The Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBS) have launched dueling advocacy groups over a proposal that would allow ALFA to offer healthcare benefits to their members.  ALFA launched a web and social media presence for Alliance For Affordable Healthcare and BCBS for Protect Alabama’s Quality Coverage.  While no […]

A glimmer of hope shot through bleak, in-the-red farm country late last year as Congress included $10 billion of economic aid for farmers in an end-of-year resolution. Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the relief package was a critical first step to help farmers stay in business until a new, improved farm bill is […]

The Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) endorsed current State Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper) for a rare State Senate vacancy, left by former Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed. Following his departure, Governor Kay Ivey set a special election to fill the seat across portions of Fayette, Lamar, Walker, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties. Today, the politically […]

Farmers who use the federal H-2A guest worker program scored a crucial victory last week when a district court halted overreach from the Department of Labor (DOL). On Nov. 26, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi barred the DOL from enforcing its Worker Protection Rule, which unlawfully extended unionization rights to […]

As Alabamians head to the polls on November 5, voters in Autauga County have another big decision to make that will affect property owners’ wallets and the educational experience of county students. A 7-mill ad valorem tax increase is proposed to support the county school system. Autauga County Schools explained the need for the property […]

Nine college students competed in the Alabama Farmers Federation’s inaugural statewide Collegiate Discussion Meet Oct. 18 in Opelika. The event hosted by the Federation State Young Farmers Committee was designed to simulate a committee meeting where participants discuss solutions to issues facing agriculture and Alabama farmers. The competition was open to full-time undergraduate students ages […]

Alabama FarmPAC, a political action committee of the Alabama Farmers Federation, announced its endorsement of Donald J. Trump for president of the United States, according to a news release from the group on Friday. Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the endorsement was recommended by county leaders throughout Alabama and unanimously approved by FarmPAC’s executive trustees. […]



According to the 2024 Feeding the Economy report, food and agriculture in Alabama provides the state with an annual $51.24 billion economic impact and also establishes 334,548 jobs statewide. The industries also accounted for $11.89 billion in wages for Alabama workers. “Farming and farm products provide security for so many American families, not just in […]

On Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee took up SB232, which would enable the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) to offer health benefits to its members and their families.  While ALFA currently offers insurance products such as life, auto, and rental coverage to members and consumers, under current law, 501(c)(5) nonprofit organizations and those […]

Voters in House District 16, which includes Fayette County, northern Tuscaloosa County, and a small portion of western Jefferson County, go to the polls today to elect a new State Representative. Tuscaloosa attorney and judge, Bryan Brinyark is the Republican party nominee. Brinyark overcame a crowded Republican primary field with five candidates in September, ultimately […]

In an effort to enhance the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s data, Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) introduced a bill that would create a commission to “modernize” the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Statistics from NASS are often utilized by groups like agricultural producers, insurance adjusters, commodity traders, federal agencies, and policy makers who are all seeking […]

When driving down I-65 North, you are sure to have noticed the iconic, red-roofed barn sitting atop a grassy hill looking down on beautiful lake. This location is known as Hallmark Farm, a 567-acre property developed by Ted and Mary Hallmark in 1976. Ted Hallmark was the owner of a coal-mining equipment company. After Ted and […]

It’s a big day for the Alabama Farmers Federation. The organization announced Thursday it is ready to begin due diligence after signing a contract for the iconic Hallmark Farm. The 500-acre site on I-65 at Exit 280 will be the home of the new Alabama Farm Center. Federation President Jimmy Parnell said a new regional […]

This month, Brady and Anna Peek of Limestone County were named Alabama’s 2023 Outstanding Young Farm Family. For earning that honor, the Peeks will receive nearly $80,000 in prizes along with statewide and national exposure in a feature on “Simply Southern TV.” “Brady and Anna are such a cute couple. They support each other’s dreams, […]

The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed Fayette County Commissioner Brad Cox for the vacant House District 16 seat ahead of the Oct. 24 special election. Former Rep. Kyle South stepped down in June to assume the role of president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.  The district covers all of Fayette […]

Prioritizing land stewardship with some 4,000 acres of pasture for beef cattle and 1,500 acres of row crops, Haynes Farm of Cullman County was named Alabama’s 2023 Farm of Distinction. The Darrel and Lydia Haynes were honored at last week’s annual Farm-City Awards Luncheon and Program in Birmingham. They will represent Alabama during the Sunbelt […]

“They aren’t making any more land. What’s there is what we’ve got,” said Autauga County farmer Bill Lipscomb. Lipscomb is a third-generation farmer whose 3L Ranch focuses on quality beef cattle production through genetics, herd management and smart land use. “There are a lot of aspects of cattle that contribute to using our land in […]

The state’s largest farm organization, the Alabama Farmers Federation held its centennial celebration in Montgomery this week. Approximately 1,200 farmers from all 67 counties were on hand to celebrate. In addition to celebrating 100 years for the Federation, members also celebrated 75 years of Alfa Insurance Co. which was founded by members in 1946. Alfa’s […]

7. Democrats’ issues with spending lust continue The trillions of dollars of new spending the left-wing Democrat base desires is still running into roadblocks. There appears to be little movement among the more moderate members U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). Surprisingly, an editorial by a socialist in a West Virginia newspaper […]

Saturday morning, GOP U.S. Senate hopeful U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) had his chance to address the well-attended Madison County Republican Men’s Club. Brooks took a couple of apparent jabs at his opponent, former Business Council of Alabama head Katie Britt. One of those points that the North Alabama lawmaker raised was candidates supported by […]

Last week’s dust-up between U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) and the Alabama Farmers Federation is still having ripple effects throughout Alabama’s political landscape. Shortly after FarmPAC, the Alabama Farmers Federation’s (ALFA) political arm, announced its slate of endorsements, which included former Business Council of Alabama president and CEO Katie Britt for U.S. Senate, Brooks had […]

7. Democrats want surveillance on bank accounts U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) recently introduced legislation that would have blocked President Joe Biden’s plan to allow the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to review any bank transactions of $600 and more made by Americans. Unfortunately, Democrats have blocked Tuberville’s measure.  If Biden’s plan passes, transactions would be […]

Recently, ALFA’s FarmPAC endorsed U.S. Senate hopeful Katie Britt for Alabama’s U.S. Senate seat up in 2022, and on Monday, the Britt campaign released radio and digital advertisements touting the endorsement. The endorsement of Britt continues a long streak of ALFA endorsements for opponents of U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville), who is one of Britt’s […]