A group of organizations representing a wide range of farmers, ranchers and commodity producers have formed the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance whose mission will be to develop "a well-funded, long-term, coordinated campaign to increase consumer trust in agricultural producers and the food system," according to Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF is one of the founding members of the alliance, and Stallman has been elected chairman of the new group's executive committee.
Congress next year will take the first steps toward re-writing the basic farm legislation that will replace the 2008 farm bill. In a statement, Stallman says, "There is a growing and immediate need to build consumer trust and gain the recognition among stakeholders that food producers must have the freedom to operate in an economically sustainable and responsible manner."
Joining Stallman on the alliance board are Philip Bradshaw, chairman of the United Soybean Board; Austin Brown of the Beef Checkoff; Scott George of the Federation of State Beef Councils; Forrest Roberts, CEO of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association; Bart Scott, president of the National Corn Growers Association; Dale Norton, of the National Pork Board; Dallas Hockman, of the National Pork Producers Council; Gene Gregory, president of United Egg Producers; and John Starkey, president of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association.
Other organization in the alliance include the American Egg Board; American National CattleWomen; American Sheep Industry Association; American Soybean Association; American Sugar Alliance; National Association of Wheat Growers; National Cotton Council; National Milk Producers Association; Southern Peanut Farmers Federation ; United Fresh Produce Association; USA Rice Federation; U.S. Grains Council; U.S. Soybean Federation; and Western Growers Association.
