Author Archives: Kaye Lynn Hataway

2024 Alabama Peanut Production Meetings Schedule Available

2024 Alabama Peanut Production Meetings Schedule Available

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association and the Alabama Peanut Team kick-off the 2024 Alabama Peanut Production meetings on Monday, Feb. 12 in Cullman, AL. This is the first of eight meetings that will be held across the state for peanut farmers.

 

Peanut farmers will hear the latest research-based recommendations for managing disease, insects and weeds on their farm. A peanut market outlook and peanut variety recommendations will be shared as well.

 

To see the entire meeting schedule, CLICK HERE.

 

For more information, contact your Regional Extension Agent or the APPA office at 334-792-6482.

Alabama 4-H Peanut Essay Contest Winners Announced

Alabama 4-H Peanut Essay Contest Winners Announced

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association is proud to sponsor the Alabama 4-H Peanut Essay Contest. This year’s topic was “How Peanuts Have Comforted You?”

 

Twenty-nine entries from 15 counties were received for judging in the state contest. Each 4-H’er who had an essay entered in the state contest receives a peanut t-shirt. The winners of each age category receive a monetary prize – 1st place-$50, 2nd place-$35 and 3rd place-$25.

 

WINNERS

 

Junior
1st place – Sarah Cate Gamble, Henry Co.
2nd place – Cooper Jane May, Marshall Co.
3rd place – Luke Linder, Choctaw Co.

Intermediate
1st place – Connor Dingler, Marshall Co.
2nd place – William Moore, Choctaw Co.
3rd place – Anna Errett, Cullman Co.

Senior 1
1st place – Alexander Stinson, Butler Co.
2nd place – Kit Quinlivan, Henry Co.
3rd place – Will Breuer, Monroe Co.

Senior 2
1st place – Ellie Errett, Cullman Co.
2nd place – Sarah Sloughfy, Calhoun Co.
3rd place – Joseph Kirkland, Henry Co.

Tuberville Presses Appropriators To Freeze H-2A Rates

Tuberville Presses Appropriators To Freeze H-2A Rates

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) led nine Republican colleagues in sending a letter to leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees slamming the increase in Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR). Senator Tuberville and his colleagues are requesting language in an upcoming appropriations package to freeze H-2A wage rates at the January 2023 levels and reinstate the 14-day delay between the AEWR rate posting and the implementation period. The AEWR increase furthers the financial burdens upon employers who utilize the H-2A program.

 

“The recent 2024 AEWR increase imposes significant financial strains upon employers who utilize agricultural guestworkers, yet many employers do not have another option as they depend upon the H-2A program for a reliable workforce,” said the Senators. “As the demand for H-2A labor remains strong, employers who utilize the program generally agree that without additional labor from guestworkers, American producers could not efficiently plant or harvest crops.”

 

Industry supporters of this letter include: American Farm Bureau Federation, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, International Fresh Produce Association, American Hort, North American Blueberry Council, National Cotton Council, U.S. Peanut Federation, USA Rice, National Pecan Federation, Southern Cotton Growers, Southeast Cotton Ginners Association, Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association, Alabama Peanut Producers Association, and Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.

 

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville was joined by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Tillis (R-NC), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).

 

Today, Agri-Pulse highlighted the letter in their morning newsletter. Read the article here.

 

Read the full letter below or here.

 

“We write regarding the annual modifications to the Average Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which continues to financially burden our nation’s agricultural producers who utilize the H-2A Temporary Agriculture Worker program (H-2A program). We urge you to include language in an upcoming appropriations package to freeze current H-2A wage rates at January 2023 levels and reinstate the 14-day delay between the AEWR rate posting and the implementation period.

