Commodity and Regulatory Activities

1. Commodity and Regulatory Activities January 2010

2. Ned Meister, Director Commodity and Regulatory Activities Staff Jon Johnson, Associate Director George Caldwell, Associate Director Gene Richardson, Associate Director Dotty Phillips, Secretary

3. Department Background • The Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Commodity Division was created when the TFB delegates adopted the “Expanded Program” at a special called Session in March 1971. The purpose as stated in the delegate action was, “An opportunity be provided Farm Bureau members, having a common commodity interest, to work together within the structure of the Farm Bureau organization to analyze problems of mutual interest or concern to develop and recommend to the Farm Bureau organization ways and means for solving problems, meeting needs objectives within policy guidelines of the Farm Bureau organization.” • Implementation of environmental law is often a high priority of regulatory activities. In 1987, the TFB Board authorized the establishment of a Regulatory Affairs Department. This department provided staff assistance to the TFB Natural Resources Committee. Recommendations from this committee cover a range of issues including endangered species, pesticides, all water policy, education and more. TFB put “lobbying wheels” and direction under the programs and became an integral part of our organizational affairs activity. • Combination of the two divisions became a reality in 1994. The staff began working to implement a state and national program. Combining commodity specific concerns with regulatory impacts, to influence decisions by government agencies on rules and regulations that effect farmers and ranchers. The program of work also includes providing staff leadership on environmental and labor issues, and assisting Farm Bureau members with regulatory and administrative actions at the local level. The commodity activities give the producer-members an opportunity to take part in programs and activities directly related to their individual commodities. This function is coordinated through the Commodity and Regulatory Activities Department with the opportunity for participation of Farm Bureaumembers, with the participation of state directors, county presidents.

4. Function • To Implement a state and national program to influence decisions of government agencies on rules and regulations that affect farmers and ranchers, • To provide staff leadership on environmental and labor issues, • To assist Farm Bureau members in dealing with government regulatory and administrative actions at the state and national level, • To give producer-members an opportunity to take part in programs and activities directly related to their individual commodities, • All functions reflect policy adopted by TFB members for the benefit of members.

5. Staff Agency Responsibilities • Texas Agricultural Statistics Service • Texas Animal Health Commission • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality • Texas Cooperative Extension Service • Texas Department of Agriculture • Texas General Land Office • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department • Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board • Texas Department of Transportation • Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab • Texas Workforce Commission • Public Utility Commission of Texas • U.S. Department of Agriculture • U.S.D.A. APHIS • U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service • Farm Service Agency • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • U.S. Department of Labor • U.S. Department of Interior-USFWS • Universities and Research Centers • River Authorities

6. Staff Commodity Responsibilities • Jon Johnson • Beef Cattle • Citrus • Poultry • Sheep/Goat • Swine • Animal Health • Ned Meister • Dairy • Honey/Apiculture • Ratite • Farm Labor • Natural Resources • Small Farm and Ranch Management • Gene Richardson • Feral Hog • Forestry • Game Ranch Program • Hay/Forage • Horse • Horticulture Crops • Nursery/Greenhouse • Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation • George Caldwell • Cotton • Feed Grains • Peanut • Rice • Soybean • Sugar • Wheat

7. State Advisory Committee Responsibilities • Analyze problems of mutual interest or concern, • Develop and recommend to the Farm Bureau Organization ways and means of solving problems and meeting needs through the policy development process, • Provide Leadership and support of activities to achieve objectives within policy guidelines of the Farm Bureau Organization, • Pursue new commodity marketing alternatives and information, and • Provide expertise, in an advisory capacity, to the TFB Board of Directors for their specific commodity. • Responsible to the TFB Board ofDirectors through the TFB President

8. New Selection Process for State Advisory Committees and Advisors • Committee structure will place an emphasis on representation from counties that are major producers of that specific commodity. • Utilize National Ag Statistics Service data to determine which counties produce the majority of the commodity being considered. • Counties that have a signed Uniform Cooperative Agreement and Appendage A on file for a specific commodity may submit nominations.

9. Nominee Selections • Producers who are leaders in their county • Produce the commodity for which committee they are being nominated • Appointed annually by the TFB President • Eligible to be reappointed two times

10. Nomination Process • Nominations for vacant positions will be submitted to State Directors from July 1, to September 1, each year. • State Directors will review and forward their choice of nominees from the county to Vernie Glasson by September 15. • President will review nominations and make appointments by the September Board Meeting.