June/July 2022 by afccooperativefarmingnews

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CO-OP MATTERS

18 Co-op Corner: From the St. Clair County Co-op

LIFE ON THE HOMEPLACE AND IN THE COMMUNITY On the Cover:

Justin Hill took a hobby and turn it into a successful business - Eastaboga Bee Company.

(Photo Credit: AFC Publication Staff)

44 Eastaboga Bee Company: The Sweeter Route 48 Ed Guy: A Bird’s Eye View YOUTH MATTERS 24 FFA Sentinel: Something for Everyone 26 4-H Extension Corner: Mobile County 4-H’ers Experienced the Benefits of Raised Bed Gardening 29 PALS: Chambers County Joins the Clean Campus Program

Letter from the Editor........................ 4 Ag Insight........................................... 8 Business of Farming........................... 12 Feeding Facts ..................................... 14 From the State Vet’s Office................. 16 Homegrown with Sweet Grown......... 21 What’s the Point................................ 22 Outdoor Logic with BioLogic............. 32 Cooking with Stacy Lyn...................... 35 Farming Your Forest........................... 36 Shepherding Outdoors....................... 40 Southern Made Simple....................... 52 How’s Your Garden?.......................... 55 Howle’s Hints..................................... 57 Magic of Gardening............................ 60 Lawn & Garden Checklist.................. 63 Simple Times...................................... 65 Food Safety......................................... 68 Grazing Grace..................................... 71 The Co-op Pantry............................... 73 What’s Happening in Alabama............ 76 w w w. a l a f a r m . c o m

52 48

26 55

CONTENTS

OUR REGULARS

June/July 2022

Letter from the Editor 4

As summer begins, we’re thankful for longer, warmer days. Gardens are producing fresh fruit and vegetables, row crops are starting to grow and before we know it, harvest season will be here. The June/July issue of Cooperative Farming News highlights some summer staples, including honey – our cover feature! Check out our friends at Eastaboga Bee Company and learn how Justin Hill got started in this sweet business. The story of this fourth-generation farmer and his honey is so good, we couldn’t help but include honey-related recipes in our Co-op Pantry. The lawn and garden checklist is a great place to learn tips and tricks to help keep you busy as a bee. We’re also happy to share the St. Clair County Co-op replica created by a fourth-grade student! Check out the nine-year old’s history project that not only won her first place at school, but first place in the heart of the Pell City based Co-op. We’re looking forward to sharing the third edition of the Co-op Cattle-log with you this fall. Also, if you’re looking for a Father’s Day, birthday or even early Christmas gift, The Co-op Kitchen cookbook is still available online and in our Co-op stores. Thank you for being a loyal reader, customer and part of the AFC family.

Samantha Hendricks Editor-in-Chief

Cooperative Farming News

Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc.

Your friendly farm and garden supply store for 85 years and counting. ®

June/July 2022

Editor-in-Chief: Samantha Hendricks Editor: Jessie Shook Associate Editor: Mary Delph Contributing Editor: Jade Randolph Advertising, Editorial, Subscription and Publication Offices 121 Somerville Road NE Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609-2227 256-308-1618 AFC Officers Rivers Myres, President Ben Haynes, Chairman of the Board

Visit our website to subscribe to our magazine, read online, order our signature Co-op Cap or The Co-op Kitchen Cookbook.

AFC Board of Directors Rickey Cornutt, Matt Haney, Brooks Hayes, Rick Hendricks, Bill Sanders, Jeff Sims, Mike Tate, David Womack Subscription $10 per year For subscription inquiries or change of address: P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227 or call 256-308-1623 Subscribe online at https://www.alafarm.com/magazine To advertise: Wendy McFarland 334-652-9080 or email McFarlandAdVantage@gmail.com Cooperative Farming News is published bi-monthly by Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc.

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121 Somerville Road NE, Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and will not be responsible for copy errors or misprints in advertising or editorial material, other than to publish corrections of errors in fact. Feature articles, 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.

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

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DIRECTORY OF MEMBER COOPERATIVES ALTHA FARMERS COOPERATIVE James Lynn, Gen. Mgr. Phone 850-674-8194

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

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 CO-OP OF ASHFORD Timothy Tolar, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-899-3263

ATMORE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Todd Booker, Gen. Mgr. Phone 251-368-2191 BLOUNT COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Eric Sanders, Gen. 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 Seth Eubanks, Gen. Mgr. CENTRE 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 GENCO FARMERS COOPERATIVE Ricky Wilks, Gen. Mgr. HARTFORD - Todd Smith, Mgr. Phone 334-588-2992 WEST GENEVA - Robert Pittman, Mgr. Phone 334-898-7932 ENTERPRISE - Ricky Wilks Phone 334-347-9007 ELBA - Colin Morris, Mgr. Phone 334-897-6972 HEADLAND PEANUT WAREHOUSE CO-OP Jay Jones, Gen. Mgr. Chris Hix, Store Mgr. Phone 334-693-3313 JAY PEANUT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Ryan Williams, Gen. Mgr. Phone 850-675-4597

CLAY COUNTY EXCHANGE Jeff Kinder, Gen. Mgr. Phone 256-396-2097

LUVERNE COOPERATIVE SERVICES Perry Catrett, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-335-5082

COLBERT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Daniel Waldrep, Gen. Mgr. LEIGHTON - Tommy Sockwell, Mgr. Phone 256-446-8328 TUSCUMBIA - Chuck Hellums, Mgr. Phone 256-383-6462

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

DEKALB FARMERS COOPERATIVE Jason Plunkett, Gen. Mgr. RAINSVILLE Phone 256-638-2569 CROSSVILLE - David Tierce, Mgr. Phone 256-528-7188 ALBERTVILLE - Nicholas Byars, Mgr. 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

ELBERTA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Justin Brown, Gen. Mgr. Phone 251-986-8103

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 - Jason Pealor, Mgr. Phone 256-773-6832 PIKE COUNTY COOPERATIVE Danny Dewrell, Gen. Mgr. GOSHEN - Phone 334-484-3441 TROY - Jeff Baron, Mgr. Phone 334-566-3882 QUALITY COOPERATIVE, INC. Daniel Salter, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-382-6548 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 RANDOLPH - Tim Brown, Mgr. Phone 256-357-4743 TENNESSEE VALLEY COOPERATIVE, LLC John Curtis, President ATHENS – Britt Christopher, Mgr. Phone 256-232-5500 LYNNVILLE, TN - Kyle Doggett, Mgr. Phone 931-527-3923 PULASKI, TN Phone 931-363-2563 Reggie Shook, Vice Pres. FLORENCE - Robbie Neal, Mgr. Phone 256-764-8441 ELGIN - Blair Shook, Mgr. Phone 256-247-3453 John Holley, Vice Pres. MOULTON - Greg McCannon, Mgr. Phone 256-974-9213 COURTLAND Phone 256-637-2939 GRASSY - Adam Malone, Mgr. Phone 256-229-6664 TUSCALOOSA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Wayne Gilliam, Gen. Mgr. Phone 205-339-8181 WALKER FARMERS COOPERATIVE Cody King, Gen. Mgr. Phone 205-387-1142

*PLEASE CONTACT EACH STORE DIRECTLY FOR ALL OF THE SERVICES THEY OFFER* PEANUTS

PECANS

PROPANE

PEA SHELLING

CATFISH

June/July 2022

AG INSIGHT

AG INSIGHT BY J I M E R I C K S O N

Trade war costs continue to mount U.S. trade policies implemented five years ago continue today and their cost in the form of retaliatory tariffs that have sharply reduced this nation’s agricultural exports also continues to mount. A review of the recent trade war history includes these key developments: • Beginning in 2017, the United States initiated two trade actions. In April 2017, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to determine whether aluminum and steel were being imported in such quantities or under such circumstances to affect U.S. national security. In August 2017, the U.S. Trade Representative initiated a Section 301 investigation to determine whether China’s policies related to intellectual property and technology transfer were actionable under U.S. trade law. As a result of the Section 232 investigation, the United States applied tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum imports from all suppliers, although exceptions were made for certain countries. Additionally, the Section 301 investigation found China’s policies were actionable, and the United States imposed a 25% tariff on a broad range of goods from China. • In 2018, the United States imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from major trading partners and separate tariffs on imports from China. • Six trading partners then imposed retaliatory tariffs: Canada, China, the European Union (EU, including 8

Cooperative Farming News

the United Kingdom), India, Mexico, and Turkey imposed the levies on many U.S. exports, including a wide range of agricultural and food products. • Losses from retaliatory tariffs were concentrated among Midwestern States, with the largest losses among producers of soybeans, sorghum and pork. Among the states Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas have incurred the most lost revenues. • Retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports have been costly for many states and ultimately affect the revenue that U.S. farmers receive. ERS

researchers estimated $13.2 billion in revenues lost annually from 2018–19, with most losses felt by producers in the Midwest and by soybean producers. However, many retaliatory tariffs are still in place and continue to affect U.S. producers. Continued analysis is needed to assess the total costs of retaliatory tariffs to U.S. producers over time.

Plan (ARP) Act funding to promote competition and create more and better markets for local and regional food producers by expanding and strengthening opportunities to sell to institutions, such as universities, hospitals and settings operated by local, tribal and state governments. The supplemental ARP funding is divided into $65 million for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 each. In fiscal year 2022, LAMP will receive a total of $97 million in competitive grant funding to help local and regional food entities develop, coordinate and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and local food enterprises. The total includes the first $65 million of supplemental ARP funding and $32 million in funds provided through the 2018 Farm Bill. Of the $97 million, LAMP’s Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) will receive $57 million and the Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) will receive $40 million.

Food labels – info for some, uncertainty for others

Food safety information available at research library If you need the most current information on food safety, the National Agricultural Library’s Food Safety Research Information Office (FSRIO) is a resource with the latest food safety research. To view additional information on what’s available, visit the website at https://www.nal.usda.gov/ fsrio. The FSRIO team can be contacted at fsrio@ usda.gov.

Food labels – such as labels that describe chicken as raised without antibiotics or using organic farming methods, canned tuna as sustainable, and beef as grass-fed – can inform consumers about animal-raising claims or other attributes that are difficult for most consumers to verify independently. Research shows that consumers use label information to distinguish product characteristics and may be willing to pay a premium for certain product features.

More funding for Local Ag Market Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced supplemental American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). The program will receive a total of $130 million in supplemental American Rescue June/July 2022

But experimental evidence also finds that the willingness to pay for the label “grass-fed” on beef products is more pronounced for consumers who believe that the label signals food safety, suggesting consumers may not fully understand the meaning of the label.

Another type of label that has emerged to communicate product characteristics are eco-labels, or environmental labels. These labels typically signal environmental stewardship practices in raising animals or sustainable harvesting practices. An increasing number of eco-labels are being used to market foods, such as USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance and Marine Stewardship Council labels.

To make informed product choices, consumers must be able to properly interpret food labels. In some cases, consumers may not fully understand a label’s meaning or a food label may conjure perceptions that lack scientific backing or are against scientific consensus. For example, consumers may assume a label about sustainable farming practices means the food is safer to eat, which may not be true. USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS) researchers recently carried out studies on food labels to better understand how different labels affect buying behavior. In the United States, antibiotics are used to treat, control and prevent animal disease. However, the use of any antibiotics may lead to antibiotic resistance, which can in turn make both human and animal diseases difficult and costly to treat. In recent years, consumers have become increasingly concerned about antibiotic resistance and the use of antibiotics in the meat and poultry industry. These concerns have given rise to a market for meat and poultry that are “raised without antibiotics (RWA).” Consumer spending on RWA chicken grew considerably from 2012 to 2017, ERS study results concluded. Another type of label that has emerged to communicate product characteristics are eco-labels, or environmental labels. These labels typically signal environmental stewardship practices in raising animals or sustainable harvesting practices. An increasing number of eco-labels are being used to market foods, such as USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance and Marine Stewardship Council labels. While the 10

Cooperative Farming News

growth in the number of eco-labels suggests they are in demand, it is not well understood how eco-labels may interact with other food labels to affect consumer behavior. Grass-fed is another production claim that is sometimes labeled on beef products. Another study examined the impact of this information on consumer’s perception of the product’s safety. Overall, most respondents perceived low food safety risk from eating beef, as only about one-third reported “a moderate amount” to “a great deal” of risk. Nearly 40% believed grass-fed is safer, compared to conventional beef; in contrast, nearly 50% believed organic beef is safer. On average, consumers were willing to pay around $1 per pound more for grass-fed and organic beef compared to conventional grain-fed beef. The use of food labels such as RWA and eco-labels to signal production practices has become common. These labels signal how foods are produced and can impact what consumers buy and how businesses and retailers market products. While food labels serve a role in informing consumers about features of the products, the manner in which labels are interpreted and used remains an open topic for additional research.

This booklet will have cattle sales right at your fingertips!

To advertise your cattle sale with us, contact Wendy McFarland 334-652-9080 mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com

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BUSINESS OF FARMING

INFLATION HITTING CONSUMERS, PRODUCERS IN 2022 LARGE IMPACT ON ALABAMA HOUSEHOLDS AND FARMS

B Y W E N D I A M S AWA D G O

ising prices have been a challenge to all of us. Higher gas prices to start the year, along with the increased food prices that began in 2021, have constrained our families’ budgets. One measure of inflation is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and measures changes in prices paid by consumers for goods and services. The CPI for all items increased by 0.8% between January and February 2022, marking a 7.9% increase over the past year. This was in part driven by high-profile increases in food prices by 7.9% and energy by 25.6%. These price increases have largely been due to the prolonged supply-chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and labor issues. The high prices affecting our

Cooperative Farming News

household budgets are also having a large impact on the Alabama farms in 2022. Similar to the CPI, the USDA National Agricultural Statistic Service computes the average price that producers are receiving and paying for various items nationwide. The past year has seen rising agricultural prices, for better or worse, as shown in figure 1. On the one hand, prices received by producers have increased by 24.3% over the past year. Prices for several commodities, such as cotton, corn, soybeans, and wheat, are expected to reach their highest levels in about a decade, and cow-calf prices are at their highest point since 2016. On the other hand, producers have been squeezed by input costs and are paying 11.6% more for inputs than they were a year ago.

”

THE CPI FOR ALL ITEMS INCREASED BY 0.8% BETWEEN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2022, MARKING A 7.9% INCREASE OVER THE PAST YEAR. THIS WAS IN PART DRIVEN BY HIGH-PROFILE INCREASES IN FOOD PRICES BY 7.9% AND ENERGY BY 25.6%.

Prices for each of the major input categories have risen over the past year, as shown in figure 3. The largest price increase has been for fertilizer, which is up 68.5%. The spike in fertilizer prices has occurred in part due to global rising costs of natural gas, a feedstock of nitrogen fertilizer. Chemical prices have increased by 12.4% and fuel by 21.8%, although these figures do not reflect the recent oil price increases that occurred during late winter and early spring this year. Figure 1: Agricultural Prices Received and Paid Index by Month Source: USDA-NASS; Updated February 28, 2022 The increase in input costs has hit all types of farms in the U.S. (figure 2). Crop farms are paying 11.0% more for inputs than they were a year ago. The higher input costs have had different effects by crop too, as the Alabama Cooperative Extension System enterprise budgets estimate a 20% increase for cotton production costs but just a 5% increase for peanuts from 2021 to 2022. Livestock farm input costs have increased by 12.3%, on average. The high grain prices, while good for crop producers, have meant increased feed costs for livestock producers.

