#AFBF16 Town Hall with Secretary Vilsack

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf16-townhallAgriculture 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 promotion authority. He also thanked Stallman for his friendship and leadership over the years.

“The close working relationship between USDA and Farm Bureau is critical to addressing the issues facing U.S. agriculture,” said Vilsack. “Without Farm Bureau’s grassroots advocacy we would not have had the 2014 farm bill and we certainly wouldn’t be as far along in the trade discussion as we are now.”

Vilsack also talked about the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership for agriculture. “The Asian market is the fastest-growing market in the world,” Vilsack said. “And consumers there will be looking for the high-class products that American farmers and ranchers can provide.”

Questions directed toward Vilsack hit on an array of topics from the Dairy Margin Protection Program, to the request for cottonseed to be designated as an oilseed, to the Hammond rancher controversy in Oregon. After the meeting, Vilsack met with reporters and took more questions on policy related issues.

Listen to the AFBF town hall meeting here: AFBF Town Hall with Secretary Vilsack

Listen to Vilsack’s press conference here: Vilsack AFBF press conference

2016 AFBF Convention photos

AFBF, Audio, USDA

Vote for #AFBF16 Final Four Entrepreneurs

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf16-final4You 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 regions of the U.S. It is the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs working on food and agriculture businesses. So, it’s kind of like “Shark Tank” for rural innovators. The final winner will be announced today at 11:00 am.

Learn more about the finalists by clicking the links and click here to vote.

AgriSync – Casey Niemann & Jerrod Westfahl
Farm Specific Technology – ​Shawn Butler & Austin Scott Boliva
AccuGrain – Ryan Augustine & Steven Brockshus
Fedora Malthouse – Julie Baker & John Enderle

Listen to each team give a brief explanation of their innovation here: Final Four FB Rural Entrepreneurs

2016 AFBF Convention photos

AFBF, Audio

Ag Trade Rep Gives #TPP Details at #AFBF16

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf16-vetterThe 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 is one of the largest, and the highest standard, trade deals in history.”

Vetter explained the benefits the trade agreement offers for U.S. agriculture and encouraged Farm Bureau members to help get Congress to pass TPP. “It’s important that Congress understand what is in it for you,” she said. “So we have to work together to build the case for TPP.” She urged farmers and ranchers to familiarize themselves with the facts about the agreement available on the USTR website in easy to understand infographic formats that show benefits by state and commodity.

According to Vetter, the TPP offers a great opportunity for the United States to show other countries how global trade can be done on a level playing field. “We are exporting our way of doing business,” she said.

Listen to Vetter’s complete remarks here: USTR ag trade negotiator Darci Vetter

Listen to Vetter’s press conference here: Vetter AFBF press conference

2016 AFBF Convention photos

AFBF, Audio, Trade

Florida Ag Commissioner Welcomes #AFBF16

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf16-putnamFlorida 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.”

Putnam talked about the importance of the American farmer and the need to stand strong against government over regulation. “In doing so, we’ve got to stand together as one industry, and that’s the strength of American Farm Bureau,” said Putnam.

Listen to Putnam’s remarks here: FL ag commissioner welcomes AFBF

2016 AFBF Convention photos

AFBF, Audio

Stallman Meets the Press for Last Time #AFBF16

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf16-stallman-pressAmerican 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 issues before members of the ag media, including cottonseed designation as an oilseed, the Trans Pacific Partnership, GMO labeling and more. Asked what was most gratifying to him as president of AFBF for 16 years, Stallman facetiously said, “That I survived.” But seriously, he said it was most gratifying to “engage with, become friends with, all of the farmers and ranchers across the country and have the opportunity to represent their interests.”

Listen to Stallman’s press conference here: Bob Stallman final press conference

2016 AFBF Convention photos

AFBF, Audio

#AFBF16 Honors Two Former Senators

Cindy Zimmerman

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.

afbf16-johannsFor 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 interests of farmers and ranchers has protected and enhanced the cause of agriculture across the country.

Accepting the awards, Johanns talked about working with AFBF president Bob Stallman numerous times during his public career on many issues. “In this years that I’ve known him, I never walked out of a meeting and asked myself ‘I wonder where Bob really stands on that issue,” he said.

Listen to Johanns’ comments here: Mike Johanns accepts AFBF distinguished service award

afbf16-chamblissSaxby Chambliss served the state of Georgia in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for 20 years. As chairman and ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, he was a key author on four farm bills, crafting market-oriented programs and securing a valid safety net for farmers and ranchers through updated commodity titles and federal crop insurance.

Chambliss thanked Farm Bureau members on both the state and national level for helping him advocate for agriculture in Congress. “Each and every one of you represent the best there is about agriculture,” he said. “You are one of the very few things I miss about not being (in Congress).”

Listen to Chambliss’ comments here: Saxby Chambliss accepts AFBF distinguished service award

2016 AFBF Convention photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

So Long from @FarmBureau President Stallman #AFBF16

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf16-stallmanAfter 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 name of the new president of the American Farm Bureau Federation,” Stallman said. “It has been an honor and privilege…as well as a mind-boggling experience…to serve as president of this organization.”

Stallman reminded Farm Bureau members of the importance of fairness and the dangers of depending on government.

“When we ask for the aid of government, we should not be surprised when we find ourselves bound by the chains of government,” Stallman said. “We cannot have the freedom to live, work, play and pray as we see fit if we are willing to take those same freedoms from others. Just as our nation has emerged from contentious political and ideological battles before, we will do so again. You and I – all of us – have the responsibility to keep America great.”

Listen to Stallman’s entire speech here: Bob Stallman final speech to AFBF convention

2016 AFBF Convention photos

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

The Future of Agriculture – @FarmBureau Live

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf16-signThe 97th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation is about to get officially underway here in not-so-sunny Orlando, Florida. It’s Sunday but it feels like Monday and we have a full day of work ahead of us.

It all kicks off at 9:00 am Eastern with the Opening General Session where outgoing president Bob Stallman will address the thousands of farmers and ranchers here from around the country. We already have a photo album started, not much in it yet, but that will change shortly.

2016 AFBF Convention photos

Check the AFBF convention newsroom for the latest photos, audio, video and press releases. You can also watch much of the proceedings live here.

AFBF

Develop a Winning Entry in PR Competition

Chuck Zimmerman

ARC WebinarWant to enter a project into a competition like the Golden ARC Awards? The Agricultural Relations Council is holding a webinar to help you develop a winning entry.

Developing a winning entry for PR award programs: This webinar will offer specific actions to take to submit your project or campaign to Public Relations awards programs, like the Golden ARC Awards.

Adelita Tyson Bell is the Sr. Account Manager and Social Media Strategist at McDonald Marketing Communications, focused on PR, event planning, and communications management.

Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (EST)

Register Here

ARC, Public Relations

Top Ag Issue of 2016?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What was your top ag story for 2015?”

We have a variety of responses to this week’s poll. COOL repeal jumped to the top, but many of the others were trailing closely. And many of these hot button ag issues will follow us into 2016.

Here are the poll results:

  • TPP – 11%
  • COOL repeal- 28%
  • Avian flu – 6%
  • RFS proposal – 17%
  • Low commodity prices – 11%
  • WOTUS – 22%
  • Equipment sales down – 5%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What do you expect to be the top ag issue of 2016?

2016 has already started with a bang with the announcement of the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines. And as each week goes by, we will continually add to the list of important agricultural issues impacting each segment of the industry. I don’t have a crystal ball, but if you do please share what you expect to be the top ag issue in 2016.

ZimmPoll