News Update
December 19, 2014
Statement by American Farm Bureau Federation President on Normalization
of Cuba Relations
“The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) strongly supports President Obama’s move toward normalized relations with Cuba. Farm Bureau has long called for a removal of trade restrictions with Cuba, and we believe expanded trade with the U.S. can serve as a cornerstone for additional reforms,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman.
“The president’s opening to Cuba promises to improve trade conditions by making it easier for Cuba to buy U.S. agricultural and food products. This is welcome news for our nation’s farmers and ranchers.
“Right now, U.S. farmers can export to Cuba, but third-party banking requirements and limited credit financing make it harder to compete in the market than it should be. We look forward to a prompt lifting of those restrictions.
“Improving trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba will expand access to a market of 11 million consumers for U.S. agriculture. That’s good for Cuba and good for America, too. We look forward to working closely with the administration on this issue.”
Stock Growers Land Trust Elects Two New Board Members
The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust announced Dec. 16 that two new board members have been elected to serve on the organization’s board of directors. The new members are Kevin Voyles of Thayne, Wyo., and Annaliese Wiederspahn of Cheyenne, Wyo.
Voyles is an attorney and managing member of Luthi and Voyles LLC and serves as counsel for the town of Thayne. He is a volunteer with many other organizations in Wyoming including the Thayne Volunteer Fire Department. “I have supported the volunteer efforts of the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust to help preserve Wyoming’s agricultural way of life for many years. I am very pleased now to have the opportunity to serve on its board of directors,” said Voyles after being appointed.
Wiederspahn is a communications consultant and co-owner of Strawberry Creek Farm. She moved back home to Cheyenne after the passing of her father, Alvin Wiederspahn, who also served on the Land Trust Board of Directors as past president and treasurer. She will complete the remainder of her father’s board term.
The Stock Growers Land Trust is the Cowboy State’s only Wyoming-based statewide agricultural land conservation organization. The group focuses specifically on conserving ranchlands and ranching operations to preserve Wyoming’s wide-open spaces, natural habitats and the rural communities that they support. The organization currently holds 73 conservation easements on roughly 204,000 acres working with 56 families in 16 counties across Wyoming.
The Land Trust is committed to helping facilitate the transfer of land ownership to the next generation of Wyoming agricultural producers and is a member of the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts. For more information, or to support the conservation of Wyoming’s agricultural lands, visit www.wsgalt.org.
American Royal ProRodeo
Wins the Best Footing Award Again for 2014
The American Royal ProRodeo was once again awarded the prestigious Justin Boots Best Footing Award, 1st Place for the Great Lakes Region, from the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). This is the third year in a row the American Royal has received this award that is presented at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) in Las Vegas, Nev. Every year the WPRA recognizes rodeo committees that put forth an extra effort to ensure their rodeo has the safest and most consistent ground possible for barrel racing.
“We are honored to receive this recognition for the effort our ProRodeo Committee and staff put into the production of this event. Good footing is mainly determined by the size and shape of the particles that make up the sand, clay and silt. These are the main building blocks for a good surface, along with a good tractor operator maintaining the arena,” said Bob Petersen, president & CEO of the American Royal.
Several others involved in the production of the American Royal ProRodeo received recognition during the PRCA Year End Awards. The stock contractor, Smith Pro Rodeos, won their 11th straight Stock Contracting Firm of the Year award. The rodeo clown, John Harrison, was given the honor of being selected as the PRCA Comedy Act of the Year, as well as being awarded the Coors Man in the Can. The announcer at the American Royal, Randy Corley, was a top five nominee for Announcer of the Year.
“This industry recognition validates the kind of quality of ProRodeo we bring to Kansas City’s West Bottoms. We have three performances each year that draw thousands to Hale Arena and the historic West Bottoms area the last weekend of September. It is a good event for the American Royal, and it is great for Kansas City,” Petersen said.
Young Farmers & Ranchers are Invited to
Winter Leadership Conference Jan. 16-17 in Deadwood
The South Dakota and Wyoming Farm Bureaus’ Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) committees would like to invite young farmers & ranchers, ages 18-35, to the first jointly hosted winter leadership conference. Come for a fun weekend in Deadwood, S.D., Jan. 16-17 to learn alongside other young people in agriculture.
This conference brings together a full lineup of top-quality speakers and useful topics, so you can take home great ideas — and some inspiration — to your farm or ranch. Keynote speakers include:
- “Discovering Your Influential Power,” by Troy and Stacy Hadrick, advocates for agriculture.
- “Transitioning from a Family Operation to an Agricultural Business that Blesses the Family,” by Rick LaPlante, business and leadership consultant.
- “Extraordinary Productivity,” by Kyle Perry of the AFBF.
Also hear from Travis and Renae Gebhart of Meadow, S.D., who are currently serving on the national YF&R Committee. Travis has been elected vice chair of this prestigious group.
Breakout sessions will cover these topics:
- How to tell your story through social media with Val Wagner of Wag’n Tales blog.
- Load limits and the differences between Wyoming and South Dakota with highway patrol officials from both states.
- A critical analysis of conservation easements with Harriet Hageman, water and natural resources attorney.
- Grazing management with Dallas Blount of University of Wyoming Extension.
- Beef reproduction strategies with Tim and Chandy Olson of CATL Livestock Resource Equipment.
This is a family-friendly event, with childcare provided on-site for attendees who have young families and want to bring their children along.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
National YF&R Committee Members Appointed
The AFBF has appointed new members to its national YF&R Committee for the 2015-2017 term beginning in March. The committee is composed of 16 positions representing all regions of the United States. An individual or a couple may hold each committee position.
Stallman announced the appointment of the following new members to the committee: Tim and Danielle Clark, Wis. (beef cattle); Cole and Sammie Coxbill, Wyo. (crops and beef cattle); Jamie Cruz, Mass. (vegetables, berries and livestock); Jonathan and Lara Dinsmore, Ariz. (vegetables, hay and grain); Latham and Katie Farley, Ohio (grain and hogs); Jared Finegan, Ill. (corn, soybeans and wheat); Tim and Katherine Franklin, Kan. (corn and wheat); and John and Dusty Reese, Utah (beef cattle).
“Farm Bureau’s YF&R Committee members play a vital role in advocating for agriculture while further building their leadership abilities,” Stallman said. “The commitment and quality of the young agriculturalists who volunteer to serve are always impressive, and this year is no different. It’s clear that the future of farming and ranching is in good hands.”
Committee members are responsible for YF&R Program planning, which includes the coordination of YF&R competitive events during AFBF’s Annual Convention each January. They also provide support in planning and implementing AFBF’s bi-annual Fusion Conference for Farm Bureau volunteer leaders involved in YF&R, Women’s Leadership, and Promotion & Education.
National committee members are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus. They study farm and food policy issues, participate in leadership training exercises and hone other professional skills during their tenure as committee members.
The YF&R program includes both men and women between the ages of 18-35. Learn more online at www.fb.org/index.php?action=programs.yfr.home.
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