Dear {{Preferred Name/First Name}},

Spring is a busy time on the farm and in our offices. This issue of the ASAN newsletter reflects both.

Inside, you will find resources, opportunities, and news from across Alabama's sustainable agriculture community. Federal farm policy is shifting in ways that affect many of you directly, from changes to SNAP to the ongoing uncertainty around specialty crop assistance programs. We are paying close attention and will continue to share what we know as it develops.

On a more hopeful note, the season ahead is full of good things. Our CRAFT Network is gearing up for another round of on-farm learning events, including an organic rice transplanting demonstration at the Carver Integrative Sustainability Center in Tuskegee. We are also launching our first Land Access Toolkit Webinar on May 11 in collaboration with Alabama Cooperative Extension System, a free two-hour session covering legal, social, and tax dimensions of agricultural land access for farmers at all experience levels. And we are collecting farmer stories for a grant-funded impact project. If an ASAN program has made a difference in your operations, we would love to hear from you.

We are grateful to be doing this work alongside so many farmers, partners, and advocates who believe Alabama's food system can be better.

Rooted in Alabama,

Alan, Rachel, and Hayley

ASAN Staff

Building a Food Corridor in Alabama's Black Belt—The Alabama Black Belt Food Systems Alliance held its first annual meeting in December 2023, bringing together farmers, educators, nonprofits, and government representatives to advance the Black Belt Food Corridor, a regional effort to help small-scale and historically underserved farmers scale up operations and access new markets. Key priorities identified include equipment funding, processing and cold chain infrastructure, cooperative resource sharing, and local market development, with the Alliance now moving toward 501(c)(3) status to take a sustained, systems-wide approach to food system development across the region.

The Fight Over the Meaning of "Regenerative"—"Regenerative agriculture" is becoming the food industry's latest contested label, with serious practitioners defining it as a rigorous set of soil-building, biodiversity-supporting farm practices while large conventional food companies apply it loosely to minor operational tweaks. As the term spreads across product packaging without consistent standards, it risks losing its meaning and value in the marketplace. A growing coalition of farmers, brands, and retailers is now pushing back by working to establish shared minimum requirements for what qualifies as a legitimate regenerative claim, with some natural and organic retailers prepared to pull products that cannot meet them.

"Product of USA" Finally Means What It Says, but the Fight Isn't Over—After six years of advocacy, a new rule took effect January 1, 2026 requiring that meat labeled "Product of USA" be born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States, closing a loophole that had allowed imported meat to carry the same label. The rule is a win for ranchers and consumers, but advocates say the fight isn't over: the label remains voluntary, meaning most meat can still be sold with no country of origin information at all, and Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling remains a top priority for the 2026 Farm Bill.

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.

New Member Perk! ASAN members now receive 10% off Taste the Local Difference (TLD) marketing services up to $300 off for their next marketing project. This local food-focused marketing agency specializes in websites, ecommerce, email, social media, design, and marketing strategies. Members will also receive a 10% discount on TLD’s Local Food Marketing Academy, a go-at-your-own-pace course that includes bite-sized video lessons, handy worksheets, and ready-to-use templates.

FARMER SPOTLIGHT

This month, we are highlighting Dr. Jean Keel! As a farmer, decorated Army Veteran, and community leader, Dr. Keel has used her experience to shepherd Tender Love and Care Veterans Outreach Farm in Salem, Alabama. Tender Love and Care Farm is a grass-roots, non-profit organization that offers therapeutic farming to unhoused and wounded U.S. Military Veterans. Dr. Keel is an Undo-the-Knot Grant recipient and has been recognized by organizations across the state for her remarkable work with some of our country's most vulnerable people.

Maximizing Impact Through the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Program (HB523)—The Alabama Legislature wrapped up the 2026 regular session last week. Unfortunately, HB523 died in the House. ASAN’s Policy Steering Committee developed the above informational brief that outlines the case for differentiated cost-share percentages and eligibility criteria within HB523, specifically designed to ensure that smaller-scale, non-commodity farmers can meaningfully access the program. Contact your representative to offer your support of an Alabama cost-share program that farmers could use to make improvements to their operations.

