The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is a national organization that is committed to supporting and promoting the cause of American farmers. As an interest group, they work to influence parts of government in order to further their agenda. The AFBF claims to be the “Voice of Agriculture” as they work to draw the attention of political officials in regards to their most important issues of biotechnology, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and immigration. The American Farm Bureau Federation is mainly an economic interest group. Their most pressing goal is to improve the economic livelihood of rural families. The AFBF has a hierarchal structure of leadership and is compromised of local, state, and national levels. At the …show more content…
national level, there is a president, vice president, director, and executive assistant, along with a general counsel. In order to join, prospective members must go through their State Farm Bureau. Each state has its own Farm Bureau that addresses their own local issues as well as supporting the issues of the national Farm Bureau. Membership is open to anyone. In 2007, membership grew to over six million. The ten states with the highest membership numbers are Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Illinois, Texas, Indiana, Ohio, and Mississippi (The Voice). A majority of these states, located in the Sunbelt or Rustbelt, have had a strong increase in membership in recent years. Thereby, highlighting the growing displeasure among farmers with the actions of the government. Biotechnology, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and immigration are critical issues for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Among these, immigration has recently been a huge area of debate in politics and is one of the issues that has mobilized the AFBF. Farming is a rigorous job that many Americans do not feel is worth the time; therefore, for decades U.S. agriculture has depended on foreign workers. However, with current restrictions and stricter enforcement of the U.S. immigration system there has been a growing shortage of workers. The shortage is costing farmers millions of dollars. The H-2A is the temporary worker program that many foreign workers are coming to the U.S. under. This inefficient program has led to the delay of workers arriving up to 22 days later than expected, costing farmers an estimated $320 million. The immigration program is not the only problem the AFBF faces. Most of America does not seem to understand the consequences of the worker shortage. Without enough workers, production will slow, causing prices to skyrocket. However, most Americans do not even turn a shoulder because they believe it does not affect them. In order to improve the labor situation, the AFBF is “committed to responsible legislative immigration reform that addresses border security, fixes the legal immigration system, and provides farmers access to a legal and stable workforce.” In November of 2014, the President revealed his executive order in regards to immigration reform. At this time, the AFBF has not taken a position on the proposed actions and would rather focus on Congress; evident by the AFBF policy that states, “Only reform through legislation can solve the agricultural worker problem.” The AFBF supports the uncapped Agricultural Worker Visa Program and an “adjustment of status for experienced but unauthorized agricultural workers who currently reside in the US.” (The Voice) The AFBF has applied many methods in getting the attention of Americans and elected officials in regards to immigration reform.
The AFBF focuses on lobbying the legislative branch and is considered one of the most influential agriculture lobbies in the United States. To influence congress and draw the attention of officials, they spend around $100 million a year. (Ball) The AFBF has 22 lobbyists and at least 20 state bureaus have registered lobbyists in Washington. (Shearn) The American Farm Bureau Federation also has influence at the state level through their state bureaus and political action committees. (Ball) Another method the AFBF is utilizing is teaming up with other agriculture groups to promote the #IFarmImmigration Campaign. This campaign focuses on re-energizing the efforts to get immigration reform. Their arguments include the cost of worker shortages, the need for a stable, legal workforce, and the possibility of increased food prices. The campaign is using a study done by Texas A&M that shows about 60% of dairy farms use immigrant laborers, and without immigrant workers, the number of farms would drop and cause an estimated 61% increase in milk price (The Voice). Images of crops rotting on vines and farmers vacating their land are used to show what will happen if nothing is done (Ball). Through social media, traditional media, community events, and videos they will share other studies and stories of
farmers. The success of the AFBF is not entirely evident yet. Their efforts for immigration reform are still on going and there is a much-heated debate about immigration in Congress, especially in regards to President Obama’s executive order. The farmers; however, are facing another challenge. The Republicans have traditionally listened to the AFBF requests, but with the Tea Party gaining momentum, the AFBF no longer has as much pull within the Party. The AFBF and the Tea Party do not see eye-to-eye on many issues. This is a problem that may force farmers over to the Democrats, but at this time it appears farmers are caught in the middle with no clear answer on whether any of their issues will be addressed. (Ball) The recent takeover of both houses of Congress by the Republicans could prove problematic for the farmers and their hopes of immigration reform. I would not become a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation. After researching their views and efforts at lobbying, I am now more aware of the agriculture problems in our country and the effects they would have on every American. However, like many Americans I do not believe that this issue directly affects me at this point in my life. I think there are other more pressing issues that would be more worth my time. Perhaps I would vote to support them, but I do not have enough time in my life to actually endorse their group. The American Farm Bureau Federation is a volunteer interest group that strives to improve the lives of farmers and their families. With over six million member families they lobby Congress and use other methods to further their agenda. Among their interests, the AFBF has been mobilized recently on the issue of immigration. The Farm Bureau will continue to lobby and further their agenda in hopes of improving the livelihood of rural families.
