“I'll “ I ' l l never n e v e r plant p l a n t another a n o t h e r variety variety of o f pinkeye p i n k e y e peas p e a s ifi f I can't c a n ' t have have Mississippi M i s s i s s i p p i Pinkeye P i n k e y e 2 .”. ” W RELEASE! NE Mississippi Pinkeye 2
UTILITY PATENT PROTECTED
Purplehull 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
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Seeds for Southern Soils
IN THIS ISSUE:
Editor-in-Chief: Samantha Carpenter Editor: Jessie Shook Contributing Editor: Jade Randolph Associate Editor: Mary Delph
pg. 34
CO-OP MATTERS 5 PRESS RELEASE: AFC Joins Sweet Grown Alabama as Founding Member 83rd Annual Membership Meeting Highlights: 34 Meeting Overview: Challenges and Triumphs 36 Keynote Speaker: “SEAL of God” 38 Sam Givhan Retirement 39 Manager of the Year 41 Breakfast Speaker: Simple Secrets to Success 43 Guest Program & Entertainment 44 Service Awards
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LIFE ON THE HOMEPLACE AND IN THE COMMUNITY 32 DIY Triple Chocolate Easter Bunny Dessert 58 Doshia’s at the Bank YOUTH MATTERS 23 4-H Extension Corner: Marion County Pet Show 26 FFA Sentinel: Importance of Agriculture Education 29 PALS: West Elementary School Joins Clean Campus Program On the Cover: 2019 E.P Garrett Manager of the Year, Lance Ezelle, Morgan County Farmers Co-op
OUR REGULARS Letter from the Editor................ 4
How’s Your Garden?................... 54
Ag Insight.................................... 10
Lawn and Garden Tips.............. 56
Business of Farming................... 13
The Herb Lady........................... 62
Feeding Facts ............................. 14
Simple Times.............................. 63
Product Spotlight........................ 16
The Magic of Gardening........... 65
On the Edge of Common Sense... 17
Howle’s Hints.............................. 67
From the State Vet’s Office......... 18
Food Safety................................. 70
Busy Bee Activities..................... 30
From Pastor to Pasture............... 73
From Wildlife & Freshwater
The Co-op Pantry....................... 76
Fisheries................................... 48 www.alafarm.com
What’s Happening in Alabama... 80
Advertising, Editorial, Subscription and Publication Offices 121 Somerville Road NE Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609-2227 256-308-1618
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AFC Board of Directors Rickey Cornutt, Brooks Hayes, Ben Haynes, Rick Hendricks, Jimmy Newby, Bill Sanders, Jeff Sims, Mike Tate Subscription $15 per year For subscription inquiries or change of address: P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227 or call 256-308-1623
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Wendy McFarland 334-652-9080 or email McFarlandAdVantage@gmail.com Cooperative Farming News is published monthly by Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. 121 Somerville Road NE, Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and will not be responsible for copy errors or misprints in advertising or editorial material, other than to publish corrections of errors in fact. Feature articles, news items and columns are published for the information of our readers from qualified, reputable sources; however, the editors and publisher make no guarantees and assume no liability for any reader’s decision to implement any procedure, recommendation or advice printed in this publication. Photos are credited to author unless otherwise noted. Advertised sale items may not be stocked by every Quality Co-op store and prices may vary.
www.alafarm.com Postmaster: Please send notice of address change (enclosing latest address label) to publication office: Cooperative Farming News P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609-2227
April 2020
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Letter from the Editor One of my favorite events happened recently – our Annual Membership Meeting. This year we celebrated Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc.’s 83rd year with co-workers, supporters and friends. Over 300 people gathered in Montgomery, Alabama to celebrate a successful year and look ahead at what’s next. While an event like this takes months to plan, it’s something we all take pride in. In this issue, you’ll read about many notable moments from AFC’s 83rd Annual Membership Meeting, including the year-in-review from AFC President & CEO, Rivers Myres. Myres mentioned that although we faced challenges this year, we overcame those obstacles by focusing on our strategy for success – people, partnerships and profit. We began the meeting with a dinner banquet celebrating retiring AFC Board Director, Sam Givhan. Mr. Givhan is a decorated Army veteran and served as an active AFC Director for 19 years. He is a vital asset to this organization, as made clear by the colleagues, friends and family who gathered to celebrate him. The meeting culminated the next day with the most anticipated event of the year, AFC’s Awards Banquet. Each year, one manager is awarded the E.P. Garrett Manager of the Year, based on a mathematical formula comprised of multiple qualifications. This year, Lance Ezelle of Morgan Farmers Cooperative had the honor, earning his feature on this month’s magazine cover. Ezelle’s career at AFC has come full circle – he began his employment in the AFC Management Trainee Program, working his way up to his current role as a General Manager, where he now has the opportunity to teach today’s future leaders. While we’re proud to share so much from our Annual Meeting with you, this issue is still packed with our regular features, including recipes and youth events. Next month, we’re gearing up for summer and sharing “BBQ across Alabama,” including one of my personal favorites here in North Alabama. Thank you for being a loyal reader, customer and part of the AFC family.
Samantha Carpenter Editor-in-Chief 4 Cooperative Farming News
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Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. Joins Sweet Grown Alabama as Founding Member MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. has joined Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s new agricultural branding program, as a Founding Member – the highest level of financial commitment. “AFC’s support of Sweet Grown Alabama is part of our commitment to better serving farmers in our state. We’re excited that this initiative will put a spotlight on Alabama agriculture,” said Rivers Myres, President and CEO of Alabama Farmers Cooperative. As a non-profit foundation, Sweet Grown Alabama relies on industry support to successfully market Alabama agricultural products. Funds will be utilized to encourage purchasing of locally grown products through traditional and digital marketing. Member farmers, restaurants and stores will be listed in an online searchable database coming spring 2020. “The Co-op has an excellent track record of serving not only Alabama’s agriculture community but also serving the state of Alabama as a whole,” said Rick
Pate, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and Sweet Grown Alabama Board President. “We are grateful they have seen value in the Sweet Grown Alabama program and know it will benefit not only our farmers but also benefit all of Alabama.” For more information on Sweet Grown Alabama, visit www.SweetGrownAlabama.org. To learn more about Alabama Farmers Cooperative, visit www.alafarm.com.
Alabama Farmers Cooperative President and CEO Rivers Myres with Ellie Watson, and Commissioner Pate
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DIRECTORY OF MEMBER COOPERATIVES ALBERTVILLE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of DeKalb Farmers Cooperative Mark Searels, Mgr. Phone 256-878-3261
FARMERS CO-OP OF ASHFORD Timothy Tolar, Mgr. Jerome Hinson, Asst. Mgr. Phone 334-899-3263
ALTHA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Blountstown - James Lynn, Mgr. Phone 850-674-8194
FARMERS COOPERATIVE, INC. Todd Lawrence, Gen. Mgr. Live Oak, FL - Barry Long, Ag Div. Mgr. Phone 386-362-1459 Madison, FL Phone 850-973-2269
ANDALUSIA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Russell Lassiter, Mgr. Phone 334-222-1851 ATMORE TRUCKERS ASSOCIATION Todd Booker, Mgr. Phone 251-368-2191 BLOUNT COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Eric Sanders, Mgr. Phone 205-274-2185 CALHOUN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Cherokee Farmers Cooperative Jacksonville - Tommy Thomas, Mgr. Phone 256-435-3430 Piedmont - Kevin Bobbitt, Mgr. Phone 256-447-6560 CENTRAL ALABAMA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Tim Wood, Gen. Mgr. Selma - Thomas Reeves, Mgr. Phone 334-874-9083 Faunsdale - Bryan Monk, Mgr. Phone 334-628-2681 Demopolis - Tom Eunice, Mgr. Phone 334-289-0155 CHEROKEE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Andrew Dempsey, Gen. Mgr. Seth Eubanks, Mgr. / Phone 256-927-3135 CLAY COUNTY EXCHANGE Jeff Kinder, Mgr. Phone 256-396-2097 COFFEE COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Enterprise - Ricky Wilks, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-347-9007 Elba - Colin Morris, Mgr. Phone 334-897-6972 COLBERT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Daniel Waldrep, Gen. Mgr. Leighton - Tommy Sockwell, Mgr. Phone 256-446-8328 Tuscumbia - Chuck Hellums, Mgr. Phone 256-383-6462 DEKALB FARMERS COOPERATIVE Larry Leslie, Gen. Mgr Rainsville - Andrea Crain, Mgr. Phone 256-638-2569 Crossville - David Tierce, Mgr. Phone 256-528-7188 ELBERTA FARMERS COOPERATIVE William D. Carlew, Mgr. Phone 251-986-8103 ELMORE COUNTY COOPERATIVE Branch of Taleecon Farmers Cooperative Timothy Richardson, Mgr. Phone 334-567-4321
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Cooperative Farming News
FARMERS COOPERATIVE MARKET Doug Smith, Gen. Mgr. Frisco City - William Womack, Mgr. Phone 251-267-3175 Fertilizer / Phone 251-267-3173 Leroy - Jeff Hughston, Mgr. Phone 251-246-3512 FAYETTE FARMERS CO-OP Branch of Marion County Cooperative Kellie Trull, Mgr. / Phone 205-932-5901 FLORALA FARMERS AND BUILDERS CO-OP Branch of Andalusia Famers Cooperative Pete Blackwell, Mgr. / Phone 334-858-6142 GENEVA COUNTY COOPERATIVE Hartford - Todd Smith, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-588-2992 GOSHEN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Danny Dewrell, Mgr. / Phone 334-484-3441 HEADLAND PEANUT WAREHOUSE CO-OP Jay Jones, Mgr. Chris Hix, Store Mgr. / Phone 334-693-3313 JACKSON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Madison County Cooperative Ramsey Prince, Mgr. Scottsboro - Phone 256-574-1688 Patricia Rorex, Mgr. Stevenson - Phone 256-437-8829 JAY PEANUT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Ryan Williams, Mgr. / Phone 850-675-4597 LAUDERDALE COUNTY COOPERATIVE Reggie Shook, Gen. Mgr. Florence - Robbie Neal, Mgr. Phone 256-764-8441 Elgin - Wendell Walker, Mgr. Phone 256-247-3453 LAWRENCE COUNTY EXCHANGE John Holley, Gen Mgr. Moulton - Greg McCannon, Mgr. Phone 256-974-9213 Courtland - Phone 256-637-2939 LIMESTONE FARMERS COOPERATIVE John Curtis, Gen. Mgr. / Phone 256-232-5500 Britt Christopher, Location Mgr. Giles County Co-op - Celena Williams, Mgr. Lynnville, TN - Kyle Doggett, Mgr. Phone 931-527-3923 Pulaski, TN / Phone 931-363-2563 LUVERNE COOPERATIVE SERVICES Perry Catrett, Mgr. / Phone 334-335-5082
MADISON COUNTY COOPERATIVE Keith Griffin, Gen. Mgr. Hazel Green - Phone 256-828-2010 Meridianville - Matt Dunbar, Mgr. Phone 256-828-5360 MARION COUNTY COOPERATIVE Steve Lann, Gen. Mgr. Hamilton - Phone 205-921-2631 MARSHALL FARMERS COOPERATIVE Brian Keith, Gen. Mgr. Holly Pond - Phone 256-796-5337 Arab - Adam Scott, Mgr. Phone 256-586-5515 MID-STATE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Talladega County Exchange Columbiana - Barry Keller, Mgr. Phone 205-669-7082 MORGAN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Lance Ezelle, Gen. Mgr. Hartselle - Bradley Hopkins, Mgr. Phone 256-773-6832 Decatur - Trevor Johnson, Mgr. Phone 256-353-4663 New Market Ag Supply - 256-379-2553 OPP’S CO-OP Branch of Andalusia Farmers Cooperative Brandon Bledsoe, Mgr. Phone 334-493-7715 PIKE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Troy - Wayne Ward, Mgr. Phone 334-566-3882 QUALITY COOPERATIVE, INC. Greenville - Daniel Salter, Mgr. Phone 334-382-6548 RANDOLPH FARMERS COOPERATIVE Tim Brown, Mgr. / Phone 256-357-4743 ST. CLAIR FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Talladega County Exchange Ashville - Allen Bice, Mgr. Phone 205-594-7042 Pell City - Joseph Taylor, Mgr. Phone 205-338-2821 TALEECON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Scott Hartley, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-257-3930 TALLADEGA COUNTY EXCHANGE Chris Duke, Gen. Mgr. Chris Elliott, Mgr. Phone 256-362-2716 TUSCALOOSA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Wayne Gilliam, Mgr. / Phone 205-339-8181 WALKER FARMERS COOPERATIVE Cody King, Mgr. / Phone 205-387-1142 WEST GENEVA COUNTY COOPERATIVE Branch of Geneva County Cooperative Robert Pittman, Mgr. / Phone 334-898-7932 WINSTON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Branch of Marion County Cooperative Haleyville - Jessica Steward, Mgr. Phone 205-486-3794
Quality Co-op: Specialty Products & Services For more information, contact your local Quality Co-op CatďŹ sh Filets All Year Albertville Farmers Co-op Altha Farmers Co-op - Blountstown Andalusia Farmers Co-op Atmore Truckers Association Blount County Farmers Co-op Calhoun Farmers Co-op - Piedmont Calhoun Farmers Co-op - Jacksonville Central AL Farmers Co-op - Selma Central AL Farmers Co-op - Faunsdale Central AL Farmers Co-op - Demopolis Cherokee Farmers Co-op Clay County Exchange Coffee County Farmers Co-op - Enterprise Coffee County Farmers Co-op - Elba Colbert Farmers Co-op - Tuscumbia DeKalb Farmers Co-op - Rainsville DeKalb Farmers Co-op - Crossville Elberta Farmers Co-op Elmore County Co-op Farmers Co-op Inc. - Live Oak, FL Farmers Co-op Inc. - Madison, FL Farmers Co-op Market - Frisco City Farmers Co-op Market - Leroy Fayette Co-op Florala Farmers & Builders Co-op Goshen Farmers Co-op
Pea Shelling Seasonal
Pecan Cracking
Seasonal
Propane All Year E&R
Seed Drills All Year
R
B B B B
R&E R&E R&E
B B B B B
R R S, E & R R&E R S&R S&R S&R
B B B B
S&R E S&R
B
Geneva County Co-op - Hartford Headland Peanut Warehouse Co-op Jackson Farmers Co-op - Scottsboro Jackson Farmers Co-op - Stevenson Jay Peanut Farmers Co-op Lauderdale County Co-op - Florence Lauderdale County Co-op - Elgin Lawrence Co. Exchange - Moulton Lawrence Co. Exchange - Courtland Limestone Farmers Co-op Giles County Co-op - Pulaski Giles County Co-op - Lynnville Luverne Cooperative Services Madison County Co-op Marion County Co-op Marshall Farmers Co-op - Arab Marshall Farmers Co-op - Holly Pond Mid-State Farmers Co-op Morgan Farmers Co-op - Decatur Morgan Farmers Co-op - Hartselle Opp’s Co-op Pike Farmers Co-op Quality Co-op Inc. St. Clair Farmers Co-op - Ashville St. Clair Farmers Co-op - Pell City Taleecon Farmers Co-op Talladega County Exchange Tuscaloosa Farmers Co-op Walker Farmers Co-op Winston Farmers Co-op www.alafarm.com
Peanuts All Year B B B
S&R B
B R R R
B
S&R E S&R B S&R B B B B B
S, E & R S&R R S S&R
Thanksgiving & Christmas season
All Year B *Alligator also sold
Peanuts: Raw B: Raw & Roasted
Propane: R = Recharge
S = Sell E = Exchange
April 2020
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Cooperative Farming News
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AG INSIGHT USDA sets goals for new industry initiative U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced the Agriculture Innovation Agenda, a departmentwide initiative to align resources, programs and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands. More specifically, USDA has said it will stimulate innovation so that American agriculture can achieve the goal of increasing production by 40% while cutting the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half by 2050. “This agenda is a strategic, departmentwide effort to better align USDA’s resources, programs, and research to provide farmers with the tools they need to be successful,” Perdue said. The first component of the Ag Innovation Agenda is to develop a U.S. ag-innovation strategy that aligns and synchronizes public and private sector research. The second component is to align the work of USDA’s customer-facing agencies and integrate innovative technologies and practices into USDA programs. The third component is to conduct a review of USDA productivity and conservation data. USDA already closely tracks data on yield, but on the environmental side, there’s some catching up to do. Finally, USDA has set accountability benchmarks. These targets will help measure progress toward meeting the food, fiber, fuel, feed, and climate demands of the future. Some of the benchmarks include: • Food loss and waste; • Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas; • Water quality, and; • Renewable energy.
Swine fever outbreak in China brings mixed results Although the rapid spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) across China decimated the world’s largest swine herd in 2019, it has created significant export opportunities for the U.S. pork industry. In the United States, recent industry expansion and low prices helped the industry export more pork to China, despite high retaliatory tariffs on U.S. pork. After the first cases of ASF in China were reported in August 2018, the virus spread to every province by mid-2019. Assessments by industry observers suggest the number of ASF outbreaks and losses of swine far exceeded officially reported numbers. As mentioned earlier, China’s swine herd was decimated—both by loss of infected animals as well as precautionary slaughter of entire herds by farmers worried their animals might soon be infected.
USDA has said it will stimulate innovation so that American agriculture can achieve the goal of increasing production by 40% while cutting the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half by 2050.
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Cooperative Farming News
BY JIM ERICKSON
Chinese government statistics showed a decline in swine inventory of more than 40% from a year earlier in October 2019, and pork output for the fourth quarter was down more than 30% from a year earlier. China’s National Bureau of Statistics estimated that a 97% increase in pork prices accounted for more than half of the 4.3-percent increase in China’s December 2019 consumer price index from a year earlier. High Chinese pork prices due to ASF losses, and relatively low U.S. pork prices due to processing-sector expansion, have created opportunities for mutually beneficial trade between China and the United States. In the absence of a cure for ASF or an effective vaccine against it—neither of which currently exists—sector recovery is likely to be slow and protracted. For 2020, USDA data and forecasts indicate China’s pork production will fall to 36 million metric tons (mmt), a decrease of more than 33% from the 54 mmt produced in 2018.
