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President Trump addresses American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

Nashville—President Trump addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in Nashville on Monday.

It represented the first time a sitting president attended an AFBF’s annual convention since George H. W. Bush. Farmers including Idaho's delegation waited in security lines for hours to get into the ballroom, only to wait hours longer to hear the president.

“I’m so honored to be the first President to address the American Farm Bureau in more than 25 years,” said President Trump. “We've been working every day to deliver for America’s farmers just as they work every single day to deliver for us.”

The President offered praise for the “hard work, grit, self-reliance and sheer determination” exhibited by the agricultural industry.

“We know our nation was founded by farmers. Our independence was won by farmers. Our continent was tamed by farmers.”

In his address to the crowd of 5,000 enthusiastic AFBF members, President Trump noted the achievements of his administration in addressing the needs of American farmers. He said that most of the benefits will be felt by working families, small businesses and family farmers, President Trump stated, “the American dream is roaring back to life and we’ve just signed into law the most significant tax cuts and reforms in American history.” 

Trump also pointed to progress made to reduce the number of regulations. He said more than 1,500 planned federal regulations have been canceled or delayed. Soon after he took office, he signed an executive order requiring two regulations to be cut for every new one written. Trump said so far, his administration has cut 22 regulations for every new one.

Trump said his administration continues to review all trade agreements to “make sure they are fair reciprocal.”

“On NAFTA, I am working very hard to get a better deal for our country and for farmers and our manufacturers,” Trump said. “It’s under negotiation as we speak."

The President also announced significant changes to the estate tax, known as the death tax, so Americans can “keep your farms in the family,” which was met by one of several standing ovations.

The President also spoke on the progress of the 2018 Farm Bill, “For America, there is no task too great, no goal too large, no dream beyond our reach. We are witnessing a new era of patriotism, prosperity, and pride, and at the forefront of this exciting new chapter is the great American farmer,” President Trump concluded.

Once the President was finished speaking he signed two executive orders which will expedite requests to locate broadband facilities in rural areas and streamline the process of establishing cell towers on federal lands.