America Trusts Us Because Our Farmers Never Waver
I see that the future is bright for agriculture as we work to get through this pandemic. I visited 26 states and Puerto Rico, and I bring the stories from your farms to our nation's leaders and lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
In Louisiana, I saw firsthand how regulations like Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, can impact farms. Farmers in Arizona made it clear how H-2A visa delays are hurting agriculture. The shocking realities of the border crisis became very real when I visited our southern border states. In Kansas, farmers weren't shy about sharing their concerns around livestock markets. And in Puerto Rico, the power of farm bill programs to strengthen farmers was on full display.
Read More
American Farm Bureau Establishes 2022 Policies
Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 103rd Convention today adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2022. Key topics ranged from milk pricing and beef market transparency to urban agriculture.
Read More
American Farm Bureau Convention Monday Recap: Message from President Biden, Remarks from Secretary Tom Vilsack, Ag Innovation Challenge and YF&R Awards, Ag Economy Outlook and More
Today’s program at the American Farm Bureau Convention continued today with an engaging slate of workshops, a video message from the president of the United States, keynote addresses and awards.
Read More
Grain Weevil Corporation Wins Ag Innovation Challenge
The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge, now in its eighth year, provides opportunities for Farm Bureau members to showcase business innovations being developed for agriculture. Grain Weevil Corporation is the winner of this year’s competition. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, announced the winner at the 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention.
Read More
American Farm Bureau Honors Young Farmers and Ranchers
Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau’s 103rd Convention. Young farmers and ranchers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge, achievement and commitment to promoting agriculture.
Read More
Farm Bureau Names 2022 Farm Dog of the Year
Work on the family farm takes everyone pitching in and doing their part, including four-legged friends, prompting Farm Bureau to launch the Farm Dog of the Year contest four years ago – now a popular feature of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Convention.
The winner of the 2022 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year award is Fit, a Border Collie owned by Florida Farm Bureau members Cindy and Andrew Deak. AFBF, with support from Nestlé Purina PetCare, recognized Fit, four regional runners-up and a People’s Choice Pup today at its convention.
Read More
American Farm Bureau Convention Sunday Preview: Remarks from President Zippy Duvall, Ag Innovation Challenge Final Four, Opening News Conference and More
The American Farm Bureau officially kicks off an exciting calendar of in-person and virtual programming Sunday, focused on the future of agriculture and the most pressing issues for farmers, ranchers and consumers in 2022.
Read More
Foundation for Agriculture Announces 15th ‘Book of the Year’
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture presented its 15th “Book of the Year” award to author Kiki Thorpe for “How to Grow a Monster.” The award was presented at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 103rd Convention.
Read More
State Farm Bureaus Recognized for Outstanding Member Programs and Achievement
The American Farm Bureau Federation presented awards to state Farm Bureaus at the organization’s 103rd Convention, which runs through Jan. 12. The awards recognize excellence in implementation of outstanding member programs and membership achievement in 2021.
Read More
Reduced Stigma Around Farmer Mental Health
Farmers and people in rural areas are more comfortable talking about stress and mental health challenges with others. Stigma around seeking help or treatment has decreased in rural and farm communities but is still a factor, according to a new research poll from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Read More
Changes to Clean Water Rule Will Hurt Family Farms
Member farmers from the American Farm Bureau Federation will participate in a roundtable on Thursday, Jan. 6, about the impact of the proposal to repeal and replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR). The event is hosted by the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy. Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse and Colorado Farm Bureau Vice President James Henderson will join several other farmers attending the roundtable to explain why this rule is so consequential for agriculture.
Read More
AFBF Official Health & Safety Statement for Convention
The Convention team is closely monitoring updates to Covid guidance and restrictions from the CDC, State of Georgia and City of Atlanta and will notify staff and attendees via the Convention App, Website, and email as appropriate. On Dec. 21, 2021, the City of Atlanta re-instated an indoor mask mandate, which may be enforced against individuals in certain circumstances. It is advisable to wear a mask indoors and always carry a mask while in Atlanta.
Read More
Veterinarians Believe in Vaccines
I work with veterinarians who research influenza—the flu—in Ohio. They spend days at county fairs taking nasal swabs from pigs and blood samples from people who work with pigs. They follow the spread of disease from animals to people and from people to animals. Pigs that get the flu run fevers, become lethargic, and sometimes have respiratory symptoms, just like people. Veterinarians often recommend vaccinating animals to prevent flu and other diseases.
More than 10 years ago, these veterinarians told me a pandemic was due. They expected something like the 1918 flu, which caused millions of deaths worldwide. They thought an influenza outbreak would start in animals and move to people—a typical zoonotic disease.
Read More
Farmers and Families Deserve Fair Meat Prices
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the “Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain.”
Read More
Farm Women in Leadership Roles Show Others What’s Possible
Female farmers and ranchers might be outnumbered in the field at times, but they make an outsized impact on women who want to follow them into leadership positions on and off the farm.
Read More
