Cooperative Farming News – Spring 2024

“I'll never plant another variety of pinkeye peas if I can't have Mississippi Pinkeye 2 .”

“I'll never plant another variety “ I ' l l n e v e r p l a n t a n o t h e r v a r i e t y of pinkeye peas if I can't have o f p i n k e y e p e a s i f I c a n ' t h a v e

Mississippi Pinkeye M i s s i s s i p p i P i n k e y e 2 .” . ”

NEW RELEASE!

Mississippi Pinkeye 2

Purplehull Mississippi Pinkeye 2 Purplehull

Mississippi Pinkeye 2 retains the most desirable characteristics of superior yield and disease resistance of Mississippi Pinkeye, with the additional benefit of improved emergence and survivability in cool, wet soils typical of early spring weather.

“I'll never plant another variety of pinkeye peas if I can't have Mississippi Pinkeye 2. I don't want any other variety. I have tried other pinkeyes, but they don't yield, cook or taste like Mississippi Pinkeye 2. I like the size of this big pea and it shells out easy. It freezes pretty and tastes like you just shelled them.

We planted late and it was a dry year, but the plants still got knee high loaded down with peas. Mississippi Pinkeye 2 - that's my pea.”

- Lisa Holmes

“Planted two varieties of pinkeye peas this year: Texas and Mississippi Pinkeye 2. I planted the second week of March.

Mississippi Pinkeye 2 was the best pea by far. The plant was larger, had longer pods and more pods per plant than the Texas, and was taller and also grew off faster. The pods had a good purple color and shelled out better. They also freeze well. Again, there were more peas per bush than the Texas plant, plus you can pick all season long.”

- Michael Anderson

“Our Mississippi Pinkeye 2 Purplehull peas were really good producers and our customers liked them. They made long pods and the peas were larger than the other varieties we planted. They mature more evenly which makes picking easier and more profitable.

The new Mississippi Pinkeye 2 Purplehull will be a big part of my operation again next year.”

- Bob Compton

Seeds for Southern Soils

Le er from the Editor

What can you say about Spring? It’s a time lled with excitement and anticipation. e winter frost has melted, and things are greening up and blossoming beautifully. Farmers are pu ing everything they’ve got into the ground with the hope that all conditions are right for a more bountiful harvest than ever before.

It’s a season of hard work for the local Co-ops, too. Employees are working tirelessly to ensure each and every farmer, grower and producer has exactly what they need to succeed.

is issue features our 87th Annual Membership Meeting where we discussed how AFC is “cultivating meaningful life on and o the farm” through family, integrity, perseverance and stewardship. Please join us in celebrating our 2023 E.P. Garre Manager of the Year winner

Eric Sanders of Blount County Farmers Cooperative. is rst-time winner is driven to succeed for his Co-op family, customers and his community.

Inside, you’ll nd the latest news in the ag industry, youth-in-ag groups, gardening tips and a Co-op Corner featuring Elberta Farmers Cooperative’s Garden Center where business is literally blooming. ere are also heartwarming stories from your favorites and several appetizing recipes with fresh spring fruits and vegetables in the Co-op Pantry.

As we enter our busiest season, let's work together to cultivate meaningful life both on and o the farm for our families and communities.

ank you for being a loyal reader, customer and part of the AFC family.

Tiffany

Lester Editor-in-Chief

Altha Farmers Cooperative

Blountstown, FL - James Lynn, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 850-674-8194

Andalusia Farmers Cooperative

Andalusia - Russell Lassiter, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 334-222-1851

Florala - Todd Caraway, Mgr.

Phone 334-858-6142

Opp - Brandon Bledsoe, Mgr.

Phone 334-493-7715

Atmore Farmers Cooperative

Atmore - Todd Booker, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 251-368-2191

Blount County Farmers Cooperative

Oneonta - Eric Sanders, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 205-274-2185

Central Alabama Farmers Cooperative

Tim Wood, Gen. Mgr.

Demopolis - Tom Eunice, Mgr.

Phone 334-289-0155

Faunsdale - Bryan Monk, Mgr.

Phone 334-628-2681

Selma - omas Reeves, Mgr.

Phone 334-874-9083

Cherokee Farmers Cooperative

Centre - Seth Eubanks, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 256-927-313

Jacksonville - Tommy omas, Mgr.

Phone 256-435-3430

Piedmont - Nick Hughes, Mgr.

Phone 256-447-6560

Clay County Exchange

Lineville - Je Kinder, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 256-396-2097

Colbert Farmers Cooperative

Daniel Waldrep, Gen. Mgr.

Leighton - Brad Balentine, Mgr.

Phone 256-446-8328

Tuscumbia - Chuck Hellums, Mgr.

Phone 256-383-6462

Dekalb Farmers Cooperative

Jason Plunke , Gen. Mgr.

Albertville - Brad Childress, Mgr.

Phone 256-878-3261

Crossville - Tina Watkins Preuit, Mgr.

Phone 256-528-7188

Rainsville - Cody Etherton, Mgr.

Phone 256-638-2569

Elberta Farmers Cooperative

Elberta - Justin Brown, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 251-986-8103

Farmers Co-op of Ashford

Ashford - Timothy Tolar, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 334-899-3263

Farmers Cooperative Market

Doug Smith, Gen. Mgr.

Frisco City - Tim Goldman, Mgr.

Phone 251-267-3175

Fertilizer

Phone 251-267-3173

Leroy - Je Hughston, Mgr.

Phone 251-246-3512

Farmers Cooperative, Inc.

Barry Long, Gen. Mgr.

Live Oak, FL - Judd Chancey, Ag Div. Mgr.

Phone 386-362-1459

Madison, FL - Virginia Kurtz

Phone 850-973-2269

Genco Farmers Cooperative

Enterprise - Ricky Wilks, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 334-347-9007

Elba - Colin Morris, Mgr.

Phone 334-897-6972

Hartford - Todd Smith, Mgr.

Phone 334-588-2992

West Geneva - Robert Pi man, Mgr.

Phone 334-898-7932

Headland Peanut Warehouse Co-op

Headland - Chris Hix, Gen Mgr.

Phone 334-693-3313

Jay Peanut Farmers Cooperative

Jay, FL - Ryan Williams, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 850-675-4597

Luverne Cooperative Services

Luverne - Perry Catre , Gen. Mgr.

Phone 334-335-5082

Madison County Cooperative

Hazel Green - Keith Gri n, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 256-828-2010

Meridianville - Ma Dunbar, Mgr.

Phone 256-828-5360

New Market - Jessica Jenkins, Store Mgr.

Ma Winstead - Irrigation Mgr.

Phone 256-379-2553

Sco sboro - Ramsey Prince, Mgr.

Phone 256-574-1688

Marion County Cooperative

Hamilton - Steve Lann, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 205-921-2631

Faye e - Kellie Trull, Mgr.

Phone 205-932-5901

Haleyville - Jessica Steward, Mgr.

Phone 205-486-3794

Marshall Farmers Cooperative

Holly Pond - Brian Keith, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 256-796-5337

Arab - Mark Upton, Mgr.

Phone 256-586-5515

Morgan Farmers Cooperative

Bradley Hopkins, Gen. Mgr.

Hartselle - Jason Pealor, Mgr. Phone 256-773-6832

Pike County Cooperative

Goshen - Danny Dewrell, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 334-484-3441

Troy - Je Baron, Mgr.

Phone 334-566-1834

Quality Cooperative, Inc.

Greenville - Daniel Salter, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 334-382-6548

Taleecon Farmers Cooperative

Notasulga - Sco Hartley, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 334-257-3930

Wetumpka - Timothy Richardson, Mgr. Phone 334-567-4321

Talladega County Exchange

Talladega - Chris Ellio , Gen. Mgr.

Phone 256-362-2716

Ashville - Bridge e Barne , Mgr.

Phone 205-594-7042

Columbiana - Barry Keller, Mgr.

Phone 205-669-7082

Pell City - Joseph Taylor, Mgr.

Phone 205-338-2821

Randolph - Tim Brown, Mgr.

Phone 256-357-4743

Tennessee Valley Cooperative, LLC

John Curtis, President

Athens – Bri Christopher, Mgr. Phone 256-232-5500

Courtland - John Holley, Vice Pres. Phone 256-637-2939

Elgin - Je Hendrix, Mgr. Phone 256-247-3453

Florence - Reggie Shook, Vice Pres.

Robbie Neal, Mgr.

Phone 256-764-8441

Grassy - Greg McCannon, Mgr.

Phone 256-229-6664

Lynnville, TN - Kyle Dogge , Mgr.

Phone 931-527-3923

Moulton - John Holley, Vice Pres.

Phone 256-974-9213

Pulaski, TN - Je Wales, Mgr.

Phone 931-363-2563

Tuscaloosa Farmers Cooperative

Wayne Gilliam, Gen. Mgr.

Northport - Cole Gilliam, Mgr.

Phone 205-339-8181

Walker Farmers Cooperative

Jasper - Cody King, Gen. Mgr.

Phone 205-387-1142

AG INSIGHT

BY JIM ERICKSON

USDA targets reduction in food waste from landfills in new agreements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing approximately $11.5 million in 38 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills.

The composting cooperative agreements, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are part of USDA’s broad support for urban agriculture. The program is jointly administered by USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

The recommended projects will be implemented between now and 2026. Designed to help communities reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emis-

sions, local strategies and tools like these are important climate solutions and also contribute to food security at the community level, they added.

Recipients include projects in 23 states. Additional resources on food loss and waste prevention are available at www.usda.gov/foodlossandwaste.

Alabama woman named to USDA advisory committee

An Alabama woman, Sarah E. Bell, is one of 15 new members recently appointed by USDA to the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF). The new members serve terms of up to two years.

“Minority farmers face unique challenges in accessing the land, credit, and training they need to succeed,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The committee is part of USDA’s commitment to ensure that all farmers have equal access to USDA programs and services, especially minority farmers and producers in underserved communities.”

Updated data source on US agriculture now available

The latest edition of America’s Farms and Ranches at a Glance is now available at the USDA website.

The annual report describes characteristics of U.S. farms and ranches with the most recent data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), an annual survey conducted by USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS).

Statistics are presented using a farm classification developed by USDA, ERS to categorize farms into groups with some common characteristics. The classifications used are mainly based on each farm’s annual revenue, the main occupation of the farm’s principal operator, and ownership (family versus nonfamily).

Additionally, the report explores the differences in farm operations in 2022 by race and ethnicity of the operators.

Agricultural output growth slows

Recent data collected and analyzed by USDA’s Economic Research Service shows that average annual agricultural output growth has slowed to its lowest rate in six decades and is linked to a slowdown in agricultural productivity growth.

Total factor productivity (TFP), which measures the overall efficiency with which agricultural inputs are combined to produce output, grew globally at an average annual rate of 1.12 percent in the 2010s,

down from 1.99 percent in the 2000s.

The slowdown in agricultural output is primarily observed in developing countries, where TFP growth fell by more than half from an average of 2.20 percent in the 2000s to 1.06 percent in the 2010s.

A slowdown in productivity growth suggests that producers will need to use more land and apply other agricultural inputs more intensively to maintain growth in agricultural output.

Pandemic causes shifts in consumer food spending

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to large shifts in how consumers spent money on and acquired food. USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS) researchers examined the changes in how individuals in the United States acquired food away from home by analyzing spending trends on carryout and delivery. They examined these trends among full- and quick-service restaurants by mobile application types (including mobile use of restaurant websites) using three-month rolling spending averages from December 2019 through December 2022.

When pandemic-related restrictions limited access to onsite dining options, consumers shifted to alternatives such as carryout and delivery. How consumers accessed these options also shifted, particularly how they used cell phone-based apps or mobile webpages.

Spending at full-service restaurants declined 71 percent in April 2020 compared with April 2019. Limited-service restaurants saw a drop in spending of 32 percent, and all other food-away-from-home establish-

ments, such as drinking places, hotels, and motels, recorded a 40 percent decrease in April 2020 compared with April 2019. Full-service restaurants typically offer food and alcohol to seated customers who pay after eating and offer amenities such as nondisposable dishware and utensils.

Limited-service, or fast-food, restaurants prioritize convenience and have limited menus, sparse dining amenities, and no wait staff. The limited physical interaction with customers made it easier for fast-food establishments to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions, and by the second half of 2020, they managed to recover to spending levels seen before the pandemic.

Despite adapting with expanded takeout and delivery services, full-service restaurants took longer to rebound, returning to prepandemic spending levels in April 2021. By November 2021, all three types of FAFH outlets had surpassed 2019 levels at different rates, and by December 2022, all three were each 12 percent higher than in December 2019.

Organic industry showing major growth trend

It has been two decades since USDA published its final organic farming rules, and during that period the organic industry has experienced what the agency describes as “remarkable development.”

The higher prices producers generally receive for organic products compared with those grown under conventional methods have motivated expanded U.S. organic production. Certified organic U.S. land for growing crops or livestock increased from 1.8 million acres in 2000 to 4.9 million in 2021.

Organic sales in 2021 accounted for about 3 percent of U.S. farm receipts even though organic acreage was still less than 1 percent of U.S. farmland. Now, more regions are growing organic products, more retailers are selling organic food, and more research and development (R&D) funds are going toward development of organic agriculture.

Authorized federal funds to support organic research through USDA projects also have increased in the last two decades. Mandatory spending authorization for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative has grown from $3 million in 2002 to $50 million in 2023.

Nation’s food spending reaches record level

Both in real terms or inflation-adjusted, annual food spending in the United States increased 70 percent from 1997 to 2022 to the highest level recorded.

The 25-year climb was steady other than slight decreases during the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009 and a 6.4-percent annual drop in 2020, during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Spending on food at home (FAH) and food away from home (FAFH) increased from 1997 to 2022, but FAH rose at a slower rate (53 percent) than FAFH, which increased 89 percent.

Real total food spending increased 11.4 percent in 2021 and 3.4 percent in 2022, driven by higher FAFH spending (up 19 percent in 2021 and 8 percent in 2022). Real FAH spending increased by 4 percent in 2021 but decreased by 2 percent in 2022.

"Everything we do on a day-to-day basis is what keeps us going, so it is important for young, beginning, or small farmers to remember that "

Member - Ben Brown

Hear from our members.

MIXED EXPECTATIONS FOR COTTON AND PEANUT PRICES IN 2024

BY WENDIAM SAWADGO

In 2023, crop production was mixed both in Alabama and nationally. Alabama saw record-high yields for corn, but very low yields for peanuts. Most crops experienced below trend-line yields nationally but several had elevated production due to high acres. As such, we should expect a mixed price environment as we head into 2024, with some crops seeing increasing stocks on hand, with others remaining flat. Overall, the economic environment is expected to improve once again with decreased production costs, but lower crop prices may pose a challenge for all crops except peanuts. In this article, we’ll further explore our outlook for cotton and peanut markets.

COTTON

There might be the most uncertainty in the cotton market. The 2023 planting year began with a 26 percent decrease in cotton planted acres, due to the lower cotton prices. Below-trendline yields accompanied the low harvested acreage. The nationwide cotton yield reached 845 lb. per acre, an 11 percent dip from last year. This was primarily driven by Texas – the largest producing cotton state – which yielded just 498 lb. per acre. In total, a 14 percent decrease in cotton production is expected to lower U.S. stocks to under 3 million bales at the end of the 2023/24 marketing year. Despite the lower ending stocks, cotton

prices are still projected to decrease from last year to a marketing year average of 76 cents per lb. for 2023/24.

Looking ahead, a lot will depend on what planted cotton acreage looks like this spring. Production costs are forecast to decrease $20 per acre this year, according to the USDA Economic Research Service, but they still remain high. The breakeven cotton price for 2024 is forecast at just below $1 per lb., which is higher than the expected price forecast. Furthermore, the ratio of cotton to corn prices supports lower cotton acreage, and the National Cotton Growers' annual survey suggests that farmers will plant slightly fewer cotton acres in 2024.

PEANUTS

Despite large increases in planted peanut acreage across the U.S. in 2023, below average yields held peanut production to a moderate increase. The 2023/24 marketing year saw a 14 percent increase in planted peanut acres nationwide, up to 1.65 million acres. U.S. peanut yields are projected to reach just

3,742 lb. per acre, 200 lb. per acre below the 10-year average. This year’s national peanut yield would be the lowest since 2016, driven by 24 percent and 26 percent decreases compared to last year in Alabama and Florida, the third and fourth leading peanut states in terms of acreage planted. In sum, peanut production is projected to increase by only 7 percent in the U.S. to 2.99 million tons (Figure 2).

Even with the increased peanut production this year, peanut stocks are expected to remain unchanged at just under one million tons. This is because peanut disappearance is projected to increase to 3.05 million tons this marketing year and just about equal the increased production. In particular, peanut exports are expected to increase by 5 percent, food disappearance by 4 percent, and crush by 1 percent. During the 2022/23 marketing year, the strong peanut food use was driven by a 5 percent increase in disappearance to peanut butter, which is crucial because peanut butter accounts for about half of the peanut used for food. The 2023/24 marketing-year average peanut price is expected to increase by $24 per ton to $560 per ton, which would be the highest price in a decade. However, due to high production costs, peanut producers may still struggle to see a profit.

Data

TAKEAWAYS

With row-crop profit margins expected to be tight in 2024 due to high production costs and declining prices, it will be even more crucial to develop a marketing plan to maximize prices received for crops. For more information, visit the Marketing Tools for Row-crop Producers online course on the Alabama Cooperative Extension System website: https://aces. catalog.auburn.edu/courses/marketing-tools-for-rowcrop-producers

Figure 1: Cotton Production by Year Source: USDA-NASS; Updated January 12, 2024

Figure 2: U.S. Peanut Production, Usage, and Stocks by Year

Sources: USDA ERS Oil Crops Outlook; Updated January 17, 2024

OWNING A HORSE IS OPTIONAL

VACCINATIONS AND DEWORMING ARE NOT

BY DR. TONY FRAZIER

There are many things in life that are optional. You may choose to eat tomatoes or not. You may choose to drive a Ford or Chevrolet. You may choose to live in the city or on a farm. You may even choose to own a horse or not. However, if you choose to own our equine friends, then keeping them current on vaccinations and deworming are not optional. Being a horse owner and a veter-

inarian, I do feel that I am qualified to weigh in on this matter.

