Alabama AgCast

We speak with Communications Manager, Mary Wilson, of the Alabama Extension System on the second annual Alabama Extension Week. This year, the event will be held April 12-18. There will be in-person events as well as online webinars. Visit the ACES website to get more information. Below is a list of the webinars for the week. If you are interested, please register at THIS WEBSITE.○      Monday ■      2 p.m. - Your First Steps Into the Market is super timely to help farmers think about their farmers market spaces and setups.■      6 p.m. - Pollinator Power in Alabama will be a fun one where folks can learn about the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. If you like bees, and want to help out our pollinators, you definitely want to register for this one.○      Tuesday■      12 p.m. - is for all the aspiring entrepreneurs. It's Small Business Cafe — Idea to Impact.■      2 p.m. - we're talking mental health in agriculture. And that's a BIG topic right now with the row crop economy like it is… high input costs and low prices make farming even tougher than usual. ■      5:30 p.m. - any sheep or goat farmers will want to join in to learn about postpartum nutrition and lactation management in small ruminants■      6 p.m. - we round it out with another hot topic - invasive plants. You can learn more about Extension declaring this the Year of Invasive Plants and how you can help work to reduce the populations of those plants. ■      6:30 p.m. - for any farmers facing financial hardships, this webinar provides a place to discuss challenges and learn about resources that can help.○      Wednesday… this one is a FULL day■      10 a.m. - houseplants for homeowners… people are gonna LOVE that one■      12 p.m. - a really intriguing and different webinar — it's exploring the science of forestry, geology and pottery■      2 p.m. - we have a group of Extension agents who will be hosting the Women in Ag webinar, which will be really exciting. ■      6 p.m. - we're talking about landscape trees and things you can plant aside from crape myrtles… because diversity in what we plant is a good thing!○      Thursday■      If you're a forest landowner, you'll want to join in for the 2 p.m. webinar about forest health in Alabama… the current challenges and management strategies. ■      At 6 p.m. - we're talking about the Grow More, Give More program and the 250 Pound Challenge… which is all about growing extra fruits and vegetables to help people in your communities○      Friday■      We round it all out with a final webinar at 2 p.m. that's all about caregiving for loved ones suffering from memory loss. This one fits within Human Sciences Extension, and we know there's a lot of people out there who can benefit from this kind of information.

Eggcellent Food Safety: Keeping Easter Fresh and FunWith the arrival of spring and warmer weather, many people start to think about the upcoming lineup of holidays, including Easter. Some people join friends or family for a big meal and hiding eggs, while others enjoy going out to eat for their celebrations. No matter the plan, make sure that all Easter foods follow the proper safety guidelines.Cooking at HomeWhen cooking an Easter meal at home, the following are important things to remember:Keep it clean. Wash your hands before preparing food and in between different kitchen tasks. Use clean cooking equipment, including tools and countertops.Keep cold foods at an internal food temperature of 41 degrees F or less. Also, keep hot foods at an internal temperature of 140 degrees F or greater.Check temperatures with a food thermometer. Ensure that the thermometer works properly by putting it in ice or boiling water. It should read 32 degrees F and 212 degrees F, respectively.Make sure hot foods are fully cooked to the minimum recommended temperature for that food item. Find recommendations in the publication, HE-0733, There's No Place Like Home for Food Safety.If foods cannot be kept at the correct internal temperatures, limit the time that you serve that food to 2 hours. After then, throw the food away. Do not keep them for leftovers.For more information about keeping it safe at home, see the Extension Brief, Host Guests, Not Bacteria: Simple Food Safety Tips For Entertaining at aces.edu.Easter EggsIt is fun to decorate and hide Easter eggs, but there are a few safety tips to keep in mind.Before decorating, inspect eggs for cracks and cleanliness.Store raw and boiled eggs in the refrigerator.When cooking, cooling, dyeing, and even hiding eggs, wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling the eggs.Consider using plastic eggs for hiding, particularly if the event will take more than 2 hours from the time the eggs would have left refrigeration.If you choose to hide boiled eggs, avoid hiding them in areas where they might come in contact with pets, wild animals, birds, reptiles, insects, lawn chemicals, or other potential sources of bacteria or other contaminants.Discard any cracked or dirty eggs, as well as ones that have been out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours.Rinse uncracked eggs that have been out of refrigeration for less than 2 hours, and put them back in the refrigerator to eat up to 1 week later.If you are using fresh-from-the-flock eggs, find recommendations on how to wash and care for them in the publication, ANR-2642, Enhancing Egg Quality & Safety in Small Flocks.Out to EatIn the restaurant, you should see one or more food safety training certificates on display as you enter the establishment. The Alabama Extension Food Safety and Quality team teaches one of these certifications, ServSafe for Managers. That certificate is usually white and blue. The ServSafe training is a comprehensive class where participants are taught and tested on microbiological, chemical, and physical contamination. To learn more about the scoring system, or to see what your favorite restaurant's score is, visit www.alabamapublichealth.gov/foodscores/system.html.

