Candidates are beginning to travel the country to make their case for becoming the next president of American Farm Bureau Federation, including Georgia’s Zippy Duvall.
“Agriculture is not only essential for life, it is essential for the security of our nation,” said Duvall, a third-generation Georgia farmer. “I understand what it takes to keep Farm Bureau strong and extend our role as the respected, trusted voice for agriculture in America.”
During his nine years as Georgia Farm Bureau president, Duvall has led the state’s largest agriculture organization by building relationships with state and national legislators and building bridges with other state and national agriculture leaders to solve problems facing farmers, agriculture and consumers.
Duvall has been on international trade missions on behalf of Georgia Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau.
“AFBF is a critical grassroots organization that provides an avenue for farmers and ranchers to engage in the important national conversations that effect our agricultural communities,” Duvall said. “From the time I first became involved in Farm Bureau as a young farmer, I learned that building relationships and bridges with others is key to getting your voice heard and making a difference. This is the core of who I am and is what I have done throughout my life both on my farm and in my public service.”
Duvall made a commitment to agriculture and public service early in his career. He has been involved in multiple county, state and national organizations as well as many agriculture groups. He lives on his farm in Greene County, Georgia, with his wife of 36 years, Bonnie.
The Duvalls have four children and three grandchildren. Duvall announced his candidacy in July after AFBF President Bob Stallman announced he would not seek another term after leading the organization for 16 years.
The diversity of Georgia’s agriculture has prepared him to represent all of America’s farmers, Duvall said.
The AFBF presidential election, which is for a two-year term, will be held Jan. 12, 2016 at the annual AFBF convention in Orlando, Florida. Each state is allotted voting delegates based on its number of Farm Bureau members. Additional delegates come from the AFBF Women’s Leadership and Young Farmers & Ranchers Committees and the sitting AFBF president for a total of 355 voting delegates. The next AFBF president will need the support of 179 voting delegates at the convention.
Don Villwock, the president of Indiana Farm Bureau, had planned to retire this year, but also has announced he’s running for the national post. If he is elected, Villsock would become the first national Farm Bureau president from the Hoosier state.