain said, “A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read.” During today’s information age, ironically, it can be difficult to be informed with facts no matter how much you read. So much information is delivered as opinion with an agenda. Whether the information is regarding the founding of our country, our history and our values, or simply trying to find out where our off-the-farm food comes from, information coming from the internet is sketchy at best. Speaking of where our food comes from, there is a trend for people these days to provide more of their own food, whether it be starting a backyard garden, raising a few meat chickens or planting winter greens
THE CO-OP PANTRY
January 2021
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Salatin’s farming is basically what farmers did 75100 years ago. His farming style focuses on starting with healthy grass where animals live in a symbiotic feeding cycle where cows are intensively grazed followed by chickens in portable coops moved behind the cattle. The chickens dig through cow dung to eat fly larvae, seeds and insects, and are only minimally supplemented with feed. His hogs are rotated through wooded areas eating acorns and creating soil disturbance for new forage growth with minimal supplemental feeding. His home garden provides food for the whole family for the year with excess to trade with neighbors for goods and services. Salatin also owns a portable sawmill that is used to make all the structures and pens on the farm, and he sells the excess as highgrade lumber such as white and red oak. The saw chips are used as bedding and compost material for his farming operation.
Combat the Cold One of the biggest reasons for cold feet in wintertime is sweat and moisture. First, if you don’t have
A small, electric fan will dry out your boots each night to help prevent cold feet the next day.
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Cooperative Farming News
boot dryers, you can use a small fan to dry out your boots each night. The next morning, spray unscented antiperspirant on your feet and wear wool socks. The antiperspirant stops the foot from sweating, and the wool socks keep your feet warm even if you do sweat.
Friendly Fire If you are in a remote area and fall into the creek in January, it is essential to get warmed up fast. The quickest way to do this is with a fire. For a convenient match safe, a 16-gauge spent shotshell will slide tightly into a 12-gauge shotshell holding approximately 12 strike-anywhere matches. Store the matches in a dry environment so the match heads won’t deteriorate. Some of those small silicate packs that come with small objects can be stuffed into the match safe to keep moisture out. To get that fire going, keep a couple of strips of old inner tube rolled up in your pack. Even if it is wet, the rubber will burn with intensity, giving you time and tinder to get a good fire going.
A 12-gauge and 16-gauge shotshell will fit tightly together holding approximately 12 strike-anywhere matches.
Keep a roll of inner tube in your pack for fire starting this winter. The rubber will burn even if wet.
Coyote Control This winter while you are feeding the livestock, keep your eyes open for coyotes crossing the pasture. This is a great time of year to get a shot at these wily canines. If you find a common spot they cross, set up near a brushpile making sure your body is completely concealed and make sure you are totally still. Coyotes normally breed between January and March. Then, about 60 days later, females will often find or create a den on the south side of a mountainside above a water source to give birth. If you find one of these dens, place a game camera near the spot to
Look on the south side of mountains above streams for coyote dens.
verify the presence of coyote pups. Overpopulation of coyotes might require control to keep the wildlife and livestock populations protected. This January, spend some quality time at night around the fireplace acquiring information and education through reading. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great time to research and make goals for the upcoming year.
Stay completely still and camouflaged to get a shot at coyotes this winter.
