Marion County - Alabama Extension Office

09/01/2026

Alabama Cottage Food Law Class

9/14/26 3 - 5PM $25 fee

This course meets the food safety training requirement of the ADPH for those selling non-hazardous foods as a Cottage Food Business. You must register and pay online before class at this link: https://www.aces.edu/go/MARIONCFL2026

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation or free language access services, contact Susan Hill at 205-269-1748 or [email protected] by 8/24/2026.

Address:
Marion County Extension Office
372 7th Avenue Southwest
Hamilton, AL 35570

Contact:
Susan Hill
[email protected]
(205) 269-1748

09/01/2026

Managing for Profit: Build the Foundation - Forages

Want to produce more grazing days and reduce hay costs? Join us on September 8 as forage and agricultural economics experts discuss practical strategies to improve pasture productivity and profitability.

Date: September 8
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:45 PM
Location: Northwest Shoals Community College (Building 110)
Attend in person (lunch provided) or via Zoom

Hear from: Dr. Leanne Dillard (Technical Discussion)
Ken Kelley & Max Runge (Economic Discussion)

Investing in your forage program is investing in your bottom line.

In-Person Registration: https://www.aces.edu/go/6693

Zoom Registration: https://auburn.zoom.us/.../register/UfXH30UkR0KU1ID3FejF6A

09/01/2026

Marion County Extension hosted an heirs property training led by Dr. Jamie Mardis. Dr. Mardis serves as the Instructional Programs Outreach Administrator, leading educational initiatives on heirs property across Alabama. Through her work with the Alabama Heirs Property Alliance, Dr. Mardis spoke with participants about how to help families understand and address heirs property issues, prepare for meetings with legal counsel, and preserve their land for future generations.
Stay tuned for more information regarding a class on writing a Will. You can also read more on heirs property at Alabama Cooperative Extension resources at https://www.aces.edu/blog/tag/alabama-heirs-property-resources/

Special thanks Winfield Community Center Winfield Park and Recreation host location, and to our partner Northwest Alabama RC&D Council for providing tonight’s meal, catered by City Diner of Winfield.

08/31/2026

Love Alabama’s outdoors and want to turn that interest into action?
The Alabama Master Naturalist Program helps adults build a deeper understanding and appreciation of Alabama’s natural world through science-based education, hands-on learning and volunteer service. Participants learn about the state’s natural resources while gaining the knowledge and experience needed to support conservation, education and natural resource management in their own communities.
Becoming a certified Alabama Master Naturalist includes completing a self-paced online course, attending two field days and completing 30 volunteer hours in Alabama. The program is designed for adults who enjoy nature, like spending time outdoors and want to make a difference through conservation and stewardship.
Ready to learn more about Alabama’s natural world and help protect it?
Explore the Alabama Master Naturalist Program and find registration information here: https://www.aces.edu/.../alabama-master-naturalist-program/

Love Alabama’s outdoors and want to turn that interest into action?

The Alabama Master Naturalist Program helps adults build a deeper understanding and appreciation of Alabama’s natural world through science-based education, hands-on learning and volunteer service. Participants learn about the state’s natural resources while gaining the knowledge and experience needed to support conservation, education and natural resource management in their own communities.

Becoming a certified Alabama Master Naturalist includes completing a self-paced online course, attending two field days and completing 30 volunteer hours in Alabama. The program is designed for adults who enjoy nature, like spending time outdoors and want to make a difference through conservation and stewardship.

Ready to learn more about Alabama’s natural world and help protect it?

Explore the Alabama Master Naturalist Program and find registration information here: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/alabama-master-naturalist-program/

08/27/2026

Marion County Extension Parent Educator Josh Berryhill spent some time this week with co-workers learning more about community organizations that serve families in Northwest Alabama.
First Year Home Visiting program is a free program that provides enrichment opportunities for families, connecting families to resources within the community. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19TiJkfbNY/

08/27/2026

IPM Field Guide Series

The AAMU IPM Field Guide Series is monthly webinar to educate growers on cost-effective, sustainable pest management solutions that help reduce crop losses, lower input costs, and improve long-term farm productivity—all designed to be immediately applicable on small farms.

Each session occurs on the last Friday of each month at 5:30 PM CT. The next session is August 28th.

This is monthly webinar to educate participants on cost-effective, sustainable pest management solutions that help reduce crop losses, lower input costs, and improve long-term farm productivity—all designed to be immediately....

08/26/2026

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — This September, the Homeowner Gardening Conference in Mobile County will provide valuable garden education and expertise to homeowners and anyone else wanting to learn about gardening.

Jack LeCroy, home horticulture agent at Alabama Extension with Auburn University, said that for many hardworking homeowners, it can take a long time to learn a variety of horticulture information. The conference helps with this so that people can discover available research-based resources and learn from other gardeners at one time.

“Whether you are a beginning gardener or an experienced homeowner looking to expand your knowledge, this conference will provide useful information, fresh ideas and opportunities to connect with gardening professionals and fellow plant enthusiasts,” LeCroy said.

About the Conference
The conference will be held Sept. 25 and 26 at the Jon Archer Agricultural Center in Mobile. It starts Friday at 5:30 p.m. with a dinner and a keynote speaker. Saturday will include four educational sessions, lunch and a closing speaker panel.

The event is to primarily answer frequently asked questions that homeowners may have. Some topics that will be covered include backyard greenhouses, pollinators, lawns and new and interesting plants for the landscape. During the ask-the-panel session at the end, gardening experts will field as many questions as they can from participants.

“You are going to have experts right there with you to answer whatever questions that you may have,” LeCroy said. “If we don’t know the answer, we can and will find the answer for you.”

Registration
Conference registration is available online at aces.edu/go/6407. There is a $25 registration fee to cover meals throughout the conference. For more information or to ask questions, contact LeCroy at 251-574-8445.

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/join-extension-homeowner-gardening-conference-sept-25-26/

The Homeowner Gardening Conference in Mobile County will provide valuable garden education and expertise on Sept. 25-26.

08/25/2026

Managing for Profit: Build the Foundation - Forages

Want to produce more grazing days and reduce hay costs? Join us on September 8 as forage and agricultural economics experts discuss practical strategies to improve pasture productivity and profitability.

Date: September 8
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:45 PM
Location: Northwest Shoals Community College (Building 110)

Attend in person (lunch provided) or via Zoom

Hear from: Dr. Leanne Dillard (Technical Discussion)
Ken Kelley & Max Runge (Economic Discussion)

Investing in your forage program is investing in your bottom line.

In-Person Registration: https://www.aces.edu/go/6693

Zoom Registration: https://auburn.zoom.us/.../register/UfXH30UkR0KU1ID3FejF6A

08/24/2026

At Home Beekeeping Series

Tune in on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM CT for the At Home Beekeeping Webinar. Speakers include university researchers and Extension specialists from across the United States as well as USDA-ARS researchers. Each event features timely beekeeping topics, the latest honey bee research updates, and in includes time for Q&A.

The AlabamaExtension presents the At Home Beekeeping Series. This online series promotes educational information for beekeepers.