Hello and welcome to the Alabama AgCast News for April 1, 2026. The AgCast is produced by the Alabama Farmers Federation and sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit.On today's AgCast, we will get the latest national and state news, check in with Morgan Desselle as the legislative session begins to wind down, hear the Commodity Column from Marlee Jackson, and go IN THE MARKETS with Chris Prevatt.

On today's AgCast, we will find out the latest from our nation's capital, we recap the Jr. Livestock Expo, we'll explore what's going on at the State House in Montgomery, Jacob Davis will bring us the Field Staff Report, and Chris Prevatt will take us…In the Markets.

Chandler Gruener is embarking on a multi-year study to determine soil sulfur recommendations for producers in Alabama. He just received a grant from the Soybean Checkoff Committee and will be reporting on his findings in the coming years.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We sit down with Director of Governmental and Agriculture Programs, Mitt Walker, on The Farm Bill and other movement in Congress.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

On today's AgCast we see why young farm families gathered at the beach, check in with Maggie Edwards and the Commodity Column, hear the Legislative Report from Morgan Desselle, get the boots-on-the-ground Field Report with Guy Hall, and follow Chris Prevatt as we go In The Markets.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Today's AgCast Feature will be a conversation with Auburn University's Variety Testing Manager, Henry Jordan. Henry recently applied for and received a grant from the Alabama Soybean Check-off program.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

On today's AgCast we learn about USDA's One Farmer, One File initiative, we report on the FFA Day on the Hill, we'll get Morgan Desselle's Legislative Report, hear a Field Report from Mac Higginbotham, and find out how Operation Epic Fury has affected the markets with Chris Prevatt.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We visit with Jerry Carl, former congressman and FarmPAC-endorsed candidate for Alabama District 1.Find out more about Cong. Carl at his website here.

On today's AgCast, the USDA continues working with the Department of War to maintain and increase farmland security as a part of national security, The long-awaited Farm Bill language is released, EPA rescinds greenhouse gas endangerment findings, we speak with Jake Harper following a joint resolution honoring his time in leadership with Alfa, and ag leaders from around Alabama gather for the annual Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor. We'll also have a Legislative Report, Commodity Column and Market Report, so stay tuned!Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We sit down with Matt Gentry, who is the FarmPAC-endorsed candidate. Matt is a veteran and retired sheriff of Cullman County.Visit Matt's website here.

On today's episode, Mitt Walker will give us an update on our activities in Washington DC last week; Extension Specialist Scott Graham has some advice for farmers looking to plant cotton this year; we'll hear from the award winners at the recent Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association conference; Morgan Desselle will keep us updated on all the bills we are following at the Alabama legislature; Maggie Edwards highlights commodity updates; David Heflin will bring us the Field Staff Report, and we go In The Markets with Chris Prevatt.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Maggie Edwards shares a few moments with Katherine Robertson. Katherine is the FarmPAC-endorsed candidate for Alabama Attorney General.Here's more about Katherine.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Corey Hill is running for Commissioner of Agriculture and Maggie Edwards sat down with him to get to know the Marshall County farmer, entrepreneur and mayor of Douglas, Ala.Find out more about Corey here.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

