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SC
Farmers Serve as Ten
South Carolina farmers recently returned from the American
Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Reno, Nevada, where
they served as South Carolina voting delegates to the national
convention. As
delegates representing the SC Farm Bureau Federation they
helped set policies and priorities for the national
organization and reaffirmed support for a farm program that
improves net farm income. Delegates
approved farm program policy stressing that the next farm bill
should continue to focus on a consistent, long-term
market-oriented farm policy.
They are hopeful that will improve net farm income,
enhance the economic opportunity for farmers, preserve
property rights and conserve the environment. SC Farm
Bureau Federation President and Sumter County farmer David
Winkles, who was one of the ten delegates, said, “We agreed
that protecting the nation's food supply should be a top
priority. That’s
why we believe the government should strengthen existing
capabilities to prevent and respond to acts of bioterrorism
and eco-terrorism, and stringently enforce anti-terrorism
laws.” On the biotechnology front, delegates approved policy language saying that farmers should not have to pay for the testing of crops for biotech components. Delegates also urged that "adequate testing methods must be made available for all commercialized crops" to protect producers from liability, and that such testing be "accepted by end users." They also said producers should not be held liable "for off-farm introduction" of biotech matter. Delegates reaffirmed Farm Bureau's position to reform the federal tax system, calling for a national retail sales tax to replace the federal income tax. They again called for the permanent elimination of the death tax. In other action, delegates called for elimination of requirements for specific licenses and the prohibition on third-country financing for agricultural sales to sanctioned countries. To help producers maintain an adequate labor supply, delegates adopted a policy allowing a "one-time adjustment of status for illegal workers currently working in agriculture in the United States." To understand the Farm Bureau organization it is important to recognize that it is a true grassroots organization - starting at the local rather than national level. It is in the 2,800-plus county Farm Bureaus where programs are developed to meet the needs of farm families. Farm Bureau relies on its member families for strength and direction. Thousands of volunteer leaders serve on county Farm Bureau boards and committees. Just as members form county Farm Bureaus, county Farm Bureaus (there are 47 county chapters in SC) are the basis for state Farm Bureaus. Once county Farm Bureaus set policies, they select voting delegates to voice their beliefs at state Farm Bureau annual meetings like the SC Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting held each year in December. These delegates determine which policies submitted by the county Farm Bureaus, and in some cases by commodity advisory committees, will provide the direction for the state Farm Bureau. Farmers serve as the officers and directors of the SC Farm Bureau Federation and work to carry out the policies of the organization. After states adopt their policies, they name delegates like «LastName» to represent them at the AFBF annual meeting. Policies adopted by voting delegates govern the American Farm Bureau. These policies deal with many issues - use of natural resources, taxation, property rights, services to the farm community, trade, food safety and quality, and a host of topics that affect rural America. The voting
delegates to the 2002 AFBF Annual Meeting were: #
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