Recently at a trade show, the Alabama Goods booth incorporated several bales of cotton in the display, from small Alabama souveiner bales to large foot stool size. I was surprised at how many people had stories relating to cotton and pleased when they stopped to share them. I learned that the original purpose of the mini bale was to serve as a sample of quality of the cotton that had been ginned in the event of a future dispute. From time at the community gin to time picking cotton in the fields, Southerners are connected by their experiences with cotton.

I firmly believe that that we are not Southerners based on our geography. Southerners are knit together based on our connected history, culture and values, no matter where they happen to live. Geography just gives us good weather.

Beth