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American Farm Bureau Appeals Chesapeake Bay Ruling

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AFBF President
Bob Stallman
The American Farm Bureau Federation took action Monday to appeal a recent court decision that upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s “pollution diet” for the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed.  AFBF filed a notice to appeal the Sept. 13 federal district court ruling, seeking reversal of a decision that gives EPA wide latitude to dictate local land-use and development decisions.
“This is a wrongly decided case that has dangerous implications for farmers and many others in the Chesapeake Bay area and nationwide,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “This case isn’t about whether or not to protect the Chesapeake Bay – we all share that goal. This case is about whether EPA can dictate where farming will be allowed, where homes can be built, and where businesses can be established. By taking over decisions like that, EPA has turned the whole concept of cooperative federalism out the barn door.”
AFBF seeks an appeal to preserve the primary role of states in setting land use policy and determining how to achieve water quality goals. According to AFBF, the Clean Water Act puts states in the drivers’ seat to determine how farmers, builders, homeowners and towns will share the responsibility of achieving clean water.  EPA’s framework puts EPA in control of those decisions.

“Win or lose on appeal, farmers and ranchers will continue their dedicated efforts on the farm to improve water quality and the natural environment,” said Stallman. “In the meantime, AFBF will continue to oppose what we see as a remarkable power grab.”

VT Ag Tech Program open house set for Nov. 2

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Virginia Tech will hold an open house Nov. 2 for students interested in the Agricultural Technology Program in its College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The program was created to offer hands-on experience utilizing state-of-the art equipment and facilities, a practical education that enables you to “hit the ground running,” and gain industry experience with a required internship. Students who successfully complete the two-year program earn an associate’s degree, and they can specialize in applied agricultural management or landscape and turf management.
Ag Tech Program students use the same campus, labs, farms and other resources as students enrolled in four-year programs. Typically 95 percent of graduates find employment in their fields of interest within six months of earning their degrees.
The open house is 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Litton Reaves Hall, Room 1870. A free lunch will be provided.

Please register at www.agtech.vt.edu or email agtech@vt.edu

Government Shutdown to Impact Farmers; Farm Bill Expires

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Because Congress wasn’t able to pass a federal budget, the federal government shut down at midnight on Sept. 30, 2013. A shutdown means all federal agencies must layoff non-essential personnel and close non-essential programs and offices. Since 1976 there have been 17 government shutdowns, the longest lasting 21 days in 1995-1996.

What does that mean for farmers?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture hasn’t said precisely how many of its 100,000 workers will be furloughed.
At the Food Safety and Inspection Service, 8,407 of the 9,633 employees will remain on duty – though those numbers could change if the shutdown lasts longer than two days. Some workers, such 528 of the 743 at the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, will remain unaffected, since their salaries are funded by user fees, not federal money. However, local Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, or Natural Resources Conservation Service staff will not be considered essential, so farmers will not be able to receive any loans for programs they have applied for.
Inspections of meat and poultry will continue, and the agency will halt its production of statistical reports on crop estimates and sales widely used in the agricultural market.
Listed below is a summary of how the government shutdown will affect farmers who depend on USDA programs and other government services.

Farm Program Payments

Farm program payments for crops planted in 2013 would continue after the farm bill expires September 30. However, payments would not be able to be delivered under a government shutdown.
Food Safety
Food safety inspectors are considered essential and would stay on at the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) would also continue inspections to the extent they’re paid by user fees.
Rural Development Programs
Rural development programs would be put on hold, and no additional loans/grants, including RD rural housing loans or guarantees, will be issued. Projects already financed that are under construction would also be delayed. These programs include the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG), Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants (REDLG), among several others.
Conservation
Because National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff is not considered essential, enrollment in conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), and Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) would stop. In addition, there would be no future financial assistance or technical assistance available through NRCS staff. However, USDA would continue to honor existing contracts.
Foreign Agricultural Service
Funding for Foreign Agricultural Service’s Foreign Market Development Program and Market Access Program could be delayed.  Funding for international offices and staff will stop.
Food Aid
Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the federal school lunch program would continue. However, funding will stop for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants and Children (WIC)—which provides grants to states for food aid, health care referrals and nutrition education for low-income woman and children.
Forest Service
As already noted, Forest Service employees deemed essential, such as firefighters, would stay on. However, national parks across the nation would be closed. This includes the Smithsonian museums, National Zoo and civil war battlefields and the national monuments in Washington, D.C.