Figure 2: Agricultural Prices Paid Index by Farm Type and Month Source: USDA-NASS; Updated February 28, 2022

Figure 3: Agricultural Prices Paid Index by Input Category and Month Source: USDA-NASS; Updated February 28, 2022 The increased input prices are going to challenge producers’ opportunities to make a profit in 2022. Therefore, knowing costs of production and reducing those costs whenever possible without significantly impacting yield will be especially important. For example, soil testing to avoid applying more fertilizer than is needed can help reduce unnecessary fertilizer expenses. With the high input prices, opportunities for producers to profit in 2022 will rely heavily on taking advantage of the high commodity prices and using marketing strategies to manage price risk. June/July 2022

FEEDING FACTS

FORAGE TESTING FINDING WAYS TO LIMIT FORAGE NEEDS B Y J I M M Y PA R K E R While forages are absolutely necessary in the diets of any livestock that are grazers, there are ways to limit the amount that they require and with the cost of growing grass and hay at record levels, this may be the year to take a long hard look at ways to limit forage needs. Cattle, horses, sheep, and goats all need a minimum of about 1% of their body weight in forages every day. Most years it makes sense to feed as much forage as possible. This year that dynamic is a bit different with fuel, fertilizer

and most other inputs needed to grow and harvest forages at all-time record prices. The cost of stored forages, hay, haylage and silages will likely also be at record levels. This will make forage testing more important than ever before. Hay prices will also likely cause producers to cut and bale things that would normally be left in the field and will produce some hay with little or no feed value. There will be many rolls of hay bought this year for record prices that have little feed value but at least you will

Cattle, horses, sheep, and goats all need a minimum of about 1% of their body weight in forages every day.

Cooperative Farming News

know where you stand before poor-quality hay causes problems if you have it tested. The most obvious thing that could replace a portion of your hay and forages is feed. Not that feed will likely be cheap this fall and winter, but it is likely to be cheaper than forages per pound of nutrient in some cases. How is that decision made? The most accurate way is to get your hay tested and see what it costs per pound of protein and per pound of energy and then compare that to those same costs in the available feeds. For example, if a 900 pound roll of hay costs $75 and is 54% TDN (a measure of energy), then your cost for 486 pounds of TDN would be $50, if you don’t consider wasted hay. That would be about 15 and a half cents per pound of TDN. Compare that to a high-quality feed that is 80% TDN and costs three hundred dollars per ton. So, 2,000 pounds at 80% TDN would be 1600 pounds of TDN for three hundred dollars. That would be roughly 18 cents per pound of TDN. Hay is still cheaper, until you consider waste. Very rarely is a hay bale completely eaten. Generally, 15 to 20% of hay is wasted when the hay is good. This year, expect that to be higher than usual and if you calculate a 20% waste then the feed is cheaper and if you have great hay and a better way of feeding all of it, then the hay is cheaper. The takeaway from the calculations in that scenario would be that if feed is 300 per ton, then hay is probably cheaper as long as it costs less than $75 per bale but once it passes that mark, feed makes more sense. Those calculations need to be done on each farm with costs that are accurate when fall and winter gets closer. There are other things that can be done like reducing stocking rate and stockpiling forages. This may be a more common and cost-effective plan, though the long-term ramifications of reducing the number of brood animals may outweigh the perceived savings. Keep in mind that when you graze stockpiled forages it is almost always a good idea to feed a tub like the Stimulxy tubs or the Purina High Fat tubs. That will add to cost, but the tubs almost always pay for themselves long term. There are other management tools that might make sense. Producers could alter their breeding season to push back calving or kidding times until later in the spring when grass is actively growing and you have fresh forges available when animal needs are highest. That would reduce the need for stored forages and feed significantly and reduce winter feed costs. There are ramifications to that as well, especially in cattle. Moving your calving time back to late winter or early spring will be difficult and hitting your

Hay is still cheaper, until you consider waste. Very rarely is a hay bale completely eaten. Generally, 15 to 20% of hay is wasted when the hay is good.

normal markets will be almost impossible once input costs come back down. Input costs will be at record highs for the foreseeable future and will alter the management decisions for a good while. If you plan ahead and make wise management decisions, hopefully these high input prices will be less of a burden than it seems today. Test your hay, buy good feed and/or tubs and look at ways to reduce the needs of the herd or flock well before the need for stored forages is here.

June/July 2022

FROM THE STATE VET’S OFFICE

YOU’LL NEED A PRESCRIPTION FOR THAT CHANGES COMING TO FOOD ANIMAL ANTIBIOTICS BY D R . T O N Y F R A Z I E R I have been around veterinary medicine for what might be considered a long time in some circles. I have seen a lot of changes in my 34 years in this profession. I believe most of the changes we have seen have moved veterinary medicine in a positive direction. Maybe the area I have seen the most changes has been in pharmaceuticals. Newer, more efficient and safer drugs have replaced less efficient drugs that had narrower margins of safety and were often less effective. Most of those changes have come and gone without any reason for the consumer to be aware of them. However, over the past several years, antibiotics have 16

Cooperative Farming News

been in the spotlight when it comes to their use in food animals. As that situation continues to evolve, there are more changes coming in the area of food animal antibiotics that will affect many producers. I have always been and will always be an advocate and a cheerleader for the judicious use of antibiotics. But, as a veterinarian, I took an oath to “use my scientific knowledge and skills … for the relief of animal suffering.” I always wonder where that puts us if we support the “no antibiotics ever” marketing concept of food animals. Recently, I saw an article on the internet that highlighted five national fast-food

chains that have not banned the use of antibiotics in the beef and poultry used in their products. The article was intended to cast a bad light on those fast-food chains and probably to try to hurt their business. The article had the opposite effect on me. In my estimation, those organizations care about the welfare of the animals that would ultimately end up on their menu. It made me want purchase from those chains as often as possible. We hear a lot about “the science” nowadays. But it seems to me that “the science” is whatever supports a person’s point of view. As someone once told me, there is a big difference between real science and political science. That is another story for another day. But there is a tremendous amount of true science that supports the judicious use of antibiotics. The studies of antibiotic withdrawal times and correct dosages and antibiotic residue testing have supported the judicious use of antibiotics in food animals when it relieved animal suffering and was medically necessary. On Jan. 1, 2017, the updated Veterinary Feed Directive took effect. It made it necessary to have a veterinarian involved in the prescribing of antimicrobials used in feed for food animals that were medically important to humans and animals. This also restricted the low-level use of certain antibiotics used as growth promotants. Studies have shown that constant exposure of bacteria to sublethal doses of antibiotics tend to enhance antibiotic resistance. The accepted philosophy of judicious use of antibiotics is to use the proper dose of the proper antibiotic that is lethal to the pathogenic bacteria for the shortest time necessary. So today we find ourselves at another landmark in the use of antibiotics in food animals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in the process of moving some commonly used over-the-counter antibiotics into the category that requires a prescription from a veterinarian. Two of these drugs that are commonly available are penicillins and tetracyclines. These antimicrobial drugs have been approved for many years for certain diseases in livestock and the injectables could be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription. FDA is in the process of having these medically important drugs available by prescription only. It is probably worth looking at how we got to this point. And for the record, I am not against this move for reasons I will explain a in a paragraph or two. When I began practicing in the late 1980s, it was not uncommon for me to go on a farm call to see a sick animal that had been treated with an over-the-count-

er medication, but not in accordance with the label – either by using the wrong dosage or only giving one injection when the directions said to treat until fever subsided. Also, when I began my job with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, it was not uncommon for me to have to visit a producer who had sold an animal that had been treated with antibiotics. And without observing a withdrawal period, the animal ended up at slaughter and tested positive for antibiotics. Then there were certain hoops that had to be jumped through to assure that the producer observed the specified withdrawal times in the future. One of the hoops was educating the producer. Apparently, education has been effective because there has been a significant decline over the years of drug residues being found and carcasses being condemned for that reason. In a perfect world the use of over-the-counter antibiotic use would always follow the label instructions. Also, in a perfect world, drug withdrawal times would be observed, and drug residues wouldn’t be an issue. Of course, in a perfect world, animals wouldn’t get sick and you wouldn’t need veterinarians. Let’s just say in a nearer perfect world those things would occur. As an advocate for animal agriculture, I realize we must address consumer concerns. Whether it is animal welfare or the use of antibiotics, we cannot ignore the concerns of the consumer. I believe by moving these antibiotics into a prescription-only category, it gives the consuming public, who knows nothing about animal production, an added layer of confidence that we, veterinarians and producers, are looking out for them. It does not mean that producers cannot obtain and use these antibiotics. It just means that there will be a veterinarian involved in the judicious use of these drugs so that we are able to fulfill another part of our veterinary oath: “the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.” I remember back in my early days of practice that, for some reason, penicillin had become a little hard to obtain. It was some global thing and it eventually got worked out. Anyway, one day I was complaining to my employer and mentor, Dr. Tommy Little, about not having the antibiotic I wanted to use to treat a certain disease. I still remember his response. “Son,” he said, “when you figure out how to get these animals well without drugs, then you can consider yourself a good veterinarian.” I thought he was joking. It now seems he was just a few decades ahead of his time. June/July 2022

Co-op CORNER FROM THE ST. CLAIR COUNTY CO-OP CO-OP REPLICA CREATED BY STUDENT WINS PRIZE BY J E S S I E S H O O K

(L to R) Kadence’s father, Time Alsup; Kadence Alsup; Kadence’s mother, Jennifer Alsup standing in front of the Co-op with Kadence’s project.

18 18 Cooperative Cooperative Farming Farming News News

Kadence Alsup, a nine-year-old, Coosa Valley Elementary student, completed a history project on the St. Clair County Co-op in Pell City. Every year, fourth graders from around the county participate in this project that is put on by the St. Clair Historical Society. If the student wins at the school-level, they participate in the history fair competing against other schools. There were 465 students that participated from 11 schools. Kadence won first place at Coosa Valley Elementary and second overall in the county. Kadence received $15 for her second-place win in the county, and she donated that money back to the museum. By growing up on a farm, where the Alsup family raise cattle, Kadence knew the importance of the Co-op – not only to her family but to agriculture. “I wanted to do my project on the Co-op because it is where my family shops for supplies for the farm,” Kadence said. She made a replica of the Co-op from natural materials and wrote an essay. “I used things like cardboard and modeling clay, and even some Co-op dirt to build my replica,” Kadence said. Kadence was able to learn a lot about the Co-op and its history. Everyone was eager to share stories of their memories at the Co-op downtown before it moved to its current locations. “It just shows how our community has developed and grown over the years,” said Tim Alsup, Kadence’s father. Joseph Taylor, Store Manager of the St. Clair

Kadence had to use natural materials for her history project. She even got dirt directly from the Co-op to use.

Kadence Alsup and her replica of the St. Clair County Co-op.

County Co-op, said that it was very flattering that Kadence wanted to do her project on the Co-op. “I think we have lost the focus of agriculture and we are finally seeing it more,” Taylor added. “To see a young lady put a feed store in the spotlight is telling of her view on agriculture.”

The history project requirements included an essay and making a replica. This was the poster board Kadence used to display her project.

June/July 2022

Is a dangerous grass threatening your livestock?

Cogongrass is damaging Alabama’s landscapes. Agriculture and natural ecosystems are at risk. Report it now on the SEEDN (Southeast Early Detection Network) app, available for Apple® and Android® devices. Learn how to identify it and how to report it.

Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries www.alcogongrass.com (334) 240-7225

Cooperative Farming News

Circle J Dairy Gordo, AL

Circle J Dairy is a family owned and operated small-scale dairy currently under construction in Gordo, Ala. The Circle J Dairy team plans to milk Holstein, Brown Swiss and Jersey cows. The dairy will pasteurize, bottle and sell whole milk from their farm store connected to the dairy barn. Circle J also hopes to sell to local grocery stores and farmers markets across West Alabama. Future plans include expanding product offerings to sell ice cream, buttermilk, butter and chocolate milk. Check out Circle J Dairy on Facebook and Instagram to follow along with building progress!

9344 Highway 159 Gordo, AL 35466 205-534-7736 circlejdairy@gmail.com

Facebook: Circle J Dairy, LLC

Instagram: circlejdairy

June/July 2022

WHAT’S THE POINT WITH GREENPOINT AG

EYES ON THE BOLL RECENT PLANT BUG INFESTATIONS HAVE COTTON PRODUCERS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS BY M A R K E . J O H N S O N For those not familiar with it, the incredibly innocuous name “plant bug” might elicit a chuckle on first hearing. “Aren’t all bugs plant bugs?” you may ask. But for fruit, vegetable, and row-crop farmers — cotton producers, in particular — plant bugs are no laughing matter, and their name is synonymous with expensive inputs and lowered yields. Increased numbers of the insect, more specifically, the tarnished

Cooperative Farming News

plant bug (TPB), are creating big problems within the cotton industry in parts of the southeastern U.S. The TPB (Lygus lineolaris) is a member of the miridae insect family, which also includes the equally noxious leaf bugs and grass bugs, among others. Adult TPBs are a quarter inch long, are usually brown with yellow, orange, or red tints, and display a small, whitish “V” on their backs. Though mainly blamed for damage to fruit and vegetable crops in the northeast U.S., TPBs have developed a taste for cotton in the Delta, Tennessee Valley, and Upper Mid-South regions. TPB populations exceeding actionable thresholds in early growth stages of cotton can result in reduced plant height and boll weight, damaged bolls, swollen nodes, deformed leaves, and delayed maturity. According to the Entomological Society of America, an average of six insecticide applications were made targeting the TPB during the 2013 growing season in Mississippi. That same year, 76,497 bales were lost in the state due to damage from the insect.

