Farmers asked to speak up, help guide farm policies
By Zippy Duvall Late summer is here, which means for Farm Bureau, our policy development process is heading into full swing. As a grassroots organization, this is the time when our members speak up on chal- lenges they face on the farm and within their communities. Those concerns
potentially tough decisions going forward. Our farm and ranch families need a per- manent tax code that provides stability and recognizes the unique financial challenges farm businesses face as they work to pro- vide a secure food supply for our nation. At Farm Bureau, the call for tax reform has come in many forms over the years, and we continue to work with and on behalf of our members to get a solution before the 2025 deadline. That is also why addressing the tax concerns through the policy devel- opment process is a top priority. We want to hear from our members about how these issues impact your farms and ranches directly. This feedback not only helps us work on your behalf but also gives us farmer and rancher stories—pow- erful testimonials—we can share to ensure all lawmakers understand the impact of tax reform on farm and ranch families across the country. (California Farm Bureau members may offer input by emailing Federal Policy Director Matthew Voihl at mvoihl@cfbf.com.) This is your Farm Bureau, and these are your policies. Together, we will continue to shape the future of American agriculture and ensure that our farms, ranches and rural communities thrive for generations to come. I am deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication you put into shaping our great organization at the local, state and national levels and am eager to see what comes from this year’s policy develop- ment process. (Vincent “Zippy” Duvall, a poultry, cattle and hay producer from Georgia, is president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. This commentary is adapted from Aug. 7 and July 31 editions of his col- umn, The Zipline, which appears online at www.fb.org/the-zipline.)
become policy resolutions, which work their way up through the county, state, and ultimately, the na- tional level. Every policy resolution brought to the floor at the dele-
Zippy Duvall
gate session of the American Farm Bureau Convention in January started with one farmer speaking up. Farm Bureau stands as the voice of agri- culture, thanks to this active participation by our members. From the farm bill and agricultural labor reform to infrastruc- ture and rural broadband, your American Farm Bureau team is working diligently on a wide array of issues in Washington, D.C. We rely on you to guide our policy be- cause you know better than anyone what works and what doesn’t on your farm. That is also why our nation’s leaders and elected officials know that when Farm Bureau speaks, we are speaking for farm- ers and ranchers. As I wrote recently, time is running out for Congress to pass a modernized farm bill this year. Families—on and off the farm—cannot afford a delay. As mem- bers of Congress have returned home for the August recess, our members have shared how important this legislation is for our country.
The leader of the American Farm Bureau Federation says the organization relies on participation of members to shape its policies and spur political action on key matters from the farm bill to taxes.
Americans in every region, state, small town and big city are counting on our farmers and ranchers to keep our nation’s food supply secure—and we’re counting on Congress to deliver a farm bill so that we can do just that. Occasionally, there are also new or emerging issues that impact farmers and ranchers, but we don’t have specific policy to guide our work. This is when our team in Washington asks for direction directly from our grassroots members via the poli- cymaking process. With many critical tax benefits for farm and ranch families set to expire in 2025, we are now asking members to ensure we have clear policy in light of the potential for severe economic consequences.
We have a second ask of you, and it’s im- portant. We need farmers and ranchers across the country to meet with lawmakers this year, so they act swiftly to implement the tax reform farmers and ranchers need in 2025. Tax reform is crucial for ensuring the economic sustainability of our farms and ranches. Lower tax rates, small business deductions and higher estate tax exemp- tions help our farm families manage fi- nances more effectively, provide oppor- tunities for investment and even help ease the difficult planning for succession. That is also why we have our eyes fixed on this quickly approaching deadline that will place many of these critical benefits at risk. Without renewal of these benefits, farmers face a steep tax increase and
VOL. 51, NO. 33
September 4, 2024
AG ALERT ® weekly newspaper is an official publication of the CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU • CFBF.COM
@cafarmbureau
@cafarmbureau
@cafarmbureau
@calfarmbureau
agalert.com
Board of Directors (District 1) Ronnie Leimgruber; (2) Scott Hudson; (3) Mark Lopez; (4) Kevin Merrill; (5) Kevin Robertson; (6) Joey Airoso; (7) Lorna Roush; (8) April England; (9) Jay Mahil; (10) Jan Garrod; (11) Joe Martinez; (12) Paul Sanguinetti; (13) Jake Wenger; (14) Joe Fischer; (15) Clark Becker; (16) Garrett Driver; (17) Johnnie White; (18) Daniel Suenram; (19) Taylor Hagata; (20) Jim Morris; (21) Ronald Vevoda; (Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Chair) Trelawney Bullis. Advisory Members Jenny Holtermann, Chair, CFB Rural Health Department, Glenda Humiston, University of California Cooperative Extension. Letters to the editor: Send to agalert@cfbf.com or Ag Alert, Attn: Editor, 2600 River Plaza Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833. Include name, address, phone number, email address; 250-word limit.
Peter Hecht- Chief Editor, Publications
ADVERTISING: Brock Tessandori- Business Development Manager (916) 561-5585 Antonio Muniz- Sales Coordinator Classifieds: (916) 561-5570 2600 River Plaza Dr., Sacramento, CA 95833. Represented in the East and Midwest by J.L. Farmakis, Inc. Eastern office: Bill Farmakis 48 Topfield Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 (203) 834-8832; Fax: (203) 834- 8825. Midwest office: Russ Parker, P.O. Box 7, Albia, IA 52531 (641) 946‑7646, Bob Brunker, 8209 NW 81st Ct., Kansas City, MO 64152 (816) 746-8814, Jennifer Saylor, 8426 N. Winfield Ave., Kansas City, MO 64153 (816) 912-2804, Laura Rustmann, 901 Lands End Cir, St. Charles MO 63304, (636) 238-8548. AG ALERT (issn 0161-5408) is published weekly except weeks of Memorial Day, July 4, Thanksgiving,
Christmas; and with exceptions, by the California Farm Bureau, 2600 River Plaza Dr., Sacramento CA 95833 (telephone: (916) 561-5570). Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, California. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AG ALERT, 2600 River Plaza Dr., Sacramento, CA 95833. The California Farm Bureau does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products advertised in AG ALERT nor does the Federation assume responsibility for statements or expressions of opinion other than in editorials or in articles showing authorship by an officer, di- rector, or employee of the California Farm Bureau Federation or its affiliates. No alcohol, tobacco or political advertising will be accepted. Shannon Douglass, President Shaun Crook, First Vice President Ron Peterson, Second Vice President
Christine Souza- Assistant Editor
Ching Lee- Assistant Editor
Caleb Hampton- Assistant Editor
Shawn Collins- Production Designer
Paula Erath- Graphic Designer
GENERAL INFORMATION: (916) 561-5570
agalert@cfbf.com
Printed on Recycled Paper
BPA Business Publication Member
2 Ag Alert September 4, 2024
Powered by FlippingBook