Kicking off our Centennial Celebration - November 2019
Published
11/1/2019
The Southwest District will host the 100th annual meeting in Laramie beginning on Wednesday November 13th. This will be the kickoff for our 100th Celebration and we have a number of additions to this year's meeting to help begin the celebration. AFBF president Zippy Duvall will be the keynote speaker at the banquet Thursday evening. As the head of the largest agricultural organization in the nation we are honored to have an opportunity to hear from President Duvall. We will also have Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band entertain us later that evening. Many of you have probably heard Chancey's songs on your local radio station. Chancey's family are long time ranchers from the Crook County area and it’s going to be nice to hear from a home-grown talent.
The new Dean of the College of Agriculture Barbara Rasco will welcome us to Laramie which is only fitting given the role the Extension Service played in the early beginnings of Farm Bureau. Early Farm Bureau activities revolved around the important role of agriculture and the ideas being formulated by our land grant universities to improve production and rural lives. Stacia Berry, Assistant Director for the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, will also be able to visit with our members.
Of course, as always policy discussions and election of WyFB leadership is the main reason to gather with your fellow delegates.
It will also be an opportunity to look at some 100th Anniversary commemorative items which folks can purchase to help celebrate this occasion. Many of you who have attended your county Farm Bureau meeting probably got to look at the Henry rifle with the 100th Anniversary logo embossed in the stock. The Laramie County Farm Bureau has been leading this program and people who want to remember this occasion by getting a 100th Anniversary rifle can go to the Laramie County Farm Bureau Federation page on the Wyoming Farm Bureau web site for details. We'll also have a “Wyoming Made” wool blanket available with our 100th logo through the efforts of Mountain Meadow Wool in Buffalo. There's even a pretty good chance the wool came from a Wyoming Farm Bureau member. A 100th Anniversary belt buckle and cuff bracelet are also available to wear in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary jacket. If you happen to have a horse that needs a little help with its “get along” then the 100th Anniversary spurs are for you. And Centennial barn signs will help you share your Farm Bureau pride.
Policy resolutions which help direct the organization, AFBF President, Dean Rasco, Stacia Berry and a number of 100th Anniversary items and activities should help kick the 100th Anniversary off in fashion.
By Ken Hamilton, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President