Animal Agriculture Coalition Makes Recommendations For 2013 Farm Bill
on Mar 05 in AGF Activities, Industry News, Legislative, News, News ReleasesAnimal Agriculture Coalition Makes Recommendations For 2013 Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 1, 2013) – The Animal Agriculture Coalition (AAC) on Feb. 28 submitted its recommendations for the farm bill to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.
“This past year Congress grappled to pass a farm bill that benefits all agriculture interests,” said Damon Wells, chairman of the Animal Agriculture Coalition. “It is critical that farm policy bolsters the long-term ability of U.S. animal agriculture to be competitive in the global marketplace and provides consumers around the world with safe, wholesome, affordable food that is produced in a sustainable manner. AAC’s recommendations will go a long way to achieving this objective.”
Congress needs to invest more resources on animal health, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture production, as well as in new animal products research. Expenditures for animal health are just 7 percent of those which are designated for human health research. Investment in animal health and production innovation for the world’s 25 billion chickens and turkeys, more than 1 billion cattle and sheep, 750 million pigs and goats, and more than 1 billion companion animals is grossly insufficient. To that end, the AAC believes that research and education productivity is hampered by insufficient funding for both the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture’s Agriculture, Food and Research Institute. To help bolster research, AAC supports establishing a Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research to supplement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s basic and applied research activities.
AAC recommends reauthorizing several existing programs, namely the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, the National Poultry Improvement Plan, the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank, the Animal Health and Disease Research Program, the Trichinae Certification Program, and the National Aquatic Health Plan. The Coalition supports new authorizations to develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services; a new program to support research on animal drug needs in minor species; as well as a sheep production and marketing grant to strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products. AAC also supports a pilot study to assess the nature and extent of damage caused by feral swine.
AAC recommends that Congress optimize surveillance and surge capacity of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network by increasing the authorized funding needed to support the network. Obsolete individual surveillance labs need to be modernized to bring about diagnostic capabilities to conduct surveillance of the U.S. livestock population for all major foreign animal diseases of concern on a species by species basis.
“It is necessary for Congress and the federal government to renew its commitment to animal agriculture research and extension programs that translate into an affordable, high-quality food supply for consumers, said Wells. “The AAC urges Congress to pass a comprehensive five-year farm bill this year, as the agriculture industry cannot weather another temporary extension.”
The Animal Agriculture Coalition is comprised of most major animal and animal-related commodity organizations as well as allied organizations representing veterinary medicine, animal science and various livestock sectors or animal agriculture interests in the United States. It looks forward to working with you to ensure that farm policy benefits all agriculture interests.
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|
AAC e-mail distribution list as of Feb. 27, 2013. Updates to the list should be emailed to GLuke@AVMA.org |
|
| AAC OFFICERS | CONTACTS (+ denotes primary contact) |
| Chair | Damon Wells, dwells@turkeyfed.org |
| Vice Chair | Gina Luke, gluke@avma.org |
| COMMODITY GROUPS
|
CONTACTS (+ denotes primary contact)
|
| American Dairy Goat Association | Linda Campbell, Linda@Khimaira.com |
| American Goat Federation | Linda Campbell, Linda@Khimaira.com |
| American Horse Council | +Adam Choate, achoate@horsecouncil.orgBen Pendergrass, bpendergrass@horsecouncil.org
