Nebraska Farm Bureau
Elected delegates from the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation (NEFB) took part in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) annual policy session at the 106th AFBF Convention in San Antonio, TX. Just under 400 delegates from state Farm Bureaus gathered together to discuss several hundred federal policy resolutions which once passed, become the playbook of the policy work the organization focuses on for the year. Federal policy passed at the NEFB Annual Meeting back in December of 2024 including substantial support for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and needed reforms to USDA loan programs all became part of AFBF policy. New policy regarding the impact of tariffs on farm and ranch inputs was also adopted.
“Policy developed and passed at the Nebraska Farm Bureau annual meeting, again received significant support amongst the voting delegates. As a grassroots organization with a successful policy development process, we take great pride in our ability to help shape the policy of the largest farm and ranch organization in the country,” said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue.
Among the largest wins secured by NEFB was a significant amount of policy passed supporting the development of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry. As the nation’s second largest producer of ethanol, approved carbon sequestration pipeline infrastructure moving forward, and ample support amongst decision makers around the state, Nebraska has the opportunity to quickly become a leader in this emerging market.
“Outside of simply supporting the industry, AFBF voting delegates also approved policy to require SAF made in the U.S. only use U.S. produced feedstocks which will help ensure imported products, like used cooking oil from China, don’t qualify for U.S. taxpayer supported tax credits. Delegates also approved language supporting a farmer’s ability to use a variety of conservation practices to produce SAF feedstocks, rather than simply a few as was the case with the rules surrounding the 40B tax credit funded through the Inflation Reduction Act,” said McHargue.
Delegates also supported Nebraska’s resolution focused on providing needed updates to USDA loan programs, including those used by young and beginning farmers and ranchers. The policy focused on providing more certainty to farm and ranch families who utilize loan programs by allowing for more permanency on funding regardless of changes to financial or family status. Language was also adopted to support a pre-approval process for USDA loans as this on-going issue greatly impacts beginning farmers and ranchers who try to purchase land at auction.
“The rules governing USDA loans need to fit within the real world and be flexible for the many challenges and changes farmers and ranchers regularly work through. USDA’s inability to grant new and beginning farmers pre-approval letters which document the amount of money the individual is approved to borrow, regularly limits their ability to purchase farm ground and usually ends up costing them more in lending fees. Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon was able to secure language in the House version of the new Farm Bill, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to address this significant challenge,” said McHargue.
Given President Trumps regular threat to utilize tariffs to address actions taken by other countries, the discussion of trade and tariffs also took center stage. Both AFBF and NEFB have significant policy in support of free and expanded trade. At the same time, we know President Trump has and continues to utilize tariffs as a way to address both economic and national security issues.
“After four years of relative inaction by the Biden administration on the subject of trade, NEFB stands ready to work to find new trading partners and hold our existing partners to the agreements negotiated and approved. The policy approved by our national delegates focuses on the need for diligence when tariffs affect agricultural and business inputs,” said McHargue.
With a new Congress, President Trump back at the White House, and new leadership across all federal agencies, NEFB is ready to get to work helping to ensure the economic futures of Nebraska’s farm and ranch families.
In addition to policy development, a series of Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) competitive events occurred during AFBF’s Annual Meeting. David Schuler, a Morrill County Farm Bureau member, competed as Nebraska’s representative in the YF&R Discussion Meet. Grant Jones of Chase County Farm Bureau was recognized as Nebraska’s competitor for the Achievement in Agriculture award.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 56,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.