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| Directions l American Farm Bureau l Farm Bureau Bank l Privacy Policy l Contact Us l Help l Site Map |
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
| Directions l American Farm Bureau l Farm Bureau Bank l Privacy Policy l Contact Us l Help l Site Map |
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Welcome to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
Hurricane Help, Labor Issues Top
Farm Bureau Convention Agenda
BY MICHAEL DANNA
FB NEWS STAFF WRITER
NEW ORLEANS -- Farmers and ranchers attending the 87th annual Louisiana Farm Bureau convention will hear
updates on the status of the new farm bill, agriculture's role in the renewable fuels debate and a federal loan
program that could help them recover losses from Hurricane Gustav.
Members of the state's largest general farm organization will gather at the New Orleans Marriott June 25-28 for the
87th annual convention. More than 1,000 farmers and their families are expected in the Crescent City.
"As we move into the height of the crop year, farmers want to know about the new farm bill and how it will impact
them" said Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson. "This will be the first full year into the new bill and believe it or
not, some details are still being worked out."
On Friday, June 26 Dr. Mike Strain, commissioner of agriculture and forestry, and Paul Rainwater, executive director
of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, will announce $58 million in federal loans to farmers and agribusinesses
impacted by Hurricane Gustav. The money will be administered through HUD's Community Development Block
Grant program and is the first time such funds have been used for assistance to farmers.
"Many farmers were afraid they'd be left out of any assistance following the storm," said Ronnie Anderson, president
of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. "We hope this money will help some producers recover from losses
caused by the hurricane."
Gov. Bobby Jindal, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu and U.S. David Vitter will address farmers at Friday's General Session.
That event begins at 2 p.m. in the Acadia Room, third floor of the Marriott.
"The governor helped farmers this year, particularly in his brokering the purchase of the Pilgrim's Pride poultry plant
in Farmerville," Anderson continued. Our farmers will also want to hear about the outcome of the session, so there
will be a lot to talk about."
During the four-day convention farmers will hear about from speakers on a variety of topics, including how agriculture
can play a role in the world's increasing demand for alternative fuels. According to the Alternative Energy Foundation,
global demand for ethanol is expected to reach 27.7 billion gallons by 2012.
"President Obama has just upped the timetable for U.S. auto fuel efficiency from 2020 to 2016," Anderson said.
"Making automakers manufacture cars that get 35 miles per gallon will be dependent on alternative sources of
energy. Tougher emission standards and tax incentives will be driving the need for more fuels like ethanol.
Agriculture has shown it can produce these fuels and will continue to do so as demand increase."
In 2007 more than six billion gallons of ethanol was produced in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of
Energy. Louisiana currently has plants in Southwest Louisiana producing ethanol from ag products like bagasse
from sugarcane.
The Farm Bureau's Labor and Environmental Conference, to be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 27, will feature
speakers addressing such issues as migrant farm labor and current legislation regulating the use of crop protection
products.
Brian Breaux, associate commodity director for the Farm Bureau will speak on the topic "Ag Labor Issues in
Louisiana and the 2009 Changes to the H2A Program." His address will be followed by "The Future of Agriculture
and Guest Worker Programs in the U.S." by Lee Wicker of the North Carolina Growers Association.
The meteoric rise in grain plantings has Louisiana cotton acreage at an all-time low. Craig Brown, executive vice
president for producer affairs for the National Cotton Council, will address the future of the U.S. cotton industry, while
providing an outlook for U.S. cotton exports for 2009-2010.
Also during the convention the Farm Bureau will name it top young farmers for 2009. Through its YF&R Achievement
Awards programs, Top Young Farm Woman, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet, younger producers will
be honored for their commitment to agriculture. The winner of the YF&R Achievement Award will receive a 2009
Dodge Ram pickup.
