S P E C I A L
R E P O R T
‘Annual Awards’
State Farm Bureaus and Farm Bureau members win national honors | 4 January 23, 2012 Vol. 91
‘Stallman Address’
Farmers and ranchers have a great story to tell, said AFBF President Bob Stallman in his annual address to Farm bureau members | 6
‘FB Women’
Committee Chair Terry Gilbert unveiled “Engaged, Empowered, Strong” as the theme of the AFB Women’s Leadership program | 6
Best to enact a new farm bill this year
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AFBF sets 2012 policy priorities The American Farm Bureau Federation’s board of directors has selected nine priority issues that will be the main focus of the organization’s work this year. Farm Bill Congress needs to pass a new farm bill this year. AFBF supports a farm bill that will help farmers manage the many levels and types of risk that they face. AFBF will work with Congress to support a farm bill that provides farmers with a strong, effective safety net—including catastrophic revenue loss protection, flex-
ible risk management tools such as crop insurance and marketbased marketing loan provisions—and at the same time work within today’s budget constraints. Agricultural Labor America’s agricultural productivity depends on access to an adequate, legal workforce. AFBF seeks a comprehensive approach to reforming immigration policy, including an effective guest worker program. The board also included concerns about proposed youth employment regulations—maintaining young people’s ability to
work on farms and learn about agriculture—as an important part of the agricultural labor priority issue. Waters of the U.S. Two Supreme Court decisions over the past decade have reaffirmed that the definition of “navigable waters” or “waters of the U.S.,” and the federal regulatory authority that goes with that classification under the Clean Water Act, does not extend to every pond, stream or ditch in farm country. AFBF will continue to Policy Continued on Page 8
AFBF delegates approve flexible, fiscally sound farm policy
Farmers are better off if members of Congress can agree on a new farm bill this year, according to American Farm Bureau Federation farm policy specialist Mary Kay Thatcher. Thatcher spoke at the 2012 farm bill issue conference Jan. 8 at AFBF’s annual meeting.
Continued on Page 3
n e w s p a p e r
AT THE AFBF ANNUAL MEETING, 369 voting delegates representing every state and commodity debated policies affecting agriculture. The policies they approved concerning farm programs, energy, government regulation, immigration reform and other issues will guide AFBF’s efforts throughout 2012. National farm policy should be rewritten this year to establish a program that protects farmers from catastrophic revenue losses by using a flexible combination of fiscally responsible tools, said voting delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93rd annual meeting. In approving the organization’s farm policy for 2012, the farmers and ranchers endorsed a multipronged policy proposal, including a provision for catastrophic revenue loss protection that works with a flexible range of crop insurance products, as well as amending the current farm bill’s marketing loan provisions to better reflect market values.
The adopted policy calls for a farm bill that “provides strong and effective safety net and risk management programs that do not guarantee a profit and minimize the potential for farm programs affecting production decisions.” “Our delegates approved a program to help farmers manage the many different types and levels of risk they face today, in particular catastrophic revenue losses that can threaten the viability of a farm or ranch,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “That is consistent with what we believe is the core mission of the federal farm program.” Stallman was re-elected as AFBF president for a seventh two-year
term. He is a cattle and rice producer from Columbus, Texas. In addition, Barry Bushue was reelected to a third two-year term as AFBF vice president. Bushue produces berries and nursery plants in Boring, Ore., and also serves as Oregon Farm Bureau president. The delegates defeated a proposal to retain the current farm bill’s direct payments. In addition, by almost a two-to-one margin, the delegates defeated an amendment that would have allowed a patchwork of support through multiple programs for different commodities and regions. Delegates Continued on Page 3
Viewpoint
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January 23, 2012
The
Bob Stallman
President, American Farm Bureau Federation
Taking a new approach with the farm bill
F
arm bill. It’s probably the most synonymous term associated with American agriculture. It plays a huge and significant role in farming operations across the nation, and shapes everything from the ebbs and flows of how farmers go about their daily business to their conservation efforts and even disaster relief. Understandably, formulating a new farm bill every five years is no easy task. The farm bill that Congress is working on now will certainly look different than any previous legislation. Times have changed. The U.S. economy, consumers’ attitudes on food production and even farmers’ opinions on how best to run their businesses are all different from the last go-round. So, as we head into creating the new legislation, it’s important that Farm Bureau lead the discussion—and we need to hit the ground running. The bigger picture Earlier this year, after much thought and deliberation, the American Farm Bureau Federation developed a plan to establish a catastrophic revenue loss program. This plan is unique in that it will help protect America’s
farmers from losses that truly endanger the very core of their farms. At the same time, it recognizes today’s budget realities. It is also unique in that it can be applied to a broader range of commodities, like fruits and vegetables. There have been several recent proposals for program crops with payments that kick in after only a small decrease in farm revenue for some crops and set up higher target prices for others. But, as Farm Bureau sees it, the government should take on the very serious, large-scale risks that happen infrequently instead of smaller risks. Agricultural programs are intended to help farmers deal with big challenges they cannot handle alone, not minimal losses. We have serious concerns about the other proposals floating around, which dictate different rules, different crops and different payments. Not only would such programs be a nightmare for local Farm Service Agency offices to administer, but farmers would have the ability to cherry-pick which program works best for them. Because of distortions in price, we’d have a system of farmers deciding what to produce based on government payments rather than market signals.
