The history of the United States is written in every row of crops, every pasture and every type of barn or shelter that protects dairy and beef cattle, poultry and other livestock from sea to sea. The American Farm Bureau Federation is marking the nation’s 250th anniversary through FARM 250, a celebration of the vital role farmers and ranchers have played in shaping the country. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on those who helped lay the foundation – individuals who could be described as founding fathers of agriculture.

George Washington Carver was a pioneering Black agricultural scientist and educator whose research began in the late 1890s and continued until his death in 1943. His efforts laid the foundation for the transformation of crop farming in the Southern U.S. This included farmers’ widespread adoption of crop rotation to improve soil health. He also promoted techniques for planting crops such as peanuts and sweet potatoes, which enrich soil. His pioneering work in principles of sustainable agriculture and conservation are still studied and implemented today.

Carver is also recognized for his decades of work at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University in Alabama) where he developed education programs for poor farmers, many of whom had formerly been enslaved.

No discussion of agriculture’s pioneers would be complete without Dr. Norman Borlaug, widely recognized as the “Father of the Green Revolution.”

Starting in the mid 1940s, Borlaug, an agronomist, led a team that developed high‑yielding, disease‑resistant wheat varieties. His promotion of these new wheat varieties and advanced farming practices are credited with dramatically increasing food production worldwide, especially in Mexico and South Asia.

Borlaug’s groundbreaking work helped prevent mass famine across the globe, saving millions of people from starvation. He was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his use of science to solve a real-world problem.

One of America’s founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence, was also an early champion of American agriculture. His orchestration of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 was a significant achievement, nearly doubling our young nation’s size with the acquisition of 870,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River from France. This set the stage for westward exploration and settlement by farmers, traders and their families in search of land and economic opportunity.

On a smaller scale, Jefferson’s garden at Monticello in Virginia was where he applied his analytic mindset to dozens of vegetable varieties from around the world. Successes and failures for each were meticulously recorded in his Garden Book, a journal where he noted seed planting dates, when leaves appeared and when each crop was ready to eat.

Although his legacy is complicated, Jefferson continues to influence agricultural education today. One example is the book “First Peas to the Table” (2012) by Susan Grigsby, which introduces young students to his agricultural experiments through a classroom gardening challenge.

It’s interesting to imagine what these three visionaries – Carver, Borlaug and Jefferson – would think about agriculture if they were alive today. I’m optimistic that they would join Farm Bureau in celebrating America’s farmers for their continued resilience and all that they do to feed families and advance innovation, while being mindful stewards of the land.

I also think they would recognize that agriculture’s story is still being written today, with leadership of the nation’s farmers and ranchers a key driver behind how it plays out. Three contemporary leaders in agriculture stand out to me personally: two on the national stage that I’ve been fortunate to work with during my career in agricultural communications over the past three decades — and one much closer to home.

Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle farmer from Texas, served as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation from 2000–2016, a tenure during which he elevated Farm Bureau’s role as a leading policy voice for farmers and ranchers in Washington, D.C. He was a steadfast advocate on farm policy, trade and regulatory issues affecting agriculture, earning respect across the agriculture and food industries and using that influence to foster dialogue with consumers and lawmakers alike.

Widely recognized as a “champion of agriculture” and influential farm leader, Stallman led AFBF through a significant retooling for the 21st century, including relocating the organization’s headquarters from Chicago to Washington, D.C., to strengthen its policy presence.

In 2017, AFBF honored Stallman with its Distinguished Service Award, the organization’s highest honor, established in 1928 to recognize individuals who have devoted their careers to serving the national interest of American agriculture. He credits his lifelong interest in farm policy to attending a state hearing on water regulation as a young farmer.

Following Stallman’s tenure, third-generation Georgia farmer Zippy Duvall was elected president of the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2016. A beef cattle and poultry farmer, he often emphasizes the importance of direct engagement with consumers and policymakers, encouraging farmers to tell their stories and build trust in modern agriculture. His presidency has been characterized by a focus on servant leadership and relationship-building across agriculture and government. This includes strengthening connections across Farm Bureau’s federated structure, encompassing all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Over the past decade, his influence has contributed to policy wins and a stronger national voice for agriculture. With natural disasters and economic disruptions increasingly common, his focus is often on ensuring farmers and ranchers can continue producing food.

