In front of a celebratory gathering of approximately 7,000 farmers and ranchers from across the nation, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall opened AFBF’s 100th Annual Convention by outlining a few of the organization’s many historic accomplishments – from leading the way on the nation’s first farm bill in the 1930s to helping develop the Food for Peace Program in the 1950s. As AFBF heads toward a new century of service to America’s farm and ranch families, Duvall said the organization will continue to be guided by the honorable principle that “farmers want to feed people.”
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Virginia Farm Bureau Recognized for Outstanding Member Programs and Achievement
The American Farm Bureau Federation presented awards to state Farm Bureaus at the organization’s 100th Annual Convention. The awards recognized excellence in implementation of outstanding member programs and membership achievement in 2018.
The Pinnacle Award, the highest honor a state can be awarded for program and membership achievement, was given to Iowa, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin.
New Horizon Awards, honoring states with the most innovative new programs, were presented to Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, New York and Wisconsin.
The Awards of Excellence are awarded to state Farm Bureaus that demonstrate outstanding achievements in four program areas: Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; and Membership Value. Virginia was recognized in all four categories.
Virginia farmers will mark American Farm Bureau centennial; Trump to attend
Virginia farmers will help mark a milestone this month when they attend the 100th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention.
The Jan. 11-16 event is expected to draw about 6,000 farmers and ranchers and their families.
President Donald Trump is slated to take part in the convention’s general session on Jan. 14, and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will deliver keynote remarks that day as well. Two speakers with ties to Virginia are on the agenda as well. Tammy Maxey, senior education manager for Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom and president-elect of the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization, will lead a workshop on boosting agricultural literacy locally. Dr. Amy Johnson, a family nurse practitioner for Centra Medical Group in Bedford County and president of Bedford County Farm Bureau, will speak on “Incorporating a Culture of Safety in Farm Bureau.”
Secretary Perdue Statement on Extension of Market Facilitation Program Deadline
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an extension to the original deadline for Market Facilitation Program applications. Agricultural producers who are seeking payments through the program, which is a part of the trade mitigation initiative, will now have more time to submit their applications.
Merchandiser Minute- Jan. 4, 2019
It’s time for your first Merchandiser Minute of 2019! Tune in because it’s all about Brazil & how it will play a role in your prices!
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Wayne F. Pryor column: Farmers want clean water and clear rules
This OpEd appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Dec. 21, 2018.
In June 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a two-step process to review and revise the definition of “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act, proposing to first rescind the 2015 WOTUS rule while they worked to develop a new lawful and rational definition.
This was in the wake of several court rulings blocking the 2015 rule, which never went into effect nationwide.
On Dec. 11, I joined the presidents of all 50 state Farm Bureaus at the EPA headquarters in Washington to announce a new proposed clean water rule to replace the flawed 2015 WOTUS rule.
A Big Week in Washington: AFBF Resolutions, Farm Bill, and Clean Water
On December 10 – 12, 2018 the presidents of all fifty state Farm Bureaus traveled to our nation’s capital to participate in the annual American Farm Bureau resolutions meeting. This meeting presents an opportunity for the states to bring issues forward from their own resolutions committees to be debated and considered for inclusion in the AFBF Policy Book.
What’s in Title I of the 2018 Farm Bill for Field Crops?
By John Newton, Ph.D.
Chief Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation
Following a prolonged downturn in the farm economy – now entering its fifth year – farmers and ranchers have the risk management certainty they need in the form of a five-year farm bill. Among the changes in the 2018 farm bill are evolutionary improvements to commodity support programs such as the Marketing Loan Program, Price Loss Coverage and Agriculture Risk Coverage. Today’s article highlights the provisions of the commodity support programs, excluding dairy, included in Title I of the farm bill. A future Market Intel will review significant enhancements made to the dairy title.
Improvements to Marketing Loan Rates
Marketing loans are used post-harvest and provide an opportunity for growers to use their crops for collateral on loans. The loan value is based on the marketing loan rate, and is a portion of the crop’s value. Risk management support is facilitated by these loans as farmers with a marketing loan may choose to forfeit the crop if the market price falls below the loan rate.
Governor Northam Proposes Major Investments to Protect Virginia’s Water Quality and Accelerate Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
Governor Ralph Northam today announced his proposed budget will feature major investments in the protection of Virginia’s natural resources, the first installment of a historic commitment to water quality needs and consistent clean water funding. The governor’s funding strategy would accelerate Virginia’s progress towards its 2025 targets for reduction in the Chesapeake Bay and ensure that the Commonwealth meets its cleanup goals.
“There is no time like the present to take action to ensure the protection of Virginia’s natural resources, and these historic investments will ensure that the Commonwealth honors its commitments to improve water quality and to protect the progress we’ve made on restoring the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Northam. “We have a unique opportunity with this budget to make investments that will yield benefits for generations of Virginians to come, and I look forward to working with the General Assembly on this front.”
The governor’s proposal would increase funding for Virginia’s unique and successful agricultural best management practices (BMP) cost share program, the technical experts needed to assist farmers, and several important nonpoint source water quality programs to $90 million per year by FY 2020. It also dedicates $50 million to the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) to help urban and suburban areas reduce pollution coming off of impervious surfaces.
EPA and Army Propose New “Waters of the United States” Definition
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) are proposing a clear, understandable, and implementable definition of “waters of the United States” that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Unlike the Obama administration’s 2015 definition of “waters of the United States,” today’s proposal contains a straightforward definition that would result in significant cost savings, protect the nation’s navigable waters, help sustain economic growth, and reduce barriers to business development.