 

 

Over the last year, the Department of Labor (DOL) amended the H-2A program numerous times to force unreasonable regulations on employers who utilize temporary and seasonal nonimmigrant workers to perform agricultural labor in the United States. On March 30, 2023, DOL amended the methodology1 for calculating the AEWR, without any stakeholder input. 2 H-2A employers are now faced with two AEWR changes annually, one each from the Farm Labor Survey and the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Survey. Following the AEWR calculation change, DOL issued a proposed rule3 on September 15, 2023, removing the 14-day wage implementation period to require H-2A employers to immediately post the new rate when finalized. Subsequently, DOL published 2024 AEWR rates on December 14, 2023,4 which increased the AEWR average rate by upwards of 5 percent from last year. The cost of labor is already one of the top expenses our farmers face, and DOL’s burdensome requirements hinder their abilities to hire agricultural guestworkers and still make a profit.

 

 

The recent 2024 AEWR increase imposes significant financial strains upon employers who utilize agricultural guestworkers, yet many employers do not have another option as they depend upon the H-2A program for a reliable workforce. H-2A wage rates have risen annually for the past two decades and doubled since 2005. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the new H-2A wage rule set to crush family farms. the new average AEWR rate is approximately $17.55/hr., with varying wages from $14.53/hr. to $19.75/hr., depending upon the geographical region.5 Thirteen states face AEWR increases of $1.00/hr. to $1.49/hr., while thirty states face increases of $0.50/hr. to $0.99/hr.6 In comparison, the federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr.,7 less than half the cost of AEWR in any state. Despite annual AEWR increases, the H-2A program continues to experience record participation levels, with 378,513 positions certified in fiscal year 2023 across the nation. 8 As the demand for H-2A labor remains strong, employers who utilize the program generally agree that without additional labor from guestworkers, American producers could not efficiently plant or harvest crops.

 

 

Considering our nation’s agriculture industry is dependent on foreign workers when domestic workers are unavailable to fill open positions in the farming industry, we must prioritize the ability of farmers to pay rising wages amidst record-high inflation and skyrocketing input costs. In addition to wages, employers must budget for acquiring, housing, and transporting guestworkers. In many states, receiving H-2A workers costs approximately $1,000 in fees each, not including the wage rate and housing expenses incurred after arrival to the work site.9 The recent changes to AEWR disrupt an already damaged system and further inhibit farmers and producers from their task at hand – feeding, clothing, and fueling our great nation. Small, family owned farms and specialty crop growers are among the most vulnerable to increased costs in the H-2A program and at the highest risk of closure. As expenses continue to rise, family-owned farms will be forced to close, leading to further consolidation in the agricultural industry. Any changes to the H-2A program should be subject to thorough and insightful action by Congress, not forced on producers by the executive branch. We must prioritize our farmers’ needs for reliable labor through a flexible approach to the agricultural guestworker program, which provides both farmers and workers a level playing field.

 

 

To reiterate, we request the inclusion of language in an upcoming appropriations package to freeze current H-2A wage rates at January 2023 levels and reinstate the 14-day delay between the AEWR rate posting and the implementation period. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.”

 

BACKGROUND:

The H-2A temporary agricultural visa program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. Employment of a seasonal nature is tied to a certain time of year by an event or pattern, such as a short annual growing cycle, requires labor levels above what is necessary for ongoing operations, and must be less than a year. There is not a cap on the program and its use continues to grow, with 378,513 positions certified in Fiscal Year 2023 according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

 

Recently, DOL proposed a new rule that gives unions unprecedented access to temporary foreign agricultural workers to pressure them into unionization. Specifically, the new rule would permit union officials to participate in employee disciplinary meetings and collect their private information for an organizing campaign. It would also force farmers to allow union organizers uncharted access into employer-sponsored housing for workers and prohibit farmers from discussing the organizing campaign with their workers.  Congress did not authorize the growing unionization of farm workers to prevent labor strikes that would threaten harvests and disrupt food supply. DOL has existing regulations to ensure temporary foreign workers receive fair wages and have safe working conditions.

 

In December, Senator Tuberville joined Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and 16 Republican senators in writing a letter criticizing the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed rule that would allow unions to coerce and pressure temporary foreign agriculture workers into unionization. The proposed rulemaking would enhance benefits for foreign guestworkers by effectively unionizing the H-2A program, while inhibiting farmers from managing their own workforce.