Most recently, he continues to press the point with Congress that after years of economic pressure, farm families need the stability and certainty that comes with a new, modernized farm bill. He has also made agricultural labor reform a top priority, recognizing that access to a reliable workforce remains one of the top concerns facing farmers and ranchers.

The same values that have shaped Farm Bureau leadership at the national level are forged every day on family farms.

David Shearing, my father, is a retired dairy farmer and longtime county Farm Bureau leader still going strong at nearly 86 years old. He instilled a strong work ethic and a cooperative spirit in my two brothers and me long before “teamwork” became part of the everyday business lexicon.

Case in point: the three of us, all under the age of 10, did chores on our New York dairy farm every day after school. One day, one of my brothers finished early and went inside. When my dad discovered this, he brought the two of us still on the job with him into the house and delivered a lesson that went something like this:

“When one of you finishes your chores, you go find someone who is not done. You help him or her finish. Then the two of you find the third, and you all work together until everything is done. Then you can come inside. Understand?”

It was a simple lesson, but one that has stayed with me and also reflects the enduring spirit of American agriculture: We are stronger when we work together and the work is never truly done until everyone is finished.

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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalizing the registrations of new pesticide products that provide farmers with additional tools to protect their crops.

“We appreciate EPA’s rigorous review process and ultimate approval of new products that will help farmers grow crops for food, fiber and renewable fuel while also contributing to sustainability goals. Administrator Lee Zeldin promised comprehensive vetting, which we welcome. Farmers are dedicated to caring for our land and natural resources, so new tools that help us do that are important.

“Pesticides undergo years of rigorous testing, with very few making it through the approval process. Farmers trust and rely on EPA’s science- and risk-based regulatory process. These new products, backed by the best available science, will enable farmers to do more with less and provide more tools in the toolbox to help ensure an abundant and safe food supply for America’s families.”

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America’s farmers are facing a labor crisis. Continued agriculture workforce shortages threaten farmers’ ability to grow the food families rely on. Many labor challenges are addressed in new legislation introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson. The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 builds on recommendations of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group and modernizes the H-2A visa program by expanding access to a year-round workforce and eliminating unpredictable swings in wage rates, among other changes.

“The lack of available labor is among the largest limiting factors of American agriculture,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Most Americans don’t want to work on farms. In fact, only 182 domestic applications were submitted for nearly 415,000 advertised positions in 2025. If Americans won’t apply for these jobs, we have no other choice but to depend on the H-2A program. Unfortunately, the current guest worker program is inadequate to meet the demands on farms across the country.

“We are grateful to Chairman G.T. Thompson for listening to America’s farmers. Farm Bureau members participated in the bipartisan House Agriculture Labor Working Group, and they shared the obstacles to participation in guest worker programs. Their needs are largely addressed in the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act. It delivers meaningful farm labor reform and will provide certainty and fairness to both farmers and their employees as they contribute to a strong and healthy food supply.”

The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act would:

• Allow temporary workers to remain on the job for up to 350 days, which gives farms like dairies greater access to the H-2A program;
• Limit excessive or irrelevant federal fees to participate in the H-2A program, which will make it more affordable for farmers;
• Codify an improved wage methodology and establish safeguards to prevent unpredictable Adverse Effect Wage Rate fluctuations; and
• Affirm H-2A workers as essential.

Farm Bureau strongly supports the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act and urges Congress to pass it. We are committed to working with lawmakers to ensure farmers have access to an adequate workforce to continue producing healthy and affordable food for America’s families.

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America’s farmers face a labor crisis. Chad Smith has more on a possible solution emerging in Washington, D.C., this week.

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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on President Trump’s executive order to lift countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizers from Morocco through early next year.

“Farmers applaud President Trump’s executive order to suspend tariffs on phosphate fertilizers from Morocco. Skyrocketing fertilizer costs have contributed to rising expenses for farmers who were already struggling after years of inflation, depressed commodity markets and high interest rates. In fact, 7 out of 10 farmers said, in a Farm Bureau survey this spring, that they would not be able to afford enough fertilizer for this year.

“The decision to suspend tariffs on critical supplies, along with the recent request for emergency economic aid for farmers, are common-sense steps that will bring relief to farmers at a time when they need it most. We shared the impact of high fertilizer prices and availability with the president and we appreciate him listening to those concerns. We’ll continue to work with the administration to find more ways to improve market conditions and lower expenses for the men and women who work to ensure pantries are stocked for America’s families.”