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THE MAGIC OF GARDENING
Great “Smallish” Evergreen Trees In my position, I am often asked to recommend trees and shrubs for a particular purpose in the landscape and sometimes this proves a greater challenge than at other times. We horticulturists are fond of saying, “Right Plant – Right Place” and then we give a list of several plants we personally like without asking the right questions of the homeowner. This recently happened to me when I was asked to recommend a “smallish” evergreen tree. I had to slow myself down long enough to ask some important questions. What do you mean by smallish? What are the light conditions? What are the soil conditions? Do you want a screen or row of plants or just a stand-alone specimen? Is flower or multiseason interest important? It turns out that this particular homeowner did have some important site issues to consider. Previously, a Japanese maple was planted in the same spot and it had died after last year’s excessively wet winter and spring. Japanese maples are beautiful trees but they are prone to dying in the summer after a very wet winter and spring. Much of the root system probably died during the very wet weather and as soon as it got hot and dry the plant succumbed. The purpose for the plant was as much functional as ornamental and possibly the function was the most important attribute. It was giving them afternoon shade as they sat near their pool. Japanese maples are not evergreen, although they are uniquely beautiful small trees. In this case, it was a standard seedling tree and was about 20 feet tall. The homeowners wanted to switch to evergreen but they wanted to stay in the 15-30 feet range for the replacement tree. So in addition to evergreen and that size range, I now know the soil may have occasional periods of being very wet and in the same year very dry. We are somewhat limited on trees that meet this description, but if we widen our view to include larg58
Cooperative Farming News
Camellia
er shrubs, we have far more choices. I once heard a speaker explain the difference between a shrub and a tree by saying “a tree is a shrub that made it.” He was saying that technically there is not much difference. However, we often think of shrubs as very bushy from top to bottom and trees being more lollypop-shaped with a trunk and a ball-shaped canopy. Several tough
Loropetalums
B Y T O N Y G L OV E R
Ilex latifolia - Lusterleaf Holly
evergreen shrubs could fill the bill nicely for this client if they use the process of training the shrub into a small tree over time. When thinking of a small evergreen tree the camellia may not be the first thing that comes to mind but some camellias are very large and can be trained into a small tree form over time. They are both beautiful and tough plants that are historically important to Alabama as our state flower. In South Alabama, the large winter-blooming Camellia japonica are a great choice and many of them can reach small tree size. In North Alabama, I recommend you stick with the fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua. It may be harder to find a tall-growing cultivar of the latter because plant breeding work has gone toward the concept of smaller is better. One you might find is called Plantation Pink, which can reach 20 feet in height. When I worked at the Birmingham Botanical Garden Extension Office, I remember admiring the tree form loropetalums. Once upon a time, all that you could find were large cultivars and people often planted these as foundation plants and soon found out they grow both fast and large. Now breeders have developed everything from groundcovers, small shrubs, and medium shrubs to the original large shrubs. The large ones grow very fast and can easily be trained into a
“Little Gem” Magnolia
small tree form. I like the old cultivar called ‘Zhuzhou Fuchsia’ for this purpose. Another group of plants to consider are the large hollies. These can be easily limbed up into a small- to medium-sized tree. One of my favorites is the Lusterleaf Holly, Ilex latifolia. This large-leaved holly is very tough but it is a somewhat slow grower. However, with a little attention to watering and fertilization it grows fast enough and will reward you with a beautiful longlived small tree. Many other hollies will work equally well including our native American and yaupon hollies. A traditional large tree that breeders have come up with dwarf forms that could work include the native Southern magnolia. The standard magnolia is a huge tree but the dwarf forms could work nicely. Little Gem gets about 30 feet tall and Teddy Bear about half that height. This list is by no means exhaustive but it does meet the requirements of the site and desires of the homeowner in this case. January 2021
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FOOD SAFETY
New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
Resolutions
Food safety is not something we usually think of when we are making our New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolutions. In fact, it is likely that you will promise to lose weight, exercise more, read more, spend less, stop smoking, start spending more time with family, plant more vegetables, etc., etc., etc. A resolution is simply a course
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Cooperative Farming News
of action that you have decided on that you are determined to complete. Why not try making a food-safety resolution? Most of these options are MUCH easier than losing 10 pounds. Follow these few simple steps and everyone in your family will thank you because they avoided an unnecessary foodborne illness.
B Y A N G E L A T R E A D AWAY
Buy (and use) a food thermometer Because it is important to ensure that foodborne pathogens are destroyed during the cooking process, a food thermometer is an essential food-safety tool in the kitchen. There is no other way to determine if a hamburger, roast or piece of salmon is sufficiently heated. Buy the thermometer and follow these temperature guidelines for cooking: cook roasts and steaks to a minimum of 145 F; all poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 F; ground meat whether it be sausage, fish or hamburger meat to at least 155 F (color is not a reliable indicator of doneness); whole pieces of fish as well as steaks and chops need to reach 145 F. Bring sauces, soups and gravy to a boil (212 F) when reheating, and reheat other leftovers to 165 F.
due to lack of business resulting from a well-publicized outbreak. While you may not work in food service, if you are preparing food for family members, friends or housemates, it makes sense to heed this advice: Do not prepare food for others if you are sick â&#x20AC;&#x201D; particularly with vomiting or diarrhea. Even if you are suffering from a really bad cold or flu with extensive coughing and sneezing, it may make sense to let someone else do the cooking.
Wash your fruits and veggies before eating â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all of them
Wash your hands before preparing food
Sometimes when we do things routinely, we can get complacent. We may think a quick little rinse under some tepid running water will do the trick. It will not. Scrub your hands for at least 10-20 seconds under running water WITH SOAP. The soap helps to break up the soil that hides the microorganisms on your hands. Then the running water can do its job and flush the soil and bacteria away. Be sure to wash again after handling raw meat, poultry, fish, eggs or produce; between handling different foods; after coughing, sneezing or handling garbage; or after contaminating hands in any way.
Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cook for others when you are sick According to the Centers for Disease Control, sick food workers are often the source of foodborne illness outbreaks. In some cases, restaurants have closed
Simple as that. Wash all fruits and vegetables just before preparing and/or eating them. Wash under running water and use a scrub brush on hard rinds. Wash the rinds even if you do not eat them. Washing will not guarantee that all raw produce is germ-free, but it will reduce your risk.
Think twice about eating raw animal foods Most foodborne pathogens (microorganisms that cause disease) come from the intestinal system of animals (animal feces). When animals poop out the pathogens, they can contaminate soil, water, plants and other sources of the food we eat. So, it makes sense that eating animal foods that have not been cooked sufficiently to destroy the pathogens is risky. Therefore, it is best to eat them cooked and cooked enough to destroy the pathogens. If you are a healthy adult, you may choose to take the risk and eat raw clams, raw milk or raw beef (carpaccio), but children January 2021
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off enough for you to either freeze or refrigerate. If foods are not cooled down to below 70 F before placing them in the fridge, make sure if you cover them you do so loosely. If not, it will take forever to cool when lid is tight. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t overload your refrigerator either; air needs to be able to circulate to keep items cool.
Throw out leftovers if they are more than six days old
and immune-compromised individuals should avoid raw animal products altogether.
Buy (and use) a refrigerator thermometer Refrigerator thermometers are important to make sure foods are being held at the right temperatures. Inside the refrigerator it should be 40 F or lower and the thermometer should be near the door, maybe on a side wall so you can see it every time you open the door. It is obvious to most of us that refrigeration is essential to keep food from spoiling. But the cold also keeps the bacteria that cause foodborne illness from multiplying. Temperatures above 40 F can support faster growth of bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter and other microorganisms that can cause foodborne illness. Freezer temperature should be O F to keep food solidly frozen.
Learn how to cool foods safely Cooking to the proper temperature is one way to make foods safe. But if there are leftovers involved, it is only part of the story. To keep food safe after cooking, it is important to chill the food quickly. Break the food down to small amounts no more than 2-3 inches thick then either put in ice water to cool down quickly or leave uncovered for about 30 minutes for it to cool
During food preparation, perishable food travels in and out of the danger zone several times: from the processor to the store, to your car, to the kitchen, to the refrigerator or freezer, to the counter for preparation, to the oven, to the table, to the refrigerator again. Each trip through the danger zone (or through several pairs of hands) can increase the number of microorganisms on the food. In addition, some pathogens such as listeria can grow and multiply even at 40 F in the refrigerator. Use your leftovers as soon as possible. Date them if you cannot remember when they were first served.
Teach others how to handle food safely Many folks simply do not know how food makes people sick. They do not understand that food can look and smell perfectly fine and still be contaminated. At your church supper, the soup kitchen, a neighborhood picnic or wherever you see or share food-preparation duties, be sure to share your knowledge of how to prepare food safely so that you do not have to share a foodborne illness. 62
Cooperative Farming News
It is never too early to get a jump start on scholarships! AFC & Auburn University & the John H. Mathews Scholarship Deadline for Scholarships: December 31, 2021
Visit our website at www.alafarm.com/scholarships for more information. January 2021
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Contact us for your seed needs!
(806) 258 - 7394 carson@gaylandwardseed.com www.gaylandwardseed.com
Sorghum Sudangrass • BMR Dwarf Varieties • Grain Sorghum Forage Sorghum • Pearl Millet 64
Cooperative Farming News
We Thought It Was Dead A large goldfish bowl sat upon our dining room table for the last four months of 2018. The contents of the bowl: four or five brown twigs from which hung three brown Swallowtail butterfly chrysalises. We’ve raised Swallowtail butterflies in our home for many years. When I say “we,” I’m really referring to my wife Lisa. She’s the backbone of the operation. In previous years, we’d had great success hatching
Swallowtails. All the butterflies usually hatched from their chrysalises in just a couple of weeks, inside the protected confines of our makeshift terrarium, and then we’d release them in our backyard, afterwards. But, in 2018, we met with seeming defeat. All three chrysalises formed in early September and by the end of September there was no change … nor was there any change by the end of October. Lisa did some research and discovered that the incubation period varies greatly in Swallowtail butterflies, so we were still hopeful that our “babies” were going to make it. But then November came and went, and still there was no change in the chrysalises. (By the way, for the longest time I thought they were called “cocoons,” but my wife set me straight. Cocoons are woven out of silk by moths, while chrysalises are formed by butterflies. There’s your science lesson for the day!) My daughter had come home for a visit during Christmas time and saw the fishbowl with the lifeless chrysalises in it, and asked if she should just put the bowl outside since it seemed obvious that they weren’t going to hatch. Even though it appeared like a hopeless situation, I said, “No, let’s keep them inside, in the bowl … there’s a possibility that they’re still alive.” I was hoping against hope that those chrysalises still had life in them.
