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by Bob Stallman, AFBF President

Farm Bureau's grassroots members are the driving force behind our mission of establishing public policies to strengthen America's farm and ranch families and their businesses. Based on policy positions determined by our farmer and rancher delegates at our recent annual meeting, the AFBF Board of Directors has set an aggressive agenda for our priority issues in 2003.

Our delegates reiterated their desire to protect the integrity of the 2002 Farm Bill. Farm Bureau also is actively encouraging Congress to improve and complete action on emergency weather disaster assistance.

Another issue on Farm Bureau's radar is continuing to build support for alternative energy. Renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel are good for agriculture and all of America.

Farm Bureau is committed to improving foreign market access for U.S. producers and making sure America serves as a leader in the continuing World Trade Organization negotiations. Our producers need fair and open trade to get their products on the world market and grow their businesses.

Another priority this year will be to seek changes to the tax code that will benefit producers. Permanently eliminating the death tax, authorizing the use of Farm and Risk Management Accounts and implementing a capital gains tax cut remain atop our list.

Environmental issues, regulatory reform and transportation issues also are important priorities in 2003.

Now is the time to work together to achieve our common goals for 2003 and beyond. We believe there is great potential to make substantial progress on all our priority issues. This is essential in order to keep agriculture on its path as a true growth industry.