Issues of concern to Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation,

This August, Flex Your Political Muscle

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:36:53 GMT

By Tracy Taylor Grondine

As the adage goes, “all politics is local.” And no one knows this better than grassroots Farm Bureau members, who have a long history steeped in political affairs and community involvement. They know when it comes to using political muscle – something that every citizen has who holds a vote – the local political arena is the place to start.

AFBF Backs Legislation Eliminating Freight Rail Antitrust Exemptions

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:02:42 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 15, 2008 – The American Farm Bureau Federation sent letters to members of the House and Senate, urging them to sign on as co-sponsors of legislation that would eliminate antitrust exemptions for the freight rail industry.

S. 772 and H.R. 1650 are companion bills that would make obsolete antitrust exemptions that protect freight railroads from competition and therefore keep rail rates artificially and unfairly high.

“American agriculture depends on the railroad system, especially given the high costs of shipping commodities via truck. Like those in several other industries, agricultural producers are frequently captive rail customers and experience both unreliable service and exorbitantly high rates from the railroads,” stressed AFBF President Bob Stallman in separate letters to House members and senators who have not already signed on as co-sponsors.

Lifting of Executive Moratorium on Offshore Drilling Welcomed

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:51:41 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 15, 2008—President Bush’s lifting of the executive moratorium on offshore oil drilling that has been in effect since 1990 was welcome news to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“Farm Bureau supports exploration and development of domestic supplies of fuel,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “America’s farmers and ranchers want to see us do more as a nation to use the resources at our disposal.”

AFBF’s Actions Prove Vital in CRP Lawsuit

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:51:23 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 22, 2008 – Court documents filed by the American Farm Bureau Federation on behalf of its members, in conjunction with two other agriculture groups, proved vital in communicating the concerns of farmers and ranchers in a lawsuit challenging an Agriculture Department program to allow the use of Conservation Reserve Program acreage as a critical feed source for livestock

AFBF Files Amicus Brief In CRP Critical Feed Use Lawsuit

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:00:55 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 16, 2008—The American Farm Bureau Federation filed an amicus “friend of the court” brief in response to the National Wildlife Federation’s lawsuit regarding the Agriculture Department’s Critical Feed Use program on certain Conservation Reserve Program land. At the end of May, USDA announced the new program, under which eligible farmers and ranchers could receive permission for “special, one-time” hay and forage use of certain CRP acreage after the primary nesting season ends for grass-nesting birds. The Wildlife Federation’s lawsuit claims USDA failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act in authorizing the critical feed use program.

Recycle this!

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:18:48 GMT

By Lynne Finnerty, American Farm Bureau Federation

People who don’t have much money to waste are the ultimate recyclers—unwitting pioneers of green living.

A lot of folks who grew up when mayonnaise only came in glass jars saw their moms or aunts or grandmothers remove the labels and reuse the jars for canning vegetables. The Mason lid fit, so why throw away a perfectly good jar?

Some of these same folks would maybe get accused of being rednecks for having junk lying around. But they would be the first to fish out the part that would fix your car or tractor right up, because that part isn’t made anymore and they’ve never thrown theirs away.

Ever drink iced tea out of a jelly jar? It tastes just as good that way as in a crystal highball.

EPA Reaffirms Clean Water Permits Not Needed for Water Transfers

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:15:19 GMT

(Washington, D.C. - June 9, 2008) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a rule to clarify that permits are not required for transfers of water from one body of water to another. Such transfers include routing water through tunnels, channels, or natural stream courses for public water supplies, irrigation, power generation, flood control, and environmental restoration.

"EPA's Water Transfer Rule gives communities greater certainty and makes clear they have the flexibility to protect water quality and promote the public good without going through a new federal permitting process," said Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles. "Clean water permits should focus on water pollution, not water movement. EPA is committed to working with our state, tribal, and local partners to reduce environmental impacts associated with transfers and will continue to use all appropriate tools such as standards, best management practices, and watershed plans."

An overview of the National Environmental Policy Act

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:43:31 GMT

By Suzy Noecker

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation held its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Forum in Casper on May 30. Presenters at the forum explored the history of the act which was passed in 1969; examined the impacts of the law on federal land management agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); energy development; generation and transmission of electricity, and the development of water resources.

