Dear {{First Name}},

It has been a busy and important season for ASAN, and I’m proud to share how your organization has been showing up and speaking out for Alabama farmers.

Earlier this month, ASAN attended the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. We joined advocates from across the country to meet with legislators and stand up for the farmers who grow our food.

At the heart of our conversations were the needs of farmers growing Southern cultural foods, the crops, traditions, and foodways that define who we are. We delivered a clear message: it is time to level the playing field. Farmers growing these foods deserve the same support, safety nets, and protections as valued commodity crop producers. 

Closer to home, ASAN joined advocates from across the state at Alabama Arise’s Legislative Day in Montgomery to support an important investment in Alabama’s children and farmers alike.

We urged lawmakers to build on last year’s one-time Education Trust Fund allocation by approving $14 million (just 0.2% of Governor Ivey’s proposed budget) to make no-cost breakfast permanent for every child in participating public schools.

The benefits extend far beyond the classroom. In addition to improving math and reading outcomes, school breakfast helps schools maximize state investments in Alabama’s family farms. Through local purchasing, these dollars create reliable markets for farmers, strengthen rural economies, and keep public funds circulating within our state’s food system.

Last week, ASAN board member and policy advocate Elisa Muñoz presented a webinar lunch & learn on Advocacy 101, walking farmers through the essentials of food policy advocacy and breaking down how to effectively engage with policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels. If you missed it, then you can watch the recording here.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to building a more just and sustainable food system in Alabama. Together, we are making our voices heard at the state and federal levels.

In Solidarity,

Alan Gurganus
Executive Director, ASAN

Get Paid to Share Your Farming Success Story

Has an ASAN program changed the way you farm? If something you learned at a Food and Farm Forum or CRAFT event is making a difference on your operation, we want to hear your story and we'll pay you for it. We have a grant to document the real-world impact of our programs, and we'd love to feature yours. Reach out to us at [email protected] or (256) 743-0742 to schedule a visit. The deadline to share your story is the end of July.

We're Not Hippies—Sixth-generation Iowa farmer transformed his family’s heavily indebted industrial pig operation into a sustainable mushroom farm, restoring their sense of independence, purpose, and financial stability while demonstrating an alternative to the industrial livestock system.

Advancing Regional Organic Markets: A Farmer’s Toolkit (Southeast)—This toolkit positions the Southeast as the next major frontier for U.S. organic agriculture, highlighting the region's year-round growing season, $1.2 billion in annual organic sales, and strong consumer demand as key assets. It identifies feed grain infrastructure, technical support, and regional market coordination as the critical investments needed to reduce import dependence and unlock the region's full production potential.

Solar on Farmland—Although concerns about solar development on farmland are understandable, data show it occupies a tiny fraction of U.S. agricultural land compared to permanent losses from urban sprawl, and when thoughtfully sited, especially through dual-use practices, solar can support farm viability and long-term land productivity.

Join a statewide community of farmers, advocates, and food system changemakers. Member benefits include discounts, portal access, grant eligibility, and a voice in ASAN's direction.

Not ready to become a member? You can still support ASAN’s mission by making a recurring or one-time donation. Every dollar helps build a stronger, more sustainable food system for us all.

FARMER SPOTLIGHT

This month, join us in celebrating Dr. Frannie Koe! A longtime member and collaborator with ASAN, Dr. Koe has dedicated her life to using the wisdom of food and agriculture to improve the health of her community. Owner of AgroShareMD, Dr. Koe teaches the intersection between farming, food, and health. With detailed blog posts, demonstration videos, and recipes, AgroShareMD has become an amazing, robust resource for people looking to make substantive changes in their lifestyle and overall health. She staunchly advocates against poverty in rural communities across Alabama through AgroshareMD and her private practice in Collinsville, AL. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Koe and her work, follow the link below.

ASAN Advocate’s Guide: a practical guide outlining how to find elected officials, access accurate voting and district information, track Alabama legislative activity, and engage effectively in state and local policy advocacy through trusted tools, public data sources, and partner organizations.

National Farm to School Network BIPOC Growers Needs Assessment: The National Farm to School Network is currently gathering input from BIPOC growers across the country to better understand their experiences, interest, and needs related to accessing K–12 and other institutional food markets. The NFSN has developed a short (4–6 minute) needs assessment survey to help better design resources and outreach efforts that reflect growers’ experiences, including production scale, current engaged markets, farm to school familiarity, and barriers to K-12 institutional access. This needs assessment will conclude June 26 at 7:00pm. 

Cattle & Corporate Power Survey is a confidential RAFI survey inviting cattle producers to share how dominant corporations impact their operations, markets, and profitability. Responses will help inform future policy and advocacy work.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Organic Growing Workshop at the North Alabama Agriplex and will focus on building a thriving garden ecosystem using natural, sustainable methods. March 20, 9am-2pm. Lunch provided. Registration required. 

