Delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention finalized policy priorities for the year ahead. Farm Bureau is urging the Trump Administration and Congress to work together to end the government shutdown. AFBF Vice President Scott VanderWal, who farms at Volga, South Dakota, says the deadlock is delaying USDA loan programs and trade assistance. Delegates also adopted policy calling for Agriculture Department oversight of new cell-based food products. “We want to make sure those products aren’t labeled as meat, mainly beef chicken and pork, as well as the cuts,” says VanderWal. In addition, Farm Bureau wants the Trump Administration to resolve trade disputes through negotiations, not tariff increases. Other key policy areas include increased broadband access and funding for rural mental health programs. Hear more in VanderWal’s interview with RRFN.