In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, communities across the Southeast from Florida to Georgia, through the Carolinas to Virginia and Tennessee are picking up the pieces. The devastation in rural and farm communities has been widespread, and it will be weeks—possibly months—before we know the full impact of the storm. Farm Bureau organizations across the region are providing resources for those affected and those looking to help their neighbors near and far.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the impact of the East Coast dockworker strike.

“America is bracing for the impact of the massive dockworker strike that threatens to paralyze traffic of goods in and out of the United States. Our nation relies on international trade for everything from electronics to machinery.”

September is National Honey Month, a tradition started by the National Honey Board in 1989, according to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

In the United States, honey collection season typically ends in September as the bees begin to secure their hives and prepare for winter.

Farm Bureau supports a positive and proactive U.S. trade policy that benefits our agricultural producers. But rising trade challenges and a $30 billion agricultural trade deficit threaten the livelihoods of American farmers and ranchers who depend on growing trade flows and rules-based trade actions.

Now is the time for the administration and Congress to act on a U.S. trade policy that includes commercially meaningful negotiations on two-way trade with U.S. allies and partners. These negotiations should address shared interests in the cross-border exchange of food and agricultural products.

Eric Boles, a global expert in talent development, change management and cultural transformation, will address attendees as closing general session keynote speaker during the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention on Monday, Jan. 27. Boles is founder and CEO of The Game Changers Inc., a leadership training and development company headquartered in Lakewood, Washington. Boles is a thought leader in business strategies, providing in-depth coaching and consulting to help organizational leaders increase productivity and attain peak performance from teams they lead, in addition to authoring “Moving to Great…Unleashing Your Best in Life and Work.”

A program that gives RVers, often urban-oriented, a chance to experience farms and rural businesses is just the ticket for Lynn Crafts and Dan Dougherty.

They pay a membership fee of about $85 annually to belong to Harvest Hosts, which provides an interactive map and information about more than 5,000 host farms, wineries and other businesses to help plan their trips. In return for staying free at some spots they might not find otherwise, they shop at the host’s business.