ASHVILLE — John McMillan said his office has managed seven “distinct crises” since he took over as Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Industries.

The crises include budget proration, crippling drought, devastating tornadoes and a new statewide immigration policy that has affected the workforce of a number of farmers.

“It changes with the season and the part of the state you’re in,” McMillan said Monday night. “There are big issues in this state from one end to the other.”

McMillan was the keynote speaker at Monday’s St. Clair County Farm-City Banquet, at the Farmer’s Federation building on U.S. 231. He said he often finds himself at a loss in telling farmers how to handle the loss of labor from the state’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

“I don’t know what to tell people to do,” he said. “People call our office and say, ‘We’ve lost this,’ and we don’t know what to tell them.

“It’s painful to see people in such a quandary about what to do with their crops, and not have an answer.”

A native of Baldwin County, McMillan has served as a county commissioner, a state representative and as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He said that the immigration issue has hurt the state where it has the most potential to grow: in produce.

“That’s one of the most unfortunate things about this situation,” he said. “I think Alabama has more opportunities for growth in produce farming than any other area. (The law) practically affects that part of agriculture in the state more than any other.

“I hope we can get something worked out soon. It’s hard to promote any crops right now, because we’re so heavily impacted by the lack of labor.”

The specter of the April 27 tornadoes also looms large in the area.

“With that it’s mostly been about getting out information,” he said. “People need to know where assistance is available, and we need to help make the process as clean as we can. We’ve tried to help coordinate with the federal and state governments.”

That hasn’t been easy, according to McMillan, since his office has faced budget cutbacks since he came into office.

“Probably of all the crises we’ve had, probably the worst one was losing so many good people,” he said. “We’ve lost a lot of good folks because of proration and staff cutbacks.”

McMillan’s appearance celebrates the beginning of Farm-City Week in the county. The commissioner recognized three families — the Poe family farm, Wadsworth family farm and Hardwick family farm — as part of the banquet.

“I would like to thank all those involved in getting the food from the farm to the table so that we can enjoy this abundance,” said LeAnn Clark, County Extension Coordinator. “During Farm-City Week … please think about those farmers, ranchers, processors, truck drivers, retailers and others who work hard to supply your food, and say ‘thanks.’”

Story from the St. Clair Times; Written by Will Health

SOURCE: http://www.thestclairtimes.com/view/full_story/16526707/article-McMillan-meets-local-farmers-at-banquet