Farmers to fight climate change bill in Senate
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) expressed disappointment that H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, passed the House last Friday but is committed to defeating the legislation if it is brought up in the Senate. Rick Krause, senior director of congressional relations for AFBF, says the narrow vote in the House means it will be a challenge for the bill to gain the 60 votes required for passage in the Senate. With health care reform expected to take priority in the Senate, many Senators may be reluctant to immediately tackle another bill that will be controversial and expensive. "The Democratic leadership had to twist a lot of arms to get the necessary votes for the bill to pass the House," Krause said. "The dynamics in the Senate are different. "Farm Bureau sees much stronger opposition to the bill in the Senate," he said.
AFBF remains strongly opposed to the bill despite the inclusion of an amendment by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) that calls for the Agriculture Department to manage an offset program for farms, rather than the Environmental Protection Agency. Another problem with the bill is a provision that would potentially put the United States in violation of the World Trade Organization because it demands other nations make equivalent commitments to greenhouse gas reductions or face punitive actions. Such provisions would be unenforceable, and U.S. products would be subject to retaliatory tariffs and U.S. competitiveness would be harmed, according to AFBF.
President Barack Obama said he opposes the trade sanction portions of the bill.
National Ag in the Classroom
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Emily White, media specialist from Chestnut Grove Elementary in Decatur, shares information with Lisa Dorschner of South Dakota and Linda Dunn of Illinois on how students can make a classroom water cycle. White served as a workshop and share session presenter during the National Ag in the Classroom Conference last week in St. Louis, Mo., where 600 educators were in attendance. |
Commodity Department to lead national affairs efforts
Alabama Farmers Federation members are now being represented in Washington, D.C., by the organization's Commodity Department. Federation Executive Director Mike Kilgore said the Commodity Department assumed coordination of the National Affairs program following the resignation of former National Affairs Director Keith Gray in May. Gray served the Federation in Washington for 14 years before leaving to pursue other opportunities. Commodity Department Director Jimmy Carlisle will serve as the Federation's registered federal lobbyist, and the seven commodity directors will serve as researchers and advisors. "The transition of leadership for National Affairs to the Commodity Department is a natural fit because the commodity staff already was working on national issues," Kilgore said. "Our commodity directors have more than 130 years combined experience dealing with legislation and regulations that affect Alabama agriculture. By bringing National Affairs under the Commodity Department, these directors will be able to expand their day-to-day involvement in national issues." As a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Federation also has access to the Farm Bureau's 20 full-time lobbyists in Washington. Carlisle said he is looking forward to working with Congress, federal agencies and the Farm Bureau public policy team. "Our staff is committed to making sure the voice of Alabama farmers continues to be heard in Washington," Carlisle said. "We have already been working on national issues ranging from animal care and the environment to farm programs and trade." Federation members who have questions or comments about national affairs issues should contact the Commodity/National Affairs Department at (334) 613-4293 or email jcarlisle@alfafarmers.org.
Ag Literacy Day in Cherokee County
 | The annual Cherokee County Ag Literacy Day was held shortly before school adjourned in Cherokee County. It was sponsored by the Cherokee County Farm Field Days organization and funded in part by the Cherokee County Farmers Federation Young Farmers Committee. Each school library in Cherokee County received a barn bookshelf along with 10 agricultural books for Ag Literacy Day. From left are Centre Elementary School Principal Dewayne Pierce, Dewandee Neyman of Cherokee County Farm Field Days, Cherokee County Young Farmers Chairman Rich Lindsey and Centre Elementary School Librarian Ann Beddingfield. |
Applications sought for Master Goat Producer's Certification program
The Tuskegee University George Washington Carver Agriculture Experiment Station and the Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program will host the Master Goat Producer's Certification Training Program Aug. 3-5. Classes will be at the Caprine Research and Education Unit on the Tuskegee University Campus. The program includes classes on herd health, marketing, nutrition and pasture management, bio-security, bio-terrorism awareness, quality assurance, disaster preparedness and reproductive management. Hands-on training will be held for hoof trimming, assessing body condition scores, artificial insemination and judging livestock. For more information about the program and certification levels, contact Olga Bolden-Tiller at (334) 727-8403 or obtiller@tuskegee.edu. Early registration is $50 and is due by July 10. Late registration ($75) begins July 11. Breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee. For reservations, call the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center (800) 949-6161 or visit Tuskegeekelloggcenter.com. Lodging scholarships are available for the first 20 registrants (outside a 60 mile radius of Tuskegee).