Most of my job has to do with regulatory medicine, but I am over the diagnostic lab system and stay informed concerning what diseases are plaguing our livestock and companion animals in Alabama. And while many of our horses die from things that are not preventable, there are far

too many that die from something that can be prevented. And when I say too many, I mean one. Every year we lose horses from encephalitis virus, usually Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) or West Nile Virus (WNV). Every year we lose horses to colic that can be traced back to an internal parasite load. I really don’t accept the excuse that vaccinations and deworming are an expense that a horse owner cannot afford. If you own a horse and house it and buy feed for it, you can afford to take care of providing for its preventive medical needs.

Being a veterinarian, people are all the time relating stories about their livestock and pet illnesses. And I generally don’t mind discussing those issues. However, if you are going to tell me about a horse that died because it contracted tetanus after stepping on a nail or a horse that died from encephalitis or parasite or worm issues that have caused you problems, I do not want to hear your story. There is no excuse for a horse to suffer from problems that vaccinations or deworming can eliminate.

It is part of my spring schedule every year to vaccinate my horses against, at a minimum, EEE, WNV and tetanus. If the horses may travel and be comingled with other horses, then I make sure that I vaccinate against influenza.

litis. And you may be thinking that sounds like a fairly low incidence of those diseases. And, if that is what you are thinking, you are correct. And if you don’t vaccinate, the statistical evidence is on your side that you will not have a horse contract viral encephalitis. So I would quote that great American philosopher, Clint Eastwood in his first Dirty Harry movie, when he asked, “Do you feel lucky, Punk?”

There are other vaccines that may fit into your preventive medicine program such as rabies, flu, Western Equine Encephalitis, rhinopneumonitis and possibly others. You should get with your veterinarian who is familiar with your area and your animals to develop a vaccination program. There may be local outbreaks or other factors that would suggest that some vaccines be given more than once a year. Your veterinarian will be happy to discuss a good vaccination program with you.

The most common viral encephalitis viruses, EEE and WNV, in horses are carried by mosquitos. That is the reason that we recommend vaccination against these viruses in the spring before mosquito season gets into full swing.

Horses are very susceptible to tetanus. The vaccine is reasonably inexpensive and by the time you see the symptoms of the disease, you may also see buzzards circling on the horizon. That is not to say that some horses cannot recover with extremely intensive medical care and maybe a little luck. But treatment can be very expensive, and you may not be happy with the outcome.

The most common viral encephalitis viruses, EEE and WNV, in horses are carried by mosquitos. That is the reason that we recommend vaccination against these viruses in the spring before mosquito season gets into full swing. It seems that we see more of the EEE cases in the southern counties of the state, while the WNV cases tend to be a bit more spread out across the state. However, as long as you have mosquitoes, you can see those viruses show up anywhere.

Again, I would emphasize that most years we see from one or two to several cases of the viral encepha-

And finally, I do want to address internal parasites. Intestinal worms can cause weight loss, a rough, unthrifty haircoat, severe colic and death. It seems that intestinal worms are increasing and the indiscriminate use of dewormers may be contributing to that problem. I would recommend that you get with your veterinarian and form a plan to attack those internal parasites that includes regularly having fecal examinations performed to determine the parasite load and the frequency of deworming, as well as what the best deworming product would be.

When I was growing up, there was an old fellow in our community that had a pair of mules that he plowed his garden with, used to make a small corn crop and used them to pull a wagon. I am reasonably certain that until the day he died, he believed that a wad of Bull-of-the-Woods chewing tobacco was the best product out there to deworm horses and mules. If you are someone who holds to that philosophy, please know that there are far superior products on the market.

I have always considered it a privilege to own and work with horses. But it is an option. If you do choose to own horses, I cannot overemphasize that it is your responsibility to make sure they are current on vaccines and deworming.

EDUCATING STUDENTS THROUGH CLEAN CAMPUS PROGRAM

BY JAMIE MITCHELL

Spring is my favorite time of year! Fresh blooms and the promise of warmer weather make my heart happy. At PALS, spring means it is time for our “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” Spring Cleanup, Earth Day events, and contest due dates for our poster and recycled art contests. These annual events serve as a reminder of what we should be doing all year … looking for ways to keep Alabama cleaner and more beautiful every day!

One way that we work toward keeping Alabama more beautiful all year long is by educating students about litter through the Clean Campus Program. We normally visit around 50 schools each year to spread the anti-litter message and encourage schools to take action against litter. Two schools I met with recently were Southside High School in Etowah County and Hanceville Elementary School in Cullman County.

At Southside High School, I spoke with three different environmental science classes in 10th-12th grades. These students did not just hear the message, they put their ideas into action by conducting a local cleanup (as

pictured). PALS provided the bags for this cleanup, and we are happy to supply bags to your local schools for any cleanups they would like to conduct.

At Hanceville Elementary School, I visited with a group of 120 first graders and encouraged them to start early making good habits when it comes to litter. They learned why litter is “bad,” and how they can make a difference even at a very young age. They were also the recipients of newly printed PALS anti-litter coloring books!

As I mentioned earlier, our Poster and Recycled Art Contests are due April 19th. The Poster Contest theme this year is “From the Hills to the Shore, No More Litter in 2024!” All contest information may be found in our newsletter online at www.alpals.org. If a school near you would like to schedule a visit or has any other questions, I may be reached at (334) 263-7737 or jamie@alpals.org. Alabama PALS programs are free to schools thanks to our state partnerships and corporate sponsors.

LILY KATHRYN CRUTCHFIELD

POSITIVITY AND PROMISE

4-H activities impact Tuscaloosa student in a positive way

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

At nine years old, Lily Kathryn Crutchfield discovered something that would change her life. She joined 4-H and came upon a whole new world of opportunities and excitement that she could not have found elsewhere.

Lily Kathryn Crutchfield lives in Tuscaloosa. When she started 4-H in the fourth grade, she joined the archery club and participated in the rabbit project. She soon assumed leadership roles in the Youth Council and the rabbit club.

Each year, Lily Kathryn tried more new things that interested her. “She’s amazing,” said Laura Miller, 4-H Youth Development Coordinator from Tuscaloosa County. “Basically, anything in 4-H, which she hasn’t tried yet, she plans to.”

Now, in seventh grade, Lily Kathryn is still expanding her horizons. She serves on the Youth Council and attends both 4-H and STEM camps during the summer. She is still a member of the rabbit club, working with her two pets, Henry and Sprinkles.

“I like to see my rabbits jump around,” she said. “I give them treat sticks, and I show them.”

Lily Kathryn does community service with her rabbits, too. She takes them to the local armory and thanks veterans for their service. She also uses them for pet therapy.

Lily Kathryn has now transitioned into entrepreneurship. To pay for her 4-H projects, she started her own small businesses. One was a wreath venture, where she grew boxwood shrubs and clipped

Lily Kathryn Crutchfield holds two of her rabbits. She raises funds from her two small businesses to pay for her rabbit project.

the branches to make beautiful, fresh wreaths to sell. Lily Kathryn makes these by using a wreath ring and attaching the sprigs with wire. She carefully weaves the greenery to make lush, live beauties that she sells for $35, or two for $60. No two wreaths are ever the same.

In the summer, Lily Kathryn works with her other flower business. She raises hydrangeas and then cuts and arranges them into stunning bouquets. She sells these arrangements to acquire additional revenue for her 4-H projects.

Lily Kathryn’s entrepreneurial spirit has helped her earn enough money to support the upkeep of her rabbits. After one of her pets recently got sick, she paid the vet bill from her earnings. She donates some of her earnings to her church and saves the rest. Her wreath and flower businesses have given her firsthand experience in the costs and maintenance of an agricultural business.

Lily Kathryn Crutchfield’s “never-say-die” attitude means that she does not give up. When she first started her egg cookery project, she admits that she was not very good; however, she practiced and worked hard to get better. Later, she placed on both the regional and state levels.

Lily Kathryn believes that her 4-H experiences have already boosted her self-confidence. “4-H has helped me with leadership,” she explained. “I can now give a speech in front of a large group of people. Three years ago, I could not do this."

Through 4-H, Lily Kathryn has also found opportunities to explore different careers, network with

others and meet more people. "4-H has helped me volunteer in the community and meet new people at camps and club meetings,” she added.

Lily Kathryn Crutchfield has gained a new appreciation for service to others. Her 4-H involvement through the years has helped her develop a sense of generosity toward others and use her skills to make her community a better place.

“It has been my pleasure to watch Lily Kathryn grow into a leader through 4-H,” Laura Miller added. “She’s comfortable meeting new people, has a way to make people feel welcome and looks for leadership positions in her community clubs. She is also a joy to work with!”

Lily Kathryn puts the rabbit manure on the hydrangeas and then grows these flowers, cuts and sells the bouquets to assist with funding her rabbit project. Her sister, Lizzy Ann (l), helps her.

Josie Beth Sentell (l), Laura Miller, 4-H Agent (c), and Lily Kathryn Crutchfield cuddle their rabbits at the West Alabama Rabbit Show.

Lily Kathryn creates boxwood wreath designs in the winter as part of her 4-H project. She documents and uses the funding from her small business to pay for her 4-H Rabbit Project.

4-H VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to the 2023 4-H Volunteers of the Year who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to 4-H locally, regionally and statewide.

2023 Honorees:

Northwest Alabama – Nancy Jean, Walker County

Northeast Alabama – John Lovelady, Jackson County

West Central Alabama – Amy Rice, Tuscaloosa County

Central Alabama – Pat Farmer, Chilton County

East Central Alabama – Willey McCollum, Clay County

Southwest Alabama – Kelly Boykin, Clarke County

Southeast Alabama – Stan Windham, Coffee County

Northwest Alabama: Nancy Jean, Walker County

Northeast Alabama: John Lovelady, Jackson County

West Central Alabama: Amy Rice, Tuscaloosa County

Central Alabama: Pat Farmer, Chilton County

East Central Alabama: Willey McCollum, Clay County

Southeast Alabama: Stan Windham, Coffee County

Southwest Alabama: Kelly Boykin, Clarke County

Through the ForestHER Program, I was able to learn to do things that I didn’t know before. It was very beneficial for me to know that I can do this, and if I don’t know something, I have resources and contacts to help me figure out what I need to do.”

Alabama 4-H is the best starting tool where everyone is welcome and great people are leading the programs. There is always a different challenge. It’s my getaway thing and second home.”

ALABAMA EXTENSI0N

aces.edu/discover

I feel fortunate to have been introduced to Extension at an early age through the 4-H Club. We met with the county assistant for lessons on farm life. Later I used the Choctaw and Colbert County offices for gardening help and assistance with other projects and problems. Extension has served my needs for over 75 years, and it is FREE.”

Bob McIlwain, Colbert County Resident

I always knew I wanted to farm but wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it full-time. As a new full-time farmer, I’ve relied heavily on Extension expertise. Agents and specialists have continued to be sounding boards and strong supporters as my farm has grown.”

Garrett Dixon, AU College of Agriculture Graduate & Lee County Row Crop Farmer

Caymen Barron, Talladega County 4-H Member

Jackie Meggison, Alabama Forestland Owner

DAVIS JACKSON

2023 ALABAMA FFA STAR FARMER

BY SAVANNAH NOWELL

Each year, the Alabama FFA Association selects only one member who stands out above all others for its most prestigious and coveted award, the State Star Farmer. In 2023, Davis Jackson of the Douglas FFA Chapter was selected for this top honor out of more than 32,000 FFA members across the state. This award is primarily based on the student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (or SAE for short) projects, which are above and beyond the normal classroom learning experiences. SAE has always been a part of agricultural education programs, and it

is very similar to the “work-based learning” programs that have gained popularity in recent years. Though all students in the Douglas Ag Program are required to have an SAE project, a few students really work incredibly hard outside of the classroom. Douglas High School Agriscience Teacher and FFA Advisor Andrew Brock makes it a priority to visit students with outstanding projects during the summer months and advise the students and their parents how to best keep records and take pictures for future award opportunities.

Davis Jackson of the Douglas FFA Chapter has a diversified SAE portfolio with several unique SAE projects. Davis works for Jackson Family Farm, which includes a four-house broiler farm and a beef cattle operation, Jackson Family Farm Organics, a service company for poultry farms with litter treatment supplements for chicken houses, and Bright Star Sporting Clays, which is an outdoor sporting clays range on their family farm.

For his Ag Services’ SAE, Davis applies “Litter Life” and other organic soil treatments inside chicken houses with a modified golf course sprayer. The products he applies are produced and marketed by SouthLand Organics. These all-natural products are designed to improve litter quality, strengthen poultry health, and improve groundwater safety. Davis was the State Champion in the “Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management” FFA Proficiency Award for Alabama in 2022 and placed “Gold” at the National FFA Convention for these environmentally conscious services.

For his Outdoor Recreation SAE, Davis works at the sporting clays range by servicing sporting clay machines and moving them around to create new shots for members and tournament contestants.

Davis is repairing an ATV motor by removing the motor and tearing it down to replace the connecting rods and pistons and cylinder.

After helping his father set up and start Bright Star Sporting Clays in 2020, the family-run operation has hosted 23 tournaments including the state tournament in 2022 and 2023. Davis was the State Champion in the “Outdoor Recreation” FFA Proficiency Award for this project in 2023 and submitted it on to National FFA earlier this summer.

For his Ag Mechanics SAE, Davis maintains all of the equipment that the family uses to operate the farm. This includes a John Deere tractor, a Kubota skid steer, and many other pieces of farm equipment. In addition, he also manages and maintains the sporting clays’ range grounds and the 40+ machines in operation.  For his Poultry SAE, Davis helps in the four “mega” poultry houses in between flocks with clean out, litter treatment, and set up. Finally, for his Beef Cattle SAE, Davis helps his father, grandfather, and cousin with 200+ head of beef cattle. Though Davis doesn’t own any of his own cows currently, he as-

sists with feeding cattle, hauling hay, tagging calves, giving vaccinations, and sorting cattle as needed.

In addition to his outstanding SAE projects, Davis has an exceptional FFA resume. He served as Douglas FFA Chapter Sentinel his Freshman and Sophomore years, Vice President his Junior year, and he will serve as President this year as a senior. He also served the North District as District FFA Secretary during the 2022-2023 school year. In addition to leadership positions, Davis has been involved in several FFA Career Development Events including Land Evaluation, where he was the high individual scorer in the North District contest and competed in the National Land and Range contest in Oklahoma City in 2022, and Agricultural Mechanics, where he has been the high scoring individual in the state in 2022 and 2023. Davis is also a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and a 2023 completer of the Marshall County Youth Leadership program.

Davis is filling a 330-gallon tote with 33 gallons of "Litter Life" for a four-house farm.

Davis is operating a modified golf course sprayer that is ready to spray eight chicken houses that are 20,000 square feet each.

Davis is removing the spark plug from their golf cart to figure out why the cart was not starting. Through troubleshooting, he determined that the problem was the coil, so he ordered a new one and replaced it.

Davis is doing some maintenance in the area around the bridge on the sporting clays course. He used the transit to make sure the ground was built back up level so the dirt would be less likely to wash away.

CORNERCo-op

ELBERTA FARMERS COOPERATIVE GARDEN CENTER:

WHERE BUSINESS IS BLOOMING

BY TIFFANY LESTER

The Elberta Farmers Cooperative Garden Center is a haven for seasoned farmers and budding horticulturists alike. Garden Center Manager Deena McMullen has been a familiar face at the Co-op for nearly 17 years.

Similar to the transformation from seed to beautiful plants, the Garden Center has grown in its own way since it opened in 2002, while Elberta Farmers Cooperative has operated for over 70 years.

Deena fondly recalls the early days when the outside irrigated area was added with the help of local farmer and friend, Bob Kleinschmidt. Through the years, expansions led by the guidance and support of leadership and staff along with the innovative touch

“Our garden center is special and different from all others because it has that hometown feel. Everyone is welcome at the Elberta Farmers Co-op. While keeping that homey feeling, we also make sure to carry the most current solutions for current problems,” said McMullen.

She said the Co-op caters to a diverse range of customers, offering a variety of crop protection products to meet individual gardening goals. The Garden Center radiates a sense of community, welcoming everyone with open arms.

This Co-op also has a few beloved pet friends with their own unique charm: Jolene the pig and chicken

duo, Dominic and Bella.

Jolene, who they initially believed to be a micro pig, found her forever home at the Co-op after a series of attempts to rehome her. You can find her meandering around, greeting guests, eating granola bars and charming everyone with her antics.

"We can say two things with certainty: no other farm store has a Jolene and she is definitely not a micro,” McMullen joked.

The chickens help keep the pest population down while providing employees with the most beautiful eggs.

Aside from the fun-loving pet mascots, Deena attributes the Co-op's success to their unwavering commitment to their customers. "We listen. We welcome everyone. We love our customers. We offer solutions to weed and fungal problems, treatment for lawns, soil testing and landscaping advice and always have extra TLC where it's needed.”

Every staff member goes the extra mile to ensure each customer's needs are met with care, joy and

consideration of their budget.

The Garden Center offers a diverse selection of plants, carefully curated to thrive in the local climate. Supporting local growers is a priority, ensuring that the plants find a home within the community they call home.

"While our roots started in row crop farming, cattle and other livestock, we've grown to include a variety of horticulture enthusiasts. Our local farmers and ranchers are the true heartbeat of our store and community. Without them, this store wouldn't be what it is today," McMullen explained.

As Cooperative Farming News reaches readers in 31 states, McMullen wants everyone to know that supporting your local Co-op means supporting farmers who provide essential resources to feed and clothe the nation.

Whether you're a seasoned farmer, a curious gardener or a family looking to embark on a new horticultural journey, you are more than welcome at Elberta Farmers Cooperative.

AFC’S 87TH ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING:

CULTIVATING MEANINGFUL LIFE

ON AND OFF THE FARM

BY TIFFANY LESTER

On every farm, a seed of opportunity is planted. Such is the story of Alabama Farmers Cooperative, a tale spanning nearly nine decades of resilience, adaptation and unwavering commitment to its members.

President and CEO Rivers Myres has led the way for the last 10 years. The most recent ones may have been the hardest – ones with record-high interest rates, an increase in labor costs and shortages of workers. AFC has skillfully navigated through it all to successfully fulfill its

top priority – serving the farmer.

At the 87th Annual Membership Meeting, Myres moved from behind the podium to center stage to speak directly with AFC’s members and guests.

He expressed his pride in the unwavering dedication demonstrated at every level in the organization.

“It is easy to perform well in good circumstances, but in difficult times it takes characteristics that many aspire to but few attain. These qualities

AFC President and CEO Rivers Myres speaks at the 87th Annual Membership Meeting.

make up AFC’s core values: family, integrity, perseverance, and stewardship.”

Myres referred to AFC’s strategic plan for success as the three P’s:

PEOPLE

“We're not going to be successful if we don't have the right people in the right places and give them the tools, coaching and mentoring they need to excel. They’re going to be what leads us through tough times,” Rivers said.