James J. Hickey, jay@horsecouncil.org |
| American Meat Institute | +Betsy Booren, bbooren@meatami.comJim Hodges, jhodges@meatami.com |
| American Rabbit Breeders Association | +Eric Stewart, Eric@arba.net |
| American Sheep Industry Association | +Paul Rodgers, prodgers2@earthlink.netPeter Orwick, porwick@sheepusa.org
Fran Boyd, franboyd@meyersandassociates.com |
| American Veal Association | +Dale Bakke, info@realveal.com |
| National Chicken Council | +Ashley Peterson, apeterson@chickenusa.orgMary Colville, mcolville@chickenusa.org |
| National Livestock Producers Association | +Scott Stuart, scott.stuart@animalagriculture.org |
| National Milk Producers Federation | +Betsy Flores, Bflores@nmpf.orgDana Brooks, DBrooks@nmpf.org
Jamie Jonker, jjonker@nmpf.org |
| National Pork Board | +Paul Sundberg, Paul.Sundberg@porkboard.orgJennifer Koeman, jkoeman@pork.org |
| National Pork Producers Council | +Liz Wagstrom, WagstromL@nppc.orgTerry-Ann Paulo, Paulot@nppc.org
Audrey Adamson, adamsona@nppc.org Bobby Acord, bobbyacord@aol.com Chris Wall, wallc@nppc.org |
| National Turkey Federation | +Damon Wells, dwells@turkeyfed.orgJoel Brandenberger, jbrandenberger@turkeyfed.org
Leslee Oden, loden@turkeyfed.org Andrew Bailey, abailey@turkeyfed.org |
| R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America | +Bill Bullard, billbullard@r-calfusa.com |
| United Egg Producers | +Chad Gregory, chaduep@unitedegg.com |
| USPOULTRY U.S. Poultry & Egg Association | +Rafael Rivera, rrivera@uspoultry.orgJohn Starkey, jstarkey@uspoultry.org
Paul Pressley, ppressley@uspoultry.org |
| Western United Dairymen | +Charles Garrison, cgarrison@garrisongroup.com |
ALLIED ANIMAL AGRICULTURE GROUPS |
CONTACTS (+ denotes primary contact) |
| American Association of Avian Pathologists | +Gregg Cutler, gregg.j.cutler@gmail.comBob Bevans-Kerr, aaap@aaap.info |
| American Association of Bovine Practitioners | +Gatz Riddell, mgriddell@aabp.org |
| American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners | +Joan Bowen, joan.s.bowen@gmail.com |
| American Association of Swine Veterinarians | +Harry Snelson, snelson@aasv.orgTom Burkgren, burkgren@aasv.org |
| American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians | +Jim Kistler, jkistler@aavld.orgThomas McKenna, Thomas.McKenna@WVDL.wisc.edu
Tim Baszler, baszlert@vetmed.wsu.edu Barb Powers, Barb.Powers@ColoState.EDU Brad Mollet, brad.mollet@gmail.com |
| American Dairy Science Association | +Ken Olson, keolson@prodigy.netBarb Glen, bglenn@croplifeamerica.org
Ken McGuffey, kmcguffey1@netzero.net |
| American Farm Bureau | +Kelli Ludlum, kelli@fb.orgDale Moore, dalem@fb.org |
| American Feed Industry Association | +Richard Sellers, rsellers@afia.orgJill Homer Stewart, jhomer@poldir.com
Leah Wilkinson, LWilkinson@afia.org |
| American Society of Animal Science | +Ronnie Green, Rgreen2@unl.eduBrett Hess, brethess@uwyo.edu
Jerry C. Weigel, Geraldweigel49@yahoo.com |
| American Veterinary Medical Association | +Gina Luke, gluke@avma.orgAshley Morgan, amorgan@avma.org
Whitney Miller, wmiller@avma.org Kristi Henderson, khenderson@avma.org Christine Hoang, CHoang@avma.org Mark Lutschaunig, mlutschaunig@avma.org Chris Myrick, chris@cmgovernmentrelations.com |
| Animal Agriculture Alliance | +Kay Johnson Smith, kjohnson@animalagalliance.org |
| Animal Health Institute | +Brigid Zeller, bzeller@ahi.orgRon Phillips, rphillips@ahi.org |
| Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges | +Kevin Cain, kcain@aavmc.org |
| Association of Veterinary Biologics Companies | +John Thomas, jthomas@lltmlaw.com |
| Biotechnology Industry Organization | +Dave Edwards, dedwards@bio.org |
| Council for Agricultural Science and Technology | +Linda Chimenti, lchimenti@cast-science.org |
| Federation of Animal Science Societies | +Lowell Randel, lowell@therandelgroup.com |
| Livestock Exporters Association of the USA | +Tony Clayton, livestockexportersassn@earthlink.net |
| Livestock Marketing Association | +Kristen Parman, kparman@LMAWeb.com |
| Multistate Initiative on Mycobacterial Diseases of Animals | + Ken Olson, keolson@prodigy.netVivek Kapur, vkapur@psu.edu
Don Lein, dhl10@cornell.edu |
| National Aquaculture Association | +Betsy Hart, bhart@sc.rr.comRandy MacMillan, randy@clearsprings.com |
| National Association for the Advancement of Animal Science | +Lowell Randel, lowell@therandelgroup.comWalt Smith, walt@themallardgroup.net |
