FB: Farmers Need Policies that Promote Economic Growth
 American Farm Bureau delegates deliberated over a variety of policies at the organization’s annual meeting. |
“Where Congress and the administration must propose and enact new laws and regulations to deal with our nation’s challenges, Farm Bureau will work to ensure those new measures do not threaten farmers’ and ranchers’ profitability,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman, “but, rather, capitalize on opportunities to maintain a strong agricultural economy and bolster rural America.”
As Congress is expected this year to revisit the issue of climate change, the delegates have reaffirmed their opposition to caps on greenhouse gas emissions that would drive up the cost of fuel, fertilizer and other inputs needed to produce farm commodities. more »
Young Farmers and Ranchers Take Top Honors
Winners of the Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced today at
 Achievement Award winners Donald and Alicia Blankenship, with Chrysler representative Albino Estrella (right). |
 Discussion Meet winner James Williams, with Chrysler representative Albino Estrella (left). |
 Excellence in Agriculture winners Dan and Cara June Strasser, with Chrysler representative Albino Estrella (right). |
Donald and Alicia Blankenship of Tennessee won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck, courtesy of Dodge, and a $1,000 product voucher from Valvoline. They also received free registration to the 2009 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 7-9, in Sacramento, Calif.
Runners-up in the Achievement Award contest included Larry and Jenny Rebecca Black of Florida, Brian and Catherine Ziehm of New York, Bryan Boll of Minnesota, and Chris and Jamie Demerly of Michigan. They each received a compact tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and a $500 product voucher from Valvoline.
The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside Farm Bureau.
James G. Williams of Idaho won the Discussion Meet. He will take home a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck, courtesy of Dodge, plus free registration to the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference. more »
Eckel, LaHood Earn Distinguished Service Awards
 Pennsylvania Farm Bureau member Keith Eckel (center) accepted the American Farm Bureau Federation’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, from AFBF President Bob Stallman (right) and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer. Former Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), President-elect Obama’s nominee for transportation secretary, also received the award but was not present. |
Eckel, who has been a farmer and leader for agriculture for 40 years, served as a member of the AFBF board of directors, and on various executive, organization, finance and study committees. He was later appointed by the secretary of agriculture to serve on the nation’s Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables. He was also appointed as a charter member of the National Dairy Board and was later appointed to serve on the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act Advisory Committee.
Rep. Ray LaHood’s 31-year career of public service has focused on agricultural issues. He has served as a member of the House of Representatives from the 18th district of Illinois and has been a tireless and effective advocate for agriculture. His voting record on AFBF issues earned him a “Friend of Farm Bureau” designation for six consecutive sessions of Congress. LaHood has been asked to serve as secretary of transportation in the Obama administration. more »
Stallman: Farmers Ready to Work with New Administration
 |
“President-elect Obama has told us he wants discussion and constructive debate,” Stallman said. “He wants a healthy agricultural economy and he likes decisions based on science. That is good news for Farm Bureau and agriculture.”
Stallman issued a direct message to the incoming U.S. president: “We, the farmers and ranchers of Farm Bureau, are ready to roll up our sleeves and move forward. We feed the nation, and no matter which national priority – the economy, energy, immigration, trade, environment – that you choose to pursue, we are ready to hit the ground running.” more »
Meals Elected as YF&R Committee Chair
 |
Meals, who is from Newville, Pa., owns and operates a 136-acre crop farm. A first-generation farmer, he grows timothy, brome and alfalfa hay for the local dairy and horse industry. Meals graduated from the State University of New York in Cobleskill with a Bachelor of Technology degree in agricultural business management and an associate degree in agricultural engineering. more »
Non-Traditional Leadership Roles Urged for FB Women
The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee is encouraging Farm Bureau women to explore non-traditional leadership roles in 2009, according to Terry Gilbert, committee chair. 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 15 winners shared their successful efforts in an exhibit at AFBF’S 90th annual meeting. more »
State Farm Bureaus Recognized for Excellence
State Farm Bureaus were recognized this morning for excellence in membership achievement and for implementing exemplary programs serving Farm Bureau members in 2008. American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman and Vice President Barry Bushue presented the awards during AFBF’s 90th annual meeting. more »
