Farm groups hope new alliance will block those attacking agriculture

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Twenty-three major farm groups have formed a new organization to develop and implement a well-funded, long-term, and coordinated public trust campaign for American agriculture, although they did not disclose initial funding or budget for the alliance.

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance was announced Nov. 10

“We in production agriculture recognize the immediate need to build consumer trust in today’s U.S. food production system,” said newly elected USFRA Chairman Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

He called the alliance “a new, collaborative and coordinated effort by many segments of production agriculture to tell our great story as never before.”

Leaders. The following individuals are serving as the alliance’s founding board of directors: Philip Bradshaw, United Soybean Board; Austin Brown III, Beef Checkoff; Scott George, Federation of State Beef Councils; Gene Gregory, United Egg Producers; Dallas Hockman, National Milk Producers Federation; Dale Norton, National Pork Board; Forrest Roberts, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; Bart Schott, National Corn Growers Association; Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau Federation; John Starkey, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association.

In addition to Stallman, board leaders include: vice chairman, Phil Bradshaw; secretary, Bart Schott; treasurer, Dale Norton; at-large, Gene Gregory; at-large, Forrest Roberts.

According to Stallman, the alliance will focus its initial efforts on the following goals:

1. Increase consumer, consumer influencer and thought leader trust and confidence in today’s agriculture;

2. Serve as a resource to food companies on the benefits of agricultural production;

3. Work with leading health, environmental and dietary organizations to demonstrate the benefits of agricultural production; and

4. Increase the role of U.S. farmers and ranchers as the voice of animal and crop agriculture on local, state and national food issues.

Stallman said the alliance represents the first time all of production agriculture has come together for a common purpose.

“It won’t be easy,” he admitted. “Changing consumer perceptions is a big challenge.”

At this time, 23 different farmer- and rancher-led organizations, representing nearly all aspects of agriculture, have joined the alliance to pool resources (scroll down for a list for current members). It was not made public how much money each organization is charged for participation, or the alliance’s current budget.

Participation in alliance projects by federally authorized checkoff programs is pending USDA Agricultural Marketing Service approval.

U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance members

American Egg Board
American Farm Bureau Federation
American National Cattle Women
American Sheep Industry
American Soybean Association
American Sugar Alliance
Beef Checkoff
Federation of State Beef Councils
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Cotton Council
National Corn Growers Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Board
National Pork Producers Council
Southern Peanut Producers Federation
U.S. Poultry and Egg Association
U.S. Grains Council
United Egg Producers
United Fresh Produce Association
United Soybean Board
U.S. Soybean Federation
Western Growers