Farm Bureau Sets Policies for 2018

(AgriNews) –  Nearly 7,500 people attended the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention.

President Donald Trump, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and singer Reba McEntire were among the speakers at the event.

“President Donald Trump has put a team into place to get things done for farmers and ranchers,” said Zippy Duvall, AFBF president. “Farm Bureau is a nonpartisan organization. We applaud anyone, from any party, who works to protect farmers and ranchers ability to grow food.

“But there’s no question that the changes from this administration have transformed the opportunity we have to implement our policies.”

During the delegate session, members discussed what’s important to farmers and ranchers across the country.

“Progress was made in several areas,” said Randy Kron, president of Indiana Farm Bureau.

“We passed the much-needed dues increase for AFBF that will permit the organization to continue to provide the unsurpassed level of support our members have come to expect.

“In addition, we continued the conversation on immigration and the need for a reliable work force to support agriculture. There were a few changes to the farm bill from last year, and I am pleased that what we have in place is a good framework moving forward.”

Members expressed a desire for changes in cotton and dairy programs in the next farm bill.

They also would like an improved Agriculture Risk Coverage program to decrease risk management disparities across counties.

Other policies include ending sunsets on trade agreements, labor issues and ending the use of non-GMO labels on products that do not have GMO alternatives.

Delegates also unanimously re-elected Duvall to a two-year term as president of the organization.