A new way of thinking In past farm programs, the government simply wrote checks to farmers to help them sustain America’s food supply. But, times are changing. While the majority of Americans think farmers need help, they don’t agree with just writing checks. We want to flip that around. Government should accept systemic risk, which would lower insurance premiums for farmers and allow them to choose their own coverage at a much lower cost. Our proposal is a new approach to farm policy. Not only would the Farm Bureau’s plan get rid of direct and countercyclical payments, it would eliminate the need for ad hoc disaster assistance for crops, which, as we’ve experienced in the past, offers no assurance to farmers when catastrophe happens. The Farm Bureau plan is the best possible solution for a new farm program. It’s scalable depending on what the final budget is and could be utilized for all commodities as long as they are covered by crop insurance. But, most importantly, it offers farmers peace of mind that when the going really gets tough, they will have someone watching their back.
Adopting biotechnology for food security in Africa By Jose W. Fernandez Last fall, we welcomed the 7 billionth person to our ranks, and by 2050 the world’s population will increase by another 2 billion people. Feeding this growing population will be one of the international community’s greatest tests in the coming decades, with estimates that we will need to increase global agricultural production as much as 70 percent by 2050. Already, nearly one in eight goes hungry worldwide. The United States is well positioned to serve as a leader in addressing the challenge of hunger. U.S. companies are at the forefront of innovation in agricultural technologies, while American farmers are the most productive. U.S. food manufacturers and shipping companies are spreading this abundance abroad, helping make the United States the world’s largest agricultural exporter. However, producing more food is not enough since many of the poorest people in the world are not yet part of the global economy. With a view to this challenge,
FBNews
battling world hunger is a U.S. government priority. In recent years, our commitment to this effort has only strengthened under the global hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future. President Obama has pledged at least $3.5 billion in the first three years of this initiative, taking a wholeof-government approach to support country-owned processes and plans for improving food security. Feeding a growing world population requires using all available tools to increase global food production. An important component of our efforts to enhance food security is the use of agricultural technology, including advanced biotechnology. At the State Department, we work to promote open markets and science-based regulations, in addition to conducting outreach to public officials and the media, to pave the way for acceptance and use of these technologies. In Africa, where crop yields are far below those of the rest of the world, there is urgent need to ap-
Don Lipton, Executive Director, Public Relations Lynne Finnerty, Editor Erin Anthony, Assistant Editor Phyllis Brown, Assistant Editor
January 23, 2012 Vol. 91
ply science and technology to the challenges of hunger, environmental degradation and poverty. Agriculture in Africa could benefit from many technologies and advances in production, including biotech seeds. Unfortunately, many successful products of agricultural biotechnology are largely unavailable in Africa due to absent or inadequate guidelines and regulations. New products like droughttolerant corn and disease-resistant bananas are waiting to move from public sector labs to the farmer and eventually to the market, but lack a pathway out. Misinformation about agricultural biotechnology also continues to slow its adoption. Despite these obstacles, we see opportunities. We are intensifying our efforts in Africa by focusing on key countries—Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda— which have expressed an interest in agricultural biotechnology and where we believe targeted assistance will advance its development and adoption. We want to
ensure that sound legal systems and science-based regulations exist in these countries, thereby creating fertile ground for investment and innovation in agricultural biotechnology. As an international community, we cannot afford to exclude biotechnology in the development of agriculture; there is just too much at stake. Farmers should have access to inputs that improve their livelihoods and boost agricultural output for the benefit of their fellow citizens. African farmers should be given the choice of using agricultural technologies, including biotechnology, to improve production, increase incomes and reduce hunger. The U.S. government is working toward that end, to benefit African farmers and consumers and American industries, and ultimately aid in the larger fight against global hunger.
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Published semimonthly, except monthly in August and December, by the American Farm B ureau Federation, 600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 1000W, Washington, DC 20024. Phone: 202-406-3600. E-mail: fbnews@fb.org. Web site: http://www.fb.org. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing offices. Subscription rate for officers and board members of county and state Farm Bureaus—$6, which is deducted from dues. For other subscribers—$10. Postmaster: Send address changes to FBNews, 600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 1000W, Washington, DC 20024.
