Kentucky is well-represented during national conference.

More than 4,000 farmers and ranchers from across the country and Puerto Rico made their way to the 107th American Farm Bureau Federation Convention last month. That included nearly 350 Kentucky Farm Bureau members, which was the largest state Farm Bureau group attending, something that has become a regular occurrence during this annual national conference, according to KFB President Eddie Melton.

“Year after year, KFB members show up in a big way for the AFBF Convention, which demonstrates their willingness to step up and advocate for the agriculture industry that sustains us all,” he said. “They truly represent the best when it comes to having their voices heard at all levels, playing a major role in shaping our country’s agricultural policy.”

KFB highlights

KFB was well-represented during the Young Farmer competitive events. State Discussion Meet winner Cody Burke finished as the runner-up in the national competition, KFB Young Farm Family of the Year Taylor and Hannah Jones finished in the top ten for the Young Farmer and Ranchers Achievement award, and KFB Excellence in Ag state winner Brandon Gilles represented Kentucky well in that event.

Other KFB highlights during the convention included:

Harlan County Farm Bureau represented KFB in the AFBF County Activities of Excellence (CAE) exhibit area, showcasing their annual Forestry Days Field Trip and the inaugural Ag Forestry Field Week event.

KFB was honored in all four categories of the Awards of Excellence program, which recognizes state Farm Bureaus that demonstrated outstanding achievements in the program areas of Advocacy, Coalitions & Partnerships, Engagement & Outreach, and Leadership & Business Development.

For the second year in a row, the People’s Choice Pup award winner is a Kentucky canine. Members of the public voted online to select Goose, owned by KFB member Lindie Huffman.

Convention highlights

During his convention opening remarks, AFBF President Zippy Duvall encouraged farmers and ranchers to engage with the administration, lawmakers, and consumers to explain what farmers are doing every day to grow a safe, healthy food supply.

“Every conversation, every engagement bridges the gap—from stories on social media to meetings at your statehouse, and even the White House,” he said. “We believe it’s critical for consumers and lawmakers to hear straight from farmers.”

The convention’s mid-general session featured all four leaders of the congressional agriculture committees who came together to discuss issues important to rural America session.

The chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Ranking Member Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) as well as the chair of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.), and Ranking Member Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) covered priority issues including passing a new five-year farm bill, developing domestic and international markets for agricultural products, providing access to a stable workforce for farmers and ranchers, and the importance of grassroots involvement in advocacy.

The business at hand

During the business session, voting delegates adopted policy to improve labor programs to meet the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers, including formalizing support for the new Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology, and further revisions to avoid unpredictable rate swings in the future.

They voted to support federal funding for research and biosecurity facilities to better identify and combat illnesses and pests that threaten the health of crops and animals. New policy also includes committing more resources specifically to eradicate the New World screwworm and keeping the U.S.-Mexico border closed to cattle trade until the screwworm is controlled.

Delegates also revised national farm policy to provide more protection for dairy farmers who may suffer losses due to market challenges, and formalized support for prioritizing locally grown fruits, vegetables, bread, and proteins in institutional purchases such as schools and government facilities.

Voting members also requested that the board of directors analyze several agricultural issues, including the impact of tariffs and the lack of affordable insurance options for poultry farmers.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall and Vice President Scott VanderWal were unanimously re-elected for another two-year term. KFB President Eddie Melton was re-elected to a two-year term representing his region on the AFBF Board of Directors.