Smith is serving his fourth term in Congress and is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. He has received the prestigious Friend of Farm Bureau Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation for each of his three completed terms.

Jinks Wynn, chairman of the Southeast Regional Endorsement Committee, said:

“Congressman Smith has been an unwavering friend of Missouri’s farmers and ranchers. As a farmer himself, he understands the needs of our members and all rural Missourians. We appreciate his work in Congress and look forward to electing him to a fifth term.”

Trustees are selected by their county Farm Bureau organizations. They interview candidates, review voting records and seek their positions on issues prior to voting on endorsements. This is the fifth consecutive election in which Missouri Farm Bureau has endorsed Smith.

Source: Missouri Farm Bureau

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As members of the communities we serve, Farm Credit has seen first-hand the powerful role that entrepreneurship can play in transforming communities. Just like their urban counterparts, rural communities benefit from the influx of fresh ideas and innovative businesses. Rural entrepreneurs, however, oftentimes face unique challenges: inadequate access to broadband, higher transportation costs, and lack of access to a business network. The onset of COVID-19 has only compounded the stress facing these rural enterprises, turning the economy upside down and forcing many of them to alter their business models dramatically to remain in operation.

That’s why Farm Credit partners with the American Farm Bureau Federation to host the annual Ag Innovation Challenge, a national competition for entrepreneurs who are solving challenges faced by farmers and rural communities. The Ag Innovation Challenge raises the profile of ten rural start-ups each year through extensive social media promotion, connecting these entrepreneurs to networks of rural innovation professionals and providing $145,000 in start-up capital, helping propel these new businesses toward success. Learn more and apply online at fb.org/challenge by Aug. 14.

We’re proud to partner with the American Farm Bureau to celebrate entrepreneurs and to be a partner in rural America’s success for 104 years and counting.

For rural businesses looking to grow, outside investment – particularly from entities that understand the unique challenges and opportunities rural America faces – can be hard to find. But rural entrepreneurs have an important tool they need to succeed right in their home communities, through the Agriculture Department’s Rural Business Investment Companies. These equity funds, uniquely structured to serve rural America, enhance the flow of capital to innovative small rural businesses, spurring economic development, and creating job opportunities for rural families.

Authorized by Congress in the 2008 farm bill, the Rural Business Investment Program grants licenses to newly formed venture capital organizations. To qualify, they must invest 75% of their funds in areas with a population of 50,000 or less and 50% of their funds in small enterprises. They also must raise $10 million in private equity. And that’s where Farm Credit plays a role. Farm Credit institutions across the country continue to invest millions of dollars in RBICs – funds that have supported the food and agriculture value chain, technology-enabled agribusiness, and more. We’re proud of these investments, just as we’re proud to provide reliable, consistent credit and financial services, from operating loans and farm mortgages for farmers and ranchers to financing capital improvement projects in essential rural community facilities, such as hospitals, electrical cooperatives, wastewater treatment plants and more.

Midwest Growth Partners is an RBIC that focuses its investments on growth-oriented companies in the upper Midwest. MGP was founded by native Iowans and supports businesses like Maytag Dairy Farms, a family-owned company that formed its first wheels of handcrafted, artisan blue cheese in Newton, Iowa, in 1941.

Maytag Blue Cheese was on menus all over the world for decades. But, in recent years, its growth had stalled. Family members had moved out of the area, making it difficult for them to provide hands-on oversight of the business. And, in 2016, a voluntary product recall forced a closure of the cheese plant for more than 10 months, affecting wholesale and retail relationships built over generations. Faced with such challenges, the family decided to sell the business on the condition that the new buyer would honor Maytag’s heritage through continued investment and maintain its presence in rural Iowa.

Maytag’s history, and its importance to the town of Newton, made it a perfect fit for MGP’s Midwest-focused investments. The businesses in which MGP invests typically rank as the largest employers in their small communities and MGP is dedicated to boosting rural employment and sustaining the health of rural economies. In January 2019, MGP purchased Maytag Dairy Farms and immediately began investing in the operation to ensure Maytag’s future success.

