Staff members of Alabama’s congressional delegation toured farms and other agricultural operations in south Alabama last month. Despite some stormy weather, they agreed the trip allowed them to gain a new appreciation for farming.Most of the staff members work on agricultural issues for their respective congressman or senator. However, none of them grew up on a farm, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by Alabama Farmers Federation Southeast Area Vice President Ricky Wiggins. Wiggins’ family farm in Covington County was among the stops on the three-day tour. He said he wanted the staff members to know what it’s really like on a farm.”It’s important for the Farmers Federation to encourage trips like this to develop relationships with these staffers,” Wiggins said. “They can put a face on farmers–they know where we’re from and what we’re about.”Dwayne Bolton of Congressman Mike Rogers’ office said having no agriculture experience; trips like this are invaluable to him.”This is my classroom–this is how I learn,” he said gesturing to Wiggins’ farm. “Not having a farm background, you can’t learn this in D.C. The most interesting thing I’ve seen on the tour is that producers are maximizing the dollars they get back from Washington. It really goes a long way.”Federation Commodity Director Jimmy Carlisle said having the tour just a few weeks after the Federation’s annual Washington Legislative Trip helps develop relationships that will prove valuable later on. “There are so many issues facing farmers in Alabama that it’s more important than ever for these staff members to see first-hand who they are working for when they are discussing farm programs,” Carlisle said. “As Congress discusses possible farm program cuts and international trade issues that affect agriculture, it’s important for them to know the decisions they make and the policies they help develop have a direct impact on these farmers.”Staff members met with Coffee County Farmers Federation President and State Beef Committee Member Max Bozeman and learned how technology is changing the cattle business in Alabama. He explained how electronic identification allows him to track calves raised on his farm from pasture to harvest.”Cattlemen in our state have really benefited from federal funding for the Alabama Beef Connection,” said Bozeman, who utilizes the program on his farm near Elba. “Producers can make better management decisions about their operations. Accurate data tells me which calves perform best and allows me to direct my efforts toward producing a quality calf for my investment.”Bozeman predicts that livestock programs that include electronic identification will prove to be even more valuable in the future as consumer interest in where food comes from continues to grow.Other stops on the tour included visits to Golden Peanut Co. in Dothan, the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Solon Dixon Forestry Center and Cravey Brothers Farm in Covington County and Waters Farm in Baldwin County. The staff members also toured hurricane-damaged areas near the Gulf Coast.While some of the staff members work for congressmen whose districts don’t stretch to south Alabama, the trip had value for them as well.”Coming from north Alabama, one of the most interesting things I’ve seen has been the peanut operation,” said Gary Chandler of Congressman Bud Cramer’s office. “We don’t see many peanuts in north Alabama, but we benefit from seeing what the needs are statewide–not just in our district. The great thing about the Alabama delegation is that we work together, especially on issues like agriculture. We need to make sure federal programs are approved and adequately funded for the entire state.”