Immigration

The Department of Homeland Security will no longer operate its E-Verify program, which means that businesses will not be able to check on the legal immigration status of prospective employees during the shutdown.
Regulatory Agencies
The Environmental Protection Agency will close down almost entirely during a shutdown, save for operations around Superfund sites. Many of the Labor Department’s regulatory offices will close, including the Wage and Hour Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (The Mine Safety and Health Administration will, however, stay open.)
Also on Sept. 30, the current Farm Bill officially expired. American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman released the following statement:
“Farmers and ranchers, along with 90 percent of the country, are frustrated with Congress.  Aside from shutting down the government, the one-year farm bill extension Congress granted last session also expired at midnight, while the new farm bill has yet to formally reach the conference process.
“Farm Bureau members are deeply concerned over the political challenges that are making it next to impossible for Congress to reach a compromise on important legislation, while restoring fiscal order and setting a responsible course to get the federal budget back on track.  Adding to our frustration, both the House and Senate versions of the farm bill would provide significant savings that could be applied toward reducing the federal deficit.
“Now that the 2008 farm bill extension has expired, farmers once again are left with uncertainty as to the safety net and risk management tools that are important in planning for next year’s crop.  And come January, consumers once again face the impact of high food costs as decades-old farm policy kicks in. 
“Both the House and Senate agriculture committees have worked hard to put together bipartisan packages that would deliver solid safety net options and comprehensive risk management tools for farmers and ranchers.  It is past time for Congress to let these two committees get back to what they do best – work together in a bipartisan fashion to forge the best new farm bill possible in today’s tough political environment.
“Farm Bureau is encouraging Congress and President Obama to work together to get the budget process in order, get our national economy back on track and move forward on legislation important to agriculture, such as the farm bill, immigration and tax reform and waterways funding.”

AFID-Funded Project Creates 75 New Jobs in Carroll County

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Governor Bob McDonnell yesterday announced that Virginia Produce Company (VPC), a family-owned agricultural produce wholesaler located in Hillsville, will more than quadruple the size of its operating facility and create 75 new full-time equivalent (FTEs) positions.  During the three-year project, VPC will invest more than $2.54 million in capital improvements and purchase an additional $12 million of Virginia grown produce from Virginia farms.  A unique aspect of this project will be the employment of 75 packing line workers, accounting for 50 FTEs, from the Mount Rogers Industrial and Developmental Center (IDC), a division of the Mount Rogers Community Service Board that trains and employs disabled Virginians.  In addition to the 75 IDC workers, VPC will also employ 25 full-time positions.
Speaking about yesterday’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Virginia Produce Company symbolizes so much of what defines Virginia agriculture, the Commonwealth’s largest industry.  It is a family-owned business established on the idea that bringing the grower and wholesaler closer together benefits everyone involved, including the consumer.  Incorporating the Nature’s Hope project into this expansion further defines what Virginia Produce is all about. This partnership with Mount Rogers IDC provides a great opportunity for local residents with disabilities to be part of a productive work setting while earning a paycheck.”

