John Duarte of California is fighting the government over normal farming practices for planting wheat. Duarte planted 450 acres wheat in a field in Tehama County in November 2012. In February 2013, he received a letter from the Army Corps of Engineers to “cease and desist” those operations alleging damage to wetlands. Duarte with the Pacific Legal Foundation filed a …
#AFBF16 Awards Rural Entrepreneur of the Year
AccuGrain of Rose Hill, Iowa was named the Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year, announced at AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show on Monday. The AccuGrain team, led by founder Ryan Augustine, received a total of $30,000 in prize money to implement his business idea, which is X-ray technology to inventory flowing grain in real time. “This is …
#AFBF16 Town Hall with Secretary Vilsack
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman at the 97th AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show Sunday for their second town hall style meeting, taking questions from members on a variety of topics. In his opening remarks Vilsack thanked Farm Bureau members for their help in securing the 2014 farm bill and passing trade …
Vote for #AFBF16 Final Four Entrepreneurs
You have until 9:00 am Eastern time to vote for the top Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneur. The Final Four gave their presentations on Sunday at the AFBF convention and then came to the media room to tell reporters about their innovations. The challenge, now in its second year, provides opportunities for individuals to showcase business innovations being developed in rural …
Ag Trade Rep Gives #TPP Details at #AFBF16
The chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative gave a detailed explanation of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention on Sunday. “The TPP is an agreement that unites 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific in a comprehensive trade agreement, with 40 percent of global gross domestic production on the table,” Vetter said. “It …
Florida Ag Commissioner Welcomes #AFBF16
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam welcomed the 97th annual American Farm Bureau Convention to his state on Sunday. “It’s a poor frog that won’t croak in his own pond so I want to tell you a little bit about Florida,” he said. “Agriculture in Florida is $120 billion a year industry. We produce 300 different commodities from seafood to citrus.” …
Stallman Meets the Press for Last Time #AFBF16
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Bob Stallman held his final press conference as president of the nation’s largest general farm organization on Sunday. “You will get to do the closing press conference with a new face up here,” he said. Four candidates are vying for the title and the new president will be elected on Tuesday. Stallman addressed several …
#AFBF16 Honors Two Former Senators
The American Farm Bureau Federation presented Distinguished Service Awards to former Senators Mike Johanns of Nebraska and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia during the 97th AFBF Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show on Sunday. For more than three decades, Johanns served America’s farmers and ranchers tirelessly as Nebraska governor, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and U.S. senator. Johanns’ unfailing dedication to the …
So Long from @FarmBureau President Stallman #AFBF16
After 16 years, Bob Stallman gave his last opening general session address to the American Farm Bureau Federation membership on Sunday at the organization’s 97th annual convention. “This is the final time I will appear before you at this podium as AFBF president. In just a couple of days, my last official act as president will be to announce the …
Hot Dog & Sausage King
His real title is President of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. He’s Eric Mittenthal. But we need a much better title for him and perhaps you could suggest one. Eric is taking over the position from the “Queen of Wien” herself, Janet Riley. Both also work for the North American Meat Institute which oversees the NHDSC. Riley will …