| National Association of Animal Breeders | +Gordon Doak, gdoak@naab-css.orgJere Mitchell, jmitchell@naab-css.org |
| National Association of Federal Veterinarians | +Mike Gilsdorf, mgilsdorf@nafv.orgCaroline Tuckhorn, ctuckhorn@nafv.org |
| National Association of Public Health Veterinarians | +Lisa Tell, latell@ucdavis.edu |
| National Association of State Departments of Agriculture | +Amy Hendrickson, amy@nasda.orgNathan Brown, nathan@nasda.org |
| National Dairy Herd Improvement Association | +Jay Mattison, jmattison@requestltd.com |
| National Farmers Union | +Mike Stranz, mstranz@nfudc.orgChandler Goule, cgoule@nfudc.org |
| National Grain and Feed Association | + David Fairfield, dfairfield@ngfa.orgRandall Gordon, RGordon@NGFA.org |
| National Institute for Animal Agriculture | +Scott Stuart, scott.stuart@animalagriculture.org |
| National Renderers Association | +David Meeker, dmeeker@nationalrenderers.comJessica Meisinger, jmeisinger@nationalrenderers.com |
| North American Meat Association | +Sally Donner, sdonner@ofwlaw.comBarry Carpenter, barry@nmaonline.org |
| Poultry Science Association | +Steve Kopperud, skopperud@poldir.com |
| U.S. Animal Health Association | +Ben Richey, brichey@usaha.org |
OR: AGF Listening Session
on Feb 18 in AGF Activities, Industry News, News, News ReleasesAGF NEWS UPDATE
February 18, 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Lee: 202-350-9065 SteveLee@AmericanGoatFederation.org
Linda Campbell: 540-743-4628 LindaCampbell@AmericanGoatFederation.org
Clackamas, OR
– Jan Carlson, American Goat Federation (AGF) Director from Davis, California, will represent the AGF at the Northwest Oregon Dairy Goat Association Goat Education Conference on February 23. She has managed the University of California Davis Goat Facility for the past 13 years, in addition to teaching animal science/goat husbandry classes. Ms. Carlson will provide information to the expected 500 attendees about the AGF, who we are, who our members are, and what we have been doing and are planning to do in the future on behalf of goat owners nationwide. She will be at the AGF Booth during the event, and will collect information from producers about their needs and concerns regarding the goat industry.
This activity is being funded by the proceeds of a grant AGF received to conduct “Listening Sessions” and surveys at major goat industry events across the United States. AGF is soliciting feedback from producers about what their major concerns are, what factors will enhance their business, and how AGF can best represent them as members. The information being collected will assist AGF to develop strategic planning focus areas and provide information to the USDA and other government agencies about our industry.
The mission of the American Goat Federation includes the provision of educational information and resources to individual AGF members and member organizations. The mission extends to goat producers throughout the nation. We continue to conduct a membership drive, recruiting new members to increase our membership and give us an even stronger voice when representing all facets of the goat industry. The AGF Facebook page contains up to the minute information about what the AGF is doing for the goat industry as well as the activities of other agencies engaged in supporting animal agriculture.
More information is available at www.AmericanGoatFederation.org.
#
San Antonio: AGF 2013 Meeting
on Jan 11 in AGF Activities, Events, Industry News, News ReleasesAGF2013Annual Meeting Announcement
January 7, 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Lee: 202-350-9065 SteveLee@AmericanGoatFederation.org
Tom Boyer: 801.376.4685 TomBoyer@AmericanGoatFederation.org
SanAntonio, TX
– The American Goat Federation (AGF) will hold its annual Board of Directors and membership meeting on January 26 in San Antonio, TX. The meeting will convene at 8:00 AM Saturday morning in the Blanco Room of the Hyatt Regency. The morning session will consist of presentations by various speakers. There will be a break for lunch and the afternoon session will begin at 1:30 PM. All members of AGF and members of AGF member organizations are invited to attend.
Schedule for the Annual Meeting
8:00 AM Brief Opening Business Meeting
8:20 AM Presentation by Scharee Atchison from the NLPA Sheep and Goat Fund
8:30 AM Presentation by Diane L Sutton from APHIS. Dr. Sutton will provide an
update on the scrapie program.