New laws deal with expanding hemp production After a hiatus of almost 45 years, the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill) reintroduced industrial hemp production in the United States through state pilot programs. Beginning in 2014, states with laws that allowed growth or cultivation of industrial hemp could establish a pilot program or conduct research on the crop. Production beyond the pilot programs was legalized in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). Under the pilot programs, United States industrial hemp acreage reported by states increased from zero in 2013 to over 90,000 acres in 2018, the largest U.S. hemp acreage since the 146,200 acres planted in 1943. The pattern of establishment and expansion of industrial hemp was influenced by existing infrastructure, public sector support, relative profitability of alternative enterprises, and ultimately market development and economic returns. After the pilot programs, acreage continued to expand with 146,065 acres of hemp reported as planted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency in 2019. By December 2019, hemp could be grown legally in every state except Idaho, Mississippi, and South Dakota. As with other crops, it is not likely that hemp will be economically viable in every state. Even if bar-
By December 2019, hemp could be grown legally in every state except Idaho, Mississippi, and South Dakota. riers to entry are low, growers are not likely to plant or process hemp if more profitable options exist. States that moved quickly to establish pilot programs were not leading producers of competing major field crops.
Latest census analysis confirms farm growth Agricultural production continued to move to larger farms, according to ERS analysis of the latest data from the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Over the last three decades, cropland has shifted from midsize (between 100 and 999 acres) to large operations with 2,000 or more acres in crops. In 1987, midsize farms operated 57% of cropland acres, while large farms operated 15% of all cropland. By 2017, the share of cropland operated by midsize farms had fallen to 33%, while the share operated by large farms had grown to 41% of all cropland. That shift occurred steadily over time, with the share of acreage operated by large farms increasing in every
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census from 1987 to 2017, including an increase from 36% of acres in 2012 to 41% of acres in 2017. The shift of acreage to larger operations has been widespread across nearly all crops. Major consolidation in livestock production continued to affect dairy, hog and egg production. In contrast, the cow-calf sector, along with associated pasture and rangeland, showed little consolidation.
Veterans’ diet quality less than average A recent study by USDA’s Economic Research Service found that veterans’ slightly lower diet quality is primarily due to them consuming a higher share of calories from added sugars and solid fats than demographically similar nonveterans. ERS researchers recently used self-reported food intake data to assess veterans’ diets and how their diets compare with those of nonveterans. The researchers found that, much like other Americans, veterans do not follow many of the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, jointly published every five years by USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Off-farm work more common for beginning operators Beginning farms tend to be smaller than established farms, and their operators are often younger and more likely to work off the farm, USDA’s Economic Research Service has found. A beginning farm or ranch is one in which all operators have had no more than 10 years of experience as a farm or ranch operator.
In 2017 … 67% of beginning farm principal operators worked off the farm, compared with 45% of established farm operators. 12
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Beginning farms and ranches accounted for 17% of all U.S. operations and 8% of the value of agricultural production between 2013 and 2017. Between 2013 and 2017, about a third (33%) of beginning farms produced at least $10,000 worth of output, compared with almost half of established farms (48%). Among farms with at least $10,000 in production, principal operators of beginning farms were 43 years old on average, compared with 63 years old on average for operators of established farms. Because beginning farms tend to be smaller than established farms, they require less farm labor and earn less net farm income. Consequently, members of beginning farm households are more likely to work off the farm. In 2017, the latest year for which data is available, 67% of beginning farm principal operators worked off the farm, compared with 45% of established farm operators. About 22% of beginning farm principal operators worked off the farm part time (1-199 days), compared with 15% of established farm operators. And 45% of beginning farm operators worked off the farm full time (200+ days), compared with 30% of established farm operators. The spouse of a beginning farm principal operator was also more likely to work off the farm. A spouse worked off the farm in 55% of beginning farm households, compared with 41% of established farm households between 2013 and 2017. Beginning farm households also tend to rely more on their off-farm income. Although beginning farm households earned almost as much total household income as established farms between 2013 and 2017, off-farm income represented a greater share of total income for beginning farms (77%) than for established farms (56%).
BUSINESS OF FARMING
BY JESSICA KELTON
The Farm Economy of 2020
Typically, at this time of year, we are all reading commodity forecasts for the upcoming season and trying to get a feel for what prices will be for this year’s crop. This is great and all, but a crap shoot, at best, particularly this year when there are so many uncertainties affecting the ag sector. So instead of focusing on prices we expect (or hope, or guess or pray) to get for specific crops, let’s look at the big picture: the farm economy in general. This, too, is just a forecast, but it gives you an idea of what growers may be facing regardless of what they are producing. What’s the USDA’s best guess for 2020? Here’s a quick rundown. Net cash farm income (not to be confused with net farm income) is expected to fall by roughly 10% mainly because less is expected in government payments. The other term, net farm income, a somewhat confusing measure of sales, expenses, depreciation and inventory, etc., etc., is expected to rise just a little above the historical average. This increase is due to an expected uptick in crop and livestock receipts. So, what’s all that mean? And is it good or bad news? And all good economists say - it depends. Increased commodity receipts are definitely a positive, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to higher prices. It could just be higher volume. As for decreased government payments, particularly by market facilitation program payment reduction, the goal is to see the payments phased out because the issue, in this case, of trade, is resolved and prices rebound. If trade agreements are honored and export markets return to pre-disagree-
ment years, then this decrease is not necessarily a negative. However, if export levels don’t return, then growers are stuck without the assistance of the payment or increased exports. Cost of production is forecast to increase; labor, feed, fertilizer, fuel, chemicals, pretty much everything, will cost more in 2020. There’s no real way to spin this as anything but less than ideal. Though, costs are still less than they were a few years ago, if that means anything. Farm debt and debt-to-asset ratio will potentially rise for the year as well, two numbers we’d rather see going down that may add to the growing number of bankruptcies that continue to be reported for the ag sector. Growth of the global economy also seems to be slowing for some countries (like India and China) which could dampen demand for US ag exports. In 2019, China’s economy grew at the lowest rate in roughly 30 years. While their economy isn’t contracting, a slowed pace as soon as we get a signed trade agreement in place isn’t the best piece of news. As a side note, it is February at the moment and coronavirus is still a major headline; we can only imagine what this has done to the Chinese economy. By the time you read this, we should have had the chance to see another WASDE report with supply and demand estimates as well as planting intentions for 2020. We can hold out hope that we see something positive that helps offset a lot of these negative economic indicators, which are in no short supply for 2020. April 2020
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FEEDING FACTS
Springtime Feeding How to manage feeding programs as the season changes
Springtime brings many changes to feeding programs and animal requirements. Hopefully most producers had enough hay to get through to the first good spring grass and your animals all wintered well. As temperatures warm up and grass becomes abundant, the way our animals are managed changes. There are still a number of things to consider while making management decisions concerning our livestock. First, as we look at the welcome signs of green grass 14
Cooperative Farming News
growing faster than our animals are able to mow it down, you need to consider that this early growth is really high in moisture and low in fiber. While these plants are usually very nutritious, until they mature, the amount of water they contain, coupled with the lack of fiber, allows them to pass through the animal so quickly that their true value will not be received. One way to offset that is to offer your animals some decent hay to slow down the rate of passage through the digestive tract, allowing
B Y J I M M Y PA R K E R
the animal’s system to take in more of the valuable nutrients contained in the grass that they are eating. The animals won’t eat much hay, but each mouthful they eat will pay dividends and cut down on the wasted nutrients passing through the digestive tract. As I mentioned in an earlier article, 65 percent of our nation’s calves are born in the spring. It is an even higher percentage when sheep and goats are considered. At any rate, most of the productive females in our ruminant herds and flocks have given birth and are lactating. This will have a huge impact on their nutrient requirements. Thankfully, the nutrient levels in the grass this time of year are about as good as they ever will be and should cover most of those needs. Extremely high-producing individuals may need some supplemental protein or energy as the grass matures; but in most cases, they can eat enough high-quality grass to produce milk and hopefully regain any weight that was lost during the winter. Generally, the season for grass tetany is in our rearview mirrors and fading, so high mag minerals won’t be as important as they were a few weeks ago. However, as most cow herds that spring calve will soon be looking at breeding season, it is the wrong time to skimp on mineral supplementation. Changing from a high mag mineral to one that is more highly fortified with minerals and vitamins, especially the fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E, is extremely important. It will help you maintain a high percentage of calf crop and add dollars to your bottom line. Making sure that your breeding herd has a good vitamin and mineral program is essential in the weeks leading up to your breeding
season are as important, if not more important, than any other time of year. Internal parasites are also a factor, especially as we have warm wet days. This time of year is highly favorable to stomach worms which can be costly for all ruminants but especially sheep and goats. Stomach worms are foreign invaders in our animal’s system and as such, they will bring about an immune response. While research has shown that each species (and even each breed within a species) will react differently to parasite infestations, the common ground is that they all will react with an immune system response. While those responses are highly varied, we should keep in mind that an immune response requires protein, energy, vitamins and minerals. Making sure that our animals are absorbing adequate nutrients will also help them fight off a parasite load through an enhanced immune response. In some cases an additional source of protein and energy may be lifesaving, especially in the small ruminant herd and flock. Hopefully, April will bring great weather and abundant forages. Warm sunshine coupled with good rainfall will bring spring flowers and lots of grass for your livestock. They will need plenty of nutrients as the majority move toward peak lactation and the cow herd gets ready to get rebred. It is not the time to skimp on vitamins and minerals as they are critical all year, but especially as breeding season approaches. Also keep in mind that the addition of a roll or two of hay to the pastures with the young tender grasses will help your livestock get a great deal more from the grasses they are eating.
You need to consider that this early growth [of grass] is really high in moisture and low in fiber. While these plants are usually very nutritious, until they mature, the amount of water they contain, coupled with the lack of fiber allows them to pass through the animal so quickly that their true value will not be received.
April 2020
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
BY JOHN SIMS
Horizon EQUI-LYX Horizon EQUI-LYX is a nutritional supplement for horses. It is formulated to work with the forages in the Southeast to maximize nutrient intake, digestion, and performance. Precise levels of protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals (including chelated trace minerals) have been encapsulated in molasses to ensure your horse gets what they need in every lick. Moisture has been removed using a patented process that ensures palatability and consistent consumption. Complete nutrition available 24 hours a day!! Available in three convenient sizes: • 40# flat back bucket • 60# tub • 200# tub
To find a Quality Co-op store near you, go to www.alafarm.com. 16
Cooperative Farming News
ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE
B Y B A X T E R B L A C K , DV M
Cowboy Vegetarian Cookbook When beef gets short, a lot of cowboys are forced to do without. The cook must come up with meatless meals. The following recipes are from the Cowboy Vegetarian Cookbook. TENNIS SHOE TONGUE: Select an old one. The price is better and it may have picked up some natural flavor depending on where it has been worn. Boiling is suggested but it may also be fried to a crisp and served on a bed of marinated sweat shirt. Garnish with pickled shoe string. SEED CORN CAP PIZZA: Carefully clean with a fish scaling knife. Remove all metal buttons, rivets and any plastic tabs. Flatten the cap by soaking in linseed oil then placing it underneath a door mat that gets heavy use. Once pliable, cover it with lots of cheese and ketchup. Dry kibbles or dust motes may be sprinkled as a topping for variety.
MEADOW HAY SALAD: Choose a bale toward the middle of the stack. Break the bale being careful to remove any plastic twine. Take a flake and winnow it over the garage floor. Then chop the stems with a heavy blunt utensil like a bucket or hoe. For dressing, pound a kumquat-sized piece of 17% protein block on a flat surface and add vinegar. Croutons chipped from corn cobs or diced styrofoam may be tossed in. Feed whatever is left to the cows. FAN BELT FAJITAS: The most succulent fan belt can be found on old farm equipment molding in your boneyard. It should be sliced into bite-sized chunks. Tenderize before cooking by soaking in fingernail polish remover. Fry in lard along with half a hatful of 3/4 inch black plastic hose and shredded playing cards. Serve with beer and jalapeños. It tastes a lot like abalone. RAWHIDE STEW: Ever wondered what to do with those old reins, quirts or saddle tree bark? This recipe has been tried and tested from ancient Mongolians right up through Donner Pass. Place the strips of rawhide in a pot and boil for as many weeks as the firewood holds out. What you add to the stew depends on what’s available: i.e., pine cones, hoof trimmings, iron pyrite or old hat brims. It’s filling but don’t expect much more. ROASTED KAK: Ever eat a saddle? Some parts are edible. Dig a hole big enough to bury a small mule. Burn elm, cottonwood and old tires to get a bed of coals. Wrap the saddle in a plastic tarp (blue), place it on the coals and cover with dirt. Cook for hours on end. Dig up and serve with baked faucet washers. Feeds up to two truckloads of hungry cowboys. That should give you an idea of what you can do when you run out of beef at the ranch. There are many other Cowboy Vegetarian recipes like Latigo Jerky, Gunstock Paté and Smokin’ Joe’s Copenhagen Torte, but this should get you started. www.baxterblack.com
March April 2020
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FROM THE STATE VET’S OFFICE
The Possible Burger
In my position as State Veterinarian, husband, dad, son, and brother I would say that I enjoy most every day and what I get to be a part of. I am honored, proud and often humbled to work with people invested in animal agriculture along with the many good people here at the Department of Agriculture. There is, however, the occasional thing that I encounter that troubles me or maybe even causes irritation. For example, it troubles me that there are 10 hot dog wieners in a package and only eight hot dog buns in a package. It irritates me that some people do not take their shopping carts to the shopping cart rack in the Walmart parking lot. They have just walked 10 miles up and down the aisles looking at every brand of cereal and can’t walk the 10 to 20 feet to the cart rack! Then there is the rare issue that to be honest sometimes I get downright mad about. A few weeks ago, Commissioner Pate gave me an article from a magazine that he thought I might find interesting. The information coming out of this article did leave me in this emotional state of being pretty up18
Cooperative Farming News
set and so I’ve decided to discuss it here. A side note might be advisable to add that I am aware of the Bible verse that says I can be angry but sin not! The article was about the founder and CEO of the Impossible Foods that has marketed the recently advertised Impossible Burger. I will say from the git go that it seems the intent of the author was to just report on this individual’s attempt to develop alternative protein food sources, reduce greenhouse gases from the earth and the marketing strategies to pull this off. We have talked before about the fact that the world’s population will approach nine to 10 billion people by the year 2050 and that food production systems will need to double. Developing alternative sources of protein is certainly admirable along with enhancing existing livestock production systems. Things like genetic selections for increased feed efficiency of feeder calves and dairy cows that produce more pounds of milk per animal, feed sources that are drought-tolerant and insect-resistant, and mapping the genome se-
BY DR. TONY FRAZIER
quence of cattle and chickens to map those resistant Now friends I’m not an alarmist and everyone is ento diseases like E. coli 015H7 and Avian Influenza. It titled to their opinions and if you want to eat a veggie is certainly in style today to talk about global warm- thing that sort of looks like a hamburger, I guess that’s ing and climate change as if that were in our control. your choice. But the underlying intent of the founder of We humans must, according to the book I mentioned the Impossible Burger is not about alternative protein above, take care of this planet God has given us charge sources or choosing to not eat meat. It is a misguided over. However, the culprit or bad guy in this discussion mindset that climate change is due almost entirely to is NOT cows passing gas from either end as methane animal agriculture systems that must be eliminated. causing the greenhouse effect on the earth. These is- To me this seems more like terrorism. sues were discussed at the recent Alabama Farmers I know this article seems more dark than usual, Federation Commodity Conference during the Beef but I think this needs to be talked about. Livestock Committee session. And the discussion was held the and poultry producers need to be aware that there are right way with real scientists presenting facts about highly educated, highly motivated, well-funded individthe impact of livestock on the uals that would like to eliminate environment and fake meat livestock for food. No livestock and taking questions from the means no livestock producers The writer states, refaudience. which means no need for liveerencing the founder of Now back to the troubling stock veterinarians or state vetarticle. The author makes erinarians like me. Impossible Foods, “By many seemingly factual stateSo, what do we do? The proments on his own but doesn’t ducer now more than ever must developing plant-based give sources and uses content be on the offense. This means beef, chicken, pork, that makes no sense. For exbeing members of the Cattleample, he states, “Meat is esmen’s Association, ALFA, BQA lamb, dairy and fish, he sentially a huge check written and staying as educated as posintends to wipe out all against the depleted funds of sible. Develop a herd/flock plan our environment,” and that “a with your veterinarian for things animal agriculture and recent Finnish study found like a record-keeping system for that, across a twenty-two-year vaccinations, deworming, pregdeep-sea fishing span, devoted meat-eaters nancy status, antibiotic usage by 2035.” were 23% more likely to die.” and my soap box, animal ID for Which implies that the rest of traceability. Be very aware that the population that didn’t eat everyone has a cellphone that meat were not going to die! How goofy is that? But the takes very good pictures and videos of dead cattle not real frustration and scary part is over his comments properly disposed of. Have a plan for disposal of normal about the founder of the Impossible Burger himself and mortalities. Know the genetics of your herd as much as that person’s opinion of animal agriculture. The writer possible and what they are being fed and feed efficienstates, referencing the founder of Impossible Foods, cy. Manage pastures, take soil samples, fertilize accord“By developing plant-based beef, chicken, pork, lamb, ingly. All these things are probably common-sense pracdairy and fish, he intends to wipe out all animal agri- tices that most of you already do. But be ready to give an culture and deep-sea fishing by 2035.” He quotes the account of how you manage your livestock to someone founder as to how he would do this as “Legal econom- that wants to eat an Impossible Burger. ic sabotage.” And more quotes like “We plan to take One last comment about the founder of this. He is a a double-digit portion of the beef market within five biochemist who has extracted the compounds of meat years, and then we push that industry which is fragile in a hamburger and put them back together with plants and has low margins, into a death spiral. Then we can and soy and yeast proteins. It has genetically modified just point to the pork industry and the chicken industry compounds, and while that doesn’t bother me too much, and say, ‘You’re next!’” and finally, “We’re just trying to that’s why it’s labeled the Impossible Burger. Me personremove the economic incentive for covering the earth ally, I don’t want to eat an Impossible Burger, I want to with livestock.” eat a Possible Burger that I know what is in it, BEEF! April 2020
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Cooperative Farming News
Spr g
S e 6 pack veggies & 6 pack flowers
4 for $10 th April 1 - 11 at participating co-ops
Assorted veggies, herbs, and flowers. Selections may vary..