In order to sustain our rural communities for generations to come, we need a steady pipeline of companies like Maytag.

Now, more than ever, rural companies – and the communities on which they depend – need both the resources and expertise that RBICs can provide.

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

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Based on the EPA‘s previous approval of dicamba, farmers across the country have already invested in dicamba-resistant seeds.

“An unexpected and immediate ban on dicamba products not only puts substantial farm investments at risk, but also leaves farmers wondering how they’ll protect their crops. It’s imperative that the EPA quickly provide clarity to farmers.”

said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

President Duvall sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler asking the agency to issue an existing stock order, which would allow farmers to use dicamba products through this growing season.

In the letter, President Duvall wrote: “AFBF does not condone off-label use of dicamba or any registered pesticide. But responsible farmers who have invested in – and often taken loans out to purchase – dicamba-resistant products for the current growing season should not bear the financial burden caused by this legal dispute.”

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

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The NCAA just banned fans from attending any men’s or women’s college basketball tournament. Good.

The American Farm Bureau recently cancelled its Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference. Good.

Universities across the country are going to all-online learning for the rest of the semester. Good.

It is our responsibility, as citizens of the United States, to take precautions in the face of a global pandemic. The preceding three examples of events being canceled or limited show responsible behavior that can help mitigate the effects of the coronavirus.

Why does a farmer know this? Herd health.

Although I’m a fruit farmer, not a livestock producer, I know how my friends care for animals on their cattle ranches and hog farms and in their chicken barns. Those farmers, and the veterinarians they work with, are the experts on animal care and herd health. I trust them more than anyone else on this issue.

Livestock farmers are well equipped with knowledge and medicine, under the direction of a veterinarian, to be able to treat a few of their animals. When a small percentage of their herd is sick, farmers can care for the sick animals in between their regular chores and the rest of their busy day. Farmers take a very proactive approach to overall herd health management. They routinely follow veterinarian-approved and prescribed vaccination protocols. They also take the issue of biosecurity very seriously, restricting access to their facilities to minimize the risk of disease transmission.

But, God forbid, if a major percentage of his/her herd got sick all at once, the farmer would be overwhelmed with the care of all of those sick animals. Some may die. More might get sicker. It could be a disaster.

That’s what our health care system is up against in facing the coronavirus pandemic.

All Americans are part of the collective herd of “citizen-livestock” in our country. Yes, we have the freedom to live how we want to live, but we also have a responsibility to the citizen herd health of the country.

If, in a month or two, the coronavirus outbreak is contained and people scream, “See, it was a media hysteria,” good. It means we did our job and limited a potential catastrophe.

But if we don’t take some pretty responsible precautions to help inoculate the collective human herd from COVID-19, that’s on us. All of us.

Coronavirus’s impact on food

Farmers are busy right now, prepping their planters, selecting their seeds and watching the ground dry out from a soggy winter. Yes, watching ground dry is sometimes very productive work on a farm.

These farmers need to get their grain in the ground in the next 60 days or so. If American ports, shipping and logistics are impacted, will these farmers have enough fuel, seed and fertilizer to grow the bread that the breadbasket of America is famous for?

As I write this, the Food and Drug Administration announced the suspension of all inspections of foreign food facilities until April. How will that impact your grocery store? Eat local may have just taken on a whole new meaning.

What happens to our meat and dairy suppliers if processing plant employees are ill because we didn’t take enough early precautions? Heard of the impossible burger? That’s when it’s impossible to get a burger anywhere, anytime.

Our modern food system is a miracle, though, co-operated by farmers, ranchers, harvesters, truckers, processors, and grocers. I’m confident that farmers will find a way to grow an abundant crop this year.

I urge everyone to consider the “herd health” approach to this virus. Immediate precautions now and in the next month will assist health professionals in containing the spread.

