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Friends & Family Magazine

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This month, Friends & Family Magazine explores some of the myths behind global warming. We also take a trip to Middleton Dairy Farms to see their hands-on dairy education facility and spotlight three of the six Outstanding Young Farm Family finalists.
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Page 1: Friends & Family Magazine
Page 2: Friends & Family Magazine

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Page 3: Friends & Family Magazine

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A Publication of the Alabama Farmers Federation JUNE / SUMMER 2013

8

20

32

In This Issue 4 Outstanding Young

Farmers

8 Global Warming Myths

10 Tackling Rural Crimes

14 Commodity Conference

20 Mooving Experiences

29 Finding New Farmers

32 Teacher Of The Year

On The Cover Annie Middleton enjoys milk from her family’s dairy farm that’s also a classroom.

Photo by Mike Moody

V O L U M E 8 9 , N U M B E R 2_____________________________________

Debra Davis, EditorMike Moody, Graphic Designer

ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATIONPaul Pinyan, Executive DirectorJeff Helms, Director of Communications

FEDERATION OFFICERSJimmy Parnell, President, StantonRex Vaughn, Vice President/North, HuntsvilleDean Wysner, Vice President/Central, WoodlandGeorge Jeffcoat, Vice President/Southeast, GordonJake Harper, Vice President/Southwest, CamdenSteve Dunn, Secretary-Treasurer, Evergreen

DIRECTORSBrian Glenn, HillsboroTed Grantland, SomervilleWaymon Buttram, GeraldineDon Allison, ArleyJohn E. Walker III, BerryDell Hill, AlpineRichard Edgar, DeatsvilleDickie Odom, BoligeeGarry Henry, Hope HullCarl Sanders, BrundidgeDavid Bitto, ElbertaS. Steve Dunn, SamsonFaye Dial, LinevilleJon Hegeman, Anniston

Friends & Family (ISSN 1522-0648) is published quarterly by the Alabama Farmers Federation, 2108 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36116 or (334) 288-3900. For information about Alabama Farmers Federation member benefits, visit the website www.AlfaFarmers.org. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and additional mailing offices. Printed in the U.S.A.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Friends & Family, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, Alabama 36191-0001.

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: McFarland AdVantage, (334) 652-9080, [email protected].

DISCLAIMERS: Ad vertise ments in Friends & Family do not represent an endorsement by the magazine or Alabama Farmers Federation. Editorial information from sources outside the Alabama Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Alabama Farmers Federation policies. Publication of information does not imply an endorsement by the Alabama Farmers Federation.

www.AlfaFarmers.org

A member ofAmerican FarmBureau Federation

J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3 3 w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Page 4: Friends & Family Magazine

The MillersCotton Division

By Melissa Martin

Bridging the generation gap is more than a concept for Blount County farmer Lance Miller.

It’s something he does everyday working alongside his uncle, Jimmy.

“I’ve been on the farm since I was two, from riding in tractors and building (cotton) modules to splitting ownership of Miller Farms with Jimmy,” said Lance, the Outstanding Young Farm Fam-ily finalist in the Cotton Division along with wife, Stephanie, and 23-month-old son, Reed. “We have a trust bond. It doesn’t work for all family farmers, but it works for us. I know we’re both working toward the same goal.”

While the Millers have seen their share of changes in the cotton

industry since Jimmy began farm-ing in ‘68, they realize change is part of life. In fact, it’s been a key influence on the farm’s diversity.

“Adding cattle to our opera-tion last summer was a big change, and it’s certainly been a learning curve,” said Lance, who holds the North Alabama At-Large seat on the State Young Farmers Com-mittee. “This year, we decided to expand a bit further, adding nearly 100 acres of wheat to our rotation. We’re doing anything we can to keep diversifying our operation.”

Since 2012, the Millers increased their overall acreage from 1,000 to 1,200, including 660 acres of cotton, 180 acres of corn, 100 acres of peanuts, 100 acres of soy-beans and 80 acres of wheat.

“If I’ve learned anything from farming, it’s the more diversified you are, the safer you are,” Lance said. “If we take a heavy loss on cotton, we might make it up with a good corn crop. You never know what harvests will be like.”

Outstanding Young Farm Family FinalistsSponsored each year by the

Alabama Farmers Fed-eration, the Outstanding

Young Farm Family Awards Program recognizes young farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 who do an outstand-ing job on the farm and in the community.

Division winners rep-resenting 10 commodities were selected in February. Of those, six finalists will com-pete for the title of overall Outstanding Young Farm Family for 2013. The winner will be named at the Federa-tion’s 92nd annual meeting in December.

The overall winner will receive more than $60,000 in prizes including: a nicely equipped 2014 Chevrolet or GM pickup truck, courtesy of Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Federation; a John Deere Gator 825i XUV, cour-tesy of Alabama Farm Credit and Alabama Ag Credit; lease of a John Deere tractor, cour-tesy of SunSouth, TriGreen Equipment and Snead Ag deal-ers; and a personal computer system from Valcom Wireless/CCS Technology. Alabama’s top young farm family will represent the state in the American Farm Bureau Fed-eration’s Achievement Award competition at its January 2014 annual meeting in San Antonio.

Three division finalists are featured in this issue. Look for stories on the remaining three finalists in the Fall/September issue.

Lance and Stephanie Miller with son, Reed

w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g 4 J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Page 5: Friends & Family Magazine

The YancesBeef Division

When Jim and Jessica Yance step outside their home, they see more than a rural com-

munity in Henry County. Their view spans generations of hard work and a future with expanded acreage and a stronger farm.

“My grandfather built the farm from practically nothing. With my dad’s help and their collective dedi-cation to providing for our family, they had a diversified [and pretty successful] farm,” said Jim who, with wife Jessica, is the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Outstanding Young Farm Family in the Beef Division. “I always knew I wanted to join them. I’m a farm kid, and I couldn’t ever imagine doing any-thing else.”

Jessica grew up near the pasture where the Yances’ registered Red Angus cattle graze on green grass. Though her parents also farmed, she wasn’t quite as sure of a future in farming.

“I love being out in the country, and I love our animals. Ten years ago, I didn’t know this would be my story, but I am so thankful for all we have and to wake up here every day,” said Jessica, who teaches kindergarten at Headland Elemen-tary School. “I guess you could say we were born about 50 years too

late. Jim and I love the simple life, raising our own food and working hard for what we have. We are truly blessed.”

The Yances, who have been married since 2006, say they are especially happy to raise two-year-old son Tye on their farm in the Haleburg Community. Though the toddler’s favorite part of the farm right now is seeing cattle every day, Jim and Jessica are hopeful he’ll grow up to become a fourth-genera-

tion farmer and have an even bigger farm to work.

Collectively, the Yances farm around 2,000 acres. In addition to owning 70 Red Angus cows and managing his dad’s 300-head commercial beef herd, they grow cotton, hay, wheat, oats and grain sorghum.

“To supplement our income, we have a registered seedstock business, which utilizes artificial insemination and embryo trans-

The Millers’ beef cattle herd includes 18 brood cows, eight calves and a bull on 40 acres of pasture. They also have four broiler houses, which are Stephanie’s prior-ity.

“Every day, I’m thankful we have the chickens,” said Stephanie, who urged Lance to invest in broil-er houses so she could quit her city job. “Some days are a headache, but I wouldn’t trade it. It’s great being able to be around the farm all day and provide an opportunity for Reed to enjoy this lifestyle. He watches

Lance the way Lance watched Jimmy growing up. Farming is in his blood.”