VPC currently sorts, processes, packages, and distributes a variety of Virginia grown produce including tomatoes, pumpkins, sweet corn, squash, and broccoli from its 30,000 square foot facility in the Carroll County Industrial Park.  The expansion project will involve VPC purchasing a 138,000 square foot facility in the industrial park and making the necessary upgrades, including installation of larger coolers and more production lines, increasing capacity for current products and allowing expansion into new produce markets. 
 “This VPC project is an excellent example of a company fulfilling the dual purposes of the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) program – making positive impacts both at the processing facility and on Virginia growers,” said Todd P. Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.  “The additional capital investment and job creation at VPC’s facility is outstanding for Carroll County.  I am especially excited about VPC’s commitment to purchase 50% of their increased produce demand, an estimated $12 million out of $24 million in new purchases in the next three years, from Virginia growers.  This infusion of additional revenue into the local agricultural economy is a huge boost to our farm families.”
VPC works directly with its growers through a farm-management program, helping farmers grow specifically what the market demands.  VPC’s farm-management program currently includes 20 Virginia growers and 1,800 acres with produce being sold into local and regional markets.  The new facility will help to serve a significant increase in the size of the farm-management program.
The President of Virginia Produce Company, Moir Beamer, said “We are excited about this opportunity to expand our business operations in Carroll County and provide our customers with a larger selection of Virginia grown produce.  With this program, we are working with people with disabilities and providing consumers with more options.”
VPC’s impact on area farmers has been distinctly positive.  Working closely with VPC to coordinate production, farmers have greater certainty that crops will be sold and typically bring more acreage under cultivation over time to meet increased demand.  As the VPC expansion comes online, there will be greater opportunities for existing and new farmers in the region.
David Hutchins, Chairman of the Carroll County Board of Supervisors said, “The expansion of Virginia Produce in Carroll County is an excellent example of utilizing the resources we have to create economic prosperity.  Agriculture is our leading industry in Carroll and to build upon our strengths is vital.  We have a local business that we are able to assist in growing that will generate jobs and capital investment.  And at the same time, Carroll County will sell the former Sara Lee property to Virginia Produce and that real estate will be back on the tax rolls.”
The expansion of VPC also allows for the growth of another signature agricultural institution in the area, the Southwest Virginia Farmers’ Market.  With a retail division owned by Carroll County and a wholesale division owned by the Commonwealth and operated by the County, the market is a tremendous resource for local farmers that provides wholesale, grading, packing and cooling operations.  With its relocation, VPC will lease its existing facility to the market with an option to purchase.  The lease of the VPC facility will double the market’s capacity and ensure that the produce infrastructure in the facility will remain an asset to the farming community.
The expansion is also made distinctive by VPC’s commitment to the “Nature’s Hope” product label it is introducing.  The new product label will involve the employment of up to 75 disabled Virginians in the facility through the Mount Rogers IDC.  HOPE stands for “Helping Organizations & People Excel” and is focused on programs that help disadvantaged groups excel in life through integrating them into different aspects of the creation of the product.  Involvement at VPC could include harvesting, packaging produce, or any other aspect of moving product from farm to table.  With the disabled population facing unemployment rates of 40 percent, “Nature’s Hope” provides a terrific opportunity for these individuals to find meaningful work.  The program has already received support and interest from national grocery chains.
Frank Dowell, Director of Mount Rogers IDC said “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Virginia Produce Company in the packaging of locally-grown produce under the “Nature’s Hope” label.  Through the vision shown by company President Moir Beamer and his team, we will be able to provide more employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in our region.  We would like to express our enthusiasm in eager anticipation of Virginia Produce’s expansion and further collaboration with our agency.”
Steve Smith, President and CEO of Food City said, “We value the relationships we have built with Virginia farmers and Virginia Produce Company.  Working together, we have continued to grow and strengthen our partnership, which has provided critical opportunities for part-time farmers to transition to full-time farming and expand their own operations. Virginia Produce has been extremely instrumental in this process through their collaboration with the farmers in Southwest Virginia. The addition of VPC’s “Natures Hope” project will allow us to continue to work jointly with local farmers to increase our supply and explore the potential to further diversify the crops currently produced in Southwest Virginia.”
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) worked with Carroll County to help make the project a reality. Governor McDonnell approved a $200,000 matching grant from the Governor’s AFID Fund to assist Carroll with the project. The project is receiving additional assistance through the Tobacco Commission’s Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund, the State’s Enterprise Zone Program and through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

According to a 2013 economic impact study by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia’s largest industries, with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually. Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion. The industries also provide   more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.

Reminder: October 1 Deadline for Employers to Provide ACA Information to Employees

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In preparation for the January 2014 start up of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) health insurance Exchanges, employers must meet the October 1 deadline to provide notice to employees (full and part-time) about the Exchanges and their potential eligibility for premium tax credits. New employees hired after October 1 must be given this notice within 14 days of their start date. Guidance released by the Department of Labor (DOL) can be found here.

