New AFBF Campaign: Stop the Flood of Regulation

Farmers are working to stop an effort by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate waterways Congress never intended the agency to regulate.

The American Farm Bureau Federation has launched its “Stop the Flood of Regulation” campaign because it believes the EPA is trying to improperly alter the Clean Water Act. That law gives the EPA the power to write rules to protect navigable waters.

Using what is called a guidance document, the EPA is seeking to take the word “navigable” out of the law, which would allow it to regulate even a roadside ditch that holds water after a heavy rain.

“A guidance document is supposed to be a non-binding policy document for field offices on how to implement current law and current policies,” said Cody Lyon, AFBF grassroots and advocacy director.

Of concern to Farm Bureau, Lyon said, is that “there’s uncertainty with how this guidance document can be implemented. This could be interpreted many different ways around the country or even many different ways within a state. For 40 years the Clean Water Act has done a great job. The problem is the guidance document goes beyond Congressional intent, and they’re also ignoring the Supreme Court precedents that have determined the definition of ‘navigable.’”

Introducing the Grassroots Advantage

In the next few weeks, you'll start seeing this logo on all things Virginia Farm Bureau Governmental Relations. It's called the Grassroots Advantage, and it's one of the many membership advantages to being a Farm Bureau member.

But the Grassroots Advantage doesn't just benefit you--it benefits all Virginia agriculture. Your membership helps give Virginia farmers a unified voice, and Farm Bureau is respected among elected officials because they know its policies come directly from farmers like you at the grassroots level. Your membership also helps address issues that affect all Virginians--private property rights and the need to preserve clean water and air.

So not only do you receive the Grassroots Advantage from the Governmental Relations Department with representation at the Virginia General Assembly and Congress, as well as Farm Bureau's policy development process, but all of Virginia receives the Grassroots Advantage thanks to you, your membership, your participation in the grassroots process, and when contact your legislators on important issues affecting agriculture and all Virginians.

At Virginia Farm Bureau, you, our producer members, ARE the Grassroots Advantage.

Advocacy Must Engage the Congregation

Bob Stallman
AFBF President

Throughout the years, we've counted on your voice to help us educate our state and national legislators on issues that greatly affect the agricultural community. Thanks to your letters, phone calls and visits, we've greatly influenced the way our legislators view agriculture. You are the most powerful resource we have in educating legislators about Virginia farmers.

But for Virginia Farm Bureau members,educating our leaders abou important ag issues takes a back seat in the spring and summer months--and for very good reason. Here's a nice reminder from Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau Federation president, and the importance of advocacy and reaching out to those outside of our industry.

Advocacy Must Engage the Congregation

by Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau Federation President

Farm Bureau’s brand of advocacy has been a key part of my entire adult life. I first got involved with the organization when I was relatively young and was having problems with the state of Texas over water rights on my farm. I traveled to a committee hearing in Austin—the first time I’d been to a hearing and the first time I’d been to the state capitol—and met Farm Bureau representatives testifying on behalf of landowners’ water rights. I realized then and there that they were advocating for me and my rights.

When I got home, I took a deliberate step to become involved in my home county Farm Bureau in Colorado County, Texas. I saw first-hand that farmers and ranchers have to be the ones to stand up for agriculture to influence decisions that affect us, otherwise plenty of other people would be more than happy to make those decisions for us. Now, I can’t imagine my life if that hearing in Austin had never happened.