Legislative, regulatory and legal representation are keys for strengthening agricultural awareness and perspectives on state and national issues. Participating on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Issues Advisory Committee allows Texas farmers and ranchers to do just that.
Members of the Issues Advisory Committee—which consists of 12 subcommittees each focused on a specific, high-profile agricultural topic—identify issues and discussion actions and possible solutions.
The Issues Advisory Committee met Feb. 17-18 in Washington, D.C.
Each committee consists of Farm Bureau members with knowledge and direct involvement on particular issues of importance to U.S. farmers and ranchers.
Those members, who were appointed by AFBF President Zippy Duvall, include five leaders from Texas.
Pat McDowell, a farmer and rancher and TFB vice president, represents Texas on the Market Structures Committee. Members of this committee discuss marketing and bargaining, checkoff programs, credit markets, retail production standards, commodity markets, futures and the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act.
TFB District 3 State Director Mark Daniel serves on the Animal Care Committee, which focuses on issues of standards in animal care and health, antibiotic use, processing, government programs and the commerce clause.
Mike Helle, Hidalgo County farmer, serves on the Agricultural Labor Committee, which covers guestworker programs, OSHA regulations, health care and employment taxes.
As a member of the Farm Policy Committee, Panhandle farmer and former TFB Vice President Robert Gordon discusses price and income support programs, conservation programs and risk management programs, including crop insurance.
Kristin Warner, an agricultural professional from Travis County, represents Texas on the Technology Committee. This committee focuses on data privacy and control, unmanned aircraft systems, biotechnology, other new breeding techniques and robotics.
The remaining committees, which did not have TFB representatives, include Budget and Economy, Energy, Environmental Regulations, Federal Lands, Organic and Direct Marketing, Water and Food Safety.
Outcomes of the committees’ deliberations include advice and counsel to the AFBF board of directors on policy-related actions AFBF might be advised to take recommendations for state Farm Bureau policy development and policy recommendations to the AFBF Resolutions Committee.
“The members of these committees serve as a resource for AFBF,” Regan Beck, TFB director of Government Affairs, said. “Working together with representatives from other states allows our Texas farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals to help the national leadership better understand how each issue will affect agriculture across the U.S.”
Committee members may testify at congressional hearings and communicate with the media.
They will also participate in conference calls and webinars throughout the year to help Farm Bureau staff develop testimonies and write comments on proposed federal regulations.