Great speakers and dynamic educational workshops will highlight this year’s 2017 American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show in January. The event will take place Jan. 6-11 at Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Nearly 6,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation are expected to gather to hear inspirational leaders and participate in a grassroots policy-setting process that will guide AFBF through 2017. This year’s convention is centered on the idea of uniting members from across the country to celebrate the importance of American agriculture.
The convention will kick off with the opening general session Sunday morning, when AFBF President Zippy Duvall will share Farm Bureau’s direction for 2017. At the closing general session on Monday morning, football stars Peyton and Archie Manning will give the closing keynote address.
Farm Bureau members will choose from several workshops covering a variety of topics, such as the developing a new Farm Bill, immigration, media training, crisis management, GMOs, antibiotics, agricultural literacy, and much more.
Also during the convention, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers members will participate in YF&R competitive events. Isaac Fisher will compete for the YF&R Achievement Award, Rachel Pickens for the Excellence in Agriculture competition, and Jennifer Howard in the YF&R Discussion Meet.
In addition to regular convention sessions and workshops, members are also invited to attend a number of special events. Members will celebrate the AFBF heritage of grassroots and get a first look at the 2017 IDEAg Trade Show exhibitors during the Celebration of Grassroots Reception on Saturday. After the closing general session and keynote presentation on Monday morning, members will travel the states in a culinary adventure during the Taste of America event, which showcases what farmers and ranchers produce every day. Be sure to visit the Cultivation Center, the educational centerpiece of the trade show, to hear from AFBF exhibitors, sponsors, educators and ag enthusiasts in 15-minute sessions. Bring the whole family to the first ever Farm Bureau Farm to 5K Saturday morning, a race that will take you through beautiful downtown Phoenix while interacting with other Farm Bureau members.
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture will also host several activities, such as the Foundation Golf Classic, Flapjacks with the Foundation, Foundation’s Book of the Year Signing, and the Foundation’s Night Out.
Click here for a link to the convention program.
For more information and a complete list of events, visit www.annualconvention.fb.org.
