Neighbors helping Neighbors.  It’s what we do in agriculture and in the great state of Wyoming. For the 102nd year, agricultural neighbors will gather at the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) Annual Meeting to help their neighbors in the grassroots policy development process.   The WyFB 102nd Annual Meeting is Nov. 11-13, 2021 at the Holiday Inn in Cody. Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy development is the strength of the Federation.  Voting delegates from the county Farm Bureau Federations participate in policy discussion, elect officers and ultimately chart the policy course for the coming year.  Folks also enjoy networking with other farmers and ranchers, seeing old friends and making new friends.  This year’s theme, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” is fitting for the work Farm Bureau Federation members do to keep agriculture strong in Wyoming and America. Tour to kick-off meeting Park County Farm Bureau Federation is sponsoring a tour and providing coffee, juice and donuts at the Wyoming Seed Company facility on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 8:30 a.m. The tour will be given by owners Dave Johnson and Ken Borcher. Mike Moore (Seed Certification) and Gary White (Allied Seed Company) will speak on regional seed production. Pre-registration is requested. Meeting schedule snapshot The annual meeting begins Thursday, Nov. 11 at noon.  WyFB’s four standing committees will meet Thursday afternoon to discuss resolutions pertaining to their areas and make recommendations.  The committees include: Natural and Environmental Resources (NER), State Government Affairs (SGA), Agriculture Tax and General Issues. The committees consist of one representative per county (county committee chairs), the state chair and state vice-chair. A county president’s meeting will open the day on Friday, Nov. 12.  The general and business sessions of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation follow that morning.  Members will hear reports from Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation’s president and executive vice president.  Voting delegates will begin discussing the resolutions and determining what is in the best interest of farmers and ranchers. There will be two guest speakers from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).  AFBF Directors of Congressional Relations Scott Bennett and Shelby Hagenauer will join the meeting and speak on national agriculture issues. After a day of business work, Friday evening’s banquet is a time to celebrate our farmers and ranchers.  The Distinguished Service and Farm Bureau Leadership Awards will be presented.   Resolutions consideration, elections, and a WyFB YF&R report conclude the meeting on Saturday. Foundation Fundraiser Members are again invited this year to donate to the Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation.  Donors will have their names placed in a drawing for a Commemorative Centennial Henry Golden Boy Rifle donated by the Laramie County Farm Bureau Federation.  See page XX for details.  The Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation supports educational programs for agriculture producers and legal issues which impact Wyoming agriculture.  “Harvest for All” Fundraiser The WyFB Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) eighteenth annual “Harvest for All” fund drive will take place at annual meeting.  Monetary donations (we are unable to accept food donations) will benefit the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies, a credentialed Feeding America Harvest affiliate serving Wyoming communities.  Please bring your monetary donations to the registration desk at annual meeting.   Additionally, the WyFB YF&R Committee will hold their annual playing card raffle so plan to buy your playing card raffle chances from any WyFB YF&R Committee member during annual meeting. Hotel Reservations A room block has been secured at the Holiday Inn and Comfort Inn (these sister hotels both connect to the meeting venue).  To make a reservation, call the Holiday Inn at 307.587.5555 or the Comfort Inn at 307.587.5556. To receive the group discount rate of $104/night, reservations must be made by phone.  Refer to “Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation” and group code ZLJ to be eligible.  The reservation deadline is October 27.  After that date, reservations will be subject to availability. Registration Pre-registration forms are requested by October 27.  Please email Brooke Roes at broes@wyfb.org or call 307-721-7723 to register for the meeting.  You may also contact your county Farm Bureau Federation president to learn more about attending the state annual meeting. The meeting agenda will be printed in the November issue of Wyoming Agriculture.  The agenda will also be available as the meeting gets closer at www.wyfb.org.