American Farm Bureau Establishes 2026 Policies
New grassroots leaders elected.
January 21, 2026
by American Farm Bureau Federation
Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 107th Convention Jan. 13 adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2026. Key topics ranged from labor to animal health to risk management.
For the fourth year, delegates were polled during the voting session regarding their farms. The results show almost 99% of those who cast votes operate family farms and more than two-thirds represent small- to mid-size farms as defined by USDA. The day’s discussion highlighted the fact farmers across the spectrum and across the country are struggling.
“America’s farmers and ranchers are facing unprecedented challenges in agriculture, including high supply costs, trade imbalances and low commodity prices. Today, our members gave us clear guidance on how we should address those challenges in the coming year,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farm Bureau’s strength was on display today, as our grassroots set the policy for this organization. We look forward to taking their stories to leaders in Washington as we work to ensure farmers and ranchers can continue to fill pantries for families across the country.”
Delegates adopted policy to improve labor programs to meet the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers, including formalizing support for the new Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology, and further revisions to avoid unpredictable rate swings in the future.
They voted to support federal funding for research and biosecurity facilities to better identify and combat illnesses and pests that threaten the health of crops and animals. New policy includes committing more resources specifically to eradicate the New World screwworm, and keeping the U.S.-Mexico border closed to cattle trade until the screwworm is controlled.
Delegates voted to support federal funding for research and biosecurity facilities to better identify and combat illnesses and pests that threaten the health of crops and animals.
Delegates revised national farm policy to provide more protection for dairy farmers who may suffer losses due to market challenges.
Delegates formalized support for prioritizing locally grown fruits, vegetables, bread and proteins in institutional purchases such as schools and government facilities.
Voting members requested the board of directors analyze several ag issues, including the ramifications of tariffs and the lack of affordable insurance options for poultry farmers.
Farm Bureau leadership elections
Beyond policy changes, AFBF President Zippy Duvall and Vice President Scott VanderWal were unanimously reelected for another two-year term.
Delegates elected members to serve on the AFBF board of directors and national program committees. Stacy Simunek, Oklahoma (Southern Region), was elected to fill a one-year board term. Joyce Brady, New Hampshire (Northeast Region), and ValJay Rigby, Utah (Western Region), were elected to two-year terms.
Eleven other state Farm Bureau presidents were reelected to two-year terms to represent their regions on the board:
- Midwest Region: Garrett Hawkins, Missouri; and Mark McHargue, Nebraska.
- Northeast Region: Chris Hoffman, Pennsylvania.
- Western Region: Carlyle Currier, Colorado; and Rosella Mosby, Washington.
- Southern Region: Eddie Melton, Kentucky; Harry Ott, South Carolina; Jimmy Parnell, Alabama; Scott Sink, Virginia; Jeb Smith, Florida; and Dan Wright, Arkansas.
National program committees
Julie Hardy of Georgia (Southern Region) was elected to a two-year term on the Women’s Leadership Committee. Mindy Orschell of Indiana (Midwest Region), Dot Jensen of Utah (Western Region) and Jennifer Cross of Maryland (Northeast Region) were reelected to two-year terms.
Heidi Cooper of Massachusetts was elected chair, Steve Breeding of Delaware was elected vice chair and Lynn Leahy of Wisconsin was elected secretary of the Promotion & Engagement Committee. They will each serve one-year terms.
Tommy Salisbury of Oklahoma was elected chair, Cleve Jackson of Georgia was elected vice chair and Katie Wiese of Minnesota was elected secretary of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. They will each serve one-year terms beginning in March at the end of the YF&R Conference.
The 2027 American Farm Bureau Convention will be Jan. 8-13 in Charlotte, N.C.
Editor’s note: [Lead photo courtesy AFBF.]
Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 18, No. 1-B
Topics: Business , Events , Industry News , Management , Policy
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
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