Farm Progress America, January 19, 2026

The convention highlighted the challenges facing America's agricultural sector, with American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall pointing to high supply costs, trade imbalances, and low commodity prices as major pressures on farm margins. Nearly 99% of voting members operate family farms, with more than two-thirds running small to mid-size operations under USDA definitions.

Key Policy Priorities Adopted

The delegates tackled a comprehensive range of agricultural issues and approved several important policy positions:

• Labor Reform : Support for revisions to the H-2A program and changes to avoid unpredictable wage swings

• Animal Health : Increased funding for research and biosecurity facilities to detect and respond to threats in crops and livestock

• Biosecurity : Stronger efforts to eradicate the new world screwworm

• Local Food Procurement : Encouraging schools and government facilities to prioritize locally grown fruits, vegetables, bread, and protein in food purchases

• Risk Management : Enhanced programs to help farmers manage operational risks

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• Trade Policy : Addressing trade imbalances affecting agricultural markets

Duvall emphasized that access to reliable labor remains one of the biggest challenges farms face nationwide, making agricultural labor reform a top priority for operations of all sizes.

Leadership Continuity

The convention also brought stability to Farm Bureau leadership, with Zippy Duvall unanimously re-elected as president and Scott Van der Waal re-elected as vice president , each beginning another two-year term.

The grassroots policy process demonstrated the organization's commitment to member-driven advocacy, providing clear direction for how Farm Bureau will represent agricultural interests in Washington throughout 2026.