SINCE 1918
www.BonniePlants.com www.Alafarm.com April 2020
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Cooperative Farming News
4-H EXTENSION CORNER
Emily Sink with Sassy.
B Y C A R O LY N D R I N K A R D
Marion County Pet Show
Pets parade to help 4-H Everybody loves a pet show, so when the Marion County 4-H Extension Service announced their annual show, they had an amazing response. Joining with Hamilton’s Tractor Supply Company to sponsor the show and to support the annual Clover Campaign, the Marion County 4-H’ers began their preparation for this popular event. The show began four years ago after students expressed an interest in showing their pets.
Smallest Dog: (l to r) 1st: Hope Mitchell with Ace; 2nd: Marlie Pennington with Lilly; 3rd: Kylee Sprinkle with Jack.
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This year, the show was filled with dogs, cats and rabbits. In the past, some students had shown unusual pets, like fish, small birds, a parrot and even a bearded dragon. Only pets that could be purchased in a pet store were allowed, which eliminated wildlife and farm animals. The show featured many different categories, such as a costume contest for the smallest, largest and most unusual dog, cat or rabbit. All of these animals had to be at least one year old. The Pet Show had 32 contestants with 25 owners, as some youngsters brought multiple animals. Most owners also dressed in costumes to present their animals. From the moment that Brody Wood got the information about the show, he was excited. Brody, a fifth-grader at Hackleburg Elementary School, looked online with his dog, Murphy, to find just the right costumes for both of them. After finding a “prisoner” outfit for Murphy, Brody decided that he and his brother would dress as policemen to “guard” Murphy. “I saw all kinds of costumes at the show,” Brody explained, “but I was very proud of Murphy. He loved his costume, and it was a fun day to spend with my best friend!”
Cat Division: (l to r) 1st Place Costume Contest and Smallest Cat: Alyssa Jones with Luna; 1st Place Largest and Most Unusual Cat: Taylor Hawkins with Yeti.
The choices of costumes were both creative and entertaining. For example, one rabbit was a scary dinosaur, while some pooches donned bumble bee, lion, unicorn and princess outfits. One pup paraded as a banana split and another, a pumpkin. Spectators saw Curious George,
Dog Costume: ( l to r) 1st: Noah Wood and Brody Wood with Murphy as a prisoner; 2nd: Emily Sink (the good witch) with Sassy, the princess; 3rd: Angel Gibson with Jasper as Curious George; Ava Bellew, with Chief as a UPS delivery driver.
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Cooperative Farming News
Rabbit Division: 1st in Largest and Most Unusual Rabbit: Hannah Robinson with Ginger; 1st in Costume and Smallest Rabbit Category: Lily Swartz with Judy Hops Right.
Wonder Woman and even a UPS driver go by. One fancy feline slinked by as a taco. The costumes were original and quite unique, something that pleased the audience immensely. Dr. Melissa Shotts and Lynn Trulove served as the judges for the colorful parade of pets and their young masters. A large crowd enjoyed the festivities, while supporting Marion County’s 4-H members. Many other 4-H members from all over Marion County came to help in other ways. They volunteered to make the show run smoothly. For example, some 4-H’ers led games for younger students, painted faces, helped to set up and take down the show and registered guests. The Tractor Supply parking lot was filled with spectators enjoying the excitement. Both businesses and individuals stepped up to support this event. The Winfield Bottling Company donated banners for the 4-H Youth Council to decorate for the show. The Marion County Extension Staff also helped to get everything ready for the show. Samuel Sutton and Karlee Hardin took many photos, which can be found on Facebook and Instagram. The Hamilton Tractor Supply Company staff not only allowed the students to hold their Pet Show at their store but they also pitched in to help in so many other ways. Hope Mitchell, a senior at Hackleburg High School, was one of the contestants. “I participated because I love animals and meeting new people,” she explained. “4-H has blessed me with so many opportunities throughout high school. I encourage everyone to join.“
Lizzie Lockhart with Governor, dressed as a bumblebee.
Rebecca Danley, the 4-H Foundation Regional Extension Agent for Marion County, expressed her appreciation to all who helped to make this event a big success. “Kids want to come out and show off their pets,” she stated. “This show gave them that opportunity and provided entertainment for their families and friends. We hope to continue this tradition for years to come!”
April 2020
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FFA SENTINEL
Importance of Agriculture Education in Schools and My Life An essay by Brantley FFA member Meg Mount
Meg and other Brantley FFA members take great pride in promoting agriculture to younger students. The chapter participates in several activities each year to promote agriculture and leadership to local elementary students.
It’s challenging within itself to address any kind of inquiry. One that particularly stands out to me is the importance of agriculture in education. The question I am addressing is, “With school systems discontinuing agriculture classes, how can one promote and secure a place for agriculture in education?” Much like “Home Economics,” agriculture classes, if not secured, will become extinct. At Brantley High School, every seventh grade student has to have an agriculture class. On the first day of class, the teacher, Mr. Mark Andrews, asks, “Did you rely on agriculture to get to school today?” The majority of the class answers, “No.” There are very few who know what the true definition of agriculture is and the 26
Cooperative Farming News
important role it plays in their life. Natural Geographic defines it as, “the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock. It includes the preparation of plant and animal products for people to use and their distribution to markets.” Through my school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, now known as the National FFA Organization, we aspire to inform young minds about the importance of agriculture and what part it plays in their lives. This program helped to inform even myself. I had no idea the amount of wonder and adventure that lay in this career field. There are jobs for everyone through this broad field. You can be a farmer, biological engineer, teacher, forester and many, many more.
MEG MOUNT
In the FFA organization, students can compete in a large variety of events. There are Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Development Events (LDEs). Personally, I have competed in the Quiz Bowl, Forestry and Poultry events. Quiz Bowl is an event where the students have to learn facts about FFA and all aspects of agriculture. The facts can range from scientific names of animals, current officers, plant science, etc. They take a knowledge exam and advance into buzzer rounds to determine the winners. Forestry, on the other hand, is a very complex event. The students take a general forestry knowledge exam that contains safety, equipment, charts and many different forestry facts. Then, the students go into the woods and complete tree identification, diameter at breast height Brantley FFA members work diligently to bring awareness of farm safety each year. This creative display, set up with timber volume, compass with at the local Co-op, is just one way they advertise the importance of safety during National Farm Safety Week. degrees, tree evaluation, and many other aspects of evaluating timber. I have competed hold in my heart forever. My FFA Adviser has become in this event at the District, State and National level. like a father figure to me and my fellow officers are like State level was more advanced than District, and Na- my brothers and sisters. I would recommend becoming involved in FFA or tionals was more advanced than State. The National level of competition was held in Indianapolis, Indiana. any other agriculture-related organizations to anyone Our team raised enough money to take the trip with all who asked my opinion. FFA not only benefits the stuexpenses paid. This experience was incomparable to dents who want to follow the agriculture pathway, but even those who do not. People need to know where the anything else I have accomplished in my life. The poultry event has thrown me for a loop this food they eat for every meal comes from. People need to past year. Chickens and all things poultry can have know where the clothes they wear on their backs come a variety of different depictions and the judges have from. Without educating the public, what happens when different opinions than the contestants. Like the other agriculture fades? When people stop getting the necesevents, there is a general knowledge exam first. Then, sary food and other goods they need to survive? The United States Department of Agriculture has an you have to evaluate egg quality, evaluate female and male chickens, identify parts of the chicken, evaluate initiative entitled “Know your farmer, know your food.” cooked chicken quality, etc. At the State level, there Below the title, there was a statement that stood out to are more parts added that challenge the students to me, “Every family needs a farmer. Do you know yours?” achieve greater study habits and also help teach them In school, we are taught the importance of agriculture, but to me, there is something far more important that to pay more attention to detail. FFA and agriculture have both played a very import- is often overlooked and that is the farmer. Without the ant role in molding me into the young woman I am today. farmer, there would be no agriculture industry. Every Without them, I definitely would not have the knowledge, farmer plays a crucial part in the community, even the experiences, or even friends that I have today. I have met small farmers that feed just their family. By the year 2050, the population is expected to so many different people with different interests that have become some of my very close friends that I will reach nine billion. Which means food production will April 2020
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have to increase by 100%. How will we reach the food demands if the public does not even know where their food comes from? We must educate the public and let them see the benefits of farming. It is our responsibility as citizens to strive to make this world a better place. With an increasing global population, a decreasing amount of land available for food production and with less than 2% of the U.S. population directly involved in production agriculture, there is no time like the present to strive to educate the public about agriculture and farming practices. It cannot be stated enough how crucial it is for more people to understand agriculture and not be influenced by common misconceptions. There is no doubt that the general public needs to be more knowledgeable about agriculture, as well as more aware of just how much it impacts all of our lives. “I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds.” This quote from E.M.
Tiffany was written with a purpose, and that purpose was to encourage FFA members to keep believing in what the future holds for them. Being in FFA, which is an agricultural-based organization, you learn that agriculture is the largest industry in the world, but if you are not willing to work for it, it will fall. I’m sure each and every one of Mr. Andrews’s students can remember and can answer the “Is agriculture important? Why or why not?” question on the first test in our agriculture class. Little did we know just how important that question is. I challenge you to now answer that question yourself. Ask yourself also, how can you inform others about your opinion? How can you promote agriculture and secure its place in schools? I know the struggles and hardships you have to go through to inform the public, but I will never give up trying to inform and inspire those around me because I believe in the future of agriculture; I believe in the future of the world.
About the Essay Writer holding various officer positions have made me develop many skills and grow into the young adult I am today.
Reason for writing the essay:
My name is Megan Mount and I’m from Brantley, Alabama. FFA and agriculture both play very significant roles in my life. Before I was in the seventh grade and able to officially join my local FFA chapter, I was involved indirectly because of my sister. She was a prepared public speaker. Mr. Mark Andrews, my FFA advisor, has been a family friend since before my sister and I were even born. With this, I’ve always had a deeply rooted attachment to FFA and agriculture. When I joined FFA in the seventh grade, the passion for this career field and all that it encompasses ignited inside me. Competing in different events and 28
Cooperative Farming News
Being a senior in high school, you are encouraged to apply for every scholarship that is available to you. When applying for the Jimmy Rane scholarship, there was a space meant for the applicant to address an adventurous inquiry in 1,000 words or more. The topic was very broad, but I knew that agriculture in education held a very important place in my heart. Agriculture education completely changed my life and the thought of children today possibly not having the opportunity to have all the learning experiences that Agriculture education has to offer greatly concerns me. I mentioned my advisor several times in my essay and addressed topics that hold a special place in his heart as well as mine. Showing him my essay really touched him. Knowing the role he plays in my life and the impact his guidance has had on me made him realize his worth to his students as a teacher and advisor. He has and continues to make a positive impact on generations of students that is immeasurable. He then proceeded to send my essay out to a few other agriculturally employed cohorts. Now, it is published because of my passion, my extraordinary advisor, and the resources we have established throughout our community and organization.
PALS
BY JAMIE MITCHELL
West Elementary School Joins Clean Campus Program West Elementary in Cullman County is new to the Clean Campus Program for the 2019-2020 school year. The Student Government Association is heading up the program for the school and is excited to get their student body involved! The SGA has big plans to participate in local community cleanups, as well as beef up their recycling on campus. They also plan to enter our scrapbook competition in the fall to show off all the hard work they have done. On a recent visit to West Elementary, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Student Government Association and helping them understand the program better. I also spoke to the entire student body so they will understand the Clean Campus Program’s objectives and why it is important to tackle the litter problem in our state. The students really seemed to understand that not only is litter ugly and can harm animals, but litter can also cost us a lot of money thanks to the new litter laws in the state. The minimum fine for littering in the state has increased from $500 to $1,000… littering is definitely not worth it! Would a school near you benefit from hearing about the Clean Campus Program? If so, have them give me
a call or email at (334) 263-7737 or jamie@alpals.org. As always, the Clean Campus Program is available at no cost to schools thanks to our corporate sponsors. Litter prevention truly is key to a clean and beautiful future for Alabama’s youth!
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Busy Bee Activities
Did You Know? Broilers - young chickens raised for meat - are Alabama’s top agricultural commodity. 30
Cooperative Farming News
April 2020
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DIY Triple Chocolate Easter Bunny Dessert We’re hopping right along into the spring season, and my heart has been thumping over all of the beautiful new green foliage, gorgeous pastel-colored flowers and the brisk cool morning air. Spring has always felt so refreshing to me, and seeing what has withered away regain new life and come into bloom is such a testament to the beauty of the season. We built our home in a very wooded area, and each morning our yard comes to life with beautiful creatures and critters coming out to play in the blanket of morning dew on our lawn. My two girls have grown particularly fond of the wild rabbits we have that wrinkle their noses as they munch on the Bahia grass. We are big fans of the Easter bunny, and my daughters giggle with delight each time they see the store shelves flooded with those cuddly stuffed bunny rabbits and giant packs of pastel-colored eggs. Those funny little bunnies in our yard served as the inspiration for this fun triple chocolate Easter bunny dessert that we will be serving with our lunch after Easter services this year, and everything needed to make this little dessert come to life came from the dollar store! Your local dollar store can be a gold mine when it comes to finding simple decor to set the table with, and in this particular case, even creating a delectable dessert to celebrate the season! I picked up a few packs of terracotta pots and painted them white using a food-safe acrylic paint. I also found a pack of plastic plant labels and grass-shaped cupcake liners to trim and use as the sprigs of grass in the pot. The dessert itself is very simple, and all of the ingredients can also be picked up from the dollar store. Here’s what you’ll need to get started: 32
Cooperative Farming News
• Terracotta pots • 1 box chocolate cake mix - prepared according to package instructions • 1 package cream-filled chocolate cookies • 1 package chocolate pudding mix - prepared • 1 package each, jumbo and miniature marshmallows • 1 small tube vanilla frosting • Pink food gel or edible ink marker to make the feet
Before you begin assembling the desserts, make sure your chocolate cake is cooked and cooled and your pudding is prepared. The first layer of the dessert is made of crushed-up cookies. I found that leaving one cookie whole in the bottom and adding 2 crushed cookies on top of it was plenty. The whole cookie blocks the hole in the bottom of the terracotta pot so that none of the dessert falls out of the bottom.
Add a few spoonfuls of crumbled chocolate cake, followed by a layer of chocolate pudding and top with a final layer of chocolate cake.
Next, add one jumbo marshmallow in the center. Cut one more jumbo marshmallow in half and add a paw print to each one. Place each paw underneath the jumbo marshmallow. Add a small amount of vanilla frosting to one miniature marshmallow and secure it to the top of the jumbo marshmallow to act as a cotton tail. Finally, add a few sprigs of paper grass or a little sign if desired!
DIY Triple Chocolate Easter Bunny Dessert
Author: Southern Made Simple Serves: 6 Ingredients 1 box chocolate cake mix - prepared according to package instructions and crumbled 1 box chocolate pudding - prepared according to package instructions 1 package cream-filled chocolate cookies - crumbled Jumbo and miniature marshmallows 1 pink food-grade edible ink marker Vanilla frosting Instructions 1. Layer crumbled cookies into the bottom of each terracotta pot (tip: add a whole cookie to the bottom first to cover the bottom hole so crumbs don’t fall out) 2. Layer a small handful of crumbled chocolate cake mix 3. Layer 2-3 heaping spoonfuls of chocolate pudding 4. Layer more crumbled chocolate cake mix to act as the “top soil” 5. Add one jumbo marshmallow to the center of each pot 6. Cut one jumbo marshmallow in half and draw feet onto the smooth sides and place beneath jumbo marshmallow 7. Dip the end of one miniature marshmallow into vanilla frosting and attach to jumbo marshmallow to act as tail 8. Garnish with additional decorations such as sprigs of fake grass or plastic gardening picks 9. Enjoy! (Leftovers should be refrigerated.) This dessert is perfect for little hands to help create, and it makes for a perfect chocolaty treat to share during Easter celebrations at church, school or as a special dessert any day of the week. This curious little bunny definitely has the right idea when it comes to digging head first into a pot overflowing with chocolate goodness. If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate the Easter season with a sweet little treat, grab your spoon and bottoms up! April 2020
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83rd Annual Membership Meeting Highlights 2019’s
Challenges and Triumphs
BY MARY CATHERINE GASTON
AFC President and Chief Executive Officer Rivers Myres put all of 2019’s ups and downs into perspective as he began his report. “It’s true that 2019 was one of our most challenging years yet, but we were prepared because of our focused efforts as a team,” Myres said. “We rose above the challenges, accomplished our goals, and I am confident in our strategy for success.” Myres went on to assert his belief that AFC has “the right people in the right places, and we’re doing the right thing.” A good business plan, he said, is nothing without the people to make it happen. Following his report, Myres presented the 2019 President’s Award to 22 Cooperative store managers who finished the year with positive local earnings and net margin to sales equal to or greater than 1.5 percent. Thomas Hallin, AFC’s Chief Financial Officer, set the tone as he opened the meeting with the 2019 financial report. “Although 2019 was a challenging year, AFC’s financial position continues to be one of enormous strength,” Hallin said. “In fact, 2019 may prove 34
Cooperative Farming News
to be one of the most financially successful years for AFC yet.” Each division’s 2019 challenges and triumphs were highlighted in video reports from division leaders. Bonnie Plants lost distribution at Walmart and Home Depot stores. However, Bonnie’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Sutterer explained that the division’s leadership took the opportunity to look at every aspect of the business and focus on improving for 2020. As a result, Sutterer explained, new initiatives are in place, and Bonnie re-
“It’s true that 2019 was one of our most challenging years yet, but we were prepared because of our focused efforts as a team,” Myres said.
gained its market at all Home Depot stores nationwide for 2020. While flooding on major U.S. river systems wreaked havoc on grain transport in 2019, AFC’s Grain Division managed to finish the year with a net profit and complete construction of a new bin in Guntersville that increases storage capacity by 150,000 bushels. Another division that triumphed in spite of adversity in 2019 was the Frank Currie Gin. Late season rain resulted in a difficult harvest and the ginning of more wet cotton than Ron Bailey has seen since he assumed leadership of the operation in 2001. To add insult to injury, a fire in a seed warehouse resulted in additional losses. Still, the Gin topped its 2018 sales by over $1 million and ginned 7,500 more bales of cotton than in the previous year.
