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.

1. FARM BUREAU NATIONAL LEADERSHIP - CAUGHT IN A STICKY WEB

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The American Farm Bureau Federation leadership known for speaking out of both sides of their mouth about agribusiness concentration and mergers has been caught in a sticky web - and it appears their grass-roots farmer members want an explanation.

This week the Cattleman's Legal Fund circulated a press release stating Farm Bureau DC lobbyists had been working to stop Sen. Paul Wellstone's amendment calling for an 18 month moratorium on agribusiness mergers. As evidence, they documented a letter the Farm Bureau sent to members of Congress opposing the moratorium. The letter signed by the American Farm Bureau Federation and five other organizations including the National Cattleman’s Beef Association called for Congress to "Please vote against the Wellstone amendment."

This raises the question: Why does the Farm Bureau leadership, who claims to represent the family farmer, lobby against a bill designed to protect family farmers? In county Farm Bureau’s across the nation farmers are discussing resolutions opposing agribusiness mergers. Why does their state and national leadership block a moratorium? Furthermore, why has Farm Bureau leadership not been forthcoming to their members about these lobbying efforts? In fact, if anything, it could be said Farm Bureau leadership has been using their media and WEB site to obscure their real position.

On Tuesday of this week a story appeared on the AFBF’s WEB entitled, "President will not Back Bill to Stop Farm Mergers." This story reported the Clinton administration "is concerned about family farmers being squeezed by growing concentration in the grain and livestock industries, but has not endorsed legislation calling for a temporary ban on mergers." With this accusatory headline Farm Bureau pointed the finger at Clinton. Nowhere did they point the finger back at themselves. And nowhere on their website will you find a copy of the letter their lobbyists sent to Congress blocking the moratorium on farm mergers.

Why has the Farm Bureau not told their members the truth? Why is their WEB site these days filled with reports of the upcoming World Trade Organization meeting and how eliminating export subsidies will save the farmer? Further, how can Farm Bureau continue to justify its federal tax break as an agricultural non-profit that supposedly represents the family farmer, then use that tax free money to lobby for the interests of agribusiness?

Finally, how Farm Bureau claim success as the self proclaimed "Voice of Agriculture" when the policies they have advanced have landed farmers and ranchers in what may be the worst agricultural crisis ever.

If you study their WEB site, I guarantee you will never see these questions raised.