More than 1,000 Farm Bureau members in Kansas will gather in Manhattan Dec. 1-2 for their organization’s 96th Annual Meeting.
The meeting, at the Hilton Garden Inn and Manhattan Convention Center, will feature cutting-edge workshops and discussion of important public policy issues.
Keynote speakers include American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman; Kansas rancher, agriculture advocate and blogger Debbie Lyons-Blythe; and Mary Kay Thatcher, one of the nation’s most respected farm lobbyists.
On Sunday, Nov. 30, KFB’s Foundation for Agriculture will host a fundraiser at the Kansas Farm Bureau building. Tickets are $35 and include dinner, live and silent auctions, and a viewing of the Farmland movie.
On Monday, Dec. 1, the annual meeting begins at 8 a.m. Workshop topics include succession planning, advocating for agriculture, the 2014 farm bill, water and ag technology. Debbie Lyons-Blythe, Kansas rancher, advocate, blogger and America’s Farmers Mom of the Year for 2012, will share her experience and passion for telling agriculture’s story.
County Farm Bureaus will receive awards for their work and county coordinators will be recognized for years of service. One family will be recognized with the 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.
At the evening banquet, 10 Kansas farm families will be recognized for their service to Farm Bureau and their communities. Retiring Kansas Farm Bureau President Steve Baccus will be honored with comments from guests including Gov., Senators Roberts and Moran and American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.
On Tuesday, more than 400 voting delegates will debate and adopt policy statements for 2015 and elect a new president. Farmer and rancher leaders will discuss topics including water, taxes, endangered species and energy development.
For more information visit http://www.kfb.org/news/annualmeeting.
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.