The Future Farmers of America is an agricultural education group, but reaches much further than agriculture. The FFA remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education (FFA). Dodge is a supporter and partner of the FFA. Dodge’s goal in 2013 was to raise awareness of the American farmer and raise one million dollars for the FFA (Ram). Dodge even went a step further by naming 2013 “the year of the farmer”. To the American public this seemed quite generous of Dodge. It was generous in the fact that Dodge not only cares about the future of their company, but the future success of young leaders in
Health habits formed in childhood are incredibly hard to break as they grow into adults, and an unhealthy child population equals an unhealthy adult population before too long. The farm bill’s specific catering to such a small number of crops cuts down on what readily available products there are to feed to the population, especially as the farm bill “…offers little, if any, support to the California farmers who produce nearly half of our nation’s fruits, nuts, and vegetables, despite the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutritional guidelines calling for a diet rich in all three” (Farm Bill Should Focus on Healthful Foods, 31). I agree that by ignoring these extremely important farms in the face of making money we are only hurting ourselves in the long run. Most of our population is not a wealthy one, and to remove healthy choices from our reach and yet still expect us to be a healthy, thriving class of people is not only impossible but also
The National Future Farmers of America program was started in 1929 by a group of young people desiring an organization in which they could take agricultural education classes, practice their l...
In 1919, farmers from thirty states, including Missouri, saw a need. They gathered in Chicago and formed the American Farm Bureau Federation. In 1919, they had one goal, they wanted to speak for themselves with the help of their own national organization. Since 1919, Farm Bureau has operated by a philosophy that states: “analyze the problem of farmers and develop a plan of action for these problems” (Missouri). In the past 94 years, the A...
Farmers everywhere in the United States during the late nineteenth century had valid reasons to complaint against the economy because the farmers were constantly being taken advantage of by the railroad companies and banks. All farmers faced similar problems and for one thing, farmers were starting to become a minority within the American society. In the late nineteenth century, industrialization was in the spotlight creating big businesses and capitals. The success of industrialization put agriculture and farmers on the down low, allowing the corporations to overtake the farmers. Since the government itself; such as the Republican Party was also pro-business during this time, they could have cared less about the farmers.
Agribusiness is a growing profession across our nation. Each year our Legislature introduces new farm bills requiring additional need for in-depth studies and introduction to the ever changing farming system. The ranch manager becomes the caretaker of crops, livestock and other animals. A lot of their time is spent outdoors and in meetings with farmers and government agencies. They are basically on call, whether they are tending to farm matters; working and meeting with government agencies; and/or speaking to local communities sharing various farming techniques, they are constantly busy. Ranch managers are an integral part in agribusiness, their focus is to manage and produce a successful farm operation while maintaining required government
...ed access to federal subsidies that were given to all farmers. These federal programs were administered locally by a small class that controlled the counties. If they said that their county didn’t have the need for these checks they were returned, or in some cases pocketed by the landowners themselves instead of giving them to the sharecroppers. (Kreisler internet)
Evidently, during the 1870-1900 period, farmers expressed drastic discontent in which their attitudes and actions had a major impact on national politics. First and foremost, farmers began to feel that their lives were threatened by competition with railroads, monopolies, trusts, currency circulation shortage, and the desire for Mother Nature to destroy their crops. The majority of the people of America were slaves, and monopoly was the master (Document C). Monopolies were dictating the way the agricultural industry functioned as a whole. Additionally, the deflation of prices was particularly crucial, because it put the farmers in a high state of debt. Furthermore, competition was another major contributing factor liable for the farmers’ dissatisfaction.
