AFBF Lesson Plan Connects Students to Food

Kelly Marshall

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is offering pre-K through first grade teachers a Thanksgiving-themed activity.  “Thank an American Farmer or Rancher” explains where food comes and asks students to write, draw or create thank you letters and cards for America’s farmers. The lesson plan, a letter written by a farmer, suggested reading list, and class discussion ideas are …

AFBF, Education

GROWMARK System Recognized for Ag Data Transparency

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK has become the first agricultural cooperative system to earn the “Ag Data Transparent” seal for ag technology providers, which recognizes GROWMARK for its transparency working with farmers and the standards of privacy and security of data. The Ag Data Transparency seal recognizes the GROWMARK System’s commitment to growers on how farm data is collected, where and how it’s stored …

AFBF, Audio, data, GROWMARK, Precision Agriculture

Top 10 Winners in @FarmBureau Challenge

Cindy Zimmerman

The top ten teams in the 2017 Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge have been announced, with the top four to compete for the title of Rural Entrepreneur of the Year at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual convention in January. “Entrepreneurship is alive and well in rural America,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “It’s a pleasure to recognize these …

AFBF

Egg, Dairy & Chicken Prices Down, Beef Too

Jamie Johansen

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Fall Harvest Marketbasket Survey indicates lower retail prices for several foods, including eggs, whole milk, cheddar cheese, chicken breast, sirloin tip roast and ground chuck. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $49.70, down $4.40 or 8 percent compared …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Food, Markets

Bill Would Help Grow Urban Farming

Cindy Zimmerman

Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) this week introduced the Urban Agriculture Act of 2016 to “addresses the unique needs of urban farmers by investing new resources and increasing flexibility through existing programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).” Senator Stabenow announced her legislation Monday during a press conference at D-Town Farm in Detroit. “Urban agriculture …

AFBF, Farming, Food

Candidates Give Views on #Ag Issues

Cindy Zimmerman

While the candidates may weigh in during tonight’s debate on issues such as immigration and trade, which are important to agriculture, it’s not likely they will address topics such as the farm bill and biotechnology. So, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) went to both nominees and asked them the same questions on a number of issues that concern farmers …

AFBF, politics

Ag Voices Urge TPP Passage

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association this week started delivering letters from over 6300 corn farmers from across the country to members of Congress urging them to take up and pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement before the end of the year. “America’s farmers and ranchers need Congress to step up and pass TPP now,” said Chip Bowling, president of the National …

AFBF, NCGA, Trade

Farm Bureau Invests in My Fit Foods

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), with and existing majority investor Marlin Equity Partners, has announced an investment in My Fit Foods™, a leading producer and retailer of prepared meals. The investment will support My Fit Foods’ growth strategy to pursue partnerships with the nation’s premier grocery retailers. “The American Farm Bureau Federation is an ideal investment partner for My …

AFBF, Food

#Ag Groups Express Concerns About Consolidation

Cindy Zimmerman

Representatives from the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, and National Farmers Union testified Tuesday at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on consolidation in the agribusiness industry, which is poised to cut the number of major companies in the seeds, chemicals and crop nutrients market in half. AFBF Chief Economist Dr. Bob Young told the committee that farmers …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, NCGA

Reaction to Bayer-Monsanto Deal

Cindy Zimmerman

Reaction from agricultural organizations on new of a deal between Bayer and Monsanto on Wednesday expressed some concern about what this trend of consolidation will mean for farmers in the long run. From Capitol Hill where National Farmers Union members have been meeting this week, NFU President Roger Johnson “condemned” the merger and called for a “critical review” of consolidation …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ASA, Bayer, Corn, NCGA