Changes continue on Miller Farms. This spring, Lance broke ground for a shop behind their home. An adjacent shed will house the cotton pickers, and a future addition is planned for the mod-ule builder and other equipment. Though the shop blocks part of their backyard view, the Millers agree it’ll help them become more efficient and organized.

“I may even write a post on

how to organize workshops,” added Stephanie, who blogs about rural life at thelifeofafarmerswife.blogspot.com.

While Lance spends much of his time in the field, he also represents Alabama as an alternate delegate for the National Cotton Council. Serving on the board, he says, is humbling.

“It’s such an honor to work with people from a variety of experi-ence levels and backgrounds,” he said. “The way I look at it, there’s always something to learn.” n

Jim and Jessica Yance with son, Tye.

J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3 5 w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Page 6: Friends & Family Magazine

fer to enhance overall quality and performance of cattle for breeding stock,” explained Jim, who serves on the Federation’s State Beef Com-mittee. “We also harvest 15-20 steers each year for freezer beef. Not only does this allow us to offer customers high-quality meat, but it provides us with an opportunity to share our story and encourage sup-port for other farmers.”

The Yances said they plan to utilize technology as much as pos-sible to strengthen their practices and network with other farmers. They also plan to “beef up” their website, JYJRedAngus.com.

“Farmers all have their own experiences, struggles and solu-tions,” Jim said. “We can all learn something from each other by building those relationships. Some-times the answer really is just a click away.” n

Childhood dreams aren’t often realized. But that’s exactly what happened for Russell County

poultry farmer Greg Edwards who grew up dreaming of being a farmer.

“I grew up in Miami, where our neighbors were 10-feet away from us,” he said. “But even as a kid, I knew I wanted to be a farmer. People thought I was crazy, and I’m sure there are days where I’d agree with them.”

Like most first-generation farm-ers, paving a path to an agricultural lifestyle wasn’t without its share of problems. It even included a brief stint as an air conditioning/refrigeration apprentice, which Greg quickly admits was something he knew he didn’t want to do the rest of his life. Some of the maintenance skills he learned come in handy on occasion, he said, but it’s a chapter he’s glad is closed.

To start farming, Greg worked with a vegetable farmer and, later worked with a company that built and repaired poultry houses. When

he decided to dive head first into his own poultry farm, Greg knew he couldn’t do it alone and solicited family support.

“A few years back, I really felt like it was the right time to go after what I had always wanted,” said Greg, who along with his wife Michele and children, Grayson and Lily, is the 2013 Outstanding Young Farm Family in the Poultry Divi-sion. “I talked to my parents, and they agreed to take the leap with me. So, we started looking at invest-ing in poultry houses and found a run-down set of 15 houses. We bought them in June 2006, reno-vated them and had our first flocks that September.”

Today, the Edwards own Flying E Farms in Pittsview. The 128-acre farm includes 15 poultry houses and 50 acres of hay. The rest of the land is wooded, but Michele says a homestead is in their near-future plans.

“We live in Eufaula now, but we can’t wait to live on the farm and

wake up to explore God’s creation every day,” said Michele, a North Carolina native. “The kids love being out here, and we’re so proud to be able to raise them around agriculture. It’s important to us to teach them where the chicken nug-gets they eat come from before they reach the grocery store. They’re still young, [3- and 2-years-old], but they’ll be able to grow up here and share their story with others.”

A true family farm, Flying E is maintained entirely by the Edwards. Michele, a nurse, helps as much as time allows, but the majority of the daily tasks are handled by Greg and his uncle, Rick Edwards.

“Rick is my right-hand man,” Greg said. “I couldn’t do it without him, and I wouldn’t want to. We both genuinely love going to work every morning. For us, this isn’t work — it’s what we want to be doing. We’re incredibly blessed and for me, this is a dream come true.” n

The EdwardsPoultry Division

Greg and Michele Edwards with children Grayson and Lily

w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g 6 J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Page 7: Friends & Family Magazine

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Page 8: Friends & Family Magazine

By Mary Johnson

w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g 8 J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Page 9: Friends & Family Magazine

The pendulum of public percep-tion about global warming may be swinging in a new direction

thanks to scientific evidence from Alabama’s state climatologist.

Dr. John Christy said although historic data contradict claims that man-made carbon dioxide is respon-sible for global warming, the hyste-ria about climate change is costing everyone money.

“Your electric bill right now is higher because of regulations devel-oped for the use of fossil fuels,” said Christy, a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). “Even if we follow what [environ-mentalists] want done, it won’t change the temperature. But it will absolutely increase energy costs.”

In addition to higher fuel costs, global warming policies are driv-ing up the cost of everything from insurance to food, Christy said. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations are based on inaccurate computer projections rather than actual temperatures, he said.

“The data sets we have do not match the theory of global warm-ing,” Christy said. “I would want public policy based on the actual observations — not on the theory.”

Alabama’s abundant supply of soft coal is an inexpensive natural resource used to generate electricity and for years helped keep power costs low, said Public Service Commission (PSC) President Twinkle Cavanaugh. As environmental groups push to

reduce carbon dioxide emissions, coal has become a frequent target for more regulations.

“We need to do everything with in our means to keep energy rates as low as possible in Alabama so we can recruit and grow industry, including farming in our state,” said Cavana-ugh, who cited cases of businesses selecting Alabama over other states because of lower electricity rates here. Higher energy costs, including fuel used by farmers and manufactur-ers to grow and process food, increas-es the cost of almost everything, she said.

Projections of global warming also have increased the cost of home-owner insurance.

Alfa and other insurance com-panies buy protection from natural catastrophes through reinsurance providers. Reinsurance rates are

based on computer models that can be influenced by various global warming theories predicting frequent and more severe storms.

“While Alabama has seen more than its fair share of storms over the past decade, reinsurance rates should be based on actual science,” said Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell. “Dr. Christy’s work is important because how climate change is viewed impacts our policyholders.”

Christy often testifies on climate change in Congress and is inter-viewed by national news outlets. Despite his credibility, federal fund-ing for his climate research group has dried up due to the Obama admin-istration’s global warming views, which influence funding agencies, he said.

State funding for the Alabama Climatologist Office helps Christy and his associates perform climate studies, but it is not enough for the needed research, Christy said. UAH climatological data stand-up to the test of cross-examination, he added, and without it, expensive federal regulations could go unchallenged.

“When the EPA tries to issue another mandate, it really is hurting consumers, businesses and farmers,” Cavanaugh said. “We need to oppose these mandates. Thank goodness we have Dr. Christy as an expert witness because his data are based on facts.”

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/16maa32 or http://bit.ly/10zujA9. n

Research from Alabama State Climatologist and UAH Professor Dr. John Christy disputes global warming claims.

J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3 9 w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Page 10: Friends & Family Magazine

By Debra Davis

Criminals who strike farms, homes and businesses in rural Alabama are in the cross hairs

of an elite group of law enforce-ment officers taking aim at country crime.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and Spencer Collier, secretary of the newly consolidated Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, are expected to announce creation of the Agriculture Rural Crimes Unit (ARCU) this summer.

“There is no doubt there’s an increase in rural crime,” Collier said. “I hear it everywhere I go. It’s big on the governor’s list, and it’s big on my list.”

Collier praised work done by local law enforcement officers throughout the state, adding that the ARCU won’t replace sheriffs’ and police departments. Instead, it will enhance and reinforce their efforts, he said.

