The 92nd annual meeting of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation will be at the Little America in Cheyenne Nov. 10-12, 2011.  Featured speakers include Wyoming Governor Matt Mead, United States Senator Mike Enzi, American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher National Chair Ben LaCross, Attorney Harriet Hageman and Dr. Gary Sides. 

             National issues impacting Wyoming will be discussed by United States Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11.   Harriet Hageman, a Cheyenne attorney, will speak about the impact of conservation easements during the Friday luncheon.  Wyoming Governor Matt Mead will speak to Farm Bureau members at 2:15 p.m. on Friday. 

            On Saturday, Ben LaCross will speak at 10:30 a.m. about the young farmer and rancher program.

            “This year’s speakers will give Farm Bureau members an opportunity to hear about national and state issues impacting us in Wyoming and how each person can make a difference beginning at the grassroots level,” Ken Hamilton, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation executive vice president, said. 

            Foundation Symposium—Thursday morning

            A global perspective on the impact of technology on agriculture will be discussed at the November 10 “Today’s Agriculture, Feeding the World” Symposium hosted by the Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation.   Dr. Gary Sides presents an entertaining, science based and global view of how we use technology to feed the world.  Dr. Sides will speak from 8:15-9:45 a.m. and the forum is free and open to the public. 

            In addition to the informative speakers, members will work on policy development; which is the main focus of the meeting. 

            Thursday, Nov. 10

            The meeting begins Thursday, Nov. 10 with registration at 11 a.m.  Following lunch, WyFB’s four standing committees will meet to discuss resolutions pertaining to their areas and make recommendations for the entire delegate body to consider.   The committees are made-up of one representative per county (county committee chairs) and the state chair and state vice-chair.

            A county presidents meeting will follow the committee meetings.  After that meeting, the YF&R Committee is offering a mini-breakout session on “Ag Books” classroom presentations. 

            Friday, Nov. 11

            The general and business sessions of the Wyoming Farm Bureau begin Friday morning, Nov. 11 at 8 a.m.  Members will hear reports from Wyoming Farm Bureau’s president and executive vice president as well as the C.E.O. of Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company.  Voting delegates will begin discussing the resolutions and determining what is in the best interest of the agriculture industry.

            After a day of business work, Friday evening’s banquet is a time to celebrate our agriculture industry and the friendships in the organization.  The Distinguished Service and Farm Bureau Leadership Awards will be presented at this time.

 
 
 

Saturday, Nov. 12

            The general session will reconvene at 8 a.m. for business work.  The Young Farmer & Rancher Committee report, County Activities of Excellence awards and state elections will take place Saturday morning.

            “The grassroots policy development process is unique to Farm Bureau,” WyFB President Perry Livingston said.  “It provides every member, beginning at the local level, the opportunity to voice their issues through a united front.”

            Registration

          Pre-registration is requested and strongly encouraged by Nov. 1, 2011, but not required for attendance.  Reservations made after this date, will be honored based on availability.  Online registration is available at www.wyfb.org or contact Dominique Giroux at dgiroux@wyfb.org or 800.442.8325. 

Meeting agenda

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agriculture organization. The primary goals of the organization are to protect private property rights and help members achieve an equitable return on their investment.