The American Farm Bureau Federation continues with an exciting calendar of in-person and virtual programming Sunday, focused on the hottest topics and most pressing issues for farmers, ranchers and consumers in 2023.
Sunday’s plethora of programming includes two general sessions, 12 workshops, the live pitch competition for the final four Ag Innovation Challenge teams and the Sweet 16 round of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet. AFBF President Zippy Duvall will deliver his keynote remarks during the opening general session at 9:30 a.m. Atlantic Time.
The mid general session, which begins at 4 p.m. Atlantic Time, features an inspiring keynote address from renowned artist, songwriter and humanitarian Big Kenny Alphin. The Farm Dog of the Year and Distinguished Service Award winner will be announced during this session as well.
Featured workshops available for virtual attendees will focus on what to expect for the 118th Congress, helping farmers cope with stress and anxiety, the 2023 farm bill and the geopolitical outlook for agriculture in the new year. Cultivation Center Stage programming includes a discussion between President Duvall and Dr. Marcus Bernard, president of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS).
Start times, locations and descriptions of all workshops are available here. Learn more about the Cultivation Center Stage programming here.
Saturday Recap
Though the Convention fully opens Sunday, plenty of action took place today. From tours of Puerto Rico agriculture to the opening of the trade show and Cultivation Center Stage, Saturday had plenty to offer for attendees in-person and online.
AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan and Economist Danny Munch reported on the results of the Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum at the Cultivation Center Stage during the Recap of the AFBF Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum and Next Steps in Federal Order Reform. All parties reached consensus on several issues and the event was well-attended by state Farm Bureaus.
“We are representing farmers and we are taking your policy concerns to the hearing process so that the farmer’s voice is heard,” Dr. Cryan said.
Later, AFBF Senior Director of Advocacy and Political Management Randy Dwyer summarized the results of the midterm election, which issues mattered most to voters and what the new leadership means to rural communities at the Cultivation Center Stage session titled Election Recap, Rural Priorities and Key Congressional Leaders. AFBF Executive Vice President Joby Young discussed funding opportunities available through the Native American Agriculture Fund with the Fund’s CEO Toni Stanger-McLaughlin.
To end the day, AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Isabella Chism facilitated a conversation on Breaking Through the Chaos in Washington featuring AFBF Senior Directors of Government Affairs Courtney Briggs and Shelby Hagenauer and Dr. John Newton, chief economist for the Senate Agriculture Committee. Briggs, Hagenauer and Newton all emphasized the importance of getting to know your elected officials and establishing a relationship with them.
“They say, in Washington, it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know,” Briggs said.
Virtual registration is available throughout convention. The full schedule and virtual registration information can all be found at annualconvention.fb.org/virtual.