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American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall today applauded the White House request to Congress for more than $11 billion in additional assistance for America's farmers and ranchers, as well as the administration's call for year-round access to E15 fuel.

“Farmers are grateful to have the president’s backing at such a critical time after enduring years of economic losses due to inflation and depressed markets. Additional aid will give farmers optimism headed into harvest later this year as they await the benefits of enhanced farm bill programs, better market access overseas and stronger domestic demand.

“Not only do we urge Congress to heed the White House call to deliver economic aid, but we also know both sides of the aisle in Congress recognize more is needed as farmers’ losses nationwide far exceed $11 billion. Over the last decade we have lost nearly 200,000 farms, so we need to stabilize the farm economy and reverse that trend. Additional aid will certainly help.

“The White House also urged Congress to authorize year-round sales of E15 fuel nationwide, which we’ve long called for. Expanding access to E15 would strengthen domestic energy production, increase demand for American-grown crops and save consumers at the gas pump. That’s a win all the way around.

“We look forward to working with Congress and the administration to quickly deliver supplemental aid and year-round E15, in addition to addressing other urgent priorities Farm Bureau has identified, from the farm bill to labor reform and protecting interstate commerce. We’re grateful for the broad recognition among elected leaders of the important role farmers play in our nation's economy, energy security and food security. Ensuring the long-term strength of American agriculture is a goal we can all rally behind.”

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An Arizona Farm Bureau initiative launched to address ongoing concerns about cotton seed quality in the state evolved into a comprehensive seed-testing program implemented in the 2025 growing season.

Through grassroots engagement and the policy development process, Arizona Farm Bureau farmer members highlighted persistent issues with cotton seed, particularly poor germination rates and declining performance, prompting the organization to convene a coalition of stakeholders including growers, volunteer Farm Bureau leaders, seed companies, university Extension specialists, commodity groups and the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

The collaborative effort is a significant step toward improving seed reliability, reducing replanting risks amid high costs and supporting the long-term viability of Arizona’s cotton industry.

With the overarching goal of ensuring only high-quality cotton seed is distributed in Arizona, the coalition was specifically looking to validate both cold and warm germination rates.

Laboratory Analysis

In collaboration with the Arizona Cotton Growers Association, the Arizona Department of Agriculture, and the Cotton Research and Protection Council, a statewide cotton seed testing program was launched. Through the program, the Arizona Department of Agriculture collected seed samples from locations across the state and submitted them to the state laboratory for evaluation of both warm and cold germination rates to assess overall seed quality.

Surprising Results

State lab testing confirmed that warm germination rates were high, but – surprising both growers and seed companies – cold germination rates were significantly low. These findings prompted seed companies to voluntarily share their cold germination rates with growers, a big step forward in building trust and accountability.

Continued Collaboration and Transparency

Stakeholders are expanding data collection beyond germination rates to include additional seed quality indicators such as oil content. In addition, they’ll also be looking into collecting contextual data from growers, like planting time, soil temperature and environmental conditions, to better understand the factors influencing seed performance.

State Awards of Excellence

Arizona Farm Bureau’s efforts to address concerns with the state’s cotton seed quality were recognized with a 2026 Award of Excellence in the Advocacy category. The award was presented at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention in January in Anaheim.

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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today commended the White House nomination of Michigan Farm Bureau leader and farmer Carl Bednarski to serve on the Farm Credit Administration Board.

“We congratulate Carl on his nomination to the Farm Credit Administration Board. He is well-qualified to serve in this position, having capably led the team at Michigan Farm Bureau for a decade and having also served on the AFBF board of directors for nearly nine years, including roles on our Executive, Audit and Finance Committees.

“Carl’s strong leadership abilities and knowledge of the financial world will serve Farm Credit well. Equally important, as a lifelong farmer, Carl will bring a passion for ensuring farmers continue to be well-served by the Farm Credit Administration.

“Ensuring a strong Farm Credit System is more important than ever as farmers and ranchers continue to face a multiyear downturn in the farm economy. We look forward to Carl’s approval by the Senate.”

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The American Farm Bureau Federation released its annual July 4^th marketbasket survey. Chad Smith has more on what families can expect to pay.

