Vilsack Stresses Climate Smart Agriculture at #AFBF22

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stressed the role of farmers and ranchers in addressing climate change issues during an address Monday at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Vilsack said he is excited about a new partnership between USDA and Farmers For Soil Health, an initiative of the United Soybean Board, National Corn Growers Association and National Pork …

AFBF, Audio, USDA

Farm Bureau Honors Former Ag Secretary

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Farm Bureau Federation honored former Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue with its annual Distinguished Service Award yesterday at the annual convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Perdue was honored for his seven decades of service to agriculture including serving as secretary of agriculture from 2017-2021, where he led USDA’s implementation of the 2018 farm bill. Under his leadership, the department’s …

AFBF, Audio

Farm Bureau Survey Shows Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up 14%

Cindy Zimmerman

Your 2021 Thanksgiving dinner is more expensive this year than it was last year, but still a bargain, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau’s 36th annual survey indicates the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 is $53.31 or less than $6.00 per person. This is a $6.41 or 14% increase from last year’s …

AFBF, Food, USDA

Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Down 4%

Cindy Zimmerman

You might not be having a feast for ten people this Thanksgiving, but if you are, you can be thankful that it costs less than last year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual survey. Farm Bureau’s 35th annual survey indicates the average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving feast for 10 remains affordable at $46.90 or less than $5.00 …

AFBF, Food

Ag Climate Alliance Unveils Policy Recommendations

Cindy Zimmerman

A diverse alliance of groups representing farming, forestry, food, government and environment today unveiled a set of recommendations to guide the development of federal climate policy. The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) was formed in February 2020 by four groups that now co-chair the alliance: American Farm Bureau Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and National …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, climate, Environment

Ag and Biofuels Groups Congratulate President-Elect Biden

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Farm Bureau Federation was one of the first agricultural organizations to congratulate President-elect Biden on his election as called by news organizations over the weekend. “President-elect Biden’s term and a new Congress begin a new chapter in America’s story. Agriculture has been part of that story since the very first chapter, and we stand ready to work with …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Ethanol, RFA

2021 American Farm Bureau Convention Goes Virtual

Cindy Zimmerman

It is starting to look like most conventions kicking off 2021 will be going virtual. The American Farm Bureau Federation announced today that its 102nd Annual Convention will be held virtually following the cancellation of all events through Jan. 31, 2021, at the San Diego Convention Center where the convention was scheduled to take place. The AFBF virtual convention will …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Beltwide Cotton, Biodiesel, Cotton, IPPE, National Biodiesel Conference, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Farm Groups Support Climate Solutions Act

Cindy Zimmerman

The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing Wednesday on the Growing Climate Solutions Act, legislation designed to break down barriers for farmers and foresters interested in participating in carbon markets so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices. The bill has the support of numerous agribusinesses and farm organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, and …

AFBF, Audio, Environment

Farm Groups Launch Free Stress Management Course

Cindy Zimmerman

Farm Credit, American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union today announced the launch of a farm stress management online training course available for the general public. Developed by Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension) and University of Illinois Extension (Illinois Extension), the course will help farmers, their families and neighbors identify and cope with stress. It provides participants the skills …

AFBF, Audio, Farm Credit, Farming

Farm & Biofuel Groups Challenge Retroactive RFS Waivers

Cindy Zimmerman

Nine leading biofuel and farm organizations sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler Tuesday asking him for answers on what is seen as a new effort to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). During a Senate hearing last month, administration officials confirmed their consideration of retroactive small refinery exemptions (SREs) covering previous years. The “gap-filings” are …

ACE, AFBF, Ag Groups, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol, RFA