Newsline is updated every Monday and Thursday at 5:00 P.M. Eastern! 

Senate to Vote on Important Infrastructure ImprovementsMay 6, 2013

For more information on Newsline, contact: Johnna Miller, Director of Media Development, American Farm Bureau Federation johnnam@fb.org

Social media has shifted the way we share information, discuss differing opinions, market new ideas and connect with friends and relatives. Professionals in the agriculture industry are using social media to interact with those who support agriculture, individuals who have significant issues with the industry, people who are simply seeking information and everyone in between. A panel of social media gurus will share how they started using social media to advocate for our industry.

Delegates of the nation’s largest farm organization held firm on a lot of issues critical to agriculture. American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman spoke to reporters about what the policies the organization approved at its annual meeting in Nashville. AFBF’s Johnna Miller has the story.

Voting delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 94^th annual meeting expressed support for a bipartisan, reform-minded farm bill, crafted around a broad, flexible, crop-insurance-based program, including risk-management protection for peanuts, rice, forage and specialty crops.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will remain in that job within the Obama administration’s second term. At the American Farm Bureau’s 94th Annual Meeting in Nashville he told members of the nation’s largest farm organization about some of his plans for USDA in the months ahead. AFBF’s Johnna Miller has the story.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack holds a News Conference at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 94^th Annual Meeting.

Retired astronaut Mark Kelly holds a News Conference at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 94^th Annual Meeting.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack traveled from Washington, D.C., to offer insights on department policies and programs affecting farmers, ranchers and rural Americans.

This spring, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is reaching out to farmers, ranchers and American agri-business to build a collection that reflects modern agricultural practices. Curators are seeking stories, photographs and ephemera to record and preserve the innovations and experiences of farming and ranching. In partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, the museum is announcing this initiative to the farming community today during the AFBF’s 94th annual meeting in Nashville.

Members of the American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee elected a new leader for 2013. In this report, AFBF’s Johnna Miller introduces you to Nebraska young farmer, Zach Hunnicutt.

A look at what U.S. energy policy may mean for individual farmers.

Regulations on surface transportation remain important to farmers and ranchers.

Risks and opportunities abound for the livestock and poultry industries in 2013.

A look ahead at what the new year may bring for crop farmers and markets.

Thousands of members of the nation’s largest farm organization are gathered for the American Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Nashville. AFBF President Bob Stallman talked to reporters about what will likely be big issues for the organization in the year ahead. AFBF’s Johnna Miller has the story.

AFBF President Bob Stallman briefs members of the media on the agenda and highlights of the 94^th Annual Meeting.

Hailed as the “State of Farm Bureau” speech, AFBF President Bob Stallman’s powerful annual address is much-anticipated by members. Stallman provides an overview of where agriculture is heading in 2013 and the role farmers and ranchers will play.

Thousands of members of the nation's largest farm organization are preparing to meet for the American Farm Bureau's annual meeting. AFBF President Bob Stallman explains the importance of the event in this report by AFBF's Johnna Miller.