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"As we examine the landscape of our industry, our organization and our family lives, we see continued change and challenges. But we also have positive reasons for celebration this year.

"The latest numbers indicate that agriculture is turning the corner toward greater prosperity. USDA’s farm income estimates show – that for a nation as a whole – 2003 was significantly better than 2002. Total cash receipts were up substantially, which means that government payments – while up – are considerably lower than would have been otherwise…

"Farm Bureau is further bolstered by the fact that nationwide, we have had a second consecutive year of 200,000-plus membership growth.

"Farm Bureau programs – whether county, state or national in scope – make the world a better place. That’s the focus of our celebration this week…

"You all know about the Young Farmers and Ranchers program…Last year during this speech, I issued a challenge to our YF&R Committee to come up with a plan to help young folks get started in agriculture. YF&R Chairman Jeff Gatzke and the committee sat down and came up with an idea that they call, ‘Bringing today’s agriculture to tomorrow’s producers.’

"The program will include mentoring, a directory of farming opportunities and information resources for young people interested in farming. The YF&R committee is collecting data now, and they say they will be ready to kick-off the initiative at the 2005 annual meeting.

"…In 2003, approximately 3,000 Farm Bureau members brought their grassroots messages to Capitol Hill. Your visits – on 54 separate occasions – made a tremendous impact. Face-to-face contact is the bread and butter of political activity. So keep it up folks.

"During the past year, Farm Bureau devoted considerable time and resources to promote an energy bill that supports greater use of farm-based renewable fuels…The bill will also help keep fertilizer, natural gas and other farm inputs more affordable.

"Well we got 90 percent of the way home…the Senate fell just two votes short of breaking a filibuster that stalled the bill – temporarily.

"Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) says the energy bill will be priority No. 1 when the Senate really gets back to work in D.C. this month [January]….We are encouraged by the administration’s leadership on this issue. By working together we can make it a reality.

"AFBF was an early supporter of another Bush administration initiative last year – the Healthy Forest Act. This law preserves water quality, conserves federal forestlands and protects adjacent communities and private farm and ranch lands.

"…Our farm program is worthy of similar protection. The war for federal farm support was won with the enactment of our farm law, but battles to protect its integrity and funding will continue each year through the annual appropriations and budget process.

"…To say trade is a challenging issue for a general farm organization is a gross understatement…At Farm Bureau we balance the impacts on a dozen or more commodities. We cannot let one sector benefit by causing harm to many others. Only after we see how a trade agreement affects all of American agriculture can we, as a general farm organization, decide whether to extend support or opposition…That is why we have credibility on trade issues that others can only dream of. At the end of the day, everyone knows that we have done our homework.

"…We can already see the national respect carried by your thoughtful policy development. This includes: Our challenge of Environmental Protection Agency rules on Confined Animal Feeding Operations. Our efforts to convince federal agencies to more rationally define areas that should be regulated as wetlands under the Clean Water Act. Our support for common-sense country-of-origin labeling. And our call for comprehensive reform of the H-2a farm labor program.

"On these and all other national issues, our integrity depends on your ability to reach policy positions that give us clear marching orders. Our success then depends on your support of those policies after you go home and are lobbied by others who may disagree.

"…You should be proud and always welcome the chance to share your stories of success with the many people who share in the blessings of your bounty.

"We must remind others that the overall freedom from want and hunger that empowers our nation’s best thinkers, our strongest business people and elected leaders and our most talented and creative artists and dreamers…Those basic freedoms come from those of us who make our living on the land…By working together we will make sure Farm Bureau continues to be a visible and vocal champion for America’s farm and ranch families."