I was hoping against hope that those chrysalises still had life in them.
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On New Year’s Eve, 2018, I was sitting at my computer in my office when I heard Lisa exclaim, “Oh my gosh! One of the butterflies has hatched.” I ran to the dining room and there it sat, clinging to the dead branch in the fishbowl … a beautiful, full-grown Swallowtail butterfly. It was a miraculous moment in our household. It was just the sort of “sign” we needed. You see, the year of 2018 had been full of setbacks and obstacles in the Lane household. Don’t get me wrong … we were blessed, for sure. But we had also met with several difficult moments and challenges that had stolen some of our hope for the future. Seeing that beautiful butterfly lightly beating its wings where there once was a lifeless chrysalis gave me a renewed hope for my family for 2019. So, here’s one thought that I couldn’t help but think during that awesome, unexpected blessing. Nature shows us that there are seasons of dormancy in life. And, if we find seasons of dormancy in Nature it is only because God Himself, the Creator of Nature, ordained it to be that way. So, even though it may seem to you like all hope is gone, and that death prevails all around you, don’t be surprised if new life rises from the ashes of what you thought was once dead. And the beautiful thing about it is that it may appear in a totally different shape and color than what you once knew … much like the once ugly, green
Our newly hatched Swallowtail, just moments after emerging from its chrysalis.
caterpillar in the fishbowl turned into a beautiful four-winged, multicolored butterfly after four months of dormancy. If 2020 has left you feeling like all hope is gone and you’ve given up on the future, I just want you to take a look at the photo of the butterfly in this article and remember this: There are seasons of dormancy where it appears that death has prevailed, but new life has been cleverly concealed by our Creator. Don’t give up. Keep believing. Keep hoping. That dark, dreary tomb is about to become a place of RESURRECTION!
MS AL
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Cooperative Farming News
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THE CO-OP PANTRY B Y M A RY D E L P H
2021 is here! I hope that it is a vast improvement over 2020. One take-away from 2020 was the importance of loving and enjoying your family, friends and neighbors, even if we had to do it by phone or video chat. With that in mind, I have selected a variety of super easy, crockpot/slow cooker recipes that will cut your hands-on cooking time down and allow you more family time or maybe some much needed personal time. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Pork with Beans 1 2 1/2 pound package pork tenderloin 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt Fresh ground black pepper, to taste 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 cup chopped yellow onion 1 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1 (16-ounce) can chili beans in mild chili sauce, undrained 1 (15.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained Op tional toppings such as cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream or avocado Cut each tenderloin into 3 or 4 pieces and place in the insert of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle the pork with the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Add the garlic, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or until pork is tender enough to shred. Using two forks, shred the pork into the sauce. Add both the chili and cannellini beans. Cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, until beans are warmed through. Spoon mixture into tortillas or spoon over cooked rice or cornbread. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream and a dash of hot sauce. Delicious! Note from Mary: You may use any type of bean you love instead of the cannellini beans â&#x20AC;&#x201C; red kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans or Great Northern beans would all be excellent choices.
Slow Cooker Banana Nut Oatmeal 1 cup steel cut oats 1 ripe banana, mashed 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 2 cups skim milk or almond milk 2 cups water 2 Tablespoons flaxseed meal 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt Sli ced banana, walnuts or brown sugar, optional garnish January 2021
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Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and stir until well combined. Cook overnight on low for 8 hours. In the morning, stir oatmeal with a fork to loosen the steel cut oats and make sure everything is fully incorporated. Serve warm with banana slices, chopped walnuts or a pinch of brown sugar if you wish. Note from Mary: Fill crockery liner until lower half is filled with water. For easier cleanup, I would suggest a bowl that will fit inside the crockery liner of your crockpot which will hold all your ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. In a pinch, one of the plastic crockpot liners will work, just handle carefully when removing.
heavy cream. Cook on low heat for 2–3 hours until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F. Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker, then increase the heat to high. Add the cornstarch to the leftover sauce inside the pot, and continuously whisk until the sauce becomes thickened, about 2 minutes. Ladle over the chicken and serve.
