Welcome to the Bama Beef Blog, where you can check out the latest news from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program and the Southeastern Livestock Expo. Keep reading for more info!
DOWN TO EARTH: AGRICULTURE SUSTAINS ALABAMA
Alabama farm and forestry organizations debuted a yearlong public education campaign — Down to Earth: Agriculture Sustains Alabama — during a campaign launch event in Pike Road on March 31, 2022.
At an afternoon press conference, Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed March 31 Down To Earth Day. Ivey, whose rural roots run deep, lauded the collaborative campaign, which will showcase sustainable, high-tech and efficient techniques farmers and forest landowners have followed for decades.
Ivey’s remarks followed a fun-filled field trip for Pike Road School System fourth-graders at the Pike Road Agriculture, Recreation and Performing Arts Center (ARPAC). Through hands-on activities at a dozen stations, over 200 students learned about Down to Earth’s Big 6 topics — carbon emissions; animal and plant efficiency; data and technology; conserving natural resources; smart land use; and sustaining for the future.
Down to Earth Co-chair Kayla Greer said her group’s goal is to reach at least 1 million consumers with Down to Earth messages. “At the end of the day, we want people to know sustainability isn’t about the size of the farm or the commodity produced,” said Greer, who serves as campaign co-chair along with Caleb Hicks. “It’s about using the land in smart ways and protecting our natural resources so we can produce food, timber and fiber for people now and long into the future.”
Following the field trip and press conference, hundreds of locals flocked to the Pike Road ARPAC. A bevy of booths educated the public about sustainability, farm life, Alabama forestland and efficient, high-tech farm practices.
Meanwhile, five teams of media personalities participated in a competition featuring common agricultural tasks. The contest included a rural relay, where participants roped a calf, donned a poultry biosecurity suit and measured feed; raking a fire break to slow a forest fire; and Rural Jeopardy! featuring questions about Down to Earth’s Big 6 topics.
Down to Earth partners include the Alabama Agribusiness Council, Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Poultry & Egg Association and Sweet Grown Alabama.
Over the year, the Down to Earth message will be shared online at DownToEarthAL.com as well as through social media ads, events and bimonthly press releases. FFA groups, 4-H clubs and civic organizations will help share Down to Earth’s sustainability message. Down to Earth was also Alabama Farm-City’s 2021 theme.
Interact with @DowntoEarthAL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Spring Junior Cattlemen’s Field Day
Spring Junior Cattlemen’s Field Day is NEXT WEEK— Thursday, April 14! The Alabama Beef Checkoff Program is providing youth with an educational opportunity to learn about beef cattle judging, soil sampling, hay sampling, public speaking, and pasture to plate story. We look forward to welcoming youth from all across the state. This field day was planned during the week to accommodate FFA and 4-H chapters/clubs. If the participants need a school excuse it can be found on the field day weblink below. Registration closes Friday April 8. Please visit www.bamabeef.org/fieldday to register and learn more!
Legislative Update
The legislature is expected to conclude the session this week. Today marks day 28 of the session leaving only two more possible days. Lawmakers are working out details of several bills including concurrence on the Education Trust Fund. Three bills related to agriculture are on the House special order calendar today. They include the “Sweet Grown Alabama” bill (SB274) which exempts sales tax on value added products, a raise for the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries (SB319) and SB 317 related to agricultural authorities. A recap of the session will be provided in next weeks blog.
Speaking of policy, Tuesday night, the ACA attended the Montgomery City Council meeting as proposed changes to the city’s animal ordinance was on the agenda. The item was carried over until the next meeting in two weeks which will give time for comments and changes to be submitted to the proposal. For any questions about this matter, contact Erin at the office.
IT’S COOK-OFF TIME!
Coming up this Saturday on April 9, the Alabama Beef Checkoff, FCCLA, and Alabama CattleWomen’s Association will be hosting the Alabama Jr. and Sr. High School Beef Cook-off competition. We are excited to host students from all of the state at Jefferson State Community College where they will present creative and delicious beef dishes for our judges. Winners will win money as well as the notoriety of being a Beef Cook-off Champion. While judges are tasting, the students, teachers, and parents will be participating in educational programs from chefs from Jefferson State Community College, Registered Dietitian Elesha Ergle, and they will get to see ultrasound tech, Amanda Engle, ultrasound the ribeye area of a calf.
YCLP Update
The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Class IX will be announced on social media by April 15. Stay tuned to learn who is in the new class!
YCLP Alumni, registration the 2nd Annual YCLP Alumni Reunion is now live! If you are an Alumni of the program, join us May 20 & 21 at Kick Back Ranch for a weekend full of education, catching up with your classmates, and meeting new alumni! We look forward to seeing YCLP Alumni and their families this summer. To register and see the weekends schedule please visit the link below! Registration » www.BamaBeef.org/Reunion
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
The 2022 membership year has officially kicked off, and we are headed boldly in the direction of 10,000 members! Many counties are hosting annual meetings. Please, contact Jessica Kennedy at our office to let her know about county meeting dates and leadership changes OR complete this online form to notify us of your meeting, assign a mailout, and request a guest speaker. As always, leaders, we encourage you to enter new members and renewals by the 15th of each month to guarantee they stay on the magazine distribution list and to deposit checks in a timely manner. Also, PLEASE send county leader updates to the state office so we can update them for future mailings, emails, etc. Contact Jessica to let her know who your county officers are!
AJCA BOARD SET TO MEET
Speaking of youth, the Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Board of Directors will meet Saturday April 9 for their spring board meeting. The juniors will discuss upcoming details for the 2022 Round-Up, review plan for Spring Field Day, and focus on their goals for second half of the year. If you have any topic you wish for the board to discuss please contact AJCA President Corley Williams at corxanw@gmail.com.
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