The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced they will not be finalizing the 2014 applicable percentage of standards under the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) until next year. They also announced that the compliance deadline for 2013 RFS standards will also take place in 2015. Both corn and soybean groups reacted to the announcement, which impacts ethanol and biodiesel production …
COOL is a Big Issue for NFU
I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with National Farmers Union Senior Vice President of Programs Chandler Goule last week at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. We discussed a variety of policy issues where NFU is actively involved on the federal level, and one big one is Country of Origin Labeling (COOL). Goule says strongly supports …
No Agriculture in Obama Immigration Action
President Obama made good on his promise to make changes in the nation’s “broken” immigration system, but there’s no mention of agriculture or farm workers in his plan. “In practical terms, we do not expect the president’s initiative to help America’s farmers deal with the real labor challenges they face,” said American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman in a …
BASF’s Gator Intern
We met Mark Kaplan when he was working for BASF at the Farm Progress show, but we did not realize he was an intern at the time, and certainly did not know he was a University of Florida Gator! When I saw Mark running around getting BASF set up in the NAFB Broadcaster Center last week wearing a Gator sweatshirt, …
Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey
Your turkey dinner this year with all the fixings is just a little bit higher this year, but still under $5 per person – something to be thankful for, indeed! The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 29th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 …
AFBF Talks Policy Issues at NAFB
New congress, WOTUS, second beef checkoff, and what to do about COOL were a few of the topics that American Farm Bureau Federation executive director for public policy Dale Moore discusses at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting last week. “We are excited that we have a lot of new leaders – seasoned leaders – coming in,” said Moore of …
USFRA Charts Course into the Future
The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) was officially launched four years ago at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention and this year the organization announced a new chair. Nancy Kavazanjian takes the seat following in the footsteps of American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman. Nancy hails from Wisconsin where she is a corn and soybean farmer, also …
Why RFA Loves Farm Broadcasters
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen loves coming to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk event each year, but not for the reason you might think. “It’s not just because you get to do 25-30 interviews in a day,” said Dinneen, pictured here with DeLoss Jahnke of WMBD/WIRL in Peoria. “It’s because you’re interacting with …
Coalition Calls for Tax Extenders in Lame Duck
The Broad Tax Extenders Coalition today launched a new effort focused on the lame duck session and spearheaded by over 400 nonprofit groups, associations, and coalitions, including the American Farm Bureau Federation. The group urges Congress to work together during this end of the year session to extend, enhance, or make permanent a number of expired and expiring tax provisions …
Happy Night for Outgoing NAFB President
Janet Adkison, RFD-TV, ended her year as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Friday night surrounded by family and friends. “The last year has been just spectacular,” said Janet. “We’ve had a lot of fun, there’s been highs and lows, but that just goes with the territory.” Janet says she was pleased to be part of launching the …