One way AFC remains focused on investing in people is through various projects including the Authentic Leadership Program (ALP). The inaugural ALP class graduated in June 2023 and has since expanded to include participants from AFC’s member Cooperatives in 2024.

The lessons they are learning and the relationships they’re building through the ALP Program will continue to shape the success of AFC.

PARTNERSHIP

Throughout AFC’s history, leadership has invested in strategic partnerships, demonstrated by the success stories of Bonnie Plants and GreenPoint Ag.

Myres emphasized the importance of AFC’s joint ventures' success. He turned to Chief Financial Officer Brad Benson to explain the financial growth, return on investment and the power of

collaboration of AFC’s partnerships. They not only bolster AFC’s financial health but also embody the cooperative spirit that drives it forward.

PROFIT

In spite of a tough year for agriculture, Myres assures members that AFC is thriving, thanks to 87 years of unwavering leadership and the hard work and dedication of Co-op members. Benson stepped in to shed light on the economic landscape, emphasizing the importance of sound financial management. With a focus on working capital and debt, he unveiled a balance sheet that reflects not just fiscal responsibility but a commitment to long-term stability.

Proving that commitment is the fact that 25 out of 27 participating Co-ops earned the President’s Award for having positive local earnings and a net margin to sales greater than 1.5 percent.

Myres announced that AFC declared total patronage of $2.3 million, with $1 million to be paid in cash. Maintaining its 10-year revolving schedule, AFC will retire 2013 equity in the amount of $4.1 million.

AFC'S NEW MISSION STATEMENT

The heart of AFC can be described by its new mission statement. That mission – “Cultivating meaningful life on and off the farm.”

"We're the last line of defense to make this dirt we stand on a better place. Every person in this room has a responsibility to coach, mentor and

CFO Brad Benson delivers the Fiscal Year 2023 financial report. (Photo credit: Studio Panache)

COO Al Cheatham (R) presented a $10,000 donation to Big Oak Ranch's Catherine Brown (L). (Photo credit: Studio Panache)

lead in a way that makes a difference. That's what we do at AFC every day, so I couldn't be more proud of our mission statement. What gives me comfort at night is when I look around at all of the young people leading AFC forward, including the young man who has served as our Chairman for the last three years. It tells me we're going to be around for another 87 years. We've got a lot of great things ahead of us," exclaimed Myres.

Before concluding his report, Myres expressed appreciation to Ben Haynes whose threeyear tenure as Chairman of the AFC Board of Directors ended at the 87th Annual Membership Meeting.

Haynes smiled as he spoke of the privilege it was for him to serve as Chairman and the future of AFC under incoming Chairman Jeff Sims.

“I leave this role knowing that I am handing it off to one of the most thoughtful and capable men I know. Jeff Sims has been a dear friend and a trusted partner over the last three years. I am confident in Jeff’s leadership going forward and am eager to see what he accomplishes for AFC and the membership,” Haynes said.

Haynes then passed the gavel to incoming Chairman Jeff Sims, who previously served as AFC's Board Vice-Chairman and on the local board of Talladega County Exchange.

AFC's journey is one of challenges faced and conquered, partnerships forged and a commitment to serving the farmer that have sustained it for 87 years. Haynes‘ closing statement left the audience with a sense of unity and purpose:

“Farming is challenging on the best of days. It is also incredibly rewarding. And you all do not just farm; you provide leadership and service to your communities. You are all a credit to the AFC family and it is an honor to serve alongside you.”

Outgoing AFC Board Chairman Ben Haynes (R) passes the gavel to incoming Chairman Jeff Sims (L), who most recently served as Board Vice-Chairman. (Photo credit: Studio Panache)

25 out of 27 participating Cooperative members earned the President’s Award for having positive local earnings and net margin to sales ≥ 1.5%.

Not pictured: Justin Brown (Elberta Farmers Cooperative), Ryan Williams (Jay Peanut Farmers Cooperative) and Jeff Kinder (Clay County Exchange). (Photo credit: Studio Panache)

E.P. GARRETT MANAGER OF THE YEAR:

ERIC SANDERS

BY TIFFANY LESTER

From behind the wheel of a spreader truck to General Manager of Blount Farmers Cooperative, the 2023 E.P. Garrett Manager of the Year is a man of few words.

But don’t let that fool you, Eric Sanders doesn’t need to speak a word to prove how driven he is.

According to Sanders' wife, Amy, he truly loves to work. In addition to leading a successful Co-op, Sanders stays busy as co-owner of a construction company and farm. For the past 30 years, he’s

been a church deacon and leads Bible study at his home every Sunday night.

He’s been skydiving, completed a marathon, triathlon and two long-distance bike races.

And while he doesn’t like to brag on himself, those around him sure will.

AFC's CEO Rivers Myres spoke to what a genuine and courageous person Sanders is. "It's not surprising to me that someone who has run marathons and jumped out of airplanes decided to go

2023 E.P. Garrett Manager of the Year Eric Sanders, Blount County Cooperative Chairman Jeff Hallmark and the Sanders family. (L to R Rick Sanders, Julie Sanders, Jamie Sanders, Eben Sanders, Erica Sanders, Jace Hernandez, Emersyn Hernandez, Amy Sanders, Eric Sanders, Adam Rivera, Emilee Rivera, Asher Rivera, Evalynn Rivera and Jeff Hallmark. (Photo credit: Studio Panache)

into the business of supporting tomato farmers."

Blount County Farmers Co-op outside salesman Mel Wade echoed Myres' sentiments. “Eric’s ability to handle pressure that comes from many aspects of being a manager, is in my opinion, his greatest managerial asset. He also has a work ethic that exceeds 99% of the people in the workplace.”

“He's a very hard worker, a very dedicated man of integrity and goes the extra mile to try to help his customers and his employees, too,” said Steve Amos, AFC North District Manager. "He's very hands on. If they're behind on spreading, he'll get in a spreader truck and run it until dark to try to help get caught up.”

Sanders and Amos worked together at Southern States Cooperative before Amos recruited him to work for the Co-op in 2013.

He turned Amos down at first. Until his wife reminded him of the importance of a regular paycheck and insurance. Sanders began working at Blount County Farmers Cooperative in March 2014 and hasn’t looked back.

“I love agriculture and helping people be successful. I grew up on a farm, it is just in my blood. I love the land and improving it,” Sanders said.

Working at Blount County Farmers Co-op feels like home to Sanders. “I have a great board that gives me the freedom to run the place like it belongs to me. I think of my employees as family. They really are because we spend so much time with each other,” he explained.

“Eric has brought the best staff. They’re the best employees that we've ever had at the Co-op. A great leader is somebody who puts a great team together. It takes team effort to win Manager of the Year. But Eric's leadership is what made all that happen,” said Blount Farmers Cooperative Board Chairman Jeff Hallmark.

Under Sanders’ leadership, Blount Farmers Cooperative has experienced tremendous sales growth. When he began his career at the Co-op, the location’s sales were $2 million. Now, they’re $10 million.

"He's really brought in a lot of business. The reason that people want to do business there is because they trust Eric and they know that they're going to put forth their best effort and try to service them,” Amos said.

Sanders said it’s always been a goal of his to earn the prestigious E.P. Garrett Manager of the Year award and is incredibly honored to receive the 2023 title.

“I like to be as successful as possible in anything I do, and I am very competitive. When Steve Amos called me about the job, he told me then that I would win this one year,” Sanders said.

2023 was his year. But he says the award belongs to his employees as much as it does to him.

"All of the credit goes to my employees. Without their constant hard work and dedication, we would not be successful,” Sanders said.

He couldn’t have done it without the support of his loving family who understands his drive to work harder than ever for his Co-op, its employees and its customers.

2022

Manager of the Year Tim Wood congratulates 2023 winner Eric Sanders.

AFC President and CEO Rivers Myres and Eric Sanders. (Photo credit: Studio Panache)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

TREY TUCKER

BY TIFFANY LESTER BOUNCE BACK STRONGER

Those who work in agriculture are no strangers to challenges. In fact, the challenges are almost as diverse as the crops in the fields.

To kick off Alabama Farmers Cooperative’s 87th Annual Membership Meeting, Cooperative members and guests heard a powerful message from Trey Tucker of Rugged Counseling about embracing the challenges we face to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Tucker, a licensed mental health therapist and speaker, shared a personal anecdote from his high school baseball pitching days that set the tone for

the session.

“I overheard my coach say, ‘I like him, but I just don't think he's got enough dog in him,’” Tucker said sadly. “I was ticked. I mean, I'm such a dog, even Michael Vick wants to recruit me.”

But a few years later, Tucker realized his coach was right.

Determined to change the narrative, he joined a Krav Maga class and partnered with the biggest guy there. He faced months of grueling challenges from his supersized partner “Doug,” and emerged stronger. Because of this, Tucker eventually

stepped into a leadership role in the class.

His journey mirrors the challenges faced by the ag community – an industry that must confront difficulties head-on to thrive. As Tucker emphasized, "Success doesn't make you strong. Struggling makes you strong."

Drawing on his experience, Tucker shared three common traits of resilient individuals:

EXPECT CHALLENGES

Resilient people anticipate challenges and adapt quickly.

Tucker used the example of former University of Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban, who despite his frustration with the “no huddle offense” change in football, adjusted his coaching strategy to remain elite.

"He got outside of his comfort zone by hiring assistant coaches who came from totally different backgrounds than him and realized, ‘I have a whole set of skills and experiences that these guys don't have, and they also have a whole lot of skills and experiences that I don't have,’” Tucker explained.

VOICE FRUSTRATIONS AND TAKE AGGRESSIVE ACTION

Tucker stressed the importance of expressing frustrations verbally before taking action. But he urged everyone to not stay in complaint mode for too long because it can increase your chances of depression and general sadness and decrease your chance of staying calm in the face of challenges.

LEAN INTO THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS

Tucker introduced guests to the 'caveman' within us, whose signals manifest as physical sensations like increased heart rate, sweaty palms and/or queasy stomachs. Think fight, flight or freeze.

"The caveman has one very simple job and that’s to keep you alive,” Tucker said. "I've learned now to just close my eyes, put my hand over the spot that's uncomfortable and just breathe for a couple of minutes. It's amazing how quickly I calm down when I let the physical sensation just kind of run for a minute.”

Tucker demonstrated other practical tools for resilience and avoiding burnout including the U.S. Army's "hunting for the good" practice and "five-finger breathing."

He said to be persistent and try different strategies when tackling challenges head-on. Sometimes, brain breaks can be the best medicine for mental well-being. "Our culture is filled with distractions and noise. Whether it's the phone screen or the tv or music always blasting. There is nowhere for your mind to just rest. You would never just start doing curl after curl after curl after curl and never rest your biceps.”

In closing, Tucker used a powerful metaphor, likening resilience to a bouncy ball: “The story doesn't end when the ball hits the ground. This ball is meant to start its story on the ground and then bounce even higher. None of us want to get thrown to the ground. But we're not built to stay on the ground. Just like this ball, we're built to bounce even higher.”

BREAKFAST SPEAKER:

CHUCK CONNER

NAVIGATING CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS IN WASHINGTON

BY TIFFANY LESTER

In Washington D.C., farmers cooperatives find themselves at the intersection of policy, labor and taxation. During breakfast at the 87th Annual Membership Meeting, National Council of Farmers Cooperatives (NCFC) President and CEO Chuck Conner discussed pressing concerns and potential solutions that demand attention as the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, specifically the Farm Bill, also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

Congress gave farmers more time by extend-

ing the Farm Bill until September 30, 2024. However, a big question looms – have recent events derailed the progress made so far? Farmers have different needs, like dealing with costs, figuring out fair rules and handling climate issues.

Farmers are having a hard time finding enough workers. Conner explains the on-farm workforce includes a significant proportion of undocumented workers. He adds that the H-2A guest worker visa program has big problems and called for comprehensive solutions.

To solve these problems, Conner suggested that Congress should pass ag labor legislation. Additionally, his presentation emphasized the need for innovation in recruitment and training by employers and extension services. Both private and public sectors are urged to invest in technology to tackle future challenges.

Conner outlined a plan for the industry in 2025 starting with key tax provision expirations. Changes to the individual tax code, including increased standard deduction, reform to the Alternative Minimum Tax, and increased estate tax exclusion, are on the line. The fate of Section 199A, encompassing Section 199A(g), remains uncertain, while the 21% corporate tax rate stands unaffected.

Conner spoke to Co-op members about how the future landscape hinges on political dynamics, underscoring the significant influence of the presidency and congressional control on the ongoing debate.

“Unless something significant changes, I think the chances of a farm bill before November’s election is rapidly fading. Members of Congress aren’t hearing from actual producers that a farm bill needs to be passed. Without this pressure, I think Congress will be happy to try to get something done in the lame duck session. The question will become—is it more important to get a new farm bill done for the sake of being done or for a farm bill to have the resources to ensure the economic vitality of American agriculture and rural commu-

nities? All of us in agriculture, from all of you out here on your farms and ranches every day to those of us who represent you in Washington, need to make sure that our elected representatives are hearing the message loud and clear—we need a new farm bill and we need one that makes a significant investment in American agriculture.”

He explained that as debt projections and increased federal borrowing costs constrain options, the complex task of balancing individual and corporate tax rates is highlighted. Section 199A may face income caps, necessitating immediate contingency planning at both the public policy and cooperative levels.

In the end, farmers need to work together, plan ahead to handle tough problems and make the most of opportunities. The farming world is changing, and being ready through proactive planning and engagement at multiple levels are the keys to success.

GUEST PROGRAM

MELISSA WARNKE CANDLES

BY TIFFANY LESTER

One way to unwind after a long harvest season is by indulging in the aroma of a soothing candle. During the Guest Program, candle artisan Melissa Warnke guided attendees through a unique handson experience showcasing the candle-making process from start to finish.

Each guest selected from a palette of scents ranging from floral notes and zesty citrus, to musky aromas of tobacco and bay leaves. They then mixed the wax to achieve the perfect consistency before inserting a wick and allowing it to solidify.

Warnke began candle-making in 2012, but it blossomed into a full-fledged business in 2019 with the debut of her hand-gilded candle line.

Today, Melissa's candles can be found in homes across the United States, and her wholesale collections are popping up in retailers throughout the Southeast.

ENTERTAINMENT

ANGELA HACKER

BY TIFFANY LESTER

You could feel the passion for music at the Awards Banquet as season five winner of the hit TV country music singing competition “Nashville Star” Angela Hacker and her son, Bay Simpson, took the stage.

During dinner, the Muscle Shoals, Alabama native belted her soulful voice in Southern Rock and Country songs including covers of “Take It Easy” by the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Hacker began writing music when she was 10 years old and won her first school talent show at 13. Her brother Zac also competed on her season of Nashville Star in 2007. She ultimately defeated him in the last round.

Sixteen years later and Hacker is still in her hometown as a writer with Rick Hall at Fame Recording and Publishing Company.

• Connect with growers and producers across our footprint.

• Receive hands-on training at a local Co-op store, helping you gain an understanding of services offered.

• Take Advantage of continued education with trainings on finance, agronomy, marketing and more.

For more information and to apply for this program, visit www.alafarm.com/coopcareers

Short Creek Dairy Goats

Boaz, AL

We are a small dairy goat farm in Boaz, Alabama. We sell registered dairy goats, chickens and body care products including my all natural goat milk soap and beard care products.

941-623-2732

Short Creek Dairy Goats

3 TIPS TO SUCCESS IN YOUR GARDEN

BY SAVANNAH BURGESS

Gardening in the Southeast can be a rewarding adventure because of our diverse climate and soil conditions. Here are some tips to get started!

UNDERSTAND YOUR HARDINESS ZONE:

Given Alabama's varying climates, understanding the hardiness zone specific to your area is crucial. Gardening in the Southeast can be a rewarding adventure because of our diverse climate and soil conditions.

COMPANION PLANTING:

Companion planting not only helps your plants thrive, but it can also help deter pests like cabbage worms, aphids, spider mites, and even deer! Adding

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. In late 2023, the USDA announced changes to the Hardiness Zone Map for the first time in a decade. What these changes mean to you:

Revised Plant Suitability: With updated hardiness zones, some areas in Alabama might experience changes in temperature ranges, affecting plant survival. Gardeners should reassess the suitability of certain plant species in their specific zones to ensure successful growth.

Expanded Plant Options: Updated zones might broaden opportunities to grow a wider variety of plants previously considered marginally suitable. Residents may now experiment with plants that were previously thought to be too delicate for their region due to milder temperatures.

Shift in Planting Timelines: Changes in hardiness zones might impact traditional planting timelines. Residents should adjust their planting schedules to align with the new zone specifications to optimize plant growth and productivity.

beneficial flowers like marigolds, calendula, and coneflowers will also invite pollinators to your garden.

(See Companion Planting Guide on Page 40.)

BUILD YOUR GARDENING COMMUNITY:

Get connected with your county’s extension office, local gardening clubs, and social media communities to learn about workshop opportunities and resources available to you. Gardening is not always foolproof, and having a community to learn from is valuable! Sharing your experiences may help other gardeners hone their skills as well.

• Did you know the oldest chartered garden club in the United States is in our backyard? The Chunnenuggee Public Garden club was established in 1847 in Union Springs, Alabama.

When your garden’s bounty starts rolling in and tomatoes are coming out of your ears, check out AmpleHarvest.org to find a food bank near you that could share your overabundance to those in need.

AmpleHarvest.org was founded on the idea that there is a more effective way to connect the excess supply of fresh food with local demand. By directly linking home gardeners with local food pantries, the organization helps make fresh produce more widely available. Your efforts can make a real difference. Here's how to join the cause:

• Grow Bonnie Plants in your garden. If you buy them online from bonnieplants.com, 5% of your purchase goes to AmpleHarvest.org.

• Once your produce is prime for picking, use AmpleHarvest.org to find a food pantry near you.

• Donate any extra or purposely grown vegetables, knowing they will help nourish your own local community.

• Share what you are doing on social media, and tag Bonnie Plants and AmpleHarvest.org.

HOPEFUL DAYS AHEAD

BY MIKE ELSEA

2024 is set to be an exciting year with a lot of macro events that could end up shaping the way our economy and political system looks. With the hopes of decreased interest rates and a presidential race, anything is possible.

The last time we had a presidential race was 2020. Since Q1 2020 the stock market has climbed to all-time highs, corn and soy are up 25%-40%, and Democrats were trying to remove Donald Trump from office! (Some things don’t change…)

We are certainly facing some macro-economic challenges in the coming year. Political uncertainty, unrest in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, China, immigration and an incredibly low unemployment rate. All of these factors will certainly lead to a very unpredictable and volatile year ahead.

