Candidate responses on agriculture questions

United We Eat

By Nathan Smith

More than 60 million people in the United States did this to celebrate the nation’s birthday last year. Care to take a guess? Americans are great eaters, and from Alaska to Florida and California to New York, citizens are cleaning grills, stocking fridges and pantries, preparing for backyard cook-outs and family dinners, all thanks to the bounty produced by hard-working farm and ranch families.

Few other days on the calendar inspire a greater sense of American unity than July 4. We are reminded of the freedoms we enjoy and pay tribute to those who founded this country. We honor those who fight to keep our nation free and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The holiday also offers an opportunity to examine just how much we depend on each other for the great selection of food we enjoy.

AFBF: Small Meat Processors Endangered by new Regulatory Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 22, 2010 -- Small and independent meat processors are at significant economic risk due to increased regulatory costs included in a preliminary draft guidance document issued by the Food Safety and Inspection Service, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. That document spells out new and costly requirements for local meat processors under the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems Validation proposal.

AFBF Statement Regarding Vote on Murkowski/Lincoln Resolution Halting EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 10, 2010 - "The American Farm Bureau is disappointed that the Senate failed to halt the Environmental Protection Agency's regulation of greenhouse gases by failing to approve S.J. Res. 26. This was one of the most important votes in the Senate this year affecting U.S. agriculture," AFBF President Bob Stallman stated.

“Ag Books for Kids” winners announced

Students from across Wyoming learned more about agriculture and were recently recognized for their participation in the 2010 Wyoming Farm Bureau (WyFB) “Ag Books for Kids” contests.  The 2010 contests included:  Coloring Contest for kindergarten and first grade; Poster Contest for second and third graders; and a Book Report Contest for fourth and fifth graders. 

This year county Farm Bureaus across the state donated 395 “Where Does Food Come From” books by Shelly Rotner and Gary Goss to Wyoming elementary schools as part of the WyFB Young Farmer & Rancher Committee “Ag Books for Kids” project.  The students then had the opportunity to participate in a contest to show what they learned about agriculture. 

Wyoming Farm Bureau awards nine college scholarships

Laramie--The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation recently awarded nine college scholarships to the children of Farm Bureau members.

“Providing opportunities for our members’ children to receive a college education is what the Farm Bureau scholarship program is about,” Wyoming Farm Bureau President Perry Livingston said.  “$5,500 is awarded at the state level.  Add that to county Farm Bureau scholarships around the state and roughly $20,000 is awarded each year to children of Farm Bureau members in Wyoming.  We are proud to support our youth.”