During his remarks at the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention General Session in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 8, AFBF President Zippy Duvall hit on several key issues U.S. farmers are facing – water regulations, labor, inputs, the farm bill and more – noting that his organization works closely with each administration on many issues but also acknowledging that “action from the government isn’t always the best option.”
Citing Hurricane Maria’s destructive path across Puerto Rico, Zippy explained the AFBF’s role in bringing aid to the island, and he said that storm and other catastrophes bring people together, with God putting “people in our lives to help us not only weather the storm, but to thrive in even bigger and better ways.”
He also described the “mighty force of Farm Bureau advocates,” stressing that when “we combine these advocates with our team of expert lobbyists, we are a force to be reckoned with. Last year, you all sent over 38,000 messages to lawmakers and regulators. That averages more than 100 messages each and every day.
Zippy continued, “For example, when the SEC wanted to require all companies to report greenhouse gas emissions in their supply chains, we knew it would have big effects on our farms. That rule could have meant more red tape and confusing paperwork.
We activated our network of advocates. In just a few weeks, you generated nearly 5,000 messages to the SEC, and we got their attention. I have spoken to Chair Gensler, and he gets it. Still, we’ll keep a watchful eye as they rework that rule.”
And he said, “When the threat loomed of increased taxes through changes to stepped-up basis, we launched into action again. You sent over 7,000 messages to Congress, sharing how those changes could devastate family farms.
Zippy also referenced the Waters of the United States, saying that “when we issued our action alert on WOTUS during this speech last year… all stood up and made your voices heard.”
Within the first 36 hours “our members sent over 3,800 messages to the EPA. One of the people who sent a message was Eric Kelsey from Illinois.
“In 2014, Eric bought farmland right next to the farm his great-grandfather bought generations earlier. He hoped to grow more corn, soybeans and wheat there and build a home for his family. In 2018, Eric wanted to make some improvements on his land. The federal government bounced him back and forth between agencies and red tape for two years!”
Zippy added, “Then Eric called a supervisor he knew in one of the agencies who said, ‘Oh, you don’t need a permit for that.’ Two people. Same office. Two different answers. If our government can’t even understand the regulations, how can they expect the American people to understand them? Right? We should not have to hire a team of lawyers to tell us how we farm our land.”
The AFBF President added, “We took our seat at the table. We hosted roundtables with government agencies. You submitted comments explaining why we needed a rule that was clear, fair and easy to understand. The EPA seems to have ignored much of what we said.
“Now, to give credit where it’s due, Administrator Reagan did attempt to clarify the rules around prior converted cropland, ponds and ditches. But overall, the rule muddies the water. It creates confusion that will require more paperwork, more delays, and yes, more lawyers. We’re not done yet. We will do everything we can do to arrive at a commonsense rule.”
Duvall said that “of the recent successes we’ve had is passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. We worked with members on both sides of the aisle and the President, to get this bill across the finish line. I hope it will start to fix problems that we’ve seen in ocean shipping the last couple years. And maybe it might also help relieve some other price increases we’re experiencing.”
And he followed by saying, “We also know that action from the government isn’t always the best option. Our members asked the American Farm Bureau to work with farm equipment manufacturers. They asked us to find a path forward so we can repair our own equipment. Margins on the farm are tight, that’s why we fix things ourselves and go to local mechanics for help. I know many of you are forced to travel for hours to the nearest equipment dealer. That’s a challenge when something breaks in the middle of planting, harvest or any time-sensitive job.”
He then went on to announce that “immediately after this general session, I’ll be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with John Deere” to ensure farmers “are able to repair our own equipment. This will enable you and your independent mechanics to identify and fix problems. You will have access to the diagnostic tools and information you need. And you’ll get it at a fair and reasonable price.”
Tackling the farm bill, Zippy said the AFBF “started preparing a year and a half ago for the 2023 farm bill discussion. We invited every state and Puerto Rico to join our Farm Bill Working Group. They have identified our priorities and gaps in our policy book that we need the delegates to fill this week.”
Hitting the highlights, he said farmers’ priorities include protecting and expanding crop insurance. “We need to ensure conservation programs remain voluntary and science-based. And we must keep farm policy unified with nutrition policy. When ag and hunger advocates lock arms, we have our best chance of success, which we must never take for granted.”
Also, he said, there has been “a lot of discussion about advancing climate-smart farming practices as part of the farm bill renewal. We are at the table for that discussion through our leadership in the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance. It is important to ensure that any additional resources go to voluntary, market-based programs.”
Zippy noted that it will be a challenge “engaging with members of Congress who have never worked on a farm bill. In addition to the new members, 179 others weren’t in Congress during the 2018 farm bill debate. That makes 260 who may not understand the importance of farm bill programs. Nearly half of Congress! We have to put in the extra work to show them why we need to pass the farm bill this year.”
Labor, he said, is a “political lightning rod. If we took the politics out of it and put the stakeholders in one room, I bet we’d find a solution by the end of the day. We need our legislators to set aside the political games and come to the table ready to find a solution.
“The lack of workers is holding back agriculture. It’s holding back American businesses. It’s holding back our rural communities. It is past time we get this done.”
And about the third issue, sustainability, he said, “We’ve had some awesome success ensuring new programs are in line with our policies. The recommendations we helped develop through the Food and Ag Climate Alliance have driven action in Washington. Just a few weeks ago, Congress passed the SUSTAINS Act and a revised Growing Climate Solutions Act. These bills give us the tools to help implement voluntary, market-driven programs on our farms.”
He said, “Farmers are innovators. We’re always looking for ways to do better by our land. Just like I don’t farm the same way my grandfather did, my grandchildren won’t farm the same way I do. At the last convention, I challenged you to share your sustainability stories. And the Farm Bureau Family answered that challenge in a big way. We’re taking back the narrative. We’re demonstrating our commitment, to our soil, to our water and to the air we all breathe.”
Explaining that sustainability “isn’t new to farmers. It’s not just a buzzword to us. It’s just what we do,” Zippy said, “Americans just aren’t connected to the farm like they used to be. But here’s the cool thing: The American people trust you and me as farmers. Surveys show: They trust us more than the federal government and more than environmental groups.
“They trust you to make the right decisions on your farm. You should be very proud of that. It is time for the government to trust you to do the right thing, too. We need to keep coming to the table, building on that public trust and sharing our story with everyone from Washington lawmakers to our neighbors down the road.
That’s just what our Foundation for Agriculture is doing. It works hard to bridge the gap with people who may have never seen a farm … or a farm animal. We started a publishing company to show kids how food is actually grown. One of our books, ‘I LOVE Strawberries,’ even won a Good Housekeeping Award.
Another AFBF program is our “On the Farm STEM,” which “brings teachers from urban and suburban schools to meet farmers and ranchers on the farm. These teachers are amazed by the connection between science lessons in their classrooms and the science we use every day.”
In closing, Zippy said that “what farmers do” is straightforward: “We show up. And that’s what the Farm Bureau family does. No one can go it alone. I can’t do it all. And neither can you. But together, together we are strong, and we are a force for good all across our country.
“During this morning’s Sunrise Service, I said a quiet prayer for us all, to love and support each other more than ever before. Jesus tells us in John 15:12: ‘Love each other as I have loved you.’”
He said, “As we gather here today, I feel the strength of our family. I see the love of farming that binds us together. Whether it’s tough times or good times, we stand together with one united voice. I am so proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with you and I am humbled to serve as president of this great organization. What an honor, on both counts.
“Now let’s buckle-up for a big year in 2023. And let’s make it an awesome year. Thank you. God bless you all and God bless the American farmer!”