It’s not all bad news though. We have a lot of bright spots on the horizon as a country and especially for the farming and agriculture segments.

• Inflation has cooled leading to better consumer confidence and a tapering of interest rate hikes by the fed.

• Consumer fuel prices are down 50% from where they were in spring of 2022.

• The major indexes (at the time of this writing) were at an all-time high.

• Historically low unemployment (which can be a curse and blessing)

• Overall wage growth has managed to keep up with core inflation.

Although we have some headwinds, I am very encouraged by our opportunities in 2024! We have a great team in place that is focused on providing excellent customer service and ensuring that Faithway Alliance is the premier partner for our Alabama Farmers Co-op members.

We are very excited about the opportunities in 2024 and beyond. Faithway Alliance has a strong team in place with a long history of servicing our Co-op members. Our strategy remains in place. I’m encouraged about our growth potential and providing our members with the products and service they need.

We appreciate your business and continued support!

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MACHINERY MINUTE

OPTIMIZING THE FERTILIZER PASS

Quality application of fertilizers is critical every year, but the spotlight is intense on this field-pass, given current input costs. No matter the application system used, factors such as weather, humidity, and field conditions can make quality applications difficult to achieve. However, accurate and precise application can be attained by regularly test-

ing for calibration, uniformity, and machine maintenance.

Accurate applications are achieved through routine calibration testing. It’s recommended that calibrations are checked biannually at a minimum. This process only takes a few minutes, and any rate-controlled system likely has a wizard that walks

you through these steps. Perform rate calibrations anytime application components are swapped out during repairs. When performing a static test, target <5% error, but keep in mind that most systems will have a degree of error depending on the amount of overlap in a respective field. For dry fertilizer systems, ensure the operator is the person measuring the density of the product during calibration. Density has a huge influence on the calibration and on the ability of the machine to stay on rate when it gets to the field. On self-propelled machines, if the density measurement is off by 1 lb/ft3, each load of fertilizer applied will be off by about 300 pounds. Another consideration is that density should be measured at every tender load, as this measurement can change from morning to afternoon with changes in humidity and temperature.

Precise applications can be attained by testing for uniformity. Blends of fertilizers can be challenging to apply uniformly due to differing material properties in the components used to make up these blends. For example, urea has an average density of 48 lb/ft3, while potash is usually around 70lb/ ft3. In other words, we are throwing a golf ball and ping-pong ball simultaneously and expecting them to land in the same area of the field. Machines must

be set up properly, and uniformity tests should be performed multiple times throughout the growing season to prevent “streaking” of crops with misapplied areas.

Always perform a pan test on spinner spreader machines to check uniformity for each type of fertilizer applied. It’s important to pan-test a single swath but also check for an “S” or triple pass pattern on to see if there is too much overlap. Bag testing should be done to check uniformity on air-boom machines and can double the rate calibration procedure, as well. Be wary of buildup in waterfall outlets and dog boxes that could lead to potential clogs during operation. Sprayers should be checked at each nozzle for the target GPM to ensure uniformity. Be sure to check for proper orifice sizes that enable you to hit the target gallons per acre at operating speed.

A well-maintained machine is at an advantage during the hustle of late spring and early summer. Fertilizer is naturally corrosive on mild steel, and no time of the year reveals this more than the hot, humid months of May and June. Take the time to thoroughly wash fertilizer applicators at the end of every day when possible. Even slight amounts of buildup can alter the way a machine was engineered to apply and cause in-field issues. Consider installing preventative maintenance measures to avoid downtime. Some examples of these are Denso tape (a petroleum-based wrap to protect hydraulic fittings), fluid film (a heavy-duty rust inhibitor), and lubricants maintained at the manufacturer’s specifications. This will help keep components functioning properly when you need them the most.

Fertilizer is naturally corrosive on mild steel, and no time of the year reveals this more than the hot, humid months of May and June. Take the time to thoroughly wash fertilizer applicators at the end of every day when possible.

While many portions of the fertilizer pass have the potential to go wrong, a little attention to detail can go a long way. It is better to spend an extra 30 minutes before a big job to thoroughly inspect and calibrate your machine than to realize post-application that major problems occurred. GreenPoint Ag’s Ag Technology Team is here to help with your fertilizer application systems. Reach out to your local cooperative for help on your machines, resources, and in-field support.

FLIES DEALING WITH THE DREADED HORN FLY

BY JIMMY PARKER

Most cattle experts will agree that the horn fly is one if not the most pervasive and costly external pest on cattle across the country. These biting flies take on average about forty blood meals each day and inflict a great deal of stress on cattle when left unmanaged. They cost the industry an

estimated one billion dollars annually when stress and disease is considered. There are a number of ways to control the horn flies. Old school tactics like dusting and backrubs treated with insecticides still work as well as they did a generation or two ago. A multitude of sprays have

come and gone as efficacy has waxed and waned and there are many highly effective sprays still available. Insecticidal ear tags have long been popular, and many are still very effective, at least short term. There are also several feed through products that break the life cycle of the fly that are available in many forms from feeds and supplements to mineral and tubs, which are trending to be the two most common ways to use fly control due to reasonably low costs, good efficacy and convenience.

Backrubs, sprays and insecticidal ear tags tend to kill adult flies and noticeable results are immediate. Killing adult flies helps the problem immediately and can in most cases slow down the buildup of adults and the stress that a heavy fly load can cause. Feed through products work a bit differently and while they don’t typically kill adult flies, they disrupt the life cycle of the fly and reduce numbers over time. To truly get an immediate knock down of

adults and control the horn fly population long term, many producers will combine using sprays or ear tags along with the feed through larvicides that help break the life cycle.

A brief rundown and an understanding of the lifecycle of the horn fly is probably needed to truly put together a control plan and help your cattle make more money by not wasting energy fighting the flies themselves. An adult horn fly will live from two to four weeks and a mated female can lay as many as 400-500 eggs in fresh cattle manure during her lifetime. Eggs hatch within one day, with the larvae feeding in the manure until maturity, which takes three to five days. They then migrate below the manure pat into the soil to pupate. The complete egg to adult life cycle can be completed in ten to twenty days depending on weather conditions. Upon emergence, adult flies seek a host, begin feeding and the cycle starts again.

They cost the industry an estimated one billion dollars annually when stress and disease is considered.

These flies typically begin to be seen in March or April and remain a problem until October or November depending on which region of the state they are in. Midsummer heat can cause a slight drop in fly numbers, and if feed through larvicides are going to be fed to prevent the flies from stealing twenty-five to fifty pounds per calf, they should be available from thirty days before the last frost of spring until thirty days after the first frost in the fall. Daily consumption is required. This will prevent a rapid spring buildup in the fly population and in many instances will prevent or at least put off the fly population reaching a number where other treatments such as sprays are needed.

AFC Feed offers several options with fly control products in both the Formax minerals and Stimulyx tubs. Purina also has multiple options in tubs, blocks and minerals that contain an insect growth regulator. Studies have shown that these flies can create losses of twenty-five to fifty pounds per calf and in today’s market that could easily cost a producer a hundred dollars per calf sold. That makes the switch from the mineral you have been feeding to one with a larvicide an attractive option as it cuts losses with minimal input and zero increase in labor. Wise usage of the tools available to manage these pests will add dollars to your bottom line.

IT'S SPRING

READY, SET, RIDE

KAREN

E. DAVISON, PH.D.

Now that the weather is warming up, horse owners are starting to spend more time with their horses, and are looking forward to even more enjoyable riding weather.

There are some nutritional concerns, however, during spring and some management issues we should address to ensure the health and performance of our horses.

MATCH CALORIE INTAKE TO ACTIVITY LEVEL

First, as we start working our horses more, we must increase the plane of nutrition to ensure that the horse’s increased requirements are met. Energy is possibly the most important nutrient to consider in a working horse. As a horse works harder, its energy (calorie) requirement increases, and we must supply those additional calories in a form that will not compromise the horse’s digestive health. We can add more calories by increasing the amount of feed offered daily to the horse. However, in general, horses should not be fed meals larger than 0.5 pounds per 100 pounds of body weight, especially when feeding oats or a feed with high grain content. Grains such as oats

and corn are high in starch and sugars, and when fed in larger meals may increase the risk of digestive disturbances such as colic and/or laminitis. Alternate energy sources include fat and fermentable fibers. Feeds such as Purina’s Ultium® Competition, Strategy® Professional Formula GX, Strategy® Healthy Edge® and Omolene® #500 horse feeds are higher in fat and fermentable fibers and lower in starch/sugars than traditional grain mixes and sweet feeds; therefore they are excellent feeds to increase the calories in a working horse’s diet. Omolene® #200 horse feed is also an option for these situations, with the calories supplied by a combination of fat and soluble carbohydrates. These performance feeds also contain all the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals to support the increased demands of the performance horse. Keep in mind that all feeding changes must be made gradually, so it is important to slowly increase the amount of feed as the horse’s work load increases.

If you are only planning to work your horse lightly or your horse is naturally an easy keeper, a concentrated feed such as Purina® Enrich Plus® Ration Balancing Feed may be the

best way to meet the horse’s nutritional needs without adding many calories. If your horse stays in good body condition (not too fat or too thin) on hay or pasture alone and doesn’t need additional feed for more calories, feeding one to two pounds of Enrich Plus® per day will provide the protein, vitamins and minerals that the horse needs to meet essential nutrient requirements.

MONITOR CHANGING FORAGE CONDITIONS

Next, we need to keep in mind that the forage portion of the horse’s diet may be changing, and we must be aware that these changes may be problematic for some horses. For many horses, the advent of spring means that the source of forage changes from hay to fresh grass. Most horse owners are well aware that an abrupt change in feed puts a horse at risk for laminitis. However, they don’t always realize that a change from eating dry hay to grazing lush pasture is a very big change in the diet for the horse’s digestive system. This change from hay to pasture should be made gradually to minimize the risk of laminitis as horses are exposed to fresh pastures.

WHY CAN FRESH GRASS CAUSE LAMINITIS?

First, there is a big difference in the quality of fresh forage horses will graze in a green pasture compared with any forage harvested for hay. Simply changing the diet abruptly can create problems for the horse’s digestive system. In addition, the green grass horses graze is often higher in sugars than the hay. During the process of photosynthesis, plants manufacture sugars which the plant used to fuel growth of the plant or store as starch or fructans. The storage form of the sugars depends on the plant species (cool season grasses tend to store sugars as fructans, while warm season grasses tend to store sugars as starch). These sugars can accumulate in the spring when there are sunny days and chilly nights because the plant produces the sugar during the sunny days but doesn’t grow in the colder temperatures at night. So, the sugars don’t get burned to fuel growth, they just begin to accumulate. This can cause problems for horses, especially when the sugars are stored as fructans, because fructans are mostly digested in the hindgut through microbial fermentation. Excessive fermentation of fructans in a horse’s hindgut may be a possible trigger for colic and/ or laminitis, similar to a grain overload reaching the hindgut. The fermentation of fiber carbohydrates in the hindgut is normal, and does not increase the risk of digestive disorders in the horse. Other environmental conditions such as drought, stress, duration and intensity of sunlight, salinity (salt content) of soil, and overall

health of the plant can contribute to excess storage of sugars and/or fructans.

MANAGE HORSES PRONE TO LAMINITIS

How then do we manage pasture turnout and grazing to minimize the risk of laminitis? Horses that are kept on pasture year-round usually adjust to the new grass as it grows. Nature does a fairly good job of making the pasture changes gradually. Problems are most likely to occur when horses have been confined and fed a hay and grain diet during the winter, and are then abruptly turned out on the lush green pasture in the spring. Further, horses that have been kept up through the winter may overeat when turned out because of the high palatability of lush green foliage. This sudden change in the diet, especially when it includes a rapid influx of unfamiliar fructans into the hindgut, may trigger digestive upset.

There are several ways to prevent or minimize problems when introducing horses to spring pastures. Feeding hay immediately before turn-out may help keep horses from overeating, since they are less likely to overeat on an already full stomach. Restricting grazing time will also help minimize risks, and turning out in the early morning may help minimize the amount of sugars in the pasture at that time. A suggested schedule is thirty minutes of grazing once or twice a day on the first day of grazing; then increase grazing time by 5-10 minutes per day until the horses are grazing 4-6 hours per day total. At this point, they have adapted to the green grass.

CONDITION HORSES GRADUALLY

One final consideration when getting back into the saddle is the condition of the horse. On that first warm sunny day, it is very tempting to head out to the barn for a nice, long trail ride to enjoy the great weather. However, if you have not been riding your horse regularly through the winter, the horse is not conditioned for that type of physical activity (and possibly neither are you!). To prevent muscle soreness, and possibly “tying-up," horses should be gradually reintroduced to work. Start with slow, easy work and short workouts, and gradually increase the intensity and duration of the workouts until your horse is adequately conditioned. This will help decrease the risk of problems and injuries in your horse. It may take up to 90 days to get a horse properly conditioned for strenuous physical workouts.

Once your horse’s nutritional and management considerations are addressed, and the horse is adequately conditioned for the desired workload, you are ready to head out and enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine.

TRICKY TURKEY TRIBULATIONS

SOLVING COMMON TURKEY HUNTING CONUNDRUMS

BY TODD AMENRUD

With a brain the size of a peeled almond, a turkey is almost as dumb as a rock. However, they can make all hunters look stupid at one time or another. It’s their instincts and natural turkey biology that can make hunting them seem difficult at times. If you throw in the mistakes we make and the sour conditions Mother Nature can deal, harvesting a springtime tom can seem near impossible at times. Persistence, patience, and hunter’s savvy are valuable qualities when it comes to this quest, and save heart, there are ways to combat our errors, Mother Nature and even a stuck-up gobbler.

BUTT DIALED OR DISCONNECTED

Sometimes you can hear them, but they act as if they can’t hear you – like if they had butt-dialed you. And sometimes a gobbler will simply stop answering your calls. Several things may have happened. Staying right where you are is probably the best advice. He may be silently on his way to you or he may have found real hens (referred to as “henned-up”). Once they finish with the hens, they often remember where your yelps were coming from earlier. If you think you’re in a good spot, you can stick it out for several hours or even all day. Aside from the tom

Much of the decision on whether to move or not should come down to the size of the property you’re hunting. On a small property, it’s probably best not to move too much or you risk bumping the birds off of where you have hunting permission.

(Photo Credit: Wayne McKown)

you originally set up on, you’re giving other gobblers a chance to make it to you.

Much of the decision should depend upon the size of the property. On a small property I’d almost certainly stay put so as not to bump the birds across a fence where I don’t have permission. However, on a large property I may choose to find a more responsive bird, or put myself in a better position for the original tom.

THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART I

It’s dark when you sneak into your morning setup and you’re waiting for the horizon to brighten. You commence calling with a few soft tree-yelps and he hammers your offering. Then you hear live hens beginning to sound off around you. As Mel Brooks said, “It’s good to be the king.” Those hens are almost assuredly going to the gobbler when they fly down. I don't care if you were born with a diaphragm call in your mouth – it's difficult to compete against live hens. If you've done your scouting, the birds may have a pattern from day to day. Try to set up in the direction you believe they'll travel once they fly down.

If all you have is a good guess there are several tactics you might try. One, is to sound like the "hottest," sexiest hen in the woods. Give him your best stuff. When turkeys want to get together with other turkeys they make noise. You've heard the story about the "squeaky wheel." Often I'll use two calls at once, a diaphragm and either a slate or box call. Try to fire-up the gobbler until he HAS TO come to you.

If the gobblers are already with the hens and you cannot change locations, your best tactic will probably be to pick out the most vocal hen in the flock and imitate whatever she does. Mimic her every sound and call over the top of her vocalizations if you can. Make her curious or make her mad. This can work to call the entire flock your way, or irritate the dominant hen so she’s compelled to investigate. In this case, I may suggest using two calls at once or several hunters all calling.

ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE “SPEAKING TURKEY?”

The toms were “tight-lipped” — you hear this excuse all the time. Maybe you just needed an interpreter. It could be the weather or specific times during the breeding season there are reasons behind hearing fewer gobbles. Sometimes rain or other bad weather will make it seem like the gobblers have been stifled. Also, each spring there is usually a lull in the gobbling action during the actual peak of breeding activity. You can call birds to you in bad weather and during this lull — it's definitely tougher, but not an excuse.

In

Scouting is an important part of hunting anything, but will especially pay dividends if this happens. Knowing "for certain that the bird(s) is/are there" is the main thing. Just because they're silent doesn't mean they're not going to react.

A LITTLE COMMON SENSE AND MRI

Gathering intelligence on your quarry and the terrain is essential. Turkeys will have yearly patterns, seasonal patterns and daily patterns – it’s really those daily movements and “most recent intelligence (MRI)” that are important to learn. When you’re scouting, watch for the heavy concentrations of turkey sign. Rather than trying to call turkeys into places they don't normally frequent, if you set up in a spot they commonly go to or travel through, it's much easier to get them to come to the call – it’s just common sense. If you don’t put some time in before the hunt, you may be fumbling around blind.

At the very least you should study Google Maps, an aerial photo or topographical map before your hunt. Learn to identify funnels and natural obstructions. Understandably, every situation is different. You must play your particular type of terrain and learn to use it to your advantage. Use those "hang-ups" like

There are times when turkeys have experienced several close calls with hunters and they may stop responding positively to standard “hen talk.”

this case, sparse calling or non-vocal turkey noises like wing flaps or scratching in the leaves can do the trick. (Photo Credit: Todd Amenrud)

Decoys can be one of the “cure-alls” for many turkey hunting tribulations. Decoys give the birds a reason to close the distance. Here, the author poses with a South Dakota Merriam’s tom called into a spread of three decoys.

(Photo Credit: Todd Amenrud)

creeks, blow-downs, and fences to help funnel turkeys in a particular direction. If you think there's the slightest chance the gobbler might find difficulties reaching you, move to a spot that’s easier for them to access.

I’VE HEARD IT ALL BEFORE

Sometimes the tom seems like he doesn't pay attention to you, or maybe you think he spooks from your calling. In areas that get a little pressure you’re bound to run up against what some label a "call-shy bird." I don't think turkeys actually get "call-shy" I think they get "dim-witted hunter-shy." Turkeys want to be social with one another at this time of the year. The problem is there may have been ten other “hunyucks” calling to this bird before you got there, all making different mistakes gradually making this bird more difficult to kill each time. No two situations are the same, but there are a couple things you might try.

