VINEMONT — Candidates for the office of Alabama’s Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner faced off Monday at a forum in the dusty arena of the Cullman Agricultural Complex.

The forum, a joint effort by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and The Cullman Times, allowed candidates John McMillan and Glen Zorn to showcase their platforms before the Nov. 2 election. The question and answer style forum was moderated by Donald Reed, representing the Chamber of Commerce, and by Times editor David Palmer.

It was quickly made evident that in Alabama’s race for Agriculture Commissioner, experience and familiarity with agri-business is possessed by both candidates.

The Republican candidate, McMillan, cited current problems within the agriculture industry as a direct need for fresh leadership in the office.

“I have a long history of public service and 40 years experience in the agriculture industry,” said McMillan. “I know the issues that affect agricultural communities in the state, and I really feel like it is important that we are able to bring new ideas to the table and new solutions to old problems.”

The Democratic challenger, Zorn, touted his involvement in the agricultural industry as a lifelong passion, and his current position as Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries as a strength.

“I’ve been involved with agriculture for 40 years; from cattle to producing crops, to running an agriculturally based business. I’ve been a successful mayor in Florala. And I am now a part of one of the most aggressive Departments of Agriculture and Industry that Alabama has ever seen.”

Alabama is one of a handful of large-scale poultry producing states, this creates unique difficulties to farmers in the state dealing with costs and demanding standards of improvement by poultry companies.

“I’m not certain that the Agricultural Commissioner has a lot of power to control the costs in the poultry industry because poultry companies make many requirements for their farmers. It is going to take work from many leaders to help resolve cost issues for these farmers. I believe that  the Agricultural Commissioner can work as a sounding board and use the office to build strong relationships,” Zorn said.

McMillan agreed that costs to poultry farmers are high and that steps need to be taken to alleviate the problem on a large scale.

“I’ve met with people around the state and have heard the concerns about this issue; it is a problem that has to be resolved. It is going to have to be resolved on a national level, and this is going to be difficult to do because there aren’t many poultry states in the country. Recent Federal hearings have addressed the problems but we are going to have to work at it.”

Both candidates acknowledged that money is an issue for those in agriculture related industries and that state funding is lacking.

“Finances are very tight in all areas of the state government, and over the next few years we are going to face challenges like we have never seen before,”  said McMillan. “But we have to ensure that people working in agricultural industries have livable salaries and benefits. I will staff my office with people who have business and management skills, who know how to work around budget cuts.”

Zorn agreed that money was tight and that it was going to get tighter, but contended that this was nothing new.

“Over the past 25 years we’ve seen 25 percent reductions in agriculture budgets,” Zorn said. “During my time working with the current Ag Commission we’ve learned to do more with less, and we have to continue to strive for the latest technologies and to create partnerships with universities and state agencies. It’s about working together and working smart.”

McMillan reiterated his point that fresh leadership was needed in the office of the Agriculture Commissioner during discussion regarding the quality and supply of water statewide.

“Irrigation reservoirs for periods of drought are one of the biggest things that farmers have to deal with,” McMillan said. “We’ve got to do a better job working with universities and water agencies.”

Zorn cited his prior involvement with water issues as a charter member of the Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow Rivers Water Management Authority in south Alabama.

“We’re going to have to work together to come up with plans to fix water issues,” said Zorn. “All watersheds are different and all have different priorities. We’re going to have to work with industry and with farmers to better understand problems. We also need to take a look at the problems of the misuse of water throughout the state.”

Poultry farmers in the Holly Pond area of Cullman County have recently discussed possibilities that the quality of water provided to them has negatively impacted their production. The recent formation of a water board by the Cullman County Commission amidst growing controversy over the Duck River Project has further complicated water issues in the area.

“Water is an issue all over the state, there is currently controversy in Baldwin County, and we’ve all witnessed the mess in Jefferson County,” McMillan said. “It’s going to be a big job and the Ag Commissioner is going to have to play a big role in fixing these problems.

Zorn said that as an independent state agency it was important for the department to focus on geological survey for further assessment of Water problems. He also discussed conservation practices and expressed the need for more conservation services in the state and discussed reservoir projects currently underway.

Both Zorn and McMillan advocate prioritizing renewable energy projects in the state.

“We have passed eleven bills and resolutions in the state encourage progress in renewable energy ,” said Zorn.

McMillan expanded on the importance of alternate energy sources by highlighting the potential of growing markets in Alabama.

“There is the potential for farmers to gain long term contracts to grow crops used to produce Ethanol, there is also potential for industrial growth,” said McMillan.

The candidates also discussed the importance of educational partnerships in schools and universities to promote agricultural growth in the state.

“Mentoring programs aimed at getting young people involved and identifying youth interest in agriculture is very important,” said McMillan. “In order to keep farms going we’re going to have to pair these young people with farmers who know the business.”

Zorn expressed a need for constant improvement in education.

“We’ve made big improvements in agricultural education, but it is never enough, we have to keep encouraging incentives for Agricultural degrees, and continue expanding research opportunities,” said Zorn.

McMillan continued to assert his opinion that new leadership was needed within the office.

“In Alabama there is currently no certification program for organic farmers, so those that wish to produce organic products have to go out of state, most often to Florida to get certified,” McMillan said. “This is a thing that should be simple to put in place, yet we don’t have it done.”

 Zorn and McMillan will face one another for the office of Alabama’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry on the November 2 General Election ballot.



* Sam Rolley can be reached by e-mail at srolley@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 225.