Yellow Legged Hornet
On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced the first detection of the yellow-legged hornet (YLH), Vespa velutina, in North America. The specimen was reported by a beekeeper near the port of Savannah, GA. This hornet is not to be confused with the Northern giant hornet discovered in Northwestern USA in 2020, which has not been found outside of that region. The yellow-legged hornet is a predator of honeybees and poses a risk to Alabama’s beekeeping... read more ❯
Commissioner Pate Hosts Farm Bill Discussion Tour with U.S. Senator Tuberville
Who: Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville What: Commissioner Rick Pate is hosting Farm Bill Public Hearings with
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville. When & Where: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 9:15 a.m. Coastal Alabama Community College
1900 Highway 31 S, Bay Minette, AL 36507 12:00 p.m. Wiregrass Research & Extension Center
167 AL HWY 134, Headland, AL 36345 3:00 p.m. Snead State Community College
220 N Walnut St, Boaz, AL 35957 Wednesday, August 2, 2023 9:30 a.m. Alabama Wildlife Federation
3050 Lanark Rd, Millbrook, AL 63054 Montgomery, Ala.... read more ❯
Department Accepting Century & Heritage Farm and Bicentennial Farm Applications
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is now accepting applications for their annual Century & Heritage (C & H) Farm and Bicentennial Farm programs. ADAI created these programs to help recognize and celebrate family farms that have significantly impacted Alabama history and agriculture.
A Century Farm is one that has been in the same family continuously for at least 100 years and currently has agricultural activities on the farm. The farm must include at least... read more ❯
Alabama Agricultural Development Authority Accepting Applications for Meat and Poultry Processing
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Agricultural Development Authority (AADA) is accepting loan applications 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 I are open now and will close September 14, 2023. The low interest loans are intended to support meat and poultry slaughter and processing businesses in Alabama. Loans... read more ❯
Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit Application Open
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) announces they will begin administering the Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit program to protect livestock. Livestock producers experiencing depredation from black vultures may apply for this no cost permit to take up to three birds. The permit is good for this calendar year and must be renewed each year. All applicants for the depredation sub-permit must agree to the requirements found in the Authorizations and Conditions section of the black vulture... read more ❯
Commissioner Pate Issues a Stop Sale Order on Certain Engine Lubricating Oil
Under the authority of the State of Alabama, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate has issued a stop sale order for certain engine lubricating oil. Laboratory analysis has shown the following products do not comply with the standards adopted by the Alabama Board of Agriculture and Industries. The products listed below have been inspected and found to be in violation of state and (or) federal law. Xpress Lube Pro 5W-20 Xpress Lube Pro 5W-30 Xpress Lube Pro 10W-40 It is hereby illegal to sell... read more ❯
USDA Awards $15 million Grant to the Alabama Agricultural Development Authority for Meat and Poultry Processing
Montgomery, Ala. - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $15 million to the lender Alabama Agricultural Development Authority (AADA) to support meat and poultry slaughter and processing businesses in Alabama. The USDA Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) is awarded to the lender, AADA, in the form of a grant. Businesses engaged in the processing of meat or poultry can apply for a loan from AADA as an ultimate recipient. Loans can be used to purchase or... read more ❯
USDA Designates Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Montgomery, Ala. - Last week USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a Secretarial natural disaster designation for 27 counties in Tennessee that also included four counties in Alabama that are contiguous to some of the Tennessee counties. This designation will extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from drought through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance... read more ❯
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Benefit Cards Available for Seniors
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. You can apply at https://agi.alabama.gov/ or https://agi.alabama.gov/farmersmarket/ . A sample photo of what the card looks like is attached to this release. “The... read more ❯
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Applications Being Accepted
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 17, 2023, 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,... read more ❯