 

Following the letter requesting an extension of the comment period, which was denied, Senator Tuberville submitted a comment letter in November expressing strong opposition to the Biden Administration’s proposed H-2A regulation. In the letter, he outlined how the proposed rule would hurt farmers and producers who rely on seasonal workers through the H-2A program for farm labor. The most burdensome mandate in the DOL proposal would require employers to immediately incorporate a new AEWR when finalized. This removes the critical 14-day period between the AEWR rate posting and the implementation period, which allows farmers time to adjust their payroll and budget. If employers mistakenly do not pay the updated AEWR, they must pay the heightened rate in backpay and are subject to penalties. The cost of labor is one of the top costs for our producers and employers require at least two weeks to calculate their financials to make the numbers work for increased payroll. Applying immediate adjustments to payroll strips employers’ ability to plan, take out loans, or maintain their available labor pool.

 

In November, Senator Tuberville joined Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) in sending another letter requesting an extension of the comment period for the proposed rule, but the request for the extension was denied by DOL.

 

Farmers in Alabama and across the country rely on the H-2A program for farm labor, with 2,178 beneficiaries participating in the program in the State in 2022. Senator Tuberville believes the H-2A program is already overregulated, which impacts farmers and growers who rely on it. More information on the program can be found on the DOL and DHS websites.

 

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.

Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show Held Feb. 1, 2024

Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show Held Feb. 1, 2024

DOTHAN, Ala. (Feb. 2, 2024) – Peanut growers from Alabama and Florida were able to fine-tune their farming operations with information gained at the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show February 1, 2024 at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama. The trade show was hosted by Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) and Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA), and sponsored by National Peanut Board. The National Peanut Festival was the venue sponsor.

 

Over 400 peanut growers and industry partners from Alabama and Florida attended to view industry products and services offered by more than 60 exhibitors.

 

Researchers from Auburn University and the University of Florida were on hand to showcase the peanut research they are working on with the support of grower check-off dollars. Growers could talk to the researchers one-on-one about the research projects.

 

During the lunch program, attendees heard from Greg Baltz, chairman of the National Peanut Board and an Arkansas peanut farmer, and Ryan Lepecier, the newly appointed President and CEO of the National Peanut Board. Bob Redding of the Redding Firm delivered a legislative update via video. Senator Tommy Tuberville shared greetings to the growers via video as well. Dr. Marshall Lamb, from the National Peanut Research Lab, spoke to growers about the 2024 peanut market outlook.

 

Several door prizes were given out throughout the morning of the trade show, but the prizes everyone was most looking forward to winning were announced after lunch.

 

The Grand Door Prize, provided by Kelley Manufacturing Co., of a $5,000 voucher that can be used toward $5,000 off the price of any one piece of equipment or for $5,000 worth of parts for KMC equipment was won by Dennis McCord of Cottonwood, AL.

 

Myron Johnson of Headland, Alabama won a free trip to the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. Ashley Kelley of Andalusia, Alabama won a Steoger 12 gauge shotgun.

 

Thank you to our 2024 Exhibitors

AG Nutrients
Ag Spray Equipment
AgLogic Chemical
Alabama Ag Credit
Alabama Dept. of Ag & Ind.
AMADAS
American Peanut Council
AMVAC
Atlantic & Southern Equipment
Auburn University
BASF
Bayer Crop Science
Bestway Ag
Birdsong Peanuts
C3 Ag Consulting, LLC
Coastal Ag Services
Colombo NA
Corteva Agriscience
DeltAg Formulations
Farmers Business Network
First South Farm Credit
Florida Farm Credit Associations
Florida Foundation Seed
FMC
Harrell Ag Products
HBT Supply
Helms Manufacturing Co.
Hudson Alpha Wiregrass
InformedAg
Kelley Manufacturing Co.
LMC-Ag
Miller Chemical & Fertilizer
National Peanut Board
Nichino America, Inc
Nolin Steel
Nuseed
O’Bryan Agri-Insurance
Pacific Ag Rentals
Peanut Proud Festival
Peerless Manufacturing Co.
Rabo Agrifinance
Rentz Irrigation
SanBuck Insurance
Schutz Insurance
SePRO Ag LLC
SimPlot Grower Solutions
Southeastern Peanut Farmer
Southern Ag Service
Southern Silage Supply LLC
SouthGen Solutions
SunSouth John Deere
Sweet Grown Alabama
Syngenta Crop Protection
The KBH Corp.
The Peanut Institute
Tidewater Equipment Co.
University of Florida
UPL
USDA-Farm Service Agency (AL)
USDA-NRCS/ Houston Co. Soil & Water
USDA ARS- National Peanut Research Lab
Valent
Vantage South
Walker Insurance
Wiregrass Equipment Co.

