Who turned up the heat? Summertime didn’t dawdle this year as we head into a week of upper 90s and even the 1-0-0 for some of us in the southern part of the state. Don’t forget to stay cool, hydrated and use that sunscreen and hat! While you work in the hayfield, we’re in Montgomery holding down the fort. We’re coming off a BUSY week, but this freight train keeps on rollin’. Read more to find out what’s happening at the ACA this week.
YCLP Class VI Kicks Off
…And session one for the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Class VI is a wrap. Last week was an exciting time in the association, not only because of the 
Board meeting, but because we kicked off the SIXTH class of the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP). This program, funded by the Alabama State Beef Checkoff, is designed to develop young cattlemen ages 20-40 into future leaders for Alabama’s beef cattle industry. The 25 students of this class were introduced to the Board and explored the legislative world then headed to Frank Ellis Charolais for a farm tour followed by a social cook-out at Kick Back Ranch & Events Center in Ramer. The following morning started with leadership training led by Dr. Don Mulvaney followed by a trip to McLane-Garrett Cattle Company and a tour of the Cargill Feed Mill here in Montgomery. We’re excited for a big year with this impressive class of young leaders!
Members of Class VI are:
Eric Beck, Mobile County
Christopher Bell, Monroe
Taylor Brown, Chambers
Bradley Cox, Fayette
Amanda Engle, Franklin
Levi Gideons, Lee
Brian Gilliam, Shelby
Clay Jones, Bibb
Peter Kupfer, Mobile
Jessica Langford, Autauga
Amanda Lovelady, Talladega
Whit Lovelady, Talladega
Scott McElfrish, Fayette
William Monk, Dallas
Kendra Moravec, Mobile
Paul Moravec, Mobile
Darcey Richburg, Chilton
Paige Teague, Clay
Tray Thompson, Dale
Travis Tucker, Blount
Justin Waites, Clay
Kory Watt, Sumter
Logan Whatley, Montgomery
Aubree White, Limestone
Daniel White, Cullman
Stopping By Youth Events
New to the staff at ACA, Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds wants to engage with youth at field days across the state. On Saturday, Morgan visited Blountsville, AL for the Alabama Santa Gertrudis Association Field Day & Show. Hats off to the Alabama Santa Gertrudis Association and Quail Valley Farms for hosting an excellent event. Morgan engaged in conversations with cattlemen throughout the day and enjoyed welcoming juniors to the field day and speaking to the audience about 2019 Round-Up.
On June 1 Morgan will head to Crenshaw County for the Belt Buckle Classic Summer Edition. This inaugural summer show have over 150 registrants and awards 15 buckles to the top 5 heifers, steers and showmanship competitors. We’re looking forward to a GREAT event!
Veteran Farmers Conference
This past Saturday, ACA staffer Ali Cantrell hosted a booth at the Veteran 
Farmers Conference at Wallace State Community College. ACA provided a gold-level sponsorship for the event as well as resource materials to the attendees of the conference. Cullman County cattlemen provided a delicious lunch! Ali had the honor to talk with farmers who have served our country and are now stewards of the land as well. We tip our hat to those with a servant’s heart, especially as we head into Memorial Day weekend!
Legislative Update: The Countdown is On!
The legislature is continuing to run fast-paced as they tackle another three-day week with talks of four-days next week as they race to the finish of the session. As it stands today, they have eight days left to complete the session. Last night, the general fund budget passed out of the Senate and is headed to conference committee. The Education Trust Fund budget is in House committee this morning. Last night, the lottery bill was first up on the House calendar and died during the vote for the Budget Isolation Resolution (BIR). We will see where that goes from here. The labeling bill for the association (HB518) will be in committee today in the Senate. Once passed through committee, the remaining obstacle will be passage on the Senate floor.
Memorial Day Weekend
As we head into a weekend of memorializing those who gave their lives for our many freedoms, we pause to remember their sacrifice. We know this is not just a three-day weekend, a trip to the beach or a time for parties…but a time intended to honor the sacrifice so many have made protecting our homeland. Thank you to our military!
If you are spending a weekend with family by the pool, don’t forget to break out those burgers and fire up the grill. Memorial Day Weekend is the official kick-off to summer grilling season! Celebrate with a juicy burger, a sizzlin’ steak or fall-off-the-bone beef ribs.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
The membership count of the day is 8,154 members and counting! HELP US GET TO 10,000+!! County secretaries, be sure to be submitting that information to the i4a membership software or here to our state office! Hopefully by now, you’ve input all the renewals that flooded your mailboxes from the renewal statements. Don’t forget, that Over the Top deadline of June 15 is drawing near quickly. CONGRATS are in store for Elmore and Montgomery counties who have already gone Over the Top. Great work!
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