“Historically, plant bugs haven’t been a huge prob- neonicotinoid class of insecticide in early squaring stages. These tend to be less harsh on our benefilem in our part of the country, but that has changed cials that help us manage spider mites as the seaover the past few years,” says GreenPoint Ag agronomist Drew Schrimsher. “Whether it has been the preson progresses. vious year’s above-average rainfall or something else, “Products like WinField United’s Tundra and Delta the migration patterns for TPBs has shifted, and now Gold are pyrethroids and still provide adequate conour cotton crops are being impacted. These types of trol for plant bugs in the lower Southeast. We also like plant bug numbers are something producers in the a newer product from Adama called Diamond that has lower Southeast, especially along the Gulf Coast area, increased in popularity due to its ability to manage have not had to manage as intensely in prior years. control plant bugs. It differs from the others because We had some fields severely damaged last year, and it provides residual control. We like to pair it up with I don’t think some of the either Tundra or Delta Gold producers were entirely at the first bloom.” aware that it was plant He explains that after “Historically, plant bugs haven’t been a huge bug related.” the Tundra or Delta Gold problem in our part of the country, but that has Schrimsher says the initially knocks down adult changed over the past few years.” insects tend to migrate TPBs on contact, the IGR out of wild host plants and (insect growth regulator) DREW SCHRIMSHER into cotton early in the chemistry of Diamond will growing season. provide residual control for “There are several several days, and control different options for host plants, but TPBs seem to newly hatched plant bugs as they emerge and begin prefer daisy fleabane, which is common everywhere,” to grow. Good coverage is a must with any insectihe says. “That plant flowers from late April all the cide application. Schrimsher also recommends using way through May and starts maturing down in June. WinField United’s Interlock adjuvant in the tank mix The insects come out of the daisy fleabane looking to deliver the chemistry further into the canopy of the for young, tender vegetation. They are also known to plant, where plant bugs often hide underneath the migrate into corn where they don’t do damage but leaves. reproduce and build numbers quickly before moving “I think the way to control these things successover into cotton.” fully is to start early in the season and stay on top of The signs of TPB infestation become noticeable, them until the plant has matured out of danger,” he Schrimsher says, starting around the first square — says. “Have a comprehensive scouting plan and work 27 to 38 days after seedling emergence. “The TPBs closely with your Co-op and GreenPoint Ag agronoseem to start by focusing on young squares, which mists to come up with a solid plan.” will eventually become the blooms,” he explains. “After flowering, they’ll start feeding on small bolls — up to about five days old and any new squares being formed in the terminal growth. After first bloom, damage to bolls from both adults and nymphs may appear very similar to stink bug injury. Bolls more than 14 days old are typically not preferred feeding sites and are relatively immune to injury. Schrimsher says that intense scouting is the first key to controlling plant bugs. “At this point, the producer should be looking for “blasted” squares that have turned brown and dried up, or damage to young bolls,” he says. “That’s what you’re focusing on. You then need to determine the percentage of these necrotic bolls; I generally recommend treatment at around the 20 percent and above threshold.” The product used for the initial treatment may vary regionally due to resistance of certain classes of insecticides, but Schrimsher recommends a June/July 2022

FFA SENTINEL

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE SHOWING APPRECIATION FOR AGRICULTURE B Y M I C H A E L VA N N Dale County Agriscience Programs hosted an agricultural appreciation breakfast for farmers and local ag industries across the county to show their appreciation for agriculture. The breakfast, held at the Ozark Warehouse on February 16, 2022, was sponsored by Alabama AG Credit and First South. Visitors from across the county were greeted by FFA members, prior to breakfast. Opening ceremonies were conducted by FFA Officers from Dale County High School, George W. Long High School, South Dale Middle School, Daleville High School, and Ariton High School for all the attendees. After a delicious break-

fast, catered by the Wooden Spoon from Skipperville, Alabama, members and guests heard from the guest speaker, Dr. Bob Snell. Dr. Snell is a resident of Ozark, Alabama, and the owner and operator of Ozark Veterinary Clinic. He is a graduate of George W. Long High School and a graduate of Auburn University, where he earned his degree in Veterinary Medicine. Aside from being a full-time veterinarian, Dr. Snell also farms and raises cattle in his spare time. During his message to members and guests, Dr. Snell stressed the importance of agriculture. He emphasized how vital agriculture is to

FFA Members from the Dale County High School, George W Long High School, South Dale Middle School, Daleville High School and Ariton High School, all join together to host an agricultural appreciation breakfast for local farmers and industries in Dale County.

Cooperative Farming News

Dr Bob Snell, guest speaker, delivers his message to members and guests attending the Dale County Agricultural Appreciation Breakfast sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and First South!

our society. One comment that Dr. Snell shared that particularly stood out was, “Agriculture is the bond that ties us all together no matter what our background may be.” If we really ponder on this statement, you realize how true it is. From the start of mankind, agriculture has been practiced by searching for food, water, shelter, and clothing which are the necessities of everyday life. For most Americans, we take these things for granted. However, they would not be possible without the advancements in agriculture that sustain us. When you think about it, agriculture connects everyone no matter how small or big the input

FFA members and guests stand to participate in the blessing lead by Karleigh Gibbons of the Dale County FFA Chapter

(TOP PHOTO) FFA Members from Dale County High School, George W Long High School, South Dale Middle School, Daleville High School, and Ariton High School standing to recite “Why are we here” portion of the FFA opening ceremonies. (BOTTOM PHOTO) Logan Bush from the Ariton FFA Chapter is preparing to lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

might be. FFA members took to heart this message by realizing that agriculture is just not for a certain group of people, it includes everyone. The theme of Dr. Snell’s message was very appropriate to prepare members for kicking off FFA week as they strive to recruit members for their local chapter. Just like agriculture is everyone, so is FFA! There is more to FFA than its preconceived appearance that sometimes gets lost in translation when recruiting members. This dynamic student organization has something to offer everyone. Premier leadership, personal growth, and career success are just some of the many things that students can gain from being a part of FFA. What is special about this organization is that it means so many different things to each member. Every member has not only gained lifelong skills from this organization, but they each have helped play a role in molding FFA into what it is today. An organization that can be everything to everyone, no matter where you live or come from. There is room at the table for all and plenty for everyone to take part of, just like the delicious breakfast that was served! June/July 2022

4-H EXTENSION CORNER

FROM FARM TO TABLE MOBILE COUNTY 4-H’ERS EXPERIENCED THE BENEFITS OF RAISED BED GARDENING. B Y C A R O LY N D R I N K A R D

4-H’ers cleaned the beds and prepared the soil for planting. The students then planted red romaine lettuce, spinach and carrots. Later, they enjoyed a fresh salad from their garden.

Cooperative Farming News

For the past three years, Mobile County 4-H agent Adeline Quintana has sponsored a unique “Baking and Cooking Club” for a group of 20 home-schoolers, ranging in age from 9-13. This year, Adeline incorporated the farm-to-table concept, which means that the students would grow their own food and then cook and eat it. They would learn exactly where their food came from before they ate it, because they had grown and harvested the food themselves. Adeline applied for and received a RC&D grant to redo the raised beds that were behind the 4-H building. She first scheduled a workday to clean out the beds. Several 4-H members attended, along with two Master Gardener Interns. Since the weeds had grown over 12 feet tall, everyone had to work hard to pull and haul them to the dumpster. “It was lots of work,” Adeline laughed. “Kids were sweating while taking weeds to the dumpsters. They took four truckloads to the dumpster, so you can see there was a lot to be cleaned up.” With the help of the Chickasaw FFA, the students removed debris from the old beds and put in new ones. The students pulled out the rebar and wood from the old beds and then the FFA members cut wood and built new beds. At the February Baking and Cooking Club meeting, the students worked out in the garden adding

Matthew Yeldon, a member of the Chickasaw High School FFA program, cut wood for raised beds. His teacher, Virginia Allen (r), looks on. Even the bus driver (back) helped.

This group of 4-H members and Master Gardener Interns pulled weeds and prepared the garden plots to plant. (Left back) Nathan Wallace, Anna Claire Hillburn,Theresa Davidson, Marion Platt. (Front) Carlos Quintana, Liliana Quintana and Roberto Quintana.

soil to the raised beds, along with drip irrigation. Some of the boys in the club had experience helping their fathers at home, so they were excited and helpful when putting in the new irrigation. “I really enjoyed cutting the roots,” said Devin Graham. “It was very stress relieving. Working as a team made the job go faster.”

Donovan McDaniel, Samuel Williams and Maddison Mueller, from Chickasaw High School, Future Farmers of America, helped to make the beds.

June/July 2022

Liam Head (l) and Emma Cronick (r) worked together on their recipe. They carefully measured ingredients for a yellow cake, which they enjoyed later.

Heidi and Bridget Swaffield carefully measure flour for their cake recipe. Teamwork is one of the many skills that students learn in this cooking class.

After the irrigation was installed, 4-H’ers planted red romaine lettuce, spinach and carrots. At the March meeting, they added even more vegetables and herbs. “My favorite part was making sure the soil was evened out,” stated Alexis Graham. “It was so satisfying. I learned that if the soil was uneven, the plants wouldn’t get the water they needed. Teamwork means more people helping and that makes the job easier.” Members of the 4-H Baking and Cooking Club grew and harvested the greens and then made and ate a fresh salad. They also discussed the benefits of growing your own food and knowing exactly where your food came from. The Baking and Cooking Club runs from November to April, so the plants they used had to be ones which could flourish in that season. In the summer months, other 4-H’ers use the beds if they do not 28

Cooperative Farming News

have a space to plant their own potatoes at home. As the year progressed, the 4-H’ers worked in the garden or prepared other recipes at their meetings. “The kids were so excited,” Adeline stated. “They worked great as a team. All of them were busy, and they helped each other.” After the students harvested their greens, they prepared fresh salads. Then they discussed the advantages of growing their own food. All agreed that they were much more comfortable knowing where this food had come from, how it had been grown and who had harvested and prepared it.

Home-schooled 4-H students enjoyed their cooking classes. They divided into teams and learned to make a yellow cake at this session.

PALS

CHAMBERS COUNTY

JOINS THE CLEAN CAMPUS PROGRAM BY JA M I E M I T C H E L L

Students in Chambers County were able to hear our anti-litter message just in time for the spring “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” Cleanup.

In December 2021, I was contacted by Chambers County Commissioner Sam Bradford regarding a new countywide anti-litter initiative. I attended a meeting soon thereafter with several leaders from the community, including School Superintendent Casey Chambley. Mr. Chambley was fully onboard with this initiative and made it a priority to have the Clean Campus Program presented to every school in the county. Over a two-week period in February, I visited all 11 schools and presented the presentation multiple times at some locations. Thanks to the leadership of Chambers County, thousands of students were able to hear our anti-litter message just in time for the spring “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” Cleanup! All schools made a commitment to have at least one campus cleanup, and Alabama PALS provided bags and grabbers to the county to help the schools with their efforts. I also communicated with the two local private schools so that they could work the Clean Campus Program into their spring curriculum, as well.

In addition to the presentations, Chambers County had posters made to display at the schools with the tag line, “Be a Part of the Solution, Not the Pollution!” These posters helped reinforce the message that was delivered earlier in the semester. The county also has been promoting the Adopt-A-Mile program as a part of their anti-litter initiative, so we are looking forward to having several new miles adopted there in 2022! It is always a pleasure to see leadership come together in a county to tackle a problem and work in unison to find a solution. If litter is a problem near you, please contact us to work on a plan to help make it a thing of the past! Visit www.alpals.org to learn more! Schools are always a great place to start with litter prevention and education. If a school near you would like to learn more, please have them contact me for a Zoom or in-person visit at (334) 263-7737 or jamie@alpals.org. As always, all Alabama PALS programs are free to the end user thanks to our state partnerships and corporate sponsors. June/July 2022

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Cooperative Farming News

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June/July 2022

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OUTDOOR LOGIC WITH BIOLOGIC

USING TRAIL CAMERAS AS A MANAGEMENT TOOL SPYING FOR WILDLIFE’S SAKE BY T O D D A M E N R U D

ntlers have grown enough now so we can begin to distinguish individual bucks. That means it’s time to get those “trail cameras working for you.” If you’re looking for a close encounter with a mature buck or are interested in managing your property for a healthy balance, trail cameras may be the most valuable tools we have. “Information” is the most important part of making sound management decisions or creating an ambush for a mature buck. If managing your property is your objective, trail cameras will help you to learn the density, buck-to-doe ratio and get a good

guess on the age structure of the herd. This, in turn, will give you what you need to know to make numerous management decisions, especially those “trigger finger” management decisions - how many deer need to be harvested and which ones. This simple formula below is widely used for determining a ballpark buck-to-doe ratio in a given area – I think I first stole it from the NDA (National Deer Association), but I’ve seen it elsewhere. You must use multiple camera locations and run your cameras for a period of one to two weeks in each spot. If you only have one camera, run it for a week or two and move it at least two hundred

Land managers are beginning to use UAVs or “drones” with cameras on them. Ethically, they should be illegal for hunting, but they could be useful for monitoring crops, showing others’ stand locations, property boundaries or other property features without physically disturbing the area, or could be very helpful in locating a downed animal.

Cooperative Farming News

yards to a new location. Keep your cameras moving! The more data you collect the more accurate your results will be. • Total Pictures of bucks = X • Total Pictures of unique bucks = Y • Total Pictures of Adult Does = Z (not fawns) • Doe Multiplier = B Y÷X=A A x Z = Number of Does Y ÷ B = Buck to Doe Ratio EXAMPLE #1 • 56 Pictures of bucks with 12 being unique. 12 ÷ 56 = .2142 • 200 pictures of adult does without counting fawns. .2142 x 200 = 42 • So 12 bucks for every 42 does. Your exact ratio would be 12:42. So your buck-to-doe ratio would be roughly 1 to 4.

meantime you prime (pre-bait) the next location in the subsequent 100-acre block. Make sure the cameras are set up to stamp the correct date and time. And just as you would with any camera setup, point the camera to avoid backlighting and clear all vegetation from the detection zone to prevent false events. After the survey is complete, compile all of your photographs and count the number of bucks, does and fawns. For bucks, count the total number of bucks in all photos, including all repeats. You will also need to know the actual of number of unique bucks. So I don’t have to go through the images an extra time to count individuals, I usually keep a running tally as I count total number of bucks. The easiest way to distinguish an individual buck is by using antler characteristics such as number of points, abnormal points, tine length, spread and other distinguishable antler distinctiveness; however, body characteristics will also help once you get used

EXAMPLE #2 • 1,178 Pictures of bucks with 17 being unique. 17 ÷ 1,178 = .0144 • 2,368 Pictures of adult does. .0144 x 2,368 = 34 • So 17 bucks for every 34 does. Your ratio would be 17:34. So you could claim a buck-to-doe ratio of a little better than 1 to 2. Mississippi State University researchers developed and refined an infrared camera survey technique that can provide an accurate assessment of your local deer population with a surprisingly small investment in time and equipment. If you can come up with one camera per 100 acres, that is sufficient. For optimum results you should conduct two surveys - one just before hunting season and another just after. Established feeding stations will be your best tactic (where legal). Prebait each site for at least five days and try to include enough food to last throughout the survey period. You don’t want to disturb the site during the survey if you can help it. Divide your property into blocks approximately 100 acres in size. Place one camera in each block. Don’t worry about including areas not ordinarily utilized by whitetails. As an example, there’s no need to run a camera in the middle of an open field. Short survey periods of five to 10 days are adequate, but you’ll attain greater accuracy running each site for 10 days to two weeks. If you only have one camera, run it for about 10 days in one location, while in the

By July antler growth should be far enough along so we should be able to distinguish individual bucks. (Photo Credit: Yoderrm)

June/July 2022

Most hunters use their trail cameras as a means to gather intelligence to learn buck behavior so they can try to foretell their movement. However, trail cameras may possibly be the most significant tool a gamekeeper has to help them manage their property effectively. (Photo Credit: Todd Amenrud)

to looking at countless whitetails. The result is your buck population. For does and fawns, count the total number of does and exclude any deer from the survey that you cannot identify. This is valuable information. In addition to the buck to doe ratio, once you look at thousands of photos and become skilled at identifying certain characteristics, you can even age the bucks, and then rank them by age class to determine age structure. In fact, you can often get good enough at “reading whitetails” so you can tell the difference between individual does. Repeating this survey over numerous consecutive seasons allows you to study trends, which can be more valuable than an actual population estimate for any given year.

