Ding dong the ditch rule is dead! The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have officially begun the process to withdraw the highly controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) final rule and begin a replacement rulemaking process to gather input and re-evaluate the definition of WOTUS, to cheers from farmers and ranchers nationwide. American Farm … Read More
SMART Farmer Scott VanderWal
This week the SMART Farmer podcast features Scott VanderWal, a third-generation corn and soybean farmer and cattle feeder from Volga, South Dakota. In addition to operating the family farm with his father and brothers, Scott serves as vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau, and is a board member of the U.S. Farmers and … Read More
EPA Dimisses Petition Against Chlorpyrifos
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently dismissed a petition regarding the crop protection tool chlorpyrifos, a decision the National Corn Growers Association and American Farm Bureau Federation have praised. The Obama administration had considered a ban on chlorpyrifos in 2015, but the decision had not been finalized. “We are pleased with the EPA’s decision today to deny a petition against chlorpyrifos … Read More
Agri-Pulse #FarmBillSummit Hears From Duvall
President of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Zippy Duvall addressed the participants of the Agri-Pulse Farm Bill Summit earlier this week. Using his best southern charm, Duvall addressed the issue of the upcoming farm bill, pointing out the different circumstances farmers and ranchers are in as the last bill was being written and the economic climate now. “The biggest problem with … Read More
Ag Groups Ask Congress to Strengthen Safety Net
A total of 18 agriculture groups representing everything from sorghum to sunflowers, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, sent a letter to the congressional budget and appropriates committees asking for an increase in funding in the 2018 farm bill. The letter emphasizes the need for a strong safety net in light of the current economic conditions, pointing out the 50 … Read More
AFBF Graduates Partners in Ag Leadership Class
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is celebrating the graduation of nine young agricultural leaders from their Partners in Advocacy Leadership class— and if AFBF isn’t celebrating, I am. That’s because my husband, Brian Marshall, was one of the participants who studied the four learning modules designed to develop leadership skills and understanding of theories and philosophies, mostly by traveling … Read More
Trump Signs Executive Order Ditching WOTUS
The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation had the privilege of being with the President of the United States Tuesday as he signed an executive order directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to formally reconsider the controversial Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule under the Clean Water Act. “President Trump’s executive order to ditch the Waters of … Read More
Ag Secretary is Last Minute Choice for Trump
President-elect Donald Trump will officially round out his cabinet by nominating former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture just a little more than 24 hours before the inauguration. As word about the choice spread Wednesday evening, most agricultural groups were waiting until the official announcement to respond, but one of the first was American Farm Bureau president Zippy … Read More
#AFBF17 Breaks Down Immigration Issues
A panel recently addressed the issue of immigration reform at the American Farm Bureau Federation‘s 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Tom Hertz, an economist from the Department of Agriculture and Mark Delich, director of congressional affairs at FWD spoke to the attendees about the economic and political realities of the issue, as well as some proposed reforms. Hertz … Read More
#AFBF17 Economic Team Offers Strategic View
It’s true today’s farm economy has similarities to the 1980’s, but more noticeable are the differences, says Dr. Bob Young, the chief economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation. He and three other economists at AFBF addressed the audience at the 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Together they gave an overview of the farm economy and what to … Read More