A Shot at Congress as Farm Bureau Begins Annual Meeting

The president of the nation’s largest farm organization kicked off its annual meeting in Nashville, TN Sunday morning with an address to 6,000 members that seemed a bit milder in tone than recent years. But Bob Stallman did have some choice words for elected officials after detailing how American Farm Bureau members and U.S. farmers are able to solve big problems by bringing diverse interests together at the discussion table.

“If only our elected leaders could use this same kind of realistic, down to earth approach to fix our nation’s fiscal challenges. We just elected and re-elected leaders for a new term. We must let them know that our nation can no longer afford political drama, manufactured crises and self-serving jackass stubbornness. We have grown tired of that reality show.”

After the opening session of the 94th annual meeting, president of Indiana Farm Bureau Don Villwock told HAT he hopes Stallman’s direct message is heard loud and clear in Washington.

“I guess we’re all disappointed that Congress didn’t step up and address the spending issues which are really critical to American agriculture. Being the largest capitalized industry per person in the country national debt is important to us. It affects our future and those of our families and so we really think it needs to be addressed and I applaud president Stallman for going after them.”

Also during the opening session the top ten of two Young Farmers and Ranchers contests were introduced. The Indiana couples competing both made the cut so John and Marybeth Feutz of Gibson County, competing in Excellence in Ag, and Orville and Jessica Haney of Kosciusko County competing for the Achievement Award, will continue with competition Monday. Competing in Discussion Meet, Julie Thalen from Clinton County will learn Monday if her efforts move her into the sweet 16.[audio:https://www.hoosieragtoday.com//wp-content/uploads//2013/01/Stallman-opens-2013-AFBF.mp3|titles=Stallman opens 2013 AFBF]