The American Farm Bureau Federation calls itself the "Voice of Agriculture", and was founded in 1919 in Chicago, Illinois at a meeting attended by a number of state representatives. The organization aims to work "to improve the financial well-being and quality of life for farmers and ranchers". The national organization is a collection of state organizations, which themselves are a collection of county organizations. The organization works with the agricultural extension service, but is private and non-profit rather than being an arm of the government. It serves the interests of farmers and farm families. The organization claims over 5 million members.
