The 101st American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Austin, Texas started off on a somber note with the announcement at the general session Sunday morning that the wife of AFBF President Zippy Duvall had passed away the night before. “It is with deep sadness that I share the news of Bonnie Duvall’s passing after a courageous battle with cancer,” …
Agriculture Celebrates China Phase One Signing
Agricultural organizations are very positive overall about the signing of the historic Phase One Trade Agreement with China Wednesday, an agreement which calls for China to purchase between $40 and $50 billion in American agricultural goods each year for two years. “Together we are righting the wrongs of the past and delivering a future of economic justice and security for …
President Trump to Attend Third AFBF Convention
It’s a three peat for President Trump as headliner for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual convention. The president will address the 101st AFBF convention on Sunday, January 19 in Austin, Texas. He previously addressed the 99th and 100th conventions in 2018 and 2019. “The American Farm Bureau is honored President Trump will return for a third consecutive year …
AgButler Serves to Offer Farm Labor Solutions
Thanks to the growing “gig economy” we can now easily get an Uber or Lyft, get food from different restaurants with GrubHub or DoorDash, find a babysitter or a handyman and more, all with our phones. Now the gig economy is coming to agriculture. AgButler is a gig economy platform that serves as a solution to a rural labor shortage …
Farm Groups Partner to Help Farmers Manage Stress
Recognizing the high levels of stress affecting America’s farmers and ranchers, agricultural organizations have partnered on a program to train individuals who interact with farmers and ranchers to recognize signs of stress and offer help. Farm Credit, American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union announced the program yesterday in Washington D.C. with the support of several members of Congress. …
Just a Penny More for Thanksgiving Dinner This Year
The cost of this year’s Thanksgiving feast is up a penny per person, but still comes in at under $5.00 each for a party of ten. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 34th annual survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $48.91, or less than $5.00 …
Survey: Women in Ag Seek Leadership Opportunities
A recent survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) confirms that a high percentage of women in agriculture already advocate for the industry, but they are looking for more leadership opportunities at all levels. “There’s still quite a group out there that we need to engage to become involved and I think they just need to know that we …
Sonny and Zippy Debut Podcasts
Fellow agricultural leaders from Georgia both introduced new podcasts this week. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue introduced “The Sonnyside of the Farm,” a monthly podcast with new editions every first Friday of the month. Born and raised on a family farm in middle Georgia, Secretary Perdue is an agriculturalist through and through – having worked as a veterinarian, owning his …
Ag Groups Cheer Japan Agreement
Representatives for farmer and rancher organizations were present for a meeting with President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Abe in New York City as the two signed a trade deal Wednesday worth billions for U.S. agricultural producers. Under the market access agreement, Japan will open the market to approximately $7 billion in American agricultural exports, eliminating or significantly lowering …
Farmers for Free Trade Rally for USMCA
Farmers for Free Trade brought its #MotorcadeForTrade to Washington D.C. Thursday to highlight the importance of ag trade with Canada and Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that Congress will consider to upgrade NAFTA. Members of Congress and farm leaders discussed how USMCA provides farmers with new market access while maintaining a zero-tariff platform, and stressed the need for Congressional …