Gene Wiggins, a veteran Ala-bama State Trooper, will lead the ARCU. Collier said Wiggins was chosen for his extensive law enforcement training and experi-ence, along with his passion for rural Alabama.

“I grew up in a farming com-munity, and there aren’t any bet-ter, harder-working people in our state,” Wiggins said. “We want them to know we are aware of the difficulties they face, and our goal is to protect them and their prop-erty. We will use traditional inves-tigative skills with the very latest technology to solve crimes.”

The ARCU will use the Ala-bama Fusion Center, which is responsible for gathering tips and suspicious activity reports. The reports are analyzed and informa-tion is provided to Alabama law enforcement and homeland security officials, first responders, private sector security personnel and other stakeholders.

“If someone sees a crime, they still need to call 911 and report it to their local law enforcement,” Wiggins said. “But if they see some-thing suspicious or out of place in their community, we want them to report it to the Fusion Center.”

Suspicious activity can be reported by calling a toll-free number that will be announced by ARCU. Comments also can be made at the unit’s website at ARCU.Alabama.gov.

The seven officers in the unit

live across the state, providing a network with local law enforce-ment officers.

ARCU is headquartered in offices at the State Farmers Market, 655 Federal Dr., Montgomery, Ala. In addition to investigations and arrests, the unit will include an educational component, Wiggins said.

“We will be working with orga-nizations like the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and other farm groups to educate their members and the public about crime prevention and observation skills that could be vital to our investigations,” Wig-gins said.

Federation President Jimmy Par-nell said the creation of the ARCU benefits farmers and Alfa Insurance.

“Theft, vandalism and other rural crimes cost farmers and businesses time and money,” Parnell said. “Claims related to these crimes increase the cost of insurance for all policyholders. We appreciate Gov. Bentley and Secretary Collier for making rural law enforcement a priority. This unit will help keep Alabama from becoming a haven for cattle rustlers and equipment thieves.” n

New Task Force Takes Aim At Rural Crime

w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g 1 0 J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Page 11: Friends & Family Magazine

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New Task Force Takes Aim At Rural Crime

Page 12: Friends & Family Magazine

By Miranda Mattheis

Choosing the right roofing mate-rial can save homeowners money following a hail storm,

according to new research by the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).

Researchers used a cannon to fire simulated hail at various roof-ing materials. IBHS tested standard three-tab asphalt shingles, impact-resistant architectural shingles and standing-seam metal roofing.

The results were convincing.“On the standard three-tab

shingle, the majority of the damage was functional, where the (bases of the shingles) were cracked. This would mean roof replacement might be necessary,” said Building Science Expert Dr. Tanya Brown. “On the impact-resistant asphalt shingle, the majority of the impact was cosmetic in nature, but there

were a few

places

where the damage was functional. On the metal side of the roof, all the damage was cosmetic in nature. The roof was dented, but there was no puncturing or penetration through the metal.”

These results are consistent with what Alfa claims adjusters see following a hail storm, said Alfa District Claims Manager Barry Grace.

“Impact-resistant shingles tend to fare better in a hailstorm than those that are not impact rated,” Grace said. “However, homeowners should remember that impact-resis-tant shingles are tested to with-stand stones that are approximately two inches in diameter. When we have storms that bring baseball or softball sized hail, even the best roofing materials are likely to see hail damage.”

Grace noted proper maintenance could extend the life of roof and limit damage from a storm.

“Typically, we see customers who take good care of their roofs and keep them clean are able to keep the roofs in better shape if a hailstorm occurs,” Grace said.

The IBHS researchers agree. “If (a roof is) not

in good condition, you may want

to consider replacing it,”

Brown said. “Clearing

debris off it,

including leaves or other things that can sit and collect water, and removing tree overhangs that can prevent it from drying will keep the roof in the best shape possible.”

While insurance can offset roof repair costs, homeowners bear part of the risk through deductibles. Choosing more impact-resistant materials and properly maintaining a roof can reduce homeowners’ out-of-pocket costs. n

HAIL FACTS

Hail causes about $1 billion in damage to property and crops each year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The largest recorded hailstone in the U.S. fell on July 23, 2010, in Vivian, S.D. It measured 8 inches in diameter and weighed nearly 2 pounds.

Hail one-inch (quarter size) or larger is considered “severe” by the National Weather Service.

Hailstorms do not usually cause fatalities, but approximately 24 people are injured annually by hail in the U.S.

Hail can originate from any thunderstorm, but large hail is most common in rotating thunderstorms called supercells. Nearly all supercells produce hail, while less than 30 percent of supercells produce tornadoes.

Surviving HailRoof Research Reveals Materials Make The Difference

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Page 13: Friends & Family Magazine

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Page 14: Friends & Family Magazine

41st Annual Commodity Producers

ConferenceTours Highlight Diversity

Of Alabama FarmsBy Debra Davis

Agricultural tours and educational seminars, along with two nights of entertainment, will draw farmers

from around the state to Birmingham Aug. 1-3.

The 41st annual Alabama Farmers Federation Commodity Producers Conference begins Thursday evening with a banquet featuring Alabama’s winning FFA string band.

A full day of tours is planned for Friday, including stops at some of the top farms in central Alabama. (See tour highlights at right).

Saturday features educational semi-nars on current agricultural issues, as well as the Young Farmers Discus-sion Meet and Excellence in Agri-culture preliminary contests.

The Federation’s Women’s Lead-ership Division luncheon is Satur-day and coincides with the tables-capes, quilt and apron contests.

Comedian James Gregory is the entertainment for the closing ban-quet that evening.

For information and registra-tion, visit AlfaFarmers.org. The registration deadline is July 8. n

Green TourJasper Lumber Co., a leader in the wood products industry, is the first stop on the tour. The company owns and manages timber, produces quality softwood dimensional lumber and produces hardwood and softwood chips for the pulp and paper industry. Lunch will be at the Cullman Country Club where a panel of forestry investment experts will discuss the future for timberland investments. Following lunch, land owned by Regions Bank Natural Resource Division will illustrate innovative timber management techniques. A stop at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ peaceful 67-acre site in the heart of the bustling city will end the tour.

Yellow TourDry Creek Farms in Pell City and its herd of purebred Hereford cows is the first tour stop, followed by HD Farm in Eastaboga, owned by Henry Dorough. HD Farm features row crops, wildlife habitat, free-range chickens and pasture-raised, all-natural lambs. The Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association will prepare lunch; then the tour moves on to Black Hawk Farm in Harpersville, owned by Bill Gayle. While there, TriGreen Equipment will demonstrate haylage bale wrapping. James Hale Stables in Columbiana is the final stop. The American Saddlebred Horse farm offers training, lessons and breeding services.

Red TourCullman County provides the backdrop for the entire tour route with visits to a historic working farmstead and modern diversified farms. Stops include a bee and honey operation, Goldvine Farms, owned by Cullman County Farmers Federation President Phillip Garrison and his wife, Nancy. State Horticulture Committee Member Jeremy Calvert and his wife, Julie, will host a stop at their 30-acre fruit and vegetable farm where guests may purchase fresh produce. The Peinhardt Living History Farm provides a trip back in time to the 1930s and 40s to an actual working farm started by German immigrants in the late 1870s.

