2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Agriculture has
impact 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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MESSAGE FROM AFBF PRESIDENT
“
Bob Stallman Farm Bureau was founded 95 years ago to be a voice for farmers and ranchers and to do for them what they could not do on their own—achieve national solutions to their challenges and help them realize more opportunities to grow, be productive and be profitable. Today, Farm Bureau is more than 6 million members strong. We are the nation’s largest general farm organization, successfully representing all types of farmers and ranchers. In 2013, AFBF influenced the national policy agenda on behalf of the nation’s 2.2 million farmers and ranchers. The farm bill was enacted in early 2014, and the House and Senate both have passed the Water Resources Development Act. The agricultural labor issue has progressed further than it has in the more than 10 years policymakers have debated the reforms that are needed. No other group has equaled our policy success over the last year. In addition, we have expanded our organization through new business endeavors, we are increasing our involvement in rural development and leadership development, and we are working to increase the value of Farm Bureau membership. Americans are talking more about the impact of agriculture on our economy and our lives. They increasingly care about who grows what they eat. This is an opportunity for Farm Bureau to have an even greater impact on public opinion and the policy agenda. This report outlines some of the ways in which Agriculture Has Impact, not only in 2013, but looking forward to 2014 and beyond.
Bob Stallman
”
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MISSION STATEMENT AFBF is the unified national voice of agriculture, working through our grassroots organizations to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans and to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities.
Guiding Principles As the national Voice of Agriculture, the American Farm Bureau Federation works with state Farm Bureaus to provide value to the nation’s 2.2 million farmers and ranchers. AFBF’s resources are deployed to ensure: • American agricultural producers are competitive, innovative and financially successful. • Rural communities are economically strong and culturally vibrant. • Consumers have positive opinions about America’s farmers and ranchers and the food, fuel and fiber they produce. • Agriculturalists serve as skilled leaders engaged in Farm Bureau and in their communities.
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“
Thank you for what you do: For feeding my family, for creating jobs, for teaching us about stewardship, for defending our country. That’s what rural America’s all about. That’s what the Farm Bureau’s all about.
”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Jan. 14, 2013 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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AFBF Structure Board of Directors 34 Elected Directors
President
Vice President
Executive Vice President
Management Team
AFBF Staff
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AFBF Board of Directors, 2013 President *Bob Stallman Vice President *Barry Bushue (OR) Western Region Hank Combs (NV) Bob Hanson (MT) Perry Livingston (WY) Don Shawcroft (CO) *Paul Wenger (CA) Midwest Region Steve Baccus (KS) Craig Hill (IA) Blake Hurst (MO) Philip Nelson (IL) Kevin Paap (MN) Scott VanderWal (SD) *Don Villwock (IN) Wayne Wood (MI)
*Denotes AFBF Executive Committee Members Note: The VP & regional representatives are also state Farm Bureau presidents
Northeast Region Rich Bonanno (MA) Pat Langenfelder (MD) Dean Norton (NY) *Carl Shaffer (PA) Southern Region *Ronnie Anderson (LA) Kenneth Dierschke (TX) Zippy Duvall (GA) Mark Haney (KY) John Hoblick (FL) Randy Knight (MS) Jimmy Parnell (AL) Wayne Pryor (VA) Mike Spradling (OK) (until Sept. 25, 2013) Lacy Upchurch (TN) Randy Veach (AR) David Winkles (SC) Larry Wooten (NC) Women’s Leadership Committee Terry Gilbert, Chair (KY) Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Zach Hunnicutt, Chair (NE)
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“
I am ready to work with the American Farm Bureau Federation, its members, and all others who are committed to ensuring the success of American agriculture and rural economies.
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U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) CHAIRMAN, HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & TREASURER, AFBF
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Julie Anna Potts Farm Bureau members and staff made a great impact on public policy in 2013 by effectively advocating for the farm bill, waterways resources legislation and immigration reform, opposing threatening regulatory proposals, and fighting in the courts to support America’s farmers and ranchers. In 2013, AFBF continued to institute best practices in trade association operations by adopting a coordinated, strategic approach to issues, streamlining products and sponsoring broad efforts to reach members of Congress and other policymakers directly. AFBF also acquired the IDEAg agricultural events and publications, growing Farm Bureau’s organizational footprint. AFBF Executive Vice President & Treasurer Julie Anna Potts tours Brett Roberts’ (pictured at top) wheat farm in central Michigan.
I am proud of the men and women who serve on the staff of AFBF. Thanks to them, we see all the ways that Agriculture Has Impact.
