Agricultural News
American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman Winding Things Down After 16 Years
Tue, 17 Nov 2015 17:55:35 CST
The head of the nation's largest general farm organization will be stepping down in 2016. American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman has served at the helm of the group for the past 16 years. In January, he will not seek reelection at the American Farm Bureau annual convention in Orlando, Florida. Stallman said it has been fantastic to serve as President of this organization, its members from across the country, along with working with elected and appointed leaders.
"It's been an incredible experience," Stallman said. "I think we've done some good things. The organization is positioned well to move forward. We have leaders willing to step up and take this position. So I think the time is right to step down and let somebody else take the reins."
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays caught up with Stallman at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention in Kansas City, Missouri last week. They discussed a whole host of issues from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, to the Clean Water Rule and Stallman's retirement. Their full conversation can be listened to by clicking on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of the webpage.
American Farm Bureau has not made its position known on the TPP trade agreement. The text of the free trade agreement was released by the White House earlier this month. Stallman said the organization has to go through an internal process first, as determined by organization's policy. He said they will review the text and do an analysis on the impact on American agriculture by commodity. He expects the outcome will be positive, but American Farm Bureau won't take an official position until the analysis is complete and voted on by the board of directors. That will take approximately three weeks.
American Farm Bureau continues their effort to "Ditch the Rule". The group continues to use a two-prong strategy to take down the 'Waters of the U.S.' rule. Stallman said they continue to work on a legislative solution because that is the quickest way to resolve the issue. He said they've raised awareness in the U.S. Senate significantly. There is an opportunity to attach a rider to an omnibus bill or another must-pass piece of legislation. American Farm Bureau will also continue aggressive litigation efforts.
American Farm Bureau has also joined a coalition of agricultural and builder groups petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court ruling allowing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to manage local land use and development decisions under the Clean Water Act. The context of the lawsuit relates to the EPA's so-called "blueprint" for restoring the Chesapeake Bay, it has national implications related to the power and reach of the federal government. Stallman said this is another effort by EPA to expand their scope of authority beyond what Congress intended through the Clean Water Act legislation. That's why American Farm Bureau is asking the Supreme Court to rule on the matter. This has been a common theme during the Obama Administration to take away landowner rights. Stallman said the government wants more control of day-to-day activities of property owners. He said this extends beyond farmers and ranchers.
"We believe we have try to rein in that excessive mindset that you know allows the U.S. government to come in and tell property owners what to do," Stallman said.
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