Orange TourFeaturing the 2013 Alabama Farm of Distinction, farmers will tour Dee River Ranch in Pickens County, located near Aliceville. Recognized throughout the country for its innovation, precision technology, computerized irrigation systems and electronic animal identification, the farm raises corn, soybeans and wheat along with 1,000 head of commercial Brahman-Angus cross cattle on 10,000 acres. Guests on the tour will see the farm’s most recent investment – a 115-acre irrigation reservoir and computerized pumping station.

Blue TourThe tour begins with a visit to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. It includes a behind-the-scenes look at Bryant-Denny Stadium, from the locker rooms to the playing field, plus a trip to the Paul W. Bryant Museum. The next stop is the Museum of Natural History, followed by lunch at the Cypress Inn Pavilion overlooking the Black Warrior River. The final leg of the tour includes a view of the Black Warrior Basin coal degasification fields and a stop at Johnny Walker’s diversified farm.

w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g 1 4 J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Page 15: Friends & Family Magazine

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Page 16: Friends & Family Magazine

By Jeff Helms

With gloved hands, Lions Club member Bob Roberts plucked a fast food wrapper from the

grass along Vaughn Road in Mont-gomery County.

“I hate trash,” said Roberts, who retired from the military and was among dozens volunteering for the inaugural Pike Road Spring Clean-up April 27. “You don’t see trash on base. I’m proud of my community and want to help keep it clean.”

Roberts is among thousands of community-minded volunteers across Alabama who grabbed their boots and bags for the Alabama PALS (People Against a Littered State) “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” Spring Cleanup, sponsored by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.

“PALS shipped supplies and materials to 62 participating counties this year, surpassing all numbers from past spring cleanup efforts,” said PALS Executive Direc-tor Spencer Ryan.

Pike Road Communication Director Mary Catherine Barganier

and other town leaders contacted PALS after noticing trash was beginning to accumulate at one of the town’s main intersections.

“The Pike Road area has always been known for natural scenic beauty,” Barganier said. “We don’t really have a litter problem at this point, but we have a lot of devel-opment that’s coming our way, so we wanted to get our residents engaged, looking at the roadsides and thinking about the future.”

To ensure litter control and education efforts continue after the Spring Cleanup, volunteers were encouraged to participate in the PALS Adopt-A-Mile program. The Lions Club was the first group to sign up.

“This is part of our effort to make sure this Spring Cleanup is not just a one-day effort, but that it goes on into the future,” Barganier said. “We want to get our neighbor-hoods, our civic groups, individual families and churches involved in an ongoing effort to keep our road-sides clean.”

Local businesses, including

Home Depot and Advanced Dis-posal, donated supplies and services for the cleanup, and Alabama PALS provided trash bags. Communi-ties within the town expanded the scope of the cleanup by encouraging residents to participate in landscap-ing and beautification projects.

Corey Courville picked up trash with wife Allison and town coun-cilman Leroy Tolliver. Their strang-est finds included a flip-flop and cache of about a dozen tobacco tins. The Courvilles hope their volunteer work will have a positive influence on passersby.

“It’s good for the community,” Corey Courville said. “It sets an example. Hopefully, when they see us out here, it gives them pause the next time they think about throw-ing something out.”

For more information about Spring Clean, Adopt-A-Mile or other Alabama PALS programs, visit www.alpals.org.

Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Cooperative co-sponsor the PALS Clean Campus program. n

Spring Cleaning Picks Up Along State Roadways

Pike Road Town Councilman Leroy Tolliver was among the volunteers who helped with the spring cleanup.

w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g 1 6 J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Page 17: Friends & Family Magazine

Have you thought about whatyou would do in caseof an emergency

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Remarkably sophisticated… easyto use. Now, they’ve introduced AutoAlert. All you do is plug the base unit into a power outlet and aphone land line. Then, you wear theAutoAlert pendant. If you experienceany kind of emergency, from fires tofalls, a break-in or even just shortnessof breath, press the button and it callsthe Philips Lifeline Emergency Re-sponse Center. If you fall and can’t press the button for any rea-son, AutoAlert with advanced falldetection technology can automatically call for you, even if you can’t. Lifeline Response CenterAssociates are trained to assess the sit-uation and will summon help quickly.

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Page 18: Friends & Family Magazine

Bevibrant

©2013 National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA USA. This message funded by America’s Pork Producers and the Pork Checkoff.

Prepare outdoor grill for direct medium-hot grilling. For a gas grill, preheat grill on high. Adjust temperature to 400�F. For a charcoal grill, build fire and let burn until coals are covered with white ash. Spread coals and let burn for 15-20 minutes.

Whisk vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and hot red pepper together in large bowl. Whisk in oil. Add basil, oregano, and garlic. Add pork loin and toss to coat. Spread zucchini and bell peppers on top of pork, season with remaining � teaspoon salt, and let stand 5 minutes. Stir to coat with marinade. Do not marinate longer than 15 minutes. Skewer pork, zucchini, and bell peppers, alternating ingredients, onto 6 metal kabob skewers.

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Italian Pork Kabobs with Summer Vegetables1 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin roast, trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes2 tablespoons red wine vinegar1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, or less to taste1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped OR 1 teaspoon dried basil1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped OR 1 teaspoon dried oregano2 cloves garlic, chopped2 small zucchini, trimmed and cut crosswise into rounds2 large bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch squares

Join the conversation at PorkBeInspired.com

Page 19: Friends & Family Magazine

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Hardin To Head Federation Governmental Affairs Department

Brian Hardin has been named director of the Ala-bama Farmers Federation

Department of Governmental Affairs. He previously served as assistant director of the Department of Governmental and Agricultural Programs.

Hardin will oversee state public policy issues and political activities for the Fed-eration. Federation President Jimmy Parnell said Hardin’s farm background and experi-ence as a commodity director and state lobbyist make him an effective advocate for the organization’s members.

“Brian has earned the respect and appreciation of Alabama’s elected officials,” Parnell said. “His reputa-tion, integrity and work ethic will serve our organiza-tion well as we put together a team to ensure success in the 2014 elections.”

A native of Moulton, Hardin joined the Federation staff in 2000 as director of the organization’s Pork, Hor-ticulture, and Greenhouse, Nursery and Sod divisions.

He was later named director of agricultural legislation before being promoted to assistant department director.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve our mem-bers in this new role,” Hardin said. “The strength of the Fed-eration is with its members. It is their relationships and contact with elected officials that have the greatest impact. I look forward to working with them as we prepare for the 2014 elections to elect and re-elect state legislators who stand up for agriculture and rural Alabama.”

Hardin is a graduate of Auburn University with a master’s degree in horticulture. Prior to working for the Federation, he was employed by Dow AgroSciences in Bradenton, Fla. He lives in Wetumpka with his wife, Kelli, daughter Emma (13) and sons Judd (11) and Jake (3). Kelli is a science teacher at Alabama Christian Academy. The family attends Vaughn Park Church of Christ in Montgomery. n

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Page 20: Friends & Family Magazine

Middleton Dairy Farms is becoming the land of milk and honey for teaching

youngsters about agriculture. For 10 years, elementary school

teacher Kerra Middleton asked her husband, dairy farmer Shane Mid-dleton, to open their family farm for agritourism. Kerra had a vision of teaching students how milk gets from a cow to the table.

“Agriculture is everywhere, and it is in so many school objectives,” Kerra said. “I can show students a cow in a book, and I can show them a cow in a video, but until they see it, feel it and smell it, it is not the same.”

Middleton Dairy Farms’ new agritourism facility engages all the children’s senses. It includes class-room workshops, a live milking demonstration, hands-on learning and a play area. Because of its loca-tion near Mobile, the dairy draws school groups from Mississippi and Alabama.