"The FSA, Farm Security Administration Helps Tenant Farmers." The FSA, Farm Security Administration Helps Tenant Farmers. Web. 21 Feb. 2014.
The Farm Bill is legislation that affects many different industries, but it’s purpose is to set policy regarding agriculture, nutrition, conservation and forestry (Committee Agriculture). About every five years, a bill regarding this same issue is passed by Congress (Committee Agriculture). In 1933, the Agricultural Adjustment Act was passed to deal with commodity surpluses that individuals could not afford during the Great Depression in rural America during the Franklin D Roosevelt presidency(Hagstrom). The Food Stamp Act was passed in 1964 under the The Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency (Hagstrom). By 1977, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program(SNAP), became part of the Farm Bill (Hagstrom). This is the history preceding the time period of the most recent Farm Bill, which has undergone the policy process to modernize the bill.
Humankind has always had a thirst for power; over its peers, environment and spiritual beliefs. To quench this thirst it has gone as far as genocide; but has often employed more subtle techniques, such as mind control. In today’s socio-economical and political worlds, mind control plays a key role in dictating tastes and lifestyles; as well as controlling political thoughts, views, and people’s understanding of the world. It is accomplished using various channels to condition people’s thinking. Publicity and advertisement campaigns saturate people with products, broadcasting over radio, and television which in itself is a prime example. Many religions employ mind control, conditioning their followers to obey without questioning.
Due to the nature of farmers, they were often independent and individualistic and not in any kind of organizations. This hurt them because corporations and processors were frequently involved in trusts and used it to their advantage. Mary E. Lease talks about this in Document C. She basically says that it is time for a change and that we will no longer be abused by banks and the dreaded foreclosure system. So the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry (Grange) was organized in 1867 by Oliver H. Kelley. According to Document G, manufacturing had become the main economic sector. So, the Grange’s goal was to improve the lives of farmers by organizing them through social, educational, and fraternal activities.
Agricultural subsidies is a very complex and controversial economic topic today. It will continue to be a hot topic as government continues it. It is largely debated in the United States as well as in other countries. The reason it is so largely debated is because it literally have an effect on the entire world market. Not to mention that the farm has been booming the last 5 to 10 years. This topic also tends to draw strong opinions in our area in particular due to the large agricultural community in our region. However, even within different states there are many supporters as well as opponents to these government subsidies.
Farmers are essentially the back-bone of the entire food system. Large-scale family farms account for 10% of all farms, but 75% of overall food production, (CSS statistics). Without farmers, there would be no food for us to consume. Big business picked up on this right away and began to control the farmers profits and products. When farmers buy their land, they take out a loan in order to pay for their land and farm house and for the livestock, crops, and machinery that are involved in the farming process. Today, the loans are paid off through contracts with big business corporations. Since big business has such a hold over the farmers, they take advantage of this and capitalize on their crops, commodities, and profits. Farmers are life-long slaves to these b...
In the movie “Food Inc” we saw how the food industry keeps their farmers under their control. Food incorporation sets new protocols that require the farmers to keep purchasing more on dept. As a result of loans and only $18,000 annually (Kenner) they are stuck in a hole that they can’t get out of. I find many things disturbing about this. First off, I find it disturbing that he picked a poorly educated farming area. It seems obvious that the farmers don’t know what they got into and don’t have any knownldge of how to get out. I find it an example of poor unionization within the small farmers that are to be blamed not the ones that find out how to exploit it (Kenner).