Slow Cooker Ranch Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 (1-ounce) package Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning, Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix Packet 4 Tablespoons butter, cubed 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, sifted Place the chicken breasts in slow cooker. Sprinkle with Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning, Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix, then top with the butter and 68
Cooperative Farming News
4 cups beef broth, divided 2 (1-ounce) packages Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® dressing 3 Tablespoons tomato paste 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite-size chunks 5 baby red potatoes, cut into bite-size chunks 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 4 ounces white mushrooms, sliced 3 medium carrots, sliced 3 ribs celery, sliced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 Tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 cup 2% milk or your preferred milk/milk alternative 1 cup peas (thawed if frozen) Add 1 cup of the broth, ranch seasoning, tomato paste, sugar and black pepper to a large 6-quart slow
cooker. Whisk until well combined. Whisk in the remaining broth. Add the beef, potatoes, onion, mushrooms, carrots, celery and garlic. Stir well. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours. Add the cornstarch and milk to a small bowl. Whisk to dissolve. Add the cornstarch mixture and peas to the slow cooker. Stir well. Cover and increase the heat to high. Cook for 30 more minutes to thicken the stew. Note from Mary: Give this stew more flavor by searing the beef before placing into the slow cooker. Make sure your pan is hot with a thin coating of oil and gently set the pieces of meat in the pan for a few minutes on each side, until browned. This will caramelize the beef and give your soup a complex, savory flavor!
Slow Cooker Applesauce Spice Cake 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Confectionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sugar, for serving Ice cream
ter to the prepared slow cooker and cook covered until set and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 2 to 2 1/2 hours on high. Holding the parchment, transfer the cake to a rack and let cool for at least 15 minutes. Dust with the confectionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sugar and serve with ice cream, if desired.
Place a 15-inch piece of parchment paper in the bowl of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, letting the excess come up the sides. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the applesauce and vanilla (the mixture will look curdled). Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Transfer the bat-
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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in U S A
TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE DINNER SHOW January 2 - February 27, 2021 Foley - Brandon Styles Theater Admission - 5:00 p.m. Call 251-237-3330 ICE SKATING AT THE WHARF January 5-18, 2021 Orange Beach - 4830 Main Street Admission Call 251-224-1000 OLD CHRISTMAS AT CLAY HILL January 6, 2021 Brundidge - Clay Hill Church 6:00 p.m. Call 334-685-5524
HANK WILLIAMS 68TH MEMORIAL January 1, 2021 Montgomery - Hank Williams Museum - Oakwood Cemetery Annex Call 334-262-3600 POLAR BEAR DIP January 1, 2021 Orange Beach - Flora-Bama Noon - 3:00 p.m. Call 850-492-0611 1ST MONDAY WEEKEND TRADE DAYS January 1, 2021 Scottsboro - Downtown Courthouse Square - 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 256-912-0520 ROCK CLIMBING / RAPPELLING ADVENTURE (COMBO) January 1-31, 2021 Fort Payne - True Adventure Sports Admission - Not open on Sunday Call 256-997-9577
WINTER WEDNESDAYS January 6 - February 24, 2021 Theodore - Bellingrath Gardens and Home - Admission Call 251-459-8868 CULLMAN COUNTY CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING January 9, 2021 Cullman - Stone Bridge Farms 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Call 334-265-1867 ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES January 9-10, 2021 Decatur - Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge/Visitor Center Saturday: 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 256-350-6639 MISS ALABAMA USA & MISS ALABAMA TEEN USA PAGEANT January 9-10, 2021 Auburn - Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center - Admission Call 803-648-6220
