News Stories

Voting delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 95th annual meeting approved resolutions that will provide the organization with authority from its grassroots members to push Congress toward the goal line on unfinished issues like the farm bill and ag labor. “Securing victories on those issues is critical to our competitiveness as individual farmers and ranchers, and to our nation’s success as a food producer,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman, who was re-elected to his eighth two-year term as the organization’s president. “Farm Bureau made progress on our priorities this past year, more so than most other organizations, and this […]

The American Farm Bureau’s 95th Annual Convention starts this weekend, Jan. 12, in San Antonio, Texas. The convention will offer a variety of speakers and workshops for those attending. The convention starts with the opening general session on Sunday morning with AFBF President Bob Stallman. Other speakers will be Alan Robertson, a brother and star from the popular show “Duck Dynasty”, Gen. Stan McChrystal, and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. There will also be more than 25 educational workshops offered during the convention. The workshops are organized into five tracks:  Building Better Advocates. Just talking about the issues is not enough […]

Oklahoma has a rich agricultural history thanks to dedicated farmers. In 1998, the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture was created to recognize those who have helped lead the industry while demonstrating exemplary personal values and pursuing agricultural achievements in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is accepting nominations for this award through Feb. 7. The award winner will be inducted into the Oklahoma Agricultural Hall of Fame located at the agency headquarters in Oklahoma City. Examples of eligible agriculture enterprises are: livestock and crop production, agribusiness, forestry, horticulture and nursery management. In addition to considering the […]

For farmers with a new year’s resolution to save money on operating costs, an agricultural energy management plan (AgEMP), commonly called a farm energy audit, is a good place to start. Funding is available for AgEMPs, through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Farm energy audits generally identify opportunities to reduce between 10% and 35% of total farm energy use, which enables farmers to take greater control of their energy use and increase their energy independence. Funding is limited for 2014, with several states facing funding deadlines early in the new year. Application deadlines vary from state to state, […]

The first major reform of food safety laws in seven decades, the Food Safety Modernization Act, was enacted in January 2011 with the intent of making food safer and reducing foodborne illness.  However, the Food and Drug Administration’s plans to put FSMA rules in place are too broad to do the job well, according to farmers.  Among Farm Bureau’s top concerns with the proposed regulations is FDA’s apparent unwillingness to focus on commodities that are associated with foodborne illness. “We urge FDA to reconsider standards that take into account the relative risks and comparative benefits associated with individual commodities. FDA […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is opening the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for new enrollments for federal fiscal year 2014. Starting today through Jan. 17, 2014, producers interested in participating in the program can submit applications to NRCS.  “Through the Conservation Stewardship Program, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners are going the extra mile to conserve our nation’s resources,” NRCS Chief Jason Weller said. “Through their conservation actions, they are ensuring that their operations are more productive and sustainable over the long run.”  The CSP is an important Farm Bill conservation program that helps established conservation […]