“We are here today to talk about NEPA because it affects all of us,” said Harriet Hageman during the opening session of the forum. Hageman, presenting an overview of NEPA, which has been called the “Magna Carta” of the environmental movement, went through the history of what would become NEPA. In 1959 Senator James E. Murry of Montana introduced the Resources and Conservation Act of 1960; Senator Henry Jackson of Washington and Senator John Dingell of Michigan collaborated in the late 1960s to enact an environmental policy. “Early versions of the legislation contained no policy, goals or action-forcing provisions,” stated Hageman. The policy and reporting provisions of NEPA were added only after the legislation had passed both houses of Congress and been amended by the House-Senate Conference Committee.

Crop Production Prospects Reduced in USDA Reports

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:19:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 10, 2008—The U.S. corn crop will be greatly reduced in 2008, according to a report released by the World Agricultural Outlook Board.

“The report confirms what observers have known for the past couple of weeks,” said Terry Francl, senior economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

According to the board’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report, estimated corn yield for 2008 was reduced by 5 bushels per acre compared to the May report. Overall corn production for the year was reduced by 390 million bushels compared to the May estimate, for a total of 11.7 billion bushels.

NEPA and Electricity

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:31:52 GMT

Karl Myers, Transmission & Environmental Manager, Tri-State Generation &Transmission Cooperative, discussed the NEPA process regarding the generation of electricity at the May 30, 2008 Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation "NEPA: An Overview and Applications in Wyoming" seminar.

NEPA and water development

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:27:10 GMT

Jeff Fassett, National Director for Water Resources, HDR, discussed the issues affecting the development of water under the NEPA process at the Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation May 30, 2008 seminar "NEPA: An Overview and Applications in Wyoming"

NEPA and Energy Development

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:19:16 GMT

View the presentation made on NEPA and its impacts to energy development and exploration from the "NEPA: An Overview and Applications in Wyoming" seminar hosted by the Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation May 30, 2008.

NEPA and the BLM

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:07:07 GMT

Jim Cagney, Wyoming Bureau of Land Management Rangeland Program Lead discussed how NEPA affects BLM decision making at the "NEPA: Overview and Applications in Wyoming" seminar sponsored by the Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation.

Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation joins Wyoming Conservation Alliance

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:02:38 GMT

By Suzy Noecker

WyFB this spring joined the Wyoming Conservation Alliance created by Harriet Hageman and Kara Brighton; partners in Hageman and Brighton, P.C., a law firm in Cheyenne, Wyo. Hageman and Brighton discussed the Wyoming Conservation Alliance at the recent NEPA forum in Casper, Wyo. that was sponsored by the Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation.

The mission of the Wyoming Conservation Alliance (WCA) is to inform and educate individuals about the state and federal regulatory process; their role is assisting individuals in participation in the regulatory process. The mission statement reads: Organize, educate, encourage and facilitate participation of Wyoming Businesses, ranchers, industry groups and local government entities in the federal regulatory process.

Mandatory Price Reporting Gives Producers Transparency, Accuracy

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:22:08 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 15, 2008 – The American Farm Bureau Federation today hailed a final rule issued by the Agriculture Department that requires meat packers to report prices paid to producers for food animals. Farm Bureau has been an ardent supporter of the livestock mandatory price reporting (LMPR) law and has worked tirelessly toward its implementation.

Futures Prices a Farm Fantasy

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:30:53 GMT

By Anne Keller, AFBF

Farmers commonly are associated with the work of planting seeds, watching the skies, harvesting mature crops and a multitude of other chores. Monitoring the movement of commodity prices and knowing when and how much of the crop to sell also are essential components, though these tasks tend not to be as visible to family members, friends and neighbors not intimately familiar with the ways of farming.

However, the term “small business owner” fits most farmers better than almost any other because no matter how straight the crop row, no matter how tall it grows, if the farmer cannot manage risk and successfully market the harvested crop, then all the work is for naught

Clean Water Amendment Expands Federal Reach

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:30:17 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 17, 2008 – A push to expand the landmark Clean Water Act would lead to more confusion, rather than cleaner, safer water, according to one farmer on Capitol Hill late yesterday. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer told members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee that legislation before the panel would disrupt and complicate proven programs already under way in states like his. He testified on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Wyoming Agriculture Tidbits

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:53:39 GMT

Click here for kids crossword puzzle.