2021 BOAT SHOW January 15-17, 2021 Huntsville - Von Braun Center Friday: Noon - 9:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 256-509-3754 MORGAN ACADEMY DEER HUNT January 15-17, 2021 Selma - Begins at Morgan Academy Preregistration Required Call 334-327-0208 CIRCLE CITY DIAMOND CHAMPIONSHIP January 16, 2021 Dothan - Dothan Civic Center Admission - 9:15 a.m. Call 334-615-3157 KREWE DE LA DAUPHINE MARDI GRAS PARADE January 16, 2021 Dauphin Island - 101 Bienville Blvd Call 1-800-745-SAND ALABAMA DANCE FESTIVAL January 16-24, 2021 Birmingham - Virtual - Admission Call 205-602-3599 PINK BRIDE WEDDING SHOW January 17, 2021 Birmingham - BJCC - Admission 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Call 865-531-3941 ANNUAL GULF STATES HORTICULTURAL EXPO January 17-22, 2021 Mobile - Mobile Outlaw Convention Center Trade Show Call 334-821-5148
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY CELEBRATION COFFEE CALL January 18, 2021 January 2, 2021 Athens - Alabama Veterans Museum BEAKS & BARKS WINTER FESTIVAL Montgomery - Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church January 11 - February 28, 2021 & Archives - 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Huntsville Huntsville Botanical Call 256-771-7578 Call 334-263-3970 Garden - Admission ADAMS ANGUS FARM & Call 256-830-4447 MARTIN LUTHER KING GUESTS BULL SALE CELEBRATION AND SERVICES FOLEY SNOWBIRD RECEPTION January 2, 2021 January 18, 2021 January 12, 2021 Union Springs - Adams Angus Farm Scottsboro - St Paul AME Church Foley Foley Civic Center Call 334-202-3454 10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. - Noon Call 256-609-4202 Call 251-943-1300 70
Cooperative Farming News
1776 – THE MUSICAL January 21 - February 7, 2021 Birmingham - Virginia Samford Theatre - Admission - 10:00 a.m. Call 256-609-4202 CRENSHAW COUNTY BELT BUCKLE CLASSIC STEER & HEIFER SHOW January 23, 2021 Luverne - Tom Harbin Farm Center Call 334-508-0464 FRANKLIN COUNTY CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING January 23, 2021 Russellville - Ralph Bishop Rec Center - 6:00 p.m. Call 256-412-3468 EAGLE AWARENESS WEEKENDS January 26 - February 14, 2021 Guntersville - Guntersville State Park Hours Vary Call 256-571-5445 CONDE CAVALIERS January 29, 2021 Mobile - Route A 6:30 p.m. Call 251-431-9334 CONDE EXPLORERS MARDI GRAS PARADE January 30, 2021 Mobile - Route A 7:00 p.m. Call 251-432-3324 BAYPORT PARADING SOCIETY January 30, 2021 Mobile - Route A 2:00 p.m. Call 251-432-3324 MYSTIC DJ RIDERS MARDI GRAS PARADE January 30, 2021 Mobile - Route A 2:30 p.m. Call 251-432-3324 PHARAOHS MYSTIC SOCIETY MARDI GRAS PARADE January 30, 2021 Mobile - Route A 6:30 p.m. Call 251-432-3324
ORDER OF HEBE MARDI GRAS PARADE January 30, 2021 Mobile - Route A 6:30 p.m. Call 251-432-3324 ORDER OF THE ROLLING RIVER MARDI GRAS PARADE January 30, 2021 Theodore - 10950 Dauphin Island Parkway Call 251-432-3324 PRATTVILLE MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION January 30, 2021 Prattville - Downtown 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 334-595-0854
ORDER OF INCA February 5, 2021 Mobile - Route A 6:30 p.m. Call 251-432-3324 APOLLO'S MYSTIC LADIES MARDI GRAS PARADE February 5, 2021 Daphne - Olde Town Daphne 6:45 p.m. Call 1-800-745-SAND APOLLO'S MYSTIC LADIES MARDI GRAS PARADE February 5, 2021 Daphne - Olde Town Daphne 6:45 p.m. Call 1-800-745-SAND
REESES’S SENIOR BOWL January 30, 2021 Mobile - 307 North University Blvd. Admission Call 251-438-2276 BIG BEACH MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 7K January 30-31, 2021 Gulf Shores - 101 East Beach Blvd. Admission Call 336-793-4311 HIKE OF SEVEN WATERFALLS February 1-28, 2021 Fort Payne - True Adventure Sports Admission Call 256-997-9577 DAUPHIN ISLAND PEOPLE'S PARADE February 2, 2021 Dauphin Island - 101 Bienville Blvd Call 251-432-3324 DAMON WAYANS JR.: THE PSNWA TOUR February 4-6, 2021 Huntsville - Standup Live Admission - 7:00 p.m. Call 256-261-3374 1ST FRIDAY ART WALK February 5, 2021 Fairhope - Art Center Call 251-928-2228
***Please note that some of these events may be postponed or canceled due to COVID-19. Please contact the event directly in order to find out more information about the event.***
“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.*
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