Outstanding Tennessee Valley farms will be in the spotlight Aug. 1-3 as growers from throughout the state converge on Huntsville for the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 30th Annual Commodity Producers Conference.Jim Cravey, director of the Federation’s Commodity Department, said the conference is an opportunity for farmers to visit innovative agricultural operations and share ideas that they can take back home to their own farms.”Alabama is blessed with some of the most diverse agricultural operations in the country. This conference gives farmers a chance to gain valuable information and ideas, which they can use to enhance the profitability of their own farms,” Cravey said.The Commodity Department has organized 10 agricultural tours ranging from traditional row crops and livestock to aquaculture and wildlife. There also will be an educational tour in which owners of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) can earn continuing education credit. In addition, a tour of the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Center at Alabama A&M University is planned for producers interested in Alabama’s emerging meat goat industry.The Alabama Pork Cookoff and Cotton Sewing and Quilting contests will be held during the conference. Meal functions include a barbecue fellowship on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 6:30 p.m., and a banquet Saturday, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m., which will feature internationally known comic Mickey Dean of the Rick & Bubba Show.Cravey encouraged all farmers to attend. “By scheduling two full days of tours, we feel the conference offers something for every agricultural producer,” he said. “We don’t want farmers to think they have to be an active member of the Farmers Federation to attend. Even if they can’t participate in all the activities, we hope they will order a ticket for the tour that interests them and join us on that day.”Tickets may be ordered by completing the form on the facing page. For more information, contact the Commodity Department at 1-800-392-5705, ext. 4293, or by email at gmullins@alfafarmers.org. The registration deadline is July 15.Click here for a complete agenda.