PRESIDENTIAL PARADIGMS
West Virginia ’ s Future in Hands of Voters
Charles Wilfong , President , West Virginia Farm Bureau
Seems that our hopes of an early and lasting , warm spring season are being delayed a little bit by the recent cold snap . The early turn-out of livestock on mountain pastures that many of us were hoping for probably won ’ t happen . But my dad always said the grass that grows in March most always gets frozen in April . I guess once again he knew what he was talking about .
Having these positions elected on a non-partisan basis was something that WVFB worked hard to get done . Our state Legislature approved this change last year . It is vitally important that we pay special attention to these judicial elections and take advantage of this new opportunity to elect these folks based on their qualifications and abilities rather than just by political party . So please encourage family , friends and neighbors to take advantage of this new chance to elect the right people to oversee our judicial system . Many people are unaware of this change in the election process .
One thing that hasn ’ t cooled down is the current upcoming election . We have many important choices to make in the May 10 primary here in West Virginia . Without a doubt the biggest news in the West Virginia election is that all judges - from Magistrate Court to the state Supreme Court - will be elected on a nonpartisan basis in the primary . That means these elections are over with in the primary .
The only judicial race that the WV Farm PAC is involved with is the position on the WV Supreme Court . The Farm PAC has endorsed Beth Walker for that position . She is an exceptional candidate who we believe would serve our state very well on the West Virginia Supreme Court . This is likely the most important vote we can cast in this primary
see Wilfong , page 15
Sowing Seeds for a Future Harvest
Zippy Duvall , President , American Farm Bureau Federation
Farmers are blessed to get a front row seat each spring to fresh beginnings and new life . Each year we plant our crops and care for the animals and land we ’ ve been entrusted with , not just for ourselves but for those who will come after . Here in Washington , we take planting season just as seriously as we work to ensure farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to plant , care for and bring those crops to harvest .
Our team is constantly scanning the policy field to move our issues forward . The political climate can change as quickly as the weather , but whether that brings challenge or opportunity , it ’ s all the more important for us to get ahead on the key issues
affecting agriculture . And that ’ s just what we ’ re doing this spring .
AFBF already has taken the lead in tackling budget talks that could threaten important farm bill programs . Some would like nothing more than to cut programs that have been carefully streamlined to fit today ’ s marketplace . We ’ re partnering with a variety of organizations and members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to guarantee the 2014 farm bill accomplishes its goals of supporting conservation , providing nutrition assistance and helping farmers manage through challenging economic times . Taken as a whole , it is about keeping healthful , affordable food on America ’ s dinner tables .
see Duvall , page 14
4 West Virginia Farm Bureau News