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Texas Agriculture Archive

October 17, 2003

Mowery named to
AFBF farm study panel

A Brazoria County rice farmer has been named to an American Farm Bureau Federation study panel that will examine U.S. agriculture's future in terms of productivity and profitability. Curt Mowery of Rosharon will join the two-year AFBF Policy Study, entitled Making American Agriculture Productive and Profitable (MAAPP).

The study group is comprised of 23 Farm Bureau leaders, all experienced agricultural professionals. The AFBF study panel will look at market trends and analyze various aspects of the agriculture industry. Through this industry analysis, the group intends to make recommendations to the AFBF Board of Directors. According to AFBF President Bob Stallman, the AFBF will develop plans to maximize industry profits and improve the productivity and efficiency of U.S. farming operations. The resulting policy proposals will be aimed at making U.S. agriculture productive and profitable through the year 2019, the 100^th anniversary of AFBF.

Mowery, a former TFB state board member, described the program as a nationwide study by knowledgeable people in the agriculture industry.

"The initial phase of the program will deal with establishing guidelines and making recommendations about policy options," Mowery said. "We intend to make agriculture more productive and profitable by increasing awareness about various programs that may already be available, and by brainstorming new policy ideas that can further enhance the agriculture industry."

Stallman said MAAPP was created because there was a need for a forum where agricultural issues could be examined in detail. Other goals of MAAPP include improving the industry's image when it comes to natural resources, and making higher quality foods more readily available to producers and consumers. The information and plans obtained during the two-year brainstorming and investigation period will then be relayed to the AFBF board of directors and voting delegates for possible action.

The group intends to review topics ranging from economic trends to changing societal expectations. The group will look into marketing strategies, consumer perspectives and recent technological trends.

Several studies of foreign and domestic agricultural policy will be conducted, and ongoing trade negotiations will be closely examined. The group will review current budgetary concerns and address many of the regulatory burdens placed on America's farm industry.

Mowery says the group will also address environmental concerns that may have negative impacts on American agriculture. Because controversial technologies such as genetic modification are being increasingly used, changing societal expectations are also becoming a major influence on American agriculture.