Regarding the April 9 - '60 Minutes' attack on Farm Bureau

"The '60 Minutes' report on Farm Bureau was one-sided and a gross distortion of many facts. America's farm and ranch families decide what Farm Bureau supports and they know the organization represents their interests. Just as Farm Bureau's farmer members renew their memberships on an annual basis, they also review the policies they set to guide us -- the world's most influential farm organization.

"One of the 60 Minutes misrepresentations, in particular, must be addressed. Farm Bureau supports civil rights and voting rights. We do, however, oppose federal election regulations that impose mandates on state governments -- in particular those mandates that have led to a decrease in political representation for rural America. That sentiment is in our policy book, but our mission continues to focus on profitability and quality of life for America's farm and ranch families.

"This is not the first time Farm Bureau has been the target of malicious propaganda. We doubt that it's the last. Our success representing American agriculture makes us a target of those opposed to our mission. We answer to our members -- farm and ranch families who know Farm Bureau is supported and controlled by farmers. Farm Bureau will continue to work toward its two main goals -- to enhance net farm income and to improve the quality of rural life."