MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is proud to announce the success of a project designed to strengthen and modernize Christmas tree production across the state. As part of a large fertilizer trial conducted by Auburn University’s Department of Horticulture at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope, Alabama-grown Christmas trees were donated to Marines and their families at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. Funded by USDA’s Specialty Crop Block... read more ❯

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ (ADAI) Commissioner Rick Pate commends President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, alongside other federal and state leadership, for their recent announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $12 billion in one time bridge payments to American farmers. The allocated funds are in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and... read more ❯

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ (ADAI) Commissioner Rick Pate and ADAI staff presented two checks, totaling $1.3 million, to two Alabama farms through ADAI's Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. Through the USDA RFSI funds, Boozer Farms and J. Durbin Farms will be able to continue their efforts to strengthen Alabama’s local food supply and reduce waste in the state’s agricultural system. Boozer Farms was awarded around $719,000, and J. Durbin Farms received around $644,000. They... read more ❯

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Commissioner Rick Pate has issued a formal notice of intent to suspend Hansen-Mueller Co.’s grain dealer license after the company failed to pay Alabama producers for grain delivered on its behalf. In recent weeks, ADAI was contacted by several concerned Alabama grain producers who reported missing payments from the company. After communication with Hansen-Mueller Co., ADAI confirmed that around 17 Alabama producers were currently owed payment, in addition to farmers... read more ❯

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) food safety inspectors are conducting recall effectiveness checks on all batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans and Anywhere Pack™ nationwide as they may be contaminated and are making infants sick with infant botulism. “ADAI is working closely with the Alabama Department of Public Health, CDC and FDA to be sure all remaining products are removed from store shelves,” said Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate. “The health and safety... read more ❯

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - USDA has awarded the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) $519,000 to fund projects that strengthen Alabama’s specialty crop industry through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program will fund 14 projects to enhance competitiveness of specialty crop growers by using marketing, education and research for Alabama’s specialty crop industry. “Since I became Commissioner in 2019, the specialty crop industry including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops has grown tremendously. We’re proud of the... read more ❯

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ (ADAI) Commissioner Rick Pate and ADAI staff presented a $165,000 check to Extreme Green Farms through ADAI's Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. Through the USDA RFSI funds, Extreme Green Farms will be able to store lettuces more efficiently and transport in a timely manner across the state, supporting both local retailers and school systems. Extreme Green Farms, a family-owned and operated hydroponic farm in Auburn, Ala., is redefining local agriculture... read more ❯

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Governor Kay Ivey has proclaimed October as Farm to School Month in Alabama, celebrating the vital connection between local farmers, schools and students. Since October of 2020, the Alabama Farm to School Program has been given $1.595 million from the State legislature for the Farm to School incentive program. Since then, schools have spent $3,724,315 purchasing from Alabama farmers, and they have served 8,504,382 meals featuring Alabama products. "We are proud to see Alabama students enjoying fresh, locally grown... read more ❯