The requirement to provide notice applies to employers covered by the Federal Labor Standard Act (FLSA).  In general, this means employers with one or more employee who have a volume of $500,000 of annual business. DOL guidance relating to the applicability of the FLSA can be found here.

Employers must notify workers about premium tax credits and eligibility requirements for the Exchange.  An employee whose employer-provided insurance costs exceed 9.5 percent of their income are eligible for premium assistance and to enter the Exchange.  To determine if an employee’s share of coverage exceeds 9.5 percent of income, a comparison is made between an employee’s W-2 Box 1 income and the employee contribution amount for the lowest cost for a self-only health insurance plan offered by an employer.

The notice for employers offering healthcare coverage can be found here.

The notice for employers without a healthcare plan can be found here. 

The ACA assesses applicable large employers (more than 50 full time employees or their equivalent) who offer coverage but have at least one full-time employee receiving a premium tax credit the lesser of $3,000 for each employee receiving a premium credit or $2,000 for each full-time employee. The ACA assesses applicable large employers that do not offer coverage and have at least one full-time employee who receives a premium tax credit a fee of $2,000 per full-time employee, excluding the first 30 employees from the assessment.  

Farm Bureau created documents explain how to determine if an employer is an applicable large employer. You can find them here: 
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bwdwqn87Kb-9WVJtSWkxdmQwMGs/edit?usp=sharing 

and here:
 https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bwdwqn87Kb-9TFg1MThnbkF3akk/edit?usp=sharing

China Lifts Virginia Hardwood Log Import Ban

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The government of China has announced its decision to lift the ban on hardwood logs imported to China from Virginia effective September 15, 2013.  Heading into the fall, a peak log export shipping season, this is great news!  
Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore has expressed appreciation to members of private industry and federal partners along with the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS) staff.  Working tirelessly with the representatives from the government of China for an opportunity to demonstration fumigation and testing procedures certifying safety of Virginia hardwood and softwood logs, a visiting delegation of Chinese technical experts arrived in the Commonwealth in April 2012.  A pilot testing program began in June 2012 which has presented verifiable evidence to the safety and surety of Virginia hardwoods.  

While the ban has been lifted for hardwood logs, it remains for softwood logs originating or tested in the Commonwealth.  The Pine Wood Nematode concern that remains will continue to be a top priority within the Administration and Secretary’s offices and both have reached out once again to our industry leaders asking for options so that all Virginia forest products will have access to every global market. 


Watch for more developments on this front in the coming months.

Court Ruling Upholds EPA Chesapeake Bay TMDL

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On Friday the 13th, more than two years after the original complaint was filed, Judge Sylvia Rambo upheld the Chesapeake Bay TMDL in its entirety, ruling against the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) view that Congress gave that role to the states, not the federal government.
Bob Stallman, AFBF President, said, “The American Farm Bureau Federation is deeply disappointed with the district court’s ruling upholding the Environmental Protection Agency’s total maximum daily load for the Chesapeake Bay.  We believe the ruling is incorrect and has huge implications for farmers and many others in the Bay area and nationwide.”
“Win or lose in this lawsuit, farmers care deeply about our natural environment and want to do our part to improve water quality.  But Congress did not authorize EPA to dictate how farmers, builders, homeowners, and towns would share the responsibility of achieving clean water.  That is the states’ job.  We believe EPA’s approach wrongly puts federal agency staff in charge of intensely local land use decisions.”
This case started in January 2010.  AFBF and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau filed a lawsuit against EPA in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania challenging the lawfulness of EPA’s recently finalized Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  The lawsuit asserted three basic claims: (a) the TMDL micromanages state water quality decisions, in violation of EPA’s limited Clean Water Act authority; (b) EPA arbitrarily disregarded science, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA); and (c) EPA issued the TMDL with insufficient opportunity for public participation in violation of the APA.
Judge Rambo’s decision is 99 pages long.  Everyone from each side of this issue are analyzing the document to better understand the full implications of the decision.

