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The beginning of Farm Bureau.
The "bureau" in Farm Bureau is used because the first Farm Bureau was formed
as a "bureau" of the chamber of commerce in Broome County, N.Y.
On March 1, 1911, the first county agricultural agent was employed in Binghamton, New
York and it was there that the first Farm Bureau in the United States was born. Months
earlier, a farmer by the name of James Quinn began what is commonly known as "Kitchen
Konferences", whereby local farmers met at Quinn's house and talked about farming
issues and concerns. Many concerns about the health of the farming community had been
expressed by the local Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad. To help the agricultural community succeed and flourish, John Barron was hired
as county agent and established an office in Binghamton's Chamber of Commerce on March 20,
1911 (the first day of spring).
Mr. Barron's district, at first, covered the country within a 50 mile radius of
Binghamton and included the counties of Broome, Chenango, Cortland,
Delaware and Tioga in New York State.
In 1918, 55 agricultural counties had Farm Bureaus and their total membership rested
near 45,000 members.
New York soon developed a statewide central body designed to represent the members in
matters of mutual concern. Soon thereafter, a movement began to establish a national
federation of Farm Bureaus.
The American Farm Bureau Federation was formed when
farmer delegates from 30 states gathered at Chicago's LaSaille Hotel on Nov. 12, 1919.
Today there are more than 2,800 county Farm Bureaus in the United States.
Thousands of volunteer leaders serve on county Farm Bureau boards and committees. From
social outings and educational workshops to political action and community forums, Farm
Bureau offers programs and services for the entire family.
County Farm Bureau's set policies and select voting delegates to voice their beliefs at
state Farm Bureau annual meetings. These delegates determine which policies submitted by
the county Farm Bureaus, and in some cases by commodity committees, will provide the
direction for the state Farm Bureau. Farmers and ranchers serve as officers and directors
of state Farm Bureaus and work, with the help of paid staff, to carry out the policies of
the organization. These policies deal with many issues, which include:
 | Use of Natural Resources |
| Taxation |
| Property Rights |
| Services to the farm community |
| Trade |
| Food Safety and Quality |
| and a host of other topics that affect rural America. |
Learn more about "Your Natural Resource",
by visiting the New York Farm Bureau Home Page.
Or visit the "Voice of Agriculture", American
Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) Home Page.
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