By using the techniques described in this article, one should be able to account for over 90% of the deer on their property. (Photo Credit: Todd Amenrud)

Cooperative Farming News

Speaking of cameras, now land managers are beginning to use UAVs or “drones” with cameras on them to get a bird’s-eye view of their property from above. Ethically I would never think of using one for hunting, but I have to admit I can see some management applications. I believe they should be illegal for hunting, but they could be useful for monitoring crops, showing others’ stand locations, property boundaries or other property features without physically disturbing the area, or could be very helpful in locating a downed animal. We’re going to have to deal with crafting new laws so that these tools cannot be misused, but are not illegal to use for common-sense operations. Develop a system for filing your photos. To really effectively manage a property you must be good at keeping records. Now days, one property manager on a 500-acre parcel can go through 200,000 images or more in one season. Whether you categorize your files by date, place where the camera was located, the specific buck you’re after or some other system, it’s important to find a way to organize your images so you can find them when you need to recap. Trail camera photos are one of the primary ways to learn what’s happening on your property. They help you to gather information on mature bucks, document trends over the years and there is no better way to determine density, buck-to-doe ratio or age structure of your herd.

NO FAIL RED PEPPER JELLY RECIPE Red Pepper Jelly is a great addition to the most boring of dishes. It’s perfect as a glaze for fish or a sauce for chicken, pheasant, and quail as well as a welcome surprise on your biscuit and sausage. Ingredients: 1 pound red jalapeño red peppers 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar 6 cups sugar 1 Tablespoon butter 3 ounces liquid pectin (one packet) Pinch of Kosher salt Directions: Remove stems from all the peppers. Cut half of the peppers in half and remove the seeds by scraping them out with a small spoon. Place the peppers into a food processor and pulse 7 to 8 times to roughly chop peppers. Transfer peppers to a large pot and add the vinegar. Bring mixture to a boil then lower to a simmer for about 20 minutes. Add sugar to the pepper mixture and bring to a boil. When it reaches a rolling boil, allow to continue boiling for 1 minute. Add butter to keep the mixture from foaming. Add liquid pectin and stir to mix. Allow mixture to boil for 3 minutes and remove from heat. Ladle mixture into sterile jars leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Place hot lids on the jars and screw rims firmly. Proceed canning in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Refrigerate after opening.

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. June/July 2022

FARMING YOUR FOREST

10 THINGS LANDOWNERS SHOULD DO BEFORE THEY SELL THEIR TIMBER B Y B I L LY RY E “See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop” James 5:7b NIV. Just as a farmer patiently waits to harvest his or her valuable crop, so does the landowner who wishes to harvest their timber. All the steps involved in establishing, maintaining, and protecting timber have led to the final harvest. That is why it is imperative that timber owners be prepared prior to selling this valuable commodity. Both the Alabama Forestry Commission and the 36

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Alabama Cooperative Extension Service recommend that forest landowners use a professional forester to coordinate all timber harvests. The benefits of using a consulting forester include increased prices received for standing timber, protection of the landowner’s interests in the form of a professional contract, and the peace of mind of knowing a competent resource professional is handling the details. In addition, the consulting forester will work as the landown-

er’s agent and will have certain legal obligations such as obedience to the landowner’s directives, loyalty to the landowner and not the timber buyer, disclosure of any potential conflict of interest, confidentiality of discussions and correspondence with the landowner, accounting for any of the landowner’s money that they retain, and reasonable skill and care. The best forestry consultants are those Registered Foresters who practice consulting full-time, specialize in selling timber for landowners, do not have a conflict of interest with anyone who buys standing timber, has years of experience selling timber, and who has the landowner’s best interest in mind. Below are a few sites with lists of consulting foresters that practice in Alabama: Alabama Chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters: https://alabamaacf.com/find-a-forester/ Alabama Forest Owners Association: https://www.afoa.org/consultant/ forestersearch.htm Alabama Forestry Commission: https://forestry.alabama.gov/Pages/ Informational/Service_Providers.aspx Once a consulting forester has been identified, the landowner should consider the following steps prior to the initiation of a timber harvest:

1). Understand the timber sale process.

The process of selling timber by using a Consulting Forester usually includes the following: a. Initial Consultation – The prospective Consulting Forester performs a visual inspection of the area to be harvested to determine the points of access, topography and the quality/quantity of timber to be removed. The information gathered will then be used to determine if the Consultant will consent to serve as the landowner’s agent during the harvesting process. b. Consultation Agreement – A written Consultation Agreement usually follows should the landowner and the Consulting Forester come to agreement on the terms. This written agreement may be referred to by another name, but it usually describes the period of service, defines the location of the timber sale area, guarantees

the landowner has the authority to authorize the Consultant to serve as his agent, lists the services provided by the Consultant, and describes the fees charged by the Consultant. c. Negotiation with Timber Buyers – After the signing of the Consultation Agreement, the consultant forester will market the timber to qualified timber buyers (Buyer) in the area and negotiate the terms of harvesting. Once an offer has been accepted by the landowner (Seller), the selected Buyer often conducts a title search to ensure that no challenges will be made to their purchase of the timber. If there is a mortgage on the property, the Buyer may request a “Letter of Release” from the mortgage holder. If there is a lien on the timber/property, the Buyer’s title company will typically provide a list of items that the Seller must provide for them to complete the transaction. d. Timber Sale Contract Closing – Once the title is clear, the Buyer, Consultant, and Seller normally meet at a location where a Notary Public is available to witness the signatures of the Timber Sale Contract. A good contract will be either prepared or reviewed by a qualified attorney and should protect the Seller’s interests. On lump-sum sales the Seller is paid in full for his timber at this time. On Pay-as-Cut contracts the Seller is paid (usually weekly) for the timber as it is harvested. The Consultant usually receives a performance bond from the buyer at closing. This bond is typically deposited in the Consultant’s escrow account until the successful completion of the harvesting. Some Buyers may request a 1099 from the Seller to report the amount of the purchase to the IRS at closing. e. Timber Harvesting – The Consultant typically inspects the harvesting operation on a regular basis to verify that the Buyer is abiding by the timber sale contract. The performance bond retained by the Consultant will be returned to the Buyer upon the completion of harvesting if the provisions in the timber sale contract were met.

2) Do the homework.

As a minimum, landowners should conduct the following prior to selling timber: Define the objectives for the harvest, make sure there is a consensus among all of the owners to sell the timber, notify June/July 2022

A gain is determined by subtracting the value of the timber at acquisition from the amount received for the timber at the time of the sale. The value of the timber at the time of acquisition is known as the Tax Basis. The Consultant Forester should be able to help establish this basis. In addition, the Seller may qualify for a reforestation tax credit and the amortization of reforestation expenses should the harvested area be reforested. However, the Seller should talk with a qualified accountant about these complicated implications of a timber sale prior to the decision to sell.

4) Get a survey.

Be sure that you do your homework before deciding to sell timber. Here, Bruce Lanier of McKinley and Lanier Forest Resources, Inc. of Northport (center right) encourages landowners to define their objectives for the timber harvest before selling.

the selected Consultant Forester of any liens on the timber/property, discuss the harvest with their accountant or estate planner to determine the potential impact on estate/tax planning, clearly define any nocut or partial cut areas, as well as any improvements (buildings, fences, roads, fire-lanes, etc.) that need to be protected, work with the selected Consultant Forester to estimate reforestation costs and set aside the appropriate amount from the timber sale revenue for this important practice.

All property lines should be surveyed and marked by a licensed surveyor prior to marketing timber. Wellmarked boundaries may help deter adverse possession from an adjoining landowner who may attempt to claim a portion of the Seller’s property. They also help to prevent trespassing by those using adjoining properties and serve as a clear stopping point for timber harvesters. Well-marked property lines may also result in higher prices paid for standing timber as Buyers have less risk involved in their harvesting. Boundaries marked by those other than a licensed surveyor are often more expensive in the long run.

3) Understand the tax implications of a sale.

Timber sale revenue qualifies for Capital Gains treatment. The federal government will tax any “gain” the landowner has realized while owning the timber.

Surveyed and marked lines help to prevent timber trespass and avoid claims of adverse possession.

5) Establish access.

The value of the timber pictured above has risen from $980/acre in 2017 to more than $2,600/acre in 2022. Landowners should determine their tax basis to mitigate the capital gains taxes on the sale of timber.

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This is only a concern if all or a portion of the Seller’s timber is not accessible from a public road. The Consultant may require the Buyer to secure his own access to the property. However, many Sellers have obtained higher prices by arranging for access with an adjoining property owner prior to selling their timber. Any agreement entered by the Seller

with an adjoining landowner should be in writing. The Seller should also obtain a separate agreement with the Buyer which requires him to match those commitments.

6) Know the roles.

It is important to know the roles of those involved in the timber sale process to improve communication. The Consultant will serve as the Seller’s agent for the timber sale while the Buyer will normally work with contractors for the logging and cleanup work. To avoid confusion, all the Seller’s communication should be with the Consultant. The Consultant will relay the Seller’s thoughts or concerns to the Buyer who will in turn communicate with their employees or contractors. While most Buyers and their contractors are reputable, the Seller should avoid sharing confidential information with anyone who is not their agent.

7) Understand the hazards of a logging visit.

Due to the insurance requirements of the Buyer and the potential hazard to visitors, it is recommended that the Seller not visit the site while the timber is being harvested. The Seller should be aware that there may be tripping hazards, falling trees/limbs, and poisonous snakes if he/she decides to visit the site while the equipment is idle.

8) Be mentally prepared for the change in landscape.

The visual impact of a commercial harvest will be dramatic. This is especially true in places where

Landowners should manage their expectations for existing roads following commercial timber harvests. While the road pictured in this photograph may not look the same as it did prior to the initiation of harvesting, it functions the same.

the Seller has become accustomed to the presence of mature trees such as near a home, an old house place, vistas/overlooks, and recreational areas. The Consultant will require the timber buyer to pick up their garbage, stabilize skid trails where needed, and smooth existing roads. However, there will still be mounds of dirt, logging debris, and other unsightly impacts caused by the harvesting. Fortunately, with time, the beauty of the forest should return.

9)Manage expectations for existing roads.

Most Timber Sale Contracts state that the Buyer must return the existing roads to a condition that is at least as good as before the initiation of timber harvesting. However, both parties must be reasonable in their expectations for this to be accomplished. Roads that are used by logging equipment will appear visually different upon the completion of harvesting even though they have been restored to the same level of operability. Most Timber Sale Contracts do not address the restoration of ATV trails upon completion of harvesting as the cost to do so would be considered excessive by most Buyers.

10) Understand the difference between mitigation and elimination of problems.

Landowners should be prepared for the visual impact of a commercial timber harvest. Most clear-cuts aren’t as neat as this whole-tree chipping harvest.

By preparing a Timber Sale Contract that is written from the Seller’s perspective, securing a performance bond, and by monitoring harvesting activities, the Consultant will greatly increase the likelihood that the timber sale process will be a success. However, there are some variables such as weather, mill quotas, logger labor shortages, etc., that are beyond the control of anyone. Some disruptions and inconveniences should be expected when selling the timber. June/July 2022

SHEPHERDING OUTDOORS

ZEBCO 33S B Y WA LT M E R R E L L Fishing has long been a pastime in our family. From farm ponds to freshwater lakes, to coastal waters, fishing is part of our past and our future. And, while, we don’t go fishing every weekend, it is part of who we are … it is part of how we go Shepherding Outdoors. My oldest daughter, Bay, was five … maybe six … when I bought her first “real” fishing pole. A pink and white Zebco 33. It was the perfect beginner setup because it’s nearly

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impossible to mess up a cast with a Zebco 33. They are as tough as battleships and as smooth as melted butter. And, because I am not a master fisherman … as we say in our family, there is a reason why we go “fishing” and not “catching” … we needed the perfect combination of “bullet proof” and “easy to use” that the 33 offered. For, you see, that’s what would be necessary to match my skills in teaching her how to fish. I am a “hometown” guy, so I try to shop

with hometown folks when I can. Bay, Cape and I loaded up one morning and headed off to Clem’s Bait and Tackle between Opp and Andalusia. My old friend, Coleman Mosely, and his wife, Sylvia, have run that shop for as long as I can remember. It truly is authentic bait and tackle … a cricket bin greeted us on the front porch. Ten thousand crickets crawled all over cardboard rolls down inside the bin. Bay squirmed a little and scooted over, away from the crickets as she made her way past. Three jingle bells rang as we opened the door, and the smell of “old school” met us as we breached the doorway. I held the door for the girls, and they shuffled on in … stopping at the counter where Mr. Mosely sat. He was working a repair on a good-looking Penn International. “How is the Merrell family today?” Mr. Mosely asked. He looked down over the top of his glasses … his gray-white hair tufted out around his ears from underneath a Ranger Boats ball cap. Bay and Cape both stopped dead in their tracks. My feet stutterstepped because of the kiddo traffic jam in front of me. The door swung back shut and hit me in the derriere. “Move forward, girls, he ain’t gonna bite.” Mr. Mosely laughed at the suggestion, and the girls inched forward just enough for me to squeeze around them. They had never been here before. Bay’s eyes were fixed on the hundreds of fishing poles lining racks throughout the store. Cape’s head danced back and forth between the gray-headed old man behind the counter and all of the cluttered wares in the shop. They were both mesmerized … Though the shop is small, there is a smorgasbord of fishing tackle inside. It is everything a fishing man could ever want. Lures of all shapes and sizes hung in the hundreds from pegboard walls. Plastic worms of red, chartreuse, black, purple and every other color imaginable, packaged in rows by the dozens, created a rainbow of color across the wall. Opposite the lures and worms, Mr. Mosely sat behind the waist-high counter window, framed with pictures of himself and other local celebrities, showing off their best catches. Pictures of big mouth bass and hand sized bream covered the window of the counter like old postcards on granny’s refrigerator. To our immediate left, all sorts of hooks and weights and swivels; scales and scalers; pliers and filet knives; and every other tool one could ever hope to use to somehow apprehend a fish … by the tens of dozens, if not more. And in the middle of the room… rack after rack of fishing poles. “This place is like fishing pole heaven,” Bay uttered, almost with an air of disbelief in her tone. Mr. Mosely and I both laughed as we watched

Bay and Cape slowly ease into the comfort of being someplace new. They bounced from one spot to the next … one lure to another, remarking about the “pretty colors” and the “shiny parts.” For years, I’ve told the girls to “only pick it up if you are going to buy it” … but today … today was different. As long as they didn’t hook themselves, they could touch everything in the store. And touch they did. Cape picked up a minnow bucket and tried it on as a helmet. Bay put on a bright purple life jacket and a Gilligan hat. They pranced around in their newfound wares like fashion models on the runway. Mr. Mosely smiled large, and, in that moment, I felt pure “dad” joy … my girls were going to be fisherwomen. As I gave them a few minutes to explore, I entertained fanciful conjectures of Bay winning the Bassmaster Classic and Cape sharing co-hosting duties with Bill Dance. A few minutes passed, and about the third time one of the girls asked, “Daddy, can I have one of these?” I realized this was going to get expensive quick. I quickly turned my attention away from the girls so we could get down to the business at hand. June/July 2022