Meanwhile…farmers taking herd health precautions with their livestock remains an important part of the sturdy bedrock of our nation’s food supply chain.

Source: American Farm Bureau

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The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall about the commitment of farmers and ranchers, as well as a serious concern related to the U.S. government’s decision to suspend visa processing in Mexico to combat the spread of the virus.

“Farmers and ranchers remain committed to doing the work in the fields, orchards, and barns across the country to ensure Americans have access to healthy, affordable food.  Particularly now, during these challenging times, and assured food supply allows families to focus on the safety and well-being of their loved ones. We commend the good work being done to protect families and our population and appreciate all the workers focused on ensuring food gets from our farms to grocery stores, and of course, we are grateful for the health care workers ensuring we can treat those who are ill and contain the pandemic.

“The decision to halt visa application processing in Mexico will restrict the number of immigrant workers being allowed to enter the country. Under the new restrictions, American farmers will not have access to all of the skilled immigrant labor needed at a critical time in the planting season. This threatens our ability to put food on Americans’ tables.

“We fully support the administration’s efforts to protect the public during this health crisis. We are in constant contact with USDA, the State Department and the White House. We have urged them to find safe, practical ways to admit farm laborers as emergency workers for visa purposes while still protecting public health. Failing to do so will impact our ability to provide a healthy, affordable domestic food supply.

“We will remain watchful and vigilant to ensure U.S. agriculture and others in the food supply chain are able to continue feeding America, as we do 365 days a year. We are in close communication with our state Farm Bureaus, Congress and the administration as we all work together to protect our food supply and our communities in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Background:

• The United States will suspend routine immigrant and nonimmigrant processing visa services in Mexico beginning March 18, 2020.
• In 2019, 258,000 immigrant workers were approved under the H-2A guest worker program.
• Immigrant laborers with previous work experience in the U.S. and who do not require in-person interviews will be allowed to return to the H-2A program.
• U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is aware of the issue and has publicly pledged to work with the State Department to ensure needed farm laborers are safely admitted.
• The USDA asks that questions regarding the H-2A program be directed to  farmers.gov/manage/h2a or email aglabor@usda.gov

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

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“Women play a vital role in modern farming and ranching,” said Sherry Saylor, an Arizona farmer and chair of the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. “We hope to use the survey results to drive our program of work and also to give women their voice and help them make even more of an impact in their communities.”

More than 50% of women surveyed have started their own business that’s still in operation; 25% have not started a business but indicated they would like to do so in the future. Respondents cited prioritizing and finding time to accomplish tasks, acquiring financial support and marketing plan development as their top business challenges.

Respondents ranked communicating effectively, inspiring and motivating others, and managing conflict among the most important leadership skills for women in agriculture.

Another topline finding of the survey was that 75% of respondents are leaders at the local level, 50% are leaders at the state level and 26% are leaders at the national level.

Source: FB 

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“We are grateful for the work that President Trump and Secretary Perdue have devoted to this issue. However, the real, long-term solution to our challenges in agriculture is good outcomes to current negotiations with China, Japan and the European Union, as well as congressional approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. America’s farmers and ranchers need fair and open access to markets.”

Source: Farm Bureau

The post Farm Bureau Statement on Agricultural Relief appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“Today’s lifting of steel and aluminum tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports and the elimination of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products by Mexico and Canada is welcome news.

“Retaliatory tariffs are a drag on American farmers and ranchers at a time when they are suffering more economic difficulty than many can remember. Elimination of these tariffs should help pave the way for approval of the USMCA by Congress. Likewise, keeping an eye on today’s deal should address concerns about dumping and unfair subsidies.

“With this milestone reached, we urge negotiators to continue their work toward re-opening markets with the European Union, China and Japan. The Farm Bureau believes in fair trade. Eliminating more tariffs and other trade barriers is critical to achieving that goal.”

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

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It’s also true that this same American farmer is generally disconnected and unamplified – an expert with no microphone or soapbox…a champion in a small community but unrecognized on the greater stage as the authority in his or her domain.