Your best bet is trying to pattern the bird. Learn his roost site(s), preferred strutting zones and favorite travel routes. Then simply set up where you think he'll travel. Using simple, soft, passive calling or non-vocal turkey noises (like wing flaps and scratching in the leaves) will usually work best on one of these birds. I’ve watched a fair number of gobblers fall to nothing but noises made from a turkey wing. Just imagine the sounds that a content hen makes while scratching in the dried leaves or grass for acorns or insects.

If you hit the breeding season too early or too late,

gobblers don't come to hen calls like they do when things are happening hot and heavy. In this case, you may be better off trying to sound like other gobblers, especially if you hit it early. Kind of like a bachelor group of bucks, gobblers will hang out together, too. In fact, for most of the year this is the case. Early, before the first signs of breeding and after you’re sure the hens are nesting, you may be better off impersonating this all-male social scenario.

RATIONAL WEATHER ADJUSTMENTS

Use common sense when battling adverse weather. Where do you want to go in a bad wind or rain?

Most animals search out protection from the elements — probably down the hill towards the bottom of the drainage or on the lee-side of thick cover, somewhere protected from the elements. A turkey will search out protection, also. In flat areas where you don't have hills to play, this detail is still important. In severe winds, look for turkeys to be on the lee-side of thick timber or wherever they can get out of the elements.

To me, the true essence of turkey hunting is the “call-up” and the trickery in your set-up. I want to create a set-up that seems so real and enticing to a gobbler that he has to come to interact. At times during the season toms just don’t react to hen calls well. But rather than “bush-whack” a bird, I would rather go home with an unused tag. I enjoy the call-up no matter what means you use to harvest the bird. In fact, I enjoy calling for other people as much as when I hunt myself. If you hunt turkeys long enough, you’ll eventually wind up having to deal with all of these scenarios.

(Photo Credit: Robert

When turkeys want to get together with other turkeys they make noise. When gobblers get “henned-up” the best idea may be trying to call the entire flock your way by mimicking the loudest, most vocal hen you can hear.

Cicchetti)

BREAKFAST SHAKSHUKA

Traditionally, shakshuka is a Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in saucy tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices like cumin, paprika, and cayenne eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It translates well as a Southern dish when tomatoes are ripe from the vine, jalapenos dot the entire garden, and herbs are plentiful during the spring and summer months. This has become one of our family’s favorite “New South” dishes. You can find this in my latest cookbook, "Love Language of the South."

Breakfast Shakshuka:

Serves 6

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 pound ground venison or beef

4 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1 quart tomatoes, drained and diced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

⅛ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne

⅛ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped, plus extra for serving

4 ounces feta, crumbled

6 large eggs

1 tablespoon honey

2 scallions, thinly sliced

1 jalapeno chili, thinly sliced

Garlic Naan Bread, for serving

Greek yogurt, for serving Hot sauce, for serving

In a large deep skillet, heat oil over medium high. Add the onions and a pinch of salt, stirring often until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Increase the heat to high and add the

ground meat. Cook until browned all the way through.

Add the chipotle peppers, tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne, nutmeg, cilantro, and feta and incorporate well with the other ingredients. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until slightly thickened.

Make 6 indentions into the skillet mixture by using the back of a spoon. Crack each egg into the indentions. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the eggs are fully cooked. Drizzle with the honey and sprinkle with cilantro, scallions, and jalapeno chili. Serve with garlic naan, Greek yogurt, and hot sauce.

Stacy Lyn's New Book!

Stacy Lyn Harris is a best-selling cookbook author, blogger, TV personality, public speaker, wife and mother. She currently lives in Pike Road, Alabama, with her husband Scott and their seven children.

Stacy Lyn regularly appears on cable and broadcast television as a guest chef and sustainable living expert. Her new book "Love Language of the South” is available now for purchase. It contains memories of her favorite places, celebrations and memories that have sparked imagination in the kitchen.

TIMBER HARVESTING TECHNIQUES

PART II: FINAL HARVESTS

BY BILLY RYE

As discussed in "Part 1: Intermediate Harvests," I recommend that all harvesting efforts be coordinated by a written forest management plan and by employing the services of a qualified consulting forester. The forest management plan should be prepared by a competent resource professional and should be customized to meet the individual landowner's unique combination of objectives and resources. In this article, we will focus on the types of final harvests available to forest landowners.

FINAL HARVESTS

The timing and method of final harvest is arguably the most important decision that a landowner will make during the life of their forest stand. The final harvest usually yields more

This is damage from the 2011 tornado that hit both Hackleburg and Phil Campbell. The destruction that it caused to the canopy of the forest resulted in an even age forest that was over a mile wide in some places and up to 125 miles long.

revenue than intermediate harvests and the type of final harvest will determine the age structure of the following stand. Foresters refer to this age structure as a silvicultural management system. Silvicultural management systems are classified as either even age or uneven age.1

EVEN AGE

Under the even age management system, most of the trees in the upper canopy are the same or almost the same age. Forests in Alabama tend to occur naturally in even age systems. Natural disturbances such as wildfire, windstorms, or pests will occasionally destroy all or most of the forest canopy. Trees that originate from seed, seedlings already in place, or sprouts then "battle it out" to determine which trees will

occupy the canopy of the next forest. The trees that have the best combination of genetic capability and site quality will be the ones that win this race. Trees that do not have the genetic potential to grow fast or out-compete other trees for sunlight do not survive or become suppressed. Over time, this method has the potential to improve both the quantity and quality of wood present within a forest. Forests managed under even age systems also tend to yield higher rates of return on investment than those managed as uneven aged. Therefore, most landowners in Alabama will harvest their timber in a manner that imitates these natural disturbances.

There are three types of harvesting used to establish an even age system: 1) clearcut, 2) seed tree, and 3) shelterwood.

1. Clearcut—A clearcut occurs when the entire overstory in a stand is removed in one cutting. Clearcutting is by far the most common method of final harvest used in Alabama. This method is used to produce high yielding timber stands and to create habitat for wildlife. A silvicultural clearcut occurs when all trees larger than 1 inch in diameter are removed to facilitate regeneration of the next stand. A commercial clearcut occurs when only the merchantable products are harvested. However, with improved utilization, enough

trees are normally removed during most commercial clearcuts to facilitate regeneration of the next stand.

2. Seed tree—Under this type of harvest, the old stand is removed in one cutting, except for a small number of seed trees evenly distributed across the landscape. This method is most often used to regenerate Southern Yellow Pine species or other light-seeded species. Six to 10 of the best trees per acre are retained to establish seedlings and a prescribed burn is usually conducted to prepare the seedbed. Seed trees are usually retained for two to four years or until an adequate stand of seedlings is established, at which time they are removed. The advantage of this method of regeneration is that it has no direct establishment cost. However, there are indirect costs associated with the seed tree method such as the loss of seed trees to lightning and wind throw. It is also impossible to control the stocking of the seedlings that become established, and money must often be spent to conduct a pre-commercial thin to reduce the number of seedlings per acre.

3. Shelterwood—This method is like the seed tree harvest with the exception that the old stand is removed in a series of three to four cuts. While shelterwood harvests have been successfully employed in South-

This stand of 15-year-old pine in Lamar County was killed by wildfire. Forest ecologists believe that wildfire was the primary agent of change in Alabama prior to the arrival of man. Catastrophic wildfires have the ability to kill the overstory of trees and result in the establishment of an even age forest stand.

ern Yellow Pine, it is most often implemented in the establishment of bottomland oaks. The U.S. Forest Service has utilized shelterwood harvests for loblolly pine establishment in Crossett, Arkansas while the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in North Alabama has experienced success with establishing Nuttall oak using this method.

UNEVEN AGE

With this silvicultural management system, the mature timber is removed— usually the oldest or largest trees — either as single scattered individuals or in small groups. Harvests must remove trees in each diameter class in proper proportions at relatively short intervals and be repeated indefinitely. This results in the continuous establishment of reproduction, and an uneven aged stand is maintained. Landowners using this method of management should seek the assistance of a professional forester who is familiar with this technique to mark the trees to be removed and monitor the harvesting activities.

Stands managed under the uneven aged system will typically yield lower timber revenues and will incur greater costs over the life of the stand. All of this adds up to a lower rate of return on investment compared to even age management systems. If economic rate of return is not a primary objective and a landowner has access to a professional forester who is familiar with this type of management system, uneven aged stands can be established and successfully maintained in most areas of Alabama.

While attempting to establish an uneven aged stand, landowners should be cautious of the "diame-

ter limit" method of harvest. Under this method, only trees of a predetermined size or larger are removed. According to the forest inventory conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, the amount of land classified as "hardwood" in the Tennessee Valley has increased over the past century. However, the amount of quality hardwood has decreased. While widespread uncontrolled burning of Southern forests in the first half of the 20th century may have contributed to this phenomenon, most foresters believe the primary culprit for the reduction in quality is the diameter limit harvesting method.

Until the arrival of hardwood pulpwood markets, the primary harvesting method in the Tennessee Valley was a selective harvest (diameter limit). Typically, a timber purchaser would convince the landowner

A commercial clear-cut most imitates the natural forces of change which result in even age stands. The removal of the canopy permits genetically superior trees to out-compete their less fortunate neighbors. In general, this process improves both the quantity and quality of wood over time.

Six to ten trees per acre are retained in most seed tree harvests. The remaining overstory is removed once an adequate stand of natural regeneration has been established. The resulting stand often has too many seedlings per acre to maximize economic return on investment. Photo source: MSUCares

to harvest the larger, “older” trees and the smaller, “younger” trees would then be free to grow and take their place. Using this rationale there would be a perpetual forest and income would be realized at regular intervals rather than once every 40 years. While this method sounds logical, it works against the forest's natural plant succession. Forests in North America tend to be even aged (recall the earlier discussion). Most of the trees that are larger are not older, they simply have a better combination of genetic capability and a quality site. Therefore, the potential for the forest to produce quality timber diminishes with time if the trees with the best genetics are removed repeatedly. This type of harvesting is known to foresters as "high-grading" and is not recommended.

FOREST VS. STAND

Forest landowners should understand the difference in the definitions of a forest and a forest stand to properly implement management activities. Merriam Webster defines a forest as “a dense growth of trees and underbrush that covers a large tract."2 The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service defines a stand as “a group of trees or vegetation with the same structure and similar growing conditions such as age or species composition."3 A forest is therefore made up of many stands. Landowners who practice even aged management of their stands can obtain an un-even aged forest by distributing the timing and

location of their final harvests. Alabama has one of the most diverse forests in the world due to the diversity of geology, soils present, climate, and to the large number of landowners with varying objectives. About 75% of the landowners own 40 acres or less.4 The difference in timing and types of timber harvests have created a mosaic of even aged stands which result in an uneven aged forest.

SUMMARY

Harvesting can either be applied to an existing stand or used to establish a new one. The best method and timing of harvesting is dependent upon a landowner's objectives, the resources available, and existing timber markets. By understanding the various types of harvesting, obtaining a written forest management plan, and using a qualified consulting forester, landowners are much more likely to reach their objectives.

References

1 Smith, David M. The Practice of Silviculture: 8th Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1986.

2 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forest. Accessed on 1/17/24.

3 https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/common-forestry-terms-for-the-forest-landowner/. Accessed on 1/17/24.

4 https://businessalabama.com/who-owns-alabamas-forests/

Pictured here is an example of the first harvest in a shelterwood system for upland oak. Eventually, all of the remaining overstory will be removed in a manner that will recruit advanced oak seedlings into the canopy. Picture provided by Dr. Callie Schweitzer, Research Forester, Southern Research Station.

FULL BELLIES

BY WALT MERRELL

Banks was six or seven at the time … old enough to enjoy the trip, but not yet able to help much with the work of it all. She sat up in the front of the kayak, absorbing the vibrancy of the newness of the ‘Spring filled’ world as it passed us by. Bright green Tupelo leaves mixed with deep green hints of the cypress trees … flanked with a few strokes of brown bark and early budding flowers and it all made for a beautiful palette. Her head swiveled left and then right, as she gazed at the variations of passing flora and fauna.

“You’re not getting bored, are you?” I asked a gauging question … for boredom is the seed of complaint, and complaint the fertilizer of a bad attitude.

“No sir,” she quickly responded, pivoting in her seat so she could make eye contact. “There is lots to see and look at.” She paused for a few seconds …

“You think we might see a bear?”

I chuckled and acknowledged that “I guess it is possible. There are bears down here. But they don’t like to be seen by people very much … so maybe not.”

We continued for another 15 minutes, out of Rice Creek and into the Tensaw River. “Some people call this Tensaw Lake instead of the Tensaw River.” She nodded her head with less interest than an old dog has in a young skunk, and I kept paddling. She shifted a time or two in her seat. The river was much wider than the creek we just left, and the natural picture show she had enjoyed so much in the narrow passageway was now much more difficult to appreciate, as everything was much further away.

“Keep your eyes open for an alligator,” I offered with the thought that a search for one might keep her entertained for a while longer. She perked up

and scanned furiously on the water’s surface. “Look up near the bank, too,” I said. “They like to cruise just out from under the overhanging branches.” She scooted forward on her seat and sat even more upright.

This was Banks’ first “real” kayak trip. My fear was that the hours we’d be on the water would lead to boredom, then frustration, then a general disdain for the adventure of it all. We had paddled plenty of times before, but always around the pond at home, or a nearby lake … all just to get her accustomed to kayaking. This trip though, would be overnight … from Rice Creek to the Alabama Grand Champion Cypress tree in the middle of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, to Jug Lake to camp, and then back again.

Thirty minutes passed and all seemed well. We hadn’t spoken much … she searched furiously for alligators and bears … and we made good time and found our way out of the big river and back into the smaller, more entertaining confines of the smaller creeks.

“I’m hungry.” Her words broke the quiet ripples of the water moving beneath the boat. “Well, I can sure fix that,” came my quick response. Sitting the paddle down, I shimmied towards the cooler in the middle of the boat, between her seat and mine. “I brought along an extra special snack just for the occasion!”

She spun in her seat to perch over the top of the cooler in anticipation. “Is it chocolate pudding?” she asked with a grin as wide as the mouth of Mobile Bay. Though chocolate pudding had long been staple of our adventures, “Not today,” I responded. “Is it a peanut butter cup?” Again, another trusty and faithful companion on many of our trips … “No silly, those are deserts. This is a snack!” And with that, I retrieved a block of cheese, a bottle of hot sauce, a sleeve of crackers and a package of what most would think was deli meat after a casual glance.

“What is that?” she asked … almost with a tone of disappointment. Clearly, it was not chocolate.

“That is souse meat,” I responded with jubilance in my voice, as I began preparing the first tasty morsel. “You see, first we take the cracker and put a small square slice of cheese on it. Then we dab just a drop of hot sauce, then we top it all off with a thin slice of souse meat.” I plopped the entire cracker sandwich in my mouth …. “Deeeeliccious!”

Her facial expression suggested she was suspicious. “Is there any chocolate pudding in there?” Her eyes shifted back to the cooler! I laughed and she relaxed a little as she giggled … “Come on … just try it!” I made her one. Timidly, and with a little encouragement, she chomped the cracker sandwich in half and began to chew. He facial expression went from one of hesitation to one of appreciation, and realizing the snack was indeed a tasty treat, she

chomped down on the second half of the cracker and then looked at me as if to say, “Why don’t you have my next cracker sandwich made?”

Like Chef Boy R Dee, I was quickly stirring it up, in the kayak kitchen … making one tasty snack after another … and before I realized the time, we had eaten half a pack of souse meet and almost an entire sleeve of crackers.

We had drifted near the bank of the creek … too busy making souse crackers to paddle … and we came to rest in the tall reeds of the shoreline. The sun flickered across the water and through the tree tops from the opposing shoreline and the warmth of its glow radiated through the still cool air of early spring. With full bellies and full hearts, I asked, “Are you having a good time?” In as much as she could have reclined in the seat of the kayak, she did … and with her eyes squinted closed, she grinned and said "The best, dad. The best.”

Who knew? Who knew that childhood boredom would be belayed not by the spectacle of alligators lurking nearby, nor by the hope of a passing bear, and not even by the majesty of the largest Cypress tree in the State of Alabama … but instead, by the satisfac tion of a good snack, shared over an ice chest while floating aimlessly down the creek.

The sun felt warm as it baked on the back of my neck. Tempted though I was just to sit and maybe even nap, we still had “another mile or two” to go be fore we could rest. I picked up the paddle and gently stroked backwards … careful to not rock the boat, thinking Banks might almost be asleep. One stroke and then two, and we were out of the reeds. A for ward stroke down river and we were back underway.

I saw Banks’ hands seemingly fall limp by her side as she slid down in the seat of the kayak.

A second forward stroke and then a third and she shuffled just a bit … “Dad,” her voice was low and quiet. “Yes, baby,” I almost whispered.

“That sure was a good snack.”

I smiled with satisfaction … and didn’t respond. Three strokes later her voice woke the stirring of the waters beneath the boat again. “Dad?”

“Yes, baby?” I whispered again.

“What is souse meat?”

I reached forward with the paddle and pulled another stroke and quietly whispered … “It’s just fancy bacon … that’s all” and a few minutes later she was sleeping peacefully … with a full belly and a full heart.

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 ROLE OF ROUGHAGE IN CATTLE DIETS

BY KIM MULLENIX, PH.D.

Ruminant animals, such as beef cattle, have the unique ability to digest fiber-based feedstuffs and convert this into a high-quality beef product. Forage represents a key component of beef cattle diets in the Southeast U.S., whether through grazed or stored forage resources. Most fiber in forage is found in the structural component of cell walls. This includes cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Roughage is an important component of the diet for rumen and digestive system health.

The neutral pH of the rumen (pH of around 7) creates an environment for digestive microbes to live and thrive. Fiber-digesting bacteria can break down the components of plant cell walls. Conversely, starch-digesting bacteria also exist in the rumen, along with other microbes such as protozoa. These microbes work together to break down the components of various feedstuffs and create usable nutrients for the animal.

During the winter months, the conversation surrounding roughage comes to the top of the list more so than other times of the year. Traditionally, we feed hay during the coldest months of the year, which represents a roughage source in animal diets. The quality of hay used impacts 1) how much of the forage the animal can physically eat and 2) how much can be digested and utilized by the animal. The greater the forage quality, the greater intake and digestibility of the forage. With decreasing forage quality, we have increasing amounts of indigestible fiber. The more indigestible fiber, the quicker the animal feels “full” while eating, which can lead to decreased daily dry matter intake. More indigestible fiber also means that it takes more work for rumen microbes to break down the forage, and results in less nutrients being digested by the animal.