AFBF: It's time to implement the Farm Bill
In testimony last week on Capitol Hill, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said it was a long, hard road to passage of the 2008 farm bill, however, it is now time to implement the bill. Testifying before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, Stallman outlined major components of the farm bill that need quick action, including disaster assistance, payment eligibility and the collaboration between the Internal Revenue Service and the Agriculture Department. "Many farmers faced major disasters in 2008," said Stallman. "Disaster assistance rules need to be released so that farmers who have had their operations devastated can receive help." According to AFBF, a year after the passage of the farm bill, there are no rules for the disaster program, let alone a target date for when producers will receive assistance under these programs. The organization is urging USDA to implement the program as quickly as possible. Stallman also said the payment eligibility rule put forward in late December 2008 needs to be fixed by 2010. "The late date left the incoming Obama administration with very little time or opportunity for change before the rule would have to be implemented," said Stallman. "While USDA is clearly now making progress on these rules, the delays have left a great deal of uncertainty in the countryside during this planting season." Further, Stallman said AFBF had concerns with changes to the definition of "actively engaged" for purposes of determining farm program eligibility, saying it will hurt farmers and create uncertainty across the countryside. Under the old rules, producers had to meet a two-pronged test: they had to show that they contributed capital, land and/or equipment, and they contributed labor and/or management to the operation. The new rule takes the labor and management requirement to an entirely new level by further mandating that this management be "separate and distinct" and "identifiable and documentable," but provides no clarification as to what this means, according to AFBF. "This lack of clarity will almost certainly result in a multitude of standards being applied across the country," said Stallman. "The changes in this rule impact every farm, no matter the size, crop or region." Finally, Stallman testified that AFBF would be keeping a very close eye on the USDA/IRS collaboration announced earlier this year by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack.
"Any proposal that allows IRS information to become public through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is unacceptable to Farm Bureau," said Stallman. "It is critical that no information obtained by USDA through the IRS be subject to FOIA rules." He also noted that once producers are red-flagged by the IRS, it is critical that any additional investigation required be handled at a centralized Farm Service Agency office by trained experts and not local offices due to privacy concerns. "The farm bill touches the lives of every producer in this country," concluded Stallman. "It's Farm Bureau's goal to ensure that the best interests of farmers are of paramount importance during this implementation process."
Former Leader Honored
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The St. Clair County Farmers Federation recently honored the late Martha Parrish with a proclamation for her leadership to the county organization. From left are St. Clair County Farmers Federation President Stanley Morris, Martha Parrish's husband and daughter, Alan Parrish and Amy Fowler, and St. Clair County Farmers Federation Women's Committee Chairman Margaret Evans. Mrs. Parrish formerly served as a county director, food price surveyor and was active in many other areas of the organization. |
Helms elected chairman of Alabama Farm-City
Jeff Helms, director of communications for the Alabama Farmers Federation, was elected chairman of the Alabama Farm-City Committee June 24, succeeding Federation Administrator J. Paul Till. Helms, a member of the National Farm-City Council for the past two years, praised his predecessor for the continued growth of the Alabama Farm-City Committee. "Under Paul Till's leadership, the Alabama Farm-City Committee has become one of the best in the nation," said Helms. "The Farm-City poster and essay contests are extremely successful, and now serve as a model for other state committees." Helms said he would like to see greater involvement in Farm-City at the state and county levels by reaching out to other grassroots organizations that share similar goals. He also embraces the National Farm-City Council's plan to become more issue-oriented, including an opportunity to focus on current issues, such as animal care, the environment and hunger.
State farmers plan trip to Brazil in January
The Alabama Soybean and Corn Association is planning a trip to Brazil in January. A conference call to discuss the trip will be July 9 at 8 a.m. To participate in the conference call (866) 295-5950 and enter the pass code 53605. For more information, contact Kim Hall at the Alabama Soybean and Corn Association at (256) 882-3369.
Bright Meets With Farmers
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U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery, second from left, visits with farmers at a gathering Monday evening at Carl Sanders' farm in Coffee County. From left are Houston County Farmers Federation President George Jeffcoat, Bright, Elmore County Federation Board Member Joe Jeffcoat and Coffee County Federation Board Member Max Bozeman. Bright discussed his opposition vote on the climate change bill that passed the House last week, and pledged to continue to be an advocate for Alabama farmers.
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Limestone County beekeepers host workshop for teachers
 | | From left, Justin Miller of Fairview High School, David Wilbanks of Clements High School and Lamar Hamby of Susan Moore High School were among 16 agri-science teachers who attended a three-day workshop sponsored in part by the Limestone County Farmers Federation Bee and Honey Committee. In addition to learning about bees and honey, each teacher made a hive to take back to their school.
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The Limestone County Farmers Federation Bee and Honey Committee recently held a three-day workshop with Tanner High School to introduce area agri-science teachers to beekeeping and honey production.The teachers also had access to a woodworking shop that allowed each teacher to make a complete hive. The hive includes a bottom board, brood chamber, super, inner cover and telescoping cover for beekeeping. Each of the 16 teachers who participated in the shop carried a hive home to show their students. Teachers who attended the workshop received continuing education credits.
Lionel Evans, chairman of Limestone County Farmers Federation Bee and Honey Committee, was among the presenters at the workshop. He said the project hopefully will encourage teachers to start hive projects in their school and introduce beekeeping to their students.
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