A difficult labor market, increased imports and an onerous regulatory environment made it apparent to the leaders of SouthFresh that operation of its Eutaw catfish processing plant was no longer sustainable. Though SouthFresh stepped out of the processing business, a third party stepped in to lease the facility and retained all 170 employees with no transitional downtime and no lapse of service to the region’s catfish farmers. SouthFresh will continue its feed mill operations and looks forward to promising new ventures, particularly in equine nutrition. While challenges abounded in 2019, Agri-AFC Chief Operating Officer Chris Casey reported that 2019 was one of the division’s most successful years to date. With a profit of $390 million last year, Agri-AFC was able to provide 84 percent of patronage distributed to AFC member cooperatives and bring online a 24-hour, manless fertilizer terminal, simultaneously increasing efficiency and decreasing loading times at the Decatur location. Following the business meeting, Board of Directors Chairman David Womack reiterated the sentiment he had expressed in his report to the members. “The staff and leadership of this organization continue to amaze me,” Womack said, referring to his experience as board chairman over the past two years. “When you boil it all down, this is farmers working for farmers to make us all more productive and more prosperous.” A native of Fort Deposit, Alabama, Mary Catherine Gaston is a freelance writer based in Americus, Georgia.
Rivers Myres presented the 2019 President’s Award to 22 Cooperative store managers.
April 2020
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“SEAL of God” Chad Williams Inspires AFC Leaders with Message Straight from the SEAL Creed BY MARY CATHERINE GASTON
On his last mission in Iraq, Chad Williams and his fellow Navy SEALs found themselves betrayed by the very Iraqi soldiers they had befriended, trained and trusted during the chaotic interval between the bloody second and third battles of Fallujah. The operation plan was fairly straightforward: the SEALs and their Iraqi counterparts were to enter the hellish center of the War on Terror, where Americans were as vehemently hated as they were relentlessly hunted. Once there, the team were to locate and capture a prolific, local bombmaker. They knew their target and proceeded with characteristic confidence to complete their task. Williams recalls thinking that this last mission was all that stood between him and the crashing waves of the Pacific coast near his home in Southern California. Perhaps he was envisioning himself there, riding the surf, as his armored vehicle passed the roadside sign pointing the way into Fallujah. Though he had never paid it any prior attention, that evening, perched in the vehicle’s turret, the sign shook him from his pleasant preparations. For as Williams caught a glimpse of the sign from the corner of his eye, he was struck with the realization that his friend and fellow SEAL, Scott Helvenston, likely laid eyes on that very landmark as he made his final, fateful entry into Fallujah two years earlier. Helvenston was an extraordinary person by any account. After spending his childhood in and out of 37 foster homes, Helvenston enlisted in the Navy at 17 and soon became the youngest person in history to attain the elite designation of SEAL. When terrorists attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, Hel36
Cooperative Farming News
venston had been out of the military for seven years. He was thriving in a self-made career as a personal trainer to Hollywood celebrities, sought-after stuntman, consultant to major motion pictures and star of his own fitness video series, among half a dozen other high-profile gigs. According to Williams, however, Helvenston was disturbed when, after the ground war began against the nations that supported the Sept. 11 terrorists, he recognized the terrible impact the situation must be making on the children there. Having endured a tragic childhood himself, Williams’ friend wanted to do what he could to help those who, like himself, were victims of circumstances beyond their control. When Helvenston signed on with the now-infamous private security firm formerly known as Blackwater in 2004, he was in the midst of preparing the 19-year-old,
Earn your trident every day
junior-college-drop-out, Williams, to enter SEAL training. Williams’ dad had asked Helvenston to do so in an effort to dissuade his son from the dream. But if Williams ever doubted his desire to be a SEAL, all doubt disappeared one March morning as he watched his friend’s lifeless body being dragged through the streets of Fallujah, burned and hung from the Euphrates River bridge—all broadcast on TV as breaking news.
Two years later, as they adjusted to the reality of betrayal and all-out attack, Williams and his team fought for their lives, drawing from the strength and skill fiercely instilled in every SEAL. “We know we have to earn that Trident every day,” Williams told the captivated crowd. “All the work and training that got you where you are may not be what works next week…. Maybe you had a great plan for 2019 that worked out, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking that’s what’s going to get you through 2020.” The ability to adjust on the fly, maintain composure and stretch oneself to accomplish the uncommon lead to mission success in everyday life, just as it did for Williams’ team that night in Fallujah. But it will not come without a fight. It was a metaphor not lost on AFC members, leaders and anyone involved in American agriculture in 2019. “What Chad said about adversity, meeting challenges—I think that spoke to everyone in the room,” said AFC President and CEO Rivers Myres. “He could not have done a better job of setting the stage for the recap of 2019 and preparation for 2020 and beyond.”
Calmness is contagious
Weaving statements from the SEAL Creed into the remainder of the story of his team’s final victory, Williams encouraged AFC leaders to develop the discipline of “No matter maintaining their composure, regardForged by Adversity who you are or less of the circumstances. “The ability to control my emotions The last thing Helvenston said where you are and my actions, regardless of circumto Williams before leaving for his stance, sets me apart from others,” in life, adversity last mission: “I know you’re going to Williams said, quoting the SEAL Creed. make it through [SEAL] training.” will come. What “Calmness is contagious, and the flip “The SEAL Creed begins with a side of that is true as well.” you do with it phrase, ‘forged by adversity,’” WilAFC Board Chairman David Womliams told the crowd of 300 or so Alawill determine ack echoed the sentiment as he praised bama Farmers Cooperative members the work of past Co-op leaders who and staff at the 83rd Annual Memwhether you resolutely rose to past challenges and bership Meeting in February. “No laid a foundation that ensures today’s succeed or fail.” matter who you are or where you are organization will weather any storm. in life, adversity will come. What you “The generations before us are do with it will determine whether you the ones who set us up to succeed,” succeed or fail.” Womack said. “Just like Chad said, you have to set your Inspired not only by his friend’s last words, but also team up for survival, and that’s just what they did.” by the adversity he encountered in the aftermath of his Learn more about Williams’ life and faith at friend’s death, Williams did make it through SEAL trainwww.chadwilliamsnavyseal.com. ing. He was one of 13 out of a class of 173 SEAL hopefuls to earn the Trident, the insignia only the Navy’s top A native of Fort Deposit, Alabama, Mary Catherine Gaston sailors are qualified to wear. is a freelance writer based in Americus, Georgia. April 2020
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Sam Givhan Retires 19 Year Tenure as Board Member Comes to an End
Sam Givhan poses with his wife, Lynne, and AFC’s President and CEO, Rivers Myres.
Sam Givhan’s 19-year tenure as an active member on Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. (AFC) Board of Directors concluded at AFC’s 83rd Annual Membership Meeting in Montgomery in February. Givhan was surrounded by his family, friends and AFC staff at a dinner hosted in his honor the evening before AFC’s Annual Membership Meeting. Rivers Myres, AFC’s President and CEO, highlighted a few milestone moments of Givhan’s service during the dinner and thanked him not only for his service to AFC, but also to our country. “A true war hero, Sam’s service and loyalty not only to our country, but to his family, the agriculture community and AFC has been vital to our success over the years. He is a true example of what it looks like to lead with integrity and always made decisions based on the best interest of AFC,” said Myres. Fellow staff and friends shared stories and extended their gratitude for his contributions to AFC over the years, not forgetting to mention Mrs. Lynne Givhan and her support over the years. “Sam joined the board in 2001 and has been an excellent board member. He served as Chairman and had the difficult task of leading the organization through the passing of Roger Pangle and then led the selection of Rivers Myres, our current CEO. Sam’s leadership and service have been greatly appreciated,” said current Chairman, David Womack. 38
Cooperative Farming News
Tim Wood, General Manager of Central Alabama Farmers Cooperative, said, “Not only am I thankful for you being a darn good boss and giving us the leeway that we need in order to do what we need to in order to be successful, I thank you for being a friend. That is better than just having you as a boss any day.” Givhan received a Resolution of Appreciation to be filed in AFC’s permanent records. Although he is retired as an active director, we look forward to having Givhan serve on his local Co-op board at Central Alabama Farmers Cooperative and as an Honorary Director at AFC for years to come.
Givhan was surrounded by family, friends and staff at a dinner hosted in his honor the evening before AFC’s Annual Membership Meeting.
2019 Manager of the Year Credits Faith, Hard Work for his Success BY M A RY C AT H E R I N E G A S T O N The recipient of the 2019 E.P. Garrett Manager of the Year Award remembers vividly the first time he attended an Alabama Farmers Cooperative Annual Membership Meeting. The year was 2004, and Lance Ezelle was part of the Management Trainee Program at the time. “I can recall putting people’s luggage away at Annual Meeting that year,” he says with a grin. “I remember seeing Keith Griffin win this award. It became a goal of mine right then…and it’s been a goal of mine for the past 15 years.” Described by AFC President and CEO Rivers Myres as both intense and fun-loving, Ezelle has also earned the reputation of being loyal to AFC in his decade and a half with the company.
Growing up in the tiny river town of Pickensville in West Alabama, Ezelle’s first job was at his family’s hardware store. It was behind the counter there that he received a phone call in 2003 that would set him on a new course. A 1999 graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in management, Ezelle saw himself at the helm of the hardware store one day. All that changed when Elton Gibson called him “out of the blue” to ask if Ezelle would consider talking to the folks at AFC about entering their Management Trainee Program. Because he had great respect for Gibson, long-time manager of Aliceville Farm Supply, Ezelle acquiesced. James Fudge, Vice President of Management Services for AFC and Director of the Management Trainee April 2020
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Program then and now, tells an almost identical story about a phone call he received from Gibson. “Lance came highly recommended from a man I really respected, Elton Gibson,” Fudge recalls. He also remembers thinking at the time that Ezelle’s experience in a small town hardware store was not terribly different from what he might encounter as a Co-op store manager. It just made sense to give him a try. During his first six months in the AFC Management Trainee Program, Ezelle worked in three Co-op stores, finishing up at the Fayette store about the same time his then-girlfriend received her medical school residency “match” with Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. On the verge of popping the question, as Ezelle saw it, he had a difficult decision to make—keep the girl or keep the job. He called Fudge and told him the news: Ezelle would be relocating to the Florida Panhandle to be near his fiancée, and he would not be able to continue working at the Fayette store. Fudge responded by asking Ezelle AFC’s President and CEO, Rivers Myres, presents Lance Ezelle with the Manager if he wanted to continue working with AFC. Ezelle was of the Year Award plaque. pleasantly surprised by the question but managed to under the previous manager, who had just retired. In answer affirmatively. “Mr. Fudge just said, ‘Give me five minutes, and I’ll his first five years at the helm, Ezelle has taken the call you back,’” Ezelle recalls. By the end of the afternoon, Morgan store from annual sales of $1.5 million to $6 Ezelle had a job waiting for him in Elberta, just 45 min- million—the last year and a half of that accomplished utes from Pensacola. He reported to work there two days while Ezelle completed UA’s executive MBA program. Understandably, it was a big deal to leave his team after his wedding. every Friday and Saturday for 17 months, but he doesn’t The memory is certainly one that popped to mind as regret it for a second. Ezelle accepted AFC’s highest honor “They hit a home run,” he says. “I at the 83rd Annual Membership Meetnever got a phone call, never got a ing in February. Fudge was one of the In his first five complaint. I could focus on my school first people he thanked after his wife, work…they did that for me.” family, district managers and staff. years at the In addition to his wife of 15 years, “There’s one man who has done Ezelle’s parents and parents-in-law helm, Ezelle has more for me in my career than anywere in Montgomery to see him acone else, and that’s Mr. James Fudge,” taken the Morcept the award. He thanked them, Ezelle shared. saying that he owes his work ethic to It all goes back to that first phone gan store from the people who raised him and hopes call, Ezelle believes. “I’m a person of he has made them proud. annual sales of faith, and I truly believe that everyThough Ezelle credits divine interthing happens for a reason,” he says. $1.5 million vention for his professional success, After three years in extreme South he has a word of advice for the young Alabama, Ezelle made his way back to $6 million. people entering AFC’s ranks. to Fayette with his wife, Kara, who, “I believe Mr. Fudge saw fit to as a participant in the University of keep giving me better and better opAlabama’s Rural Health Scholars Program, had committed to practice in the state’s rural ar- portunities because he saw how hard I was willing to eas. After seven years at the helm of the Fayette store, work,” Ezelle says. “Be willing to work hard.” From someone who believes he works in “the best during which time Ezelle and his team increased the store’s sales from $750,000 to more than $3 million, industry, in the best state, in the best country in the the opportunity came to manage a multi-store location. world,” that is advice worth taking. Ezelle jumped. Arriving at Morgan Farmers Cooperative in 2014, he A native of Fort Deposit, Alabama, Mary Catherine Gaston found the store in good condition following 28 years is a freelance writer based in Americus, Georgia. 40
Cooperative Farming News
“Grain Guy” Shares Simple Secrets to Success in Farming… and Life
BY MARY CATHERINE GASTON
When Phil Luce began working for White Commercial Corporation 25 years ago, the world of grain futures trading was a very different place. The technology and information revolutions that have touched every aspect of modern life—from the classroom to the board room to the tractor cab—have certainly left their mark on the business he loves and from which he’s built a successful career. A few things have not changed, however, like a truth he recalls learning his first day on the job: “Profit starts on the farm.” This is where Luce started his remarks to Co-op members and leaders during the final gathering of the 83rd Annual Membership Meeting in February. “Our belief is that our business can’t be profitable or successful if farmers aren’t,” Luce explained. “That’s not complicated. But it’s difficult.” Because Luce is a grain basis trader by profession, he utilized illustrations from the grain industry
to illustrate a simple concept his friend, Don White, the founder of White Commercial, shared with him many years ago. “Mr. White said that people make life too complicated, and if you don’t ‘uncomplicate’ it, you’ll never get anywhere,” Luce said, then continued with an application that spoke to everyone in the crowd. “When I ask farmers what they love about farming, no one ever says they love marketing grain,” he said. “But marketing grain is the most important part of the process.” The problem, Luce said, and what makes farmers dislike this aspect of their job, is that there are so many reasons to feel like they’ve messed up this crucial, last step. “Grain marketing is not complicated. But it is difficult,” Luce said. The key to success in grain marketing, farming or life in general, Luce asserted, is to “uncomplicate” it. April 2020
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“The absolute worst time to sell is at harvest,” Luce explained. “So, if you want the best possible price for your grain, you need to figure out how you can wait to sell until the price is better—typically during the planting season just before harvest.” Steps to “uncomplicate” farm decisions Whatever your ultimate goal, begin by breaking it down to its most simple form. For a grain farmer or elevator manager, this might sound something like “Turn the bushels into money.” “Any difficult job you are faced with is possible if you make it as simple as possible,” Luce said. And the steps to doing that are—you guessed it— just about as simple as you can imagine. First, Luce advised, analyze what you are doing and why. As an illustration, Luce asked the farmers in the room why they sell grain when they do. The obvious answer in most minds? To make money. The vast majority of the time, the timing of a sale is driven by cash flow…or the lack thereof. Unfortunately, a sale at or just after harvest time is typically not going to bring the best profit possible. This leads to the second step of the simplification process: adjusting your behavior. “The absolute worst time to sell is at harvest,” Luce explained. “So, if you want the best possible price for your grain, you need to figure out how you can wait to sell until the price is better—typically during the planting season just before harvest.” Luce encouraged farmers to determine what each marketable unit of their crop cost them to produce, and based on that, to decide ahead of harvest what price they will take for each unit. Once this decision is made, avoid distractions. “The news is a distraction. The stock market is a distraction. The weather is a distraction,” he said. In order to simplify, farmers must learn to avoid allowing the vast array of available information to distract from what they have already determined will be a good price for their product. 42
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“Make that decision about price when it’s easy to make,” Luce advised. “Save yourself the pain of making it when it’s hard.” And when that price is reached, sell. It’s that simple.
A Simple Example In summary, Luce reminded the crowd of an example he opened with. Several years ago when his wife suggested he needed to lose weight, Luce was successful because he began with a definition of success in mind: a skinnier self. So he set a weight-loss goal, adjusted his typical eating and exercise habits and avoided distraction by reminding himself of his uncomplicated goal. “Was it difficult to lose the weight? Yes,” he said. “But it was not complicated, and neither are your marketing efforts if you will simply choose to uncomplicate them.” A native of Fort Deposit, Alabama, Mary Catherine Gaston is a freelance writer based in Americus, Georgia.
Guest Program AFC’s 83rd Annual Membership Meeting guest program was a bright spot for those that attended. While members attended the business meeting, almost 50 guests enjoyed painting wooden tulip door hangers with host Janna Cole, of Valley, Alabama. Born with a love of art, Janna’s talents were inherited from and encouraged by her mother. She began
painting at the age of six, attended multiple workshops and classes throughout high school and earned an Associate Degree in Art from Southern Union Community College. She currently owns and operates LolliPop’s Paint Parties, which has been in business for over three years and hosts parties and events across Central Alabama. While art can be intimidating to those who don’t consider themselves creative, most everyone that attended Janna’s class was surprisingly pleased at how easy she made it. Anna Beth Harris of the Department of Agriculture and Industries commented, “The colors were bright, the design was fun yet simple, and the willingness of Janna and her staff to help made the whole experience wonderful!” During the program, Janna not only gave step-bystep instruction, she also went around to each person and added small details such as “Hello Spring” or their last name on the tulip as a finishing touch. We hope these door hangers bring a little bit of spring and a reminder of a great meeting to each person that attended.
Entertainment by Larry Fleet Our entertainment for AFC’s 83rd Annual Membership Meeting was rising country star, Larry Fleet. The blue-collar, Tennessee native grew up with a love of music sparked by an eclectic mix of influences, from Merle Haggard to Marvin Gaye and everything in between. To make ends meet, Fleet spent tireless hours working construction jobs – never losing his dream of making music. After a couple years collaborating with fellow musicians and sharing the stage with living legends like Willie Nelson, Fleet etched his mark in the Nashville songwriting community. The hard-working family man, and new father of a son, is now poised for Country stardom. Fleet sang originals and kept the attention of nearly 325 attendees during the dinner program. “Larry was a great entertainer and I really enjoyed the old, country style of music he delivered. If you ha-
ven’t already, go check him out and give his music a listen – you won’t be disappointed,” said Chris Duke, General Manager of Talladega County Exchange. April 2020
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5 Years David Allen – AFC Feed, LLC.
