Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) President Bill Powers made his way to Washington, D.C. in early July to represent the state organization at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) annual Council of Presidents gathering. The meeting brings Farm Bureau presidents from all across the nation together to address national agricultural priorities, leadership matters, and the policy challenges facing farmers and ranchers throughout the country.
During the sessions, Farm Bureau leaders received briefings on a range of important topics. Those included findings from AFBF’s Women in Agriculture study and related programs, the Growing a Healthier America initiative, an agricultural economic outlook presented by USDA Chief Economist Dr. Justin Benavidez, midterm election analysis from The Russell Group, and insights shared by USDA Deputy Secretary Judge Stephen Vaden.
While in the nation’s capital, President Powers visited the offices of Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester and Chris Coons, as well as Representative Sarah McBride, to raise concerns central to Delaware’s farming community — most notably the push for an updated Farm Bill. As a gesture of goodwill, he presented each office with a photograph from the 2025 Delaware Farm Bureau Photo Contest to be displayed in their offices.
President Powers also participated in legislative and industry receptions organized by AFBF, giving him the chance to network with congressional staff, agricultural stakeholders, industry partners, and fellow Farm Bureau leaders from around the country.
The Council of Presidents wrapped up with meetings held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where attendees heard directly from several administration officials. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett spoke about the council’s role in shaping economic and agricultural policy, along with the administration’s work to tackle challenges confronting farmers and ranchers. Ambassador Julie Callahan, serving as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, provided an update on trade priorities — including efforts to broaden market access, review the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and pursue trade policies that open meaningful doors for American agriculture.
Other presentations came from Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, who stressed the value of keeping communication lines open with the farming community and expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Farm Bureau leaders. Attendees also heard from Justin Schwab, General Counsel of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, who outlined the council’s role in coordinating federal environmental policy and its work with agencies on implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The annual gathering serves as a critical platform for state Farm Bureau leaders to connect with federal policymakers, stay informed on emerging issues, and make sure agriculture has a seat at the table in national conversations. By attending these meetings and sitting down directly with Delaware’s congressional delegation, President Powers worked to bring the concerns and goals of Delaware farmers into focus as ongoing policy decisions continue to shape the future of agriculture.
