Legislators and other elected officials sampled Alabama’s agricultural bounty Feb. 16 during the Taste of Alabama Agriculture legislative reception at the Alabama Farmers Federation headquarters in Montgomery.More than 80 senators and representatives attended the event, which featured Alabama-grown foods ranging from deep-fried shiitake mushrooms to barbecued pork. Other guests included Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, State Treasurer Kay Ivey, Secretary of State Nancy Worley and members of the Alabama Supreme Court.Federation Governmental Affairs Director Freddie Patterson called the reception a “monumental success,” noting that it would not have been possible without the help of commodity groups and individual farmers who grew and prepared the food.The reception gave Federation leaders from across the state a chance to visit with lawmakers and discuss issues that affect rural Alabama. Patterson said about 100 farmers, representing every commodity produced in the state, attended the event.Agricultural products served at the reception included: peanuts, pecans, strawberries, peaches, ice cream, milk, honey, beef, pork, venison, shrimp, seafood gumbo, catfish, chicken, collard greens, corn bread, sweet potato cookies and mushrooms. Growers from the greenhouse, nursery and sod industry provided decorations for the event. This is the fifth year that the Federation has held a reception to welcome legislators to Montgomery at the beginning of their regular session.