Alabama the Bountiful

Spring is just around the corner, and Alabama families will soon be flocking to farmers markets, roadside stands and U-pick operations for fresh strawberries — followed soon by a cornucopia of other farm-fresh flavors.

For those of us who’ve lived our lives along Alabama county roads, it’s easy to take for granted the blessing of Alabama’s agricultural diversity. From cotton to catfish and peanuts to poultry, Alabama the Beautiful is also Alabama the Bountiful. While most Americans are blessed with access to abundant, affordable food, our neighbors to the north and west envy our ability to savor juicy peaches just hours from being picked or shake the hand of the cattleman who raised the ribeye steaks we’ll grill this weekend.

As a farmer and grocery store owner, I have a unique perspective on our food supply. I understand the hard work and resilience production agriculture demands, and I also see how innovation has led to amazing achievements in providing shoppers countless options for their menus. Although I’m thankful for the refrigeration, transportation and manufacturing that makes year-round choices possible, my passion is supporting healthy food from local farmers.

Nothing can beat fresh sweet corn, vine-ripe tomatoes and local honey, not to mention squash, cucumbers, purple hull peas, okra — and the list goes on. As Alabama’s next Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, I will work to strengthen markets for Alabama-grown products and protect our farmers from unfair, and sometimes unhealthy, competition from imported products.

When we buy local, we can have confidence our food is safe, fresh and flavorful. After all, farmers feed their families, too. One of the most important jobs of your Ag Commissioner is protecting consumers from products that don’t live up to the high standards of local producers.

I’m also eager to support the continued success of the Sweet Grown Alabama program.

What started as an idea by a group of young agricultural leaders in 2019 has grown into a powerful brand. Shoppers know when they see the Sweet Grown Alabama logo, they’re getting a quality product from a local farmer. Today, Sweet Grown Alabama has more than 450 members and connects Alabama families and farmers through a powerful website listing farms, markets and grocery stores where we can buy everything from apples to zucchini.

Supporting local farmers doesn’t just make our meals better. It also makes our communities stronger. Agriculture and forestry are among Alabama’s largest industries — contributing $77.3 billion a year to the economy and accounting for 273,271 jobs, or about 10% of Alabama’s workforce. These farmers are the lifeblood of many rural communities.They are Sunday school teachers, coaches, volunteer firemen and community leaders. A few are even Mayors.

I’m thankful Alabama families already support local farmers. This month, U-pick strawberry fields will be filled with kids swinging white buckets. By June, peach stands will be covered up with cars, and in the fall, pumpkin patches will welcome thousands for fun-filled days. But we don’t have to wait for a special occasion to buy local. Alabama farmers have things to offer all year — whether its sweet potatoes and pecans or farm-fresh eggs and milk.

So, join me in thanking our farmers, and don’t forget to enjoy all Sweet Grown Alabama has to offer.

Corey Hill is a candidate for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry in the Republican primary on May 19.

For more information, visit https://coreyhillforalabama.com.

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