Outstanding Agriculture Advocates Recognized by Farm Bureau

Four outstanding agriculture advocates were recently announced by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The 2024 GO Teamers of the Year are Laura Haffner from Kansas, Julie Hardy from Georgia, and Renee McPherson and Linda Pryor from North Carolina. These outstanding individuals have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advocating for farmers and ranchers through a variety of impactful activities.

AFBF’s GO (Grassroots Outreach) Team is a vital component of the organization’s advocacy efforts. It consists of dedicated Farm Bureau members who work tirelessly as agriculture advocates to represent the interests of American farmers and ranchers at the local, state and national levels. The GO Teamers of the Year award recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in their advocacy efforts, making an impact on the agriculture industry.

“Laura Haffner, Julie Hardy, Renee McPherson and Linda Pryor are all outstanding examples of the grassroots advocacy that makes the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Voice of Agriculture,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Their dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of farmers and ranchers in their communities and across the country are truly inspirational to us all.”

Haffner has played a critical role as an agriculture advocate by participating in the AFBF Labor Fly-In. During her visits with representatives from the White House, Senate and House Agriculture committees and key congressional leaders, she focused on addressing the longstanding labor shortage affecting the agriculture industry.

Hardy has been a powerful agriculture advocate for farmers in her state, actively engaging in legislative and media outreach. She has worked closely with her senators to address critical issues such as flooding in Georgia and the farm bill, emphasizing the need to increase reference prices.

McPherson has become a regular voice for agriculture, effectively bridging the gap between the farming community and the public through her newspaper column, “Talking Agriculture,” published in the News of Orange County in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

Pryor has been an influential agriculture advocate, playing a pivotal role on AFBF’s Labor Issue Advisory Committee. She was part of a team that engaged in high-level discussions with the White House and the USDA, addressing critical labor issues such as the H-2A visa program and the Adverse Effect Wage Rate.