Stay tuned for more updates on this issue on Plows and Politics.

First List of Certified Farm Seekers Released

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 Official certified farm seekers Ryan Pittman
and Richard Kitchen hard at work in the field.
The Certified Farm Seekers Program has released its first official list of certified farm seekers, which can be found at multiple locations on the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ website, including: here
These individuals have worked tirelessly to complete the program requirements and ultimately gain recognition as a certified farm seeker. Each farm seeker has completed the Introduction to Whole Farm Planning module, produced a professional resume and model business plan, and demonstrated on-farm experience. These seekers are now certified as being prepared to successfully demonstrate their farming commitment and vision to interested landowners.

Landowners in the Virginia Farm Link database are aware of the title’s distinction and are reaching out to certified farm seekers, before other seekers in the database, to discuss a potential farm transition. In addition to elevation in Farm Link, each certified farm seeker received up to $500 in cost share funds towards a farm transition or farm planning service, such as a transition attorney, professional business plan review, or crop/livestock consultant. Each certified farm seeker also gained access to ongoing direct assistance from the CFS coordinator in facilitating conversations and matches with landowners. One certified farm seeker, Ryan Pittman, commented, “It feels good to know there is a system looking for land for me to expand my operation when I am not able, because of my busy work schedule in the field”.

Future certified farm seekers learning about
 business planning at Young Farmers Summer Expo
The “Certified Farm Seekers List” is expected to grow as numerous participants who are extremely close to certification submit their work. They are demonstrating great effort and have noted that even if you are not in direct need of land, the program has many benefits. One such participant, WP Johnson, explains, “Each section of the program requirements has good parts and really makes you think about aspects you wouldn’t normally consider. It’s worth it just to finally get my resume and business plan down on paper.”  
If you are interested in becoming a certified farm seeker or would simply like to learn more about the program, contact:
Stefanie Kitchen
certifiedfarmseekers@gmail.com
(804) 290-1030
Ron Saacke
ron.saacke@vafb.com
(804) 514-4202
Kevin Schmidt
kevin.schmidt@vdacs.virginia.gov
(804) 786-1346

http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/preservation/seeker.shtml  

From the Field: Telling Your Story

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From the Field is a bi-monthly column written by Mark Campbell, Farm Bureau Field Services Director for the Central District. He writes about Farm Bureau member benefits and County Farm Bureau activities.

Central District Women’s Committee Chair
Joan Talley with VDACS Commissioner
Matt Lohr
That was the theme at the Central/Northern District Farm Bureau Women’s meeting last week.  Speakers were Matt Lohr, Commissioner of Virginia Departmentof Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS); Turner Gravitt, Southern States Director of Corporate Events, Member Relations and Government Affairs; and Dane Rothfrom the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA).
Matt Lohr was energetic and motivational as always.  The audience welcomed his message to make the best of their situation and to use their talents to the best of their ability.  Matt reported impressive statistics on Virginia exports, and the potential to further increase agriculture exports.  Matt also made the case that there was room for all types of agriculture, big and small, organic and conventional to feed a growing world population.  As you know there has been a mixed message and attacks within our own agriculture industry.  We can offer the consumer choices.   But we don’t need to confuse them by degrading other production methods.

Turner Gravitt of Southern States shared knowledge about change in the agriculture industry and Southern States 90 years in business.  Part of the change in agriculture has been the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  Round-Up Ready crops have played a huge role in agriculture.  While there is a lot of debate about GMOs, Turner told the audience to make their own decision on GMOs, but telling their personal story is the best way to educate consumers about agriculture.  Lindsay Reames just reported on GMOs in the most recent Plows and Politics Blog, and you can learn more at www.gmoanswers.com 
Dane Roth, with USFRA flew in from Chicago and gave presentations at the central/northern and capital district meetings.  The USFRA is an alliance of approximately 70 groups that support a unified platform to get agriculture’s message out to the general public from farmers and ranchers.  You can find them at www.fooddialogues.com and there is a section of the site dedicated to factual agriculture information.  He talked about conversation with EASE.  EASE stands for Engage, Acknowledge, Share, Earn trust.  EASE is all about having civil discussions about food production.  He shared some really interesting stories about anti-agriculture people who changed their opinions about agriculture after engaging with farmers and ranchers.  There were even examples of people that were hostile toward conventional agriculture ended up defending the farmers that they originally distrusted in online forums.
You are the best expert at what you do. You don’t have to know everything about everything, or recite a bunch of statistics. You will be more convincing by sharing what you do.  Telling your own story is the most convincing to the reader or recipient and helps earn trust.  In today’s world, there are a multitude of communication methods for you to get your message out.  It is hard for someone to argue with you when you are telling your story.
In a few weeks, I will be sharing updates on harvest season straight from the field with some pictures.
Until next time,

