Africanized Honeybees Detected in Alabama![Africanized Honeybees Detected in Alabama](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
![Africanized Honeybees Detected in Alabama](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has confirmed the presence of Africanized Honeybees (AHB) in Jackson and St. Clair Counties. Both finds were feral swarms collected by local beekeepers and have been euthanized to protect Alabama’s honeybees.
ADAI is taking swift action to mitigate any risks associated with these invasive bees. Traps are being set up within a five-mile radius of the detection sites to capture and identify any further presence of AHB. This proactive measure... read more ❯
Alabama Agricultural Development Authority Reopening Applications for the Alabama Meat Processing Program![Alabama Agricultural Development Authority Reopening Applications for the Alabama Meat Processing Program](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
![Alabama Agricultural Development Authority Reopening Applications for the Alabama Meat Processing Program](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Agricultural Development Authority (AADA) is opening applications for a second round under the Alabama Meat Processing Program (AMPP). This program is a result of a $15 million award from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) to the AADA. Applications for Phase II are open now and will close June 14, 2024. The low interest loans are intended to support meat and poultry slaughter and processing businesses... read more ❯
ADAI Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Pesticide Residue and State Chemical Labs![ADAI Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Pesticide Residue and State Chemical Labs](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
![ADAI Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Pesticide Residue and State Chemical Labs](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) is proud to announce the opening of its newly constructed Pesticide Residue and State Chemical Labs in Auburn, Ala. Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate, Governor Kay Ivey, Auburn University President Christopher Roberts, members of the Alabama legislature and local officials cut the ribbon on the building.This ribbon cutting ceremony represents a significant milestone for ADAI as it unveils these state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with the latest technology and... read more ❯
Alabama to Texas Hay Relief Effort Update![Alabama to Texas Hay Relief Effort Update](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
![Alabama to Texas Hay Relief Effort Update](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Two weeks ago, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) launched an effort to provide hay for Texas cattle producers who suffered catastrophic losses from the recent wildfires in the Texas panhandle. ADAI partnered with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) and the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA) to help gather and transport hay for cattlemen in Texas. “The response and generosity from Alabama farmers has been overwhelming,” said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate. “Five truckloads... read more ❯
Alabama Launches Texas Hay Relief Effort![Alabama Launches Texas Hay Relief Effort](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
![Alabama Launches Texas Hay Relief Effort](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) is leading an effort to provide hay for Texas cattle producers who have suffered catastrophic losses due to the recent wildfires in the Texas panhandle. ADAI is partnering with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) and the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA) to help our fellow cattlemen in Texas who are in desperate need of resources. Just one of the fires, the Smokehouse Creek Wildfire, is the largest recorded in Texas, the... read more ❯
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Benefit Cards Available for Seniors![](https://agi.alabama.gov/farmersmarket/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/01/336037932_1299541424252723_2443069564478888129_n-150x150.jpg)
![](https://agi.alabama.gov/farmersmarket/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/01/336037932_1299541424252723_2443069564478888129_n-150x150.jpg)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federally funded program administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ Farmers Market Authority Section. The SFMNP provides eligible seniors with a $50 benefit card to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from certified farmers at farmers markets and farm stands in the State of Alabama. “The SFMNP card allows senior citizens to purchase more local products. I want to encourage those who are eligible to apply and begin... read more ❯
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Applications Being Accepted![USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Applications Being Accepted](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
![USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Applications Being Accepted](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is accepting grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets. The application deadline for these specialty crop block grants through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is March 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m. CST. Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture (including maple syrup and honey) and nursery crops (including floriculture). Commodity groups, agricultural... read more ❯
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Alabama Commercial Poultry Pullet Farm![Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Alabama Commercial Poultry Pullet Farm](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
![Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Alabama Commercial Poultry Pullet Farm](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial pullet farm in Marshall County, Alabama.
Samples from the flock were tested at the Alabama State Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and confirmed positive at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. APHIS is working closely with state animal health... read more ❯
ADAI Accepting 2024 Applications for Growing and Processing Industrial Hemp![ADAI Accepting 2024 Applications for Growing and Processing Industrial Hemp](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
![ADAI Accepting 2024 Applications for Growing and Processing Industrial Hemp](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Alabama hemp growers, processors/handlers and universities may apply for an industrial hemp license from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) starting, Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Applications will only be accepted online at https://agi.alabama.gov/hemp/formsandapplications/. The final day to apply for a hemp license is January 15, 2024 by 5:00 pm (CST). In 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 Code of Alabama 1975, tasking ADAI with the development of a licensing... read more ❯
USDA Designates 11 Additional Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas![USDA Designates 11 Additional Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
![USDA Designates 11 Additional Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas](https://agi.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/default-image-AGI.png)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Today, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate announced that USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack has designated eleven Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a recent drought. Additional counties were listed as contiguous disaster counties. “We recognize that the drought conditions have hit Alabama farmers hard and hope this disaster relief from USDA will ease some of the financial burdens,” said Commissioner Pate. “We encourage farmers to reach out to their local USDA... read more ❯