Plans are under way to identify interest in a proposed Equine Division of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Commodity Department.During the Federation’s annual meeting last December, voting delegates approved plans to investigate the possibility of forming an Equine Division. Commodity Department Director Jimmy Carlisle said the new commodity holds potential for the organization and for horse owners around the state.”This is a great opportunity to involve new members and to help strengthen our county organizations and the Alabama Farmers Federation in commodity-related programs and the public policy area,” Carlisle said. “The horse industry is a very large, diverse and important part of our national, state and local economies.”County presidents have been asked to identify representatives from their counties. Discussion meetings will be held with those representatives later this year, and the proposed Equine Division will be discussed at the County Presidents Conference July 19-21.Discussions about the proposed division also may be held at the Commodity Conference in August, and a report will be made to the Alabama Farmers Federation Board of Directors later that month.If approved by the state board, counties may begin to organize their Equine Committee for the Commodity Organizational Meeting in February 2008.According to the Alabama Horse Council, the state’s horse industry has an economic impact of $573 million annually.Over 44,000 Alabama households are involved in the industry as horse owners, service providers, employees and volunteers. Even more participate as spectators.