Julie Anna Potts
”
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AFBF Executive Team
Left to Right: Bob Stallman, President; Julie Anna Potts, EVP & Treasurer; Ellen Steen, General Counsel & Secretary; Brian Anderson, ED Technology; Dan Durheim, ED Industry Affairs; (second row) Christy Lilja, ED Accounting & Administrative Services; Dale Moore, ED Public Policy; Julie Tesch, Executive Director, American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture; Mace Thornton, ED Communications; Margee Wolff, ED Organization 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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Demographics
50
state Farm Bureaus and the Puerto Rico Farm Bureau
6 million member families nationwide 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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America’s Farmers 3 million farm operators 922 million acres farmed $297 billion in agricultural products sold 34% positive trade balance in agriculture SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Each American farmer feeds
154 people
One of every 12 U.S. jobs connected to agriculture
is
SOURCE: AFBF & USDA
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Agriculture Has Impact 97% of American farms are family-owned and provide 85% of America’s farm production SOURCE: USDA-ERS
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2013 AFBF Legislative Impact
H.R. 3080
H.R. 1947
S. 601
S. 954
S. 744
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“
The Farm Bureau continues to be a strong advocate for our producers and continues to provide common sense solutions to the issues facing rural America.
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U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) CHAIRMAN, HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
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“
We are committed, and I know the Farm Bureau is committed, to making sure that 2013 is not a repeat of 2012. We need a five-year bill and we need it now.
”
Tom Vilsack
U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
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Strategic Action Plan Issue: Work for passage of a new FARM BILL that meets our core principles On Feb. 7, 2014, a Farm Bill that included Farm Bureau’s principles was signed into law. House-Senate Conference (late 2013-early 2014) AFBF was at the forefront of efforts to communicate Farm Bureau’s farm policy principles to the conferees and finalize the Farm Bill. The House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill on July 11, 2013 AFBF helped force reconsideration of the bill by putting forward AFBF’s farm policy principles and through grassroots engagement. The Senate passed the Farm Bill on June 10, 2013 AFBF prevented cuts to the Farm Bill budget and helped defeat a proposal to replace sequestration cuts with reductions in Farm Bill funding.
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Strategic Action Plan Issue: Work for passage of the WATER RESOURCES Development Act and for reform to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund House-Senate Conference AFBF is in the middle of conference action, helping members and staff find a middle ground that will lead to enacting a bill.
WRDA is expected to reach President Obama’s desk in 2014
The House passed WRDA on Oct. 23, 2013 AFBF contributed to the House and Senate debate on WRDA through direct outreach to members of Congress and their staff. The Senate passed WRDA on May 15, 2013
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Strategic Action Plan Issue: Work for legislation that addresses both longand short-term AGRICULTURAL LABOR needs 37 representatives of Farm Bureau participated in an Oct. 28-29 fly-in to Washington, bringing grassroots leaders and lawmakers together to discuss ag worker legislation. The Senate passed immigration legislation on June 27, 2013 AFBF was key to the Senate agricultural labor compromise that was a critical element of the final Senate-passed bill.
Outreach in the House continues into 2014 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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[W]e sure need the three principles – passing the farm bill, having the infrastructure to get those goods to market and securing labor needs of farm families – the Farm Bureau is working for. U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO)
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Strategic Action Plan Issue: Protect farmer and rancher business interests in the debate on fiscal policy and TAX REFORM Estate Tax Exemption In 2013, AFBF ensured that tax reform task forces understood that maintaining estate tax relief was a high priority for farm families. Renew Expiring Tax Provisions for Farmers and Ranchers Farm Bureau is working with agricultural and small business tax reform coalitions to help pass a bill that includes enhanced small business expensing, bonus depreciation, various renewable energy tax credits and others.
Advocacy efforts on tax reform in general, and tax policies that strengthen the farm economy in particular, continue into 2014 AFBF Vice President and Oregon Farm Bureau President Barry Bushue testifies before the House Agriculture Committee.
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Strategic Action Plan Issue: Defend the standards and incentives necessary to further develop the U.S. RENEWABLE FUELS industry In 2013, AFBF protected farmers’ interests from the numerous proposals in Congress to change the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). AFBF helped unite the agriculture community on RFS through coalitions that share farmers’ goals.
AFBF is working to stop EPA regulation to reduce the RFS in 2014 to 3.3 percent of the nation’s fuel supply 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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Farm Bureau’s policy success is driven by its grassroots members. Their primary tool for online advocacy is FBACT.
FBACT Resources:
Website .............www.fbactinsider.org Action Center ...http://capwiz.com/afb/home Twitter...............https://twitter.com/FBAct
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Strategic Action Plan Issue: Oppose expansion of federal CLEAN WATER ACT permit requirements for poultry and livestock farms and ranches AFBF is working in the courts to maintain agricultural stormwater exemptions and to resist EPA efforts to impose unjustified permitting requirements on livestock operations. To protect poultry and livestock farms, AFBF opposes efforts to change the Clean Water Act definition of Animal Feeding Operations and federally regulated discharge.
Through Farm Bureau’s Legal Advocacy Program, Farm Bureau defended farmers and ranchers from EPA overreach 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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Lois Alt’s Farm Gets National Attention
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WEST VIRGINIA POULTRY FARMER LOIS ALT, AFBF AND WEST VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU DEFEATED EPA’S EFFORT TO REGULATE ORDINARY RAINWATER RUNOFF FROM ALT’S FARMYARD.
