VFBF President Wayne Pryor

Delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention today unanimously re-elected AFBF President Zippy Duvall to another two-year term. Virginia Farm Bureau President Wayne Pryor was also re-elected to a two-year terms to represent his region on the AFBF board of directors.

Delegates also approved measures to help assure a prosperous agricultural and rural economy in the coming year and beyond.

Resolutions approved by farmer and rancher delegates from across the nation ran the gamut of issues, from trade to regulatory reform, crop insurance, biotechnology and more.

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President Donald Trump today unveiled a major initiative designed to strengthen a rural economy that has lagged urban areas in recovery from the Great Recession of 2007-2008. Trump signed two executive orders that fund and streamline the expansion of rural broadband access after an address to 7,400 farmers and ranchers gathered at American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention.

In addition to economic development, Trump touched on issues of particular importance to agriculturists such as regulations, labor and trade. He praised farmers for their enduring values. “We are witnessing a new era of patriotism, prosperity and pride—and at the forefront of this exciting new chapter is the great American farmer.” Farmers, Trump said, “embody the values of hard work, grit, self-reliance and sheer determination.”

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The Agriculture Department is being reoriented with a new focus on farmers, its customers, and has already built a record of success, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said today. He made his comments at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville.

In his opening remarks, Perdue spoke about the importance of trade to U.S. agriculture and the priority of successful NAFTA negotiations.

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Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Young farmers and ranchers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.

Justin and Lori McClellan of Smyth County were the runners-up in the Achievement Award contest. They will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor courtesy of Case IH. Russell and Amelia Kent of Louisiana took top honors.

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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall called on farmers and ranchers to redouble their efforts to advocate for agriculture, even as the current administration has begun moving to undo some of the regulations that have burdened them for years.

“We have had a seat at the table with the Trump administration,” Duvall told nearly 7,000 farmers and ranchers gathered for the organization’s annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee. “Folks, I can tell you that it has been a breath of fresh air to be able to advocate for getting things done…instead of having to constantly defend agriculture against a steady stream of challenges from our own government.”

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State Farm Bureaus were presented awards at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. The awards recognized excellence in implementation of outstanding member programs and membership achievement in 2017.

Virginia was recognized for the following programs: Advocacy; Engagement and Outreach; Leadership and Business Development; Membership Value.

Virginia also received a New Horizon Award, which recognizes new and innovative programs promoting agriculture, for  Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability’s (VA FAIRS) Lulus Local Food, an innovative sales and marketing tool for farmers and food hubs. Using the secure, cloud-based software, farmers can make sales directly to individuals or through local food hubs.

Last year ended on a good note, and the 2018 outlook for livestock and poultry sectors is positive overall, according to James Robb, director and senior agricultural livestock economist for the Livestock Marketing Information Center. There are, however, concerns for both markets as uncertainty looms around trade agreements, Robb told workshop attendees at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show.

Demand for meat has increased, and Americans are expected to consume about 219 pounds of red meat and poultry per year. That’s the largest since around 2007, according to Robb.

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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a slate of Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Committee Appointees. State committees are selected by the Secretary, serve at the pleasure of the Secretary, and are responsible for carrying out FSA’s farm programs within delegated authorities.

“The State Committees will help to ensure USDA is providing our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural producers with the best customer service,” Secretary Perdue said. “They serve as a liaison between USDA and the producers in each state across the nation by keeping them informed and hearing their appeals and complaints. The committees are made up mostly of active farmers and ranchers, representing their peers and ensuring USDA’s programs are supporting the American harvest.”

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This week, seven voting delegates and two alternates from Virginia Farm Bureau Federation will join Farm Bureau producer members from across the nation in shaping policies important to farmers and ranchers.

This will take place at the 2018 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, which will be held Jan. 5-10 in Nashville, Tenn.

AFBF convention attendees also are slated to hear from President Donald J. Trump. “President Trump has said all along that he would make sure agriculture has a seat at the table when it comes to the top issues facing America’s farmers and ranchers,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “It is our privilege to reserve a spot for him at our podium.”

Duvall added that Trump’s speech at the convention is a sign of the high regard in which the nation’s chief executive holds America’s farm and ranch families. He will discuss key issues on the presidential agenda that could help farmers turn the economic corner in 2018.

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Farmers and direct marketers interested in selling their products online will be able to do so more easily thanks to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant.

The grant allows the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability, also known as VA FAIRS, to market Lulus Local Food, an innovative sales and marketing tool for farmers and food hubs. Using the secure, cloud-based software, farmers can make sales directly to individuals or through local food hubs.

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