 

 

2024 Alabama-Florida Peanut Show Set for Feb. 1

2024 Alabama-Florida Peanut Show Set for Feb. 1

The Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show is set for Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. The show is hosted by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and the Florida Peanut Producers Association, and sponsored by the National Peanut Board. Our venue sponsor is the National Peanut Festival.

 

Peanut farmers from Alabama and Florida can expect to visit with over 70 vendors who can help them fine-tune their operations for 2024. Researchers from Auburn University and the University of Florida will be in the “Research Corner” again this year to talk with farmers about their ongoing research which is funded by check-off dollars. And you don’t want to miss a warm grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a cup of coffee to get your morning started!

 

Door prizes will be awarded throughout the show. The Grand Door prize is from KMC.. Other door prizes include a shotgun and a trip to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference.

 

During the lunch, growers will hear a market update from Marshall Lamb, and a legislative update from Bob Redding.

 

Doors open at 8:30 am. Be sure to register for door prizes as you enter the trade show. Only active peanut farmers with a FSA number will be eligible for prizes.

 

We are looking forward to a great 2024 peanut trade show!

 

Interested in exhibiting at the 2024 AL-FL Peanut Trade Show? Email klhataway@alpeanuts.com

 

2023 National Peanut Festival Recipe Contest set for Oct. 26

2023 National Peanut Festival Recipe Contest set for Oct. 26

The 2023 National Peanut Festival (NPF) Recipe Contest is set for Thursday, October 26. Entries can be dropped off at the NPF Volunteer Building between 8 – 10 am. Judging begins at  10 a.m. Awards ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at the NPF Bank Plus Arena.

 

Click this link for rules and entry forms: 2023 RECIPE_CONTEST_RULES(1)

 

Alabama Peanut Producers Association is a sponsor of this contest. 

Farm Bill Listening Sessions to be held

Farm Bill Listening Sessions to be held

Congressman Barry Moore is hosting several Farm Bill Listening Sessions for Alabamians to attend regarding the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization. The dates are:

 

April 4: 10 a.m. CT in Montgomery at Alabama Ag & Industries – 1145 Federal Drive, Montgomery, AL 36107   Please note the corrected address for this location.
April 5: 10 a.m. CT in Dothan at National Peanut Festival Volunteer Building – 5622 Highway 231 South, Dothan, AL 36301
April 6: 2 p.m. CT in Andalusia at the Covington County Extension Office – 23952 AL Highway 55, Ste 4, Andalusia, AL 36420

 

Attendees are also encouraged to bring a hard copy of their questions, comments or concerns with contact information so Cong. Moore and his staff have an opportunity to follow up with attendees after the listening sessions are complete.

 

Having an accurate headcount will help the Congressman prepare to host you comfortably. Please use the button below to RSVP for the Farm Bill listening session or sessions you would like to attend.

RSVP HERE

For more information contact:
Congressman Barry Moore
Website: barrymoore.house.gov
Phone: 202-225-2901

Peanut butter donation made for tornado relief

Peanut butter donation made for tornado relief

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) partnered with Alabama Ag Credit, First South Farm Credit, Autauga County Famers Federation and Dallas County Farmers Federation to donate Peanut Proud peanut butter to the communities in Dallas and Autauga counties devastated by tornadoes in January 2023. While recovery efforts continue in the areas affected by the tornadoes, there are families still displaced from their homes. The peanut butter will provide these families with a much-needed nutritious food source that doesn’t have to be refrigerated and has a long shelf life.