Mr. Mosely knows I am no expert, so I am quite sure dy?” I was puzzled by her remark. “What do you he understood the man code when I said, “What do mean, Butterbean” – that was my pet name for her. you reckon’ is the best rod and reel in this place is … “I mean, Big Daddy gave me a pole, a cane pole, that I can get for Bay? It will be her first.” and I fish with it sometimes.” She studied the silver “Oh, her first, is it? Well, I have a few I could sugsided bell on the reel as she talked. “It’s not nearly gest.” His tone said to Bay that he was impressed with as pretty as this one, though.” her decision to be a fisherwoman, and that he appreciHannah’s father, George, was a big man. Hence ated her decision. She grinned with approval. She has the name, Big Daddy. I often describe him as having my dimples … and they shone prominently that day. stood six foot twelve inches when he was in his Mr. Mosely picked this one, and then that one, and prime. But even though he was barrel-chested and then another one. Bay enterhad hands like catcher’s mitts, when one of those tained each as a suggestion, Bay was no easy sell, but when Mr. Mosely girls climbed into his lap, and it felt as though I were tipped the end of that bright pink Zebco 33 he melted like a Hersey’s watching a seasoned salesin her direction, I saw a twinkle in her eyes man try to negotiate with a Bar on the dashboard of a … I knew she was “hooked.” “That’s the one, shrewd buyer. Bay was no Ford pickup in an Alabama Daddy,” she nearly shouted. easy sell, but when Mr. MoAugust. sely tipped the end of that He was so good to them … and to me. He truly was a bright pink Zebco 33 in her direction, I saw a twinkle in her eyes … I knew she was fisher of men and an outdoor shepherd. Cape drew my attention back to the present. “hooked.” “That’s the one, Daddy,” she nearly shouted. She and Bay seemed to be contemplating a sword She grabbed ahold of it like Zorro and commenced to fight. Bay with her Zebco 33 and Cape with what try to carve a “Z” in everything – and everyone – in the shop. She pretended to cast here, there, and every- was bound to be the most expensive rod in the where. Honestly, I didn’t know Mr. Mosely could move joint. Thankfully, Mr. Mosely intercepted them before anything was broken. And, he had the perthat fast … quick enough to wrestle the six-foot-long “Z” carving pole from her hands before anyone “got an fect, three-foot-long, toy rod and reel to trade out eye put out.” with Cape’s “sword.” It was not much different from Bay’s first toy fishing pole. Cape held the grip tight She grinned from ear to ear as I handed it back in her hand as Mr. Mosely cautioned her that they to her. “You know it’s not really my first one, Dad-

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plastic fish tied to the end of the line. “This will help her learn how to cast,” Mr. Mosely said. “It really does work. It’s just not big enough to catch a minnow with.” Holding her new prize, Cape wore a smile that rivaled Bay’s, and Mr. Mosely and I both knew that I wasn’t leaving Clem’s without two fishing poles. And, so it was… I bought the girls their first fishing poles. I still have them. They are in my shop. No doubt, they are covered in sawdust from hundreds of boards run through the table saw and cobwebs from as many spiders living in the dark recesses. But that’s okay. For, the value was never in the plastic or the metal, the silver or the pink. The value of those worn-out relics has always been in the memories … and that is why I still keep them. Because every time I look to the corner of the shop and see them leaning there … I smile at what the Lord has done for me.

were not, in fact, swords. She and Bay both giggled, and Cape retorted, “I know, silly!” The tiny mite rod and reel combo was just her speed. Yellow and purple, I seem to recall, with a

Walt Merrell writes about life, family and faith. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he enjoys time “in the woods or on the water” with his wife Hannah, and their three girls, Bay, Cape and Banks. They also manage an outdoors-based ministry called Shepherding Outdoors. Follow their adventures on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube at Shepherding Outdoors. You can email him at shepherdingoutdoors@gmail.com.

THE MARKET IS HOT! 2022 AUCTION RESULTS

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SOLD $239,500

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June/July 2022

EASTABOGA

BEE COMPANY THE SWEETER ROUTE BY J E S S I E S H O O K

Beekeepers use smoke to calm bees during hive inspections.

Cooperative Farming News

ay back in the small town of Lincoln, Alabama, sits a farm that raises not only cows, but honeybees. As you pull up you can hear the buzz of bees and the view of the noticeable broken-down family tractor that sits with a tree growing through the middle – the Eastaboga Bee Company logo. Justin Hill is a fourth-generation farmer. While he grew up in production cattle, he decided to take a sweeter route. Hill took a hobby and turned it into a business by starting Eastaboga Bee Company. When asked how his hobby grew from something he enjoyed, to a business, Hill laughed and said, “dumb luck.” Hill began producing so much honey, he didn’t know what to do with it. “It started with neighbors wanting honey or bees,” Hill said. “Then by word of mouth it grew to restaurants and more.” Eastaboga Bee Company was officially established in 2013 and has been growing ever since. Hill has three employees that help around the farm with daily tasks and whatever is needed. “There is always something to do,” Hill added. “We check bees every two weeks, but we are always monitoring for signs of problems, building bee boxes and other maintenance.” When speaking of the care of honeybees, Hill likes to relate it back to what he grew up doing –

This hive has a piece of honeycomb. Honeycomb is made from beeswax which is a substance created by honeybees.

The Eastaboga Bee Company logo is a tractor with a tree going through it. This broken-down tractor was his great grandfather’s and after his death, sat until a tree grew from it.

cattle. “Bees are like any other livestock, except just a little bit harder,” Hill said. “You can’t go look out in the pasture and see sick cattle, you have to really dig in and see what the problem is.” Honeybees are mainly self-sufficient, but if nutrition is lacking, you may have to supplement, just like other livestock. “It’s just basic animal husbandry, except I’m doing it on an insect,” Hill added. “Just like cattle, you could turn them out and they may be okay, and they may not.” While there are different types of bees, Eastaboga Bees are European Honeybees. Hives are made up of worker bees and a queen bee. Worker bees only live for about 20-30 days and the queen bee lives for three to four years. While Can you find the queen in the photo to the right? She looks distinctly different from the worker bees.

June/July 2022

queen bees will come to the point of retirement, Justin does keep retirement hives for queens that need to be replaced. “I just can’t get rid of them, they’ve been so good to me,” Hill laughed. “It’s just like the old bull that has done so good for you, you just keep him in the pen and feed him watermelon rinds.” Most honeybees begin producing honey when everything starts blooming. Hill begins early harvest around Memorial Day and continues through August. “To harvest, honeycomb frames are placed in an extractor,” Hill added. “It’s like a washing machine that spins, and the honey goes to the outside and filters down.” Hill also uses beeswax to make other popular Eastaboga Bee Company products. Those products include hand balm, lip balm and wood polish. Along with the many different sizes of honey, Eastaboga Bee Company products can be bought online and at the Talladega County Exchange in Talladega, Alabama, where his honey is often referred to as “golden nectar.” Talladega County Exchange has sold Hill’s honey since Hill began his company in 2013. “Justin is a great guy to work with,” said Joe Cameron, Talladega County Exchange. “His honey is outstanding and always flying off the shelf.”

Honeycomb is placed in an extractor that spins the honey out for it to be dispensed into jars.

For more information or to order online, visit www.eastabogabeecomapny.com or visit their Instagram page @eastabogabeecompany.

Some of the Eastaboga Bee Company products include six different sizes of honey, wood polish, lip balm and hand balm.

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June/July 2022

ED GUY: A BIRD’S EYE VIEW 48

Cooperative Farming News

A friend built a large feeder for Ed and Betty’s backyard. A ready supply of food means that hundreds of birds visit year-round.

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

or over 30 years, Ed Guy has enjoyed Purple Martins. His passion for these birds began with a few gourds that his brother gave him. Ed put up the poles and houses, and when the birds arrived, he was hooked! “I can sit and watch them for hours,” he laughed. “I enjoy hearing them chatter and watching them dart and fly around.“ Ed and Betty Guy are dedicated birdwatchers. Like thousands of others who have made bird watching one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the country, Ed and Betty have a bird’s eye view from their back porch in Grove Hill, Alabama, where feathered friends flock to backyard feeders year-round. The Guys enjoy watching all birds, but it is the yearly arrival of Purple Martins that brings them the greatest joy. After

spending the winter in Brazil or other areas near the rain forest, Purple Martins return with the first hint of spring. They send out older male “scouts” to check the places where they may have nested before or the area where they were born. If all is well, older birds come first, followed later by the younger birds. “My Purple Martins have been late this year,” Ed said. “In late February, I only had eight to show up. Last year, I bet I had 100 by this time.” Since the birds had to travel from South America, Ed and Betty worried that they had gotten lost or faced bad weather. When the first birds finally arrived, the Guys were delighted and relieved. Ed had actually started to prepare for their arrival in early January. He repainted his gourds white to reflect the sunlight and keep the babies inside cooler. He also cleaned the cavities, using a unique method that he devised himself. First, he bored a hole on the side of the gourd, placed the top part of a plastic pickle jar into the hole and then screwed a lid on the jar. This allowed him to reach inside easily to clean the nest. He even put straw back into the gourd to give the nest builders a head start. Ed’s Purple Martin houses are a sight to see! He has 56 cavities, so he can accommodate over 112 birds. By June, he often has twice this many birds, as younger ones come into nest. With their gleeful sounds and their acrobatic antics, these delightful birds never disappoint. Ed has intricately “engineered” the Purple Martin homes to help these beloved birds survive. He fashioned canopies above the entrances to keep rain from blowing inside and inserted elbow PVC pipe at the top of the gourd, to improve circulation throughout the cavity.

Each morning, Ed and Betty Guy drink coffee from their back porch to enjoy the sights and sounds from their backyard bird haven. Sugarbaby sits in Betty’s lap.

Ed Guy spends many hours with his beloved purple martins. They trust him and are very comfortable having him around. Since he has his gourds numbered, he can account for each bird when it returns home from its daily foraging.

Ed protects his birds from predators, like snakes, raccoons, hawks, owls, squirrels and feral cats, by placing two long wires in front of each opening, so that owls cannot light or get inside. He has also installed snake guards around the gourd poles. If a predator ever disturbs the nest, the birds will leave and not return.

Ed’s gourds are a sight to see. He has placed a canopy above the entrance to keep rain from the cavity. The jar lid to the side is easily opened to clean the nests. The wire in front keeps owls from lighting on the gourd.

June/July 2022

Hummingbirds also delight Betty Guy. She puts up many feeders around her porch so that she and Ed can enjoy the antics of these happy visitors.

This Purple Martin spinner hangs on the Guys’ back porch. It came from a Purple Martin festival in Fingers, TN that Ed and Betty attended.

“Mosquitoes are low flying insects, “ he exIn South Alabama, bird lovers place Purple plained. “These birds fly high. They don’t feed on the Martin gourds near their homes to control insects. ground. They do eat some mosquitoes, but they eat During the daily foraging, the birds catch many more flying insects, like bees, wasps, grasshoppers insects in mid air. Both males and females will then feed their young chicks, sometimes up to 60 times a and moths. I’ve even seen them go after big mosquito hawks in the air.” day. The birds return late in the evening, all coming As a child, Ed Guy didn’t have much interest in in at one time. They are quite vocal as they soar and bird watching. After graduating from Coffeeville dart before entering the nests, especially if young High School in 1960, he was ones are inside. These are a member of the active milisights and sounds that From reading about Purple Martins to shartary for 12 years. In 1975, he truly warm Ed’s heart! moved to Arizona, where he Ed spends a great deal ing things he has learned from hosting them, drove a truck for a grocery of time with the birds, so Ed Guy has earned the title of “The Purple business for many years. they are very comfortable Martin Man of Grove Hill.” with him being there. Like His two children still live in Arizona. He then returned to a doting parent, he is not Grove Hill and worked for the Coca Cola Company satisfied until all of his flock has returned each day. for 20 years, before retiring in 2006. “I stay till dark and count them till they all come Since retiring, Ed Guy has discovered a hobby in,” he said. “My gourds are numbered, so I can that he is passionate about. From reading about check off which birds have come back.” Purple Martins to sharing things he has learned Purple Martins may be the stuff of legends and from hosting them, Ed Guy has earned the title of folktales, but they are also surrounded by myths. “The Purple Martin Man of Grove Hill.” One is that Purple Martins eat all the mosquitoes around a place. Ed believes this myth is a just a “I love ‘em,” Ed laughed. “I came home, and I marketing tool, used to sell more birdhouses. have been watching the birds ever since!” 50

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SOUTHERN MADE SIMPLE

HOMEMADE FIG PIES BY L AU R A T U C K E R

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very year in late July, the fig tree behind my mother’s house is chock-full of plump, juicy figs. Ever since I can remember, my mother would make these delicious little fried pies that were stuffed with a sweet fig filling. It was a treat that we’d only get late in the summer each year, so everyone would always be so thrilled to get to savor the flavors of her homemade fig pies when the figs were ripe enough and ready to be eaten. On the outside, figs really aren’t the prettiest fruit around. But when you cut into them and see the beautiful colors on the inside, you can’t help but want to take a handful and snack away. It’s some of nature’s sweetest candy, and it’s such a treat to get a bucket full of figs on a hot summer day! I use my mother’s hand pie recipe with just about any kind of fruit, so if figs aren’t something you have in your area, you can improvise a little and use apples, plums, mixed berries, etc. You really can’t go wrong with a fruit-filled fried pie! To keep things simple, I usually take a shortcut and use a can of refrigerated biscuits for the dough. You can certainly make a dough from scratch if you prefer!

HOMEMADE FIG PIES

Here’s what you’ll need to get started: Ingredients: 3 cups fresh figs, stems removed and diced 1/2 cup orange juice 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 8-count can jumbo buttermilk biscuits Instructions: In a medium-sized skillet, combine the figs, orange juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar and flour. Bring this to a boil and cook for roughly 2-3 minutes, or until the figs are good and tender and all of the sugar and flour has dissolved and the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Lightly flour your countertop or a large cutting board and roll out each biscuit dough section using a rolling pin. Scoop a small spoonful onto the center of each flattened biscuit. Be careful not to put too much filling onto each, June/July 2022

because it can squish out of the sides when you try to fold it over. Gently fold the biscuit in half over the filling and crimp the ends together using the prongs of a fork. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350 F. I recommend starting with one pie at first as a test run to make sure your cook time is perfect. I typically cook mine for about 2 minutes until the dough is cooked all the way through. Test your first one to make sure your dough is cooked properly. Pies should be beautifully golden brown and flaky on the outside. You can also cook these on the stovetop in a frying pan, just make sure your oil is good and hot! Once they come out of the fryer, let them sit on a paper towel on a plate to soak up any excess grease. You can sprinkle a smidge of powdered sugar on top and serve with a glass of milk, or serve it with a scoop of Bluebell ice cream on top. These southern fried fig hand pies are truly a scrumptious summertime treat! Enjoy!