Reverse harmful cuts to SNAP food assistance: Congress cut SNAP food assistance to help fund tax breaks for wealthy households and businesses. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to restore those cuts during 2026 Farm Bill negotiations.

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. 

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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

High Tunnel Production for Military Veterans and Beginning Farmers: The North Alabama Agriplex is offering two free classes covering high tunnel crop selection, construction, growing techniques, and IPM on April 9, 6–8PM at the Agriplex (Part 1) and April 16, 3–5PM at Wallace State Community College (Part 2). Registration required for both sessions.

CRAFT: Organic Rice Transplanting Demonstration: Learn to grow rice organically in the South using a climate-resilient system built around water conservation. Farmers Collie Graddick and Konda Mason will lead a hands-on demonstration at the Carver Integrative Sustainability Center Test Plot in Tuskegee. May 6, 10AM–2PM. Free to attend with lunch provided. Registration required.

Specialty Crop Production for Ethnic Markets: A free class at the North Alabama Agriplex on May 14 covering which specialty crops are in demand for ethnic markets and how to grow them in North Alabama. Sign up to reserve your spot.

Operation Grow Boot Camp: A free two-day training for veteran and beginning farmers in Chilton County, May 28–29, covering farm business fundamentals, marketing, and production systems, with on-farm visits and hotel accommodations provided. Register at through the link or contact Jesse Teel at [email protected] or 334-740-4248.

8th Annual Alabama Honey Bee Festival is an outdoor educational event and market with vendors that support bees and pollinators. It will take place at Alabama A&M University's Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station in Hazel Green, AL on October 4 from 1PM–5PM. Potential vendors can complete this form.

GRANTS & FUNDING

The Value-Added Producer Grant program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. Apply by April 22. 

Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers, Deadline Extended to April 24, with commodity-specific payment rates to be released shortly after. Specialty crop growers with 2025 planted acreage in any of over 90 eligible crops should contact their local FSA office to file a Report of Commodities.

Akiptan's 2026 Native Youth Agriculture Business Plan Contest invites Native American citizens ages 16 to 18 to submit a written business plan and a short video pitch for a chance to win up to $5,000, with technical assistance available. Apply by April 30.

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

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

Cynthia Hayes Memorial Scholarship: SAAFON and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition are offering a $5,000 scholarship for Black and Indigenous students with an interest in sustainable agriculture, food justice, racial equity, and grassroots organizing or agricultural policy. Open to undergraduate and graduate students in good standing.

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.

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].

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.

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.

Law and Policy Fellow: The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) at the University of Arkansas School of Law is accepting applications for a fellowship for third-year law students or recent graduates interested in Tribal governance, food systems, and agriculture policy in Indian Country.

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.

Director of County Extension Operations: This Alabama Cooperative Extension System role will lead statewide county office operations across 67 offices, oversee regional staff, manage budgets, and strengthen local government partnerships. 

Environmental Data Collector: Blackbelt Women Rising in Demopolis, AL is hiring a Field Collector to support environmental data collection, resident documentation, and advocacy efforts for clean air, water, and land in Marengo County. 

EDUCATION & TRAINING

"Let's Talk Farm Finances" is a series designed to support farmers who may be experiencing financial stress or uncertainty by offering a welcoming, small‑group space to connect directly with trusted technical service providers. April 14 and May 12 from 5:30PM–6:30PM. Register here.

Enterprise Budgets for Diversified Farms—This guide walks through how to build enterprise budgets for individual crops, livestock, or practices, and how to use partial budget analysis to evaluate specific decisions, with case studies covering a cow-calf operation, a grain farm, and a strawberry enterprise.

USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Veterans Webinar Series: Two free virtual sessions for veteran farmers, April 21 (1:00–3:30 PM) covering Farm Loan Programs and the NRCS Empowering Veterans initiative, and April 22 (1:00–3:00 PM) covering Value-Added Producer Grants and a Beginner's Guide to Crop Insurance.

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.

Master of Science in Agroecology through the University of Vermont is designed for food systems professionals who want to deepen their practice without leaving their communities. Apply by July 15.

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.

Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a University of Georgia Project open to residents of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and the Carolinas. This citizen science project invites gardeners, students, and farmers to count and identify pollinators in order to build entomological literacy and generate useful data on pollinator population trends across the region. August 21 & 22.