(ISSN 0197-5617)
Jose W. Fernandez is the assistant secretary for economic and business affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
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January 23, 2012
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Capitol View
A changing world for those in agriculture By Melissa Slagle
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t was 1986: A gallon of gas cost 89 cents; a pound of ground beef cost about $1.29 at retail; a movie ticket was $3.71; the average monthly rent was $385; the average price of a home was $89,430; and the national Beef Checkoff Program went into effect at $1 per head. But as they say, times they were a changin’. The 1980s spawned a farm crisis, an event that most farmers who lived through it would rather not speak of. Agriculture was in a tumultuous state: High interest rates, decreasing farmland values (some dropped more than 50 percent), declining asset values and weak prices due to record harvests and overproduction were the order of the day. Farmers needed to do something to help themselves. In 1986, Bobby Wilson (Texas Farm Bureau and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers member) served as co-chairman, along with James Mullins of Corinth, Iowa, for the national Beef Checkoff Campaign Committee. Along with Florida cattlewoman and founding chairwoman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board JoAnn Smith, Wilson spent countless hours traveling to speak to various national organizations and state Farm Bureaus to build under-
standing and support for a national checkoff program. “The desire to do something was pretty high at the time. We were getting hammered by negative publicity and had no way to counteract it,” says Wilson. “We knew the checkoff could help straighten out the facts.” After 90 days of campaigning, 27 national and regional organizations and 149 state organizations supported a “yes” vote for the beef checkoff. “We told producers that this was a grassroots decentralization effort that we were putting together. And we knew if it wasn’t mandatory, some people wouldn’t pay,” says Wilson. “Farm Bureau recognized a need for producers to promote their own product, and they felt the checkoff was a must to have profitability in the cattle industry.” Congress passed enabling legislation for the checkoff in the1985 farm bill. Collections of the $1-per-head assessment began in 1986 for an 18month test run before producers voted in a referendum in 1988. Seventy-nine percent of them voted in favor of continuing a mandatory, national Beef Checkoff Program. In 2011, the checkoff marked its 25th anniversary and continues to show a return to those who invest in it. “Now, when you see an article in a magazine that’s detrimental to beef, you also see one that straightens out the facts alongside it,” says Wilson. “I don’t like to just be left out there with
In 1986, Wilson ran yearlings in Navarro, Freestone and Limestone counties in Texas and summered them in New Mexico; he also ran a cow-calf operation. He was a member of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board from 1986 to 1992 and served on the Federation of State Beef Councils from 1996 to 1997. nothing and no one to defend our industry, and our checkoff program does just that—defends the industry.” According to an in-depth, third-party macroanalysis, the Beef Checkoff Program returns about $5.55 in value to producers for every dollar they invest in it. Through foreign marketing efforts, the beef checkoff netted U.S. beef producers more than $200 per head in export value in 2011. Agriculture continues to change, driven primarily by changing consumer demands and economic forces. But the checkoff helps producers adapt to change and embrace their role in the future of their industry through programs that maintain strong consumer demand for beef and, in return, secure a place for agriculture for years to come. Melissa Slagle is trade media manager for the Beef Checkoff Program.
Thatcher: Best to enact a new farm bill this year Continued from page 1 With Congress unable to agree on much these days and with a shrinking budget to work with, passing a new farm bill could be an uphill climb and get pushed to next year. “There is no upside to that,” said Thatcher. “There will be even more budget cuts if that happens. There’s every reason to push it through this year if we can.” Thatcher outlined the political situation surrounding the farm
bill, including growing support in Congress for limiting payment eligibility by capping farmers’ income, and increasing use of food stamps and other nutrition programs as the U.S. economy continues to recover from the worst recession in decades. “The economy will be a tremendous issue going forward,” said Thatcher, “and one of the reasons it will be difficult to finish a farm bill in 2012.” AFBF economist John Anderson,
speaking at the same conference, provided an explanation of Farm Bureau’s Systemic Risk Reduction Program proposal, which is designed to protect farmers from catastrophic revenue losses. Unlike “shallow loss” proposals put forward by other groups, SRRP coverage levels would be in the 70 percent to 80 percent range. The program would operate as a core program with farmers buying crop insurance as “wrap-around” revenue protection.
One of the most attractive features of Farm Bureau’s farm bill proposal, according to Anderson, is the impact it would have on lowering farmers’ crop insurance premiums. “As a program that’s integrated with crop insurance, crop insurance premiums could be re-rated to account for the fact that much of the risk is covered elsewhere,” he explained. “That would lower premiums and make buy-up coverage more affordable.”
AFBF delegates approve flexible, fiscally sound farm policy Continued from page 1 “Delegate action against the patchwork approach recognized that it is impossible to ensure equity between diverse programs for various commodities,” Stallman said. “Without that assurance, one program would inevitably provide more government protection than the next program and we would inadvertently be encouraging producers to take their signals from government programs rather than the marketplace. “Our delegates approved a policy that is flexible enough to work within the funding constraints we, as a nation, are facing, and the fiscal challenges we have a duty to address,” Stallman said. “Our delegates recognize we need to move beyond the policies of the past and to move toward programs to help producers deal with risk.” One of the big advantages of the new AFBF farm policy position is that it offers a much simpler approach to farm program design
than other farm policy proposals, according to Stallman. The AFBF farm policy also encourages farmers to manage their farms using available risk management tools. According to Stallman, farmers should be allowed and encouraged to make individual management decisions to purchase crop insurance coverage that suits their farms and individual levels of risk. Another positive aspect of the Farm Bureau farm policy proposal is that it can be applied to specialty crops. “Our new farm policy position also includes the possibility of providing a farm bill risk management program for producers of fruits and vegetables,” Stallman said. “This is just one positive aspect of the proposal that we believe not only will broaden its utility to all farmers but will also appeal to an American public that is more interested in the wholesomeness, safety and variety of our domestic food supply.”