For roughage in the diet to be effective, it needs

to stimulate the rumen environment. The rumen has contraction-like movements, which helps move digesta up, down, and side to side in the rumen. This allows rumen microbes to attach to the roughage source and begin breaking it down. When cattle graze or consume hay, they begin breaking down

For roughage to be effective, it must stimulate the rumen environment, pictured in the above illustration behind the cow's lungs.

long-stemmed forage into smaller pieces. This is first done through chewing action, swallowing, and then regurgitating and rechewing, or ruminating. In a feed ration, some producers may consider chopping or grinding hay, baleage or silage as part of a feed blend. For the fiber to be effective in the rumen, a 1⁄2 inch chop length is a good target. Grinding the forage may make the particle size too small for the fiber to “work” in the rumen and is less effective than chopping.

Dry weather conditions this fall limited early winter grazing availability and led many people to begin feeding hay sooner than normal. Alternative roughage sources can be considered either a partial or full replacement of hay in the diet, depending on the type of feedstuff used. Some producers may consider bringing an alternative roughage source into the diet to stretch hay supplies or grazing availability. Cotton gin byproduct (also known as gin trash or cotton burrs) is equivalent to low quality hay in feed value and is used as a roughage source in beef cattle diets. The texture of cotton gin byproduct stimulates rumen function. A recent research trial at Auburn University evaluated cow performance of dry, pregnant cows (1,300-pound body weight) fed gin byproduct in a 60-day feeding study. Cows were fed at a rate of 2.0% of animal body weight per head per day of gin byproduct, along with 0.5% of body weight per day of a digestible energy supplement (i.e. soyhulls). Cows maintained a body condition score of 5.5 or greater during the 60-day trial, demonstrating the use of this byproduct in cattle diets with lower nutritional needs. Gin byproduct can also be blended with other feedstuffs, generally at a rate of 10 to 30% of a feed ration, to help extend a feed mix. It does not add significant energy or protein value to a feed blend, but instead, adds fiber value to the feed. Producers may consider this strategy if they are trying to stretch feed supplies or add texture and

CLAY COUNTY STOCKYARD

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Sale Every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.

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

Some producers may consider bringing an alternative roughage source into the diet to stretch hay supplies or grazing availability. Cotton gin byproduct (also known as gin trash or cotton burrs) is equivalent to low quality hay in feed value and is used as a roughage source in beef cattle diets.

When considering alternative roughage supplements, it is important to have these sources tested for their nutritional value. Some byproducts of cotton, corn, and peanut production can be used as roughage in the diet, but the extent of use or forage replacement potential is generally limited. Contact your local Animal Science and Forages Extension Agent to help determine which roughage sources might be a

MANAGING FISHPOND AQUACULTURE

BY COLE SIKES

As temperatures gradually rise with the arrival of spring, life begins to flourish and awaken. For pond owners, this season brings with it several responsibilities surrounding the management of their water bodies. To properly manage ponds, two Alabama Cooperative Extension System regional agents said people should learn more about their water and the aquatic pests and toxicants that may be found in them.

IDENTIFYING WEEDS

Norm Haley, an Alabama Extension Forestry, wildlife and natural resources (FWNR) regional agent, said he receives many calls about a couple of common invasive aquatic growths: duckweed (Lemna spp. and Spirodela spp.) and watermeal (Wolffia spp.).

“These two small, floating weeds generally become most problematic during summer and are commonly found growing alongside one another,” Haley said. “In many cases, duckweed and watermeal can completely cover the surface of small ponds in just a few weeks. This creates problems not only with

common pond uses — such as fishing, swimming, irrigation and aesthetics — but it can also create substantial fish kills by shading out sunlight, which is required for oxygen production.”

Identifying these species is easy because of their distinct appearances. From a bank, these species may look like an algae mat. However, after closer observation, their growth reveals itself as free-floating, individual plants.

Duckweed is identifiable by its miniature-clover resemblance. It has tiny leaves — smaller than a fingernail — with two to four hair-like white roots underneath. Its extremely small cousin, watermeal, is botanically known for being the smallest flowering plant in the world. It gets its name from its fine, granular texture when felt in a hand. It is highly likely to find watermeal gathering together after winds blow it across a pond.

Excessive aquatic growth of these species may cause oxygen depletion — potentially ending in a fish kill. To control duckweed and watermeal, an aquatic herbicide is generally the most economical and effective option. For more control information, read the Extension Brief, Identification and Control of Duckweed and Watermeal, available at www.aces.edu.

TESTING YOUR WATER

Many of Alabama’s ponds are naturally low in alkalinity (meaning there is a larger presence of acid) and hardness. Pond managers are familiar with alleviating this condition by adding agricultural lime (calcium carbonate) to raise the pH of the water to a more basic level. However, pond managers cannot simply throw a load of lime into a pond. They must fertilize the pond based on the results of water tests.

Testing pond water is imperative to making the most favorable environment for fish and other wildlife. Just like farmers and gardeners test their soil, water requires a similar process. This is especially true when thinking about long-term health of a fishpond.

“Many fishpond owners ask, ‘Does my pond need to be limed?’” said Bence Carter, an Alabama Extension FWNR regional agent. “To answer this question, alkalinity and hardness are tested to determine the water quality. Alkalinity is the measure of bases in the water, while hardness is the measure of magnesium and calcium ions. These concentrations play a role in fish health (scale production, disease resistance

and stress related to pH swings) and the productivity potential.”

Carter said a rule of thumb for pond hardness is any measurement greater than 20 parts per million (ppm) is suitable for fish health. Any reading less than 20 ppm indicates a need for liming at 2 to 5 tons per acre.

Contrary to a popular belief, simple swimming-pool testing kits generally do not provide a fine-enough scale to test pond water. Refrain from relying on these kits to get the most accurate reading of fishpond water before making an application.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) that consist of planktonic algae are toxic. The neurotoxins within these blooms can harm humans, pets, livestock and wildlife. These blooms typically occur from mid-summer through early fall and have bright-green, blue, purple or white masses. Their texture may resemble a jelly-like substance or spilled paint.

A positive HAB identification requires the equipment found in a laboratory, such as the Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences. Should your pond receive a positive identification, discontinue all use of the water until a professional recommends a water treatment plan. For planktonic algae identification, samples may be submitted through www.cyanopros.com, the website of Alan Wilson, an Auburn University aquatic sciences professor.

FISH ON

Your local Extension FWNR regional agent can help you with pond weed identification and pond water testing at no charge. For more information, read the Alabama Extension publications, How to Submit a Pond Weed Sample and How to Submit Pond Water Samples, both available at www.aces.edu.

Alabama Extension takes the expertise of Auburn University and Alabama A&M University to the people. Our educators in all 67 counties are environmental partners — bringing practical ways to better our homes, farms, people and the world around us. Our research extends knowledge and improves lives.

Want to learn more about fishpond management? Visit www.aces.edu or email cesedit@auburn.edu RE: Cooperative Farming News.

SWEET MAGNOLIA

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOUR PLATE

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

When Nick Anagnostopoulos married Anna Dempsey, the couple knew they wanted their own place with land for Anna’s beloved horse, Maggie. When Anna was 11, she received Maggie, so every life event since then had included Maggie.

“It's because of Maggie that we even wanted land in the first place,” Anna said. “Our dream was always to have Maggie in our backyard.”

In 2019, the couple found the farm of their dreams in Summerdale. Nick, Anna, their baby daughter Emaline, and Maggie moved to their 40acre farm, which they named “Sweet Magnolia Farms,” after their beloved Maggie.

Neither Nick nor Anna had been raised on a farm,

but they prayed about how to glorify God with their land. They bought a few laying chickens for eggs, and some meat birds and two pigs for their own use. They also read many books on regenerative farming practices.

“It started with just providing meat for our family,” said Nick. “Little by little, He showed us that we were to replenish the land’s nutrients by using regenerative farming practices and running animals on it.”

Nick and Anna quickly realized their mission was to raise their pigs, laying hens, meat chickens, turkeys and cattle the right way, the way God intended. They felt a calling to provide their community with the same quality meat that their own family had been enjoying.

Nick (L), Emaline (C) and Anna Anagnostopoulos (R) own Sweet Magnolia Farms in Chelsea, AL. They practice regenerative farming and offer farm-fresh, pasture-raised meat to the Birmingham area.

FARMS

They offered their farm-fresh, pasture-raised, organically and soy-free fed chicken and pork as well as grass-fed and grass-finished beef to customers directly from their farm and also at the Foley Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Market each Saturday. Here, they gained a reputation for quality meat and built a loyal customer base.

In June, however, Nick and Anna Anagnostopoulos felt the call to do this type of farming full time, so they packed up their animals and moved to the Chelsea area, near Birmingham.

“It’s crazy how life goes sometimes,” Anna reflected. “We never thought we’d leave this spot, our dream, but God had even bigger plans. So, all because of one horse, we bought 40 acres and started growing our own meat. Now we were moving to be able to do it full time. We trusted the Lord in all we did and prayed over every step we took.”

Nick and Anna Anagnostopoulos moved Sweet Magnolia Farms to Chelsea, AL, with the goal of bringing regenerative agriculture to the kitchens in the Birmingham area. They now live in a fifth-wheel on 55 acres. They plan to build a storefront and shop for their business and then construct their own home. Nick has even bought a portable sawmill to mill lumber from trees on their property.

Sweet Magnolia Farms uses rotational grazing, dividing the pastures into paddocks and moving their animals from one area to another. Nick has a time sequence for moving his animals, and he follows a pattern for rotating. This improves the organic matter in the soil and the quality and fertility of the grasses.

By preventing overgrazing, this practice ultimately improves the health of the animals.

The animals on Sweet Magnolia Farms are happy and healthy. Housed in an egg mobile, the hens usually lay seven to eight dozen eggs daily. Their production may slow somewhat in winter, but Nick often takes 72 dozen eggs to The Farmhouse Market in Foley each Saturday.

The pasture-raised meat chickens are in 18 coops, which are moved daily. These chickens never touch the same ground for six months to a year. When the chickens are ready for processing, neighbors and friends show up to help Nick and Anna. Even the younger children join in. Many other people come out just to learn this process. Anna often records these events and posts them on Instagram.

The farm’s 15 Jersey cows are grass-fed and moved every two days. They provide milk for the family as well as beef for customers. The 40-60 registered Berkshire pigs are moved weekly on a 10,000 square-feet area, never touching the same ground for 120 days. They are fed organic, soy-free feed, which Nick buys from a nearby farm. A few days before the pigs leave for processing, Nick and Anna park a trailer nearby and place the pigs’ food inside. The pigs become familiar with the trailer, and they are not stressed when they have to load for market. The family prays over the animals before they send them away.

Nick uses a processor who does not use nitrates and handles the animals in a humane, caring manner. In the future, Nick and Anna hope to have their own processing plant on site, so that their animals would never leave the farm, and all parts of the animals could be used.

Peach, Pumpkin and Pomegranate are three of the registered Berkshire pigs slated to farrow in February. They love scratches and belly rubs.

When she was three, Emaline asked for sheep. Her dad, Nick, promised to get her some when she turned five. This year, she got her wish: 13 Katahdin sheep came to live on Sweet Magnolia Farms.

Farm life has been a blessing for Nick and Anna Anagnostopoulos. They involve Emaline in everything, from caring for the animals to processing the chickens. Emaline names most of their animals and roams the farm, scratching the pigs’ bellies, putting new baby chicks in the brooder, leading Jelly, her donkey, or driving her toy Jeep across the pastures. She has recently started riding and showmanship training on Maggie, with the same instructor who taught Anna.

Emaline can be a kid while enjoying life on the Anagnostopoulos farm. She runs barefoot through the

grass with the four guard dogs and rides bareback on Biscuit, her pony. She willingly performs her daily farm chores. Her parents teach her where her food comes from as well as life lessons about treating animals humanely. Emaline is also learning responsibility, commitment and compassion, while living joyfully on Sweet Magnolia Farms.

Nick and Anna Anagnostopoulos are first-generation farmers, who believe that everyone should understand where their food comes from. They also want people to know how the animal was raised, what it ate, how it was treated and how it was harvested.

“These animals we are raising are not on concrete in a dark covered area,” Anna said. “They are rotated on grass; they have full access to sunshine, shade, grass, bugs and clean water. They have room to roam and live a happy life. From our family to your plate, this makes for healthier meat.”

Living on Sweet Magnolia Farms and taking care of the land, the animals and each other is such a treasure for Nick, Anna and Emaline Anagnostopoulos. They often welcome visitors and give pre-scheduled tours of their Sweet Magnolia Farms.

“These days are the best,” Anna said. “They are long, hard days, yes, but they are oh, so sweet!”

Contact Sweet Magnolia Farms at 170 Hidden Acres, Chelsea, AL. Email them at sweetmagnoliafarms. co@gmail.com. Call them at 251-609-1946. Look for them on Instagram at oursweetmagnoliafarms. Their website is https://sweetmagnoliafarms.co/.

The Anagnostopoulos family raises and processes farm-fresh turkeys to sell. (L to R) Emaline on Biscuit, Anna and Nick Anagnostopoulos show some of the turkeys.

Nick, Emaline and Anna Anagnostopoulos sell their meat at the Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Market in Foley each weekend. They have gained a reputation for quality meat and built a loyal customer base in Baldwin County.

BY JOHN HOWLE

IT'S TIME TO PLANT!

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

April is the time to plan and plant your garden to get the longest and most productive growing season. In most parts of Alabama, if you can catch a few dry days in mid April, turning and tilling your garden soil can be done now to prepare the soil for planting.

What you plant is dependent on two things: The plant’s growing season and your own personal preferences. For instance, you might love

to plant and eat okra, but at this time of the year, it’s still a bit early to plant okra in an outdoor garden because okra grows best when the soil temperature is between 75 and 90 degrees.

A soil test will show you exactly what nutrients need to be added to the soil for optimum growth. Ideally, produce grows best in gardens where the pH is at least 6.0, and fertilizer can be added at the time of planting. Adding organic

matter to your soil helps the soil health tremendously. If you are plowing and see earthworms, that’s a good sign.

One the best things I like to plant this time of year is corn. Whether you plant hybrid corn like Silver Queen or heirloom corn like Golden Bantam, this is a great time to have corn germinating. Both these varieties are sweet corn. The heirloom Bantam corn makes a large, sweet ear but the kernels might not be straight and perfect like the Silver Queen.

To prevent crows from pulling your corn, you might have to take action at planting time. Two things I’ve used that have saved my crops are hanging up a dead crow in the garden and putting up a scarecrow. If you live in an area where you can’t shoot a crow, you can actually order a fake, dead crow on amazon.com for under 30 bucks to hang in the garden. I will say, however, older, wiser crows seem to know the difference. The scarecrow doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it should share some human-looking qualities for deterrent purposes. Hanging strips of flagging or light-

weight aluminum pie pans also works as a deterrent. Once your corn is about six inches high, it should survive any attacks from crows.

If you’re not into big gardens but you want to try your hand at gardening, a raised bed is the best place to start. A simple rectangular box can be built and filled with rich dirt for a more controlled growing of vegetables. I fill raised beds with a dirt called super soil and have had great results. Raised beds are great for growing tomatoes and peppers.

A simple scarecrow helps in keeping varmints and crows out of the garden.

Golden Bantam is a delicious and sweet variety of an heirloom corn.

A raised bed is a great way to raise a few healthy vegetables without so much labor.

Now that your garden is planted, it’s time to tend to the cattle. This time of year, fast-growing pasture grass can be dangerous to cattle. If no supplements are provided, cattle can come down with grass tetany while the grass is growing too fast to absorb the appropriate nutrients from the soil. The way to prevent grass tetany is through supplementing the grass intake with salt mineral enhanced with magnesium and calcium. Often referred to as high-mag, this salt mineral can be purchased at your local Co-op at reasonable prices.

This spring, take some time out of your busy work schedule to do some turkey hunting. Wild turkey breast is a delicacy, and it’s one of the healthiest meats you can consume. If you have a gobbler or two on your hunting area, this is the time of year to harvest one.

One of the best times to locate gobblers on your farm or hunting property is during a light shower. Turkeys will often leave the seclusion of the woods during a shower, and you can glass the fields to see if you have any gobblers in the group. Once you’ve spotted the gobbler’s general area, choose a set-

up location on a higher elevation, and call softly with some yelps and purrs. It’s best to follow John Wayne’s advice about acting when he said, “Talk low, talk slow, and don’t talk too much.” In the case of turkey hunting, “Call low, call slow, and don’t call too much.”

When preparing the breast of the turkey for cooking, be sure to remove any stray pellets that might still be in the meat from the shotgun blast. Otherwise, it could mean an untimely visit to the dentist. Last April, my son, Jake, harvested a fine gobbler from the family farm. One of the easiest ways we’ve found to cook the turkey breast is rosemary oven-roasted. In a Dutch oven, coat the breast with a mixture of rosemary, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, chopped onions, salt and pepper and olive oil. Coat the breasts with this mixture and cook in the Dutch oven for a couple of hours at 325 degrees until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees. Remove from the oven, slice and serve with your choice of vegetables.

This April, spend plenty of time outdoors so your body can absorb healthy vitamin D from the sun, and you can get plenty of work done.

The author’s son with a gobbler harvest that was prepared rosemary oven-roasted style in a Dutch oven.

As cattle graze lush fresh grass this spring, make sure you supplement them with high-mag salt available at your local Co-op.

BY SUZY M c CRAY

LOOK DOWN

When I was just a really little girl, living in the white clapboard farmhouse “in a hollow by a creek,” as my big-city allergist described my home, I was only afraid of three things: tornadoes, dentists, and SNAKES!

Many nights I would awaken following a nightmare of a cartoon-looking tornado with a lop-sided grin who chased me around and around the yard. Since I’d never seen a tornado and we didn’t even have a TV to watch the nightly local news until I was

well past the age of three, I can only surmise that I’d heard my mama and daddy talking with other nearby relatives about the tornado that screeched through our valley, destroying the historic Taits Gap Baptist Church about three years before I was born!

Because my severe food allergies affected what I could and couldn’t eat, I was somewhat malnourished, thus the early problems with my teeth. If there were pediatric dentists then, we didn’t know about them, so

I was treated by the community’s regular dentist who was a sweetie but who terrified me with his whirling machines and grinding noises! Thus, my second fear!

But the third fear was likely the greatest and I can only guess why. When I was just barely toddling around in our yard (likely with cloth diaper dragging), my parents missed me for a second. They discovered me around the corner of the house, standing with legs straddling a small snake. I was just looking at it and it was looking at me.

