Bob Stallman
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman, who has headed the organization for 16 years, announced Tuesday that he will not seek another two-year term when the group meets in Orlando, Fla., in January.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the nation’s Farm Bureau members and represent agriculture and rural America,” Stallman, a cattle and rice producer from Columbus, Texas, said in a news release.

“After 16 years as AFBF president, six as Texas Farm Bureau president and several more in other Farm Bureau roles, it is time to hand over the reins of leadership — a decision that is made easier by knowing the great leadership and foundation that exist to continue moving Farm Bureau forward.”

“While the presidential gavel will change hands, what defines Farm Bureau will remain the same: our grassroots strength and our commitment to strengthening America’s agricultural and rural communities,” Stallman added.

In addition to his Farm Bureau roles, Stallman has served on many boards and federal and state committees, including the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, the State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy, the Farm Foundation board of trustees, the board and founding leadership of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, the board of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology and the House Agriculture Committee’s Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture, Farm Bureau noted in a news release.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praised Stallman's leadership.

“Over the past 16 years, Bob Stallman has been an effective, strong and passionate voice for America’s farmers and ranchers as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation,” Vilsack said in a statement.

“His determination and leadership was in many ways responsible for passage of the historic, bipartisan 2014 farm bill, and his vision for boosting the agricultural economy was instrumental in garnering support for the recently passed trade promotion authority. Bob has been an unfaltering leader as Farm Bureau president and a true partner and friend in supporting America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.”

State Farm Bureau leaders also praised Stallman's leadership, the Capital Press reported.

No candidates for the Farm Bureau presidency have been announced.

Capital Press — Farm Bureau leaders praise Stallman as champion for West