In a related discussion on dairy policy, delegates voted to move away from the current dairy price support and Milk Income Loss Contract programs and toward a program that bases risk protection on milk prices minus feed costs. This takes production costs into consideration, as well as recognizes the dairy industry’s regional differences, according to Stallman. On renewable fuels, the delegates reaffirmed support for the federal Renewable Fuels Standard by defeating an amendment to strike that support. “The RFS remains critical to the viability of ethanol as an alternative to imported petroleum fuel,” explained Stallman, “and the delegates felt that continuing to support production and use of domestic renewable fuels was a national security issue.” The delegates opposed the Labor Department’s proposed expansion of the list of jobs deemed too hazardous for minors.
“The proposal has raised serious concerns in farm country about our ability to teach our children how to farm and instill a good work ethic,” Stallman said. “There is a great deal of concern about federal regulatory overreach, but few issues have piqued farm families more than this. It goes to the very heart of how agriculture works, with farmers and ranchers, who were taught by their parents how to do farm work safely and responsibly, training the next generation to follow in their own footsteps.” The delegates also supported a moratorium on new regulations on small businesses and agriculture. At the annual meeting, 369 voting delegates debated policies affecting farmers’ and ranchers’ productivity and profitability. The policies they approved will guide the nation’s largest general farm organization in its legislative and regulatory efforts throughout 2012.
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Kruse selected for Distinguished Service Award The American Farm Bureau Federation presented its highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, to former Missouri Farm Bureau President Charles Kruse.
AFBF established the Distinguished Service Award to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving farming and ranching. A fourth-generation farmer,
AFBF President Bob Stallman (right) and Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst (left) recognized former Missouri Farm Bureau President Charles Kruse’s 40-plus years of service to agriculture. Kruse’s wife Pam joined him onstage to accept the American Farm Bureau’s highest honor.
Kruse has dedicated more than 40 years to agriculture, including service on numerous local, state and national committees, among them the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Agriculture and President George H.W. Bush’s Council on Rural America. For 18 years, until his retirement at the end of 2010, Kruse served as president of the Missouri Farm Bureau. Prior to that, Kruse was the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, from 1985-1991. The list of accolades Kruse has received for his work for Missouri agriculture is long, and his support for farming and ranching across the country is equally, if not more, impressive, according to AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Charlie Kruse embodies Farm Bureau as well as any one person could,” Stallman said. “We are proud to call him our own and honored to have worked alongside him to ensure a strong future for American agriculture.”
Kruse’s national appointments include work on the FARMER-MAC board of directors, President George W. Bush’s Advisory Committee for Trade and Policy Negotiations and the Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture. Kruse has represented U.S. agriculture in numerous efforts to grow international markets for American food and fiber. In addition, in 2010, as a retired brigadier general in the Army National Guard, he assisted in creating agribusiness development teams in Afghanistan. Along with serving as Missouri Farm Bureau president from 1992-2010, Kruse’s involvement with Farm Bureau includes service on the AFBF board of directors from 1995-2010 and the organization’s executive committee from 1996-2010. He was chairman of AFBF’s Task Force on the U.S. Livestock Industry in 2003 and the group’s Trade Advisory Committee in 2004 and 2005.
Foundation for Agriculture announces Book of the Year The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture presented its fifth Book of the Year award to Chris Butterworth for “How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? The Story of Food.” The book shows young readers how each ingredient made its journey to their lunchbox. Illustrations, by Lucia Gaggiotti, highlight many aspects of farming and include information on food safety and nutrition. Butterworth, a native of England, is the author of more than 70 nonfiction books for children, covering a diverse range of issues. “There’s always something else to find out about, and writing about a thing is the best way to find out about it,” said Butterworth. “I started writing information books when my own children were little. I couldn’t find the sort of book I wanted them to read, so I wrote one of my own.” This spirit clearly resonates in “How Did That Get in My Lunchbox?” In the book, Butterworth shows her enthusiasm for food and for instilling in young readers an appreciation for our food’s journey. The book has received numerous accolades. The School Library Journal called it “a great springboard to units on food and nutrition.” The Library Media Connection said, “Results of reading this book include a greater understanding of the farm-to-table methodology.”
The Book of the Year award springs from the foundation’s effort to identify Accurate Ag Books, a collection of more than 400 books for children, teenagers and adults that accurately cover agricultural topics. In addition to their accuracy, Book of the Year selections are educational, reflect farmers’ and ranchers’ love for the land and what they do, create positive public perceptions about agriculture, inspire readers to learn more and touch their readers’ lives as well as tell the farmer’s story. The Accurate Ag Books database is available at: http://www.agfoundation. org/. The foundation has created an educators guide and classroom poster as companion pieces to “How Did That Get in My Lunchbox?,” which takes elementary students through various learning activities. In honor of Butterworth’s recognition and the host city of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2012 annual meeting, the foundation teamed with the book’s publisher, Candlewick Press, to donate hardcover copies of “How Did That Get in My Lunchbox?” to Jefferson Elementary School near Waikiki and the Hawaii State Public Library System. Additionally, the foundation made a $1,000 contribution to the library system’s reading program.
t “How Did That Get in My Lunchbox?” explains the journey that a child’s food takes from the farm to the lunch table. The foundation created an educators guide and a classroom poster as companions to its newest Book of the Year.
Author Chris Butterworth (right) signed copies of the book for Farm Bureau members at the AFBF annual meeting.
