Nov. 18-24, 2016 is set aside as Alabama’s observance of Farm-City week.  The main goal of Farm-City is to provide a better understanding of the relationship between rural farmers and urban workers.

Various members of the community gathered Tuesday to recognize and spotlight the hands that feed Butler County for the annual Farm City Week lunch hosted by the Greenville Kiwanis Club and the Butler County Farmers Federation. 

Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillian was the guest speaker.  McMillian spoke about the importance of poultry export to Cuba, advanced technology and the future of agriculture. 

“We export an average of seven thousand tons per month of frozen chicken leg quarters to Havana, Cuba’s capital city, each month,” he said.  “It is our primary interest that they continue to buy these poultry products from us by way of Port of Mobile.”

He said that Cuba buys as much as 70-80 percent of its food sources from other countries.

Poultry is Alabama’s top commodities, followed by cattle and calves, greenhouse, sod and nursery, cotton and soybeans.

McMillian also talked about how technology has changed over the years and how technical advancements have changed the way farmers work.  “Technology has advanced so much with the use of Drones and farming equipment.  We are truly in the golden age of agriculture in Alabama.”

In closing, McMillian encouraged Alabama’s youth to consider agriculture business when thinking about their future.  “I hope young folks will consider agriculture business as a career.”