Without the West Virginia Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau Federation, we didn’t have a leg to stand on [against the Environmental Protection Agency], because our resources are so limited and you’re talking about fighting the government. Lois Alt
”
WEST VIRGINIA POULTRY FARMER 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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Strategic Action Plan Issue: Oppose EPA efforts to expand the scope of NAVIGABLE WATERS subject to federal regulation under the Clean Water Act In 2013, the EPA released a report with the intent to show that nearly every pond, ditch, wetland, ephemeral stream and even manmade water body has a significant connection to navigable waters.
In 2014, AFBF is preparing to generate large numbers of public comments on a related proposed rule
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Strategic Action Plan Issue: Protect farmer and rancher interests in the development of FOOD SAFETY regulations
AFBF in 2013 submitted comments on federal proposals to prevent unnecessary and counterproductive regulations
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AFBF 2013 Digital Impact FB News...............14,162 subscribers AFBF Facebook .....16,137 “likes” @FarmBureau .......24,811 Twitter followers AS OF DEC. 31, 2013
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Communications Impact …Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, sought to calm the waters [on the farm bill negotiations], calling on the agriculture community to step back and let the negotiators do their work without having to field grenades thrown in by competing interests outside. David Rogers POLITICO, DECEMBER 4, 2013
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AS OF AUG. 1, 2013
3,420 AFBF media hits
(digital, written and broadcast media)
2.3 Billion people reached
through media Value:
$1.9 Million 2013 AFBF ANNUAL REPORT
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AFBF Top Videos of 2013 VIDEO 1. Farmer Sues EPA 2. Farmers Need Labor Reform 3. 2013 Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet 4. AFBF’s New Farm Bill Proposal 5. Poultry Grower Prevails Against EPA
VIEWS 1,709 986 900 659 578
531,078 Total Videos Produced (2013): 40
Total Video Impressions (2013):
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IDEAg In 2013, the American Farm Bureau Federation announced its acquisition of the IDEAg agricultural events and publications. The acquisition includes IDEAg branded farm shows: • Minnesota Farmfest • Dakotafest • Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show • Northern Illinois Farm Show • IDEAg Interconnectivity Conference Feed & Grain magazine and Case IH’s Farm Forum magazine are now also part of AFBF’s publishing portfolio.
FOR AGRICULTURE. BY AGRICULTURE.
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AFBF Members Enjoy Cost-Saving Benefits
$33 Million Total 2013 Member Savings from the National Benefit Program
$21,455,000 GM
$11,323,740 Grainger
$374,450 T-Mobile
149,105
$240,900 Case-IH
2013 Corporate Participants 1. Avis 2. Case-IH 3. GM 4. Choice Hotels 5. eLegacyConnect 6. FB Bank 7. FB Discount Rx Card 8. FBapparel 9. Grainger 10. HughesNet 11. T-Mobile 12. Wyndham Hotel Group
AFBF Members engaged online in the National Benefit Program in 2013
For more information, please visit www.fbadvantage.com
301
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Farmer Donations to Hunger Relief in 2013 FUNDS: $810,000 FOOD: 32 million pounds of food FRIENDS: 13,000 volunteer hours Combined, the monetary and food donations reached a record level of the equivalent of more than 34 million meals. The donations were made as part of Farm Bureau’s Harvest for All program, in partnership with Feeding America. Harvest for All is spearheaded by members of Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program.
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Women’s Leadership In connection with their Food Check-Out Week activities focused on engaging with food consumers, members of Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Program donated or raised more than $211,160 (cash and in-kind) to Ronald McDonald House Charities and $133,950 to other charities in 2013.
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AFBF Training Opportunities AFBF provided leadership training for
10,300
members in 2013 through media/social media seminars, Campaign Management Seminars, Women’s Communications Boot Camp, Partners in Agricultural Leadership and other programs.
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Thank you to AFBF Photographers AFBF Photo Contest Entrants: Rachel Burt, North Carolina Emily Chauvin, Louisiana Emily Hall, Oregon April Harbour, Colorado Sarah Hardie, North Dakota Dani Kreutter, Indiana Raquel Landry, Louisiana Danielle Lindemann, North Dakota Laurie Link, Missouri Andy Lucas, Georgia Ann Oliver, New York Katherine Plessner, North Dakota Jamie Pruitt, Delaware Michelle Shooter, North Carolina Andie Thompson, California Others: Kim Baker, AFBF Mary Burns, AFBF Will Gilmer, Alabama Iowa Farm Bureau istockphoto.com Leah Willger, AFBF
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End Notes Pages 3 and 14: Remarks of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to 94th Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation, Jan. 14, 2013 Pages 6 and 13: Lucas Commends American Farm Bureau Federation for Its Strong Support of American Agriculture, Jan. 12, 2013 (AFBF news story) Page 10: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2012 Page 18: Transcript from “American, Missouri FBs Team Up to Bring the Heat on Farm Bill,” Aug. 15, 2013 (AFBF news story) Page 23: Farmer Sues EPA, Oct. 24, 2013 (AFBF video) Page 27: “Big Trades Advance Farm Bill Talks,” David Rogers, Politico, Dec. 4, 2013
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