Awards
January 23, 2012
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State Farm Bureaus recognized for excellence State Farm Bureaus were recognized for excellence in membership achievement and for implementing outstanding programs serving Farm Bureau members in 2011. American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman presented the awards during the AFBF’s annual meeting. Stallman announced winners of the Pinnacle Award, for overall outstanding program achievement combined with membership growth. The Idaho,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee and Virginia Farm Bureaus received Pinnacle Awards. The Awards for Excellence and the President’s Awards were presented in five program areas: • Agriculture Education and Promotion • Leadership Development • Member Services • Policy Implementation • Public Relations and Information The winning states and the
number of Awards for Excellence categories won by each include: Alabama (5); Arizona (5); Arkansas (5); California (4); Colorado (1); Florida (4); Georgia (4); Idaho (5); Illinois (5); Indiana (5); Iowa (5); Kansas (4); Kentucky (5); Louisiana (4); Maryland (4); Massachusetts (1); Michigan (5); Minnesota (4); Mississippi (3); Missouri (5); Montana (5); Nebraska (4); Nevada (3); New York (4); North Carolina (3); Ohio (5); Oklahoma (2); Oregon (5); Pennsylvania (5); Rhode Island (1); South Carolina (4); Tennessee (5); Texas (5); Utah (4); Vir-
ginia (4); Washington (4); Wisconsin(5); and Wyoming (2). The winning states and the number of President’s Awards won include: Arizona (1); Idaho (3); Indiana (1); Kansas (1); Massachusetts (1); Michigan (2); Missouri (1); Montana (3); Nevada (1); Ohio (2); Tennessee (3); Texas (2); Utah (1); Virginia (3); and Wisconsin (1). A total of 26 President’s Awards were presented. These are the “best of the best” awards presented for excellence in each of the five program areas to states by membership category size.
Young farmers and ranchers take top honors Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93rd Annual Meeting. Ben and Jennifer Moore of Tennessee won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of either a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado or 2012 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM. Runners-up in the Achievement Award contest are Chad and Julie Carlton of Georgia, Travis and Renae Gebhart of South Dakota, and Kirk and Stephanie Liefer of Illinois. The runners-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 65A, courtesy of Case IH, a $5,000 Savings Bond and a STIHL Farm Boss, courtesy of STIHL. The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Heather Barnes of North Carolina won the Discussion Meet. She will have her choice of either a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2012 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM. The three runners-up in the Discussion Meet are Jacob Andersen of Idaho, Katie Pratt of Illinois and Chelsea Good of Kansas. Each runner-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 55A, courtesy of Case IH, a $5,000 Savings Bond and a STIHL Farm Boss, courtesy of STIHL. The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Andy and Ellie Holt of Tennessee won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. They will receive their choice of either a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado or 2012 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM. The three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition are Jason and Paige Pratt of Virginia, Jillian Beaty of Wisconsin and Sharla Mortimer of Arizona. Each runnerup received a Case IH Farmall 45A, courtesy of Case IH, a $5,000 Savings Bond and a STIHL Farm Boss, courtesy of STIHL. The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations. The winners of all three competitions also receive free registration to the 2012 AFBF YR&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 17-20 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
t Achievement Award winners Ben and Jennifer Moore of Tennessee accept the keys to a new GM truck from Bob Briedis (left), sales support manager for General Motors.
t Heather Barnes of North Carolina won the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet.
t Andy and Ellie Holt of Tennessee won the Excellence in Agriculture award for their leadership in agriculture, Farm Bureau and other organizations.
t Roger Phelps (left), promotional communications manager for STIHL, presented a Farm Boss chainsaw, and Scott Raber (second from left), manager of livestock marketing for Case IH, presented the keys to a Case IH Farmall tractor and a $5,000 Savings Bond to Sharla Mortimer of Arizona. Mortimer was one of three runnersup in the Excellence in Agriculture competition. The runners-up in all three competitions received prizes courtesy of STIHL and Case IH.
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Stallman outlines agriculture’s successes, challenges America’s farmers and ranchers are more productive than ever and are providing a solid economic foundation for our nation, according to Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “We are the 1 percent that is producing food and fiber for the other 99 percent,” Stallman declared in his annual address to the approximately 7,000 Farm Bureau members gathered for AFBF’s 93rd annual meeting. Farm and ranch families are growing more food with fewer resources than ever before, Stallman said. “Over a 20-year period, corn yields are up 41 percent. Per bushel soil loss has fallen by 70 percent. Water use per bushel of corn is down 27 percent. All major crops show similar trends,” said Stallman. He also extolled the record-breaking growth in U.S. agricultural exports over the past year. “We sold $42.5 billion more in agricultural products than we imported in 2011,” he added. “That number will stay strong into this year and, I am convinced, into the foreseeable future.” American agriculture’s successes have come in the face of challenges, Stallman said, including droughts, and doubts about the future of agricultural policy, floods, and a deluge of government regulatory actions, storms,
and an often tempestuous public conversation about the farmer’s role in feeding our nation. Stallman discussed Farm Bureau’s Systemic Risk Reduction Program proposal, which he said would help protect farmers from catastrophic losses while recognizing today’s budget realities. He called on Farm Bureau delegates, who debated farm policy and other issues, to put the organization on a solid footing. Stallman said the cost of federal regulations falls the hardest on small businesses such as family-owned farms and ranches. He commended Farm Bureau members for their grassroots engagement to push back against government overreach. Just as important as these policy concerns is the conversation with consumers, he said. “We must engage directly with the consumer as an industry in ways we haven’t before,” Stallman said. “And while we must fully engage in this ongoing national dialogue about food and the devoted care we take when we grow it, we must also never ever forget to listen.” He said the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, a group of 77 agricultural organizations and companies including Farm Bureau, is doing just that by listening to and answering Americans’ questions, as well as giving farmers and ranchers an opportunity to raise their voices. “From the environment to the economy,
AFBF President Bob Stallman outlined farmers’ and ranchers’ contributions to the U.S. economy and Farm Bureau’s grassroots engagement successes in his annual address to Farm Bureau members. Stallman later was re-elected to a seventh two-year term as president. trade and jobs, we have a great story to tell,” Stallman proclaimed.
