Stepping Up for Agriculture in 2025
By Zippy Duvall
Just a couple weeks ago at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention in San Antonio, I reminded farm bureau members it’s going to take all of us stepping up in 2025 to drive agriculture forward.
After a record number of grassroots contacts last year – nearly 50,000 texts, calls, e-mails and letters – I am confident we are ready to work with leaders and lawmakers in 2025.
Already, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind.
When we heard talk of tariffs on our largest export markets, we launched into action by engaging with White House staff and reaching out to President Donald J. Trump about the likely consequences of tariffs for farmers and ranchers who always get caught in the crosshairs of tariff battles.
We were also quick to express appreciation for the administration’s negotiations with Mexico and Canada which led to tariffs being put on hold for 30 days.
Of course, farm bureau supports the goals of security and ensuring fair trade, and we’re hopeful Trump can limit trade disruptions and open new markets for agriculture.
We have seen very few new trade deals in the last decade, and U.S. agriculture is now seeing a trade deficit of $32 billion. This is in stark contrast to our historical agricultural trade surplus, averaging $12.5 billion over the past 10 years.
Boosting agricultural trade also has proven to be good for our overall economy. Historically, every one dollar of U.S. agricultural exports results in over two dollars in additional domestic economic activity.
The importance of trade is a point I’ll make when I testify before the Senate Agriculture Committee as the whirlwind continues. I’ll also shine a spotlight on the urgent need for action on a new, modernized farm bill.
While the disaster assistance Congress approved at the end of 2024 is critical to farm and ranch families, we cannot afford to keep kicking the can down the road with a long-outdated farm bill.
As farmers and ranchers know, the farm bill isn’t the only pressing issue for agriculture right now.
We – and many other small businesses – are anticipating what may be the largest tax increase in American history if Congress does not pass critical tax reform legislation this year. Lawmakers have promised to prioritize extending expiring tax provisions, and we will hold them to it.
Congress must find a way to facilitate a stable business environment for America’s farms and ranches to help us continue to provide the food, renewable fuel and fiber this country needs.
AFBF is also urging Congress and the administration to work together to find solutions to one of agriculture’s greatest challenges – labor. It’s among the biggest limiting factors in American agriculture today and farmers are out of options.
Washington, D.C. is also abuzz with nominations and confirmations. As critical cabinet and agency positions are filled, we will look forward to coming to the table to ensure the voices of America’s farmers and ranchers are heard in Washington, D.C.
We were pleased to see Brooke Rollins’ nomination as secretary of agriculture advance. AFBF has a long history of working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and we are eager to work with Rollins and her team in the days and weeks ahead.
Across AFBF, we will continue to step up and engage on these issues and many others to ensure our voices are heard.
I am amazed when I hear the changes our members have made at the local and state level, and when we come together at the national level, I know we can ensure a brighter future for agriculture.
Zippy Duvall is the president of AFBF and can be reached by visiting fb.org. This column was originally published by AFBF on Feb. 5.