“It has gone incredibly well so far,” Kerra said. “We’ve had groups from pre-school to high school Future Farmers of America. We’ve gotten great feedback from every-one who has come out.”

A former state and national Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Teacher of the Year, Kerra is passionate about ag education, said AITC State Chair Kim Ramsey.

“Kerra is a graduate of the Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute

and has been a presenter at the state and national levels,” Ramsey said. “She continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of programs that incorporate lessons about farming into classroom materials. Middleton Dairy Farms is a great example of hands-on learning for adults and children.”

While her father-in-law, Robert Middleton, was hesitant to bring people to the dairy, he realized the need for agriculture education dur-ing a visit to a local bank.

“What pushed us to the point of doing it was when we talked to

Above, students and teachers watch a live milking demonstration before moving to the hands-on activities at Middleton Dairy Farms. Left, Jeff Middleton shows second-grader Brianna Dailey the proper technique for bottle feeding a calf. Below, students enjoy some free time in Cooper’s Corral.

w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g 2 0 J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3

Page 21: Friends & Family Magazine

a guy from the city who wanted to know if we milked a bull or a heif-er,” Robert said. “We can educate people on where their milk comes from. It comes from Walmart, but it comes from the farm first.

“We want kids to understand the life of a dairy farmer and that someone has to be here seven days a week, 365 days a year,” he added.

“We are mainly catering to schools and field trips right now, and I’m hoping it will pick up in the fall and next spring,” said Rob-ert’s son, Jeff. “We have had about 2,500 people visit so far.”

For the students who visit Mid-dleton Dairy Farms, the hands-on experience is fun and educational.

East Central Lower Elementary School second-grade teacher Angela Nelson brought her students to the dairy farm hoping they would learn more about agriculture in their rural community.

“The kids learned a lot about the dairy, and I hope they come back with knowledge of where we get our milk and the importance of agriculture,” Nelson said.

Learning was Kerra’s key objective when plan-ning the hands-on stations.

“I tried to think about things I took a week or two to cover in my classroom,” Kerra explained. “I set the stations up so we can teach them as much as possible in one day about how the milk gets from the cow to the store.”

Students learn what it takes to feed a dairy cow; what dairy cows eat and how to feed them; how the milking process has evolved; the anatomy of a cow and more.

“They get to bottle feed a baby calf, make butter, see a live milk-ing demonstration, conduct a milk experiment and play in our udder-ly fun games,” Kerra said.

Long-term goals for the dairy farm include building a processing

facility to further educate children about the dairy foods they eat.

“In the last three years, two dairies have sold that were right here with us,” Kerra said. “That has led to increased freight costs for us, and the milk truck doesn’t want to come all the way out here. The processing facility would allow us to milk the cow, show students how the milk is tested and explain the different processes until it is bottled and sold. We want to get to the point of being self-sufficient.”

For more information on Mid-dleton Dairy Farms, visit middletonfarmtours.webs.com. n

By Miranda Mattheis

Above, students make their way to the feed station, where they learn about different foods cows eat. Right, the educational facilities at Middleton Dairy Farms are a dream come true for elementary school teacher Kerra Middleton, who planned the activities for children who visit.

J U N E / S U M M E R 2 0 1 3 2 1 w w w . A l f a F a r m e r s . o r g

Page 22: Friends & Family Magazine

Federation Announces Summer InternshipsThe Alabama Farmers Federa-

tion has hired three summer interns who will gain experi-

ence in agricultural communica-tions, law and politics while working for the state’s largest farm organization.

Joining the Communications Department is Katie Wendland of Autaugaville, a junior in agricultural communica-tions at Auburn University. Wend-land is returning for her second summer internship with the Fed-eration. Her work this summer is part of the curriculum requirement for her degree.

Josh Willis, a native of Pell City, is joining the Governmental and Agricultural Programs Department.

Willis graduated from Auburn University in 2005 with a degree in political science. He is a student at Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law.

Joining the Governmental Affairs Department is Will Dodd of Winfield. He graduated from the University of Alabama in May with a double major in political science and history.

Both Willis and Dodd have extensive political experience. Willis worked as an administra-tive staff assistant for former State Sen. Ted Little, D-Auburn, and in the office of U.S. Rep. Robert B. Aderholt, R-Ala. Dodd was an intern for former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clin-

ton’s staff and has been involved in Democratic Party organizations on the local, state and national levels.

Federation President Jimmy Parnell, who also

is president of Alfa Insurance, said the organization and company benefit from having bright summer interns.

“These young people bring energy, enthusiasm and new ideas to our organization,” Parnell said. “Our goal is to provide them with a positive work experience that will help build their foundation as future leaders in our state. Many of the relationships they make through working here will influ-ence their lives for years to come.” n

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“Damage to my car will be covered no matter what.”Drivers are required by law to have

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“My insurance policy includes a rental car or emergency road service reimbursement.”Rental car coverage and emergency road service reimbursement can be added to your insurance policy, but they aren’t automatically included. For these options, make sure to ask an agent about adding them to your policy.

“My insurance policy will cover the new car I purchased.”If you insure all the vehicles you own with Alfa, you have coverage for a limited amount of time on a newly purchased vehicle. Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible so the new vehicle can be added to the policy.

This not an insurance policy. It is intended only to provide a general description of Alfa Insurance® and/or its product line and services. An actual policy contains the speci� c details of the coverages, conditions, exclusions, and applicable deductibles. Your Alfa agent can explain the policy and bene� ts and answer any questions you may have before you buy. Alfa Insurance and Alfa are federally registered trademarks of Alfa Corporation.

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Page 23: Friends & Family Magazine

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ALABAMAWHEAT & FEED GRAIN PRODUCERSA Division of Alabama Farmers FederationW H E AT F E E D & G R A I N P R O D U C E R S

Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain Farmers grow food, fuel and freedom.

Their harvest helps feed Alabama’s multi-million-dollar livestock,

cat� sh and poultry industries while reducing America’s dependence

on foreign countries for energy and food. By combining their strength

with farmers of other commodities, feed grain growers are fueling the

economic growth of Alabama communities.

Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain Farmers grow food, fuel and freedom.

G R A I N S 0f T R U T H

Page 25: Friends & Family Magazine

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Alabama farmers take pride in being good stew-ards of the land. Federation District I Director Brian Glenn is no exception.

Glenn, 49, farms in partnership with his brother, Don, on Glenn Acres Farm in Lawrence County. Their no-till farm alternates crops on a three-year rotation that includes corn, canola, soybeans and wheat. Tending to the land, Glenn says, is a source of enjoyment.

“I take great pride in producing wholesome crops that help feed the world in an environmentally friendly way,” said Glenn, a University of North Alabama graduate. “Sustainability is important to us.”

In addition to serving on the Federation State Board of Directors, Glenn serves on the State Wheat & Feed Grains Committee. He loves riding dirt bikes, water skiing and fishing.

He and his wife, Donna, have been married 20 years and have two children, Allison, 14, and Matt, 9. They are members of Central Baptist Church.

Brian Glenn: District 1 Director

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Page 26: Friends & Family Magazine

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Page 27: Friends & Family Magazine

Taking ABite Out

Of HungerFood Banks Receive Peanut Butter DonationBy Miranda Mattheis

Alabama peanut farmers are spreading goodwill and nutri-tion to food banks across the

state with the donation of more than 10,000 jars of creamy goodness to help feed hungry families.