“We must engage directly with the consumer as an industry in ways we haven’t before. And while we must fully engage in this ongoing national dialogue about food and the devoted care we take when we grow it, we must also never ever forget to listen.” • Bob Stallman, AFBF president
Farm Bureau Women: Engaged, Empowered, Strong “Engaged, Empowered, Strong” was announced as the 2012-2013 theme of the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program at AFBF’s 93rd annual meeting. AFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Terry Gilbert explained the new theme of the program during the annual business meeting of the AFB Women. “By engaged, I mean that our program provides opportunities for women to get involved in an organization that represents all of agriculture,” said Gilbert, a farmer from Danville, Ky., who raises corn and cattle. “‘Empowered’ describes how Farm Bureau Women use their training and knowledge to tell their stories in authentic, dynamic ways—to consumers, lawmakers, teachers, students and others.” Gilbert noted that Farm Bureau Women “really stepped up their social media game in 2011, forging connections with consumers and responding to questions about what we do on our farms and ranches to produce food.” She urged members to consider using social media to help put a face on agriculture. Elaborating on the final facet of the tri-part theme, Gilbert said, “‘Strong’ reflects how the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee helps women build on their strengths, as agricultural professionals and leaders. This refers especially to speaking up and speaking out about agricultural and legislative issues.” A National Women’s Leadership Conference coordinated by the committee every two years is open to all Farm Bureau women and provides ample opportunities for
In her annual address, AFB Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Terry Gilbert talked about opportunities for women to get involved in telling agriculture’s story. professional development. More than 600 attendees participated in the 2011 conference; the next one is planned for 2013 in Las Vegas. The committee annually sponsors the Women’s Communications Boot Camp, an intensive training seminar that is open to all Farm Bureau women. Coming up in February, the committee and Farm Bureaus around the nation will hold consumer outreach events during Food Check-Out Week, while also supporting Ronald McDonald Houses and other charities. Gilbert continues to serve as chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee and on the AFBF board of directors. Committee members Isabella Chism of Indiana and Beth Pool of New Jersey were re-elected to two-year terms on the committee. Denise Hymel of Louisiana and Lillian Ostendorf of Montana also were elected to two-year terms.
Glen Cope of Missouri elected YF&R Committee chair Members of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee elected Glen Cope from Aurora, Mo., as the committee’s chairman for 2012. He will take over as chairman in February, at the end of the committee’s leadership conference, and serve for one year. Cope graduated from Missouri State University in 2002 with a degree in animal science. As a fourth-generation rancher, he cares for a beef cattle herd on about 3,000 acres near Aurora, in the southwestern part of the state. Cope’s wife, Leanne, a high school science teacher, is very involved in the ranch. The couple has two young children. As chair, Cope said he intends to encourage young growers to be more active, particularly via social media and the Internet, in countering the many misconceptions about agriculture. “We should be playing a bigger part in helping consumers better understand the benefits of biotechnology and making them more aware of how farmers truly care for their animals,” Cope said. Cope was enthusiastic about Farm Bureau’s involvement with the newly formed U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and wants YF&R Committee members to be more involved, especially in USFRA’s online Food Dialogues. Always concerned about the outlook for agriculture, the YF&R Committee members will
Glen Cope also strongly consider the future of Farm Bureau. “As the American Farm Bureau Federation is approaching its centennial, we’re looking ahead to the needs, challenges and potential of the next 100 years,” Cope said. Cope intends to tap into the motivated and dedicated leadership of state Farm Bureau YF&R committees across the nation. And for those programs that need a little boost, Cope and the rest of the committee are ready and willing to share their resources. The YF&R program includes men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. The program’s goals are to help younger Farm Bureau members learn more about agriculture, network with other farmers and become future leaders in agriculture and Farm Bureau.
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January 23, 2012
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Annual Meeting
Vilsack praises agriculture, Farm Bureau members Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Jan. 9 delivered a clear message to farmers and ranchers attending the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93rd annual meeting. “Agriculture and rural America matter, and no group understands that better than the men and women who lead Farm Bureau,” said Vilsack. Vilsack also praised agriculture for supporting one in every 12 U.S. jobs. Last year, American agricultural exports totaled $137.4 billion, leading to a $42 billion farm trade surplus and direct support for more than 1 million jobs, according to Vilsack. He said agriculture is keeping the nation strong and “the unemployment rate is dropping more quickly in rural America than any other sector of our country.” The secretary pledged to Farm Bureau members that USDA would continue to listen to their concerns and work with other federal departments and agencies on regulatory issues with potential impacts on rural America, including dust and youth labor rules.
