Sunday, September 28 | 5 PM – 8 PM | The Orion Amphitheater
We're just weeks away from Graze: Huntsville, and tickets are going fast! If you haven’t grabbed yours yet, now’s the time--don’t miss this one-of-a-kind farm-to-fork picnic under The Dome at The Orion.
👉Get tickets & more info:theorionhuntsville.com 🎟️ASAN members receive a discounted rate!
WHAT IS GRAZE?
Graze: Huntsville is a farm-to-fork picnic benefit presented by Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN). Enjoy an evening of creative, seasonal dishes made by local chefs using fresh ingredients from Alabama farmers. Eat well, connect with your community, and support a resilient local food system.
Stay tuned to @asanonline on Instagram and Facebook--we’re sharing sneak peeks of the delicious dishes your favorite chefs are whipping up using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
We’re grateful for the incredible sponsors who make Graze: Huntsville possible. These businesses and organizations care deeply about local food, sustainability, and community health. Support them like they’ve supported us!
Sponsors:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama / The Caring Foundation
NewTerra Compost
Market Mule
Redstone Federal Credit Union
Alabama Partnership for Children
Community Supporters:
The Orion Amphitheater Team
Brilliant So Brilliant
Rocket City Dietitian
Mid-City Market
Greene Street Market
Madison City Farmer’s Market
The Providence Market
It truly takes a village!
SEE YOU THERE!
Mark your calendars for a beautiful night of food, fun, and community at Graze: Huntsville.
📅Sunday, September 28 | 5–8 PM | The Orion
Let’s celebrate Alabama’s food, farmers, and future — together.
Three Sleepless Nights--this cleverarticlediscusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on ranching, emphasizing its ability to handle tasks such as grazing planning, economic analysis, and marketing strategies with unparalleled efficiency. However, it highlights that AI lacks the human capacity for vision, leadership, and personal values--elements that are crucial for long-term success in ranching.
USDA Staffing Crisis: Mass Departures Undermine Local Ag Support--on July 24, 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a reorganization plan that was created without input from farmers or stakeholders, despite the department already losing over 18,000 staff since January 2025. In response to bipartisan criticism, USDA has opened an unofficial public comment period until September 30, 2025, although this process has raised concerns due to the lack of formal notification through the Federal Register. Email your comments, questions, or concerns to [email protected].
The Case for Radical Changes in U.S. Farm Policies--this article argues that radical, structural changes to U.S. farm policy are urgently needed. The current system overwhelmingly benefits large industrial commodity producers while failing consumers, small farmers, rural communities, the environment, and long-term food security.
JOIN ASAN TODAY!
Becoming a member of ASAN means joining a passionate community working to build a more just, sustainable, and thriving food system in Alabama. Whether you are a farmer, food lover, activist, or educator, your membership supports local agriculture, food justice, and environmental stewardship while giving you access to member-only perks, event discounts, and a powerful statewide network.
Not ready to become a member? You can still support ASAN’s mission by making a one-time or recurring donation. Every dollar helps build a stronger, more sustainable food system for us all.
ASAN allocates a portion of its annual budget to directly help ASAN farmer members "untie" a problem that's limiting their farm's operations or profitability. The hope is that these mini-grants can provide a leg-up in hard times
This fund provides grants to ASAN Members who could benefit from monetary support for the following categories:
an expense holding back production
help with transition to sustainable growing practices
ASAN is a partner in the USDA Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program (SE TOPP). Part of this program is a Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program designed to build connections between producers transitioning to organic, provide support for the transition process, and create a stronger network of organic producers. Both mentors and mentees will have the opportunity to receive stipends as part of the program. Visit the Transition to Organic Partnership Program website below or email [email protected] for more information.
The ASAN Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that ASAN's resources are used in the best possible manner by overseeing the annual budget, executive director, and organizational visioning and planning processes. Please join us in welcoming Jon to the ASAN team!
Born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon, Eric Ball graduated from the University of Oregon with bachelor’s degrees in biology and philosophy. His education included a field course in neotropical ecology, where he traveled to Ecuador and studied ecosystems such as the Amazon rainforest, witnessing the destructive effects of unsustainable agriculture. This experience inspired him to work at an eco-tourism lodge in the Ecuadorian cloud forests.
Eric later moved to New Orleans to teach public high school but soon relocated to Hale County, Alabama, to work for Rural Studio, a satellite campus of Auburn University focused on hands-on architecture. He has managed a small-scale organic vegetable farm there for 13 years, where architecture students participate in production.
In 2018, Eric led a project to enhance the farm's self-sufficiency and collaborates with students on conservation agriculture and local food systems. Their success allows them to donate a significant portion of their produce to local organizations and individuals. He also partners with nonprofits like The Black Belt Food Project and Project Horseshoe Farms to use the farm as an educational resource. Currently, he is pursuing a master’s degree in crop, soil, and environmental science at Auburn University.
Bob Nesbitt is a seasoned banking and real estate executive with deep roots in both industries. A Nashville native and graduate of Tennessee State University and the LSU Graduate School of Banking, Bob spent 24 years in commercial banking, including 14 years as Vice President at AmSouth Bank (now Regions). He later served as President of Citizens Trust Bank and Alamerica Bank before transitioning to commercial real estate as a partner at Engel Realty Company, where he worked until his retirement in 2023.