 

“Peanut butter is the perfect disaster food,” said Harold Gaines, an Autauga County peanut farmer. “It is non-perishable and provides nutrients in one perfect bite.”

 

The peanut butter was delivered on Thursday, March 16, 2023 to the Autauga Interfaith Care Center in Prattville, Alabama, and the Selma Area Food Bank in Selma, Alabama Each location received four pallets of Peanut Proud peanut butter. That’s a total of 11,530 pounds of peanut butter – enough to make 161,280 peanut butter sandwiches!

 

Special thanks to Southern Ag Carriers for delivering the peanut butter to Prattville and Selma.

 

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association represents the interests of Alabama peanut farmers through education, promotion and research.

 

Peanut Proud, Inc. is the humanitarian arm of the peanut industry and assist peanut-producing states in responding to natural disasters by supplying peanut butter. To make a donation, visit www.peanutproud.org.

Peanut butter donation at the Autauga Interfaith Care Center – pictured (l-r) Heather Smith, Alabama Ag Credit, Amber Pratt, Alabama Ag Credit, Harold Gaines, Autauga County Farmers Federation and Alabama peanut farmer, Denise Brown, Autauga Interfaith Care Center, Gary Weaver, Autauga EMA, Keith McCurdy, First South Farm Credit

Peanut butter donation at the Selma Area Food Bank – pictured (front – back) Kaye Lynn Hataway, Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Jeff Harrison, Selma Area Food Bank, Amber Pratt, Alabama Ag Credit, Andy Leslie, First South Farm Credit, Dale Williamson, Alabama Ag Credit

Alabama legislators, Gov. Ivey celebrate peanut month

Alabama legislators, Gov. Ivey celebrate peanut month

Gov. Ivey declares March as Peanut Month in Alabama. Pictured l-r: Billy Hixon, Pike County; Joel Sirmon, Baldwin County; Carl Sanders, Coffee County, Gov. Ivey, Garrett Dixon, Lee County; Mark Kaiser, Baldwin County, George Kaiser Baldwin County, Kaye Lynn Hataway, APPA.

Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) celebrated National Peanut Month with a proclamation from Gov. Kay Ivey at the Alabama Capitol and a peanut day at the Alabama State House on March 16, 2023.

 

Carl Sanders, APPA President from Coffee County, and Billy Hixon, APPA board member for Pike County, led the House of Representatives in prayer and pledge at the beginning of their session. Garrett Dixon, APPA young farmer representative from Lee County, led the Senate in the pledge at the beginning of their session.

 

Throughout the morning, APPA board members and Alabama Farmers Federation staff handed out cans of Alabama chocolate covered peanuts to legislators, and talked with them about topics concerning our Alabama peanut farmers.

 

“Alabama ranks 2nd in peanut production in the nation, and the peanut industry adds $200 million to the state’s economy,” states APPA president, Carl Sanders. “Having a peanut day at the Alabama State House helps remind our legislators that peanuts are an important crop for Alabama agriculture, and they are good to eat too.”

 

Gov. Ivey’s proclamation recognized the peanut as the state legume of Alabama, as well as the impact the peanut industry has on the economy of the state, the farmers who grow peanuts, the nutritional value and environmentally friendly attributes. Gov. Ivey also received a can of chocolate-covered peanuts from Sanders.

 

Peanut Referendum Vote set for April 20

Peanut Referendum Vote set for April 20

Notice is hereby given that the Alabama peanut referendum will be held on April 20, 2023, during established office hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. To obtain a list of the 2023 polling places, growers can contact the Alabama Peanut Producers Association office at 334-792-6482, any APPA Board member or visit the association website at www.alpeanuts.com.

 

All persons engaged in the production of peanuts in Alabama for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 shall be eligible to vote.

 

In the event the referendum is carried by a majority of those voting, then the assessment will be collected upon an order of the Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries to all persons, firms and corporations engaged in the business of purchasing peanuts in this state by deducting from the purchase price of peanuts at the rate of twelve and one-half cents ($0.125) per one hundred pounds of peanuts sold.

 

Polling locations – 2023 Referendum Polling Places