ACES: Amid industry, environmental struggles Christmas tree prices remain relatively steady
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — There is nothing quite like the scent of Christmas trees. These natural living room centerpieces are beloved and provide an aesthetic that fits the season. However, choosing the right tree and caring for it can be a daunting task. An...
Rusty and Beth Daniel named 2024 Farm Family of the Year
SIMCOE, Ala. – This year’s Cullman Farm-City Banquet was hosted by the Cullman County Farm-City Committee at Camp Meadowbrook Tuesday night, Nov. 21, and a new Farm Family of the Year was selected. This year’s winners are Rusty and Beth Daniel, owners of 4D...
Students learn leadership skills at annual Youth Leadership Conference
COLUMBIANA, Ala. - The 2023 Alfa Youth Leadership Conference helped 87 high school freshmen and sophomores from across Alabama develop crucial life and ag advocacy skills at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana Nov. 13-14.
The two-day conference was hosted by the Alabama Farmers Federation...
2023 Cullman Farm-City Banquet set for Nov. 21
CULLMAN, Ala. – Farm-City Week is just around the corner, and the Cullman Farm-City Committee has been hard at work through the year to bolster the idea that industries should work hand in hand to deepen the connection between rural farmers and urban workers...
Cullman Farm-City Tour to explore local agritourism farms Nov. 1
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman Farm-City will host its annual Farm City Tour on Nov. 1, departing from the Cullman County Extension Office. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, as they will be visiting a handful of Cullman’s beautiful farms, witnessing and learning about...
James and the giant…pumpkin?
CULLMAN, Ala. - Visiting the Cullman County Fair brings around all sorts of interesting things to look at and explore. Exhibit halls burst at the seams with vendors, arts and crafts, needlepoint, 4H posters and baked goods. One fan favorite, year after year, is...
‘I’m humbled and I’m proud of what we do’
Darrell Haynes nominated for Southeastern Farmer of the Year
CULLMAN, Ala. – Every year the Sunbelt Ag Expo selects a Farmer of the Year from each Southeastern state and recognizes them at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, where the overall winner is announced. Cullman County’s Darrell...
North Alabama Agriplex Harvest to Home dinner Sept. 14
CULLMAN, Ala. - The North Alabama Agriplex is set to host its annual Harvest to Home fundraiser dinner on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at the William F. Peinhardt Conference Center at Wallace State Community College.
Doors open at 5 p.m., with a silent auction beginning...
Alabama Extension celebrating Sweet Grown Alabama Day today
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - There is something special about home-grown tomatoes, freshly picked okra and local honey. Add to that dairy products from just down the road or self-care items made by your neighbor and you have a winning combination. At first glance, these...
ACES: Plant bugs dominate cotton fields; weather forces management tweaks
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - The 2023 Alabama cotton crop had a late and slow start. Spring rains and cool temperatures caused planting delays, then slowed emergence and seedling growth. Summer was a tale of two Junes. Early June brought extended dry weather. However, abundant—sometimes...
North Alabama Agriplex makes progress with Community Hub capital campaign
CULLMAN, Ala. - The North Alabama Agriplex recently raised $2,400 with its Grub for the Hub local burger night at Goat Island Brewing, benefiting the community hub capital campaign, “A New Home for the Harvest.” The leadership of the Agriplex is also celebrating many...
Cullman’s award-winning Haynes Farm to be featured on national TV
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Hayneses of Cullman County who run Haynes Farm will receive statewide and national exposure with a feature on Simply Southern TV.
The feature details how and why Haynes Farm earned the title of Alabama’s 2023 Farm of Distinction. As Alabama’s honoree,...
Cullman County’s Haynes selected for prestigious A.L.F.A Leaders program
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The sixth class of the Agricultural Leaders for Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders) program was recently announced after a rigorous application and interview process. Eighteen participants will join the ranks of Alabama Farmers Federation county presidents, board members, legislators and other leaders at...
ACES: Pinkeye in cattle: Combating an expanded list of viruses and bacteria
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Pinkeye is a well-known bacterial infection that cattle producers watch for each year. The number of cases often increase during the summer and into the fall. The bacterium Moraxella bovis is most associated with pinkeye infections. However, an Alabama Cooperative Extension...
ACES: Controlling horn flies in cattle: Is garlic’s pungent power the answer?
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Horn flies can become a major issue for cattle during the summer. Commonly used fly control methods include sprays, drenches and dusts. However, a recent trend within the livestock industry is the search for alternative fly control methods. Among the...
Agriplex online spring auction May 4-7
CULLMAN, Ala. - The North Alabama Agriplex will hold its spring online auction Thursday-Sunday, May 4-7, raising funds for its new community hub. The auction features several valuable prize packages including passes to area attractions and restaurants, along with handcrafted items.
Photos and full descriptions of...
ACES expert encourages vegetable growers to scout for armyworms
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – As the vegetable crop growing season continues, there is a heightened risk for many insect pests. Currently, Alabama Cooperative Extension System entomologists are seeing a drastic increase in armyworm moth numbers. This makes the need for regular scouting measures that...
Funds still available for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
CULLMAN, Ala. - According to the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, funds are still available for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
SFMNP is a federally funded program administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ Farmers Market Authority Section which provides...
Tree Commission discusses achievements, plans for future
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman Tree Commission met at City Hall on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
City Arborist Charles Chandler reported that several trees on the rights-of-way or easements have been removed in recent weeks due to disease or damage, and several others have been...
Cullman County’s Haynes Farm named Alabama’s 2023 Farm of Distinction
Cullman County recognized with state Farm-City Awards
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Present and future generations of agriculturalists were honored for outstanding outreach efforts and creativity during the annual Farm-City Awards Luncheon and Program April 13 in Birmingham.
Over 400 attendees gathered as students, families and county committees...
Alabama Extension’s commitment to sustaining for the future
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Predicting the future is never an easy task, and making decisions for the days and years ahead can be simply paralyzing for many people because of uncertainty. This holds true for the sustainability and protection of the Earth’s resources. To...
Cullman County youth shine at Alabama Jr. Livestock Expo
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Cattle and swine took center stage in Montgomery as Alabama youth exhibited animals and showed off a year’s worth of hard work during the Jr. Livestock Expo (JLE) in March.
The inaugural Jr. Dairy Expo was March 11, while the Jr. Beef...
Alabama Extension awarded SARE grant to improve land-use efficiency and sustainability in Southeast
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Sustainability is big business in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Agricultural researchers are constantly looking for new and improved ways for livestock and crop producers to better their operations. Thanks to a recently awarded $380,000 grant from the Sustainable Agriculture...
ACES: Flash drought- conquering a dry domain
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Fall has brought a wave of aridity to Alabama along with its pleasant temperatures. In the new climate, homeowners around the state are witnessing their grass brown and plants weaken because of insufficient natural moisture. To assist around the home,...
Local youth shine during Alabama National Fair Livestock Shows
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Just outside the ring where youth exhibit meticulously groomed livestock, family and friends cheer on their loved ones — and lend support when the showing gets tough.
“These kids think nothing about getting up and going again when they get knocked down,”...
Marigold Moon
Herbalist and gardener Amelia Gilliland recently began what she calls her “encore career” at her farm Marigold Moon, which she started last year at her home.
After retiring from a 25-year career as a professor in 2020, Gilliland began formal study of herbalism through the...
WFF expands SOA hunting opportunities
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division continues to expand its unique access to the great outdoors with five new Special Opportunity Areas (SOAs) around the state.
The SOA concept was born six years ago...
Southern Herbalist visits Agriplex
CULLMAN, Ala. – The Southern Herbalist, Darryl Patton, visited theNorth Alabama Agriplex Thursday, leading a Heritage Homeschool class about the uses and dangers of medicinal herbs.
The class took a walk and discussed the many plants surrounding the Agriplex. With his encyclopedic knowledge of herbs,...
Beginning farmers invited to tour J. Calvert Farms
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Beginning Farmer Series serves to help new producers develop knowledge and critical skills so they can sustain and grow their farms using technical information, learning networks and other resources.
The series has many programs for increasing confidence...
Battery-powered chainsaws: Quiet but dangerous
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Many tool manufacturers are offering batteries as an alternative power source to gasoline in today’s market. Chainsaws are one of the newest pieces of equipment that are now utilizing rechargeable batteries. These newer chainsaws are often quieter and require less...
Cullman’s Hayes 1 of 3 finalists in nationwide organic gardening competition
CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman’s Kelly Hayes, a second-grade teacher at West Elementary School and owner of Urban Farm and Forage, is one of three finalists in the nationwide Johnny Appleseed Organic Invitational.
“When I found out we had made it to the final three in...
WSCC Culinary Arts welcomes Pate, ADAI
HANCEVILLE, Ala. - Wallace State Community College (WSCC) Culinary Arts students on Thursday welcomed Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture of Industries Rick Pate and representatives from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to campus for a lunch prepared with locally sourced products to...
Local farmers awarded for prize tomatoes
CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Extension Office held its first Tomato Taste-Off Saturday, June 25, at the Festhalle Farmers Market. A total of 11 entries were submitted in the categories of Best-Tasting Slicing Tomato, Best-Tasting Cherry Tomato and Heaviest Slicing Tomato. Many contestants...
Farmers share bounties through local gleaning program
CULLMAN, Ala. - Saturday morning at the Cullman Festhalle Farmers’ Market, local farmer and Master Gardener Brad Mitchell of Legacy Farms dropped off his surplus crops to Linda Holland, who works at the North Alabama Agriplex. His donation will be distributed, along with those...
Tomato enthusiasts prepare for Tomato Taste-Off event at Festhalle Saturday
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman County Extension Office is hosting a Tomato Taste-Off event at Festhalle Farmer’s Market on June 25th to look for the best of the best in the following categories – best tasting cherry tomato, best tasting slicing tomato, best tasting...
Gleann Brook Acres providing better beef with pasture-raised Highland cattle
CULLMAN, Ala. - Scottish Highland cattle are highly sought-after livestock for their docile nature, ability to withstand harsh weather and high-quality beef. Gleann Brook Acres, family-owned and operated business since 2006, has raised more than 200 highlands in over 10 states. Their ranch is...
Alabama poultry’s environmental excellence
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Poultry ranks as Alabama’s top-producing agricultural commodity. The industry continues to strive for environmental excellence each day while meeting the demand of consumers.
Advancements in Poultry Production
Through scientific research and adoption of new technologies, poultry farmers are becoming more efficient. In...
Research shows mosquitoes remember, avoid pesticide odors
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – No one likes dealing with mosquitoes. As potential vectors of diseases, controlling mosquito populations is an important aspect of human health. As reported in Scientific Reports, new research from the United Kingdom suggests that this task may prove to be...
Weed management for spring forages
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—As springtime approaches, so do those pesky weeds that keep pastures from producing at the highest level. David Russell, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System weed specialist, said management of spring forages and weed control is an important task that most farmers undertake...
Growers permit cuts costs for farmers
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—Alabama is home to more than 170 farmers markets, which thousands of farmers rely on to sell produce that they pour their blood, sweat and tears into growing. The Alabama Farmers Market Authority (FMA) is the governing body of these markets. To...
Alabama peach season to blossom or bust?
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – For Alabama peach farmers, this time of year is crucial in determining how the growing season will turn out.
In order to resume adequate growth in the spring, peach trees require a certain amount of exposure to cool temperatures after the...
Avian Influenza makes a return to the Southeast
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in wild ducks in North Carolina and South Carolina. While professionals have not detected the bird disease in Alabama, migratory birds can bring the threat here in natural flyways.
Ken Macklin, a poultry...
Michael Graveman and Skyla Elliot named 2022 Farm Family
CULLMAN, Ala. - The annual Farm-City Banquet took place Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at Loft 212. The Farm City Committee alternates between recognizing a Farm Family and a City Family to represent Cullman County for the year. Fred and Delores Osborne were this...
The 2021 Alabama National Fair Youth Beef Cattle Show and Alabama National Fair Goat Shows see winners from Cullman County
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The 2021 Alabama National Fair Youth Beef Cattle Show and the 2021 Alabama National Fair Goat Show took place in Montgomery’s Teague Arena on Saturday, October 9. This year’s youth livestock events were sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa...
March of the armyworm
CULLMAN, Ala. - Folks across Cullman County are seeing an increase in brown caterpillars that are helping themselves to lawns, gardens and crops. What are they, and what can be done to stop the damage?
The fall armyworm, called “army” because of its invasive tendencies,...
Cullman Peach Orchard open for the summer
HANCEVILLE, Ala. - The Cullman Peach Orchard is formally owned by Johnathon Clayton, but is largely a family business. His sister Anita Warner explained that Clayton originally purchased the farm in 2007 and began growing peaches shortly after. The first peach trees for the...
Make more from the food you grow
AUBURN UNIVERSITY - Each growing season, producers must decide how and where to sell their crops. Farmers markets, grocery stores, roadside stands and wholesale distributors are excellent established options; however, there are new opportunities to consider. Charitable donations and second-generation uses of fresh fruits...
Livestock making the switch to soy? Everything you need to know!
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Did you know? Livestock were on the soy diet before it was cool.
While this may seem a bit surprising, soybeans were a popular forage choice for livestock producers in the 1800s. Around World War II, soybean production started to focus...
Liven up spring gardens with perennial plants
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – All gardeners know that no spring garden is complete without perennial plants. Adding different textures, colors and shapes, perennials can be the perfect additions to flower beds and landscapes. Early April is prime time for planting perennials. With the right...
Houston, Pike Counties take top honors for Farm-City programs
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Houston and Pike counties are top in the state when it comes to Alabama Farm-City programs, and each group’s members were recognized at the organization’s awards program held in Birmingham on April 8.
County programs are ranked in two divisions. Division 1...
USDA Launches Feral Swine Control Program
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - Free-ranging populations of feral swine—also known as feral hogs, wild boar or wild pigs—can now be found throughout most of Alabama. Feral swine usually cause significant amounts of damage to agricultural crops, food plots, pastures and a myriad of other...
Wallace State’s horticulture/agriculture program hosting spring plant sale
HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College’s (WSCC) Horticulture/Agriculture program is currently hosting its spring plant sale. The public is invited to the WSCC greenhouses for the event. Sale hours each week are Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday...
Wallace State’s Small Farmer Training spring/summer courses begin next week
HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College’s Small Farmer Training program is offering an exciting variety of courses beginning in April and into the fall semester.
Offerings include online courses, one-day classes and specialized summer camps. A spring plant sale will also be conducted between...
Crop Protection Network Releases Free Web Book for Crop Scouting Basics
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Corn and soybean producers know that an essential part of pest management is crop scouting. This subject is as vast as the tasks associated with it, and the benefits are evident to farmers. The Crop Protection Network (CPN) has released...
Berlin Farmers Market going up quickly
BERLIN, Ala. - The shed for the Berlin Farmers Market is rising from the field west of the Berlin Community Center and will be in use soon. The market is scheduled to open at 3 p.m. April 19 and will operate from 3-6 p.m....
West Point’s Walker Johnson earns $4K scholarship at Alabama Farmers Federation 2021 Junior Beef Expo
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Cullman County Board of Education (CCBOE) proudly reported that West Point student and CCBOE Fast Track participant Walker Johnson earned a $4,000 scholarship for exhibiting the reserve grand champion animal during the Alabama Farmers Federation/Alfa Insurance 2021 Junior Beef Expo...
Alabama Extension launches Crops Report Podcast
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—The Alabama Crops Report Podcast is where the research meets the row. When the armyworms move in or Southern rust conditions are setting in, the Alabama Extension crops team wants to cultivate community by bringing their expertise to producers on the farm....
Cullman Farm-City promotes National Agriculture Day
CULLMAN, Ala. - National Agriculture Day, commonly referred to as National “Ag” Day, is coming up on March 24, and Cullman County’s Farm-City folks are gearing up for a series of events around the day and through the season to celebrate farmers and agriculture...
Avoid planting summer vegetables too early
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—In anticipation of enjoying summer vegetables, gardeners often plant too early causing them to struggle. In Alabama the often-warmer temperatures in late winter and spring can fool gardeners into planting too soon.
Alabama summer vegetables
According to Alabama Extension agent Jack LeCroy, of the...
Alabama agriculture feeling effects of COVID-19
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Practically every industry has been affected by COVID-19 in some fashion. Professionals from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University’s College of Agriculture recently performed a survey to evaluate the impact of the disease on the Alabama agricultural industry.
Adam...
Alabama Extension launches Farming Basics app
AUBURN, Ala. - Today’s farmers are using new
technology more than ever to help them with day-to-day tasks. In a physically
demanding and rapidly developing industry, farmers lean on GPS, web
information, online courses and timely answers to keep up with the moving
economy.
Available at the touch of...
