The Voice of Agriculture - American Farm Bureau

Highlights of the 91st Annual Meeting

Climate Bill, Federal Debt Top Concerns of AFBF Delegates
Delegates at the 91st American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting voted to oppose cap-and-trade climate legislation and to support balancing the federal budget over the next eight years.

The delegates approved a special resolution stating that cap-and-trade legislation would raise farmers’ and ranchers’ production costs, and the potential benefits of agricultural offsets are far outweighed by the costs to producers. Due to these and other concerns, the delegates strongly opposed “cap and trade proposals before Congress” and supported “any legislative action that would suspend EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.” more »

Stallman to Ag Critics: Circumstances Have Changed
In his annual keynote address today, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman issued a call to action to Farm Bureau members and a stern warning to critics that farmers and ranchers will no longer tolerate opponents’ efforts to change the landscape of American agriculture. Stallman spoke at the organization’s annual meeting in Seattle, Wash., which runs through Wednesday.

Calling on Farm Bureau members to rally as one during these challenging times, Stallman said there are already too many external forces tugging at agriculture’s seams without farmers and ranchers being divided amongst themselves. more »

Gridiron Great Terry Bradshaw Says ‘Go For It’ in Life
Terry Bradshaw, four-time Super Bowl champion quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, two-time Super Bowl “Most Valuable Player” and Pro Football Hall of Fame member, used humorous stories from his days on the field to inspire farmers and ranchers during his keynote address at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 91st annual meeting.

“There’s no third half in football or in life. Go for it!” Bradshaw said, as he encouraged attendees to always be thankful for what they have and persevere no matter the situation. more »

Young Farmers and Ranchers Take Top Honors
Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 91st annual meeting. Young farmers from around the United States competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.

Aaron and Ashley Reding of Kentucky won the Achievement Award. Rachel Bina of North Dakota won the Discussion Meet. Scott and Mendy Sink of Virginia won the Excellence in Ag Award. more »

Irvin Selected for Distinguished Service Award
The American Farm Bureau Federation presented its highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, to Tommy Irvin, who has served as Georgia’s commissioner of agriculture since 1969. The award was announced during the 91st AFBF annual meeting.

AFBF established the Distinguished Service Award to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving farming and ranching. more »

State Farm Bureaus Honored for Excellence
State Farm Bureaus were recognized for excellence in membership achievement and for implementing outstanding programs serving Farm Bureau members in 2009. American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman presented the awards during AFBF’s 91st annual meeting.

Stallman announced winners of the Pinnacle Award, for overall outstanding program achievement combined with membership growth. The Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Ohio and Tennessee Farm Bureaus were honored with Pinnacle Awards. more »

FB Women Work to Change Perceptions About Agriculture
The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee is challenging Farm Bureau women to focus on changing public perceptions about agriculture and family farms and ranches in 2010, according to Terry Gilbert, committee chair.

Gilbert, a corn and cattle producer from Danville, Ky., addressed her fellow state Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee leaders and members during AFBF’s 91st annual meeting. more »

Will Gilmer of Alabama Elected as YF&R Committee Chair
Members of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee elected Will Gilmer of Alabama as the committee’s chairperson for 2010. He will take over as chair in February, at the end of the committee’s leadership conference and serve for one year.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering technology and business from Mississippi State University in 2001, Gilmer returned home to his family’s dairy farm in central Lamar County, Ala. In partnership with his father, Gilmer now owns and operates Gilmer Dairy Farm, which includes a herd of 450 Holstein cows, heifers and calves, as well as more than 500 acres of pasture and forage crop production. more »

AFBF Recognizes 15 County Farm Bureaus for Excellence
Fifteen county Farm Bureaus were recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation for innovative new program ideas in this year’s County Activities of Excellence program. The winners shared their successful efforts in an exhibit at AFBF 91st annual meeting.

The awards spotlight innovative programs by county Farm Bureaus in five categories: Education & Agriculture Promotion; Leadership Development; Membership Services; Policy Implementation; and Public Relations & Information. more »

Top Farmer Idea Award Goes to Illinois Farm Bureau Inventor
Paul Berbaum of Champaign, Ill., and his “Auger Dolly” earned the grand prize in the Farmer Idea Exchange competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 91st annual meeting.

Berbaum won a year’s use of a New Holland TV-145 Bidirectional™ tractor. New Holland has provided a year’s free use of a tractor to the grand prize winner for 20 of the 21 years the program has existed.

Berbaum’s Auger Dolly, allows an auger to easily be put in place. With the Auger Dolly, a farmer can roll an auger from the storage building and install at a bin in less than 10 minutes. The auger dolly can also be transported in a truck. more »

Foundation for Agriculture Presents Eagle Awards
Nebraska Farm Bureau and Alaska Farm Bureau received Eagle Awards from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture for outstanding financial support.

The awards were presented during the organization’s Flapjack Fundraiser, a pancake breakfast at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 91st annual meeting. more »

Foundation for Agriculture Announces Book of the Year
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture presented its third annual “Book of the Year” award to Susan Anderson and JoAnne Buggey for their Soybeans in the Story of Agriculture.

The book walks young readers through the lifecycle of soybeans, from farm to consumer: production, processing, distribution and marketing. It is narrated by a tractor named “Agri-Culture.” more »

DuPont Pledges Support to My American Farm Initiative; Funds Help Farm Bureau Inform Consumers
DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred and the American Farm Bureau Federation announced a $500,000 donation to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s My American Farm virtual education program. The donation from Pioneer Hi-Bred, paid over three years, will enable the foundation to further build agricultural awareness and understanding through education.

The My American Farm project teaches agricultural literacy to consumers and the public through an interactive computer game. Players learn where food comes from in addition to learning how products get from the farm to their dinner plate. more »

AFBF 91st
Annual Meeting
January 10-13, 2010
Seattle, Washington

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