Kenny Wallace, NASCAR driver, says, “Ethanol all the way in NASCAR!” That’s what he told me this afternoon in the American Farm Bureau Federation Pavilion on the floor of the AG CONNECT Expo. Thanks to Tricia Braid, Illinois Corn Growers, for setting up our interview and taking the photo. Kenny was signing autographs in the Nationwide Insurance exhibit. You won’t …
Korean Free Trade Optimism
Korea’s ambassador to the United States is optimistic that Congress will pass the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement when it is submitted by the president. Han Duk-soo spoke at a town hall forum sponsored by American Farm Bureau during the Ag Connect Expo on Saturday and then held a press conference, accompanied by AFBF’s Congressional Relations Director Chris Garza. “The momentum …
Chambliss Welcomes Farm Bureau to Georgia
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) welcomed the huge American Farm Bureau crowd of farmers and ranchers from around the country to his “sunny, warm” home state. “Y’all from North Dakota and Montana brought your weather with you,” he joked, as a winter weather watch is in effect for the deep south with the potential for ice and snow over night. Chambliss, …
50 Years of Membership Growth for American Farm Bureau
To the tune of the “Rocky” theme song, American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman showed off a special membership jacket made just for him to celebrate 50 consecutive years of membership growth for the general farm organization at 92nd annual meeting opening general session on Sunday. “American Farm Bureau membership stands at 6,279,813 member families,” Stallman said proudly during …
AFBF Opening General Session Underway
The opening general session of the American Farm Bureau Federation is taking place right now. President Bob Stallman just gave his opening address and Cindy will be bringing it to you in audio and video very soon. In the meantime I’ve updated our photo album with my photos from the session. Please feel free to enjoy. Cindy will be kind …
Guest Blogging For American Farm Bureau Federation
While Cindy and I are covering the 2011 AG CONNECT Expo, we’re also covering the 2011 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting! In fact, not only are we going to be doing stories from the AFBF meeting but we’re also “guest bloggers” on the AFBF Annual Meeting Blog. Check it out. There are quite a few guest bloggers and this …
Preview Day at AG CONNECT Expo 2011
Preview day for the second AG CONNECT Expo is underway here in Atlanta and it’s obvious the newest U.S. ag show is going to be much bigger this year. There are already more media folks here than last year in Orlando. In fact, Julie Harker with Brownfield Network commented that last year it was just her and Chuck here! I …
Obama Signs Bill Giving Death Tax Relief
President Obama held a public signing ceremony for the tax bill passed by Congress this week that delivers early Christmas presents for everyone, giving farmers and ranchers good reason to be thankful this holiday season. Securing meaningful estate tax reform for farm and ranch families has been a top priority for the American Farm Bureau Federation. “We commend President Obama …
Senate Passes Tax Package With Death Tax Relief
By a vote of 81 to 19, the Senate has passed the $858 billion tax compromise worked out between President Obama and Senate Republicans that includes a key provision keeping the estate tax at levels acceptable to agricultural interests. The measure reduces the top rate of the estate tax, more appropriately known as the “death tax,” to 35 percent, increases …
Farm Bureau Celebrates 50 Years of Membership Growth
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has more members than ever before. According to new AFBF membership figures, there are now 6,279,813 member families that belong to the nation’s largest general farm organization, marking 50 consecutive years of membership growth. State Farm Bureaus overall reported a total 2,149 more member families this year than in 2009. American Farm Bureau President …