A new agricultural promotion program will allow Alabama consumers to know what they are buying was grown right here in their own state.When given a choice, consumers want to buy the freshest, best-tasting fruits, vegetables and produce. And according to Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, that’s grown in Alabama.Sparks launched the “Help Alabama Grow A+ ” program during a meeting of the new Alabama Agriculture and Industries Board June 26 in Montgomery.The advertising campaign will include billboards and posters located throughout the state and television spots featuring Commissioner Sparks and his friend Randy Owen of the music group “Alabama.” The promotional program also includes points-of-sale posters for stores and markets and “crack-and-peel” labels that will actually be on the products to identify them as Alabama-grown.The public service TV spots feature Owen, who is one of the new Agriculture and Industries Board members, and Sparks seated in rocking chairs on the porch of Owen’s Fort Payne cattle ranch. The two are shown talking about the importance of supporting Alabama farmers and ranchers. The promotion includes all specialty crops produced in the state such as fruits, vegetables, greenhouse goods, Christmas trees, sod, nuts and new items such as satsumas.Sparks said his office will be working with farmers markets, the Alabama Retail Association and farmers throughout the state to get their products labeled as A+ Alabama-grown. “Some of the best crops in the world are grown right here in Alabama,” Sparks said. “When you help Alabama farmers, you help Alabama.”Funding for the “Help Alabama Grow A+” advertising campaign is part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.