Mark

Website Puts Everything GMO-related on the Table

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Below is an article from American Farm Bureau about a new website the answers common questions about GMOs. This is the best website I’ve ever seen that is directed towards the consumer and answers their questions thoroughly and accurately. I thought I would share this with you to pass along to any of your friends and neighbors who have questions about GMOs. – Lindsay Reames, Assistant Director, Governmental Relations

What’s for dinner? For many people around the world, they want to know far more than just what’s on their plates. They want to know how it got there and who and what was involved. And that “what” often means whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are on the menu. To help consumers answer these questions, the agricultural biotechnology companies that develop GM seeds recently launched the GMO Answers website. 

Through a public Q&A section and other resources, the easy-to-access public website provides information on GMOs, their background, use in agriculture, and research and data.

“From the basics of what GMOs are and how they are used to peer-reviewed scientific studies and data, GMO Answers is a one-stop shop,” said Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau Federation biotechnology specialist.
The public Q&A section is a unique feature of the site, and one that the companies involved are excited for consumers to use. 

“GMOs are a growing topic of discussion today, with a wide range of questions and emotions,” said Cathleen Enright, Ph.D., spokesperson for GMO Answers. “Food is personal, so we want to open the door for personal discussions. We recognize we haven’t done the best job communicating about GMOs-what they are, how they are developed, food safety information-the science, data and processes. We want people to join us and ask their tough questions. Be skeptical. Evaluate the information and decide for yourself. We look forward to an open conversation.” 

Among those ready to answer any and all GMO-related questions are farmers, scientists, academics, and food safety and health experts. The questions currently trending on the site are related to labeling of GMO products, the research behind the safety of GMOs and what would happen if GMO crops mixed with non-GMO varieties. 

As the public discussion on GMOs continues, the scientists who develop biotech seeds, along with farmers who grow them, want to make information about GMOs easier to find and understand. 

“Having grown up on a small farm and spent much of my life in academia I can relate to the issues on several levels. I’ve offered to address questions submitted to GMO Answers openly, based on my personal insights, experience and research,” said Martina Newell-McGloughlin, director of the International Biotechnology Program at University of California-Davis. “I know that many of my colleagues have committed to do the same because we feel consumers have every right to ask questions about how their food is grown, and they deserve an open and honest response so that they can make informed decisions.” 

With a commitment to openness and access to information, GMO Answers is based on five core principles:

  • Respecting people around the world and their right to choose healthy food products that are best for themselves and their families.
  • Welcoming and answering questions on all GMO topics.
  • Making GMO information, research and data easy to access and evaluate and supporting safety testing of GM products, including allowing independent safety testing of our products by validated science-based methods.
  • Supporting farmers as they work to grow crops using precious resources more efficiently, with less impact on the environment and producing safe, nutritious food and feed products.
  • Respecting farmers’ rights to choose the seeds that are best for their farms, businesses and communities and providing seed choices that include non-GM seeds based on market demands.

“As GMOs are tools that help farmers produce more food using less water and fewer pesticides, this website is a tool for parents who want to know more about what they’re feeding their families, or young adults who want to learn about all the options biotechnology provides them as they’re making their abundant food choices,” Walmsley said. 

GMO Answers is produced by the members of The Council for Biotechnology Information, which includes BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences LLC, DuPont, Monsanto Company and Syngenta. AFBF is a supporting partner of GMO Answers.