USDA is working as agriculture’s partner, Vilsack said, on a wide range of services from resource conservation and agricultural financing to crop insurance and rural development. On crafting the next farm bill, he outlined points that he considers vital: • Providing an adequate safety net when it is needed most, with a combination of provisions including crop insurance and some form of revenue protection. • A continued focus on stewardship and conservation programs, with added flexibility and the ability to leverage federal funds to the fullest extent possible. • Provisions to continue promoting and expanding international trade opportunities for agriculture. • A well-funded research effort to continue a trend that saw agriculture rank second in productivity gains among all economic sectors since 1980. • Better support programs for beginning farmers and ranchers, including programs to expand local and regional food systems.
Vilsack said agriculture and rural America are only barely skimming the surface of their potential to make a positive impact on the nation. He called for a focus on bio-based economies for rural communities, which he said offered “unlimited potential” for rural America. While emphasizing USDA’s continued commitment to America’s farmers and ranchers, Vilsack announced that the department would cut 7,000 USDA jobs and close 250 offices to help cut federal spending. Of the offices to be closed, 131 are Farm Service Agency offices, Vilsack said, 35 of which already have no staffing, with the remainder only staffed by one or two employees. All of the offices are within 20 miles of another FSA office. He expressed optimism that providing service online would become a more viable option and said that USDA service would not be compromised. Vilsack closed his remarks by commending those who call rural America home. He cited the example of 50 percent of the U.S.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that bio-based economies—making renewable energy and other products out of grains and non-food crops—offer “unlimited potential” for rural America. military force hailing from rural America, while only 16 percent of the nation’s population lives in rural areas. He called rural America “an extraordinary place” to which the rest of the nation “owes a debt of gratitude.”
Utah Farm Bureau wins My American Farm kiosk Music, Hawaiian food, hula dancers, leis—and a My American Farm kiosk giveaway—those were the attractions at the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s luau Jan. 9 at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Honolulu. My American Farm is the Foundation’s online, interactive educational program developed to engage young people, teachers and parents through games, fun family activities and educator resources. The resources are available for free online and at mobile kiosks that have been distributed around the country via state and county Farm Bureaus. A few
kiosks were placed throughout the Hawaii Convention Center, the location of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93rd annual meeting, so members could check out the games and other educational resources. At the foundation luau, state Farm Bureaus were entered into a drawing for a mobile kiosk, with their number of tickets in the drawing based on the number of tickets their members bought to the luau. AFBF President Bob Stallman and Steve Brody, foundation board member and director of global biotechnology affairs and
industry relations for Pioneer HiBred, were brought on stage to draw the winner of the kiosk. They were accompanied by an impressive array of Polynesian Cultural Center staff dressed in authentic garb, lit tiki torches and dramatic drum beat. As the smoke cleared, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation was declared the winner of the My American Farm kiosk. “Our women’s committee will be meeting to plan how to fully take advantage of this great opportunity, including getting it in front of young students as well as the teachers in our state,” said Belva Parr, State Women’s Committee chair for UFBF. “We are just grateful for this opportunity to further our Ag in the Classroom efforts.” Over the last year, the foundation has expanded My American Farm. The site now offers 15 in-
teractive, educational games. New educator resources, such as videos, e-comics, lessons and fun family activities, expand the site’s reach to students and parents. An interactive toolkit also was added to offer educators and volunteers a one-stop resource to get the most out of My American Farm. “We are proud to support innovative programs like My American Farm because we believe resources like this can help farmers engage in conversations” to share information about how they are growing more food using fewer resources, said Brody. Visit www.myamericanfarm. org to learn more about how My American Farm can help farmers and ranchers share their story about how agriculture serves consumers and the nation.
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FB elects grassroots leaders In addition to voting for president and vice president, the delegates elected three state Farm Bureau presidents to the AFBF board of directors: Kevin Paap of Minnesota and Craig Hill of Iowa to one-year terms for the Midwestern region and James “Hank” Combs of Nevada to a twoyear term for the Western region. Fourteen other state Farm Bureau presidents were re-elected to represent their regions on the AFBF board of directors:
• Midwest Region—Steve Baccus, Kansas; Blake Hurst, Missouri; Philip Nelson, Illinois; and Scott VanderWal, South Dakota.
• Southern Region—Mark Haney, Kentucky; John Hoblick, Florida;
Randy Knight, Mississippi; Jerry Newby, Alabama; Randy Veach, Arkansas; David Winkles, South Carolina; and Wayne Pryor, Virginia.
• Northeast Region—Patricia Langenfelder, Maryland; and Richard Nieuwenhuis, New Jersey.
• Western Region—Bob Hanson, Montana.
My American Farm kiosks expand the online educational program’s reach. Several kiosks were placed throughout the convention center so that annual meeting attendees could check out the games and activities.
t At the Foundation Luau event, Jan. 9, state Farm Bureaus were entered into a drawing for a My American Farm kiosk. Utah Farm Bureau won the kiosk giveaway.