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Cooperative Farming News

BY L O I S T R I G G C H A P L I N

GOOD STINK BUGS Most gardeners cringe at the presence of stink bugs because they can be so damaging to our tomatoes. Their long needle-like mouthparts puncture tomatoes leaving pin marks and discolored patches, or cause deformed tissue where they feed on beans and other crops. However, a few stink bugs are good guys. They don’t feed on plants, but instead eat harmful caterpillars and other insects that damage our crops. Both the adults and the young of predacious stinkbugs will feed on insects larger than themselves. How can you tell a good stink bug from a bad one? If you aren’t squeamish about picking one up, the easiest way is to check the beak, or long mouthpart that is tucked under the belly of the insect’s body just like a folding table leg. On plant feeding stinkbugs it is thin, but on predacious ones it is stout -- usually about twice the thickness of the insect’s antennae. They use the stout proboscis to pierce and suck fluids from the bodies of their prey. Sounds like inspiration for a sci-fi movie scene. Predatory stinkbugs include the spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris), the two-spotted stink bug (Perillus bioculatus), the Florida predatory stink bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus), the anchor stinkbug

Predacious stink bug feeding on caterpillar

(Stiretrus anchorago), and others. The stout mouthpart is a sure identification, but get images to recognize them by sight by searching “predatory stinkbugs” online.

TRY TIBOUCHINA Looking for an elegant plant for a summer container? Consider Tibouchina (Tibouchina urvilleana). Also known as Princess Flower and Purple Glory Bower, this tropical tree is elegant, long-blooming and showy in a pot. It quickly fills a container with velvety leaves and big, single purple flowers that appear throughout summer. In frost-free South Florida it is a small landscape tree, but will live in a pot for years if kept wintered indoors or in a greenhouse. Plants are relatively forgiving about water, too, tolerating soil that is on the dry side if you should miss a watering. Tibouchina needs sun for good flowering, but appreciates some afternoon shade in high summer. Plants will grow 3 to 5 feet tall depending on the size of the pot.

Tibouchina in pot

June/July 2022

BLACK-EYED SUSAN VINE LOVES SUMMER Hanging baskets of black-eyed Susan vine offer promise not just as baskets, but also on a trellis. Often this vining plant is sold in baskets in the summer, which are beautiful in themselves, but they can be hard to keep watered. By gently removing them from the basket into a larger container with a trellis, the vines will have room to grow. The same goes for transplanting them into the ground to climb a fence or trellis. By fall the fast-growing, twining vine will grow to 6 feet long or longer and full of flowers in full sun. Flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, red, or pink depending on the variety. The plants often reseed freely, so watch for seedlings next spring.

(near Chimney Rock). Instead of tearing the bridge down, the old bridge was transformed into a fanciful pedestrian garden walk that attracts several thousand visitors each year. Maintained by local volunteers, it showcases many flowering shrubs and perennials, garden ornaments, pollinator and butterfly plants, and murals. The garden is also a stop along the Appalachian Mural Trail which includes more than 130 outdoor murals in North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee showcasing art with Appalachian themes. Any gardeners headed to the Chimney Rock area this summer will enjoy a stroll along this flowering garden walk.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO PLANT OKRA

The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is a lovely planting on an old highway bridge in Lake Lure, North Carolina

Unless okra pods are freshly picked for a farmers market, clean, flawless ones can be hard to find. Often the pods are skinned or bruised by the time they are picked, shipped and marketed. But there is time to plant seeds or transplants for flawless pods at home as okra responds to hot weather with fast growth. Check your Co-op store for Bonnie transplants. Plants started from seeds or transplants through the end of June will yield a harvest later this summer and into the cool nights of fall. To speed germination of the sometimes-stubborn seeds, I rub my okra seeds between two sheets of sandpaper to help scarify the hard seed coat; then I soak the seeds for a day or two before planting, making sure to change the water at least once. Okra seeds don’t need light to germinate, so it’s okay to plant an inch or so deep to help them stay moist in the heat. Keep the seed bed watered and they will sprout in a few days in the warm soil.

Lake Lure garden

Okra

Black-eyed Susan vine

LURED TO A FLOWERING BRIDGE

Cooperative Farming News

BY J O H N H O W L E

SUMMER: A SEASON FOR HARD WORK

“NEVER CONFUSE MOTION WITH ACTION.” - BEN FRANKLIN

Summer is here, and this is the most active time of the year on the farm. This is the height of hay hauling season, tending and picking the garden, and taking care of livestock and chicken needs around the farm. The work is hard, but it is satisfying. We all expect to get a reasonable rate of return on our

investment of time, money and work. In addition, the things we do this time of year help make us and our neighbors more food independent and less reliant on the commercial food chain. Ben Franklin felt that just because we are moving doesn’t necessarily mean we are getting things done. Franklin created a great daily schedule when he was a young man and followed it June/July 2022

the rest of his life. His schedule is often used in the corporate world to train employees for sufficiency in time management. In summary, Franklin would rise at five in the morning and ask the question, “What good shall I do today?” Following that, he would wash, say his prayers, take resolution of the day and eat breakfast. From eight to 12, he would complete a four-hour block of nonstop work. At noon, he would take a one-hour lunch to eat, read and look over his accounts. Next, he put in a second, four-hour block of work, and he spent the last part of the work block putting his tools back in their place followed by music, diversion, and conversation and a final examination of the day closing with this question, “What good have I done today?” Even with this busy schedule, Franklin was able to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Some of his accomplishments were: Inventing bifocals, the Franklin Stove, the lighting rod, swimming fins, the first American political cartoons, and the glass harmonica.

Consider Canning It is a rewarding experience to eat your own home grown vegetables and meat during the summertime. It is even more rewarding to be able to eat on these

Squash canned in glass jars can last a few years in storage.

Cooperative Farming News

products into and through the winter months. You can freeze most produce for long-term storage, but what do you do if the power goes out and you are out of town? You could be looking at hundreds of dollars of produce spoiling. Using high pressure canning techniques allows you to store your harvest fully cooked in glass jars. If the jars are stored out of the sunlight in a constant temperature like a dark closet, you’ll have delicious food that can be stored for a few years. One of the best sources for canning with a typical 7-quart canner can be found on the Alabama Extension website at www.aces.edu. Type “canning” into the search box.

What’s that Thing? It Stings! If you’ve ever had physical contact with a saddleback caterpillar, you won’t forget it. This time of year, you might find this one-inch long, brightly colored caterpillar with a saddle containing an oval, purplish-brown spot in the middle of a green patch on its back lined with poisonous spines. I was recently stung by one of these simply by brushing my bare arm across some leaves on an ornamental plant in the yard. The sting is comparable to a bee sting and a rash quickly appears around the stung

Saddleback caterpillar I photographed just after getting stung and right before his demise.

portion. In a couple of hours, the stinging sensation subsided, and by that night, the rash had gone away. Warn children to avoid these brightly colored caterpillars and be vigilant while gardening this summer. One of these stings can ruin the rest of your day.

Wicked Thorns Getting stung during the summertime while being outdoors is a common occurrence, but you can also get stuck with invasive varieties of plant and woody forages. Trifoliate orange trees are sold as a yard ornamental, and they make fruit and gigantic thorns. It produces yellow, lemon-sized oranges. It’s often sold as a Flying Dragon tree because its curved, claw-like thorns look like dragons in flight. The problem with this plant is that once the tree is old enough to bear fruit, animals eat the fruit and spread the plant’s multitude of seeds all over the place. I’ve been battling this dragon for years at our farm by cutting them and spraying the stumps with Remedy herbicide. About the only way to get close enough to the base of the plant is with a long-handled pole saw. The wood is extremely hard and the thorns are strong enough to puncture a tractor tire. The tree in

Wicked looking four-inch thorns on this “ornamental” that can quickly become invasive.

the photo from our farm has thorns up to 4 inches long. The leaves have a waxy coating which makes it difficult to control chemically, and if the tree hasn’t produced leaves yet, you may have to dig them up with a mattock. Try to get rid of the trees before they bear fruit at maturity, because once the fruit appear, cattle can eat the fruit and spread seeds everywhere through their manure.

From Thorns to Corn Sweet corn is a great summertime crop to store long-term. Once you have picked all the fresh corn that you can eat during the growing season, you can freeze the corn or can it. To save space when freezing corn, you can get a lot more corn room in the freezer if you cut it off the cob. My favorite way to do this is with an old-style wooden corn cutter. You simply slide the ear across cutting teeth to remove the kernels and juices. If you don’t have an old style cutter, you can order one from www.lehmans.com and type in old-style wooden corn cutter. Current prices are $13.99. This summer, stay active and productive as you tend your garden and your livestock. You will be glad you did at the end of the season when you have a plentiful harvest.

This old-fashioned wooden corn cutter can be purchased from Lehmans for $13.99 and the photo is courtesy of Lehman’s online store.

June/July 2022

MAGIC OF GARDENING

GARDENING IS ALL ABOUT PLANNING

PLANNING FOR AUTUMN ... IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER BY B E T H A N Y O ’ R E A R Gardening is all about planning – and I’m happy with that. I love the feel of seasons as they move through nature’s course of sunlight, temperature and mood. So here we are in summer, and fall is just around the corner. That means we have holiday celebrations like Halloween, Thanksgiving (even Christmas!) to plant for now. Vegetable canning and flower drying are also on the horizon. Here are four ways to take advantage of the June and July Garden for autumn advantage even while your summer garden is at its peak. 60

Cooperative Farming News

PLANT A HALLOWEEN GARDEN Now is the time to plant pumpkins. Sow them directly in the soil and enjoy your efforts in October. Consider a wonderful spooky miniature pumpkin like “Midnight Pumpkin” which is almost black in color. Other mini pumpkins to plant include “Casperita,” a white treat, while “Jack Be Little” is a traditional orange selection. Classic old-fashioned pumpkins are also a treat. The heirloom pumpkin “Rouge Vif D’Etampe” has a storybook silhouette while the

The varied colors of pumpkins make for diverse decorating ideas.

modern variety, “Cinderella’s Carriage Hybrid,” says it all. Finally, if you’d like your pumpkin to serve two holidays, plant “Dickinson Pumpkin” or “Pie Pumpkin” for round orange fruits that can make their way to your Thanksgiving table after Halloween ghouls have retired for the year. Pumpkins like rich soil and tend to sprawl. Plant them in an area which will be undisturbed, fertilize and water regularly. Check vines frequently for signs of borers and other insects (apply insecticidal soap as required) and lift developing fruit off the ground using netting, racks, or other supports to prevent rot. Another obvious choice for fall decoration is ornamental corn. “Glass Gem” and “Indian Rainbow” both have showy kernels that are beautiful in wreaths or table centerpieces.

June is the time to direct sow cantaloupes and watermelon.

THE FALL VEGETABLE GARDEN In addition to pumpkins, June is the time to direct sow beans, fieldpeas, cantaloupes and watermelon. Alabama also makes up for its hot summers by giving the home gardener a second swipe at all-time favorites. Start tomato, eggplant, and pepper seedlings in June for transplanting in late July and you’ll have a cornucopia before last frost. Wait until July

”

START TOMATO, EGGPLANT, AND PEPPER SEEDLINGS IN JUNE FOR TRANSPLANTING IN LATE JULY AND YOU’LL HAVE A CORNUCOPIA BEFORE LAST FROST. June/July 2022

to start cooler crop seeds such as cabbage, collards, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. These transplants will be set out in the garden in September.

DRIED FLOWERS AND PLANT MATERIALS FOR HOLIDAY DECORATIONS Nature is generous with dry materials for plant decorations. Pinecones and seed heads (such as poppy or Chinese Lantern) are obvious choices and need little care other than being gathered at their prime and stored in a dry location for a few weeks to ensure any dampness or insects have been shed. Some attractive and widely available flowers can also be saved through air drying: Achillea (yarrow), Gaillardia, Goldenrod, Strawflower and Tansy all come to mind. Some flowers may require a bit more care in preservation through drying with a desiccant or by pressing in a book or frame. Blooms with lots of moisture and multiple petals will fare best if buried in a desiccant (such as silica) for a week or two. Coneflowers, peonies, and roses all do well with this method. Be careful not to store the blooms in the desiccant after their cure period, however, as they will lose color and turn brittle. With the advent of the internet, encyclopedias may have become obsolete, but they remain a wonderful way to press flowers. Place Bleeding Heart, ferns, or Queen Anne’s lace in a single layer between two layers of wax or bond paper and place a second volume on top. Check to see if paper needs to be replaced (it remains moist or is discolored) after the first week. Most flowers

Achillea are attractive and widely available for air drying.

Cooperative Farming News

Shrubs with colorful berries, like this Parney’s Cotoneaster, brighten the landscape and are applealing in arrangements.

will have completed the process within a month. Don’t forget that shrub and tree prunings elevate an arrangement or, as some designers say, add “architecture.”

FAVORITE SHRUBS WITH COLORFUL BERRIES It’s not just supermarkets that have supply chain issues right now. Plant nurseries and suppliers have also experienced difficulty in sourcing favorite plants. Shrubs with attractive berries brighten up the landscape and are appealing in arrangements; now is the time to place your order for planting in October and November. Winterberry hollies (Ilex verticillata) produce red berries on the female shrubs. To ensure production of this gorgeous fruit, plant a male pollinator such as ‘Jim Dandy’ or ‘Southern Gentleman’ somewhere fairly close. This deciduous native plant is not only pleasing to us humans, but our bird and bee friends love it too! Not everyone agrees with me, but I think the brilliant berries of Pyracantha make up for its prickly thorns. Red and orange berries are appealing to wildlife – the yellow berries are less appealing to our feathered friends. My personal favorite of berry-producing shrubs is Parney’s Cotoneaster. Laden with berries in the fall, this shrub can be a problem solver for steep banks or problem areas. This shrub likes to grow so plant it wisely. Thanks for letting me indulge in thoughts of autumn as the summer temperatures are on the rise. Happy gardening!

LAWN & GARDEN C H E C K L I S T

June Garden Checklist Fruits and Nuts • Layer grapes and continue spray programs. • Thin apples and peaches if too thick. Shrubs • Lace bugs may be a problem on azaleas, pyracanthas, dogwoods, cherry laurels, and other shrubs. • Water as needed. Fertilize now. • Keep long shoots from developing by pinching out tips. • Take cuttings from semi-mature wood for rooting. Lawns • Apply 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet to bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass. Skip this month for fertilizing centipedegrass and zoysiagrass. • If dollar spot disease is detected, reduce water and fertilizer • Mow often (5 to 10 days) to remove just 1/3 the grass height at each mowing. • Water lawns as needed (grayish color or curling leaf blades). • Planting may continue if soil is moist. Annuals and Perennials • Keep old flower heads removed to promote continued flowering. Plant garden mums if not already in. • For compact mums, keep tips pinched out. • Monitor for insects and diseases. • Fertilize with water-soluble fertilizer for a mid-season boost. Bulbs • Foliage may be removed from spring bulbs if it has yellowed and is becoming dry.