Youth activities during convention will be hosted by the Farm Bureau's Women's Leadership Committee. Young
people will participate in the Talk Meet, the Talent Contest and the Queen's Contest. The crowing of Miss Farm
Bureau culminates the four-day event. Parish Farm Bureau queens from across the state will vie for the title
Saturday, June 27.
Farm Bureau Convention Agenda
BY MICHAEL DANNA
FB NEWS STAFF WRITER
NEW ORLEANS -- Farmers and ranchers attending the 87th annual Louisiana Farm Bureau convention will hear
updates on the status of the new farm bill, agriculture's role in the renewable fuels debate and a federal loan
program that could help them recover losses from Hurricane Gustav.
Members of the state's largest general farm organization will gather at the New Orleans Marriott June 25-28 for the
87th annual convention. More than 1,000 farmers and their families are expected in the Crescent City.
"As we move into the height of the crop year, farmers want to know about the new farm bill and how it will impact
them" said Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson. "This will be the first full year into the new bill and believe it or
not, some details are still being worked out."
On Friday, June 26 Dr. Mike Strain, commissioner of agriculture and forestry, and Paul Rainwater, executive director
of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, will announce $58 million in federal loans to farmers and agribusinesses
impacted by Hurricane Gustav. The money will be administered through HUD's Community Development Block
Grant program and is the first time such funds have been used for assistance to farmers.
"Many farmers were afraid they'd be left out of any assistance following the storm," said Ronnie Anderson, president
of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. "We hope this money will help some producers recover from losses
caused by the hurricane."
Gov. Bobby Jindal, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu and U.S. David Vitter will address farmers at Friday's General Session.
That event begins at 2 p.m. in the Acadia Room, third floor of the Marriott.
"The governor helped farmers this year, particularly in his brokering the purchase of the Pilgrim's Pride poultry plant
in Farmerville," Anderson continued. Our farmers will also want to hear about the outcome of the session, so there
will be a lot to talk about."
During the four-day convention farmers will hear about from speakers on a variety of topics, including how agriculture
can play a role in the world's increasing demand for alternative fuels. According to the Alternative Energy Foundation,
global demand for ethanol is expected to reach 27.7 billion gallons by 2012.
"President Obama has just upped the timetable for U.S. auto fuel efficiency from 2020 to 2016," Anderson said.
"Making automakers manufacture cars that get 35 miles per gallon will be dependent on alternative sources of
energy. Tougher emission standards and tax incentives will be driving the need for more fuels like ethanol.
Agriculture has shown it can produce these fuels and will continue to do so as demand increase."
In 2007 more than six billion gallons of ethanol was produced in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of
Energy. Louisiana currently has plants in Southwest Louisiana producing ethanol from ag products like bagasse
from sugarcane.
The Farm Bureau's Labor and Environmental Conference, to be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 27, will feature
speakers addressing such issues as migrant farm labor and current legislation regulating the use of crop protection
products.
Brian Breaux, associate commodity director for the Farm Bureau will speak on the topic "Ag Labor Issues in
Louisiana and the 2009 Changes to the H2A Program." His address will be followed by "The Future of Agriculture
and Guest Worker Programs in the U.S." by Lee Wicker of the North Carolina Growers Association.
The meteoric rise in grain plantings has Louisiana cotton acreage at an all-time low. Craig Brown, executive vice
president for producer affairs for the National Cotton Council, will address the future of the U.S. cotton industry, while
providing an outlook for U.S. cotton exports for 2009-2010.
Also during the convention the Farm Bureau will name it top young farmers for 2009. Through its YF&R Achievement
Awards programs, Top Young Farm Woman, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet, younger producers will
be honored for their commitment to agriculture. The winner of the YF&R Achievement Award will receive a 2009
Dodge Ram pickup.
Youth activities during convention will be hosted by the Farm Bureau's Women's Leadership Committee. Young
people will participate in the Talk Meet, the Talent Contest and the Queen's Contest. The crowing of Miss Farm
Bureau culminates the four-day event. Parish Farm Bureau queens from across the state will vie for the title
Saturday, June 27.