5 Years Walt Black – Alabama Farmers Cooperative
5 Years Dealona Bozeman – AFC Grain Division
5 Years Andrea Crain – DeKalb Farmers Cooperative
5 Years Gary Follis – AFC Grain Division
5 Years Thomas Hallin – Alabama Farmers Cooperative
Cooperative Farming News
5 Years Eric Sanders – Blount County Cooperative
5 Years Lisa Sparkman – Alabama Farmers Cooperative
5 Years Wesley Torain – Alabama Farmers Cooperative
10 Years Chris Stansbury – AFC Grain Division
15 Years Terri Byars – Alabama Farmers Cooperative
15 Years Angela Walker – Alabama Farmers Cooperative
20 Years Andrew Dempsey – Cherokee Farmers Cooperative
20 Years David Tierce – DeKalb Farmers Cooperative April 2020
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25 Years Jody Enfinger – Alabama Farmers Cooperative
25 Years Scott Hartley – Taleecon Farmers Cooperative
25 Years Danny “Bud” Murdock – DeKalb Farmers Cooperative
30 Years Tim Hazel – Alabama Farmers Cooperative
35 Years Tim Wood – Central Alabama Farmers Cooperative
40 Years Reggie Shook – Lauderdale County Cooperative
NOT PICTURED 40 Years John Holley – Lawrence County Exchange 46
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15 Years Doug Akers – Alabama Farmers Cooperative
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FROM WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES
BY CHUCK SYKES
Reflections Comparing March and April 2019 article topics and stats to where we are today
For the past two years, the ideas for my March articles have come from the previous year’s column. Unless a pressing issue is on my mind for an article, I will usually look through old ones to see what I wrote about a year ago during the same time period. This will almost always spark a thought that leads to an appropriate article topic. Well, this month was no exception. As I scanned back through the articles that I submitted in March and April of 2019, this month’s topic of reflections came about. The March 2019 article dealt with the unnecessary risks hunters take each year by hunting from an elevated platform and not utilizing a life-line and safety harness. The April 2019 article detailed the nationwide decline in hunters and what we can all do to reverse the trend. This month, I want to see if we’ve made any progress in the past 12 months on these two issues. During the 2018-2019 hunting season, Alabama had 15 treestand accidents with three of them being fatal. Of those 15, only one person was wearing a full-body safety harness. But, he wasn’t wearing a life-line that keeps the hunter attached to the tree while ascending and de48
Cooperative Farming News
scending, not just while seated in the stand. All three of the fatal falls were from either hang-on or climbing tree stands. Oddly enough, three of the non-fatal accidents took place from permanent shooting house stands where it’s impossible to wear a safety harness or lifeline, and this statistic leads me to this year’s numbers. As of the close of deer season, the number of treestand accidents has declined from 15 to 12. Of those 12 accidents, three were fatal. So, it’s a good thing that the numbers are down just a bit. The bad thing is, still none of the hunters were wearing a safety harness. I can’t for the life of me understand why hunters refuse to wear one. They don’t impede your ability to move around in the stand; they don’t hinder your climbing or descending; and it doesn’t make hunters any less of a man to use one. I guess it’s just like seat belts; some people won’t wear one unless they are launched through a windshield and live to tell about it. A closer look at this year’s treestand accidents yielded some fairly interesting data. Last year, as I said earlier, we had three individuals fall from permanent shooting houses or box stands. This year that number has
risen to five with two being fatal. So, two of the three fa- gram tells you that these new hunters are not children. tal treestand accidents this deer season have occurred The average age of our AMHP participant is 42. from falling from shooting houses. Lack of use of a harThis program focuses on the root of the problem. ness can’t be blamed in these deaths. So, what was the We don’t simply need someone who likes to hunt. We problem? desperately need people who desire to hunt, are of an Several issues come to the surface when asking age where they purchase a hunting license, and who that question. First, improper construction was a factor. have the financial ability to purchase products like guns, Scrap items were utilized to make an elevated stand. bows, and ammunition that fund the Pittman/Robertson Second, proper maintenance was not performed on the account. stand. Finally, it doesn’t appear that the hunters had I know we have the solution to the problem figured three points of contact to the house (stand). As with out. We just don’t have enough time and staff to make a any ladder, either two hands and one foot, or one hand huge difference in our state. However, Alabama hunters and two feet always need to be in contact. Many times, can fix the problem. All you have to do is introduce at hunters are carrying cumbersome gear like backpacks least one person to hunting each year. It’s a fairly simple and firearms and have on layers of clothing making task. One hunter gives up a little of his/her time to menthem awkward when climbing. Maintaining three con- tor a new adult hunter each year. tact points will aid the hunter and help prevent slipping I promise you, there are people who you work with, and falling due to loss of balance. go to school with, go to kids’ sporting events with, or Remember, anyone hunting from an elevated stand go to church with who would jump at the chance to go needs to perform routine maintenance and repairs to all hunting. Just last week, we hosted an adult mentored stands every year - even shooting houses! And, if any- hunt at the Portland Landing SOA. When I asked why one hunts from a hang-on, climber or ladder stand, wear they were at this event, without fail, each one said they a safety harness and the accompanying life-line. Most had heard friends or co-workers talking about hunting treestand accidents are 100% preventable with just a bit but they were too afraid to ask to be taken. Please don’t of preparation. wait for others to ask you to take them hunting; be proJust this week, the Washington Post released an ar- active and make the first move! ticle entitled, “Hunting is ‘slowly dying off,’ and that has created a crisis for the nation’s many endangered species.” Many of the statistics reported in that article were the same as those I quoted in the April 2019 article that appeared in this magazine. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2016 national survey, there were 2 million fewer Americans who identified as hunters than there were just five years earlier. That’s alarming when you are the Director of an agency that has a budget funded by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and monies generated through federal excise taxes like Pittman/Robertson and Dingell/ Johnson. I’ve outlined in several articles over the past two years about our Adult Mentored Hunting Program (AMHP) that we feel can help reverse the trend on hunter decline. Now in its third year, the AMHP has proven to be an incredible tool in recruiting new hunters. Unlike many recruitment programs, the name of our proThe Adult Mentored Hunting Program can help reverse the trend on hunter decline. April 2020
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4# 32202HY AFC #685680
Pt. 32005HY AFC #686438 Qt. 32006HY AFC #686440
Scale A, G, I
Silverfish D, F, J, K
Slug D
Sod Webworm B, C, H, I
Sowbug B, D, F, H, I, J
E.
Grub Free Zone II 15# 0.2% 33054HY AFC #685650 30# 0.2% 33056HY AFC #685652 10# 0.5% 33058HY AFC #685656
Black Widow Spider D, F
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Thrips A, C, D, F, G, I
Tick A, B, F, H, I, J
Cooperative Farming News
Whitefly A, D, F, G, I
Bedbug D, F & Many others
J.
Vegetable & Ornamental Insect Control 1# 32327HY AFC #686151 4# 32325HY AFC #686154
A Full Line of Beekeeping Supplies Available at Your Co-op Bee Smoker AFC #417269
Beekeeping Tyvek Coverall Large AFC #417276
Croplan PM 4611 BMR Best in class digestibility with leafy compact structure. Extremely uniform height with high yield potential and quick drydown. Resistant to sugarcane aphid, strong disease tolerance and no prussic acid.
Sunfilm Silage Wrap It has excellent cling – wraps bales air tight for the duration of storage. In addition, it helps you to prevent attacks by bugs, mold, and harmful bacteria.
Hive10 AFC #417264
The world that bees create inside of their hives is largely self-sufficient, requiring monitoring more than intervention. The infrastructure and hierarchy they create is breathtaking creation requiring not much more time and effort than a garden. Since their flight and foraging patterns include up to 8,000 acres of land, the entire community is helping feed your hive while the bees are pollinating their plants.
Poly Bailer Twine
Sisal Baler Twine
7,000, 9,000 or 20,000
9,000 square or 16,000 big round
Net Wrap
Orange/White, Green & White Sizes 48”, 51”, 64” and 67”
Bee Conservation. Plant Pollination. Honey Production. Beekeeping might be simpler than you think!
ALAFARM DOG FOOD
Co-op laying pellets
Premium Adult Dog Food 26-18
CO-OP 16% EGG RATION PELLETS OR CRUMBLES
26% Protein - 18% Crude Fat - 50 lb. bag
This feed is formulated to be fed to mature laying hens with free roaming access.
24% Protein - 20% Crude Fat - 50 lb. bag
This feed is formulated to be fed to mature laying hens with free roaming access.
High Energy Dog Food 24-20 Maintenance Dog Food 21-8
21% Protein - 8% Crude Fat - 50 lb. bag
Puppy Food 30-20
30% Protein - 20% Crude Fat - 25 lb. bag
WB-6S Cu. ft. Wheelbarrow
CO-OP 18% LAYING PELLETS OR CRUMBLES CO-OP 22% LAYING PELLETS
This feed is formulated for maximum egg production and hen growth. It contains excellent protein and energy levels for game birds and birds under stress that have higher nutritional requirements.
#85723 AFC #470018
Solo® #425 Backpack Sprayer
300g Pasture Sprayer
Quick-lock Directional Tripod Feeder (30 gallons)
* 300-gal. poly tank. * PTO-driven, 8 roller pump. * Sprayer features jet agitation so you get a uniform application.
* Pressure Regulator & a TeeJet AA17L valve that lets you turn the nozzles on/off right from the tractor seat.
AFC #404832
Hedge Shears
Ditch Bank Blade Wood Handle
Wood Handles
#DT-1640 AFC #400037
#WP-3220 AFC #470406
Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper
AFC #458778 Digital Timer Programs up to 6 feed times per day. BackSpin technology. Battery and feed level indicators. Hopper attaches with Quick-Lock modular system. www.alafarm.com
AFC #416791 Chapin Home & Garden 1 Gal. Sprayer Poly Tank. Adjustable spraying nozzle. Also available in 2 Gal. AFC #624064
MID STATE STOCKYARD
Use in ornamental grass areas and established lawns. Can be applied 4 weeks later than other pre-emergences. 12 lb. bag. Contains Dimension #Hy33030 AFC#687930
April 2020
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HOW’S YOUR GARDEN BY L OIS T R IG G C H A P L I N
A White Bottlebrush? On an April spring walk through an undisturbed woodland you might come across a shrub displaying flowers that look like a white bottlebrush on bare branches. In fact you might smell it before you see it because of its sweet fragrance. Fothergilla, sometimes called witch elder, is native to woodlands from the piedmont of Alabama to the Florida Panhandle. The leaves look like witch hazel, to which it is kin. Recognized as a good deciduous landscape shrub, the nursery trade has selected improved hybrids such as Mount Airy, Blue Shadow and a dwarf form, but fothergilla is still not widely planted. It deserves more attention. Besides its lovely spring flowers, the leaves turn a bright gold to orange to red before shedding in the fall. Depending on the selection, fothergilla can range from 3 feet to 12 feet tall. Plants do well at the edge of the woods with some afternoon shade. It also makes a nice addition to a shrub border and deciduous screen or hedge. Put it in a spot with moist, but well-drained soil.
SIMPLE TIMES
THE CO-OP PANTRY
Fothergilla
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Cooperative Farming News
Crossvine
Color on Many Strings
Or so it seems. Crossvine, Bignonia capreolata, throws out so many stems that it can challenge a gardener’s efforts to tame it. It grows up and around, quickly covering the top of whatever it climbs and then the long vines cascade down from the top. In the woods, crossvine climbs tree trunks. Vines can grow 30 to 50 feet long and are evergreen most winters, but can lose their leaves in a severe cold snap. The long vines and fast growth make it a popular vine for arbors where it will quickly cover to cast shade. On a wall, it helps to have some wire to give it something to grab. Crossvine spreads underground through stolons, which is a good thing if you want a vigorous vine to cover a long fence, but it’s important to keep up with any sprouts so that it doesn’t become a ground-level tangle or spread where it is not wanted. Although the main flush of blooms is in spring, it will also bloom sporadically in summer. Hummingbirds are attracted to the blooms. Besides the native vine, which is yellow with an orange throat, there are selections that are mostly orange, such as Tangerine Beauty, and solid deep red-orange such as Shalimar.
Spotted Wilt Virus of Tomatoes
Madonna in Seeds
One way to stop spotted wilt virus of tomatoes is to select varieties that are resistant to the disease. Affected plants are stunted, turn a light green, and develop concentric ring spots on the foliage. Affected fruit forms splotchy yellowed areas and may also have brown dead areas. It will stunt the growth of plants early in the season. The best way to identify the disease is to take several infected leaves and fruit in a sealed plastic bag to your closest county Extension office. An advanced Google search for “tomato spotted wilt virus” with the “.edu” domain also brings up a number of Extension websites with pictures. The University of Florida’s U-Scout site is particularly helpful. The virus is spread by thrips, which can be difficult to see until it’s too late. They are tiny (1/10 inch) torpedo-shaped insects that feed on the underside of the leaves and are best seen with a magnifying glass. All this to say that the best way to avoid this issue is to plant varieties with resistance to TSWV. Thankfully, there are many. These include (but are not limited to) Amelia, Mountain Glory, Mountain Merit, Mountain Spring, Plum Regal, Skyway, Supremo, Bonnie Centennial, Heinz Super Roma, Health Kick and Talladega. Become familiar with symptoms of this disease so that infected plants can be immediately removed, bagged, sealed and thrown away. The virus can also infect lettuce, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, peanuts, cucumber and many other crops.
I saw this delicate piece of artwork made from seeds at the National Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa, California, a couple of years ago thinking that it might inspire a seed saver to do the same. Seeds glued onto quadrants of painted wood included different sizes and colors of beans and corn.
Madonna in Seeds
Making a Home for Ladybugs Ladybugs come and go in our garden. They are happy to hang around as long as the aphids, mites, and other soft-bodied tiny insects are present to eat, but when the prey becomes scarce, they often fly off. This spring I will try to encourage a stable population in our garden by planting a bed with plants for pollen and nectar that the little beetles eat when their prey are absent. These include dill, cilantro, parsley, cosmos, coreopsis, sunflowers and others. Early blooming shrubs like pussywillow elsewhere in the landscape can also provide pollen early in the season. For nectar, lady beetles find stems, leaves, flower buds and other plant parts that have nectaries, or nectar-producing glands. This is why we sometimes see them (and ants) hanging out on plants in places where there are no aphids or other prey present. Some well-known plants with nectaries include elderberry, okra, cotton, vetch, morning glory, cucurbits, passionflower, sunflower, beans and blackeyed peas. Finally, I hope that they will overwinter in leaflitter that serves as mulch in this bed.
Lady beetle
April 2020
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PLANT • Sow seeds for cool-season crops including peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets and turnips before the heat of early summer gets here. • Transplant Bonnie cole crops such as broccoli, cabbage, collards, cauliflower, etc. into the garden. • If you feel like there won’t be another frost, plant beans, corn, squash and vine crops in late April. Make a second planting within two to three weeks of the first planting to extend the season. • Start to set out Bonnie tomatoes late in the month as ground temperatures warm. Tomatoes need nights above 50 degrees. Cover when frost threatens. • Plant tall-growing crops such as pole beans and corn on the north side of other vegetables to avoid shading. Plant at least two rows of corn for better pollination. • If your space is limited, consider growing vegetables in containers. Containers also require less time, water and effort than a larger garden. • Plant tender herbs. • Plant strawberries, blackberries and other small fruit. • Seeds of amaranthus, celosia, cosmos, marigold, portulaca, zinnia and other warm-season flowering annuals can be sown directly in the beds where they will grow. • Move summer-flowering bulbs like dahlia, lilies and gladiolus outside to their summer locations after all danger of frost has past.
FERTILIZE • Fertilize garlic planted last fall as greens get up and growing. • Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs after they bloom. • Fertilize woody plants before new growth begins. • Roses have high fertilizer requirements. For most soils, use a complete fertilizer for the first application just as new growth starts, then use ammonium sulfate or other high nitrogen source every four to six weeks, usually just as the new growth starts following a flowering cycle. • As soon as azaleas and camellias have finished flowering, apply an acid fertilizer at the rate recommended. Don’t over fertilize as azalea roots are near the surface and damage can occur. Water thoroughly after fertilizing. • Begin summer fertilization of houseplants.
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Cooperative Farming News
PRUNE • Spring pruning promotes healthy growth, eliminates dead wood and extends blooming for many plants. This revitalizes and stimulates new growth! A healthier plant is a lovelier plant with more blossoms, a good-looking shape and lots of natural beauty. • Proper tools are needed for pruning, depending on the size and type of plant. Scissors, hedge clippers, pruning shears and loppers are all handy to have for various pruning jobs. For big jobs such as cutting thick tree limbs a handsaw, Sawzall-type electric saw or even a chainsaw may be the tool for the job. Visit your local Co-op store for advice. • Prune blackberry plantings and fruit trees if not already done. Pruning promotes fruit production. • Prune shade trees as needed and to repair winter storm damage. • Prune panicta hydrangeas and hydrangea “Annabelle” (not moptop blue hydrangeas). • Climbing hybrid tea roses may be pruned as soon as they complete flowering.
WATER • Do not water your lawn unless extremely dry. Early irrigation sets turf up as a high water user in summer. • Keep new trees and shrubs watered. • As you do your spring planting, be sure to plan how you will water this summer. Place those plants requiring the most water closer to the house. • Remember the pots you plant this spring will need to be watered daily this summer. Consider how much time you will have for watering each day before you plant. Hanging baskets may need to be watered as often as twice a day in the heat of summer.
PEST CONTROL • Follow instructions on pesticide labels carefully. • Keep your lawn healthy. A good lawn-care program of aerating, dethatching, fertilizing and proper watering will keep your lawn healthy and better able to tolerate some pest problems. • White grubs are one of the most common lawn pests in the United States and one of the most damaging. They are the larval form of beetles. The best time to control these
pests is in the spring and fall when they are actively feeding close to the surface. If you want results the active ingredient in a product is the only thing that matters … and it better be imidacloprid or thiamethoxam. Write these words down now and put the piece of paper in your wallet or purse! • Keep an eye out for signs of spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects. • Now is the best time to control tent caterpillars while they are small. These young caterpillars can be controlled safely (without harming beneficial insects) by spraying Bonide BT Thuricide. • Cultivate to control seedling weed growth … you don’t want them to seed!
