Agriculture
Farmers well represented at state event
By Evan BelangerFarmers were well represented at a Birmingham summit held last week in conjunction with state and federal authorities to discuss preparedness for a possible flu pandemic.
With world-wide concern over the possibility of avian influenza rising, state Secretary of Agriculture Ron Sparks was present as well as state veterinarian Tony Frazier.
The summit was held in conjunction with a visit from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. Gov. Bob Riley was on hand to discuss that state's efforts to prepare for an epidemic.
Locally, President of Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Roger Chappell from Cullman County also attended.
"It was very enlightening," said Chappell in a phone interview Tuesday. "I wasn't aware that there were three pandemics in the 20th century."
Chappell said that topics went all the way back to plagues of the 14th century, but the focus was on how the state and the federal government could work together to prevent a future pandemic that could include avian influenza — commonly called bird flu.
"There were a lot of references to Hurricane Katrina in that the state can't rely totally on the federal government in case of disasters," he said.
While Chappell said the officials did not talk about avian influenza in particular, the presence of farm and agriculture officials seemed to indicate a concern.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the federal government currently bans poultry products from 15 countries where a highly pathogenic form of the virus known as H5N1 has been detected.
Also during the summit, Riley accepted a check from Leavitt for the amount of $1.59 million to help the state plan for an epidemic.
The money will be used to conduct community education programs, prepare emergency and health officials and stock pile the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.
Chappell said by using the federal government as a go between, the state would be able to purchase three times as much Tamiflu as it would have otherwise.
"If a flu pandemic arrives, our businesses, our schools and our families will be on the front lines of any effort to stop or contain it," Riley stated. "All of us need to prepare and this summit is a part of Alabama's proactive efforts to be prepared for any type of health or homeland security threat."
The visit by Leavitt was part of a 50-state tour to discuss pandemic planning. In all, he will distribute more than $100 million in grants to prepare for the flu.
- Agriculture
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Festhall finale
By David Lazenby
davidl@cullmantimes.com
It’s last call for the Festhalle.
The first season of the Festhalle Market Platz comes to an end Saturday.
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Utterly amazed
By David Lazenby
davidl@cullmantimes.com
A barnyard, cotton field and antiquated kitchen substituted for classrooms Wednesday as East Elementary School second graders got a hands-on history lesson.
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Cold Springs FFA repeat at fair
By Niamh Bailes
news@cullmantimes.com
Cold Springs High School’s Future Farmers of America club won the Cullman County Fair’s Herdsman Award in September but they are not resting yet. On Thursday, they are going for another win at the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery.
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Plumping up Pumpkins
By Niamh Bailes
news@cullmantimes.com
Whether for roasted seeds, sweet pies or Halloween lanterns, the fall season is not so colorful without the versatile pumpkin. There are as many varieties of pumpkin as uses for the fruit, but they all require similar conditions to grow.
“A lot of people have the idea that pumpkins are drought resistant,” said Arnold Caylor, director of the Experiment Station in Cullman, “but that’s not the case. As people have found this year, pumpkins need a lot of water.”
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Students come home winners at livestock Expo
Cullman County students won big at this year’s Alabama Junior Livestock Exposition, taking 27 slots in the winner’s circle, more than any other county.
- Farmers well represented at state event
- Some worry about virus mutating, causing pandemic
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Many things can affect size of pecan harvest
Poor soils and too much or too little water can adversely affect pecan production.
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Avian flu no threat to United States
Alabama Department of Agriculture veterinarian Brad Fields said American's fears of avian flu, more commonly known as bird flu, are largely unfounded.
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Festhall finale
