Delegates at the 87th American
Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting cast a resounding vote in support
of extending the economic safety net of the current farm bill until a new world
trade agreement is reached to increase foreign market access for U.S. farmers
and ranchers. More...
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Watch Monday Night's Awards Ceremony |
 Multi-platinum country artist Sammy Kershaw entertained members with his trademark soulful sound and Cajun vocal kick, Monday night. For more photos of the convention, view our Photo Gallery. |
Awards for Excellence and President’s Awards were presented in five program areas:
- Ag education and promotion
- Leadership development
- Member services
- Policy implementation
- Public relations
The winning states and the number of Awards for Excellence categories won by each are listed below:
Arizona (2), Arkansas (5), California (2), Colorado (2), Connecticut (4), Florida (5), Georgia (3), Idaho (4), Illinois (5), Indiana (5), Kansas (4), Kentucky (5), Louisiana (4), Maryland (2), Michigan (5), Minnesota (4), Mississippi (1), Missouri (5), Montana (5), Nebraska (4), New York (5), North Carolina (5), Ohio (5), Oklahoma (3), Pennsylvania (5), Rhode Island (1), South Carolina (4), South Dakota (2), Tennessee (5), Texas (3), Utah (3), Virginia (4), Washington (4), West Virginia (2), and Wisconsin (4).
A total of 25 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.
The winning states and the number of President’s Awards won are listed below:
California (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (2), Indiana (1), Louisiana (2), Mississippi (1), Missouri (1), Montana (5), Ohio (4), Pennsylvania (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (2).
 Cal Ripken Jr., baseball's famous "Iron Man," explained traits he sees as necessary for succeeding in life during his keynote presentation at Monday's general session. |
Cal Ripken Jr., baseball’s famous “Iron Man,” explained traits he sees as necessary for succeeding in life during his keynote presentation at Monday’s general session of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 87th annual meeting.
Using baseball as a metaphor for life, Ripken said, “Get off the sidelines and get into the game, and only then will you find out what you are made of.” More...
Stallman Urges Farmers to Set Policy Course |
Watch AFBF President Bob Stallman's Opening General Session Address |
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Listen to AFBF President Bob Stallman's Opening General Session Address |  |
“For decades, agriculture has relied on our farm program as a sturdy bridge that gets us to the other side of the river and moves us on down our country road,” Stallman said. “Today that bridge is beginning to sag under the weight of change. We cannot afford to wait until that old bridge collapses, and we end up swimming for our lives. More...
Ag Secretary Johanns Addresses County Presidents |
Listen to Ag Secretary Mike Johanns' News Conference |
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Read Transcript of Ag Secretary Mike Johanns' Speech |
 Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns (right) met with county Farm Bureau presidents during their annual luncheon, Monday. |
Johanns said he personally conducted 22 of 52 USDA farm bill forums with farmers and ranchers around the U.S. in 2005, and he plans to attend additional listening sessions later this year.
The country’s top agriculture official said these forums provide him with an excellent opportunity to hear what is on the minds of American producers. High energy prices, particularly as they affect fertilizer costs, are of great concern nationwide, he said. More...
Sen. Frist Awarded "Golden Plow" by Farm Bureau |
Listen to Sen. Bill Frist's General Session Address | |
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Listen to Sen. Bill Frist's News Conference |
Frist’s voting record and history of leadership demonstrate “a commitment to sound agricultural policies supported by the American Farm Bureau, as well as fiscal conservatism and reduced federal regulation,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. More...
 Michael Martin Murphey and the Heartland Cowboys were the featured entertainment at the America's Heartland Concert and the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Ice Cream Social, Sunday evening. |
Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation and Delaware Farm Bureau received Eagle Awards from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, for outstanding financial support.
The awards were presented during the foundation’s Flapjack Fundraiser, a pancake breakfast held during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 87th annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. More...
Hastert, Flinchbaugh Earn Distinguished Service AwardsThe American Farm Bureau gave its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Barry Flinchbaugh, Kansas State University agricultural economist.
Hastert was nominated by the Illinois Farm Bureau for “a lifetime of service to agriculture beginning with making deliveries to farmers from his father’s feed store in rural Illinois to his current outstanding leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Stallman thanked Flinchbaugh for “your dedication to educating your many students and the public about the importance of agriculture.” More...
Texas FB Inventor Wins Top Farmer Idea Awards Young Farmers and Ranchers from around the country participated in the annual discussion meet Sunday; the final four contestants competed Monday. View our Photo Gallery to see the winners. |
AFBF Recognizes County
Farm Bureaus for Excellence
The American Farm Bureau
Federation recognized 15 outstanding county Farm Bureaus’ initiatives under
the County Activities of Excellence (CAE) program. The programs were selected
based on content, benefit to Farm Bureau members, innovation and results. More...
