State Farm Bureaus Honored at #AFBF16

Cindy Zimmerman

State Farm Bureaus were presented awards for excellence in membership achievement and implementation of outstanding programs at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show this week in Orlando. The Pinnacle Award, the highest honor a state can be awarded for program and membership achievement, was given to Iowa, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Montana and North Carolina. …

AFBF

New @AFBFYFR Chair at #AFBF16

Cindy Zimmerman

Cole Coxbill of Goshen County, Wyoming has been elected as the next American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee chairman for 2016. Coxbill will take over as chairman in February and serve for one year, and also serve a one-year term on the AFBF board of directors. According to Coxbill, connecting with people outside of farming and ranching continues …

AFBF

Farmer Fighting Government at #AFBF16

Cindy Zimmerman

John Duarte of California is fighting the government over normal farming practices for planting wheat. Duarte planted 450 acres wheat in a field in Tehama County in November 2012. In February 2013, he received a letter from the Army Corps of Engineers to “cease and desist” those operations alleging damage to wetlands. Duarte with the Pacific Legal Foundation filed a …

AFBF, Audio, Environment, Farming

#AFBF Workshops Discuss Popular Issues

Cindy Zimmerman

Trade agreements, commodity prices, GMO labeling, government regulations, farm succession planning, dealing with the media, drones, and food safety were just a few of the many workshop topics at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in Orlando this week. One popular session offered tips for working with the media from NAFB West Region Vice President Sabrina Hill of AgNet …

AFBF

“Shark Tank” Comes to #AFBF16

Cindy Zimmerman

She calls herself the “shark with a heart” from the hit television show “Shark Tank” and investor Barbara Corcoran stole the hearts of farmers and ranchers at the closing session of the 97th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show this week. Corcoran shared her tips for creating a brand and taking charge of your image. “One …

AFBF

#AFBF16 Awards Rural Entrepreneur of the Year

Cindy Zimmerman

AccuGrain of Rose Hill, Iowa was named the Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year, announced at AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show on Monday. The AccuGrain team, led by founder Ryan Augustine, received a total of $30,000 in prize money to implement his business idea, which is X-ray technology to inventory flowing grain in real time. “This is …

AFBF, Audio

Winners of @AFBFYFR Contests at #AFBF16

Cindy Zimmerman

Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced today at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 97th Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. William and Cala Tabb of Mississippi won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of either a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or 2016 GMC Sierra, courtesy of Chevrolet. They …

AFBF

Candidates Contend for @FarmBureau President

Cindy Zimmerman

It may not be as crowded as the Republican presidential field, but there’s a good crop of four candidates running to become the next president of the American Farm Bureau Federation this week. Left to right pictured here are the candidates – current AFBF Vice President and Oregon Farm Bureau president Barry Bushue, Georgia Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall, Arizona …

AFBF

#AFBF16 Town Hall with Secretary Vilsack

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman at the 97th AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show Sunday for their second town hall style meeting, taking questions from members on a variety of topics. In his opening remarks Vilsack thanked Farm Bureau members for their help in securing the 2014 farm bill and passing trade …

AFBF, Audio, USDA

Vote for #AFBF16 Final Four Entrepreneurs

Cindy Zimmerman

You have until 9:00 am Eastern time to vote for the top Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneur. The Final Four gave their presentations on Sunday at the AFBF convention and then came to the media room to tell reporters about their innovations. The challenge, now in its second year, provides opportunities for individuals to showcase business innovations being developed in rural …

AFBF, Audio