Seven pallets —10,080 jars — of Peanut Proud peanut butter were donated to the Montgomery Area Food Bank (MAFB) May 6 by members of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, a division of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

“This donation means a lot to the people it will serve,” said MAFB Deputy Director Bill Havron. Peanut butter is high in protein and doesn’t require refrigeration. Those facts, along with its delicious taste, make it a favorite commodity for food banks, Havron said.

Peanut farmers say they find satisfaction in growing a crop that’s healthy and delicious.

“It is rewarding to know the pea-nuts we produce go to make quality

peanut butter that helps families in need,” said peanut farmer and Ala-bama Farmers Federation Southeast Area Vice President George Jeffcoat. “Peanut butter is a tasty, nutritious food packed with protein, which

makes it a great product to donate to area food banks. I am proud to be able to give peanut butter and be a part of feeding the hungry.”

While the donation was deliv-ered to the MAFB, the organization’s distribution network will spread the gift to other member agencies in eight locations including Birming-

ham, Dothan, Mobile, Montgomery, Opelika/Auburn, Selma and Tusca-loosa. MAFB distributes food and household products to member agen-cies in 35 counties.

Alabama Peanut Producers Asso-ciation President Carl Sanders said he and other farmers are glad to help fight hunger.

“Alabama’s peanut farmers work hard to provide companies like Peanut Proud with safe, nutritious products it can use in peanut butter,” said Sanders. “Approximately half the pea-nuts grown in the United States each year are used to make pea-nut butter, and a bulk of those are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan. We’re proud to do our part to give back to

the people of our state.” Similar Peanut Proud donations

were made in Albany, Ga., and Tal-lahassee, Fla.

For more information on the APPA, visit AlPeanuts.com. For information on Peanut Proud’s phi-lanthropy, visit www.peanutproud.com/giving-back. n

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Prepared by The Production Arts Studio | Goodby Silverstein & Partners. All rights reserved. 415.392.0669

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ClientJob NumberAd Number

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Mechanical SpecsChevrolet PrintGLOBE-RET 740004733BNoneFB Primary V1GLOBE-RET 740_004733B_FB Primary_8.75x11_V1.inddNone1-10-2013 4:57 PM4/C Magmm.dd.yymm.dd.yyNoneNone

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Your member benefits are thriving.Chevrolet presents this exclusive $500 1 offer toward the purchase or lease of a 2013 Chevy Silverado just for you — primary members of the Farm Bureau.

Vincentric recently recognized Chevy Silverado as having the lowest total cost of ownership of any full-size pickup.2 Meaning you won’t simply save now — you’ll save over time. And while saving is great, so is the confidence that comes with driving the best full-size pickup in America. Rest assured, your Silverado will know the meaning of hard work. Visit fbverify.com/gm for your authorization number.

1 Offer available through 4/1/14. Available on all 2012 and 2013 Chevrolet vehicles (excluding Volt). This offer is not available with some other offers, including private offers. Only customers who have been active members of an eligible Farm Bureau for a minimum of 60 days will be eligible to receive a certificate. Customers can obtain certificates at www.fbverify.com/gm. Farm Bureau and the FB logo are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation and are used herein under license by General Motors. 2 Based on Vincentric 2012 Model Level Analysis of 1/2-ton, 3/4-ton and 1-ton pickups in the U.S. retail market.

On top of most current offers, here’s a private offer 1 for Farm Bureau members.

Page 29: Friends & Family Magazine

By Mary Johnson

The promise and appeal of work-ing their own land drew nearly 60 north Alabama residents to

a unique program providing hands-on lessons about the agricultural lifestyle.

Farming 101 is an eight-week program led by County Extension Agent Tony Glover covering topics like soil management, small live-stock, fruit and vegetable produc-tion, beekeeping and general farm management. The program targets anyone interested in agriculture — from novice gardeners to experi-enced farmers — and provides direc-tion for becoming full-time farmers.

“A lot of people, from retirees to young professionals and students, want to farm, but they’re not sure where to look for help,” Glover said. “The Farming 101 program teaches the fundamentals of agri-culture and provides resources for research-based ag information. New farmers meet their Extension agents and established farmers who can give specific instruction on their operations.”

Trent and Jennifer Boyd of Cull-man County say they signed up for the program to answer questions from aspiring farmers but ended up

learning tips to implement at home. “I farm mainly because it’s

God’s calling for us,” said Trent, who previously worked as an engi-neer. “I felt like He was calling me back to the farm, and this is where I was needed.”

Today, the Boyds and their six children live on 48 acres that’s been in Trent’s family since 1909. They raise fruits and vegetables, along with hogs, chicken, sheep and a couple dairy cows. Their produce is sold to local restaurants, at farmers markets and in a Community Sup-ported Agriculture (CSA) program. In 2012, they claimed the Alabama record for largest pumpkin, weigh-ing in at 885 pounds.

They share their love of farming through farm tours and encourag-ing others to consider agricultural

careers. “People are

starving for this kind of thing,” Trent said. “They want to get back to what their grandparents did. Our main goal is to get people interested in farming again.”

Brandon and Laura Reeder of Birmingham recently caught the farming bug. He is a horseshoer, and she’s a dietitian, but they have high hopes for land they recently purchased.

“This is what God presented to us, so we bought some land in Jefferson County,” said Brandon, who plans to open their farm as an agritourism attraction. “There’s such a connection with the soil and dirt and growing your own food. It’s hard to explain until you experience it.”

Through Farming 101 program, the Reeders and Boyds became good friends and are learning from each other.

Brandon said he hopes his farm will one day resemble Harvest Farms, but added he realizes that will require a lot of hard work and patience.

“Writing business plans, doing cost analyses and return on invest-ment plans… It really is over-whelming, but exciting,” Brandon said. Follow the Boyds’ farming adventures by liking “Trent Boyd Harvest Farm” at Facebook.com. For information on Farming 101, contact Glover at [email protected]. n

Farming 101Getting Back To The Land

Brandon and Laura Reeder of Jefferson County attended Farming 101, led by Extension Agent Tony Glover, right, to learn more about resources for beginner farmers.

Former engineer Trent Boyd said he answered God’s call when he decided to return full-time to his family’s farmland. He and his wife Jennifer are raising their six kids at Harvest Farms. They grow fruits and vegetables and raise sheep, pigs, chickens and a couple dairy cows.

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Page 30: Friends & Family Magazine

Alfa Fills Top Technology, Finance PositionsTwo veterans of the insurance

business have been tapped for management positions with Alfa Insurance.

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Jeffrey A. Frazee comes to Alfa from Aviva, the sixth-largest insurance group in the world with more than 43 mil-lion customers in 21 countries.

“Jeff has a proven track record of improving infor-mation technology (IT) operations at respected U.S. and global organiza-tions including General Electric, Aviva and Mutual of Omaha,” said Alfa President Jimmy Parnell. “We are confident he can leverage Alfa’s investment in technology to improve customer service and increase efficiency.”

Frazee previously served as senior vice president and chief information officer for West Bend Mutual Insurance Co., where his work contributed to West Bend’s No. 1 “ease of doing business” rat-ing among more than 250 property and casualty insurance companies.

A graduate of Bellevue Univer-sity, Frazee and wife, Cher, have one son, Noah. They are relocating to Montgomery from Iowa.

Meanwhile, former Alfa Con-troller Russell Sinco has been promoted to chief financial officer (CFO).