On today's AgCastWe all know how vital the Alabama Extension System is to agriculture in our state. Just last month, a new director was named. Co-host, Mary Wilson, of our TV show, Simply Southern, sat down with Dr. Eve Brantley on her new appointment.Is your farm properly covered? If you have Alfa Insurance, there's a good chance it is. Alfa's Rex Seabrook will break down some of the features of Alfa's new farmowner policy.As the South thaws from the recent winter storm, we'll check in to to see how the ice and snow affected Alfa customers in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. We'll get a report from Alfa's David Bailey. Check out additional ways to prepare for cold weather here.We all know that fuel is a big part of input costs, Chris Prevatt will let us know what is affecting oil costs as we look In The Markets.Morgan Desselle files her weekly report of several bills of interest to farmers in her Legislative Report. Sign up for the Capitol Connection here.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Maggie Edwards sits down with Alabama Attorney General, Steve Marshall. Steve is the FarmPAC endorsed candidate running the U.S. Senate for Alabama.Find out how you can support Wes on his campaign website.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Nationally, we'll look at a new law aimed at helping dairy farmers grow their market to schools. Statewide, we recognize farmers and ag leaders appointed to the state FSA Committee, and hear from the winner of the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association's Horizon Award. Federation news features the Taste of Alabama annual event and a major donation to Children's of Alabama.Finally, we'll hear report of crops with the Commodity Column, find out how ag is doing at the Alabama Legislature, and check the markets for any movement.From the Commodity Column:The 31st annual Alabama Extension Beekeeping Symposium is Feb. 7 at Wallace State Community College. The cost to attend is $45. Register by Feb. 1.Alabama Extension has launched a new master Beef Producer training program where cattle farmers can learn the newest technologies and best management practices during 15 classroom sessions. Workshops will be in Northport and are a joint effort between Tuscaloosa County Extension and Tuscaloosa County Cattlemen's Association. Starting March 2, classes will be every Monday and Tuesday evening until April 20. Learn more.Registration is still open for the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Annual Conference & Trade Show Feb. 4-6 in Gulf Shores. Register and view agenda.The Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment's Emmett & ViAnn Thompson Lecture in Forest Economics and Policy is Feb. 25 at The Hotel at Auburn University. The keynote speaker is Cade Warner, president and CEO of The Westervelt Co. Learn more.The Alabama Peanut Producers Association is hosting a series of peanut grower production meetings in conjunction with Alabama Extension and Auburn University College of Agriculture. Growers are encouraged t

Jeff Helms, communications director, visits with FarmPAC-endorsed candidate Wes Allen. Wes is currently Alabama'a Secretary of State but is seeking the office of Lt. Governor in the 2026 election.Find out how you can support Wes on his campaign website.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

On today's AgCast News, we will visit with Alabama Farmers Federation members and staff who recently returned from the American Farm Bureau annual convention in Anaheim, California. As a part of our coverage, we will get Drew Wendland's reaction to winning the national Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award, along with his wife Lauren. We will also check in with Morgan Desselle, of our External Affairs team, on what's going on at the Alabama Legislature. Plus, we are excited to start a new segment of the AgCast. Chris Prevatt, our in-house economist, will report on the commodity markets and what to look out for in the future.Sign up for Capitol Connection here.Get the latest on the markets here.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

A news-packed episode, today. Visit the latest edition of The Cultivator to get links and more information about Alabama agricultureSee the Farmer Bridge Payment Program payment rate breakdowns here.Here are the links Morgan referenced in her report.Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs TeamBrian Hardin - Director, External Affairs DepartmentPreston Roberts - Assistant Director, External Affairs DepartmentRuss Durrance - Director, State Legislative ProgramsMorgan Desselle - Legislative and Policy AssistantOr call (334) 288-3900Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

The Alabama Legislature's regular session kicks off Jan. 13 — and our staff is preparing for a fast-paced few months protecting farmers' interests. Hear from External Affairs Department staffers Preston Roberts and Russ Durrance in this special Alabama AgCast.Sign up for weekly Capitol Connection updates during the session here.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We will get a glimpse of what's going on in Alabama agriculture, this week.See the Farmer Bridge Payment Program payment rate breakdowns here.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We sit down with Josh and Bailey Williams, the 2025 Excellence in Agriculture winners for Alabama.We wish the Williams the best of luck as they represent Alabama in the national Excellence in Agriculture contest during the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, January 9-14, 2026 in Anaheim, California.Also, all of us at the Alabama Farmers Federation wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.The AgCast will return on January 7th.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Mitt Walker brings us the latest on the $12 Billion bridge payment announced on Dec. 8 by President Trump.The website Mitt referenced is:https://dm.epiq11.com/case/hansenmueller/infoFind out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We visit with attendees of the 2025 Youth Leadership Conference held at the 4-H Center in Columbiana, Ala.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Maggie Edwards visits with Legislators and the Alabama FFA officers about their experiences at the 98th Annual National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Join Mike and Maggie as they take a look at what's going on, in Agriculture, around Alabama.Be sure to stay tuned for the Field Staff Report with Cameron SmithFind out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Every year, Alabama Ag Credit presents five, $10,000 grants to young farmers to help with their operation goals. We visit them the winners and representatives from Alabama Ag Credit who helped with the process.Also, our Field Staff Report comes from Jacob Davis.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Mike & Maggie break down the latest Ag News from around Alabama.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Mike and Maggie bring the latest Ag news from around Alabama. Also, we introduce a new segment to the AgCast. Mac Higgenbotham brings us the first Field Staff Report. This is what's going on the frontline of agriculture for last week.Visit Alabama Farmers Federation for more on the headlines covered here. Also, subscribe to the Cultivator to get more Ag news from around the state and in our nation.You can also visit Sweet Grown Alabama for information from Mac's report.

