Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

This week's Open Mic guest is Alison Bodor, president and CEO of the American Frozen Food Institute. Bodor says AFFI is pleased with the call for more whole and nutrient dense foods in the new dietary guidelines because frozen foods offer exceptional food quality, nutrition and less food waste. She explains other advantages of the frozen category and why AFFI is hopeful for a new farm bill with opportunities for frozen foods. Bodor also shares industry concerns over a patchwork of state regulations on food labels and food packaging.  

This week's Open Mic guest is Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation and a third-generation Georgia farmer. The group's annual meeting is coming up in Anaheim, California next week and features key ag leaders from Washington. Duvall previews what his members would like to hear from those leaders on a variety of issues such as labor, high input costs and New World Screwworm. He says they are grateful for the Bridge Financial Assistance offered by the Trump administration, but the resources aren't adequate to meet the financial struggles facing many producers in 2026. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council.  Prices and trade policy have challenged U.S. soybean exports, especially as large volumes of Brazilian soybeans have displaced traditional sales to China. Having met with Chinese industry and government officials, Sutter says the Chinese want a better trade relationship with the U.S. but he is also focused on market diversification. He believes the higher quality of U.S. soy and sustainable production practices should lead to a rebound in global sales. 

This week's Open Mic guest is House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson. While another year has come and gone without a completely updated farm bill, Thompson says he is pleased with financial assistance approved last year and farm program updates included in budget reconciliation this summer. Thompson hopes to begin markup of the remaining farm bill in January and to address additional farm financial assistance beyond the farmer bridge assistance coming from USDA. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Kevin Burkum, CEO of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action. The group took a new name and mission in 2021 representing over 700,000 row crop and livestock producers as well as supporting industry. The association seeks opportunities for collaboration, information-sharing and solution development for the full ag value chain. USFRA seeks to be a connective and unifying voice for U.S. agriculture. Burkum discusses the most recent COP30 meeting in Brazil, an upcoming biofuels report, and other opportunities where agriculture's voice may be heard.