Over 350 young farmers from across the state attended the ...

March 8, 2016

? News from the Alabama Farmers Federation

Alabama Senate Passes GF Budget

The Alabama Senate passed a General Fund (GF) budget Feb. 25 in a 24 to 10 vote. The budget has no tax increases or state employee pay raises.

Funding for the Alabama Forestry Commission, Department of Agriculture and Industries, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and the Soil and Water Conservation Committee was cut 5 percent. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permitting program was funded at $280,000.

While that amount is level funding compared to last year, it is $100,000 below previous years. Due to continued cuts to ADEM funding, it will take $570,000 to fully fund the CAFO program.

Matthew Durdin of the Alabama Farmers Federation praised senators for starting the budget process early.

"The Senate restored some CAFO funding that was entirely cut from the governor's budget proposal," said Durdin, the Federation's State Senate Legislative Programs director. "We're thankful senators partially restored funding to help Alabama farmers and are hopeful the full amount will be restored in the House budget."

Federation members are encouraged to ask their state representatives to fully fund the CAFO program.

For weekly legislative news and updates, sign up to receive the Federation's Capitol Connection e-newsletter at about/sign-up-form.

Over 350 young farmers from across the state attended the Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Conference Feb. 26-27 in Montgomery, which included workshops on financial planning, livestock, farm safety and organization building.

Young Farmers Convene And Compete

Over 350 young farmers from across the state packed downtown Montgomery Feb. 26-27 for the Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Conference.

Finalists for the Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contest were selected during the annual event.

They were Lance and Stephanie Miller of Blount County, Cotton Division; Stewart and Kasey McGill of Madison County, Horticulture Division; and John and Hannah Bevel of Marshall County, Wheat & Feed Grains Division.

The winner will be announced at the Federation's Commodity Producers Conference in Mobile July 28-31 and will represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention in Phoenix, Arizona.

Other OYFF commodity division winners were Justin Hill of Calhoun County, Bee & Honey; Spencer and Kate Williamson of Escambia County, Beef; Benjamin and Tamera Brown of Etowah

County, Dairy; Jonathan Sanders of Coffee County, Peanuts; Eric and Carrly Lovvorn of Cleburne County, Poultry; and Ben and Jessica Johnson of DeKalb County, Soybeans.

During the three-day conference, attendees learned about financial planning, livestock, farm safety and organization building.

Conecuh County farmers Cameron and Christin Smith said this was their first Young Farmers Conference.

"We have such a passion for agriculture, and this is the best outlet to express that passion," Christin said.

Cameron said he appreciated the continuing education provided.

"By being involved at this level, we feel like we're breaking ground for our children and investing in our future," he said.

For more on the conference, read the April issue of Neighbors or visit the Federation's Facebook or Flickr pages.

Upcoming Events

? March 15 - National Ag Day. Visit for more information.

? March 17-19 - Southeastern Livestock Expo with the Junior Livestock Expo Beef Showmanship Contest March 19 in Montgomery.

? April 1 - Local Foods and Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant Writing Workshop hosted by ACES in Selma. Go to aces.edu/farmersmarket for more information.

? April 6-8 - Alabama Farmers Federation Women's Leadership Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham. For an agenda, visit d/hfq0f4.

? April 7 - Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham. Adult tickets are $20 and child tickets are $15. Purchase tickets online at d/rfqz1p.

? April 12 - Alabama primary election runoff.

? April 15 - Applications due for the Alabama Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute June 1-3 in Prattville. Visit for details and an online application.

Discussing Potential Feral Hog Solutions

Dr. Dale Nolte, center, Feral Swine Program manager for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), visited the Alabama Farmers Federation home office in Montgomery March 2 to discuss potential solutions for the state's feral hog problem. From left are Federation Wildlife Division Director Rick Oates, Nolte and former Alabama Wildlife Services Director Frank Boyd.

USDA Surveys Farmers, Invests In Conservation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service is surveying 84,000 farmers for its annual Prospective Planting Report.

The report will be released March 31 with data on intended crop acreage and amount of stored grain and oilseed.

The USDA recently announced $720 million in funding for the second round of the Regional Conservation Partnership

Program (RCPP) and $51 million in funding for the Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership (JCLRP).

Alabama will receive nearly $7 million through RCPP for the Coastal Headwaters Forests Partnership and the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program. Funding from JCLRP will go toward the My Alabama Woods Restoration project.

Event Helps Students Learn Leadership Skills

The Limestone County Farmers Federation and county Young Farmers committee hosted an FFA Discussion Meet contest Feb. 18 for Elkmont High School (EHS) and Clements High School students. The contest simulated a committee meeting where participants hold a courteous debate on an agricultural issue. From left are contestants and EHS FFA students Cody Watkins, Amelia Mullis, Natalie Butler, Leigha Smith, and Justin Williams.

Deadline Nears For Leadership Programs

Farmers and high school students have until March 15 to apply for two leadership programs sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation.

Agricultural Leaders for Alabama (A.L.F.A.) is a two-year training program for agricultural professionals from age 25 to 45. Participants must be nominated by the county Farmers Federation president.