As CFO, Sinco is responsible for Alfa’s capital allocation and rein-surance strategies; tax compliance; credit arrangements; regulatory and rating agency reporting; and finan-cial communication with the board of directors.

“Russell has played a lead role in financial planning and analy-

sis, and has con-tinually worked to streamline opera-tions within the Finance Depart-ment,” said Execu-tive Vice President of Operations Steve Rutledge. “I am confident Rus-

sell will continue to bring positive results to Alfa in his new role.”

Sinco joined Alfa in 2005 as vice president of planning and analytics. He previously worked 12 years in insurance-focused roles at Ernst and Young LLP and American Safety Insurance.

Sinco earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida State University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He and his wife, Tara, have two children, Madeline and Katherine. n

A dip in the housing market couldn’t stop Federa-tion State Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Committee Chairman Phillip Hunter from running a successful shade, ornamental and evergreen tree farm.

Hunter, 44, who lives in Shelby County, owns Hunter Trees LLC in partnership with his brother, Will. Through their hard work, the 300-acre farm produces field-grown trees for landscape contrac-tors, landscape distribution centers, golf courses and municipalities in more than 15 states.

Though an office job may be less stressful, Hunter says he can’t imagine doing anything else — even when inclement weather and equipment breakdowns throw a kink in the plans.

“Despite challenges, we get to work outdoors every day with the resources God has given us,” said the Mississippi State University graduate. “And best of all, we get to provide beautiful trees that make people happy.”

Hunter and his wife, Robin, have been married 15 years and have two children, Carolyn, 11, and Patton, 9. They attend Asbury United Methodist Church.

Phillip HunterGNS Committee Chairman

Frazee

Sinco

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Page 31: Friends & Family Magazine

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Page 32: Friends & Family Magazine

By Debra Davis

Alabama’s Teacher of the Year will travel the state in a new car during her

reign thanks to Alfa Insur-ance and the Alabama Farm-ers Federation.

Alison Grizzle, a math teacher at P.D. Jackson Olin High School in Birmingham, received the car during a ceremony at the Alfa home office in Montgomery May 9.

“Being named Alabama’s Teacher of the Year is such an honor,” said Grizzle, who will represent more than 50,000 state educators when she competes for title of National Teacher of the Year. “In my field, I’m not accustomed to being the star of the show. The greatest reward I receive comes at the end of the school year when students receive their gradu-ation exam results and are ecstatic to see the word ‘pass’ by the mathematics section. It’s that day I see the fruits of my labor.”

Alfa President Jimmy Parnell, who also serves as president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, presented Grizzle the keys to a 2013 Chevrolet Impala as part of her award for being named the state’s top teacher. He said few people have the ability to influence lives the way teachers do.

“Dr. Grizzle will have the opportunity to inspire thousands of teachers, parents and community lead-ers as an ambassador for education during the coming year,” Parnell said. “Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation appreciate the important role she and all teachers play in the lives of our children.”

Parnell also announced the insurance for the Teach-er of the Year car would be paid for by the Alabama Farmers Federation.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Thomas R. Bice announced Alabama’s Teacher of the Year at a May 8 ceremony honoring the final four candidates for the award. He praised Alfa’s support of the Teacher of the Year Program, noting this marks the 17th year the

company presented an automobile to the state’s top teacher.

“Alfa’s contribution of the use of a car for a year is a tremendous gift to our Teacher of the Year as she travels our state promoting public education,” Bice said. “Dr. Grizzle embodies all the qualities I think of when I use the term teacher. She chose a career path of service to those most in need and continues to make a difference in the lives of students each and every day.”

Grizzle has taught math in Birmingham City Schools since 1999. She said she chose to teach in high-needs schools because urban districts often have difficulty attaining and retaining good teachers.

A graduate of Denison University with degrees in mathematics and English, Grizzle is a National Board Certified teacher and earned her doctorate degree at Walden University. She will spend the majority of the year serving as a spokesperson for education, present-ing workshops, speaking to groups and representing education and the teaching profession. n

Alfa Awards Automobile To Alabama’s Top Teacher

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Page 33: Friends & Family Magazine

James Gregory sponsored by

Alabama Farmers FederationAlfa Health and Alfa Dental

Meet

Commodity Producers ConferenceSaturday, Aug. 3 Sheraton-Birmingham Civic CenterBirmingham, Alabama

6:30 p.m. – Banquet, followed by the showGroup ticket orders should be placed through County Farmers Federations or at AlfaFarmers.org

“The Funniest Man In America!’’James Gregory

Tickets$65Per Person

Includes Banquetand Show

Commodity Producers ConferenceAug. 1-4, 2013

SM®

Comedian and Southern storyteller delivers common-sense wisdom, old-fashioned values and politically incorrect humor

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Page 34: Friends & Family Magazine

©2013 United Soybean Board

That’s no bull. And that’s why animal ag is your number one customer.

Source: USB Market View Database

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Page 35: Friends & Family Magazine

By Lois Chaplin

One of the great things about summer is growing fresh tomatoes. It is also among summer’s gardening chal-lenges because tomatoes prefer mild temperatures

in the 70s to mid 80s. Hot temperatures can cause an otherwise healthy tomato plant to quit bearing fruit in mid-summer, or the plants can be shy about setting fruit when summer bears down hard.

Throughout the state, the average summer highs are nearly 90 F, with plenty of days that push higher. When daytime temperatures are above 90 F and night tempera-tures above 70 F, pollination and fruit set on tomatoes are compromised. This is due to the physiology of the plant, and most gardeners find blossom booster spray (a fruit- setting hormone) doesn’t help much in the heat.

Thankfully, plant breeders have been working on a fix: heat-tolerant tomato varieties sometimes called “heat-set” types that are better about setting fruit in hot weath-er. These will behave even when the temperature is in the low to mid 90s. Their names include Heatwave, Sun-Master, Sure Fire, Florida 91, Heatmaster, Phoenix, Solar Fire and Summer Set. They are all hybrids of medium to large, red, round slicing types. They can be planted now and later in the summer for a fall crop.

Plants can be started from seed now, or purchase the biggest plants available. This time of year, garden centers often carry plants in 3-gallon containers. These have a root system big enough to help handle the demand for water in Alabama heat until the roots grow in a new location. Handle them gingerly when transplanting from a nursery pot into the ground or larger container. If the nursery pot is not too thick, it may be easier to cut the pot away from the roots with a utility knife.

No matter what tomatoes are in the garden, be patient if they pause in the heat this summer. Keep plants watered and healthy so they can begin bearing again as soon as the weather cooperates. Bite-sized tomatoes don’t seem as bothered by the heat. Some popular cherry and grape varieties include Sweet Million, Sweet 100, Super Sweet 100, Sungold, SunSugar, Grape, Black Cherry, Chocolate Cherry and Yellow Pear.

If unproductive plants are under a strong patio light that stays on all night, the continuous illumination may be affecting the plant’s ability to set fruit. Virginia Tech reports that fruit set can be retarded under continuous light.

Even though it’s June, there is still time to plant and enjoy tomatoes. Start with the heat-set or cherry types and enjoy a great harvest in late summer and into fall. n

____________________________________________________Lois Chaplin is an accomplished gardener and author. Her work appears here courtesy of Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

SWEET SUMMERTIME SAVINGS. WWW.ALAFARM.COM

©2013 United Soybean Board

That’s no bull. And that’s why animal ag is your number one customer.