Bob is the developer behind Crossplex Village, a major mixed-use project in Birmingham featuring national retail, hospitality, and dining brands. He also served as Chairman of the Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board and owns a small farm in Lowndes County.
Deeply committed to youth and community development, Bob has been active in the Boy Scouts for decades, serving as Scoutmaster and President of the Birmingham Division. He continues to teach archery at Scout camps and is an avid bow hunter and Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
He is a member of Living Stones Temple in Fultondale and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
FARMER SPOTLIGHT
Meet Melissa Julia, also known as MJ! She has worked on vegetable and livestock farms for over a decade; traveling and working in beautiful places across the country. MJ has been a proud member of our farmer network, even serving on our CRAFT Steering Committee.
She currently helps run 4G Farms in Swearengin, AL with Stephanie and Nathaniel Guffey. They grow specialty produce and offer foraged items to their CSA, local food hubs, and restaurants. 4G Farms concentrates on improving soil quality, hosting pollinators, and growing nutrient dense food. MJ is particularly passionate about introducing folks to new varieties of vegetables, seed saving, incorporating cover crops, and learning the skills needed to thrive as a business.
Melissa Julia is also a part of the leadership team at the newly opened Huntsville Farm and Food Hub, which aims to increase access to farm-fresh produce for the Huntsville community.
Her pup, mudbug, gets to come to the farm every day. She enjoys sitting on the tractor, hunting for bunnies and stealing carrots to eat.
Rocket Mass Heater Workshops will be held on October 25th in Collinsville, AL and on November 1st in Geraldine, AL. The first workshop will be inside a home and the second workshop will be inside a greenhouse. For more information, including volunteer and scholarship opportunities, contact [email protected].
Operation Grow Bootcamp is a full-day training for veteran and beginning farmers, featuring workshops and networking to support your farm's success. Hosted at Russell County Extension Office (508 14th St, Phenix City, AL 36867) on November 7th from 9am-3:30pm. $20 registration includes lunch.
Alabama Regenerative Growers Conference hosted in partnership with Alabama Cooperative Extension System, ASAN, and Jones Valley Teaching Farm, focuses on agroecological methods of fruit and vegetable production, with session tracks for both commercial farmers and home & community gardeners. The conference features educational sessions, farm tours, vendors, lunch, and networking: a convergence of commercial and community growers interested in soil health, biodiversity, agroecology, and related topics. November 8th from 8:30am-4:30pm at Jones Valley Teaching Farm.
Save the Date: 2025 Southern Region Small Farms Conference will take place in Mobile, AL on December 3-5. More details to come.
Submit your event to the ASAN Events Calendar! Do you have an event you would like to advertise in this monthly newsletter? If so, please email the following to [email protected]: name of event, host group and contact info, location (including full address), date/time, price, link to event website / Facebook event page. We cannot transcribe a flyer but can share a link to one you've already published online.
CLASSIFIEDS & RESOURCES
REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE COURSE:Curious about regenerative agriculture and soil health? Kiss the Ground is offering scholarships for its 90-minute online Regenerative Agriculture Essentials course, prioritizing underserved and underrepresented communities.
BRAIDING SEEDS FELLOWSHIP: A project of Soul Fire Farm Institute in collaboration with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, uplifts and supports beginning Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color farmers, growers, and land stewards across the Northeast and Southeast of the US who are committed to advancing food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and community care. During this 18-month long fellowship, participants receive a $50,000 stipend, 1:1 mentorship, professional development resources, business planning support, and a close network of peers to help their visions flourish. 10 new fellows will be selected and 12 mini-grants of $2,500 each will be awarded to runners-up. Applications due by October 15th.
DAIRY BUSINESS PLANNING GRANT: The Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (SDBII), with support from USDA AMS, offers grants to dairy businesses throughout the southeast and Puerto Rico. The program provides reimbursement funds to permitted dairy businesses that are seeking the help of experts to plan for the future. Apply by September 24.
DAIRY SPECIALTY PROCESSING EQUIPMENT GRANT: The Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (SDBII), with support from USDA AMS, offers grants to dairy businesses throughout the southeast and Puerto Rico. The program provides reimbursement funds to permitted dairy businesses to help improve efficiency and capacity. Apply by September 24.
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.
HUNTSVILLE FOOD & FARM HUB: Year-round virtual marketplace connects you directly with local farmers and producers through simple online ordering and convenient Tuesday drive through or walk-in pickup in downtown Huntsville (with free parking!), as well as home delivery.
AgriForaging’sAskHACCP HOTLINEoffers free, confidential guidance on HACCP, food safety, and regulatory compliance for small and mid-sized food businesses and value-added producers.
ICE PREPAREDNESS POSTERS FOR FARMS: This page includes information on preparing for a potential visit from Immigration & Customs Enforcement (I.C.E), as well as best practices for supporting immigrant employees.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS KIT: RAFI has put together a simple checklist of actions to take before disaster strikes so that you are prepared to apply for FSA programs that may assist in recovery.
WHOLESALE MEAT GUIDE:a resource fromNiche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN) for farmers, ranchers, cooperatives, meat processors, and anyone developing a branded meat company.
FREE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Prosperity Partners by American Farmland Trust (the "No Farms, No Food" folks) provides free technical assistance connecting farmers with expert advisors. Services include conservation planning, soil health improvement, and agricultural project support to strengthen farm businesses.
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].
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