Providing key information on recent developments in rural America, including UPDATES on the Farm Bureau and salient issues converging around water quality, farm sustainability and the protection of biodiversity.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT 520.623.9653 ext. 3

January 10, 2000 Scotty Johnson GREEN)

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Houston, TX – Leaders from national family farm groups gathered here today at the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) to discuss the plight of the family farmer and rancher. At a press luncheon held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Houston, the groups outlined the economic crisis in rural America.

Speakers at the event highlighted failed farm policies, offered solutions, and raised serious questions about AFBF business connections to insurance and agribusiness. The luncheon event was cosponsored by Global Resource Action Center for the Environment (GRACE), Grass Roots Environmental Effectiveness Network (GREEN), and the National Family Farm Coalition.

In discussing the policies affecting family farmers in the United States, John Hansen, President of the Nebraska Farmers Union said, "The 1996 Farm Bill has created the largest economic depression in rural America since the Great Depression. The economic hardship on agriculture means that farm and ranch families are in a tremendous amount of pain. Farm foreclosures continue to grow, divorce is epidemic in rural America. The number of stress-related suicides continue to increase The rate of beginning farmers continue to decline and the 96' Farm Bill is the reason for the disastrous decline in farm commodity prices and farm income. Yet House and Senate leaders fail to respond appropriately to the growing disaster."

"The Jury is in" said Bill Christison, President of the National Family Farm Coalition. "‘Freedom to Farm,’ genetically manipulated organisms, and bad trade policy have brought devastation to family farm agriculture. If any of us are to survive, we must have a new direction in agriculture policy. We urge the American Farm Bureau and the commodity organizations to start supporting agriculture policy that will return profit to grassroots family farmers."

The groups charged that policies initiated by the AFBF hurt small farm and ranching operations while the Farm Bureau claims to be the voice for family farms. Citing examples ranging from agribusiness concentration to environmental issues, the speakers expressed that the Farm Bureau leadership must represent the farmer they claim to support.

Karen Hudson, Farm Bureau member and spokesperson for the GRACE Factory Farm Project said, "Billion dollar corporations must not be allowed to ruin family farms and the environment. What is emerging is a patchwork of rural injustice and economic disaster. In my state, Farm Bureau leadership has earned a new name-- ‘Factory Farm Bureau.’ And' Factory Farm Bureau’ it will remain until they stop destroying the family farmer they claim to represent." Fred Stokes, Farm Bureau member and president of the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) said, " I have great empathy for the devastation and misery of farm families but I am even more concerned about the looming new feudal order in rural America." Responding to allegations that Farm Bureau leadership has been corrupted by agribusiness interests, Stokes said, "I am a Farm Bureau member and I want to know if Farm Bureau is a farm organization that incidentally sells insurance, or an agribusiness conglomerate who is farming the farmer.

Bill Weida, economist and advisor to the GRACE Factory Farm Project said," The Farm Bureau has substantial investments in large corporate agribusiness . As a result, they have chosen to lobby against small farmers and in favor of agribusiness to protect their investments. The Farm Bureau should stop masquerading as a representative of small farmers and own up to their real role as a mouthpiece for corporate interests."

In addition to citing problems, many positive solutions were offered. Sue Jarrett, a cattle rancher from Colorado said, "Farmers need to get out and work with consumers and environmentalists to build bridges. As a producer I was always taught to give the customer what they want. Seems tome, these days customers want organic family farm produce. Jarrett, who sits on the USDA Advisory Small Farm Committee said, "Consumers don’t want factory farms and nameless corporations making their food. They’re getting suspicious of GMO’s too. I say we give them what they want.

Scotty Johnson, moderator and spokesman for GREEN, the Grass Roots Environmental Effectiveness Network said, "The farm policy being advanced by farm leaders, and by Farm Bureau is un-American and irresponsible. It destroys free-markets, families and rural communities. It is eroding precious topsoil, polluting water, destroying habitats and sending ecological diversity into extinction. This is not feeding the world. This is starving the future - and the future will not thank us."

As the panel adjourned, farmers rallied and vowed to go immediately to the resolutions session at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention next door. Farm Bureau leaders from many states vowed to exercise their democratic rights and to challenge leadership to change. Their rallying cry for the day was "Vote Family Farm". The final voting session of the American Farm Bureau Federation board of directors will be on Thursday, January 13th, 2000. "We will be holding their feet to the fire to make sure policy is upheld.", said a Farm Bureau member who chose not to be identified. The speakers will be available for follow-up interviews.