From tax reform, to the Waters of the U.S. Rule, officials in Washington, D.C., gave farmers and ranchers plenty to cheer about last year. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall this month told Farm Bureau members at the organization’s Annual Convention that tax reform topped the list. Tax Duvall says the Waters of the U.S. rule was one of …
Funding to Run Government Runs Out Friday
Funding to keep the government open runs out this Friday…and agriculture and other industries face what they don’t like most—uncertainty… The only thing certain about Washington is, there’s always “uncertainty.” Hear American Farm Bureau budget adviser RJ Karney talk about the possibility. Uncertainty New programs are delayed and some existing programs not expanded, making producer decisions much harder. And Karney …
AFBF Turns Attention to Farm Bill for 2018
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and all of agriculture will turn its attention to the farm bill this year, but there are other policy issues needing attention, according to AFBF public policy executive director Dale Moore. Policy Speaking at the 99th Annual American Farm Bureau Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, Moore says the farm bill will top the list, more so …
Young Farmers and Ranchers Round up Awards
Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Young farmers and ranchers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry. …
Thatcher Retiring from AFBF
Long-serving public policy specialist Mary Kay Thatcher will retire from the American Farm Bureau Federation at the end of the month. In an email to AFBF staff, Dale Moore, the organization’s executive director for public policy, said: “It is tough to inform you that Mary Kay Thatcher has announced her retirement from AFBF,” according to the Hagstrom Report. Her last …
Farm Bureau’s Duvall Praises ‘Fresh Air’ in D.C.
Calls for Better Immigration, Trade, Farm Bill American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall called on farmers and ranchers to redouble their efforts to advocate for agriculture, even as the current administration has begun moving to undo some of the regulations that have burdened them for years. “We have had a seat at the table with the Trump administration,” Duvall …
Congressional Spending Fights Slowing New Farm Bill Progress
Congressional spending fights are slowing the formal start of writing a new farm bill. Farm bill writers are unlikely to move ahead with formal work on a new farm bill until partisan fights over key spending issues are resolved. American Farm Bureau budget adviser R.J. Karney. Fights Once lawmakers can “check the box” on those issues, Karney says it will …
Farm Bureau Talks Ag Policy Work in The New Year
2017 was a busy year for the American Farm Bureau Federation when it came to influencing agricultural policy at the federal level. Dale Moore is executive director for public policy with the Farm Bureau and he says there were several policy victories to celebrate from last year. Victories There were other victories when it came to government regulations and taxes. …
Farm Groups Launch ‘Farm Town Strong’ Campaign to Address Rural Opioid Epidemic
As farming communities face mounting challenges with the nation’s opioid epidemic, the nation’s two largest general farm organizations are teaming up to confront the issue. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and National Farmers Union (NFU) announced a new campaign, “Farm Town Strong,” to raise awareness of the crisis’ impact on farming communities. The campaign will also provide resources and …
Pressing Congressional Business May Slow Farm Bill More
Work on the 2018 farm bill is already some three-months late, and with other pressing Congressional business, likely to get even later, according to farm lobbyists in Washington, D.C. Farm bill work was sidelined last year by the GOP tax bill. Now, keeping the government funded, healthcare, immigration and security issues are immediate concerns for Congress. American Farm Bureau Federation …