The House Agriculture Committee has been holding hearings already to get input on the 2012 Farm Bill. Last week, the committee heard from representatives of major agricultural organizations about farm safety net programs. Among those testifying was Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation, who noted that farmers in every state rely in …
Social Media On The Road
It’s time to hit the agriblogging highway once again. I’m going to Minneapolis today and will be conducting a presentation tomorrow for the Cooperative Communicator’s Association titled, “Very Social Media.” You might think I’ll only be talking about Twitter but you would be wrong. I will start with blogs. That’s right. A blog is one of the first forms of …
American Agriculture’s Environmental Success
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has just released its latest National Resources Inventory, which shows the amazing environment success that is American agriculture. American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman did a nice little editorial about why the nation’s farmers and ranchers should be proud to show this environmental report card to Mother Nature. The latest National Resources Inventory …
Ag Groups Unite for Estate Tax Reform
In a letter to Senate leaders, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has joined with 27 other agricultural groups in a unified call for permanent and meaningful estate tax relief for America’s farm and ranch families. “We support permanently raising the exemption to no less than $5 million …
Ag Groups Defend Biotech Alfalfa
The Supreme Court will soon make a decision on whether or not farmers can grow biotech alfalfa – and it could ultimately impact other genetically modified crops. That’s why the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and several other agricultural organizations have filed an amicus curiae brief with the court in the case of “Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms” regarding …
Record Breaking “Harvest for All”
Farm Bureau families helped to feed more of the nation’s hungry than ever in 2009. The American Farm Bureau reports that their member families around the country raised more than $213,000 and donated more than 4.8 million pounds of food to hungry Americans as part of Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program. Combined, the monetary and food donations provided the …
Farm Bureau Promotes Food Check Out Week
Grab your favorite grocery cart and go for a spin this week to celebrate Food Check Out Week with Farm Bureau. The official theme this year is “Stretching Your Grocery Dollar With Healthy, Nutritious Food,” reflecting the economic realities of American life that have meant dining out less often and preparing more meals at home. “During this week, we are …
Ag and Biofuels Industry React to Renewable Fuel Rule
Organizations representing both biofuels and agriculture are pretty happy overall with EPA’s release of final rules for the implementation of the second phase of the Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS2. “We’re pleased the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes that corn ethanol provides a distinct advantage over conventional gasoline when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, with a reduction of more …
“My American Farm” Informs Young Consumers
Agricultural literacy is the goal of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s My American Farm virtual education program. DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred is helping to fund the effort with a $500,000 donation to the program, announced during the AFBF annual meeting. “The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has identified a great opportunity for teaching the public about modern …
Farm Bureau YF&R Winners
Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced final general session at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 91st annual meeting. Scott and Mendy Sink of Virginia won the Excellence in Ag Award. They received a 2010 Dodge Ram pickup, courtesy of Dodge, and free registration to the YF&R Leadership …