The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is urging residents of coastal states to plan ahead this hurricane season and minimize the potential for foodborne illness in the event of power outages, flooding, and other problems that could be associated with weather emergencies.

“As you prepare your home for hurricane season, remember to protect food from being exposed to contaminated water or unsafe storage temperatures in a power outage,” USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen said. “When it comes to emergencies of any kind, planning ahead is always the best strategy to help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.”

FSIS encourages those living in coastal areas to be prepared, particularly when it comes to ensuring access to safe food and water after weather emergencies. Families should have an emergency plan in place that includes food and water safety precautions.

The Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook will be open to the general public on June 2, and a special "Hydrangea Festival" educational program will be on the agenda.

"Hydrangea Festival" will be held at the Alabama Nature Center pavilion Saturday, June 2. Gates will open at 8 a.m. Programming will begin at 8:30 a.m. The cost of the program is included in the admission to the Alabama Nature Center.

Discover more about the unique natural history of these floral beauties. Enjoy guided walking tours of the hydrangeas around the Upper Pond at 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Golf cart rides will be available for those that need assistance.   

Learn how to grow these beautiful flowers, take cuttings to root them and dry the flowers for crafts during the hydrangea demonstrations in the Heirloom Garden at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

When Mother Nature sends scorching hot summers to Alabama, farmers use a variety of tools and resources to protect crops and livestock from the relentless heat. But before heading out for the day’s work, it’s important for farmers - and everyone - to first protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays.

On May 25, the Friday before Memorial Day, the Alabama Farmers Federation reminds everyone to be aware of sun safety on “Don’t Fry Day.”

Proclaimed by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, “Don’t Fry Day” encourages people to protect their skin while outdoors to help prevent the development of skin cancer.

Few know the dangers of skin cancer like Alabama Farmers Federation President Jerry Newby. He was in his late 20s the first time he had nonmelanoma cancerous skin cells removed. Newby admits before that time he often wore short sleeves and went without a hat while working in his family’s cotton fields.