The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture presented its eighth annual “Book of the Year” award to Margaret McNamara for “The Apple Orchard Riddle.” In this playful and humorous story, the students learn a lot about apples and apple orchards – including how apples are harvested, how cider is made, and what the different varieties of apples are – while …
AFBF Young Farmer Chair is 1st Generation
Jon Hegeman of White Plains, Alabama was elected as the new chairman of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers committee at the convention in San Diego. He will take over as chairman in February and serve for one year, also serving a one-year term on the AFBF board of directors. Hegeman and his wife Amy are first generation …
San Diego Sun Sets on AFBF Convention
The sun was just going down over the bay in San Diego when we walked out of the convention center at the conclusion of the business meeting of the 96th annual American Farm Bureau convention Tuesday after voting delegates approved resolutions for the coming year. AFBF president Bob Stallman held his traditional end of the meeting press conference with the …
AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Awards
Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention Monday. Chris and Rebekah Pierce of Kentucky won the Achievement Award, recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. They are the …
FDA Official Provides Update at AFBF
Food and Drug Administration Deputy Commissioner Mike Taylor provided an update on the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) at the American Farm Bureau convention this week in San Diego. Taylor says his agency is focusing on three broad themes in implementing the 2011 law: the farm-to-table approach, practical common standards, and holding imports to the same standards …
Ag is Target for Guest Worker Audits
Agriculture has a target on its back when it comes to compliance with guest worker regulations, according to Eileen Scofield an immigration law attorney who held a workshop at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting this week. “Currently there’s three agencies that focus on employers but for ag in particular there’s about five or six other separate laws which are …
Navy Seal Thanks Farmers and Ranchers
Navy Seal Commander Rorke Denver, author of “Damn Few,” drew a connection between agricultural and military warriors in his keynote address before the 96th annual American Farm Bureau convention in San Diego. “When people are hungry, they go to war,” said Denver. “So, here’s the deal, if you do your job, I don’t have to do my job. Denver says …
AFBF President Surprises Vilsack with Branding Iron
American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman presented Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with a special gift Monday to recognize his support of farmers and ranchers. Noting that a Texas cowboy phrase denoting loyalty to the ranch is “ride for the brand,” Stallman gave Vilsack a specially-made “US AG” branding iron. “Mr. Secretary, thank you for riding for the brand for …
USTR Ag Negotiator Visits AFBF Convention
Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the US Trade Representative Darci Vetter made an informal appearance at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in San Diego Sunday and stopped to answer a few trade related questions from the media. First, Ambassador Vetter was asked about the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations and Japan’s desire to exempt a variety of agricultural products from the …
Farm Bureau Town Hall with Secretary Vilsack
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held an informal town hall-style meeting with members of the American Farm Bureau on the floor of the IDEAg trade show Sunday in San Diego. On a circular stage with AFBF president Bob Stallman, Vilsack took questions from members on a variety of topics, including the proposed Waters of the US rule, transportation, trade, and biofuels. …