College and Major: Auburn University College of Human Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics
Hometown: Enterprise, Alabama
Career Goals: My goal is to attend graduate school, complete my dietetic internship, and become a registered dietitian with a specialization in pediatrics.
Hobby or Fun Fact: My favorite hobby is crochet. I am fairly new to it, but I love to make small things like flowers, coasters, and decorations.
On July 3, Fort Novosel held their annual Freedom Fest to celebrate Independence Day. This event is open to the public with tons of fun, food, and fireworks for all. Local businesses participate in this event as well. Restaurants from the area set up food stands where guests can get ice cream, barbecue, and all their 4th of July favorites. Other organizations pitch in through sponsorships and donations. With overwhelming support and admiration for our country, the community gathers to honor our veterans and those currently serving.
Fort Novosel plays such a vital role in this community, so the Dale County Extension team was more than happy to show them some love. We threw on our red, white, and blue and went to join the celebration. At this event, I had the opportunity to meet families, business owners, city officials, and even the season 24 winner of The Voice, Huntley. Huntley, Caleb Johnson–the winner of season 13 of American Idol–and other local bands provided musical entertainment. Each performance was electric and enjoyable for people of all ages.
As this was happening, my mentor, Melissa Voynich, was interviewed by the WTVY News about Dale County in celebration of its 200 years of history. I followed along, got the inside scoop on Dale County, and saw behind-the-scenes of journalism and broadcasting. Afterward, I ate the best brisket sandwich I have ever had, mingled and danced with other guests, and watched the fireworks show. While Freedom Fest was loads of fun, it was also an opportunity to build our community and promote love for the United States and its military. I can’t wait for next year!
One of Alabama’s greatest natural resources is fresh water. This water is important to humans and all life on Earth. Nothing could live without fresh water! Unfortunately, this water only makes up 3 percent of Earth’s water. The remaining 97 percent is salt water, which is unsafe for humans to drink. Furthermore, only 1 percent of that fresh water is accessible. Because such a small fraction of the Earth’s water is available, teaching people about it and showing them how to protect it is vital. Thankfully, Extension is prepared to do just that!
On July 1, the Dale County Extension office and I had the opportunity to attend an EnviroScape training. An EnviroScape is an interactive model used to demonstrate the environmental impacts of water pollution. The model shows different roads, elevations, and bodies of water, as well as residential, industrial, and agricultural regions. Cocoa powder represents fertilizer, chocolate syrup shows oil leaks, and red and green Kool-Aid powders symbolize pesticides and herbicides. Then, water is sprinkled over the model to demonstrate how rain washes away all the pollutants into the groundwater. Beneath the model, there is a tub to catch the runoff. It is a fun and creative model that helps children visualize how the stuff people put on the ground contaminates drinking water.
In this training, I learned about the properties of water, water in humans and on earth, and how to teach these concepts to 4-H youth. I am excited to use what I learned to educate children in future 4-H programs!
In Alabama, agriculture is everything! From farmer’s markets and grocery stores to neighborhoods and households, agriculture is connected to all. Because ag is so central to the local lifestyle, Extension seeks to educate and encourage the 4-H youth of Alabama to see the value of agriculture in their lives. Thus, the Poultry Project was born!
This 4-H project teaches children about poultry by giving them their very own chicks to raise and even show during the showmanship part of the programming. The families could choose between Rhode Island Reds, Wyandottes, Easter Eggers, or a mix of all three. On June 12, families from across multiple counties lined up at the Pike County Cattleman Park to participate. ACES staff from each of the counties were there and ready to greet them and organize orders.
As an Extension Intern, I helped unload, monitor, and distribute the chicks to their new owners. As cute as those sweet baby chicks were, my favorite part was seeing the children’s faces light up when we handed them their feathery friends. Their smiles and excitement made me realize how Extension positively impacts the community. Assisting this project was a fun, educational, and fulfilling experience. The children were so sweet, and the Extension team was a joy to work with. Meeting other ACES personnel, local families, and chickens was an excellent opportunity!