8:45 AM Presentation by Katherine Marshall from APHIS. Dr. Marshall will provide
an update on Q-fever.
9:00 AM Presentation by Dr. Bryan Sayre from Virginia Tech University. Dr. Sayer
will give an overview and summary of Goat Genomics in the United States.
9:45 AM Break
10:00 AM Dr. Lawrence Yates, Livestock Marketing Specialist of AMS will provide an
update on the official goat standards and grades.
10:30 AM Dr. Will Getz, AGF Director will provide information about opportunities in
the Goat Scene in Myanmar.
11:00 AM Judy Malone from ASI will provide information about the FMD Cross
Species Working Group.
1:30 PM Dr. Frank Pinkerton, the Goat Man, will discuss how AGF can best serve the goat industry.
2:00 PM Business Meeting
The American Goat Federation is a national organization that represents all segments of the goat industry, including meat, dairy and fiber. More information is available at www.AmericanGoatFederation.org. #
2012 AG Census
on Dec 27 in Industry News, News, News Releases2012 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE Return by February 4, 2013
Very soon, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will be focused on encouraging all farmers and ranchers to respond to the 2012 Census of Agriculture. All of us can be a part of this important process and we hope that you will help.
The Census of Agriculture is conducted only once every five years across our country’s farmland and agricultural communities. USDA, those involved in agriculture, and many others use the results of the Census to make important policy and business decisions that impact people across our nation.
While the Census is particularly vital for folks in rural America, it’s important to remember that well-informed policy decisions have a positive impact for all of us. Even for families in our biggest cities, a strong rural America means an abundant food supply, cleaner water, extraordinary outdoor recreation, and more. That’s why it couldn’t be more important to make sure that all of our nation’s farmers and farmland are accurately accounted for.
NASS mails the Census of Agriculture in mid December with a return deadline of February 4, 2013. Here are three ways you can help now and through the next few months:
1. Use Census promotional materials. Click here to view the online materials available for the 2012 Census. Your state NASS field office can provide further materials and guidance.
2. Share Census facts with producers. Find FAQ’s online to answer questions you may receive about the Census. Your information is totally confidential. The results of the Census show the strength and diversity of U.S. agriculture. It’s farmers’ voice, their future and their responsibility.
3. Encourage farmers and ranchers to respond. Remind producers they can easily and securely respond online after they receive their census form at www.agcensus.usda.gov . For questions or help completing the form, call NASS at (888) 424-7828.
I appreciate your support of the Census – just one more way that your work is impacting all Americans. Questions, comments or concerns regarding the upcoming Census can be directed to Sue King (sue.king@nass.usda.gov )
Tom Vilsack
US Secretary Of Agriculture
2012 AGF Membership Drive
on Apr 10 in AGF Activities, Industry News, News ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Lee: 202-350-9065 SteveLee@AmericanGoatFederation.org
Tom Boyer: 801-376-4685 TomBoyer@AmericanGoatFederation.org
Tom Boyer, President of the Board of the American Goat Federation (AGF) announced today the kick off of the 2012 AGF Membership Drive. Since the first of the year the AGF has revamped the website www.americangoatfederation.org and redesigned their Facebook page with announcements of current activity and information of interest to all segments of the goat industry being posted weekly. An Executive Secretary, Steve Lee, has been hired to serve the needs of the federation and its members. Membership renewal packets have been sent to existing members and a system is now in place whereby members of the Board of Directors can make themselves available as time permits to speak to organizations interested in learning more about what the AGF can do for their members.
The members of the AGF Board represent a cross section of the American goat industry and bring a varied set of strengths and backgrounds into play in serving all segments of the industry: dairy, fiber and meat as well as vegetation management.
Tom Boyer, President of AGF, is a third generation sheep and goat seed stock rancher from Utah and owner/operator of TVB Management Company, a leading management, consulting and appraisal firm serving agriculture around the world. Linda Campbell, Vice President of AGF, is a goat producer and active exporter of goats, having shipped goats to over thirty-two countries. She has been involved with dairy and meat goats for over forty years at her organic farming operation that is also an Agri-Tourism business in Virginia, as well as having owned and operated a commercial goat dairy for twenty five years. Mary Pryde, Secretary of AGF, and her husband own and manage Prydelands Ranch Alpine and Boer Goats in Redding, California, as well as Enterprise Health Foods and Enterprise Feed in Northern California. Dr. Will Getz, Treasurer of AGF, is an Extension Specialist and Professor of Animal Science at Fort Valley State University in Georgia. He advises university staff on meat goat herd and sheep flock management and works with dairy goat owners in the state, and has worked professionally in international animal agriculture development for over twenty years, including work with goat and sheep programs in more than thirty countries.
