Alabamians who want to support local farmers and buy locally grown products can now easily find what they’re looking for thanks to the launch of Sweet Grown Alabama’s online searchable database.

Sweet success was celebrated today at the Capitol with a special farmers market and Gov. Kay Ivey issuing a proclamation that declared July 22, 2020, as Sweet Grown Alabama Day.

“Alabama’s farmers have a significant impact on our great state with over 580,000 Alabamians working in agriculture and related industries,” Ivey said. “Connecting with local farmers through Sweet Grown Alabama is a great opportunity to show your support for our neighbors and enjoy the wonderful products grown right here at home!”

Since the site launched in September 2019, Sweet Grown Alabama’s online membership database at SweetGrownAlabama.org has grown to include more than 150 farmers and businesses that sell Alabama-grown products directly to consumers.

Nearly 30 vendors and Sweet Grown Alabama members joined the celebration with a farmers market on Bainbridge Street in Montgomery. They sold produce, meat, honey, pecans and other locally produced items.

Compliments of Sweet Grown Alabama and the state’s farmers, attendees took home lots of goodies: fresh vegetables, fruit, peanuts and other treats. (Ellie Watson/Sweet Home Alabama)

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association sponsored a booth and gave information about Alabama’s peanut crop. (Ellie Watson/Sweet Home Alabama)

A visitor received a sackful of delicious vegetables, compliments of Backyard Orchards in Eufaula. (Ellie Watson/Sweet Grown Alabama)

“More and more consumers are beginning to care about where their food and other products are grown,” said Kyle Morris of Mulberry Bend Cattle Farm in Hanceville. “It’s great to have a program like Sweet Grown Alabama that helps farmers serve the needs of consumers and allows us to connect with the people purchasing and enjoying our products.”

Contributing more than $70 billion annually, agriculture is a key employer and economic driver in Alabama. However, Sweet Grown Alabama leaders said it had been difficult for consumers to connect directly with local farmers, until now.

“A program like Sweet Grown Alabama has been a missing link in our state’s agriculture industry for many years,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and Sweet Grown Alabama board member Rick Pate. “Consumers now have a tool to search for local farms in their area through the online database at SweetGrownAlabama.org, and we guarantee you’ll love the high-quality, local products you buy from Alabama farms. Buying locally grown is better for the environment, better for Alabama’s economy and just plain better quality for consumers.”

Sweet Grown Alabama is a nonprofit collaborative effort between agricultural groups in the state. Membership is open to farmers, restaurants and grocery stores. To join, apply at SweetGrownAlabama.org.

Sweet Grown Alabama Director Ellie Watson said the agricultural community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Not only have we grown our program from zero members to over 150 in less than a year, but we have received generous support from industry groups,” Watson said. “The contributions of our seven founding member partners will ensure Sweet Grown Alabama is able to serve the state for years to come, and we are incredibly grateful for their support of Alabama farmers.”

Program founding members are the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, Alabama Ag Credit, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, the Alabama Farmers Cooperative, the Alabama Farmers Federation, First South Farm Credit and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

Vendors taking part in the Sweet Grown Alabama Day Farmers Market included:

• Alabama Ag Credit, Montgomery.
• Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Montgomery.
• Alabama Farm Credit, Cullman.
• Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Montgomery.
• Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Dothan.
• Backyard Orchards, Eufaula.
• Boozer Farms, Thorsby.
• Coastal Alabama Organix, Fairhope.
• Eastaboga Bee Co., Lincoln.
• East Lake Farmers Market, Birmingham.
• Eng Land Honey, Pike Road.
• EPIC Family Farms, Tallassee.
• First South Farm Credit, Opelika.
• George’s River Market and Butchery, Wetumpka.
• Green Acres Organic Pharms, Florence.
• Hornsby Farms, Auburn.
• JKW Cattle Co., Lineville.
• Just Good Flavor Co., Hoover.
• MGM Greens, Montgomery.
• Mulberry Bend Cattle Co., Hanceville.
• Plant’n Roots Farm, Brilliant.
• Prattville Honey Farm, Prattville.
• Priester’s Pecans, Fort Deposit.
• Samson Extracts, Geneva.
• Sweetgum Ridge Apiaries, Lowndesboro.
• The Alabama Pecan Company, Samson.
• Working Cows Dairy, Slocomb.

To learn more and find locally grown products in your area, visit SweetGrownAlabama.org.