By Andi Anderson
Delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 106th convention adopted policies to guide agriculture in 2025, focusing on labor, rural broadband, trade, and regulatory reforms. These decisions will help shape the future of farming and ranching in the U.S.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall emphasized the importance of these policies in addressing farmers' challenges. He stated that the policies serve as a roadmap for working with Congress and the administration to support rural America and pass a new farm bill.
Labor concerns were a major topic, with delegates supporting efforts to stabilize labor costs to prevent economic strain on farms. They also called for an AFBF board review of potential alternatives to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology used for H-2A workers.
On trade, AFBF delegates backed a United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) review process, aiming to open new market opportunities while protecting U.S. farmers from unfair competition.
Rural broadband was another key issue. Delegates voted to hold broadband companies accountable, requiring them to complete projects quickly in underserved rural areas when they receive government loans or grants.
The convention also addressed energy production, urging energy companies to take more responsibility for land use and prioritizing alternative energy projects on non-agricultural land.
Additionally, delegates pushed for reforming regulations related to small-scale meat, dairy, and value-added processing facilities to create a more sustainable agriculture system.
With nearly 350 delegates voting on policies, the AFBF convention once again demonstrated its role as the voice of American agriculture, shaping policies that impact farmers nationwide.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Indiana, General