ODD JOBS • Review entries to your 2019 garden journal. If you don’t have one, start one now. • Make sure your garden beds are not too wet. Soil should crumble instead of forming a ball when squeezed. If it’s been raining and the soil is saturated, you’ll have to postpone your gardening for a bit longer. • The first hummingbirds begin to appear this month in parts of the state. Clean the feeders and hang them for the “early birds.” • Remove mulch from strawberries, but consider having row cover fabric handy just in case you need to protect the blooms from a late frost. • Remove any protective winter covering you provided for roses such as mulch, compost or specialized rose cones. Keep the covering nearby in case of late freezes. • Harden off transplants started indoors earlier by gradually exposing young plants to outdoor conditions of wind, sunlight and lower moisture. • Remove grass from base of young trees and shrubs to prevent lawn mower and line trimmer damage. Mulch to conserve moisture, to keep cool in summer heat, to control weeds, maintain soil moisture and to give a neat appearance. Pine straw is ideal mulch. • Turn the compost pile as often as you can for a wonderful amendment to your garden soil! • Herbs are a charming and helpful addition to the garden, both for their culinary uses and their fragrant, attractive presence. Check out Bonnie’s herbs at your local Co-op store!
If you have any specific lawn and garden questions, please send them to advertising@alafarm.com. April 2020
57
Doshia’s at the
Bank
A family business thrives on tradition and faith in Leroy BY CAROLYN DRINKARD Deloris “Doshia” Dean has always loved nature. Growing up, she remembers walking through the woods and collecting things for flower arrangements or for other decorations that she might create for her home. She found solace in simple things and learned early in her life that natural things bring both joy and peace. She passed that special love on to her seven children. Doshia started a small flower shop in her home, but in 1980, she opened a flower shop in downtown Jackson, Alabama. A longtime collector, Doshia soon added 58
Cooperative Farming News
unique gifts and distinctive decor to her shop. Many of the items were made by Doshia herself or one of her talented daughters, but she also sought local artisans who displayed their treasures at her business. The flower shop was so successful that in 2003, Doshia moved it to a larger home nearby. She still maintained her floral and catering businesses, but she added a family restaurant, a larger, separate gift shop and an event-planning service. Four of her six daughters soon retired and joined her in this new enterprise. Margaret Dean, Eleanor Park-
Doshia Dean started her flower shop in her own home many years ago. Doshia’s at the Bank is a dream-come-true for this talented lady. With four of her daughters helping, this family serves delicious home-cooked meals using many of Doshia’s favorite recipes.
example, Linda keeps the outdoor front area. She loves green plants and uses them to create an inviting entrance for guests. Her touches accentuate each season and like her mother, reflect her love of natural things. The massive front doors hold seasonal wreaths, swags or other arrangements that welcome each guest and convey an aura of warmth and home. Inside, the large gift shop is beautifully attired, reflecting the artistry of both Doshia and her daughter, Margaret, who has inherited her mother’s love of floral arranging. No spot remains untouched, as Margaret has performed her magic amongst the large array of giftware available in this unique setting. Margaret’s mastery extends into the long hall, filled with unusual and distinctive decor. Both Doshia and Margaret seek the craftsmanship of area artisans, whose creations might not be seen in larger venues. An elegant dining room sits away from the restaurant eating area. The large fireplace, crowned by a majestic mahogany mantle, is the focal point. Doshia’s and Margaret’s signature floral arrangements adorn both the mantle and the massive mahogany table. This area can be reserved for private occasions that require extra space and privacy. Margaret has added her flair to the restaurant’s dining area, also. The walls may contain floral or natural wreaths, with seasonal touches that enhance the ambience of this beautiful setting. Each guest table is centered with flowers to accentuate the current holiday mood.
er, Linda Smith and Diane Tucker are each gifted decorators, food stylists and renowned cooks For 15 years, Doshia’s thrived in this location; however, in October 2018, Doshia’s moved from downtown Jackson over the bridge to the historic Taylor House in Leroy. Built in 1843, this stately building was a residential home to the Taylor and Stewart families until 1979, when it was sold to South Central Bell Telephone Company. In 1984, Washington County State Bank purchased the home, moved it to Leroy and set up a branch office, which closed in 2015. The historic home sat vacant for three years until Doshia’s grandson purchased it in 2018. Acquiring this grand old home with its 14-foot ceilings, elegant crown moldings and original wood flooring was a dream come true for Doshia and her daughters. They immediately went to work not only to preserve the majesty and tradition of this magnificent structure, but also to transform it into a unique dining venue, offering Southern cuisine in an elegant setting. Visiting Doshia’s at the Bank is a sensory delight. The home is season& Joyce Crowwith each daughter ally Rick decorated, Diane (l) and Eleanor (r) “prep” on Tuesdays for their weekly meals. Greens are one of their most popular adding her own special touch. For dishes, so the sisters prepare accordingly. April 2020
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The decor is amazing, but it is the Doshia’s uses only fresh infood that brings customers in and gredients that have not been fromakes them return. “I told my girls zen. On Mondays and Tuesdays, that I wanted us to have a place that the family preps for the week. felt like I used to feel when I went to Many of their dishes are so popmy grandmother’s house for Sunday ular that they prepare and cook dinner,” Doshia smiled. “When peoextra portions of favorites like ple come here to eat, I want them greens, chicken and dumplings, to feel like they are at home, eating beef tips, chicken salad and brocgood food with family!” coli and cornbread salads. Doshia’s customers think she Eleanor, who manages the has succeeded in creating just daily operation, prefers the famthat atmosphere. Doshia’s serves ily’s catering business. Doshia’s a home-style lunch menu Wednesoffers both on-site and off-site day, Thursday and Friday, using catering. They not only handle treasured family recipes, passed large corporate meetings and pridown for generations. Guests can vate parties, but also weddings order from a pre-set menu, offering and other special events. Area a meat with one, two or three sides, industries commission the famia variety of salads, chicken salad ly to supply meals for employees croissants and gourmet desserts. on special occasions and holiThe sign at “Doshia’s at the Bank” welcomes everyone “We all worked,” Eleanor stated, to come inside and enjoy Southern cuisine in an elegant days. Some businesses even of“so we know what it’s like to have so setting. This family business is located in Leroy, Alabama. fer Doshia’s meals as rewards for little time at lunch. We want our cusservice. tomers to get in and get out with a good, healthy home“When we meet with people, we get an idea of what cooked meal.” they like by listening to them and their suggestions,” ElEleanor and Diane oversee the food, but it is Diane eanor explained. “We try to cater to their personalities who displays her artistry in the kitchen. She serves each and their needs.” meal on one of her mother’s many collections of fine Doshia’s at the Bank has future plans to add an outdinnerware. No plate leaves the kitchen without Diane’s door venue for weddings or other special events. Behind own special touch. Even the homemade desserts carry their present location, the family already owns property Diane’s final flourish! that has been cleared for outdoor settings. They current“We came from great cooks on both sides of our ly have a patio area with a covered shed for private outfamily,” Diane explained. “Mama taught us to make ev- door events, but they hope to make Doshia’s at the Bank erything from scratch and then to make it pretty! It’s a wedding destination, where everything could be done through food and flowers that we share our art! “ on-site.
The former bank building, with its high ceilings, gives an air of spaciousness.
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Cooperative Farming News
Homestyle country cooking is a specialty at Doshia’s
(Left) The gift shop reflects Doshia’s love of crystal and glassware. In every season, the shop is filled with delightful gifts displayed in a charming and inviting manner. (Center) This magnificent fruit and cheese fountain was created by Doshia’s for a wedding. The extra details and flourishes make their food creations works of art that guests admire before enjoying. (Right) Linda Smith keeps the outdoor front area of the restaurant. She loves green plants and uses them to create an inviting entrance for guests. Her touches accentuate each season and like her mother, reflect her love of natural things.
Doshia’s also provides another unique service for this area. Customers can send a complete meal or an individual dish to a bereaved family by selecting from a variety of precooked and frozen casseroles and easy-to-assemble salads. “We are all busy,” Linda stated. “People don’t have time to cook, but they like to send home-cooked food to loved ones. These dishes are much better than just picking up something and taking that to the home.” Many working mothers also order weekly for the ease and convenience of serving good food to their families. Customers love the ease of popping something homemade into the oven for their family dinners. The move to Highway 43 has been a successful one for Doshia and her family. Many travelers stop by, es-
pecially those driving the corridor from Tuscaloosa to the beach. Church and senior groups from surrounding areas often make Doshia’s a day trip. Hunters also frequent the restaurant, looking for hearty, comfort meals and awesome desserts. “Our goal was never to be an everyday, every-night restaurant,” Diane stated. “We just wanted to produce what we know: good, home-cooked food, just like our mother taught us to make. We see this as our ministry. Even though we are blessed to have a tradition of family and good food, we all walk on faith!” Doshia’s at the Bank is located at 27188 Highway 43, Leroy, Alabama 36545. They are open WednesdayFriday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Check their Facebook page for a full menu. Call them at 251-246-4819.
Moving to the beautiful old bank building was a dream come true for the family. In October 2018, the family cut the ribbons at their grand opening.
April 2020
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THE HERB LADY
BY NADINE JOHNSON
Carotid Artery Disease HIGH CHOLESTEROL LEVELS Joan has a story to tell and she has given me the pleasure of telling it. It is definitely a success story. In May of 2015, it was discovered that she had carotid artery disease with dangerously high cholesterol levels. From May 2015 to November 2015, she tried taking four prescribed cholesterol medications. There were adverse side effects of all four of these medications. Following this experience, her doctor wanted to submit her case for a new drug which would have been very expensive. It would have consisted of two injections each month. Joan decided to seek an alternative method which would be of benefit in this situation. Her doctor was skeptical. (Doctors haven’t been trained this way.) However, she chose to go with alternatives. Actually, Joan’s doctor was convinced that her high cholesterol levels were hereditary. He felt that she would follow in her mother’s footsteps which would consist of carotid surgery. As Joan reached out for alternative help she was told, “It won’t be fast and it won’t be cheap.” She was to take three products and strictly follow written instructions. These three products were Mega-chel, lecithin and a liver cleanse. Mega-chel cleans and nourishes the circulatory system. It provides a powerhouse of nutritional support, including 100% or more of the daily value of ten essential vitamins and minerals. It contains ginkgo leaves and hawthorn berries. Lecithin is a vital cell substance for fat transport and nerve protection. It is very important for our overall good health. The product Joan took is from soy beans. 62
Cooperative Farming News
It has been said that “when you cleanse the liver you cleanse the whole body.” The liver cleanse which Joan took contains red beet, dandelion, parsley, horsetail, yellow dock, black cohosh, birch leaves, blessed thistle, Angelica root, camomile flowers, gentian root and goldenrod. On November 7, 2015 Joan began this program. On January 28, 2016 her lipid panel showed a marked improvement. Her doctor’s nurse called with this happy announcement and the doctor’s recommendation – ”Continue what you are doing.” Joan takes other alternatives for her general health also. She walks twenty minutes daily and eats a healthy diet. Anyone who wishes to do this cholesterol cleanse should follow the strict directions and have their doctor’s approval. Contact me for the directions Joan followed.
The Herb Lady Nadine Johnson
For Information on herbs or to order Nature’s Sunshine Products: P.O. Box 7425 Spanish Fort, AL 35677 or njherbal@gmail.com
Accepts Checks and Money Orders
SIMPLE TIMES BY SU Z Y Mc C RAY
THE CO-OP PANTRY Simply Growing Older on Your Farm or Homestead My mama used to tell me that I just couldn’t understand. Even though she was in her mid-80s, in her mind she still thought and felt just like she did when she was in her twenties. While her body might often fail her, she still went about as many activities as she could on our little farm. Wearing her old-fashioned-looking bonnet and long cotton sleeved shirt even on the hottest days, she dragged seemingly miles of electrical cord behind her as she weedeated all around her property, having given in to the electrical model when her strength would no longer allow her to crank the gasoline-powered weed whacker. When we bought the original farmhouse from her when my daddy died, there were at least seven coats of paint on the kitchen cabinets because when she wanted to remodel, she wielded that paint brush wherever needed. After Daddy died and then her second husband was in the nursing home, she still nailed up curtain rods, planted flowers, and did all her maintenance and cleaning. So, there was no question where I got my independent spirit before and after I was widowed at age 60. I attempted anything that needed doing on this little homestead. I built animal sheds, used a borrowed electric chain saw to prepare at least half of my firewood
for my wood burning heater, stretched fencing, tended multiple critters and enjoyed every minute of it! Now I am BLESSED to have my multitalented husband Mack with me on this little homestead and everyone comments on how this farm doesn’t look anything like it did! But we will both turn 68 this year and realistically we realize there MAY come a time when we have to slow down, even if it’s just a little! As most of you regular readers of this column know, I tried to live as simple a life as possible. I love the older simpler ways. I heated only with wood, had no air conditioning, and no clothes dryer, for close to 40 years…I loved sewing on my old treadle sewing machine…. Now I sit here looking out my back window on things that are making our lives easier while still living simply, even though I’m enjoying the heat from a nearby propane heater and now have the OPTION of drying our clothes in a dryer IF the weather continues raining like it has all week. I’m looking out at a new red metal 40 x 40 feet barn that has replaced my multitude of small animal sheds. Now all animals are in one place so feeding can be done fairly comfortably and easily, with goats on one side in their special lean-to area of the barn, chickens on the opposite side with a 20 x 20 heavy-screened tincovered area in addition to their ability to be turned into April 2020
63
We finally finished the fencing around the larger pasture area.
the pasture. Smaller critters, a feed room, and a workshop are in the center of the barn. Water is run to every area so there’s NO DRAGGING HEAVY HOSE PIPES from place to place! I was proud of the fencing that I had been able to do BUT I was never able to finish fencing the larger pasture so all the animals could enjoy it. Now that entire area is fenced with heavy duty horse fencing (of course bought from our local Co-op last spring!!!) so I no longer have to worry about our animals getting out or predators getting in! Corner posts are wood heavy-duty crossties and all other posts are metal tee posts which should last our lifetime! Talk about making life easier! We had pared down our number of chickens to about 60 BUT things are working out so well I have 45 baby chicks who will arrive next week! Mack loves to garden so last year I started all sorts of plants in the new larger greenhouse he built for me out of all recycled materials (also now with its own sink and running water to make things easier) and our garden was HUGE! But it’s in a better area now so it is easier to work in as it is handier to the house. As longtime Backwoods Home magazine column writer Jackie Clay-Atkinson notes as she gets older, she and her husband “work smarter not harder!” Betty Taylor explains her philosophy at www.homestead.org. She thought of many ways to continue living and working on her homestead after her husband died. One example was how she worked her beehives. She had to compensate for “less muscle mass” so she positioned her beehives so she could back her pickup directly up to each hive and then work the hives from the lowered tailgate of her truck! When people ask her how she completes all the work she replies simply “slowly and imperfectly but with relish!” 64
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Betty also notes that homesteading later in life is a challenge at times but “people are either intrigued by the way I live or they think I’ve lost my mind.” The Mother Earth News Magazine asked readers in their February/March 2017 issue (available on their website) how they were adapting as they grew older on their homesteads. Many mentioned raised beds as ways to continue gardening as weeding and bending became more difficult; heavily mulching existing more traditional gardens so weeding and watering could be kept to a minimum; canning more in pint and half pint jars instead of in quarts as in their younger days when they were putting up food for big families; growing in containers on back porches and decks, and even raising their chicken coops up taller so they would be easier to tend, gather eggs and clean. A reader named James Giambrone Jr. from Brandon, Oregon, suggested to simply “laugh or at least giggle a lot!” As I sit writing this article, Mack is working on finishing the addition to our small farm general store, increasing it to twice its size! With more space we won’t be working harder but working easier as there will be more room to spread out what we already had crammed into the tinier space! There will also be more room to sit and visit with friends and family which is one of the best benefits of growing older on the homestead! You can simply type in “growing older on the homestead” into your computer or phone’s search engine and you’ll find lots of interesting tips and articles about making your older years easier AND more fun on your farm or homestead or even in your flower garden on your lot in town! But my advice is to just not give up on your dreams even though you’re growing older. Back in my newspaper days I did an article on a man confined to a wheelchair who had a huge garden in beds raised about four feet high all in his suburban backyard! He grew enough food for he and his wife and his grown children’s families - all completed from that manual wheelchair! I haven’t dyed my hair since about the year 2000 so my hair is pretty white and I’m proud to be at this point in my life. I love to read the Psalms David wrote and especially those when he was older like this one, “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come!” (Psalm 71:18) (Suzy and her husband Mack strive to live a simple life on a small homestead in Blount County. She can be reached through their Facebook page or at suzy.mccray@yahoo.com)
THE MAGIC OF GARDENING
B Y T O N Y G L OV E R
The Sustainable Vegetable Garden The 150-foot-deep Providence Canyon in Southwest Georgia (pictured above) formed rapidly during the 19th century due to poor farming practices.