The remainder of the Board of Directors of the AGF is made up of the following people.
Sam Abney, who serves on the AGF Membership/Marketing committee, raises Boer goats with his wife on their 40 acre farm in Alabama. He was instrumental in helping develop a handbook for goat producers, copies of which are distributed at shows, auctions, seminars and personal contact with prospective producers. Jan Carlson, Chair of the AGF Education/Research committee, is from Davis, California and has managed the University of California Davis Goat Facility for the past twelve years, maintaining breeding-teaching-research herds of 150 goats (45 dairy, 45 Boer, and the rest transgenic research goats). She also teaches goat husbandry/animal science classes both in the classroom and at the goat facility. Anita Dahnke, Chair of the AGF Communications committee, is a partner in S&A Farms specializing in Boer goat breeding stock and meat goat show wethers and seed stock for commercial goat producers since 2000. She is a professional writer who also co-owns Wabash Valley Feed & Western Wear in Indiana. Dr. Gil Engdahl, who serves on the AGF Education/Research committee, is head of the Agriculture Department and professor of Animal Science, as well as director of the Management, Instruction and Research Center at Angelo State University. He currently oversees the sheep, goat, and cattle operations of the Angelo State University ranch. Robin Saum is a partner with her husband in the Saum family farm, which is a diversified sustainable farm producing field crops, hogs, goats, and seasonal produce and Christmas trees. She continues the use of her grandmother’s Snowflake herd name prefix in a small select herd of fifteen to twenty Saanen dairy goats that she also shows.
The Board includes representation from all sectors of the goat industry as well as from major goat associations who are founding members of the AGF. Sam Abney, and Anita Dahnke were nominated by the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA). Linda Campbell and Robin Saum were nominated by the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) and are both past presidents of ADGA. Dr. Gil Engdahl was nominated by the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association. The other board members were nominated and elected by the AGF membership.
If you would like to have a representative of the American Goat Federation speak to your group or association, please feel free to contact the director closest to your region, or you can get in touch with our President or Executive Secretary. Detailed biographical information on each Director of the AGF can be found on the American Goat Federation website. There is also a calendar page that shows where AGF representatives will be during the 2012 year. Anyone interested in joining AGF is invited to contact any of the board members, or our office. There is a membership application form available on the website to download, as well as an electronic application form that can be filed out and paid for online.
The American Goat Federation is a national organization developed to represent and speak with one voice for all segments of the goat industry, including meat, dairy and fiber. There are more than 200 organizations and thousands of producers engaged in the sustainable production and marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber and grazing services across the United States. The Federation seeks to enhance growth of the industry by not only representing all areas of production within the industry, but also by being a central clearinghouse for reliable information about the industry and all issues affecting its members.
More information is available at www.AmericanGoatFederation.org
Q Fever Working Group Meets
on Feb 27 in Industry News, News, News ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Lee: 202-350-9065 SteveLee@AmericanGoatFederation.org
Tom Boyer: 801-376-4685 TomBoyer@AmericanGoatFederation.org
Missouri – Tom Boyer, President of the Board of the American Goat Federation (AGF) returned from Kansas City, Missouri last week, where he participated in meetings as a member of the working group on Q fever. This group is comprised of three state public health or state veterinarians, two academic Coxiella researchers, one USDA small ruminant epidemiologist, and one Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coxiella specialist who is also a veterinarian, along with three industry representatives; one from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, one from the ASI and one from the AGF. Dr. Ann Garvey, the Iowa State Public Health Veterinarian, is coordinating the group.
Q Fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. It is a disease of worldwide proportions affecting both humans and livestock. It first made national news when the Netherlands experienced a large outbreak of Q fever, which resulted in thousands of people being infected and a dozen or so fatalities in 2007. There were as many as 50,000 goats and a smaller number of sheep slaughtered in reaction to this outbreak. For the most part, Q fever’s effect on humans is minor, generally causing fatigue and flu-like systems, and can be treated with antibiotics. The disease can be transmitted to the general public through infected raw milk; however, pasteurized milk and milk products are safe to use. It is believed that the biggest risk comes from breathing the bacterium when cleaning barns or livestock birthing areas, particularly those of cattle, sheep and goats.
