Join us for the 2026 Food & Farm Forum, a three-day gathering that celebrates the strength, resilience, and innovation of Alabama’s sustainable food and farming community.

Explore innovative practices in regenerative and organic agriculture, composting, seed saving, and more. See demonstrations of natural farming methods, orchard care, and animal husbandry techniques that can transform your operation.

Thanks to a grant from Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, registration includes access to the Forum, all meals, and shared hotel-style lodging at Camp McDowell.

ASAN believes that financial barriers should never prevent participation in building Alabama’s sustainable food future. We offer:

The Need for Radical Change in Access to Farmland—Only 3% of all U.S. farmland is used to produce fruits, vegetables, nuts, and nursery crops. How can more sustainable farmers gain access to land? This column focuses on policy changes to make farmland accessible and affordable for farmers beginning or transitioning to sustainable farming operations.

In the Year of the Cooperative, Rural Grocers Find Power in Partnership—As the United Nations marks 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, new research from Kansas State University’s Rural Grocery Initiative highlights how community-rooted models are helping rural grocers connect with local producers and sustain access to fresh food. From aggregation hubs and mobile markets to tech-driven co-ops, these innovative approaches demonstrate that shared ownership, collaboration, and local investment are key to building resilient rural food systems.

Get ready for Tax Season and beyond! We're partnering with Good Agriculture to host an informative webinar focused on the business side of farming. Founded in Georgia, Good Agriculture serves as a "back office" for farms—handling the paperwork so farmers can focus on what they do best.

In this session, you’ll learn how their services support economic sustainability in agriculture, helping farms thrive as both businesses and vital parts of their communities. We'll explore practical strategies for maintaining financial health without compromising farmer wellbeing.

Join us on November 18th at 6pm to gain valuable insights for preparing your farm for a strong 2026. 

JOIN ASAN

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 recurring or one-time donation. Every dollar helps build a stronger, more sustainable food system for us all.

This month, join us in congratulating Jacqueline Jackson, owner of Mattie's Garden Farm, on receiving an Undo the Knot grant! A proud Birmingham native, Jacqueline has dedicated her work to nourishing her local community through sustainable farming. Inspired by her grandmother—the farm's namesake—Jacqueline carries forward a legacy of growing food to support neighbors and strengthen community ties. She also serves as a board member and vendor at Birdsong Farmers Market in Birmingham, where her beloved greens have become a local favorite. Learn more about the Undo the Knot Fund below.

Tell Congress to Pass a Better Farm Bill—We’re badly in need of a new farm bill, but we don’t want Congress to settle for one that further entrenches the unequal and unsustainable forces that have shaped our food system. Take action today and tell your representatives we deserve the best farm bill possible.

Tell USDA to Support Healthy Food for Americans—Major cuts to key farm programs at the USDA have left farmers who grow healthy local food without the markets or support they need. Sign this petition to demand that USDA delivers healthy food for our families and schools, and stands with the farmers who make it possible.

Support the Agriculture Resilience Act—The ARA can dramatically improve our food system while engaging farmers in making the critical changes necessary for our future. This bill will provide incentives for farmers to voluntarily improve their soil health and the resilience of their farms. With enough support, it can become part of the farm bill. 

Halt the Unnecessary USDA Reorganization Plan—At the final hour, under public outcry, USDA decided to open a public comment period to hear input and feedback from stakeholders–which is where you come in! Tell USDA and your representatives to halt this reorganization immediately and listen to their farmer and community stakeholders first.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

PSA Grower Training Course will provide valuable insights on produce safety, worker health and hygiene, soil amendments and water quality management in both pre and post-harvest settings. November 18th from 9:00am-5:00pm at the Etowah County Extension Office. Register at the link above or call 334-546-7457.

The Business of Farming Webinar will discuss how farmers can maintain economic sustainability for their farms without sacrificing their wellbeing. November 18th at 6:00pm.

Free Composting Workshop with Chandler Dufour, a local practitioner of Dr. Elaine Ingham's Soil Food Web methodology. This hands-on introduction to BioComplete Thermophilic Composting will demonstrate how to create biologically rich compost that restores soil health, supports regenerative growing, and strengthens our local food systems. Meet other growers, share stories, and enjoy refreshments in a community-based learning environment. December 6th from 2:00pm-4:30pm at Taylor Park Community Garden (1050 Baltimore Street, Mobile)

Military Veterans and Beginning Farmer Workshops held monthly at the North Alabama Agriplex in Cullman. 

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

Southern IPM Grant Program: Southern IPM Center funds projects tackling integrated pest management issues in the Southern U.S., including seed projects, working groups, and capstones. Apply by November 21st.

Seafood Business Training Program: Local Catch Network and Ecotrust have partnered to bring this 2.5-month training program to help community-based seafood companies build the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to sustain and/or grow their operations. Apply by November 23rd.

Farmer-Led Trials Program: The Organic Farming Research Foundation offers funding and technical assistance for on-farm research trials to help organic and regenerative farmers test and refine production practices. Apply by December 3rd.

Producer Grant Program: Southern SARE Producer Grants are used to conduct sustainable agriculture research projects that solve agricultural production challenges farmers face and to develop information on what works and what doesn’t so that other farmers and ranchers facing those same challenges can benefit from the results of the funded project. Apply by December 5th.

Good Community Food Fellowship: Applications are open for this Jones Valley Teaching Farm program designed to strengthen Birmingham's local food system by training urban growers. This 11 month, free program consists of workshops led by local farmers, chefs, and JVTF staff, as well as the hands-on management of individual garden plots at the Center for Food Education. Apply by December 12th.

Small Farm Innovation Challenge: This challenge invites farmers, entrepreneurs, students, hackers, and any ingenious, farm-loving thinkers to propose tech-based innovations that will help small-scale agriculture compete, survive, and thrive. $10,000 in cash prizes. Apply by December 31st.

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.

Tribal Agriculture Fellowship: Designed to aid Native students in achieving their educational goals leading to careers in agriculture, the fellowship program provides a generous benefits package that can include up to four years of fellowship status with funding to earn agricultural degrees or technical certifications.

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.

AgriForaging’s AskHACCP Hotline offers free, confidential guidance on HACCP, food safety, and regulatory compliance for small and mid-sized food businesses and value-added producers.

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. 

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].