I was swept up into my Grandpa Lowry’s arms and everyone was yelling and upset. Although I was just a toddler, I can remember saying, “But it was just a baby … .”

But from that my fear was born.

My grandpa lived “across the creek,” and he’d wrap me in his denim jacket, zipping me inside against his chest, as he carried me across the foot log to get to his two-room house. He’d often stop in the middle of the makeshift bridge and we’d look down at shiny water snakes swimming amongst the rocks. He’d warn me to never ever try to cross the bridge alone or the snakes would “get me.”

My parents talked about snakes so much, soon I was afraid to go out into the yard without my older brother or our trusty dog Brownie!

If I even saw one on TV, nightmares would always follow. When they had the annual snake show at our high school, I’d try to sit as far back in the auditorium as possible and close my eyes throughout the ordeal! I was terrified!

Any of you that have followed my writing through the years have probably read the story of how I was weed eating at my hill-top house close to the county’s Horton Mill Covered Bridge when my children were little. Somehow a tiny snake was disturbed by all the commotion and I (remembering a prank my Grandpa Inmon had once played in the cotton fields near Susan Moore) was convinced that tiny snake had run up my pants and was somewhere in my clothes! After all I couldn’t see him (or her) anywhere!

So, when my husband came home that day, he saw my socks and shoes at the bottom of the hill. My pants a little higher up the bank. And even my underwear spread out nearer to the house...

“What if somebody had been driving by,” he laughingly asked…

I wouldn’t have cared. All I could think about was that little snake possibly crawling on my body somewhere!

The fear got worse through the years! When we bought our home place from my mama after my dad-

dy died, our gardens, bunny barn and more, was right at the edge of “the woods.” It seemed like my bunnies were snake magnets! I know now that the snakes were attracted to the mice who loved to sneak in and eat the bunnies’ feed at night.

For a time, I kept plastic trays underneath the Angora bunnies’ cages, to better collect their poop to be composted. One morning I moved a tray while cleaning and there coiled up was a small snake. I chopped it so many times with my hoe that my then husband could barely find any pieces to remove when he came home! Another time, while painting the front porch, a smaller snake made the mistake of crawling onto the concrete floor. I quickly dispatched him with my paint roller!

I was doing OK if the snakes were small but when a seven-foot chicken snake was lolling around on the 2x4s across the ceiling of the bunny barn, I had to get my grown son to take care of him!

But generally, I thought I was doing OK, until...

Our neighbor down the road was sick and an ambulance zoomed into their house just before dark one night. My then-husband was already confined to a hospital bed inside our house. I was outside trying to get all my animals situated for the night AND watch

Two holes were on my right wrist and it had swelled into a big knot with rings of purple and black slowly moving up my arm…

to see if my neighbor was transported to a hospital in the ambulance.

It was already getting way too dark. I reached around a bale of hay in the bunny barn to carry it to the nearby goat enclosure. I thought I’d stuck some of the hay into my arm because I got a quick burning sensation that quickly stopped as I tossed the hay over the fence to the eager goats. I finished feeding and watering, called the neighbors and learned the ambulance had been called to someone visiting them, and went back inside to check on hubby. One glance at my arm made me stop in place.

Two holes were on my right wrist and it had swelled into a big knot with rings of purple and black slowly moving up my arm….

In the next couple of days, I learned more than I ever wanted to know about snake bites! I was and am so thankful! If I had actually seen the snake, I might have had a heart attack because I am so afraid of them! Evidently, I tossed it into the goat pen where it slithered on its happy way…

ly happened, God kept me calm. Where just a few months prior I would have thought I would have completely freaked out if a snake had bitten me, that night I had a long talk with God about how right now was not the most opportune time to be dealing with such a bite! My husband was literally at death’s door and I was his 24-hour caregiver. He would die about two months later comfortably in our farm home.

God eased my fears. Eased my heart. And certainly, once again illustrated fully that no matter what I faced – even if it was one of the top three fears of my life – He would make sure He was right with me, no matter what.

Dr. Lennie Gibson, who was used to me having truly “weird” medical experiences, explained that even poisonous or venomous snake bites are usually not fatal unless you are very young, have severe health problems already or are elderly.

Dr. Lennie Gibson, who was used to me having truly “weird” medical experiences, explained that even poisonous or venomous snake bites are usually not fatal unless you are very young, have severe health problems already or are elderly. The most frequent problem, he said, is from the possibility of dangerous infections. After all, you don’t know if that snake that decided to chomp on you might possibly have eaten a germy rat or mouse right before he bit you!

In my previous article, written just three weeks after the snake bite, I quoted from Mike Bolton’s article in the Birmingham News where he had inter viewed herpetologist Martin Nowak in June 17, 2012. His article noted that Alabama has about 40 species of snakes of which six are venomous. But he also noted while several Alabamians are bitten by venom ous snakes each year, few died. He also noted only about 12 people in the United States die annually from snake bite.

All those facts and figures were interesting to learn, but I learned much more about snakes – and my fear of them – during the next few days as I carried my now-late husband to his many doctor ap pointments in Birmingham while traveling with a very swollen purple and blue arm!

First of all, when I first realized what had real

When Roy died, God never left my side. I faced the funeral and several other tragedies that hit our family, all within three weeks of his death. And I made it. But only with God’s help.

I had no way of knowing as I faced those fears plus all those tragedies, that five years down the road God had great things in store for me, sending my eighthgrade boyfriend, Mack, to love me, care for me and this farm, and be the spiritual head of our family.

NO GREATER LOVE

A MOTHER'S DAY STORY

BY GREG A. LANE

I’ve been saying “Happy Mother’s Day” to the same woman for 56 years now. But, I’ve been alive for 61. So, you might wonder what happened to those first five years of my life. Why didn’t I say “Happy Mother’s Day” to her back in those days? Well, the truth is that the woman I’ve called “Mom” for the past 56 years is actually my stepmother. I don’t think of her in that way, though. She will always be “Mom” to me.

My biological mother, the one who gave birth to me, never heard the words “Happy Mother’s Day” come from my lips, unfortunately. A framed, black and white photo of her sits atop the buffet in our dining room, right beside our dining room table. She’s the woman who carried me for nine months. She’s the woman who battled morning sickness as my tiny, fragile body developed within her womb. She’s the woman who endured the pain and recovery of caesarean section when I was born. She’s the woman who fed me for the first three years of my life. She’s the one who changed my diapers and bathed me. She’s the one who mothered and nurtured me during the most fragile years of my existence. I wouldn’t be here today without her, yet she has not been in my life for 58 years now.

Now, lest you think she was an unfit mother who abandoned me in my younger years, let me tell you her story.

She and my father first met when she was in high school. In 1955, after she graduated, they got married and began their life together. Not long after they were married, she became sick and discovered that she had Hodgkin's disease. Because my father was in the Air Force (a government employee) she was able to get the medical attention she needed and kept all her symptoms in check.

My mother was raised in a very devout Catholic home. So, she had strong beliefs about family life and about the use of contraceptives. That being the case, my parents had their first child, my older brother Steve, two years into their marriage. One year later, in 1958, they had a second child … my oldest sister, Therese.

As they continued their life together, her sickness began to take its toll. She was in and out of hospitals quite frequently. With the uncertainty of her life expectancy looming overhead, she went to the priest at her church and asked for a special privilege. She requested that she be allowed to use contraceptives to avoid bringing any more children into the world … a world where they might possibly become motherless at any given moment. Though the priest was understanding, he would not grant her special request. She and my father honored his decision. Two years later, in 1960, my mother gave birth to her third child … my sister,

Karen. My mother was now 23 years old, chasing after three very young children while battling a life-threatening disease.

After Karen was born, my mother went through a series of medical treatments including a dosage of X-ray therapy that the doctors said would make her completely sterile. What the priest would not consent to by way of using contraceptives was now being taken care of by the side effects of her medical treatments.

Two years later, while at the hospital going through another round of mustard therapy treatments, my mother’s doctor entered her room with very disturbing news. “We’re going to have to stop your treatments, Mrs. Lane. You’re pregnant.” (Evidently, the doctors were incorrect about her becoming sterile.) She was given a couple of scenarios that might possibly play out, both resulting in a similar outcome … the death of her unborn child. She was advised to terminate her pregnancy so she could continue her life-saving medical treatments. Against her doctor’s better judgement, though, she gave the child in her womb a chance at survival, while putting her own health and life at risk. She opted to wait until after her child’s birth before restarting her much-needed medical treatment.

No one would have blamed her if she had followed her doctor's recommendations, but she looked at life through a different lens than most people. I’m so glad she did … because I was the child in her womb. She postponed her treatments for me. She could have prolonged her own life by terminating mine, but she gave me a chance to live, even though there was doubt that I would survive. What selflessness! What courage! What love! She did it for me, yet I never had a chance to thank her for her sacrifice. I never once said within her hearing, “Thank you Mom.”

My mother passed away one month before my third birthday. The odd thing about it is that although I owe my life to her, I have no memories of her. I have very little to remember her by. I have a letter that she wrote just one year before she passed away, and I have a couple dozen photos of her. That’s it.

When I was a young child, I never understood the sacrifice she made for me. I was oblivious to it. I just lived the life that she gave me, with no thought of the woman who brought me into this world. Was I selfish? Was I ignorant? No, I was just immature, like we all are when we are kids. As a teenager, I would see her picture in the photo frame on the wall and give it an

occasional glance, but I never fully appreciated the sacrifice she made for me.

Now that I’m an adult, I have a greater appreciation for the woman who gave me life. When I think of her now, I remember the words of Jesus, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). That’s what my mother did for me. She laid her life down for me. There is NO GREATER LOVE than that.

I’ve grappled with the fact that I don’t know much about her. I don’t know what her voice sounded like. I don’t know what foods she liked or what her favorite flower was. I don’t know what perfume she wore or what her taste in jewelry was. If I were to shop today for a Mother’s Day gift for her, I wouldn’t even know what to buy her.

So, this year for Mother’s Day, I’m going to give her the one thing she never received from me … a few spoken words of celebration, of gratitude and of love:

“Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I never got a chance to say it to you when you were alive, so I say it now, trusting you hear me in Heaven. Thank you for choosing me over yourself. Thank you for loving me in the greatest way possible … by laying down your life for me. I love you!”

SAVORING SPRING

TIME FOR PEST MANAGEMENT AND SOWING SEEDS

BY BETHANY O’REAR

The joy of seeds sprouting in trays and garden beds. The colors popping from English daisies and Columbine. The vibrant green of all the new tiny tree leaves. The return of butterflies and bees. Spring is here and our gardens are full of potential!

Even if you did a thorough clean-out at the end of the previous growing season, your flower beds likely saw much action over the cold-weather period. If you haven’t done so already, April is a good time to remove dead leaves and any other debris from storms that might have happened during winter. You can also freshen up the mulch layer in your garden or landscape beds to help retain soil moisture and fight weed growth.

There are several pests that homeowners

commonly encounter while working in the yard during the spring. While there are quite a few control measures that homeowners can take to minimize the pest population, no lawn or landscape is pest free. However, one way to keep them in check is to clean up any lingering debris left over from the last growing season. If you only need to control a handful of pests around your container plants, insecticidal soap can take care of aphids and other soft-bodied insects. One of the most damaging pests that home landscapes and gardens may face is deer. They like to dine on almost any plant, and their favorites are usually the same as ours – hydrangeas, camellias, hostas and more. Unfortunately, we

One of the most damaging pests that home landscapes and gardens may face is deer.

can only hope to minimize damage, not necessarily prevent it.

One management option is to apply deer repellents, a suitable but temporary tool. It is important to start spraying them before deer begin browsing and to change repellents frequently, which keeps the deer from getting used to one taste or scent. Not all repellent products are labeled for both ornamental and edible plants. Be sure to research your products of choice to find the right ones for your particular needs.

With springtime fully underway, and temperatures increasing, now is the perfect time to begin managing fire ants in your lawn and landscape. While many different fire ant control products are available, bait products are generally best. Fire ant baits are granular products that contain a food attractant surrounding a very small amount of insecticide. Fire ants pick up the bait product and carry it back to the mound. Baits should be applied while the ants are actively foraging, when temperatures are between 70° and 95°F and never right before or right after a rain event.

While many products are labeled for lawn or landscape areas, very few can be used in your vegetable

garden or backyard orchard. Always read the label for each product to make sure that your selection is appropriate for the area that you are planning to treat as well as for application rates and timing. Low cost, ease of application, and effectiveness are just a few of the advantages of using baits to manage this irritating pest!

Let's discuss sowing seed into the garden for flower, texture or culinary uses. May is the month to sow many flower seeds for summer bloom. Flowers like cosmos and zinnias prefer to be sown directly into the garden rather than planting in trays or flats and then transplanted. I place good sterile topsoil on top of the native soil which is cleared of weeds. Then, just sprinkle the seed on top of the loose soil and tap with a rake. Water daily, if necessary, to keep the ground slightly moist and wait about 10 days or more for germination. The seed packet should note this year's date for the best germination. When the seedlings appear, you may have to thin them after they have shown 4-6 leaflets. I try to gently thin 2 out of 3 and immediately transplant these to another location. Now just allow them to grow, adding a small amount of liquid fertilizer. Flowers will appear about 6 weeks after sowing. The bottom line is to make sure you have the right plant for the right spot in the garden.

Wrapping up, I want to highlight a favorite spring/ summer perennial - Phlox. For Alabama gardens, one might say that we have a Phlox for all seasons, with a full range of colors and sizes. We have Phlox paniculata, or Garden Phlox, which gets to around 4 feet in height. Phlox stolonifera, or Creeping Phlox, is a lower-growing selection, only reaching 10 inches in height. Rounding out the trio of my favorite Phlox species is Phlox subulata, or Moss Phlox, reaching a height of only 5 inches or so. All three of these varieties need a sunny location and well-drained soil. These add a fantastic flair to your flower garden and do well all over the state of Alabama!

Creeping Phlox

Moss Phlox

Zinnia

LAWN & GARDEN CHECKLIST

Learn—month by month—the necessary gardening activities for lawns and shrubs, annuals and perennials, fruit and nut trees, and bulbs, roots, and tubers. Included is a timeline for activities such as soil testing, planting, pruning, fertilizing, pruning, mulching and indoor plantings.

April Garden Checklist

Fruits and Nuts

• Season for strawberry planting continues.

• Start spray program for all fruits.

• Plant raspberries and blackberries and continue budding apples and peaches.

Shrubs

• Prune spring-flowering shrubs after flowering.

• Fertilize azaleas and camellias.

• Spray all shrubs with a fungicide as new growth begins to mature.

Lawns

• Planting new lawns continues.

• When daytime temperatures are consistently above 70 degrees F, apply fire ant bait. Read the label carefully for best control.

• Start a mowing routine as spring growth begins.

• Monitor the thatch layer in bermudagrass and zoysiagrass lawns. Dethatch if thicker than 1⁄2 inch. Wait until active growth.

• Monitor for fungal disease in wet, cool weather.

• Fertilize warm-season lawns after fully green.

Roses

• Watch for insects and diseases.

• Keep old flower heads removed.

• Plant container-grown plants from nurseries or garden centers.

Annuals and Perennials

• Plant early-started annuals or bedding plants from nurseries or garden centers.

• Divide mums or root cuttings. Dig and divide dahlias.

Bulbs

• Plant gladiolus, fancy-leaved caladiums, milk and wine lilies, and ginger and gloriosa lilies.

• Apply super phosphate to bearded iris and scout for iris borer moth caterpillars.

• Avoid cutting foliage of narcissus or other bulbs until it has turned brown naturally.

Miscellaneous

• Spray camellias, hollies, etc., for scale insects.

• Carefully water new plantings of shrubs and trees.

• Pinch out tips of new shoots to promote more compact shrubs.

Vegetable Seeds

• South: Plant heat-loving crops, such as okra. Continue planting other frost-tender crops.

• South and Central: Continue planting

frost-tender vegetables (beans, southern peas, corn, squash, melons, and cucumbers).

• North: Wait until late April to plant beans, cucumbers, melons, southern peas, and squash. Plant sweet corn each week for a staggered summer harvest.

Vegetable Transplants

• Whole state: Plant transplants of tomato, pepper, and eggplant.

• South: Plant certified sweet potato slips.

• North and Central: Plant sweet potato slips in late April.

May Garden Checklist

Fruits and Nuts

• Continue spray program.

• Keep grass from around trees and strawberries.

• Peaches and apples can still be budded.

Shrubs

• Newly planted shrubs need extra care now and in coming weeks.

• Do not spray with horticultural oils when the temperature is above 85 degrees F.

Lawns

• Start new lawns from seed.

• Call the Master Gardener Helpline at (877) 252-4769 to learn more about sea-

sonal fertilizer use and proper mowing. Overfertilizing and overwatering lead to lawn problems.

• Wait until warm-season lawns are fully green before applying any fertilizers.

• Mow often (5 to 10 days) to remove just 1/3 the grass height at each mowing.

• Apply 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet to all warm-season lawn types: bermudagrass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass (or wait until after dethatching).

• Dethatch warm-season lawns if needed. Check thatch layer, as in April. Water and fertilize after dethatching (1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet).

Roses

• Spray or dust for insects and diseases.

• Fertilize monthly according to a soil test.

• Plant container-grown plants in flower.

• Prune climbing roses after the first big flush of flowering.

Annuals and Perennials

• Late plantings of bedding plants still have time to produce.

• Watch for insects on day lilies.

Bulbs

• Summer bulbs started in containers may still be planted.

• Do not remove foliage from spring-flowering bulbs.

• Do not let seedheads form on tulips and other spring-flowering bulbs.

Miscellaneous

• Mulch new shrub plantings if not already done.

• Monitor new landscape plantings of shrubs, trees, and turf. To establish healthy root systems, prevent them from drying out and water deeply.

Vegetable Seeds

• Whole state: Continue plantings of all April seeds across the state.

• Central and North: Add okra and southern peas to your garden.

Vegetable Transplants

• Whole state: Continue plantings of April transplant crops.

• Central and North: Plant certified sweet potato slips.

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.

Questions?

Call the Master Gardener Helpline at (877) 252-4769. A Master Gardener Extension volunteer is waiting to answer your call.

See other months from Alabama Gardener’s Calendar at www.aces.edu.

