More than 1,000 Farm Bureau members in Kansas will gather in Manhattan on Dec. 2-4 for their organization’s 95th Annual Meeting.
The meeting, at the Hilton Garden Inn and Manhattan Convention Center, will feature cutting-edge workshops, discussion of important public policy issues and a one-day meeting tailored to county Farm Bureaus.
On Mon., Dec. 2, county Farm Bureau leaders will gather to build strategic plans for 2014. Katie Pratt, U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Faces of Farming finalist and Illinois farmer, will speak on the importance of a strong agriculture advocacy effort.
During the meeting, Ryan Flickner will be introduced as Kansas Farm Bureau’s Senior Director of Public Policy. Flickner comes to KFB from the staff of Senator Pat Roberts, where he was Deputy District Director, representing Roberts in the Wichita area and northwest and southeast Kansas. Prior to returning home to south central Kansas, Flickner served as Senior Agriculture Policy Advisor to Senator Roberts in Washington, DC. In this capacity, he covered the agriculture, nutrition, water and related environmental policy portfolio and served as the liaison between Roberts’ personal office and the professional staff on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. Flickner is a 2006 graduate of Kansas State University.
On Tue., Dec. 3, Annual Meeting workshops begin at 8 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Workshop topics include crop insurance, the Affordable Care Act, animal disease traceability and K-12 education funding. Ireland’s First Secretary for Food and Agriculture, John Dardis, will give the keynote speech on ag innovation, consumer relations and free trade. County Farm Bureaus will receive awards for their work and county coordinators will be recognized for years of service. Young Farmers & Ranchers contest winners will also be announced.
At the evening banquet, ten Kansas farm families will be recognized for their service to Farm Bureau and their communities. One family will be recognized with the annual Natural Resources Award for using environmental protection measures and conservation practices on its farm. Others will be recognized for distinguished service and as a Friend of Agriculture.
On Wednesday, more than 400 voting delegates will debate and adopt policy statements for 2014. Farmer and rancher leaders will discuss a range of topics including water, animal care, endangered species and energy development.
An agenda is available online at www.kfb.org/news/annualmeeting.
Highlights of the Kansas Farm Bureau 95th Annual Meeting:
Monday, Dec. 2, Summit Leadership Conference for County Leaders
8:15 a.m. - Registration opens
9 – 9:50 a.m. - General Workshops
12:15-1:15 p.m. - Keynote, Katie Pratt
Tuesday, Dec. 3, Annual Meeting
7:30 a.m. - Registration and tradeshow
8 a.m. - Workshops
9 a.m.- Workshops     
10:30 a.m. - Workshops                          
1 p.m.- General Session
6:30 p.m. - Annual Meeting Banquet and Awards
Wednesday, Dec. 4, Voting Delegate Session         
8:30 a.m. - Business Session
Kansas Farm Bureau represents grassroots agriculture. Established in 1919, this non-profit advocacy organization supports farm families who earn their living in a changing industry.