High school students ages 15-17 years old as of June 30 may apply for the Aspire Youth Leadership Conference, held July 12-14 in Columbiana. Other sponsors include Alabama Cattlemen's Association, Alabama Council of Cooperatives, Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, Alabama FFA and Alabama 4-H.

Applications for A.L.F.A. Leaders and the Aspire conference are available online at .

AAES Updates Website For Outlying Units

Fresh Opportunities For Alabama Produce

Guest column from AAES Outlying Units Director Dale Monks

The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) has revamped its website and updated information about outlying research stations.

AAES currently includes 15 units across the state conducting research on greenhouse culture, row crops, vegetables, fruit, cattle and forestry. While each unit provides research for specific commodities, all share the mission to work with research and Extension scientists in a way that ensures Alabama citizens have a safe, stable food and fiber supply.

See the new website and view a calendar of AAES outlying unit activities at .

On The Move In Ag

? Paul Patterson was named dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture Feb. 19. He served as an associate dean in the college for almost seven years.

? Madison County farmer Mike Tate was elected chairman of the American Cotton Producers in early February.

OBITUARIES

Joe Carothers Jr. of Dothan died Feb. 12. He was 77. Carothers was a past Houston County Farmers Federation president and former state representative.

Survivors include sons Robin Carothers (Jerri) and Merritt Carothers (Paula) and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Wiregrass Area Food Bank, 382 Twitchell Rd., Dothan, AL 36303.

Jack Goolsby of Florala died Jan. 29. He was 84. Goolsby was Covington County Farmers Federation president in the 1960s and `70s and served on the Alabama Peanut Producers Association board.

Survivors include his wife, Norma Riley Goolsby; son Al Goolsby (Sara); three grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Memorials may be made to Hopewell Methodist Church c/o Janet Twitty, 8484 T.E. Rodgers Rd., Laurel Hill, FL 32567.

The Alabama Farmers Federation joined other agriculture representatives at the 2016 Food Processing Expo Feb. 17-18 in Sacramento, California, to discuss new opportunities for fruit and vegetable processing and marketing in the state. From left are Gary Gray, Alabama Cooperative Extension System commercial horticulture agent; Tim Hamilton, ConAgra Foods procurement manager; and Rick Clifton, Covington County Economic Development Commission president.

Commodity Corner

Catfish As of March 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for catfish inspections. This means foreign catfish producers will have to meet the same standards as U.S. catfish farmers. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service now inspects 100 percent of imported farm-raised protein sources such as poultry, pork, beef and catfish to prevent importing products with substances banned in the U.S. -Rick Oates, division director

Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod; Horticulture

A recent National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) report showed horticulture operations sold $13.8 billion in floriculture, nursery and specialty crops in 2014. This is an 18-percent increase since 2009. View the report at HorticultureCensus.

-Mac Higginbotham, divisions director

Peanuts March is National Peanut Month and National Nutrition Month. The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) has planned a number of events to emphasize the nutritional value of peanuts. For details, visit or like the APPA Facebook page. -Caleb Bristow, division director

Cotton; Soybean; Wheat & Feed Grains The U.S. Senate Agriculture

Committee approved legislation March 2 which would provide permanent federal preemption of state GMO labeling laws. The bill is anticipated to move quickly to the U.S. Senate where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will schedule a floor vote in the near future.

-Carla Hornady, divisions director

Dairy The Alabama Dairy Producers and Southeast United Dairy Industry Association are sponsoring the Dairy U program on April 23. The event is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Stanley P. Wilson Beef Teaching Unit at Auburn University. Email bradybo@auburn.edu for a registration packet or more information. -Guy Hall, division director

Equine More than 2,500 people from four states attended the Alabama Horse Fair March 5-6 in Montgomery. Clinicians included Dan James of Australia; Lynn Swann of Florida and Taylor McIntosh of Alabama. State Equine Committee members participated in the trade show educating others about the division and benefits of Alabama Farmers Federation membership. -Nate Jaeger, division director

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THE CULTIVATOR is published monthly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Correspondence may be addressed to THE CULTIVATOR, Mary Johnson - Editor, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, AL 36191-0001.

Jurisdiction For WOTUS Lawsuits Decided

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Feb. 22 that it has jurisdiction to hear cases against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

The ruling by the three-judge panel based in Cincinnati has been viewed as a possible setback for industry groups and states that brought the lawsuits and argued the cases should be heard in district courts.

In an analysis, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) officials stated it is likely the 6th Circuit will rehear the WOTUS case. The AFBF analysis also said it presumes the previous temporary stay of the WOTUS rule remains in effect.

Last September, Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange joined 17 other states in asking for a nationwide stay of the WOTUS rule.

The WOTUS rule expands EPA's regulation of private lands by changing the interpretation of the Clean Water Act, which could lead to farmers needing permits for common practices.

Federation Supports Career Experience Event

Eighth-graders from nine southeast Alabama counties participated in the Wiregrass Works Career Experience Feb. 24-25 at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan. The Alabama Farmers Federation sponsored booths for farm safety and Fatal Vision, a drunk driving prevention program. From left are Federation Area 2 Organization Director Brad Cox; Federation Southeast Area Vice President George Jeffcoat and his wife, Gloria; and participating students.

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