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fbnews.org
January 23, 2012
Foundation for Agriculture presents awards Six state Farm Bureaus were recognized for outstanding financial support of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. State Farm Bureaus receiving the Scholar Award are: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Nebraska and South Dakota. The Scholar Award is given to the six state Farm Bureaus with the highest total donations within their membership groups. The Scholar Award is a “traveling” award. Delaware Farm Bureau received the Award of Excellence. To qualify for this award, a state Farm Bureau and all of the county Farm Bureaus within the state must donate to the foundation. In addition, 38 state Farm Bureaus received Apex Awards: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Min-
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture board of directors members present a $1,000 donation to the Hawaii State Public Library System at the Flapjack Fundraiser, where the foundation also recognized state Farm Bureaus’ outstanding support for the foundation’s agricultural literacy programs. Also, the foundation together with Candlewick Press donated copies of “How Did That Get in My Lunchbox,” the foundation’s new Book of the Year, to a Waikiki-area elementary school. nesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hamp-
shire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode
Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia. The Apex Award is presented to state Farm Bureaus that have increased total investment in the foundation by 10 percent or more over the previous year. “Like the apex of a plant, it is the generous contributions from individuals and families that nourish the foundation and fuel its mission of increasing agricultural literacy,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. During the event, Stallman challenged Farm Bureau members to make 2012 a record year for donations to the foundation. “The donations from dedicated members like you help the foundation provide programs, curriculums and projects to achieve our mission of building awareness, understanding and a positive perception of agriculture through education,” Stallman said.
AFBF sets 2012 policy priorities Continued from page 1 work with members of Congress to support legislation that maintains state authority over nonnavigable waters and those with no significant connection to navigable waters, and to defeat legislative and regulatory efforts to expand the federal government’s jurisdiction over those waters. Estate Taxes and Capital Gains Estate taxes hit family-owned farm and ranch operations especially hard because of the nonliquid nature of farm assets. In addition, capital gains taxes have a major impact on farmers and ranchers because, in order to farm, they must make large investments in land and other assets that they typically hang on to for decades. In late 2010, Congress extended lower estate tax and capital gains tax rates through 2012. However, permanent estate tax and capital gains tax relief is needed to prevent an increase in farm families’ tax burdens beginning next year. NPDES Pesticide Legislation The Environmental Protection Agency, in response to a court decision, is imposing Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements for the use of pesticides on, over or near many water bodies. The requirement comes on top of use restrictions that farmers and pesticide applicators already are subject to under the main law that deals with pesticide safety, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). If farmers and ranchers must wait for a federal permit before they can control pests, they’ll lose crops. AFBF will work with Congress to clarify that NPDES permits are not needed for pesticide applications that are done correctly and appropriately under existing FIFRA requirements.
Preserving Access to Antibiotics Bills introduced in Congress in recent years would ban the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics—in other words, the use of antibiotics on food animals that aren’t already sick. This is despite the fact that not a single incidence of antibioticresistance in humans can be linked to the agricultural use of antibiotics. Farmers and ranchers need the ability to prevent their animals from getting sick in the first place and to treat sick animals without having to wait for a veterinarian to show up and give his or her blessing. AFBF will work to maintain farmers’ and ranchers’ access to antibiotics to keep animals—and our food—safe and disease-free. Regulatory Reform From the imposition of Clean Water Act permit requirements for certain pesticide applications to an unscheduled and unnecessary review of the herbicide atrazine, from the EPA’s greenhouse gas regulations to proposed pesticide spray drift guidance, and from the administration’s regulatory actions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to EPA’s consideration last year of tightening requirements to minimize dust in rural areas, farmers and ranchers have been threatened with nearly a dozen new regulatory requirements in the past three years that would add to their production costs while delivering little if any environmental benefit. AFBF will work with Congress to update and modernize the regulatory process. The improvements would bring more transparency and greater public participation, require agencies to provide more detail about the science and data being used and require agencies to consider the rules’ impact on jobs and the economy.
and building prosperous rural communities. AFBF supports reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act to provide a stable source of funding for rural schools, libraries and other services, as well as changing the formula used to distribute funds under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to correct the current discrimination against rural and small-town school districts. Farm Bureau will work with Congress to ensure that funds for smaller class sizes, high-quality teachers and books, computers and supplies are distributed in a way that treats all students equally and fairly. Russia WTO Accession Bringing Russia into the rulesbased trading system overseen
Corner Post More Americans Now Normal Weight Than Overweight (Quarter 1, 2008 - Quarter 3, 2011)
Rural School Funding Farm Bureau believes that strong rural schools are vital to enhancing the lives of rural Americans
by the World Trade Organization will be a top priority for AFBF in 2012. The WTO last December approved Russia as its newest and 154th member. However, the WTO requires its members to extend immediate and unconditional nondiscriminatory treatment to the exports of other members. To benefit from Russia’s membership in the WTO, the U.S. must extend Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to Russia, including revocation of a Cold War-era law, the 1974 JacksonVanik amendment, which limits trade with Russia in response to its refusal, decades ago, to allow its citizens to emigrate. AFBF supports granting PNTR to Russia, an important market for U.S. poultry and pork, to maintain and expand U.S. agricultural export potential.
Source: Gallup--Healthways Well-Being Index