Author

John McMillian

News

Rural prosperity: Key to Alabama’s future

By John McMillan Agriculture and Industries Commissioner “Rural Prosperity,” the title of a just-released report by the Trump Administration, comes at a most opportune time when more and more Americans and Alabamians are enjoying a rapidly growing economy. However, a segment of our nation and state are being left out of the rising economic tide, … Continued

John McMillian

January 10, 2018

Opinion

Renewable Wood Energy: A New Opportunity for Alabama’s Forests

By John McMillan Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries I grew up working on my family’s farm and spent 20 years working at my father’s sawmill. From an early age I was regularly exposed to the wealth of our state’s natural resources. From my time in the Alabama Legislature to my work as the Commissioner … Continued

John McMillian

September 26, 2016

Opinion

How Alabama Can Benefit from the U.S./Cuba Relationship  

By Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Senator Vivian Davis Figures, Senator Jabo Waggoner and Commissioner John McMillan Despite the fact that the Port of Mobile is located just across the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama businesses will continue to lose out on Cuba’s growing markets to foreign competitors until Congress ends the U.S. travel and trade embargo on … Continued

John McMillian

June 21, 2016

Opinion

The Bedrock of Alabama’s Economy

By John McMillan Commissioner, Department of Agriculture and Industries Back in 1883, the Alabama Department of Agriculture was founded with a mission to promote and support the state’s No. 1 industry while regulating and reporting on various aspects of farm production. Cotton was king then as a growing America demanded greater and greater quantities of fiber … Continued

John McMillian

November 13, 2013

Opinion

Alabama Agriculture Grows Despite Tough Economy

By John McMillan The numbers tell the story: $70.4 billion. That’s the sum total of the economic impact of agriculture, agribusiness and forestry on Alabama’s economy. Bear in mind, each year, Alabama’s economy generates $188.3 billion in goods and services, 37% of which comes from farming, forestry and agribusinesses. Among Alabama workers, two in five … Continued

John McMillian

August 13, 2013

Opinion

Making Government More Cost-Efficient

By John McMillan Commissioner Alabama Agriculture and Industry You may not read about this issue in the press coverage of what’s happening in the Alabama Legislature. But, as a matter of course, I thought it best to keep you updated on our efforts at the Department of Agriculture & Industries in moving forward toward a … Continued

John McMillian

March 14, 2013

Opinion

Letter from Commissioner John McMillan

By John McMillan Commissioner, Department of Agriculture and Industries Two years ago, when I first took the oath of office as Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries for Alabama, little did I know what awaited me. The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, through years of neglect, had barely enough cash reserves to make payroll, much less … Continued

John McMillian

February 7, 2013

Opinion

The Dust Bowl

By John McMillan Commissioner, Department of Agriculture and Industries In the 1930s, an ecological disaster of epic proportions swept the American Midwest and threatened to destroy the nation’s bread basket. The Dust Bowl, as it became known, turned prairies into deserts and unleashed a pattern of massive, deadly dust storms that for many seemed to herald … Continued

John McMillian

October 30, 2012