AP&EA Applauds Gov. Ivey’s Approval of Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program

Alabama Poultry and Egg Association applauds Gov. Kay Ivey’s announcement Aug. 12 awarding $26 million of the Coronavirus Relief Fund for the Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program, which includes $4 million to poultry farmers.

“This decision by Gov. Ivey comes at a great time,” AP&EA Associate Director Ray Hilburn said. “The funds available to poultry farmers will help cover losses sustained during the pandemic. We thank Gov. Ivey and Commissioner Pate for their assistance to our members and to Alabama agriculture.”

Gov. Ivey said agriculture and farmers are important to Alabama’s economy.

“Agriculture has an economic impact of over $70 billion in the state of Alabama. I know firsthand how hard our farmers work each day, and they are without a doubt a major part of who we are in Alabama,” Gov. Ivey said. “Due to COVID-19, numerous farms and processing facilities have struggled to remain open and sell their products. Establishing the Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program is not only the right thing to do to protect our farmers, but is also key to stabilizing Alabama’s economy.”

The Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program will be administered through the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, or ADAI, and will be allocated to the following:

I. Direct Payment Business Stabilization Grants to Cattle Producers- $10.5 million

II. Meat Processing Plant Reimbursement Program- $1.5 million

III. Poultry Farmer Stabilization Grant Program- $4 million

IV. Catfish Processor Reimbursement Program- $500,000

V. Fruit & Vegetable Processor Reimbursement Program- $500,000

VI. State Supplemental CFAP Grant Program- $8 million

VII. Nursery Grower Reimbursement Program- $1 million

“I want to thank Gov. Ivey for her continued support of Alabama agriculture and for providing much needed assistance to farmers and processors adversely effected by COVID-19,” Rick Pate, commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, said. “Because of these men and women, our food supply chain is safe, abundant and sustainable.”

The Alabama agricultural assistance package is possible by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided the state more than $1.8 billion to offset public and private costs associated with the pandemic.

AP&EA was joined by the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Alabama Agribusiness Council and numerous individuals and businesses in submitting funding requests for the governor’s consideration.

The Alabama Poultry and Egg Association represents Alabama's poultry industry, which is the state's largest agricultural industry with an annual economic impact of $15 billion. Alabama's poultry industry generates more than 65 percent of agricultural commodity sales and employs more than 86,000 workers while processing over 22 million broiler chickens per week.