Most people know that Wyoming is the “Equality State” and our state capital is Cheyenne. Did you know that agriculture harvest in Wyoming includes many important commodities including: cattle; sheep, dairy, hogs, hay, grains, beans, corn, sugar beets and honey?

Agriculture is the root of life. Many aspects of our daily lives, including the food we eat, clothes we wear, and medicine we depend on, are all intertwined and made possible because of agriculture. Wyoming agriculture also provides open spaces, scenic vistas and fresh air.

‘America’s Heartland’ Launches Education Initiative

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:52:40 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 20, 2008 – A new education component for America’s Heartland, the weekly public television series that profiles the people, places and products of U.S. agriculture, is now available online. A series of 42 student study guides with answer keys for teachers have been developed to accompany 42 segments from season one of the program.

“The America’s Heartland television program does an outstanding job of telling the farmer’s story, which has long been a priority for Farm Bureau,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “We’re pleased to continue our support with the addition of this initial educational initiative, which targets students with an interest in agricultural careers.”

"Concerns and Actions" developed at Sage Grouse Conference in March

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:10:43 GMT

The following concerns and actions to address those concerns were developed through small break-out group sessions held at the end of the day on March 18 at the 2008 Sage Grouse Conference in Lander. They were presented to conference attendees the morning of March 19. These items should help the agriculture industry, energy producers and other land users continue working toward building relationships and identifying projects that will keep the sage grouse from being listed under the Endangered Species Act.

UNITED STATES ACHIEVES CATTLE BRUCELLOSIS CLASS FREE STATUS

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:44:43 GMT

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2008--The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that for the first time in the 74-year history of the brucellosis program, all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have simultaneously achieved Class Free status. Texas is the last and final state to be declared brucellosis free.

"This tremendous achievement could not have been accomplished without the combined efforts of state and federal agencies and industry," said Bruce Knight, under secretary for USDA's marketing and regulatory programs mission area. "But our work is not done. We must now focus our efforts on eradicating brucellosis from the free-ranging elk and bison populations in the Greater Yellowstone Area in order to protect our national cattle herd against future outbreaks of this disease."

A Look Back at 2007

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:59:23 GMT

By Cyndie Sirekis, a director of news services at the American Farm Bureau Federation

Taking stock of the year is a beloved pastime for many as the final days of December slip away and January begins. Below are highlights from just a handful of the stories that captured the interest of agricultural news hounds in 2007.

The farm bill debate ebbed and flowed throughout the year, with members of Congress, activists, physicians, consumers and, particularly, farmers and ranchers weighing in with suggestions on how the legislation should be crafted. At year’s end, policy wonks in Washington and growers needing to make planting decisions for 2008 await the final chapter in the farm bill saga.

The “Roadless Rule” and global warming

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:20:53 GMT

What you should really know

By Harriet M. Hageman

On Oct. 19, 2007 the parties to the ongoing dispute over the “Roadless Rule” appeared once again before Judge Brimmer to argue about whether the Rule violated numerous federal environmental statutes, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Wilderness Act. The current dispute is a continuation of the State of Wyoming’s 2001 lawsuit, and stems from Judge Brimmer’s 2003 decision (found at 277 F.Supp.2d 1197 (D.Wyo. 2003)) to enjoin enforcement of the Roadless Rule based on the fact that it violated NEPA and the Wilderness Act. Despite Judge Brimmer’s injunction, and because of the numerous lawsuits that have been filed challenging any sort of active and effective forest management, many National Forest Managers have continued to adhere to the mandates of the Roadless Rule, thereby implementing an illegal, politically-driven, and ecologically-devastating policy.

Wyoming Produced Water Initiative

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:15:53 GMT

The Wyoming Produced Water Initiative (“WPWI”) is a coalition of organizations and individuals from the agriculture and oil and gas industries whose goal is to improve communications between agricultural and oil and gas producers, and to promote an understanding of the ways in which groundwater produced in association with oil and gas operations (“produced water”) can provide a benefit to agriculture producers, wildlife, and the environment while minimizing potential adverse impacts.

We Took Our Ranch Back--Mantle Story

kclark@wyfb.org (Kerin Clark) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:31:18 GMT

After 44 years of harassment by the federal government, the Mantle family took their ranch back. This story has appeared as a four part series in Wyoming Agriculture. Written by Lonnie Mantle, the story documents the 44 year history of the Mantle Ranch. Click below to read the entire story.