Gardeners have the same challenges as farmers in maintaining a sustainable growing system. We all know that soil conservation is the most important part of agriculture sustainability. This same philosophy can and does apply to home gardens as well as large farms. Home gardeners can learn several things from modern soil conservation practices. Almost everyone has heard of the Dust Bowl that occurred during the 1930s. The frequently-plowed precious topsoil that had accumulated over centuries dried in the summer heat and extended drought and was blown away during
that decade. However, in the Southeast our main problem was soil eroding away in water rather than blowing away. In Stewart County, Southwest Georgia, not far from Eufaula, Alabama, there is a state park called Providence Canyon. The misnamed Providence Canyon at over 150-foot-deep is less due to the providence of God and more due to the poor decisions of man. In fact, this canyon formed rapidly during the 19th century primarily due to poor farming practices. On a smaller scale, home gardeners experience similar problems. In addition to soil lost through water and wind, you can also lose scarce organic matter April 2020
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by the continual turning of the soil. It seems that both the Dust Bowl-era soil loss and the erosion soil loss had a common cause – excessive tillage. Our farmers have largely adopted no-till practices to help combat soil and organic matter losses. Home gardeners should learn to practice no-till or limited till gardening to reduce these loses as well. Farmers mainly accomplish this through raising cover crops or leaving crop debris on the surface. Gardeners can do this as well and they have the added advantage of being able to bring mulch into the garden from last year’s leaf crop from nearby trees or hay left over from a fall landscape display, for example. Since we can easily bring in outside sources of organic matter, gardeners often overlook the importance and other advantages of growing our own organic matter with winter and summer cover crops. Local Extension agents were encouraging farmers to plant legume crops way back in the 1920s and we are still singing the praises of these miracle crops that add nitrogen and organic matter as well as pulling valuable nutrients from deep in the soil. Small gardeners often find it difficult to practice crop rotation on such a small scale but it is very important for long-term sustainability to develop a sound rotation plan. The first step in crop rotation is
good record keeping. Make notes about where you planted what vegetables and what pest problems they had. Learn which crops are related and are the same host for important soil-borne diseases and pests such as nematodes. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has several good publications on soil improvement and crop rotation, but the most useful one is called “Nematode Control in the Home Vegetable Garden”. Search our website at www.aces.edu for this publication. You will find a good plant rotation plan within that flyer. If the publication does not show up use the “search the archives” option. F.H. King, about 100 years ago, wrote a book called “Farmers of Forty Centuries”. Even before the disaster of the Dust Bowl and tremendous erosion problems in the South, Professor King studied the ancient farms of China and tried to teach Americans that sustainability begins with soil fertility and conservation. Had we paid attention to his instruction the Dust Bowl and severe erosion we experienced in much of the Southeast would have been avoided. We now know it is a bad practice to wear out farm land and move to new soil and as gardeners we often have nowhere to move so we must do a good job conserving and improving what we already have. Mulch, compost and cover crops are our best friends as home gardeners.
Gardeners have the added advantage of being able to bring mulch into the garden from last year’s leaf crop from nearby trees or hay left over from a fall landscape display, for example.
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HOWLE’S HINTS BY JOH N HOW L E
THE HERB FARMER HOW’S YOUR GARDEN April Assignments
SIMPLE TIMES “We are always getting ready to live but never living.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
life to the fullest right now? Even Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” If you are ready to come out of the winter slumps, April may be your month to start living abundantly again. We see it in nature. Grass is growing, flowers are blooming, fruit trees are blossoming, and newborn calves are frolicking in the pastures. If you have a job outside of the farm, don’t wait until you are retired to start living. Plan some short adventures even while you are working. Spend time in the quiet of the outdoors enjoying the beauty of nature, and most important, spend time in thoughtful prayer and service to others.
THE CO-OP PANTRY
The month of April is a great time to start living. That may sound strange, but over the years, I’ve seen far too many people say that once they retire, they are finally going to start “living.” What’s wrong with living
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Bolster the Bovine
Purdue University recommends doing soil tests to determine any magnesium and calcium deficiencies in the soil and completing a forage analysis. In the event you have a cow come down with grass tetany, you can administer calcium paste orally, and quickly call the vet to administer an IV with magnesium and calcium.
Spring is a critical time for cattle to get their trace minerals and supplements while the grass is growing quickly with fewer nutrients being absorbed in the stems and plant tissues. These conditions can cause grass tetany if the cattle aren’t getting enough magnesium and calcium. You can get expert advice from your local Co-op in finding the right mineral mixture for your cattle. The minerals need to be available to the cattle at all times this time of year, and during springtime, it is especially important to make sure the cattle have a mineral mixture that provides the higher levels of magnesium and calcium that they need during spring grass growth. Even though the cattle may have plenty of new grass to graze, you might even want to provide some dry matter such as hay to limit the intake of nothing but fast-growing grass. When the minerals are made available in a trace mineral mixture with salt, you don’t have to worry about the cattle getting too much of the magnesium and calcium. This is because salt is an intake limiter. Keep a free-choice mineral containing eight to 12 percent magnesium and 16 percent calcium throughout the year to prevent grass tetany.
April is a great time of year to take soil samples for lab analysis. If you are taking soil samples from food plots or pastures, use a shovel to remove grass and thatch, then, use a soil probe or garden spade to collect a few samples of soil from various spots at a depth to four inches. This is the optimum depth for roots to absorb nutrients. Mix the soil samples in a clean, plastic bucket with no chemical residues. From the bucket, pour your samples into the soil boxes that you can get from your local Extension office. Once you mail off your soil samples and the lab has completed testing, you will receive a soil test report showing you exactly what fertilizers and lime you need for the best growth performance.
Your local Co-op can give you the right mineral mix for cattle.
Soil tests give you specific amounts of lime and fertilizer you need for optimum forage growth.
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Sweeten Your Soil
When jumping off another vehicle, rev the engine to boost power to the alternator and battery that are giving the jump.
Boost Your Battery Vehicle batteries never pick a convenient time to die. You can tell when your phone battery is about to die, but with an average life expectancy of three years, your truck battery can quickly disappoint you. Battery age and battery cable corrosion can contribute to non-starts. If you have a vehicle you can get a jump from, once you hook the jumper cables to both vehicles, rev the engine on the vehicle with the good battery to between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm. This will create more cranking energy from your alternator and give the battery extra power to get your vehicle cranked and running. While it is running, run to the store and buy another battery with a warranty and plenty of cranking amps.
Game cameras can serve as security surveillance.
you catch someone who is up to no good. If you come back to check and your game camera is stolen, then you know you have criminal trespassing occurring. In addition to purchasing the game camera, invest in an SD card reader. The card reader allows you to simply insert the SD card and see and delete images directly on the reader screen. Your local Co-op should have these on hand or can order game cameras for your farming operation. Your local Co-op can provide you with the right mineral mix for your cattle, game cameras, fertilizer and lime to meet all your farm needs. This April, get out and start living an abundant life.
Versatile Game Cameras Game cameras are great for capturing the locations, travel patterns, and visiting times of wildlife. The prices have come down considerably over the years, and they are easier to operate. One versatile thing about the game camera is its use as a surveillance camera. You can place a couple around your property, near your outbuildings, or along trails leading to and from your property. Like many of you, we have had deer poached, equipment stolen, and other criminal trespassing take place on our land. A few concealed game cameras might help April 2020
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FOOD SAFETY
It’s Strawberry Time
It’s strawberry time! One of my favorite times of the year. It’s great when you have u-pick farms nearby or a local farmers’ market that carries fresh local-grown strawberries.
Varieties
The main varieties grown here in Alabama are Camarosa and Chandler which are excellent for freezing, and for jams and preserves. Other varieties, including Albion and Sweet Charlie, are occasionally grown as well but are generally not as well adapted to Alabama’s weather, according to Gary Gray and James Miles, two of our Regional Extension Agents in Commercial Horticulture.
Yield
1 quart (1 1/2 pounds) = 4 cups 8-quart crate (12 pounds) = 12 pints frozen 24-quart crate = 18 to 24 quarts canned 36 pounds fresh = 36 pints frozen 2/3 quart fresh = 1 pint frozen
HOW TO PRESERVE Freezing
Choose firm, ripe, red berries, preferably with a slightly tart flavor. Large berries are better sliced or crushed. Sort the berries. Wash them in cold water but do not 70
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soak. Cap and drain well. Using the sugar and syrup pack methods will produce better quality frozen strawberries than packing berries without sweetening. • Syrup pack method: Pack berries into containers and cover with cold 50% syrup (1 part water to 1 part sugar), leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal, label, date and freeze the berries. • Sugar pack method: Add 1 part sugar to 6 parts strawberries, and mix thoroughly. Put into containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal, label, date and freeze the berries. • Unsweetened pack method: Pack into containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. To ensure better color, cover with water containing one teaspoon ascorbic acid to each quart of water. Seal, label and freeze the berries. • Pectin pack method: This alternative uses pectin and less sugar than the syrup pack method and retains the fresh berry flavor, color and texture. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on the box. Pack into freezer bags or containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal, label, date and freeze the berries.
Canning
Strawberry Syrup (9 half pints) 6 1/2 cups of fresh or frozen berries 6 1/2 cups of sugar
B Y A N G E L A T R E A D AWAY
You may also use this procedure with fresh juices from fresh or frozen strawberries, and with fresh or frozen blueberries, cherries, grapes or raspberries. Select fresh or frozen fruit. Wash, cap and stem fresh fruit and crush in a saucepan. Heat to boiling and simmer until soft, five to 10 minutes. Strain hot through a colander, and drain until cool enough to handle. Strain the collected juice through a double layer of cheesecloth or a jelly bag. Discard the dry pulp. The yield of the pressed juice should be about 4 1/2 to 5 cups. In a large saucepan, combine the juice with sugar. Bring to a boil, and simmer 1 minute. To make syrup with whole fruit pieces, save 1 or 2 cups of the fresh or frozen fruit, combine these with the sugar, and simmer as in making regular syrup. Remove from heat, skim off foam, and fill clean, hot, half-pint or pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims, adjust lids and process in a boiling-water canner for 10 minutes (both half-pints and pints).
Lower Sugar Strawberry Jam
For 10 – 8 ounce jars 6 2/3 cups crushed strawberries (can chop in a food processor) 1 2/3 cups unsweetened fruit juice or water 7 1/2 tablespoons Ball Low or No Sugar Needed Pectin ½ to 3 cups granulated sugar or honey ½ tsp butter to prevent foaming so badly.
Make Jam
1. PREPARE water bath canner, jars and lids according to manufacturer’s instructions. 2. COMBINE prepared fruit with fruit juice or water in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in Ball RealFruit™ Pectin. Add butter, if using. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that can’t be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly. 3. ADD sugar, sugar substitute or honey, if using. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary. 4. Ladle into hot clean canning jars, place two-piece lid on and tighten fingertip tight. Then process in the water bath canner for 10 minutes. Remove from canner and let set on a towel on the counter for 24 hours. Check for seal, rinse and clean jar, label and enjoy. If it did not seal, put in refrigerator or reprocess in the canner. **One thing to remember when you are doing lower sugar jams and jellies is that the shelf life is shorter because sugar acts as a preservative of the color of the fruit. Full sugar jam will last about 8-10 months on the shelf without turning but with lower sugar jams and jellies, they begin to turn after about 3 months. It’s better for you, but won’t stay that bright strawberry red. The best way to retain the color is do low sugar in small batches and when the strawberries are so abundant freeze them in preparation of making jam several times a year. Frozen strawberries tend to make a sweeter jam.
Storage, food safety and other interesting facts about strawberries • Avoid purchasing fruits that are bruised, damaged or moldy. • Wash hands before and after handling fresh produce. • Keep fruit away from raw meats and meat juice to prevent cross contamination. • Use soft, overripe berries immediately; discard any smashed or moldy product. • Store berries in a box with holes and cover with plastic wrap, or put in a plastic bag with holes. • Store at around 40 °F. • One cup of strawberries is only 55 calories. • Eight strawberries will provide 140 percent of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for kids. • Strawberries are a member of the rose family.
• The flavor of a strawberry is influenced by weather, the variety and stage of ripeness when harvested. • On average, there are 200 seeds in a strawberry. • Ninety-four percent of United States households consume strawberries. • According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the annual per capita consumption of fresh and frozen strawberries is 4.85 pounds per person. • Strawberries are grown in every state in the United States and every province of Canada. • Americans eat 3.4 pounds of fresh strawberries each year plus another 1.8 pounds frozen per capita. Although strawberries are available in many forms— frozen, jam and jelly, and ice cream— nothing compares to the taste of a fresh vine-ripened strawberry.
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FROM PASTOR TO PASTURE
BY GLENN CRUMPLER
New Beginnings There are few things as refreshing and renewing as a warm, beautiful, spring-like day following the months of mostly cold, wet, overcast days of winter. The songs of chirping birds in the trees are welcomed sounds. The Purple Martin scouts have returned once again with all their exciting acrobatics and unmatched chatter - signaling that the return of our spring tenants is coming soon. New growth is budding out on trees and bushes that for so long have been dormant and bare. Clovers and ryegrass are greening up the pastures where the new calves and baby goats run and play. It is a good day for a picnic and a walk in the woods.
Many of the trails and bare spots on the ground show signs of increased wildlife activity as the deer, hogs and coyotes reach the end of their breeding seasons. The neighbor’s beautiful lake through the trees is dark and smooth. I see the swirling water in the shallows where a fat largemouth prepares to make her bed. I am not fishing, but I can feel in my hand, the cool, thick bluegill that I know must be lurking below that leaning log by the cypress. I can literally smell ‘that smell’ that brings back so many good memories of pulling spring bluegill from the cool, but warming waters. I can hear in my mind the sound of the propane cooker and the sizzling of the grease
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as I fry the fresh-caught fish while Steve makes up the hushpuppies. My mind just would not slow down as the beauty of this beautiful, spring-like Sunday afternoon continued to refresh my energy and my hope for more better and brighter days that are sure to come. I visualized taking more jeep and four-wheeler rides down the open trails and dirt roads near the farm. Most of these trips I will take with my grandchildren; some will just include me and Lisa, and some will be with Lisa and another couple, but they will all be good times that I look forward to. As this beautiful afternoon neared an end, I forced myself back into the office to write. Within just a few minutes, the door flew open as the boys came running in to get their bridles and saddles. They and Grandmamma were going for a ride that would be a near perfect close to such a beautiful day. Not only was the day beautiful, but seeing my wife and grandchildren having fun and enjoying being together is a beautiful sight in and of itself that gives me a special sense of inner peace and joy. After about an hour, I just could not sit still any longer. The day was just too beautiful and too inviting not to enjoy more of it outside in the sunshine. Though another friend had my horse at her house, I still wanted to be outside with Lisa and the boys as they rode on this beautiful day and in near perfect weather. I walked about 100 yards to the mailbox and saw Bryant and Lisa three pastures over on Jack’s place where the goats are. Lisa was on Penny (our four-year-old sorrel mare), Bryant was on Nikki (our 11-year-old black mare) and it appeared that Bryant was riding bareback. I was looking for Bradyn when I heard the sounds of pounding hoofs coming up behind me. I turned around just as old Sonny Boy (our 21-year-old sorrel gelding) came galloping past me with Bradyn astride hollering: “Watch out Granddaddy, we’ve got to catch ‘em!” The boy’s confidence and riding abilities have really improved over the last year. This beautiful spring-like day was so refreshing and encouraging. It caused me to think about the past, but it also prompted me to think about the future - not just the near future, but the future as it pertains to eternity! I cannot speak for you specifically, but my guess is that you and I have a lot in common. Much of my past is filled with treasured memories like the ones I mentioned and many more that are even deeper and more meaningful. This part of the past, I hope never becomes cognitively out of my reach, though I do sometimes now take them for granted and fail to value them as I should. Some of the things and relationships that I most remember and treasure, I just assume that I will 74
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always have the opportunity to enjoy and experience in the future. However, when I really stop to spend some time thinking about it, I realize that I am taking an awful lot for granted. There are already some things that I used to do that I just cannot do any more. There are some things that I used to enjoy doing that I just do not have the time for, or, they are just not worth the effort to do now. There are many people that I love and have great memories of and with, who are no longer here for me to be with - some have moved on and some have passed on. There are dreams of things I wanted to do, places I wanted to see, family and friends that I wanted to be with. If I don’t do them soon, they will just remain dreams. There are other parts of my past, if they have to be anywhere, in my past is the only place I want them to be. Though I cannot do anything to change the past, I am so thankful that it is all washed clean in the blood of Jesus, not only for my benefit, but for the benefit of others who were a part of it. Some things in my past, I needed forgiveness for. Other things in my past, others needed forgiveness for. I am grateful that God’s grace is sufficient for my sin and mistakes and the sin and mistakes of others. Last week, a good friend of mine died from unexpected complications following open heart surgery.
Not only had he been a longtime friend of mine, though of imaginary angels floating on their own individual I had not spent much time with him over the past sev- clouds, why would we ever believe that real living could eral years, he was also a good friend and substitute have anything to do with that? Seriously, if spending teacher (Mr. D.) for two of my grandsons: Bryant and eternity worshiping God is nothing more than we exBradyn. perience in most churches on Sunday mornings, and Bryant was out of town, but Bradyn was home all that we have to look forward to in Heaven is that, and able to go to the funeral with me. It was a nasty, would anyone really want to go for any other reason stormy day, one of just four or five consecutive nas- than to escape a Biblical hell? ty days. There is just something about a funeral on a The Bible has SO MUCH more to say about Heavnasty day, especially in the winen that we CAN understand, but ter, that makes it gloomy and dethat we have not learned, much pressing, no matter who you are less taught to our children and in On the way home, or how prepared the person was our churches. The Bible says that Bradyn started talking to die. eternity for followers of Christ will about heaven and dyOn the way home, Bradyn be lived out in a tangible place, a started talking about heaven new Heaven and on a new earth ing - not in a morbid and dying--not in a morbid way, as it was in the beginning, in the way, but in an honest but in an honest and inquisitive Garden of Eden! There will be a and inquisitive way like way like we all do from time to new Jerusalem where God will time. Honestly, it would be better reign. There will be no more sin, we all do from time to if we all thought about the future evil, sickness, hurt, disappointtime. Honestly, it would (especially eternity) more often ment, fear, separation, suffering be better if we all in this way. or death. Jesus will personally thought about the future Like most of us, Bradyn was wipe every tear from our eyes thinking about all of life that we never to cry again. (especially eternity) would not get to live after we Heaven will be a place of indemore often in this way. die! Think about that! He knows scribable beauty and of gigantic that Heaven is where he and I are proportions. The Bible describes going. He knows that Heaven is just the new city of Jerusalem as where we are supposed to want to go and that it will encompassing 1,960,000 square miles, with 12 gates be good. He knows that Jesus will be there along with where nations can come and go as they please. It is a everyone else who believes in and walks with Jesus. place where Jesus is the light and there is no need for He knows all these things, but he could not associate the sun, the moon or a church building. It will be a city Heaven with living. Like many of us, he was struggling of life where a river flows from God’s throne, watering trying to comprehend how being in Heaven could trees that will bear food for all the inhabitants. compare with living in this beautiful world and all the Not only will the born-again live with Jesus and adventures and wonders that are found in it. That is a with one another, we will reign over the new heavens genuine conflict that we all face or have faced. and earth with Him. An entire life of the most beautiful Because we have never seen Heaven, it is hard to spring days in this life, fails to compare to one day in imagine it. In fact, Scripture says: “No eye has seen, no Heaven! Hope to see you there! ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1Cor. CATTLE FOR CHRIST 2:9). Even in the Revelation John received, he could INTERNATIONAL, INC. go no further to describe what he saw in Heaven than: Glenn Crumpler, “ ...it was like....” What he saw was so overwhelming and glorious, there were no words for it. All John could President do was try to compare it to something else that he Cattlemen helping you take the Gospel and love had seen but that could not do justice to what he was of Christ around the world. now seeing. 334-393-4700 (Home). 4125 CR 636 Because all we have firsthand knowledge of is life Enterprise, AL 36330 334-333-4400 (Mobile) on this earth, as corrupted by sin and the fall as it is, 2 Corinthians 5:15 it is hard for us to imagine anything better. Because www.CattleforChrist.com Heaven has always been associated with a bunch e-mail: glenncrumpler@cattleforchrist.com April 2020
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THE CO-OP PANTRY BY M A RY DE L P H
Casseroles are wondrous things! You can bake them and eat them, or take them to an under-the-weather friend. Many you can freeze, thaw and eat on those nights when you are running late. Whatever the occasion, they can make your life so much easier! - Mary
Easy Butter-Chicken Casserole 1 cup uncooked regular white rice 1 1/2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-ounce carton) 1 can (14.5-ounce) fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained 4 tablespoons butter, melted 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons garam masala 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 1 package (20-ounce) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut in 1-inch pieces 1/2 cup chopped green onions 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves Chopped cashews and sour cream, as desired Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spread uncooked rice evenly in baking dish. In large bowl, mix broth, tomatoes, melted butter, garlic, garam masala, ginger, salt
and ground red pepper; stir in chicken and onions. Pour mixture evenly over rice in baking dish; cover with foil. Bake 40 minutes; stir. Replace foil; bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until rice is tender, chicken is no longer pink in center and mixture is heated to at least 165 degrees in center of casserole. Stir; top with cilantro. Serve with cashews and sour cream.