According to the CDC, Q fever causes abortions in goats and sheep, and to a lesser degree in cattle. Animals acquire Q fever through contact with reproductive fluids and milk from infected animals. Medical health professionals are concerned because in areas where infected animals are present, veterinarians, meatpacking workers and farmers are at risk for contracting Q fever. Humans are very susceptible to the disease and are easily infected through contact and even inhalation, when they are exposed to birthing fluids and material from infected animals. Because the bacterium is extremely hardy and resistant to heat, drying and many common disinfectants, it can survive for long periods of time in barns and corrals. The human incidence of this disease and the growing indication that it has long term effects is the reason for the involvement of the CDC in this working group. The American Goat Federation was invited to participate as the representative of the goat industry because goat producers, from all segments of the industry are and can be affected by this disease.
The American Goat Federation is a national organization developed to represent and speak with one voice for all segments of the goat industry, including meat, dairy and fiber. There are more than 150 organizations and thousands of producers engaged in the sustainable production and marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber and grazing services across the United States. The Federation seeks to enhance growth of the industry by not only representing all areas of production within the industry, but also by being a central clearinghouse for reliable information about the industry and all issues affecting its members.
More information is available at www.AmericanGoatFederation.org.
AGF Holds 2012 Annual Meeting
on Feb 10 in News, News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Lee: 202-350-9065 SteveLee@AmericanGoatFederation.org
Tom Boyer: 801.376.4685 TomBoyer@AmericanGoatFederation.org
Scottsdale, AZ – The American Goat Federation (AGF) held its annual Board of Directors and
membership meeting on January 28 in Scottsdale, AZ. The main agenda item was the
development of a comprehensive strategic plan for meeting member needs as well as
representing the entire U.S. goat industry at the national level. Working groups were formed to
focus on organizational marketing and member services; goat production, research and
education; public policy; and communication outreach.
Following an election of new board members in December, the current AGF board composition
reflects representation of all segments of the industry: Sam Abney (AL), Tom Boyer (UT), Steve
Burton (UT), Linda Campbell (VA), Jan Carlson (CA), Anita Teel Dahnke (IN), Dr. Gil R. Engdahl
(TX), Dr. Will R. Getz (GA), Pierce Miller (TX), Mary Pryde (CA), Robin Saum (OH), and Boyd
Willoughby (UT). Newly elected AGF Board officers include Tom Boyer, President; Linda
Campbell, Vice President; Mary Pryde, Secretary; and Pierce Miller, Treasurer.
The American Goat Federation is a national organization developed to represent and speak with
one voice for all segments of the goat industry, including meat, dairy and fiber. Major goals
include the unification, improvement, and advancement of all sectors of the U.S. goat industry;
as well as maximizing the potential for growth; and assisting producers to achieve success on
the farm as well as in the market place. There are more than 100 organizations and thousands
of producers engaged in the sustainable production and marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber and
grazing services across the United States. The Federation seeks to enhance growth of the
industry by not only representing all areas of production within the industry, but also by being a
central clearinghouse for reliable information about the industry and all issues affecting its
members.
More information is available at http://www.AmericanGoatFederation.org.
Article from AGF President Tom Boyer
on Mar 31 in News ReleasesFinally…The day has arrived to draft an article for the first American Goat Federation Newsletter! This day has been long in the making and is the result of many dreams, meetings, discussions, trips, failures, dedication and more hard work than one can imagine. I could go on in describing the tremendous amount of effort that has preceded the start up of AGF. The important part is that the organization is now up and going.
At the outset, I must pay tribute to Marvin Shurley. I can envision him raising his arm in triumph and giving a shout of acclamation. AGF was one of Marvin’s passions and in my last conversation with him he expressed his desire to see this organization become a reality. He offered his time, talent and full commitment to the creation of this organization and we spent many hours talking about what the organization would look like, how it would function and the marvelous benefits it would bring to the members. While we are still in the beginning stages of the organization and there is still room for failure [as there always will be]… Marvin, your dream is now a reality!