• Watch for aphids and thrips on summer bulbs. Miscellaneous • If scale insects continue on shrubs, use materials other than oils. • Set house plants on porch or outdoors in shade and pay close attention to the need for water. • If desired, air layer house plants. Vegetable Seeds • Whole state: Continue plantings of beans, sweet corn, southern peas, melons, and okra. Vegetable Transplants • Whole state: Continue planting April transplant crops.

July Garden Checklist Fruits and Nuts • Protect figs and other ripening fruit from birds. Shrubs • Continue to root shrub cuttings until late in the month and mulch to keep soil moist. • Remove faded blooms promptly from crape myrtle and other summer-blooming plants. Lawns • Apply 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet to all warm-season lawn types: bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass. • Mow often (5 to 10 days) to remove just 1/3 the grass height at each mowing. • Water lawns as needed (grayish color or curling leaf blades).

Roses • Keep roses healthy and actively growing. • Apply fertilizer. • Wash off foliage to prevent burning if any fertilizer falls on plants. Annuals and Perennials • Water as needed to keep plants active. • Deadhead or cut back for later summer blooms. Bulbs • Plant iris and spider lilies late this month. Miscellaneous • Keeping flowers, shrubs, trees, and lawns healthy is the major task this month. • Observe closely for insects and diseases. • Water as plants indicate need. Vegetable Seeds • Whole state: Plant pumpkins for fall harvest. Continue plantings of beans, southern peas, squash, and cucumber. • North: Plant cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower. Wait until late July to plant beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, and kohlrabi, or start them in flats for transplant later. • South and Central: Start seeds in flats for August and September transplants, including beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, kale, lettuce, mustard, radishes, and spinach. Vegetable Transplants • Whole state: Plant a second season of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant for fall harvest. • North: Plant certified seed potatoes for Irish and red-skinned varieties in late July. The Lawn and Garden Checklist is provided by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

June/July 2022

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Cooperative Farming News

BY S U Z Y M c C R AY

I AM AN ADDICT ... AND IT’S GREAT! I make no bones about it. I am an addict. And you might as well not even try to help me overcome my two biggest addictions. First of all, all my family knows I am a newspaper junkie! And I don’t mean that sterile, glowing print you can read on the internet. I mean honest-to-goodness, l-can-smell-the-printers-ink, oldtime newspapers on newsprint!

My grown kids have known for years if they are anywhere other than our area, they better bring mama back any small town or big city newspapers from wherever they are traveling or visiting! All that knowledge and all that good reading about others across this land sure helped me during my more than 30 years in the newspaper business! So it was with great delight that I learned one June/July 2022

of my cousins, Robbie McAlpine, who owns the There were about 60 paper-pieced quilt squares! Alpine Advertising Agency, had tracked down the And the best part was that the NEWSPAPER used Saguache Crescent, a 135-year-old newspaper that to sew the pieces into their designs was still attached to the back of the squares! still prints in Linotype. I was in addict heaven! He’d seen a feature on CBS news recently, called the owner and subscribed since the out-of-state I started reading all the seven-inch squares and rate is only $18 a year. soon found I had clippings from three. These newsNot only is that small Colorado newspaper print- papers show how our lives have gotten so COMed the old-timey way, but a recent front page boasts PLICATED since then. Although there have been the per-copy cost is still only 35 cents! improvements, somehow, I long for that simpler The front page also showed news that most any time! folks would like to read. While there were announceI know the average income was way below ments for local candidates, there were also articles what it is now, but it just seems those dollars went such as the “Saguache Quilters,” “The Rocky Moun- further. Here in the Alabama Farmer’s Bulletin from tain Range Riders” and a “Celebration of Ranching.” early 1956: “80 acres with a seven-room house, electricity, barn, outbuildings, ‘lasting water,’ several The classifieds were equally both educational and entertaining. One wanting office help listed the pecan trees, school bus and mail route. $11,000. Lee County.” job classifications: “good teleOr another in DeKalb County: phone voice, good computer “40 acres, 28 cultivated. Fiveskills, long hours, low pay, abWhile it may be hard for our acre pasture, balance cotton. Six solutely no chance of advancetech-savvy youth to realize, room house, electricity, poultry ment.” And nearby was an ad house, barn, two wells, orchard, for a “beautiful free rooster.” many of the rural farms in Ala$7,500 or exchange for farm with I can’t afford to live in Colobama had only received electritwo or more houses.” rado, but that newspaper sure cal service and phone service in Or this interesting ad: “Farm lets me know “my” kind of folks the previous decade, and many all A tractor with cutting harrow live there! & turn plow, Ford tractor with And then there’s my other churches’ and rural schools’ Bush & Bog, cutting harrow, turn addiction and it’s equally as bathrooms were still little plow, planters, cultivators, mowbad. I can’t pass up beautiful “houses out back.” fabric, particularly old-time er, $900 or exchange for 3 young cotton fabric such as that from Shetland mares in foal.” feed sacks, old aprons and And these two would certainmore. My home office, which ly be “illegal” now unless you doubles as my sewing room, usually looks like a complied with lots of rules and regulations, but fabric store was hit by a tornado and the remains then you could get: “vegetables, pickles, 25 cents all dumped between these four walls. per quart or 12 for $3” from an enterprising woman I used to love to go to estate sales. I often found in DeKalb County or “All kinds canned green vegetables, 12 qts. $4, 48 qts. $15. Apple, pear & blackboxes filled with unique items such as quilt fabrics which had already been cut to sew, spools of thread berry preserves, jams & jellies, 50 cents per pint” often with a threaded needle stuck into its roll, and from another hard-working homemaker in Jackson so much more. I always tried to finish each project, County. aware of the loved one someone had lost who was Oh, and that year the going price for most hay no longer able to sew for their family. advertised was 50 cents per bale! Some of the othNow I am fortunate that several people underer prices in the weekly newspaper clippings from stand my addiction and they help me by providour area showed men’s tee shirts 3 for $1 in Arab ing just what I need by bringing me such goodies and chenille bed spreads for $2.98 to fit a double whenever they have lost a loved one, or are simply bed. Oh - and something you don’t usually see any downsizing. Such was the case last weekend. A very sweet more: Men’s dress hats were $l.98 to $2.98! Bath couple brought me several pieces of cotton fabric, cloths were five cents each and ladies panties 5 for but the neatest items were stuffed into a throw$1! The grocery store ad noted “young tender pole away plastic bag from a grocery store. beans, 2 lbs. for 29 cents; yellow squash two 1bs. 66

Cooperative Farming News

for 19 cents, and cabbage four cents a pound.” Since so many people are “getting in” to chickens these days, you might be surprised at some of the live chick prices from 1956: “Hatcheries reported prices paid for hatching eggs during the week at an average of 84 cents per dozen. Average price charged by hatcheries for chicks was reported at $15 per hundred. These prices compare with 84 cents and $15.25 for the previous week and with $14.50 a year ago.” You could get a “gentle mule that will work anywhere” in Blount County, and an equally able mule in Cullman County for $150. During those months Alabama’s “dairy men” set a new “high mark” in efficient milk production. Milk production was 338 pounds per cow above that of 1954 and “butterfat was 10 pounds higher than the previous year.” While it may be hard for our tech-savvy youth to realize, many of the rural farms in Alabama had only received electrical service and phone service in the previous decade, and many churches’ and rural schools’ bathrooms were still little “houses out back.” I know my own family, just three miles outside Oneonta, installed their first indoor restroom shortly before I was born in 1952 and a party line telephone was the chief means of communication. I can remember when my family bought their first TV around 1956 when these newspapers were written. No - I wouldn’t want to go back to using an outhouse (but I COULD if I had to) and there’s many other modern conveniences that help me in my life, BUT I wonder many times if it really was a good trade off. I enjoy typing an article and having it instantly in the hands of my editors miles and miles away. I’m glad I don’t have to hitch the mule or horse to the wagon each time I want to run to the store as my Granny did. BUT ... from the writings of my grandmother Maud Smith Lowry in the early 1900s to these 1956 newspapers from more modern times, I wonder quite often if we’ve really improved our lives with many of these changes or would we be much more satisfied and CONTENT to live these more simple lifestyles .... Just something to think about from this simple woman struggling to live her simple life. (This is a reprint from May 2014) (Suzy and husband Mack live on a homestead in Blount County, Alabama and can be reached on Facebook or by email at suzy.mccray@yahoo.com)

Showing up for work before the sun does.

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June/July 2022

FOOD SAFETY

FRESH PRODUCE

SELECTING AND SERVING IT SAFELY B Y A N G E L A T R E A D AWAY Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Local farmers markets are almost everywhere, which is great. They have very fresh locallygrown fruits and vegetables that are both nutritious and delicious. However, harmful bacteria that may have been in the soil or water where produce grows may come in contact with fruits and vegetables and contaminate them. This could also be the case with your home grown produce. After bringing your produce into your kitchen you want to be careful with 68

Cooperative Farming News

handling and storage to keep it from becoming contaminated there as well. So always always wash your produce at home under cool running water before consuming, especially produce that will be eaten raw. Eating contaminated produce (or fruit and vegetable juices made from contaminated produce) can lead to foodborne illness, often called food poisoning. As you enjoy fresh produce and fresh-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, follow these safe handling tips to help protect yourself and your family.

BUY RIGHT

a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40°F or below. If you’re not sure whether an item should be refrigerated to maintain quality, ask your grocer. • Refrigerate all produce that is purchased pre-cut or peeled to maintain both quality and safety. Keep your refrigerator set at 40°F or below. Use a fridge thermometer to check.

SEPARATE FOR SAFETY Keep fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw separate from other foods such as raw meat, poultry or seafood – and from kitchen utensils used for those products. Take these steps to avoid cross-contamination:

You can help keep produce safe by making wise buying decisions at the grocery store or farmers market. • Purchase produce that is not bruised or damaged. • When selecting pre-cut produce – such as a half a watermelon or bagged salad greens – choose only those items that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice. • Bag fresh fruits and vegetables separately from meat, poultry and seafood products when packing them to take home from the market.

• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with soap and hot water between the preparation of raw meat, poultry and seafood products and the preparation of produce that will not be cooked. • If you use plastic or other non-porous cutting boards, run them through the dishwasher after use.

STORE PROPERLY Proper storage of fresh produce can affect both quality and safety. • Store perishable fresh fruits and vegetables (like strawberries, lettuce, herbs and mushrooms) in

PREPARE SAFELY When preparing any fresh produce, begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before and after preparation. • Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing and/or eating. Produce that looks rotten should be discarded. • Wash all produce thoroughly under running water June/July 2022

before eating, cutting or cooking. This includes produce grown conventionally or organically at home or purchased from a grocery store or farmers market. Washing fruits and vegetables with soap or detergent or using commercial produce washes is not recommended. • Even if you plan to peel the produce before eating, it is still important to wash it first so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable. • Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush. • Dry produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present.

WHAT ABOUT PRE-WASHED PRODUCE? Many pre-cut, bagged, or packaged produce items like lettuce are pre-washed and ready-toeat. If so, it will be stated on the packaging. If the package indicates that the contents are pre-washed and ready-to-eat, you can use the produce without further washing.

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• If you do choose to wash a product marked “prewashed” or “ready-to-eat,” be sure to use safe handling practices to avoid any cross contamination.

THE LITTLE OL’ GARDEN HOSE

BY G R E G A . L A N E

t was a Friday night in the summer of 2007. My family and I had just finished watching a show on TV and we were getting ready to go to bed. I was already halfway down the hall, on the way to my bedroom, when I heard my daughter exclaim, “I think the neighbor’s house is on fire!” At first, I thought she was just joking around, but when the tone of her voice went up another octave and she screamed, “FIRE!” I knew it was the real deal! I ran down the hall to look out the front door window and could see flames rising on my acrossthe-street-neighbor’s back porch. I flung open my front door and saw that one of my other neighbors was pounding on my neighbor’s front door to warn them about the fire that was rapidly spreading on their back porch. The owner of the house was asleep, and her daughter was deaf, so neither of them could hear the commotion that was going on outside. Meanwhile, my wife called the fire department and was told that a fire truck would be on the way shortly. For a brief moment, I didn’t know what to do. I watched hopelessly as the fire continued to spread. My other neighbor finally got the family inside the house to come to the door. I could see him walking them down

the road, away from the house. The deaf girl was crying as my neighbor tried to console her. In a matter of seconds, the flames had climbed from the floor of the back porch, up to one of the support beams and was on its way to the roof. I was freaking out! I looked on the ground to my right and saw our garden hose laying there.

In a matter of seconds, the flames had climbed from the floor of the back porch, up to one of the support beams and was on its way to the roof. June/July 2022

In a moment of sheer desperation, I turned the spigot on full blast and stretched that little garden hose as far as it could reach toward the neighbor’s house. The hose only reached to the middle of the street … the fire was still 20 feet away. I could hear the fire truck siren off in the distance. I pressed my thumb over the mouth of the hose to create pressure and squirted that water 20 feet across the street toward the fire. In that moment, with all that was happening so quickly, I still remember thinking, “There’s no way this little garden hose can put this fire out.” I could hear the sirens of the fire truck getting closer, so I knew the “professionals” would be here in a matter of seconds, but I kept on spraying. Amazingly, by the time the fire truck pulled up I had actually extinguished the fire … with a little ol’ garden hose. They got their big hose out and double-doused the smoldering wood to make sure the fire was completely out. They also climbed up into the attic to make sure the fire hadn’t spread to the roof structure. After their inspection, the house was deemed safe and stable. The fire had completely destroyed the neighbor’s back porch, but no damage at all was done to the interior of my neighbor’s house. There was just minor smoke damage. Friends, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that my neighbors could have lost their home that night if not for a small, seemingly insignificant garden hose. I was amazed by the speed with which that fire was spreading. In my mind, my little garden hose wasn’t sufficient, and my amateurish attempts at fighting fire were laughable. My neighbors needed professional tools and professional help, but all that was available at the moment was little ol’ me … and a little ol’ garden hose. BUT … THAT DID THE TRICK!