Alliance Field Day hosted by Hamp's Place in Lexington, MS will focus on specialty crops like turmeric, ginger, blueberries, raspberries, and tea. March 20, 10am-2:30pm. Lunch provided, pre-registration required by emailing [email protected].

Alabama Water Rally is the annual gathering of Alabama’s network of water advocates and allies hosted by the Alabama Rivers Alliance. It will take place March 20-22 in Montgomery. Registration is open.

CRAFT: Transition to Certified Organic is an engaging information session and field day where farmers can learn the ins and outs of USDA Organic Certification from Dr. Dana Nettles, a pioneer of certified organic produce in Alabama. April 22, 10am-3pm. Registration required. Lunch provided.

GRANTS & FUNDING

Southeast US Infrastructure Grants are for farmers with three+ years of experience owning and operating their farm. Funds will be used to improve the current infrastructure or create new infrastructure needed to support the farm’s viability. Apply by March 23.

Planet & Purpose Grant awards funding to women-owned, product-based businesses demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Apply by March 23.

AACF Scholarship provides Alabama college students majoring in a field of study that will prepare them for a career in agriculture or agribusiness with financial assistance to help support their study. Apply by April 1.

Southern SARE Call for Proposals for Graduate Student Grants in now open through May 8.

Natoora Farm Fund: Transformational and resilience grants to young agroecological farmers globally. Apply by May 31.

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant: This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses qualify for this funding. Applications are open year round.

Free Sweet Grown Alabama Membership: Through March 31, 2026, First South Farm Credit will generously cover the first-year Sweet Grown Alabama membership fee for any Alabama farmer, product maker, restaurant or retailer interested in joining the state’s agricultural branding program.

Tax Exemption Opportunity: Fencing materials, such as t-posts, wood posts, barbed wire, net wire, smooth wire, standard metal gates, and other like materials used for the purpose of fencing in agriculture livestock applications are exempt from state sales and use taxes through September 30, 2029. To benefit, the purchaser must provide the retailer with Form ST:EXC-2. For more information, email [email protected].

JOBS & APPRENTICESHIPS

Farm & Operations Manager: Hope Community in Fairhope seeking a passionate and experienced Farm & Operations Manager to be there first-ever employee. This person will lead the daily operations of the Hope Community Farm and Community Center and support their mission of nurturing unity and relationships through food, healing, and education.

ASLF Apprenticeship: Paid, one-month immersive experiences to cultivate and inspire the next generation of food and agriculture leaders. Partner farms are located throughout the country, including Alabama and Georgia. Apply by March 15.

Southeast Cohort Project Manager: Remote (Southeast preferred), full-time role with RAFI leading a team of Direct Service Providers helping farmers navigate financial distress and USDA programs across the Southeast.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

FARMpreneurs Strategic Sprint: A week-long executive level education experience to bring the best in entrepreneurship training to farmers. The experience is free to attend with all room and board included. The Southeast regional Strategic Sprint is in partnership with Caney Fork Farms in Carthage, TN on November 15-21, 2026. Apply by March 16. Email questions to [email protected].

Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit will occur July 9-17 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Applications are open to Native youth ages 18-24. All travel and lodging will be covered for those accepted. Apply by March 20.

From Seed to System: Black-Led Strategies for Food, Farming, and Community Wealth is a free webinar hosted by CSPI on Wednesday, March 25 from 2:00pm-3:30pm, bringing together Black farmers, organizers, and community leaders for a conversation on Black food sovereignty, land justice, and collective economic power.

Alabama Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute provides professional development for K-6 classroom teachers to help increase student knowledge of the nutritional and economic importance of the food and fiber systems in their daily lives. Apply by April 15.

Native Youth Maȟkhíčhaŋyaŋpi (Lakota for 'Agriculture') Business Plan Contest: This agriculture business contest aims to help students who are interested in the agriculture industry to develop or build on their agriculture business plan. Apply by April 30.

Southern Ground podcast is Alabama Extension’s new research-based podcast providing science-backed, region-specific gardening and farming advice to help Southern growers navigate their unique climate and soil challenges.

RESEARCH & CONSERVATION

Project Ground-Nesting Bees: ​a global community science initiative focused on researching, conserving, and managing native ground-nesting bees. By combining community observations and fieldwork with scientific modeling, Project GNBee reveals the nesting biology of understudied species, supports the conservation of priority sites, promotes local stewardship, and informs policies to safeguard pollinators across both natural and managed landscapes.

SERVICES

Organic Compost: Aged Horse Manure. Auburn Analyzed. Persistent Herbicide Free. $20 per tractor scoop. 2 scoops = 1 yard. Located in Shelby County on Hwy 47, Chelsea/Columbiana area at James Hale Stables.

POLICY & ADVOCACY