The mission of AGF includes representing the entire goat industry and that mission has driven every decision the Board has made to this point. We truly desire to provide value to every breed, every organization, all goat related commodities and products and every individual producer. In fulfillment of the mission and vision we are currently involved in the following projects:
- Supporting the Mohair LDP continuation
- Participation in the 2010 Resolution 48: Need for Approved Radio-Frequency Identification Implant Site for Goats [United States Animal Health Association]
- Participation in the USDA ARS-NIFA Stakeholder Workshop on Animal Production
- Involvement in the NAHM’s Goat Study and other related USDA Goat Health projects
- Evaluation of potential goat research projects to benefit producer profitability
- Direct involvement in the updated Goat Scrapie program
- Request from NSIIC requesting input for industry funding priorities
In addition to the above specific projects, we are in the Founding phase of membership development. Dues have been structured for various sized organizations in addition to individual memberships. Our goal for 2011 is to market AGF to all regional, state and national goat organizations in the United States, educational and research entities, breed registries as well as to individuals. Creating public awareness of AGF is a critical part of organizational startup. We will be doing Capitol Hill visits in May to bring goat related issues to Congressional attention as well as to provide awareness of our existence to Congress, USDA and all parts of APHIS. We will participate in national and regional marketing efforts on a limited basis this year with future plans to expand this area of member service as the membership base expands and startup efforts are completed. A committee expressly focused on research topics for goats is being established and empowered to move forward with Board approval on projects that will bring immediate value to our members. Other committees include: membership development, elections [we will be having elections later this year], web site, newsletter, grants and fundraising, marketing and finance.
The AGF Board is a marvelous group of very talented individuals. While I could draft lengthy accolades and resumes on each individual, suffice it to say members are very well represented and as you continue to read the coming newsletters you will have the opportunity to meet each one and become familiar with them. It is a privilege and wonderful opportunity to work and associate with each one. Anchoring the Board is Steve Lee another very talented individual who is providing our financial accounting and other related services in addition to providing the home base for AGF.
It is an exciting time to be part of the Goat Industry! Prices are strong and opportunities for expansion are likewise abundant. Markets appear poised for long term strength and both supply and demand in most sectors support this position. The Founding Membership Program is now open to the nation for both organizations and individuals and we solicit your help in spreading the news that now is the time to become a member of AGF. Speaking on behalf of the AGF Board, I welcome you to the American Goat Federation!
Tom Boyer, President
AGF COMPLETES INCORPORATION
on Nov 09 in AGF Activities, News ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Boyer American Goat Federation
Phone: (435) 336-7000
E-Mail: ewenique@americangoatfederation.org
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
AMERICAN GOAT FEDERATION COMPLETES INCORPORATION
Focus on Membership Development Begins
Coalville, Utah — The American Goat Federation (AGF), the first-ever national organization devoted to the entire goat industry, proudly announces its incorporation. The purpose of the AGF will be to build and define the U.S. goat industry on a unified front to work on issues facing the whole industry.
“The AGF will strive to promote and facilitate the development of all segments of the goat industry including dairy, meat and fiber by encouraging sound public policy, enhancing production and marketing of goat products and promoting research beneficial to member organizations and all producers,” explains Tom Boyer, AGF president and Utah sheep and goat producer.
Boyer is joined on the board by Robin Saum (Ohio), vice president; An Peischel (Tenn.), secretary/treasurer; and board members Steve Burton (Utah), Linda Campbell (Va.), Brian Faris, Ph.D. (Kan.), Will Getz, Ph.D. (Ga.), Shawn Harper (Ky.), Katherine Harrison (Ohio), Pierce Miller (Texas) and Sandra Miller (Pa.).
Currently, the organization is completing membership development guidelines and seeks to actively represent the interests of more than 100 organizations and thousands of producers engaged in the sustainable production and marketing of goat milk, meat, fiber and grazing services across the United States.
Founding memberships are available through October 31, 2011, and are open to individuals and organizations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared goat production one of the fastest growing segments of the livestock industry.
Following the completion of the membership development plan and founding member campaign, the AGF will focus on the creation of a database summarizing the production capabilities of the industry and a measurement of current interest in goat products among potential consumer groups. The database and informational library will then be used to create and measure the effectiveness of on-going marketing efforts. Based on the collection and analysis of this crucial information, the AGF will provide materials and consultation services to member organizations to help raise awareness and demand for goat-related products.