Ryan Martin is an agriculture meteorologist at Advantage Weather Solutions– a speaker at the American Farm Bureau Federation‘s 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show, but what does weather have to do with social media? Social media is actually affecting the way farmers make decisions, especially regarding weather stories, Martin told his audience. Once you’ve seen it online, it’s hard … Read More
#AFBF Offers 2017 Crop Outlook
Dr. Pat Westhoff of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri brought attendees of the American Farm Bureau Federation‘s Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show an outlook for the 2017-2018 crop demand. Overall, he says, look for 2017 to follow a similar trend of 2016, with prices continuing to be below average. “Lots of pressure … Read More
#AFBF17 Addresses the Dirt on Sustainability
One of agriculture’s biggest frustrations is sustainability; not because we aren’t doing it, but because others are defining it for us, says Katie Heger, a farmer serving on American Farm Bureau Federation‘s Dirt on Sustainability panel. “We have a market that is trying to define what [sustainability] means to us and how we’re supposed to respond to that. Sustainability, really, … Read More
AFBF Approves of Trump EPA Appointment
President-elect Trump has selected Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President, Zippy Duvall, responded positively to the announcement that the Oklahoma Attorney General who challenged the California caged hen law, investigated the Humane Society of the United States, and sued the EPA on more than one occasion, will now be in a … Read More
AFBF President Visits #NAFB16
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Zippy Duvall experienced his first National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) convention last week where he talked about his first year at the helm of the nation’s largest farm organization. “It’s been very busy and exciting and a big education for me as far as agriculture in different parts of the country,” said Duvall. … Read More
Ag Groups Challenge Waters of the US Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation and many other organizations and businesses have asked a federal court to overrule the EPA and Army Corps of Engineer’s “Waters of the United States”. The submitted brief outlines many allegations in detail and describes a year’s worth of litigation involving the rule’s overreach. The coalition’s brief explains how EPA flouted important procedural safeguards designed … Read More
Thanksgiving Lesson Connects Students to Food
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is offering pre-K through first grade teachers a Thanksgiving-themed activity. “Thank an American Farmer or Rancher” explains where food comes and asks students to write, draw or create thank you letters and cards for America’s farmers. The lesson plan, a letter written by a farmer, suggested reading list, and class discussion ideas are … Read More
Top 10 Rural Entrepreneurs Announced
The top ten teams in the 2017 Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge have been announced, with the top four to compete for the title of Rural Entrepreneur of the Year at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual convention in January. “Entrepreneurship is alive and well in rural America,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “It’s a pleasure to recognize these … Read More
AFBF Selects Teachers to Pilot Classroom Resource
Four teachers will have the opportunity to pilot the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and the International Food Information Council Foundation‘s new educational resources. “Bringing Biotechnology to Life” is a set of free lessons that teach students about agriculture biotechnology and how it affects food production. The four educators are: Amy Dawson of Paragould, Arkansas; Ginger Reimer of Claremore, Oklahoma; … Read More
Candidates Offer Views on Ag Issues
While the candidates may weigh in during tonight’s debate on issues such as immigration and trade, which are important to agriculture, it’s not likely they will address topics such as the farm bill and biotechnology. So, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) went to both nominees and asked them the same questions on a number of issues that concern farmers … Read More