Blake Thaxton, executive director of Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, joins us to talk about their annual conference in February of next year and several awards of interest.To nominate or apply, visit the AFVGA website.

Mitt Walker, director of Governmental And Agricultural programs, brings important information about looming deadlines for Federal program payments that Alabama farmers need to be aware of.Additional information can be found here.

Maggie speaks with Chris Prevatt and Alabama farmers from the Beef Tour who attended this annual event. Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Mike and Maggie review the latest news from around Alabama.To find the links referenced in this episode, visit The Cultivator page on our website.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We speak with Scott Graham, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist in Entomology & Plant Pathology, about a new pest, the cotton jassid, that has been discovered in Alabama.Read more about the jassid here.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We speak with Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Assistant Director and legal council, Preston Roberts, about what landowners should know about allowing hunting on their land.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Blake Thaxton speaks with Chad Smith, of Smith Tomato, LLC in Steele, Alabama and Destiny Allman Gladden of Almond Farms and Orchards in Oneonta, about the U.S./Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement. Joining Destiny, and contributing occasionally, is her baby, Lawson.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Forrest Anders is young farmer who is embracing Artificial Intelligence on his operation. We explore AI with him.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We spend a few minutes with our own, Sen. Katie Britt, to discuss successes and efforts she has made for the families of Alabama.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

Mitt Walker, director of Governmental and Agriculture Programs and the Federation's national lobbyist, explains how the American Relief Plan and the Big Beautiful Bill impacts farmers in Alabama.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We visit with Monica Carroll, Alabama's new Farm Service Agency (FSA) director, and Kathy Patterson, program specialist, on what the FSA is and how it benefits farmers in Alabama.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

So how are the planting season doing this year? We sit down with Carla Hornady, commodity directory, to find out.Also, several members of the Wetumpka FFA visited our office. We chat with two of them to get their perspective.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We have an informative conversation with Alabama Farmers Federation District 6 Director, Phillip Hunter. Phillip and his bother, Will, own Hunter Trees, LLC in Alpine. The operation uses guest workers through the H-2A legal labor program. Phillip also represents Alabama, nationally, as the chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation's Agricultural Labor Issue Advisory Committee.John Allen Nichols, agriculture council for the Farmers Federation, wraps up with information about tax incentives for poultry farmers.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We speak with the Nic De Castro, the owner of LandTrust. Like Airbnb, LandTrust partners with landowners to bring parties looking for hunting, fishing, camping, etc. to your land. They handle the vetting, booking, and fees and you make money. Visit the landowner page of the site for additional info. or call (406) 709-8450 to see if it is a good fit for your property. Marlee Jackson wraps up by our latest culinary contest, Alabama's Best Surf-n-Turf.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We catch up with Alabama's Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026, Katie Collins, after her presentation at the annual Ag In The Classroom Summer Institute.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We travel to Auburn University to discuss the Farm Survey and producer interviews called, "Farmer in the Middle" with Dr. Mykel Taylor and Dr. Kelli Russell.Marlee Jackson wraps up by our latest culinary contest, Alabama's Best Surf-n-Turf.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

A parasite from the past is making its way up Mexico and could be headed for the US. We discuss this emerging issue with Chris Prevatt.Marlee Jackson wraps up by our latest culinary contest, Alabama's Best Surf-n-Turf.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We get a full report on all the legislation worked on by our External Affairs team during the latest session of the Alabama Legislature.Marlee Jackson wraps up by introducing our latest culinary contest, Alabama's Best Surf-n-Turf.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We sit down with Assistant Director Aisling Walden and Anna Grace Thompkins, intern, of Sweet Grown Alabama to hear how the state's agriculture branding program is going and what's coming up.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.

We speak with Mitt Walker, director of Governmental and Agriculture Programs about the latest news for farmers from DC and also about two important award program deadlines coming.Alabama farmers are encouraged to nominate research and Extension personnel whose work tangibly impacted their farms for two awards from the Alabama Farmers Federation. Nominations close June 6.The Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture & Forestry Research recognizes Auburn University faculty for creative and original research. The winner receives up to $10,000 in program support, which can fund graduate students or research operations.The Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension honors Alabama Extension staff developing or implementing solutions for stakeholder-identified problems. The winner receives up to $5,000 for programming costs.Winners will be recognized in August during the Federation's Farm & Land Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee.