MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s agricultural branding program, is pleased to welcome Alabama Farm Credit as a founding member of the non-profit organization. “Alabama Farm Credit is proud to be a founding member of Sweet Grown Alabama. We believe that the strength of agriculture in our state is dependent on finding every way possible to maximize the value …
Alabama Extension Offices Serving as Drop-Off Points for Mystery Seed Packages
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is partnering with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to assist in collecting unsolicited seed packages being sent to Alabama residents from China. The packages often indicate that they contain jewelry rather than seeds. ADAI field inspectors are currently collecting these seed packages to test their contents for unknown compounds, …
New Pesticides Approved for Use on Alabama Hemp
By Katelyn Kesheimer, Alabama Extension According to an Alabama Extension blog, new pesticides have been approved for use on hemp production in Alabama. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service worked with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to release an approved pesticide list for use on hemp in Alabama. Several more products have been recently approved for legal application …
Cowpea Curculio Troubling for Alabama Producers
A tiny insect continues to take a bite out of the southern pea crop in Alabama. Ayanava Majumdar, an Auburn Extension Professor in Entomology and Plant Pathology, believes insecticide resistance is a huge issue in why farmers in Alabama and Georgia cannot get a handle on cowpea curculio. “I think many people just don’t believe that resistance is an issue …
Sweet Grown Alabama is a ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Consumers
More than 150 farmers are part of the Sweet Grown Alabama database. Director Ellie Watson believes the sweetgrownalabama website is an integral part of connecting the state’s producers with its consumers. “We have a pretty great representation across all counties and all areas of the state. Of course, we’re still looking to grow that database,” Watson said. “We know that …
Alabama Hemp Producers Need to Protect Against Caterpillar Damage
Alabama hemp is at a stage in the growing season when it is vulnerable to caterpillar damage, says Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. She said a lot of the hemp in the state is starting to flower, which is when it is most susceptible. “We’re gearing up for corn earworm for caterpillars. A lot of the …
Alabama Pecan Crop Projected at 2.5 Million Pounds
Alabama’s pecan trees are progressing with a strong crop this year. Alabama Extension Research Associate Bryan Wilkins believes the fungicide Miravis Top’s has worked well against scab disease and believes producers in his state should be in good shape come harvest time, barring a hurricane. “I think Alabama will be up there around 2.5 million pounds, maybe a little bit …
Sweet Grown Alabama Director Advocates Buying Local
Ellie Watson, Sweet Grown Alabama Director, believes when consumers support local farmers, it provides them with a source of high-quality produce that helps growers remain sustainable. “It’s so important for consumers to support local farmers because not only does that money help the local economy; we know that about 60 cents of every dollar stays in the local community when …
Sweet Grown Alabama Day Produces Sweet Results
Sweet Grown Alabama Day will forever be July 22. Kay Ivey, Alabama Governor; Rick Pate, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries; and other agriculture leaders and farmers joined forces at the Alabama State Capitol on Wednesday to celebrate the launch of a new online searchable database, which connects Alabama farmers and families. The celebration was highlighted by …
Alabama Hemp Producers Need To Plant Crop Now
By Clint Thompson Alabama hemp producers need to plant their crop now to ensure it is in the ground and growing by the July 31 deadline. According to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), if you are a first-time outdoor grower and do not have green plants up and growing by July 31, ADAI will need to know …