The Lawn and Garden Checklist is provided by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

PRESERVING FOODS AT HOME

BY ANGELA TREADAWAY

Canning can be a fun and economical way to make fresh foods available year-round but don’t take chances with canning recipes that have been handed down over the years. In years past, canning knowledge was passed down from grandmothers and mothers to children but because of the increased access to commercially canned and frozen fruits and vegetables home food preservation was put on the back burner. That was probably over 20 years ago but in the last five years with the economy and more and more people being encouraged and wanting to eat the freshest fruit and vegetables possible Home Food Preservation has made a big comeback. It is very rewarding to be able to go to your pantry and take out a can of homemade vegetable soup, a jam or jelly, salsa, pickles, etc., and be able to serve it to your family.

Canning is a science and it's really important to

follow safe research-based procedures to preserve those wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables. Improperly preserved food can cause serious illness. The biggest threat is for canning low-acid foods such as vegetables and meats because if not preserved properly in a pressure canner they can develop Clostridium botulinum microorganisms which can be deadly. Please only use USDA-tested recipes that can be found only on USDA and Extension Service websites. Please don’t use recipes found on social media unless you know they came from a tested resource. Home canned foods are the best but only if you follow proper procedures to keep your family safe.

The canning process involves placing foods in jars and heating them to a temperature that destroys microorganisms that could be a health hazard or cause the food to spoil. Air is driven from the jar

during heating, and as it cools, a vacuum seal is formed. The vacuum seal prevents air from getting back into the product bringing with it microorganisms that can re-contaminate the food.

SAFE CANNING METHODS

There are two safe ways of canning, depending on the type of food being canned. These are the boiling water bath method and the pressure canner method.

Boiling Water Bath Method: The boiling water bath method is safe for fruits, tomatoes and pickles as well as jam, jellies and other preserves. In this method, jars of food are heated by being completely covered with boiling water which are then processed for a certain period of time to reach 212°F. This is the temperature it takes to kill molds and yeasts and inactivate enzymes that will cause spoilage.

Pressure Canning Method: Pressure canning is the only safe method of canning low-acid foods. These include all vegetables, meats, poultry and seafood. Because of the danger of botulism, these foods must be canned in a pressure canner. Jars of food are placed in 2 to 3 inches of water in a pressure canner and then pressured to a temperature of 240°F or 10-11lbs of pressure for a certain amount of time.

SAFE HANDLING OF PROCESSED JARS

Test the Lid for a Proper Seal: Most two-piece lids will seal with a "pop" sound while they’re cooling. When it is completely cool, test the lid. It should be curved downward and should not move when pressed with a finger. If a jar is not sealed, refrigerate it and use the unspoiled food within two to three days, reprocess the food within 24 hours or freeze it.

If liquid has been lost from sealed jars do not open them to replace it, simply plan to use these first. The food may discolor at the top, but if sealed, the food is safe.

Label and Store Jars: The screw bands should be removed from the sealed jars to prevent them from rusting on. The screw bands should then be washed, dried and stored for later use.

Wash food residue from the jars and rinse. Label, showing contents, date and lot number (if you canned more than one canner full that day). It’s important to write down the lot number so that if one jar spoils, you can identify the others from that canner load.

Store in a clean, cool, dark, dry place. The best temperature is between 50 and 70° F. Avoid storing canned foods in a warm place near hot pipes, a

range or a furnace, or in direct sunlight. They lose quality in a few weeks or months, depending on the temperature, and may even spoil. Keep canned goods dry. USDA recommends using home canned food within a year for best quality. Jams and jellies made with less sugar or reduced sugar will only last about 6 months so you will want to keep that in mind when making large amounts of lower sugar items.

ON GUARD AGAINST SPOILAGE

Don’t taste or use canned food that shows any sign of spoilage! Look closely at all jars before opening them. A bulging lid or leaking jar is a sign of spoilage. When you open the jar, look for other signs such as spurting liquid and off-odor or mold. If jams or jellies are molded at the top please do not scrape off the mold and then eat the rest. There will be mold throughout the product. Please throw away.

Spoiled canned foods should be discarded and remember you can definitely reuse the jars once cleaned and sanitized but do not reuse the flat lid. It is only good for one time. Screw band can be reused until they rust.

FOOD PRESERVATION CAMPS THIS SUMMER 2024

Be watching on our Facebook page under the Alabama Cooperative Extension Food Safety page for when and where our camps will be this summer. They are two-day hands-on workshops that cover all forms of home food preservation. There will be a fee but you will go home with several products each day from classes. We will start the camps at the end of June and go through the end of July in three different locations in Alabama.

For more information on Home Food Preservation contact your local County Extension office or Regional Extension Agent – Angela Treadaway at treadas@aces.edu or work cell 205-410-3696.

BY TIFFANY LESTER

As we welcome the warmer spring weather into our lives, let's also bring it into our homes and onto our table! Here are several delicious recipes that utilize fresh vegetables and fruit. Whether you're preparing a special holiday feast or a casual Sunday dinner, these mouthwatering recipes promise to infuse your dining experience with the joyous spirit of spring.

Spring Vegetable and White Bean Stew

1 pound dried white beans (such as navy beans), soaked overnight, drained

4 cups vegetable broth

1 onion, trimmed, peeled, halved through core

3 ribs celery, trimmed, halved

1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms

1 head of garlic, halved

1 bay leaf

2” piece of Parmesan cheese rind

1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more

¾ cup parsley leaves with tender stems

¾ cup basil leaves

1 tablespoon fresh dill leaves

Zest from 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, peeled

1/4 cup olive oil

1 bunch medium-size asparagus, woody stems removed and discarded, tips trimmed and reserved and tender stems sliced into 1/4 inch thick coins

1 10-ounce bag frozen peas, thawed Freshly ground pepper and red pepper flakes, to taste

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place white beans in a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottom pot with a lid. Add vegetable broth, 4 cups of water, onion, celery, mushrooms, garlic head, bay leaf and Parmesan cheese rind. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Place pot on stovetop over high heat and bring to a simmer. Cover pot with lid and transfer to oven.

Bake beans in the oven until they are creamy and tender but still intact, about 1 hour. Remove pot from the oven and use tongs to discard the onion, celery, garlic, bay leaf and Parmesan rind. Leave pot on stovetop until shortly before serving time.

Meanwhile, make the pesto: combine parsley leaves, basil, dill, lemon zest, garlic clove and 1 teaspoon of salt in a food processor. Turn on food processor and slowly drizzle olive oil into the mixture in a stream. Pulse until herbs are evenly chopped and combined.

Just before serving, return beans to a simmer on the stovetop over medium heat. Add peas and asparagus and cook until they are bright green and just barely tender, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt, freshly ground pepper and red pepper flakes (if desired).

Serve stew garnished with a dollop of pesto, radish slices, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and toasted sourdough bread, as desired.

Broccoli & Chive Stuffed Mini Peppers

12 miniature sweet peppers

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup minced fresh chives

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2/3 cup finely chopped fresh broccoli

2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut peppers lengthwise in half; remove seeds. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, chives, salt and pepper; stir in broccoli. Spoon into pepper halves.

Place on a foil-lined baking sheet; bake until heated through, 9 to 11 minutes. Sprinkle with cheddar

cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Cool slightly before serving.

Garlic-Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Spring Vegetables

4 medium carrots, sliced

8 large garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

Kosher salt

2 tablespoons ground coriander

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped thyme

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped oregano

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

One 7 1/2-pound butterflied boneless pork shoulder

2 pounds fava beans, shelled (2 cups) or 2 cups frozen shelled edamame

24 whole baby carrots or 4 medium carrots, sliced 1/4 inch thick

4 pounds fresh English peas, shelled, or two 10-ounce packages frozen peas

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons mixed chopped herbs, such as parsley, chives and tarragon

1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. With the side of a large knife, mash the garlic cloves with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt to make a coarse paste. Transfer the paste to a small bowl. Stir in the coriander, thyme, oregano, 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of coarsely ground black pepper and 1/2 cup of the olive oil until incorporated.

Rub the garlic-herb oil all over the butterflied pork. With the fatty side up, fold the pork under itself into thirds and transfer to a roasting pan. Roast the pork for 40 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees and roast the pork for about 2 hours and 20 minutes longer, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 160 degrees.

Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the fava beans and boil until the skins loosen, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the favas to a work surface; peel off and discard the tough skins and transfer the favas to a bowl. Alternatively, boil the frozen edamame for 2 minutes and transfer to a bowl. Add the carrots to the saucepan and boil until tender, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the carrots to the bowl. Add the peas and cook until tender, about 2 minutes; if using frozen, boil just until hot, 30 seconds. Drain the peas and transfer to the bowl.

In the same saucepan, melt the butter in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Stir in the vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat until just heated through. Stir in the 3 tablespoons of chopped herbs.

Transfer the pork to a carving board and let rest for at least 10 minutes. Strain the pan juices into a small saucepan and skim off the fat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of ol ive oil and balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and keep hot.

Thickly slice the pork across the grain and transfer to plates. Serve with the vegetables and passing the sauce at the table.

Chicken Francese

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 large egg, beaten

3/4 cup dry bread crumbs

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

LEMON SAUCE:

1 cup water

1/3 cup lemon juice

2 chicken bouillon cubes

Lemon slices

Pound chicken breasts with a meat mallet to 1/4-in. thickness; slice into cutlets 1-1/2 in. wide. Place beaten egg in a shallow bowl; in a separate shallow bowl, combine the next 6 ingredients. Dip chicken in egg, then in crumb mixture, patting to help coating adhere.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Brown chicken in batches, adding oil as needed, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove; drain on paper towels.

For lemon sauce, add water, lemon juice and bouillon to skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by half, 8-10 minutes. Return chicken to pan; toss to coat. Cook until heated through, 4 to 6 minutes. Serve with lemon slices.

Easter Egg Bread

1/2 cup sugar

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast

1 to 2 teaspoons ground cardamom

1 teaspoon salt

6 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups 2% milk

6 tablespoons butter, cubed

3 large eggs, room temperature

3 to 6 hard-boiled large eggs, unpeeled

Assorted food coloring

Canola oil

1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream

1 large egg yolk

In a large bowl, mix sugar, yeast, cardamom, salt and 2 cups flour. In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter to 120 degrees to 130 degrees. Add to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Add 3 eggs; beat on high 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).

Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, dye hard-boiled eggs with food coloring following package directions. Let stand until completely dry.

Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into thirds. Roll each portion into a 24-inch. rope. Place ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid. Bring ends together to form a ring. Pinch ends to seal. Lightly coat dyed eggs with oil; arrange on braid, tucking them carefully between ropes.

Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a bowl, whisk egg yolk and cream; gently brush over dough, avoiding eggs. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. Refrigerate leftovers.

Grandmama’s Strawberry Shortcake

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold butter, cubed

1 large egg, room temperature, beaten

2/3 cup half-and-half cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional butter

1-1/2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In another bowl, whisk egg and half-and-half. Add all at once to crumb mixture; stir just until moistened.

Spread batter into a greased 8-inch round baking pan, slightly building up the edge. Bake until golden brown, 16 to 18 minutes. Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.

Beat heavy cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Split cake in half crosswise; butter bottom layer. Spoon half the strawberries over bottom layer. Spread with some whipped cream. Cover with top cake layer. Top with remaining berries and whipped cream.

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40’ x 60’ x 12’ - Installed Roof only, Open Gables - $11,500 + tax and delivery Roof only, (2) Closed Gables $13,300 + tax and delivery

30’ x 40’ x 10’ - Installed Roof Only, Open Gables - $7,500 + tax and delivery Roof only, (2) Closed Gables - $8,900 + tax and delivery

SISTER ACT

April 5-21, 2024

Birmingham - Red Mountain Theatre

Admission

Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.

Fridays: 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays: 2:00 p.m.

Call 205-324-2424

POW MEMORIAL SERVICE

April 6, 2024

Orrville - Old Cahawba

Archaeological Park

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Call 334-872-8058

WALNUT STREET HISTORIC WALKING TOUR

April 6, 2024

Florence - 441 North Wood Ave.

10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Call 256-740-4141

BEYOND THE HORIZON AIR & SPACE SHOW AT MAXWELL AFB

April 6-7, 2024

Montgomery - Maxwell AFB

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Call 334-953-3366

HUNTSVILLE COMIC & POP CULTURE EXPO

April 12-14, 2024

Huntsville - Von Braun Center

Admission

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Call 256-975-1215

LEEDS HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR

April 13, 2024

Leeds - Downtown

10:00 a.m.

Call 205-699-5001

TRUTH IN NATURE PRO RODEO

April 19-20, 2024

Cullman - Cullman County Ag Center

Admission

Call 205-657-5242

THE BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY“PURPLE RAIN”

April 20, 2024

Mobile - Saenger Theatre

Admission

8:00 p.m.

Call 504-525-1052

2024 BOB SYKES BBQ & BLUES FESTIVAL

April 20, 2024

Bessemer - DeBardeleben Park

Admission

Gates open at 11:00 a.m.

Festival Noon - 8:00 p.m.

Call 205-426-1400

WAVERLY “OLD 280” BOOGIE

April 20, 2024

Waverly - Standard Deluxe Inc.

Admission

11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Call 334-219-7733

63RD ANNUAL ART ON THE LAKE

April 20-21, 2024

Guntersville - 1500 Sunset Drive

Admission

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Call 256-653-0991

40TH ANNUAL BLOOMIN’ FESTIVAL

April 20-21, 2024

Cullman - St. Bernard Prep School

Admission

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Call 256-739-6682

PINEY WOODS ARTS FESTIVAL

April 20-21, 2024

Enterprise - 600 Plaza Drive

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: Noon - 4:00 p.m.

Call 334-406-2787

GIECO 500 NASCAR CUP SERIES

April 21, 2024

Lincoln - Talladega Super Speedway

Admission

2:00 p.m.

Call 877-462-3342

VINTAGE PICKIN

April 26-27, 2024

Fort Payne - VFW Fairgrounds

Admission - Friday

Early Pickin’ - 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

General Admission - 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Call 256-717-9365

INTERSTATE MULLET TOSS & GULF COAST‘S GREATEST BEACH PARTY

April 26-28, 2024

Orange Beach - FloraBama

Admission

Friday-Sunday

Kids: 10:00 a.m. - Noon

Kids Awards: 2:00 p.m.

Adults: Noon - 4:00 p.m.

Owners & Celebrities Toss: 4:00 p.m.

Adult Awards: 4:30 p.m.

Call 251-980-5118

2024 PANOPLY ARTS FESTIVAL

April 26-28, 2024

Huntsville - Big Spring Park Admission

Friday: 5:00-9:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Call 256-519-2787

ROCKIN’ THE RIVER 2024

May 4, 2024

Elba - Courthouse Square

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Call 334-494-4629

75TH ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE FLEET

May 4-5, 2024

Bayou La Batre - 13790 South

Wintzell Ave.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Call 251-824-2415

REGIONS TRADITIONS

May 8-12, 2024

Birmingham - Greystone Golf & Country Club - Admission

Call 205-967-4745

SPACE MONKEYS! THE ADVENTURES OF BAKER AND ABLE

May 9-12, 2024

Huntsville - Fantasy Playhouse Admission

Thursday: 7:00 p.m.

Friday: 7:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Call 256-533-1953

52ND ANNUAL FOLEY ART IN THE PARK

May 11-12, 2024

Foley - Heritage Park

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Call 251-943-4381

SHOALS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

May 16-18, 2024

Florence - The Shoals Theatre Admission

Thursday: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Doors open at 8:00 a.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. -

Doors open at 8:00 a.m.

Call 256-764-1700

OPELIKA

SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

May 16-19, 2024

Opelika - Various Locations

Admission

Various Times

Call 334-575-3477

42ND LIMESTONE COUNTY

SHERIFF’S RODEO

May 17-18, 2024

Athens - 18118 Highway 99

Admission

Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Competition starts at 8:00 p.m.

Call 256-232-0111

22ND ANNUAL STEWART

HAVANA PRO RODEO

May 17-18, 2024

Moundville - 573 Windham Road

Admission

Call 205-372-3182

ART ALIVE FESTIVAL

May 18-19, 2024

Florence - Wilson Park

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Call 256-766-1445

ALABAMA JUBILEE HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

May 25-26, 2024

Decatur - Point Mallard Park

6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Call 800-524-6181

AMERICAN LEGION PRO RODEO #1

May 31, 2024

Attalla - Etowah County Fairgrounds

Admission

Call 205-372-3182

TALLAPOOSA RIVER FEST

June 1, 2024

Dadeville - 1015 Freeman Road

Admission

7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Call 256-215-3067

AMERICAN LEGION PRO RODEO #2

June 1, 2024

Attalla - Etowah County Fairgrounds

Admission

Call 205-372-3182

MARVEL CITY CARIBBEAN FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

June 8, 2024

Bessemer - DeBardeleben Park

Admission

11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Call 205-683-5324

HANCEVILLE BULL & BRONC BASH SPRA/IPRA

June 8, 2024

Hanceville - CW Day Park

Admission

Call 205-372-3182

HELEN KELLER FESTIVAL

June 27-30, 2024

Tuscumbia - Various Locations

Admission

Various Locations

Call 256-383-0783

CEDAR BLUFF LIBERTY DAY & FIREWORKS

June 29, 2024

Cedar Bluff - 3420 Spring Street

Fireworks at 9:00 p.m.

Call 256-779-6121

SPRING HAS ARRIVED

200 SERIES BOX BLADE

OVAL MEGA 300

“My Top Pick Pinkeye Peas just plain out-yield any other variety I have planted...”

“My Top Pick Pinkeye Peas just plain out-yield any other variety I have planted...”

Top Pick Top Pick

UTILITY PATENT PROTECTED

Top Pick Peas gives you top yields plus pods on top of the plant.

Crowder Pinkeye Pinkeye Cream Cream Brown Crowder

“In the six plus years I have observed peas growing, the Top Pick Pinkeye’s and Top Pick Creams are two of the best peas. They have excellent germination; seedling vigor; high yielding and easy to pick. Plus their food quality is great.

They are good for “U Pick” operations because the peas set on top and the outside of the plant making a real showy bush type plant, which makes it easy for picking by hand and by machine. They are also easy to shell by hand or by sheller and make a good shell out. There are also no problems with disease.

If you have a market operations, you definitely need both types of peas – Top Pick Pinkeye’s and Top Pick Creams. These are by far the best peas on the market today. They are exceptional peas.”

Jason Barkett - J.E.B. Agriculture Consultant

“I grew up farming and I’m impressed with Top Pick Pinkeyed peas. We had early rains and the Top Pick peas loaded up. Some we planted late; some we no-tilled; plus we had more rain, but they really made peas. They pick great and shell out good and best of all they taste great.

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Rob Peacock - Pike Road, Alabama

Seeds for Southern Soils