American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is the largest farm organization in the United States, representing nearly three thousand county farm bureaus and positioning itself as the "voice of agriculture." Established in 1919, AFBF advocates for the interests of farmers and ranchers, focusing on issues that impact the profitability of farming. The organization has roots in the early 20th century when local farm bureaus began forming, supported by agricultural extension agents to enhance agricultural productivity. Originally aligned with government programs like the New Deal, AFBF has shifted towards a more conservative, free-market approach over the years. It operates as an independent, nongovernmental, voluntary organization, and many state farm bureaus also engage in selling casualty and property insurance. While it emphasizes agricultural growth, AFBF is known for resisting environmental regulations that it views as overly restrictive. This complexity reflects the diverse perspectives within the agricultural community regarding resource use and environmental stewardship.
On this Page
Subject Terms
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)
- DATE: Established 1919
The American Farm Bureau Federation, comprising nearly three thousand county farm bureaus, is the largest farm organization in the United States and claims to be the “voice of agriculture.” It is concerned with many issues that affect the profitability of farming and resists those efforts to protect natural resources and safeguard the environment that it regards as extreme.
Background
The first local group to be known as a “farm bureau” was established as a subdivision of the Chamber of Commerce of Binghamton, New York, in 1911. Over the next several years, many additional local farm bureaus were created, primarily at the county level. The main impetus for the organization of these new units came from the county farm agents funded by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which established the Agricultural Extension Service. The county agents set up many new farm bureau units to help farmers obtain higher yields in the areas in which the agents worked. This official relationship between a government agency and an interest group did not end until the 1950s.
Impact on Resource Use
In addition to the local units, the agricultural extension agents promoted the formation of state associations of farm bureaus. The American Farm Bureau Federation was created at a meeting in Chicago in 1919. While the federation gave early and strong support to the New Deal agricultural program, it gradually assumed a more conservative stance and advocated more free-market-oriented policies. The American Farm Bureau Federation describes itself as an “independent, nongovernmental, voluntary organization.” In addition to strictly farm-related programs, many state farm bureaus are heavily involved in the sale of casualty and property insurance.
Bibliography
Gustin, Georgina, John H. Cushman, Jr., and Neela Banerjee. "How the Farm Bureau’s Climate Agenda Is Failing Its Farmers." Inside Climate News, 24 Oct. 2018, insideclimatenews.org/news/24102018/farm-bureau-climate-change-denial-farmers-crop-insurance-subsidies-drought-future-at-risk/. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.