The American Farm Bureau Federation is inviting farmer and a ranchers to advocate for agriculture with the newly launched #iAdvocate campaign. To participate, message a picture of yourself holding a white board or sign with the hashtag to the Farm Bureau Promotion & Education Facebook page, along with a brief description of what you’re doing. The ten winning submissions will …
Vilsack Puts Cottonseed Decision in Hands of Congress
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has reportedly informed Congress that he has no legal authority to approve a request from cotton growers that cottonseed be designated as an oilseed to qualify for farm programs. The secretary told reporters about the decision Wednesday at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture meeting in Washington DC. In response to press reports, House …
Key Issues Top Farm Bureau’s 2016 Strategic Plan
Farm Bureau’s strategic action plan for 2016 includes several key issues for agriculture, including the government’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) action, protecting farmers’ rights to use biotechnology and trade issue. This news release from the group says the policy issues are a result of deliberations by delegates to the AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention in Orlando. “We will continue …
A Zippy 500th ZimmCast
We wanted our 500th ZimmCast to be something special so we felt it appropriate to spotlight the new president of the American Farm Bureau Federation who has a name that is sure to be unforgettable – Zippy Duvall of Georgia. Yes, Zippy is a nickname, one that Duvall has had from infancy, although he is proud that he has two …
Bipartisan Child Nutrition Reauthorization Passes Senate
There’s not a lot that Republicans and Democrats can agree upon, especially in this election year, but a bipartisan bill that reauthorizes vital child nutrition programs brought them together. Senate Agriculture Committee officials say the “Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016,” reforms and reauthorizes child nutrition programs under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and …
Economist Reports to #AFBF16
Weak crop prices and a dramatic decline in livestock prices lead to a decrease in the 2015 farm net income, according to an economist from the Federal Reserve Bank, Nathan Kauffman. Since 2013 farm income has actually dropped by 55 percent, Kauffman recently told attendees of the American Farm Bureau Federation‘s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show. “I don’t …
Federal Grants Workshop at #AFBF16
Navigating the federal grant system was the topic of a workshop at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show. Decisions about whether a farm or agribusiness can or should apply for a federal grant requires significant foresight and self-analysis, according to grant-writing and rural entrepreneurship experts who spoke at the workshop. A value-added support team …
AFBF Patriot Project
The Farm Bureau Patriot Project, a mentoring program that connects military veterans interested in agricultural careers with experienced farmers and ranchers to help them develop professional networking and business planning skills, was a featured workshop during the AFBF 97th Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show this week in Orlando. Military veterans in production agriculture are finding that the farming and …
‘First Peas to the Table’ is Ag Book of Year #AFBF16
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has named Susan Grigsby’s “First Peas to the Table” as its Book of the Year. The book tells the tale of how a little girl, Maya, and her classmates learn about gardens and peas, as well as Thomas Jefferson’s garden at Monticello. “I am so happy that, thanks to this recognition from the …
Meet the New @FarmBureau President and VP
A good crowd of ag media reporters stayed to the bitter end of the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Orlando Tuesday evening to hear from the new president and vice president of the organization. Zippy Duvall, who served as president of Georgia Farm Bureau for nine years, is the 12th president of AFBF, chosen in the first open election …