American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall held a town hall meeting with National Association of State Departments of Agriculture President and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain this week at the 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show to discuss issues critical to American agriculture, including who the next agriculture secretary might be. “The only thing I can tell you …
Farm Bill Talk at #AFBF17
There was a lot of interest in the development of the next farm bill at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting this week in Phoenix. A session on the topic featuring a couple of top agriculture committee staffers was standing room only. AFBF Senior Director of Congressional Relations Mary Kay Thatcher, who moderated the session, says Congress has a …
#AFBF17 is a Wrap
The 98th American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting came to a close yesterday after the voting delegate session where members set policy for the coming year. Delegates approved policy resolutions on a number of issues including crop insurance, the inclusion of food assistance in the upcoming farm bill, school nutrition, biotechnology, energy and more. Delegates passed a special resolution urging …
#AFBF17 Honors Entrepreneurs
The American Farm Bureau Federation Entrepreneur of the Year is Vertical Harvest Hydroponics of Alaska and team leads Linda Janes and Dan Perpich. Janes and Perpich came out the winner over three other finalists and took home a total of $30,000 in prize money, including $15,000 from sponsor Farm Bureau Bank to produce hydroponic vegetables housed in 40’ insulated shipping …
Meet New @FarmBureau YF&R Chair
Kalena Bruce of southwest Missouri was elected as the 2017 chairperson of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee during the AFBF annual meeting in Phoenix this week. Bruce will take over as chair in February, at the end of the committee’s leadership conference, and serve for one year and will also serve on the AFBF board of …
Agri-Pulse Announces Farm Bill Series and Summit
At the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting this week, Agri-Pulse announced a new partnership with multiple agricultural organizations for an in-depth editorial series on the next farm bill and a Farm Bill Summit to be held at the National Press Club on March 20. Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant says the series will be called “The Seven Things You …
Exploring the New Political Landscape at #AFBF17
The election of Donald Trump as president of the United States has ushered in a whole new political landscape, which was discussed during one of the sessions early Monday morning at the American Farm Bureau Federation 2017 Annual Convention. “What we thought was impossible politically is now possible,” said Stan Barnes, President, Copper State Consulting Group in Phoenix. “We’re not …
Monsanto Moving Toward Bayer Merger
Monsanto is still on track to become part of Bayer AG by the end of the year, but in the meantime it is business as usual and that business continues to expand to offer more solutions for farmers. “We look forward to updating you on the status of the deal as we move through the year,” said Monsanto Chairman and …
#AFBF17 Starts Founders Award
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) instituted a new award at the 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Phoenix this week – the Farm Bureau Founders Award to recognize exemplary leadership, service or contributions to Farm Bureau by officers or employees of AFBF and state Farm Bureau organizations. The first honoree of the new award is James Quinn, …
Stallman Honored for AFBF Service
Former American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Bob Stallman was honored with for his 16 years at the helm of the organization with the 2017 Distinguished Service Award, during the 98th annual convention in Phoenix. “I never felt like it was a sacrifice,” Stallman said, encouraging others to be involved in the organization. “More importantly, encourage and mentor those young …