The American Soybean Association announced the regional winners of the 2013 Conservation Legacy Awards program. The American Farm Bureau Federation announced that Dale Moore will lead the organization’s public policy department. USDA reports U.S. commercial red meat production for December was down five percent on the year at 3.997 billion pounds. After seeing the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates …
dishNET Learning From Rural America
DISH Network wants everyone in rural America to have internet access. That’s why they launched dishNET last fall. Now they’re going a little further by bundling DISH tv & entertainment with dishNET. They’re also reaching out to rural Americans and various organizations to find ways to capitalize on the economic and educational opportunities that internet access provides. I found them …
New Farm Bureau YF&R Chairman
The new Chair of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee is Zach Hunnicutt, Nebraska farmer. Many of you may follow Zach on Twitter @zhhunn. Now you’ll be following his travels in his newly elected position on this important Farm Bureau committee. Here’s Zach doing one of many media interviews at the AFBF annual meeting. I had my turn. Zach …
Talking Social Media at Farm Bureau Convention
Social media showed up on the program at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting program a number of times. One of the sessions, “Social Agriculture: Social Media’s Role in the Industry,” featured Zach Hunnicutt, AFBF YF&R Committee; Katie Pinke, PinkePost.com; Ryan Goodman, AgricultureProud.com and Janice Person, Monsanto. I visited with Janice about their session which was moderated by Melissa …
Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Concludes
The members of the American Farm Bureau Federation held their voting delegates meeting today to set policy for the coming year. The meeting was presided over by President Bob Stallman who then met with the press one final time for questions. Bob says that although there were a number of language changes in existing policies most of the day was …
Should We Sit Down with HSUS in Common Cause
Many eyebrows were raised during Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s speech at the AFBF convention yesterday. It was really a stand out moment in an otherwise pretty good speech and I wonder what you think about it. The photo is from his press conference following the closing session. Sec. Vilsack was talking about creating strategic alliances and reaching out to …
Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Awards
During the closing session of the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting the organization presented its highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, to Ambassadors Dr. Richard Crowder and Dr. Kenneth Quinn. AFBF established the Distinguished Service Award to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving agriculture. With more than 40 years of experience in the agriculture …
Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Awards
The winners of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee awards and competitions were announced yesterday. Here are Ryan and Misty Bivens of Kentucky. They won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of either a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado or 2013 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM. The Bivens will also receive paid registration to attend the 2013 …
Captain Mark Kelly Inspires Farm Bureau Members
Keynote speaker Captain Mark Kelly, retired astronaut, gave an inspiring speech to the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting. He was funny while also providing uplifting stories from his career and life with his wife Gabrielle Giffords, former member of Congress. One of his key messages was to have a goal, plan hard and then work hard to accomplish it. …
AFBF Shows How to Handle General Session Press
I go to a lot of shows, events, conventions and American Farm Bureau Federation is right at the top of my list of those groups who really know how to help the press do their job. They get it. Provide resources, assistance and you’re much more likely to have coverage. Let’s take this photo from the opening general session here …