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 ❯

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 ❯

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 ❯

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 ❯

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 ❯

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 ❯

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 ❯