Alabama legislators had a chance to sample Alabama agriculture products during a reception Jan. 9, at the Alabama Farmers Federation building in Montgomery.The lawmakers visited with farmers from throughout the state while getting a first-hand look–and taste–of the state’s largest industry. Commodities represented at the reception included beef, catfish, dairy, emu, honey, horticulture, meat goats, pecans, peanuts, pork, poultry, shrimp and wildlife.During the regular session of the Alabama Legislature, passage of the Family Farm Preservation Act will be a top priority for the Federation.Freddie Patterson, director of Governmental Affairs for the Federation, said in addition to the Family Farm Preservation Act, the Federation will work to keep current use tax classification for farm and forestry land. The Federation also will work on several funding issues, including money for fire ant control, satsuma research, wildlife damage control, and animal disease outbreak and indemnification. “We also will focus on the possibility of rules for water use permits in the state that will affect farmers,” Patterson said. “Similar rules already have been enacted in Georgia and some western states that restrict the use of water for agricultural production. We’re working to make sure that agriculture is considered when and if any restrictions or permitting rules are imposed.” Patterson said there is a possibility that Gov. Don Siegelman will continue to try to raise the cap and increase the rates for business privilege tax that could in turn affect agriculture and farmers. His proposal failed in the special session held in December.