American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman presented Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with a special gift Monday to recognize his support of farmers and ranchers. Noting that a Texas cowboy phrase denoting loyalty to the ranch is “ride for the brand,” Stallman gave Vilsack a specially-made “US AG” branding iron. “Mr. Secretary, thank you for riding for the brand for …
USTR Ag Negotiator Visits AFBF Convention
Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the US Trade Representative Darci Vetter made an informal appearance at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in San Diego Sunday and stopped to answer a few trade related questions from the media. First, Ambassador Vetter was asked about the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations and Japan’s desire to exempt a variety of agricultural products from the …
Farm Bureau Town Hall with Secretary Vilsack
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held an informal town hall-style meeting with members of the American Farm Bureau on the floor of the IDEAg trade show Sunday in San Diego. On a circular stage with AFBF president Bob Stallman, Vilsack took questions from members on a variety of topics, including the proposed Waters of the US rule, transportation, trade, and biofuels. …
Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Awards
The American Farm Bureau Federation recognized Don Borgman and Dr. Temple Grandin for their distinguished service to agriculture during the organization’s 96th annual convention Sunday in San Diego. Both farmer and industry executive, Don Borgman has been a strong advocate for agriculture for over 40 years. A third-generation corn and soybean farmer from Missouri, Borgman continued to manage his farm …
Farm Bureau Proud and Optimistic
The 96th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation is underway in San Diego, kicked off by president Bob Stallman Sunday morning telling the membership that agriculture must push harder for important policy reforms in 2015. “We cannot ignore the extremes of the left and right, but we must speak to the center: the legislators in both parties who …
Lawmakers Back Cuba Ag Trade Coalition
Lawmakers of both parties from across the country lined up to back the launch of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) on Thursday. Democrat Governor Jay Nixon of Missouri made a special point to be in Washington for the event to represent all agriculture states. “This is an extremely bi-partisan issue,” said Nixon. “We have been presented with an …
Ag Coalition for Cuba Launched
More than 25 companies and organizations launched the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) in Washington Thursday to liberalize trade and re-establish Cuba as a market for U.S. food and agriculture exports. Among the speakers who introduced the new coalition were a list of lawmakers from a variety of states, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, and representatives …
Farm Bureau Convention Preview
The 96th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation is being held in San Diego starting this weekend. Among the highlights are a new IDEAg Innovate Conference and Trade Show that will preview for invited guests on Friday night and officially kick off on Saturday morning at 8 am featuring topics such as big data, drones, and Internet strategies …
Corn Growers Welcome New Congress
The National Corn Growers Association spent Tuesday on Capitol Hill this week, welcoming the 114th Congress to Washington and talking up the importance of agriculture to the American economy. “We are here to welcome the new Congress, and to encourage them to work together with one another and the Obama Administration to advance policies that help agriculture and family farmers,” …
Johanns Joins Deere Board
Former Senator Mike Johanns of Nebraska has been elected to the board of directors for Deere and Company. Johanns, who recently completed his term in the Senate after deciding not to run for re-election, also previously served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and as governor of Nebraska. “Mike’s wide range of expertise in the areas of agriculture, banking, commerce, …