|
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Farm Bureau’s role in
“Feeding the Future” will be the focus for the organization’s 76th
Annual Convention, scheduled for Dec. 1-3 at the Hot Springs Convention
Center.
Gov. Mike Beebe, Farm Bureau President Randy Veach and
combat veteran Wes Moore headline the speakers for the convention,
expected to attract more than 1,000.
The gathering will also recognize five members of the
state’s congressional delegation as “Friends of Farm Bureau.” U.S.
Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, along with Congressmen Marion
Berry, John Boozman and Mike Ross will receive recognition. The Friend
of Farm Bureau awards are issued at the end of each Congressional
session to those members who have a positive voting record on issues
important to agriculture and the Farm Bureau, and who are accessible
and responsive to Farm Bureau members and leaders.
The convention’s theme, “Feeding the Future,” will play out
in several conferences, competitions and special meetings throughout
the convention’s three-day run. It will culminate with the
organization’s annual business session, where its 331 voting delegates
elect the president and vice president and define the organization’s
policy positions on items of importance to the Farm Bureau membership.
“We believe the theme of this convention manifests itself
in many ways,” said Veach, a cotton, rice and soybean farmer from
Manila (Mississippi County) who is concluding his second year as
president of the organization. “Obviously, the men and women of
agriculture have the opportunity to feed and clothe a growing world
population, and we enthusiastically embrace that responsibility.
“But the theme also illustrates how Arkansas Farm Bureau and
its leaders have thoughts, ideas and plans that will positively impact
the future of Arkansas and the United States. Our county Farm Bureau
leaders are the men and women who make our communities thrive, and
their role in the ongoing success of our state cannot be overstated.”
The convention will spotlight the winners in Farm Bureau’s
Young Farmer & Rancher competitions — the Discussion Meet and the
Excellence in Ag and Achievement awards. The top county Farm Bureau
women’s program and Sew With Cotton contest winners are all featured,
as well. Additionally, the organization will name its
Ag-in-the-Classroom Teacher of the Year.
Additionally, a number of special conferences will take
place, covering environmental issues, rural health topics, and public
policy items, along with private property and mineral rights concerns.
Commodity-specific conferences in poultry, rice, timber, cotton, beef,
soybeans, dairy, wheat and feed grains, and equine are also scheduled.
|