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Page 36: Friends & Family Magazine

By Kellie Henderson

After working more than 25 years as a nurse, Reba Tucker said she is happy being back in

Chilton County enjoying her retire-ment on the same land where she grew up.

“My father worked for the Chil-ton County Road Department, so I wouldn’t say I grew up farming, but he had been a cotton farmer before I was born,” Tucker said. “My grandfather was a farmer here, and we always had a large garden, so I was born and raised in a farming community.”

She and her husband, Tommy, built a home on her family property a few years ago so she could be near her mother, who this year celebrat-ed her 94th birthday.

“She still lives in her own home, and I’m so glad I can be close enough to her to see her several times a day and take her plates of food from our house,” Tucker said.

In addition to spending time with her mother and three grand-children, Tucker’s return to the Randolph community rekindled her enthusiasm for her home county.

“When I was 59, I saw pictures in the newspaper of contestants in the Miss Senior Chilton County competition,” she said. “It’s for ages 60 and over, and I decided I’d like to do that the next year. I was the 2011 Miss Senior Chilton County. I had a lot of fun giving speeches and making presentations for and about our county.”

But Tucker’s heart reaches far beyond the lines of the county she

calls home.“I have a great love for mis-

sions work,” she said. “I’ve been to Honduras, Africa, Russia, Guate-mala, Mexico, Panama and Cuba, as well as stateside trips. I went with a group last year to Phil Campbell to help rebuild after the terrible storms they had.

“Mission groups like to have a nurse along, and I don’t mind climbing the scaffolding and provid-ing some manual labor either. It is a wonderful feeling to serve God and help others experience His love and compassion.”

Tucker said her sister, Wanda, has been a wonderful influence on her cooking. She shares several of her sister’s recipes and other family favorite dishes featuring Chilton County peaches in this month’s Country Kitchen.

As summer tomatoes arrive, Tucker suggests Pernie’s Fried Green Tomatoes or Cheesy Baked Tomatoes to make the most of another Southern summer staple.

MITCHELENES’S PEACH DELIGHTCrust2 cups self-rising flour1 cup butter1 cup pecans

In a medium bowl, melt butter. Mix in flour and nuts and press mixture into a 9- X 13-inch pan. Bake at 350 F for 20 to 25 minutes or until crust just begins to brown slightly. Filling1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese2 cups powdered sugar1 (8-ounce) container non-dairy whipped topping4 cups sliced peaches1 (16-ounce) container peach glaze

In a mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and sugar. Fold in whipped topping and spread mixture over completely cooled crust. Mound edges slightly higher to hold glaze inside of cream cheese mixture. In a separate bowl, fold peaches into glaze, then spoon over cream cheese layer, keeping glaze away from edges. Keep refrigerated.

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Page 37: Friends & Family Magazine

Editor’s Note: Recipes published in the “Country Kitchen” are not kitchen-tested prior to publication. Visit www.AlfaFarmers.org for more recipes. Recommend a favorite cook who is a member of the Alabama Farmers Federation by emailing [email protected].

RACHEL’S CHEESECAkE WITH PEACH TOPPING

Crust50 vanilla wafer cookies, crushed¼ cup sugar¼ cup butter, softened

In a bowl, combine all ingredi-ents and press into the bottom of a springform pan. Filling: 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese,

softened½ cup sour cream1 cup sugar3 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla

In a mixing bowl beat together cream cheese, sour cream and sugar. Add one egg at a time, beat-ing well after each, then add vanil-la. Pour filling over crust and bake at 325 F for 50 minutes. Cool and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight. Glaze1 (10- to 12-ounce) jar peach jamFresh sliced peaches

In a small saucepan, heat jam on low until melted. Set aside to cool. Pour half of cooled jam over cheese-cake. Arrange fresh sliced peaches over cheesecake. Top with remain-ing jam, ensuring fresh peaches are covered in jam to prevent discolor-ation.

MRS. PERNIE’S FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

2 eggs1 cup milk1 cup yellow corn meal1 cup all-purpose flour1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning4-5 green tomatoes, sliced ¼-inch thickOil for frying

In a shallow bowl combine eggs and milk. In a separate shal-low dish, combine meal, flour and lemon pepper seasoning.

Dip tomato slices in egg mixture, then coat with seasoned flour mix-ture. Fry in hot oil a few at the time, turning slices until evenly golden.

Note: Reba says the tablespoon of lemon pepper may be adjusted to taste, but because it is the only seasoning added, she recommends a generous amount.

PEACH POUND CAkE1 cup butter2 cups sugar6 eggs1 tablespoon almond flavoring1 tablespoon vanilla flavoring3 cups cake flour¼ teaspoon baking soda¼ teaspoon salt½ cup sour cream3 cups fresh, ripe but firm, diced peaches1 (3-ounce) package apricot gelatin

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a Bundt pan.

In a mixing bowl, cream togeth-er butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addi-tion. Add flavorings. Sift together flour, soda, and salt. Add flour mix-ture alternately with sour cream. Fold in peaches and gelatin mix. Spoon into prepared pan and bake for 60 minutes. Top with glaze.Peach Glaze ½ cup sugar2 tablespoons butter1 (12-ounce) peach soda3 peaches, peeled and sliced½ of a (3-ounce) package apricot gelatin

In a saucepan, bring sugar, but-ter and peach soda to a boil, stir-ring to dissolve sugar. Add peaches and cook 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove peaches and set aside. Add gelatin to pan and cook on low heat 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Leave cake in pan and punch holes in warm cake with a thin knife. Slowly pour glaze over cake, reserving a small amount for topping. Let stand 15 minutes to absorb glaze. Invert cake onto a serving plate. Top with reserved peaches and remaining glaze.

BAkED TOMATOESOlive oil4 ripe, firm tomatoes sliced into ¼- ½ -inch

thick roundsSalt and pepperParmesan cheese1 cup mozzarella cheese, or more if desired

Grease a 9- X 13-inch pan with olive oil and arrange tomato slices in a single layer in pan. Sprinkle each slice with salt and pepper to

taste and ½ to 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and top each tomato slice with grated mozzarella cheese. Return to oven just to melt mozzarella.

GRANIE WANDA’S PEACHES AND CREAM PIE

6 peaches, chopped¼ cup sugar1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, with

juice1 (3-ounce) package peach gelatin1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed

milk¼ cup lemon juice4 ounces non-dairy whipped topping1 teaspoon almond flavoring1 tablespoon vanilla 1 large graham cracker crust

Sprinkle sugar over peaches and set aside.

In a saucepan, heat pineapple and gelatin to dissolve. Add peaches and set aside to cool.

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sweet-ened condensed milk and lemon juice, beating until smooth. Fold in whipped topping, flavorings and reserved peach mixture.

Pour mixture into crust and freeze. May be sliced and served frozen.

GRANIE WANDA’S PEACH PUNCH

1 (46-ounce) can pineapple juice1 (10-ounce) can frozen peach daiquiri mix1 (12-ounce) can frozen orange juice

concentrate1 (12-ounce) can frozen lemonade

concentrate1 tablespoon almond extract2 cups sugar1 quart water2 liters lemon-lime soda

Mix all ingredients except soda in a large plastic bowl and freeze until slushy.

To serve, place half the fruit slush in a punch bowl and add 1 liter of soda. Repeat with remaining half for a second bowl.

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Page 38: Friends & Family Magazine

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COUNTY ANNUAL MEETINGS

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Page 39: Friends & Family Magazine
Page 40: Friends & Family Magazine

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