American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman announced Tuesday he will not seek reelection after 16 years at the nation’s largest farm organization.
A cattle and rice producer from Columbus, Stallman is the 11th president during AFBF’s almost 97-year history.
Stallman’s successor will be elected to a two-year term at AFBF’s meeting of voting delegates on Jan. 12, 2016 during the group’s annual convention and trade show in Orlando, Fla.
“After 16 years as AFBF president, six as Texas Farm Bureau president and several more in other Farm Bureau roles, it is time to hand over the reins of leadership—a decision that is made easier by knowing the great leadership and foundation that exist to continue moving Farm Bureau forward,” Stallman said. “I am as optimistic as ever about the future of American agriculture and Farm Bureau.”
Under Stallman’s presidency, Farm Bureau membership nationwide has grown by more than 1 million member families, programs now support more efforts to build rural communities and economies, and more leadership development programs to help farmers and ranchers have been developed.
According to a news release, Stallman has also served on the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, the State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy, the Farm Foundation board of trustees, the board and founding leadership of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, the board of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, and the House Agriculture Committee’s Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture.
“While the presidential gavel will change hands, what defines Farm Bureau will remain the same: our grassroots strength and our commitment to strengthening America’s agricultural and rural communities,” Stallman added.