Sweet Potato Casserole
3 cups cooked sweet potatoes 1 cup sugar 2 eggs ½ cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 stick margarine 1/2 teaspoon salt Topping: 1 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup flour 1 stick margarine 1/4 cup chopped pecans Mix ingredients in small bowl then sprinkle topping mixture on top of potato mixture. Bake for 3540 minutes at 350 degrees. Do not cover while baking. Very good!
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Queso Beef and Rice Casserole 1 pound lean ground beef 1 cup chopped onions 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped 1 medium jalapeño chili, finely chopped 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 package (1-ounce) Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups milk 8 ounces Kraft™ Velveeta™ original cheese product, cubed 12 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese 4 cups cooked white rice 1 can (4.5-ounces) Old El Paso™ chopped green chilies
Brown the beef and the onions in a pan, drain and pour in bottom of casserole dish. Layer the potatoes, celery and spaghetti. Pour the cans of mushroom soup over the mixture. Fry the bacon and cut into small pieces and put on top. Pour tomato juice over the bacon and then sprinkle cheese over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for one and a half hours.
Pizza Casserole
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. In five-quart Dutch oven, cook beef, onions, bell pepper and jalapeño chili over medium-high heat five to seven minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Add flour, taco seasoning mix and salt; cook and stir two minutes. Gradually stir in milk, scraping bottom of pan. Heat to boiling; cook and stir two to three minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat; add Velveeta™ cheese and two cups of the Cheddar cheese; stir until melted. Stir in rice and green chilies.
Washday Casserole
3 pounds ground beef 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 9 slices of bacon 3 cups cooked spaghetti 3 onions (sliced) 1 quart tomato juice 3 cups of sliced potatoes 1 pound Cheddar cheese 3 cups of sliced celery
8 ounces noodles, cooked 1 pound hamburger 1 cup diced onion 1 cup fresh sour cream 1 cup pizza sauce 1 cup cottage cheese 1 cup shredded Colby cheese Cook noodles until tender. Drain and place into 9 x13inch baking dish. In order, layer hamburger, onion, sour cream, pizza sauce, cottage cheese and Colby cheese on top of noodles. Do NOT stir. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until cheese on top is bubbly. April 2020
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Michael Starling, Member in Henry County
AlabamaAgCredit.com Call 800.579.5471
40’ x 60’ x 12’ - Installed Roof only, closed gables - $7,642 Roof only, open gables - $6,850 30’ x 40’ x 10’ - Installed Roof Only, open gables - $3,950 *Prices do not include tax and delivery*
MEMBER
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Cooperative Farming News
Office - 228-678-0971 Cell - 228-234-9115 or 228-234-7241 Jregister@registermetals.com Locations: 2811 26th Ave. Gulfport MS and Highland Home, AL
1-888-MOSS-USA Call for the dealer nearest you!
Mega Green Photoperiod Sensitive Sorghum Sudan Grass - No seed head all summer long -Up to 24 - 4” leaves per plant - 3 to 4 times the yield - Lower seeding rate - Drought tolerant - Higher weight gains -Unbelievable regrowth
MID STATE STOCKYARDS LLP. 8415 State Highway 97 South, Letohatchee, AL 36047 - Interstate 65 Exit 151
Sale Day: Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. 1-877-334-5229 | 334-227-8000 www.midstatestockyards.com
“Serving the Southeast since our beginning in 2003”
Drop-Off Locations: Covington Co. Matthew Hammett 334-488-0934
ClantonAllen Wyatt 205-288-6298
WetumpkaHarold Levins 334-313-3695
SW AL Harry Bryant 251-989-3992
East ALMike Boswell 706-577-1900
www.MossSeed.com
Gallagher cares about graziers Our full line of portable fencing products is the most efficient method for controlling where your animals graze and allows a proper recovery time for your pastures. To learn more and see all of our products visit www.GallagherUSA.com today!
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Call 256-495-3614
What’s happening in U S A
55TH ANNUAL EUFAULA PILGRIMAGE April 3-5, 2020 Eufaula - Various Locations Admission 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Call 334-687-3793 GRAND BAY ANTIQUES AND UNIQUES SPRING SALE April 3-5, 2020 Grand Bay - 2361 County Road 255 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Call 256-495-3614
CENTRAL ALABAMA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL April 1, 2020 Selma - Lions Club Fair Park Call 334-267-6189 APRIL HISTORIC WALKING TOURS April 1-25, 2020 Athens - Athens-Limestone Visitors Center - 9:45 - 11:00 a.m. each Sunday Call 256-232-5411 SPRING FLOWER SHOW April 1-30, 2020 Wetumpka - Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum Friday-Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: Noon - 5:00 p.m. Call 334-263-5713 ALABAMA AUTO SHOW April 2-5, 2020 Birmingham - BJCC - Admission 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Call 205-980-0540 "COME HOME, ITS SUPPERTIME," April 2-11, 2020 Brundidge - We Piddle Around Theater - Admission 7:00 p.m. Call 334-670-6302
CIVIL WAR WALKING TOUR OF OLD CAHAWBA April 4, 2020 Orrville - Old Cahawba Archeological Park 10:00 a.m. Call 334-872-8058 DISCOVERY DAY AT THE ESTUARIUM April 4, 2020 Dauphin Island - Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Call 251-861-7500 HWY 13 YARD SALE April 4, 2020 Natural Bridge - Various Locations 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 205-269-9208 OZARK CRAWDAD & MUSIC FESTIVAL April 4, 2020 Ozark - Downtown on the Square 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 334-774-2618 HIGHWAY 22 YARD SALE April 4, 2020 Various Locations - Alex City to Alabama/Georgia State Line Call 334-863-6612 York HOMECOMING April 4, 2020 Historic Railroad District 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 205-392-5231
SIEGE OF BRIDGEPORT REENACTMENT April 3-5, 2020 PINEY WOODS ARTS FESTIVAL Bridgeport - 2361 CR 255 9:00 - 3:00 p.m. Farming News April 4-5, 2020 80 a.m. Cooperative
Enterprise - Enterprise State Community College Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: Noon - 4:00 p.m. Call 334-406-2787 SMOKE ON THE FALLS April 11, 2020 Gadsden - Noccalula Park Admission 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 256-549-4663 LAFAYETTE DAY FOR VALLEY HAVEN April 11, 2020 Lafayette - Courthouse Square 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 334-756-2868 LEBANESE FOOD AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL April 17-18, 2020 Birmingham - Saint Elias Maronite Catholic Church 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Call 205-252-3867 GARDENDALE MAGNOLIA FESTIVAL April 17-18, 2020 Gardendale - Gardendale Civic Center Complex Friday: 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 205-514-6423 OLD 280 BOOGIE April 17-18, 2020 Waverly - Standard Deluxe Inc. Admission Call 334-826-6423 "TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD” THEATRICAL PRODUCTION April 17 - May 16, 2020 Monroeville - Old Monroe Co. Courthouse - Admission 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Call 251-743-2879 NOBLE STREET FESTIVAL April 18, 2020 Anniston - Downtown Call 256-689-5479 CAHABAQUE BBQ COOK-OFF April 18, 2020 Birmingham - Cahaba Brewing Company - 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Call 205-996-5463
EARTH DAY MOBILE BAY April 18, 2020 Fairhope - Fairhope Municipal Pier 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Call 251-990-8662 SUCARNOCHEE FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL April 18, 2020 Livingston - Sumter County Courthouse Square Call 205-652-5545 MONTEVALLO ARTS FEST April 18, 2020 Montevallo - Orr Park & Parnell Memorial Library Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 205-665-3766 ALABAMA BOOK FESTIVAL April 18, 2020 Montgomery - Old Alabama Town 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Call 1-888-240-1850 CAMELLIA CLASSIC CAR SHOW April 18, 2020 Theodore - Bellingrath Gardens and Home’s Great Lawn 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 251-973-2217 BLOOMIN’ FESTIVAL April 18-19, 2020 St. Bernard Prep School and Abbey 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 256-739-6682 ANNUAL CALICO FORT ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR April 18-19, 2020 Fort Deposit - Calico Spirit Drive visit www.calicofort.com Call 334-227-8589 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR ENCAMPMENT April 18-19, 2020 Wetumpka - Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park - Admission 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 334-567-3002 BERRY HERITAGE FESTIVAL April 24-25, 2020 Berry - Berry Heritage Park Friday: 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 334-567-3002
RUSSELL MARINE IN-WATER BOAT SHOW April 24-26, 2020 Alexander City - 450 Ridge Marina Way 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 256-397-1300 MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION April 24-26, 2020 Birmingham - Linn Park - Downtown Admission Friday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 205-595-6306 GENEVA FESTIVAL ON THE RIVERS April 24-26, 2020 Geneva - Robert Fowler Memorial Park - Admission Friday: 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Call 334-313-8177 PANOPLY ARTS FESTIVAL April 24-26, 2020 Huntsville - Big Spring Park Admission Friday: 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sunday: Noon - 6:00 p.m. Call 256-519-2787
GULF COAST HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL May 1-2, 2020 Foley - Foley Sports Park Call 251-943-3291 WHISTLESTOP FESTIVAL & ROCKET CITY BBQ COOK-OFF May 1-2, 2020 Huntsville - Huntsville Depot Friday: 4:00 - 11:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Call 256-426-2350 STRAWBERRYFEST May 2, 2020 Cullman - Festhalle Market Platz Call 256-734-9157 FLIMP FESTIVAL May 2, 2020 Montgomery - Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts & Blount Cultural Park 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Call 334-240-4333 71ST ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE FLEET May 2-3, 2020 Bayou La Batre - St. Margaret’s Catholic Church 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. Call 251-824-2415
GEICO 500 WEEKEND April 24-26, 2020 Lincoln - Talladega Super Speedway Admission Call 256-761-4976 INTERSTATE MULLET TOSS & GULF COAST'S GREATEST BEACH PARTY April 24-26, 2020 Orange Beach - Flora Bama Admission Call 251-980-5118 RACKING HORSE SPRING SHOW April 24-27, 2020 Decatur - Morgan County Celebration Arena - 6:00 p.m. Call 800-524-6181 DELTA WOODS & WATERS EXPO April 25, 2020 Spanish Fort - 5 Rivers on the Causeway - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 251-625-0814
“What’s Happening in Alabama” Policy The AFC Cooperative Farming News publishes event listings as space allows, giving preference to agricultural events of regional or statewide interest and those that are annual or one-time events. The magazine assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information submitted for publication and advises calling ahead to confirm dates, locations, times and possible admission fees. To be included in the calendar, send listings to: Cooperative Farming News Calendar of Events P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609 -oremail to Calendar of Events at subscribe@alafarm.com *Please include name of event, where it will be held (both town and physical location), a phone number for more information, and an email or website.* *Event Listings must be received at least two months in advance and will be accepted up to a year in advance.*
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LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS SUPPORT THE AUCTION. WE WORK FOR YOU.
CLAY COUNTY STOCKYARD
VALLEY STOCKYARD
1050 Airport Road - Ashland, AL Sale Every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Tad and Kim Eason, Owners
Check us out on Facebook!
13130 AL HWY 157 - Moulton, AL Cattle Auction - Wed. at 11:00 a.m. Billy Wallace (C) 256-303-7097 Phone: 256-974-5900 Fax: 256-974-5899 Your Full Service Stockyard
SAND MOUNTAIN STOCKYARD, LLC
TOP RANKED MARKET RECEIPTS SINCE 2006
Barn: 256-354-2276 Tad: 397-4428
Hauling available
19509 AL Hwy 68 - Crossville, AL 256-561-3434 Cattle Auction - Every Wed. & Sat. at 11:30 a.m. Call for any hauling & catching needs
MID STATE STOCKYARDS 8415 State HWY 97 South Letohatchee, AL 36047 Sale Day: Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. 1-877-334-5229 or 334-227-8000 www.midstatestockyards.com
If you would like to advertise your stockyard, please contact Wendy McFarland at mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com
AFC Grain Elevator Locations Florence PO Box 998 Florence, AL 35631 1090 South Court Street Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256-308-1681 Fax: 256-560-2681
Decatur PO Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609 800 B Market Street Decatur, AL 35601 Phone: 256-308-1670 Fax: 256-351-8424
Guntersville PO Box 516 Guntersville, AL 35976 117 Signal Point Road Guntersville, AL 35976 Phone: 256-582-3121
Uniontown PO Box 610 Uniontown, AL 36786 US Hwy 80 east (behind Stockyard) Uniontown, AL 36786 Phone: 334-628-2611 Fax: 334-628-9000
Satellite Elevator - South 2414 Brown Street Guntersville, AL 35976 Phone: 256-582-3122
Satellite Elevator - Browns 21145 US Hwy 80 Browns, AL
Leighton 1208 Sockwell Lane Leighton, AL
FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM AFC’s Future Leaders Program is designed to provide our cooperative system the next generation of key employees, equipped to handle the challenges of agribusiness management. FLPs will be exposed to all aspects of the Co-op, as well as the opportunity to attend organized training sessions. Through a variety of store experience and continued education, the FLPs will gain the tools needed to be successful in the agribusiness sector.
Continuing Education Customer Service Crop Nutrients Team Building Merchandising Finance Sales Feed
Benefits
Health/Vision/Dental Insurance Vacation and Sick Leave Competitive Salaries 401k Matching Life Insurance
For more information on this program please contact Corey Espy at corey.espy@alafarm.com or 256-308-1634
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Cooperative Farming News
“My Top Pick Pinkeye Peas just plain out-yield any other variety I have planted...”
k c i P p To UTILITY PATENT PROTECTED
Pinkeye Pinkeye P inkeye
Top Pick Peas gives you top yields plus pods on top of the plant.
Brown Brown B rown Crowder Crowder C rowder
Cream Cream C ream
“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.
Seeds for Southern Soils
We sold them at the Fresh Market, along with shelled peas. The customers came back asking for Top Pick peas. We will plant more Top Pick Pinkeyed peas next year and years to come.” Bo Levins - Planterville, Alabama “I first saw Top Pick Pinkeyed peas growing at the E. V. Smith Research Center and really liked the way they put out on top and around the outside of the plant. They were really loaded up with peas. I have been planting these pinkeyed for ten years now. They produce more than the old bush running pinkeyed purple hull peas. They just out produce any other pinkeyed on the market. They shell out great and taste great. Top Pick Pinkeyed peas work for me and there is no need to plant any other pinkeyed pea.” Rob Peacock - Pike Road, Alabama
April 2020
83
SPRAYING MADE EASY AND AFFORDABLE 12 VOLT SPOT SPRAYERS UTV & 3 POINT SPRAYERS
BRONZE
15 Gallon 404799 - $112.59 25 Gallon 404803 - $121.59
GOOD
SILVER
15 Gallon 404800 - $145.29 25 Gallon 404804 - $149.97
BETTER
UTV SPRAYERS
12 Volt 45 Gallon - 454198 - $609.97* 12 Volt 65 Gallon - 454079 - $674.97*
*Boom Kits Sold Separately
55 GALLON 3 POINT Hamilton - 36’ Swath 404798 - $1,089.79 BXT - 36’ Swath 404848 - $1,275.97 7-Nozzle - 140” Swath 480442 - $1,147.97
110, 150 & 200 GALLON
BOOMLESS, 6 & 8 ROW BOOMS IN STOCK GOLD
15 Gallon 404801 - $169.79 25 Gallon 404805 - $174.79
BEST
AG40 HAYMASTER 40 Gallon 453562 - $249.89
LOW PROFILE PASTURE SPRAYERS
1635 DELUXE NURSE WAGON
TR300E-MBXT22PS 300 Gallon 416791 - $3,698.79
With BXT Boomless Nozzles - 36’ Broadcast Sprays Left Or Right Or Both
CALL FOR PRICING
• 5 Year Frame Warranty & Powder Coat Paint • 10,000lb Toro-Flex Axles – 8 Bolt Hub – 12.5LX16 Implement Tires on 10” Rims • 35 Gallon Mix & Fill Tank System with 16” Lid and Tank Rinse • 5.5HP Honda & 2” Poly Pump • Black Tank with Site Gauge • 2” Quick Fill • Hose Hangers, Safety Chains, Adjustable Hitch
Visit A Co-Op Store Near You Or Email Jerryo@alafarm.com for Participating Stores (Prices Subject To Change Due To Freight Cost)
Spr g
S e
SINCE 1918
4 for $10 | April 1 - 11th at participating co-ops 6 pack veggies & 6 pack flowers
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Cooperative Farming News