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Families celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with a cookout will find that prices at the grocery store closely reflect inflation increases over the last year. An Independence Day cookout will cost $73.82 for 10 guests this year, according to the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey.

This is up $2.90 from last year, which is a 4% increase. The overall annual inflation rate in the United States is 4.2% for 12 months ending in May, which is consistent with the findings of the marketbasket survey, even though the survey tracks a much smaller basket of items.

At $7.38 per person, this is the most expensive Fourth of July cookout since Farm Bureau began surveying costs in 2016. However, after adjusting for inflation, cookout costs have remained relatively stable in recent years and remain below the previous peak reached in 2022.

“Families across the country are dealing with higher prices for many expenses including groceries,” said American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Dr. Faith Parum. “As you look at the purchasing power of the dollar, however, it has remained relatively stable when it comes to food. America’s families spend less of their disposable income on food than most other nations and we enjoy one of the most abundant, affordable and safe food supplies in the world.”

The marketbasket survey shows an increase in the cost of 10 of the 12 tracked items including ground beef, pork and beans, strawberries and hamburger buns.

Several factors influence the increased costs. The retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef increased 5.5% to $14.06. America’s ranchers continue to rebuild their herds following years of severe drought, which has affected supplies. It will take several years for herds to recover to pre-drought levels.

Strawberries cost $5.27 for two pints, an increase of 12.4%. Strawberries had a price increase, in part, because of a devastating frost in Florida that destroyed many young plants early in the spring. High labor costs for fruits and vegetables are also a factor as well as increased costs for fuel used in refrigeration and transportation.

A 32 ounce can of pork and beans is up 37 cents from 2025 to $3.06. The cost of aluminum drastically increased this year, driving up the production cost of cans used in pork and beans.

Hamburger buns cost an average of $2.53, a 7.7% increase from last year. Increased production, transportation and labor costs contributed to the price increase of hamburger buns.

Two bright spots in the survey were potato salad and chips. The price for potato salad fell 17.8% from 2025 to $2.91. This can be attributed partially to a key salad ingredient – eggs. Egg prices have dropped as flocks recovered from avian influenza. Healthy potato harvests reduced the cost of making potato salad and chips. Chips were down 4 cents from 2025 to $4.76.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall said, “Higher prices at the grocery store don’t always translate to more money for farmers. The farmer’s share of the food dollar is around 6% after expenses. Farmers are dealing with natural disasters and higher supply costs while making the same - or sometimes less - money for the food they grow. Still, they’re committed to growing safe, affordable, sustainable and abundant food for our nation.

“Farmers represent less than 2% of the population, but they carry a great responsibility in providing nutrition for the remaining 98% of America. The critical role they play has traditionally been supported by investments in innovation, research and risk management, all made possible by the farm bill. We encourage lawmakers to celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary and then return to D.C. with a renewed commitment to pass a new, modernized farm bill. It’s an investment in our country’s future.”

The federal government’s broader Consumer Price Index report for all items shows an overall increase of 4.2%, while food shows an increase of 3.1% compared to a year ago. Farm Bureau’s informal marketbasket survey examines only those foods commonly associated with summer cookouts.

The July Fourth cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving dinner cost survey of common food staples Americans use to prepare a holiday meal at home.

Volunteer shoppers across the country, including Farm Bureau members and others, collected data from stores in every state and Puerto Rico.

Individual Prices, AFBF 2026 Summer Cookout

• 2 pounds of ground beef, $14.06 (+5.5%)
• 2 pounds of chicken breasts, $8.06 (+3.5%)
• 3 pounds of pork chops, $14.79 (+4.7%)
• 1 pound of cheese, $3.60 (+1.7%)
• 1 package of hamburger buns, $2.53 (+7.7%)
• 2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $2.91 (-17.8%)
• 32 ounces of pork and beans, $3.06 (+13.8%)
• 16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.76 (-0.8%)
• 13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $4.25 (+6.3%)
• ½ gallon of ice cream, $5.99 (+5.3%)
• 2 pints of strawberries, $5.27 (+12.4%)
• 2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $4.54 (+3.9%)

Read the full Market Intel on the 2026 Fourth of July Cookout Survey here.

To download selected soundbites on the survey, click here.

Be sure to watch for the Farm Bureau Thanksgiving marketbasket survey when it is released on November 18.

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