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Ali Gotcher for her recognition by the Alabama Farmers Federation as Alabama’s Excellence in Agriculture competition winner.
Gotcher and her husband, Will, competed against 11 other contestants. The Excellence in Agriculture contest is for members who are 18 to 35 years old and receive most of their income off farm. This event allows participants to showcase agriculture’s role in their lives and present solutions to major industry hurdles.
“My husband and I were humbled to be selected as the Excellence in Ag winners for our state,” Gotcher said. “It means so much to us to be recognized for our passion in the agriculture industry and we hope to continue to work towards a brighter future for farmers. I personally hope that I make the Alabama Cooperative Extension System proud by representing us at the national competition in San Antonio, Texas.”
The Gotchers will represent Alabama during the American Farm Bureau Federation national competition in San Antonio, Texas, in January 2025.
Read more about the Excellence in Agriculture competition by reading the news release from the Alabama Farmers Federation.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Andre da Silva on his recognition from the Alabama Farmers Federation as the 2024 recipient of the Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture and Forestry Research. Silva was recognized at the Federation’s Farm and Land Conference Aug. 3 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Silva, an Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, received $10,000 from the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF). His work is instrumental in developing best management practices for high-yielding, high-quality vegetable crops. Silva plans to use the prize to further his variety trials and diversify research.
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the Federation was honored to present the Rittenour Award to an innovative and outstanding agriculturalist.
“Alabama farmers are blessed to have Andre da Silva in their corner,” Parnell said. “His practical research is helping farmers stay productive, profitable and on their farms. That’s important in today’s economy. We’re proud to recognize these leaders and thank them for their work.”
Silva was surprised to receive this honor.
“It’s encouraging to see my work and drive to help was recognized,” Silva said. “I like working with people. That’s why I enjoy working for Extension. When a grower has a problem, you help them and then they succeed. It’s rewarding for me to see their harvest of vegetables and high-quality production.”
The Rittenour Award honors Auburn University and Alabama Extension professionals for practical work helping Alabama farmers. It is named for Charles Rittenour, the first president of the Alabama Farmers Federation. This is the sixth annual Rittenour Award. Read more from the Farmers Federation in their news release.
Find other ACES Accolades at www.aces.edu/go/ACESAccolades.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Dennis Brothers on his recognition from the Alabama Farmers Federation as the 2024 recipient of the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture and Forestry Extension. Brothers was recognized at the Federation’s Farm and Land Conference Aug. 3 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Brothers is an Alabama Extension associate professor in agricultural economics and rural sociology. As a member of the farm and agribusiness management team, Brothers specializes in poultry economics. As a part of the award, he received $5,000 for poultry-economics research, courtesy of the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation.
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the Federation was honored to present the Duncan Award to an innovative and outstanding agriculturalist.
“Alabama farmers are blessed to have Dennis Brothers in their corner,” Parnell said. “His practical research is helping farmers stay productive, profitable and on their farms. That’s important in today’s economy. We’re proud to recognize these leaders and thank them for their work.”
Brothers’ past projects include the poultry production cost calculator tool, the “New Farmer’s Guide to the Commercial Broiler Industry” publication series and the 2022 Alabama Ag and Forestry Economic Contribution Study.
“I am most honored by the fact this award comes from those whom we serve in Extension — that is the farmers themselves,” Brothers said. “To know that they feel served, and to be recognized as one who has delivered on the promise of Extension, is both humbling and motivating to continue that service in the years to come.”
The Duncan Award honors Auburn University and Alabama Extension professionals for practical work helping Alabama farmers. It is named after Luther Duncan, the first director of Alabama Extension. This is the sixth annual Duncan Award. Read more from the Farmers Federation in their news release.
Find other ACES Accolades at www.aces.edu/go/ACESAccolades.