Health insurance tax backfires on small businesses and employees

Farmers and small business owners nationwide are speaking up against the Health Insurance Tax (HIT), which will be levied on health insurance companies’ net premiums as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau President and AFBF board member, says the HIT...

Farm and environmental groups join forces for Farm Bill

The American Farm Bureau Federation has joined forces with conservation, environmental, crop insurance and other agricultural organizations to create a plan that would link conservation efforts to crop insurance. AFBF farm program specialist Mary Kay Thatcher explains why in this story from AFBF’s Johnna...

Senate to vote on important infrastructure improvements

Do you think we’d have the biggest economy in the world if we were still using Model Ts and biplanes to get around? Well, one area of our infrastructure is that old and American Farm Bureau transportation specialist Andrew Walmsley says it’s time for Congress to approve updates. AFBF’s Johnna Miller...

Rough start for 2013 planting season

No one ever said farming was easy, but Mother Nature is giving planting season a rough start. American Farm Bureau economist Bob Young explains how in this story from AFBF’s Johnna Miller. Podcast: Play in new window |...

Why the renewable fuels standard is a good thing

Question: would you rather be reliant on foreign countries for your fuel supply or our country’s own farmers and ranchers? The Renewable Fuels Standard helps the U.S. grow its own fuel and American Farm Bureau economist Matt Erickson says that’s something Congress needs to remember as it reviews the law....

Big opportunity for more trade with Japan

More trade could be a great lift to the economy and one trade pact is looking like it could offer a big boost to U.S. agricultural exports. American Farm Bureau trade specialist Dave Salmonsen tells more about the potential deal in this story from AFBF’s Johnna Miller. Podcast: Play in new window |...

Obama administration is ready for trade

Are you down with TPP? Well, the Obama administration is. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (or TPP) is just one of the trade opportunities that the White House is working on. American Farm Bureau trade specialist Dave Salmonsen says that’s good news for U.S. agriculture. AFBF’s Johnna Miller has that...

Promising step for waterways infrustructure

Is there a loosening of the gridlock in Congress? American Farm Bureau transportation specialist Andrew Walmsley says there’s at least some bipartisan awareness of the need to improve U.S. infrastructure and that’s good news for the nation’s farmers and ranchers. AFBF’s Johnna Miller has that...

Congress keeps the government open

Hooray! Congress averted a fiscal crisis with time to spare! American Farm Bureau budget specialist RJ Karney explains what the “continuing resolution” means for U.S. agriculture in this report from AFBF’s Johnna Miller. Podcast: Play in new window |...

Good news and bad news on consumer costs

There’s pretty good news but also some bad news on prices for consumers. American Farm Bureau economist John Anderson explains what that means for food prices and farmers. AFBF’s Johnna Miller has that story. Podcast: Play in new window |...