Georgia Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall has a new job after a three ballot election at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Orlando. Duvall, a third generation dairy farmer who currently maintains a 300 head beef cow herd, defeated three other candidates to be elected as president of the nation’s largest farm organization. His passionate acceptance speech stressed faith …
GMO Convert at #AFBF16
Anti-GMO activist turned advocate Mark Lynas shared his conversion experience during a featured workshop at the 97th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show. Lynas told an audience of farmers and ranchers how he changed his mind on GMOs when he came face-to-face with the science supporting biotechnology. “As a scientist, you must have data to back …
Farmer Fighting Government at #AFBF16
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 …