LARAMIE--The 93rd annual meeting of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Laramie Nov. 15-17, 2012; preceded by the WyFB Foundation Symposium. 

     The WyFB Foundation Symposium on Nov. 15 will feature a private property rights panel and is open to the public.  The panelists are University of Wyoming Law Professor Alan Romero; Attorney Stacia Berry, Hageman and Brighton; and Olen Snider, Jr.,Summit Title General Counsel.

     Featured speakers at the annual meeting include American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Chief Economist Bob Young and AFBF Director of Congressional Relations Mary Kay Thatcher.

 Property Rights Symposium—Thursday Morning

Open to the Public

            The Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation Symposium 2012 will feature a Private Property Rights Panel.  Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Thursday Nov. 15, the panel will consist of three speakers and will include question and answer time.  The Symposium will conclude at 11 a.m.

            The panelists will discuss private property rights and the importance of the “bundle of sticks” in regards to property rights. 

            Alan Romero is a University of Wyoming Law Professor and Director of the Rural Law Center.  Romero will talk about the foundation of property rights as they relate to agriculture and what is in the bundle of sticks of property rights.  Fences and the issues of trespass will also be discussed.

            Attorney Stacia Berry joined Hageman & Brighton, P.C. in August and looks forward to working for the agricultural industry.  A former WyFB Young Farmer & Rancher Collegiate Discussion Meet winner, Berry will focus on eminent domain issues.

            Olen Snider, Jr., general counsel for Summit Title Services, will talk about the practical impediments of easements on land titles.  In his current position, Snider focuses primarily on property, business, and finance law.  Among his extensive experience, Snider has served as managing editor of the Land and Water Law Review. 

The symposium is free and open to the public.

Additional speakers

“Commodity Price Outlook for the Next Two to Five Years” is the topic of the address by AFBF Chief Economist Bob Young.  Young will speak to Farm Bureau members on Friday morning, Nov. 16.

On Friday afternoon, AFBF’s Mary Kay Thatcher will provide an “Update on the Farm Bill.”  Thatcher is a director of congressional relations for AFBF.  She focuses primarily on farm programs, crop insurance and credit.

Thursday, Nov. 15

            The annual meeting officially begins Thursday, Nov. 15 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. 

            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. 16

            The general and business sessions of the Wyoming Farm Bureau begin Friday morning, Nov. 16 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.  A dance will follow to music by “The Ranchers.”

Saturday, Nov. 17

            The general session will reconvene at 8 a.m.  The day will begin with the final round of the Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet.  Following the competition will be business work, the YF&R Committee report and awards, County Activities of Excellence awards and state elections.

“Harvest for All” Food Drive

            The WyFB YF&R ninth annual “Harvest for All” food drive will take place at annual meeting.  The American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Committee is working with Feeding America to help feed Americans who face hunger.  It’s America’s first harvesters helping America’s second harvesters in what we call a “Harvest for All.” 

            Monetary donations will benefit the Wyoming Food Bank, a credentialed Feeding America Harvest affiliate serving Wyoming communities.  Food donations will benefit a local food bank. 

Registration

            Pre-registration is requested and strongly encouraged by Nov. 9, 2012, but not required for attendance.  Reservations made after this date will be honored based on availability.  Members may register online at www.wyfb.org or county presidents may submit names to Dominique Giroux at dgiroux@wyfb.org or 800.442.8325.  Contact your local county Farm Bureau president if you plan to attend.  Phone numbers are available at www.wyfb.org or by calling 800.442.8325.

        The meeting agenda is available at www.wyfb.org

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.

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WyFB Annual Meeting Agenda                                 WyFB Foundation Symposium Private Property Rights Flyer