Thanks to tweets, blog posts, online product listings, factory-to-market retail, etc., we are seeing a direct line of communication to users and customers.

Food is a constant and pervasive basic need, and a much-discussed topic in our culture. We’re at a rare time in history that some call the fourth industrial revolution – a time after the digital revolution when the current information age is becoming fully integrated. The development of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things and the Internet of Systems are all dramatically shaping the future.

This connectivity of systems, people, places and things has us teetering toward the death of the “middleman.” We see the shift and development of our industries and businesses, ever moving toward a direct relationship with the customer or end user. Thanks to tweets, blog posts, online product listings, factory-to-market retail, etc., we are seeing a direct line of communication to users and customers.

During this “Age of Amazon,” there is a shift away from massive overhead costs and supply chains to more efficient and connected systems. This provides an opportunity for farmers to communicate to their target consumers directly. They have the chance to cut through the noise and display expertise about the products and produce they humbly craft or grow.

Consider the grocery industry 20 years ago. The traditional grocery store was lined with brand names where communication came down from board rooms regarding new tag lines and slogans. There was an endless push and pull for space on the shelf based on who had command of the almighty marketing dollar. Ten years ago there was a push for healthy, specialty retail, prepared foods and convenience. The control of the message was still in the hands of a select few with the knowledge of the soil, the land and how the raw products were grown or raised. With reduction in costs and ease of communication, this is changing.

Technology is rapidly changing access to information and the cost to distribute it. Individuals or small groups of farmers have a chance to dramatically amplify their message. Farmers can efficiently communicate about their brand, ethics and mission to exponentially larger audiences – as though they were in your living room having a personal conversation with you and your family.

Internet retail is a perfect example. An online retailer can list many more products than any physical store can carry. The cost to add more information and communicate about each product offered is almost zero compared to brick-and-mortar retail outlets, where costs like printing, installation, real estate, turnover and competitive margin all have a much larger impact on the business’s well-being.

This transition is already happening, albeit slowly. More and more farmers and agricultural stakeholders are finding ways to market directly to consumers and cut out the overhead of the traditional supply chain.

If done effectively and ethically we have a lot to be excited about. Farmers will be able to reliably communicate accurate, firsthand information, limiting the spread of misinformation about the integrity of their products. Cost savings in the supply chain will allow farmers to benefit from less overhead to get their products to market. This will result in higher values for their products and more transparent pricing to the consumer. Consumers will gain the transparency they crave and have greater access to information and interaction with the agricultural community. Consumers will have more choices than ever on how to purchase products for their families and homes.

The opportunity is now for the American farmer to step out onto the world’s stage. Change is hard, but not being willing to change is a high-stakes game to be playing with your legacy. This is the time to take a close look at your business and develop a strategy for your future.

Source: American Farm Bureau

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The six-year downturn in farm prices that has produced “near-unprecedented economic uncertainty and hardship” is worsening as a result of Chinese tariffs, he wrote. “U.S. farmers and ranchers now face a third wave of tariff increases by China in retaliation against the latest increase in U.S. tariffs that went into effect last Friday, May 10. The mere threat sent prices further downward for certain commodities last week.”

Bad weather this spring has only added to difficulties posed by trade challenges, as some farmers may opt not to plant a crop at all this year, Duvall told the President. An aid package would help some continue to farm, he added, but the real solution is open markets.

“We ask that your trade negotiators make a deal as soon as possible to end the tariffs that are slashing our exports, destroying a once-promising market for agriculture, worsening the farm economy, and contributing to high levels of stress and uncertainty for many farm and ranch families and other Americans whose jobs are connected to agricultural production.”

Duvall also called for progress on trade agreements with Mexico, Canada, Japan and the European Union. “Our agricultural trade surplus previously has been a tremendous success story for the U.S.,” Duvall told the President. “We hope to return to that success for agriculture and our country.”

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

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