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that my neighbors could have lost their home that night if not for a small, seemingly insignificant garden hose. Keeping all this in mind, I’d like to present you with this challenging thought. Don’t underestimate what you are able to do in the midst of the current problems we face in our world today. Sure, there might be people out there who are more qualified 72

Cooperative Farming News

than you to handle the crazy situations we are facing in our world. There are people with more expertise, education and experience, too. But, the place you’re in, at this particular moment in time, is strategic. You can make a difference with the limited qualifications and experience you have. Be a blessing to those around you. Help and serve with the resources you have at your disposal. Don’t wait on the government to step in. Don’t wait for city officials to do something. Take the little you have now and give it to the Lord in service to others. You’ll be surprised what a difference you can make! In Bible times, a young boy named David used a little ol’ sling and a stone to save Israel’s army from embarrassment when he defeated a great big enemy named Goliath. Jesus used a little ol’ sack lunch of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to feed 5,000 people. And, in more recent years, a little ol’ garden hose in my front yard put out a raging fire that could have destroyed my neighbor’s home. Take what you have, give it to the Lord, and watch Him bless it, and multiply it to help others. Now is the time to see God do extraordinary things with ordinary people. You were born for such a time as this! “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?” - Esther 4:14

LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS SUPPORT THE AUCTION. WE WORK FOR YOU. CLAY COUNTY STOCKYARD

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8415 State HWY 97 South Letohatchee, AL 36047 Sale Day: Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. 1-877-334-5229 or 334-227-8000 www.midstatestockyards.com

If you would like to advertise your stockyard, please contact Wendy McFarland at mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com

BY M A RY DE L P H

BY M A RY D E L P H

Summer is here at last! Pools are open, grills are going, the grass is having to be cut. Bees are buzzing! No one likes to encounter flying, stinging insects, but please be gentle with the bees. Honey bees play a vital role in our lives. Seed plants make fruit after pollinators such as bees and butterflies pollinate them by inadvertently transporting pollen from male to female bloom parts. It is estimated that three-quarters of flowering plants need pollinators in order to make fruit. Many agricultural crops, several billion dollars worth, depend upon domesticated bee hives to help with pollination, and some, such as almonds, are 100% dependent upon the honey bee for pollination. In the role more familiar to most, honey bees also collect and concentrate nectar in production of honey. So please enjoy the honey-themed recipes for this issue.

Emily’s Honey Lime Coleslaw 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest 1/4 cup lime juice 2 Tablespoons honey 1 garlic clove, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 3 Tablespoons canola oil 1 small head red cabbage (about 3/4 pound), shredded 1 cup shredded carrots (about 2 medium carrots) 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves Whisk together the first 7 ingredients until smooth. Gradually whisk in oil until blended. Com-

bine cabbage, carrots and green onions; toss with lime mixture to lightly coat. Refrigerate covered, 2 hours. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Sticky Asian Chicken Wings 20 large chicken drumettes, skinned (about 1 1/2 lb.) 2 Tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided 5 Tablespoons wildflower honey 1/4 cup unsalted chicken stock 2 1/2 Tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar 1 1/2 Tablespoons sambal oelek (ground fresh chili paste) 1 Tablespoon minced fresh ginger June/July 2022

1 Tablespoon minced fresh garlic 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 2 Tablespoons unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped Preheat broiler with rack 6 inches from heat. Coat a large foil-lined baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine chicken and 1 Tablespoon oil on prepared pan; toss to coat. Broil 13 minutes; turn chicken over, and broil 3 minutes. Meanwhile, combine honey, stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sambal, ginger, garlic, and remaining 1 Tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil; cook 13 minutes or until syrupy and reduced to about 2/3 cup, stirring frequently. Brush chicken with 3 Tablespoons honey mixture, and return to broiler; broil 2 minutes or until lightly charred. Place chicken in a large bowl; drizzle with remaining honey mixture, and toss to coat. Sprinkle chicken evenly with cilantro and peanuts.

Honey-Brined Grilled Shrimp 1 1/2 pounds unpeeled large shrimp 1 cup boiling water 2 Tablespoons kosher salt 5 Tablespoons wildflower honey, divided 2 cups ice cubes 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 3 Tablespoons finely chopped white onion 2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh oregano 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 small red Fresno chili, thinly sliced 74

Cooperative Farming News

Devein shrimp, and remove legs from shells, if desired. (Do not remove shells from shrimp.) Combine 1 cup boiling water, salt and 2 1/2 Tablespoons honey in a large bowl; stir until the salt dissolves. Add ice cubes; stir until mixture cools. Add shrimp, and refrigerate 20 minutes. Remove shrimp from bowl, discarding liquid. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels; toss shrimp with 1 1/2 teaspoons honey. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place red wine vinegar and remaining 2 Tablespoons honey in a large bowl; stir with a whisk to combine. Gradually add olive oil, stirring constantly with a whisk until well blended. Stir in parsley, onion, oregano, and garlic. Arrange unpeeled shrimp on grill grates coated with cooking spray; grill shrimp, uncovered, 2 1/2 minutes on each side or until lightly charred and cooked through. Add shrimp to bowl with vinegar mixture; toss well to coat. Arrange shrimp mixture on a platter; top with sliced Fresno chili. Note: green jalapeños taste almost the same as the young Fresnos.

Easy Honey Butter 1 cup (2 sticks) butter (softened) 1/3 cup honey 1 pinch salt (optional, add if using unsalted butter) Take the butter out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before starting the recipe so it has a chance to soften up (room temperature is ideal). Add the butter to a mixing bowl, and using an electric hand mixer, beat the butter until it’s fluffy. Pour in the honey and some salt, and continue mixing until you’ve got a smooth mixture. Transfer the honey butter to a bowl or jar.

Syrup 1/3 cup honey 3 Tablespoons water 1 Tablespoon fresh orange juice Preheat oven to 350 F and line an 8-inch square metal baking pan with parchment paper. Whisk together melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and orange zest until combined. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl; add to butter mixture and fold in until incorporated. Press dough evenly into bottom of prepared pan and bake crust for 15 to 16 minutes, until lightly golden and set. While the crust bakes, make the nut topping. Combine pecans, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a small bowl; add melted butter and stir until incorporated. Spoon topping evenly over warm crust and return pan to oven. Continue baking another 10 to 12 minutes, until golden. While the bars finish baking, make the syrup. Combine honey, water, and orange juice in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let mixture simmer until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Place baked bars on a wire rack and drizzle syrup over still-warm topping, tilting pan slightly to coat evenly. Cool bars completely in pan. Carefully lift parchment and place bars on a cutting board; cut into triangles with a sharp knife. If desired, serve with a drizzle of honey. Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days, or freeze up to 3 months.

Baklava Cookie Bars Crust 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon orange zest 1 1/2 cups flour 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Nut Topping 1/3 cup pecans, chopped 1/3 cup almonds, chopped 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon cloves 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted June/July 2022

THE MIRACLE WORKER PLAY June 3 - July 16, 2022 Tuscumbia - Ivy Green Call 256-383-4066 STICKWORK BY PATRICK DOUGHERTY June 1 - September 1, 2022 Huntsville - Huntsville Botanical Garden - Admission Call 256-830-4447 ART NIGHT June 2, 2022 Kentuck Art Center & Festival of the Arts - Admission Call 205-758-7257 2ND ANNUAL BOAZ CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT June 3, 2022 Boaz - Clear Creek Golf Club Admission Call 256-593-8154 HANK WILLIAMS FESTIVAL June 3-4, 2022 Georgiana - Hank Williams Boyhood Home & Museum - Admission Call 334-376-2396 MULEDAY/CHICKENFEST June 3-4, 2022 Gordo - Main Street Friday: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Call 205-364-7111 9-1-1 FESTIVAL June 3-4, 2022 Haleyville - Downtown Call 205-486-4611 76 Cooperative Farming News

NORTH ALABAMA AFRICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL June 3-4, 2022 Tuscumbia - Willie Green Recreation Park Call 256-366-3844 BARBER SMALL BORE June 3-5, 2022 Birmingham - Barber Motorsports Admission Call 205-669-7275 TRI-STATE EXPO: JUNETEENTH 2022 June 3-5, 2022 Dothan - Various Locations Starts at 12:00 Noon Call 334-615-3175 18TH HOWARD HILL CLASSIC June 3-5, 2022 McCalla - Tannehill Iron Works Historical State Park Admission Call 205-477-5711 2022 ALABASTER CITYFEST June 4, 2022 Alabaster - 1921 Warrior Parkway 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Call 334-242-4076 HOMESTEAD HOLLOW LOEDOWN CAR, TRUCK, AND BIKE SHOW June 3-5, 2022 Springville - Various Locations 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 205-467-2002 LIVING HISTORY CREW DRILL June 4, 2022

Mobile - Battleship Memorial Park Admission - 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 251-433-2703 LITTLE BRITCHES RODEO June 4-5, 2022 Columbia, TN - 3349 Petty Lane Call 573-421-2890 RESCUE CLIMBING CLASS June 6, 2022 Fort Payne - True Adventure Sports Admission - 9:00 a.m. Call 256-997-9577 ZOOFARI June 6 - July 1, 2022 Montgomery - Montgomery Zoo and Wildlife Museum - Admission 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 334-625-4909 BOAZ JUNE CAR SHOW 2022 June 10, 2022 Boaz - Downtown 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Call 256-593-8154 THE ALEXANDER CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL June 10-11, 2022 Alexander City - Various Locations Call 256-536-2882 CRENSHAW COUNTY BELT BUCKLE CLASSIC SUMMER EDITION June 10-12, 2022 Luverne - Tom Harbin Farm Center Admission - 8:00 a.m. Call 334-335-6568 WET DOG TRIATHLON June 11, 2022

Decatur - Point Mallard Water Park Admission Call 256-353-0157 9TH ANNUAL BLUEGRASS ON THE RIM June 11, 2022 Fort Payne - Little River Canyon Rim Parkway - Admission Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Music begins at 7:00 p.m. Call 256-845-3548 SUMMER CAMP June 13 - July 25, 2022 Bessemer - Autobahn Indoor Speedway - Admission Call 205-235-6230 SOUTHERN CROSS PRO RODEO June 17-18, 2022 Columbia - Southern Cross Arena Admission - 7:30 p.m. Call 251-947-4650 WALKER PCA/IPRA June 17-18, 2022 Jasper - Walker County Fairground Call 251-947-4650 27TH ANNUAL MARION PCA/IPRA June 17-18, 2022 Marion - Ralph Eagle Arena Admission Call 334-683-4004 ANNUAL ALABAMA BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL June 18, 2022 Brewton - Jennings Park 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 251-867-3224 LIBERTY DAY CELEBRATION June 24-25, 2022 Columbiana - Downtown Main Street Friday: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Call 205-669-3969 PEACH JAM JUBILEE 2022 June 25, 2022 Clanton - Clanton City Park Call 205-755-2400 48TH ANNUAL GRAND BAY WATERMELON FESTIVAL July 3-4, 2022 Grand Bay - Odd Fellows Park Admission - 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Call 251-865-3456 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4, 2022 Foley - The park at OWA Admission Call 251-923-2111 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4, 2022 Opp - Frank Jackson State Park Call 334-493-2122 SPIRIT OF AMERICA FESTIVAL July 4, 2022 Decatur - Point Mallard Park Call 256-350-2080 SAND MOUNTAIN POTATO FESTIVAL July 4, 2022 Henagar - Henagar Town Park Call 256-657-6282 DOWNTOWN BOAZ JULY CAR SHOW July 8, 2022 Boaz - Downtown Boaz 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Call 256-593-8154 BIRMINGHAM, WORLD GAMES July 9-17, 2022 Various Locations - Admission Call 205-846-2500 AJCA ROUND-UP July 14-17, 2022 Montgomery - Garrett Coliseum Call 334-265-1867 SADDLE UP FOR ST JUDE July 15-16, 2022 Tuscumbia - Gardiner Farm Friday: Noon - Midnight Saturday: 7:00 a.m. - Midnight Call 256-446-5392 ALABAMA DEEP SEA FISHING RODEO July 15-17, 2022 Dauphin Island - 515 Lemoyne Drive Admission Call 251-277-7079 2022 CITY LIGHTS & STARS: AUSTIN GRIMM & FRIENDS July 22, 2022 Huntsville - Burritt on the Mountain Admission Call 256-536-2882

W.C. HANDY MUSIC FESTIVAL July 22-31, 2022 Florence - Various Locations in the Shoals - Admission Call 256-766-7642 HUNTSVILLE, PLANTS AND HERBS: “THE VICTORIAN ART OF PRESSED FLOWERS" July 23, 2022 Huntsville - Burritt on the Mountain Admission - 9:00 a.m. - Noon Call 256-536-2882 SPRING VALLEY FIREFIGHTER RODEO July 29-30, 2022 Tuscumbia - Long Horn Arena Admission Call 251-947-4650 MUSIC AT THE MANSION July 30, 2022 Tuscumbia - Belle Mont Mansion Admission is in favor of donations 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Call 256-381-5052

***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.*

June/July 2022

Cooperative Farming News

June/July 2022

SPRAYING MADE EASY AND AFFORDABLE 12 VOLT SPOT SPRAYERS REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL CO-OP

BRONZE 15 Gallon 404799 25 Gallon 404803

GOOD

SILVER 15 Gallon 404800 25 Gallon 404804

BETTER

UTV & 3 POINT SPRAYERS

UTV SPRAYERS

55 GALLON 3 POINT

12 Volt 65 Gallon - 454079

BXT - 36’ Swath 404848

12 Volt 45 Gallon - 454198

*Boom Kits Sold Separately

GOLD

15 Gallon 404801 25 Gallon 404805

BEST

110, 150 & 200 GALLON

BOOMLESS, 6 & 8 ROW BOOMS IN STOCK

Hamilton - 36’ Swath 404798

7-Nozzle - 140” Swath 480442

LOW PROFILE DELUXE TRAILER SPRAYERS

LOW PROFILE PASTURE SPRAYERS TR300E-MBXT22PS 300 Gallon 416791

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Visit A Co-Op Store Near You Or Email Jerry.Ogg@faithwayalliance.com for Participating Stores (Prices Subject To Change)

FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM

Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc.

AFC’s Future Leaders Program is designed to provide our cooperative system the next generation of key employees, equipped to handle the challenges of agribusiness management. FLPs will be exposed to all aspects of the Co-op, as well as the opportunity to attend organized training sessions. Through a variety of store experience and continued education, the FLPs will gain the tools needed to be successful in the agribusiness sector. Continuing Education

For more information on this program please contact Samantha Hendricks at samantha.hendricks@alafarm.com

Cooperative Farming News

Customer Service Crop Nutrients and Feed Team Building Merchandising Sales and Finance

Benefits

Health/Vision/Dental Insurance Vacation and Sick Leave Competitive Salaries 401k Matching Life Insurance

June/July 2022

Articles inside

Farming Your Forest

What's the Point with GreenPoint?

What's The Point With GreenPoint Ag?

Magic of Gardening

4-H Extension Corner

Ed Guy: A Bird's Eye View

Sweet Grown Alabama: Circle J Dairy

Co-op Corner From the St. Clair Co-op

Feeding Facts: Forage Testing

Outdoor Logic with BioLogic

How's Your Garden?

FFA Sentinel: Something for Everyone

Shepherding Outdoors

Grazing Grace: The Little Ol' Garden Hose

Eastaboga Bee Company: The Sweeter Route

The Co-op Pantry

Grazing Grace

Simple Times

Lawn & Garden Checklist

Food Safety

Magic of Gardening

Howle’s Hints

How’s Your Garden?

Cooking with Stacy Lyn

Ed Guy

Southern Made Simple

Shepherding Outdoors

PALS

Outdoor Logic with BioLogic

Farming Your Forest

Eastaboga Bee Company

4-H Extension Corner

FFA Sentinel

Business of Farming

Ag Insight

Feeding Facts

Homegrown with Sweet Grown

Co-op Corner: From the St. Clair County Co-op

From the State Vet’s Office

What’s the Point