More than 300 farmers and ranchers from across the state will converge on downtown Billings for the Montana Farm Bureau Convention November 13-16 at the Double Tree and Northern Hotels. The theme “Connecting at the Trailhead” captures the coming together of farmers and ranchers to work toward the common goal of promoting agriculture, dealing with regulations and providing food for a hungry world.
Speakers for the MFBF Convention include Vance Crowe, the director of millennial engagement for Monsanto, who will give Monday morning’s keynote address; American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee Chair, Sherry Saylor, who will discuss ag promotion and education at Monday’s lunch; and Greg Page, former CEO of Cargill, who will delve into the challenges and choices faced by farmers as they strive to feed a more populous world.
Monday’s workshops run the gamut from biotech labeling to microbrews, along with estate planning and climate change/climate cooling strategies, social media and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The challenging Montana Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet takes place Monday afternoon. The YF&R Discussion Meet contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. The winner of the YF&R Discussion Meet receives a Polaris Ranger and an all-expense paid trip to compete in the national competition in Phoenix in January.
During the Resolutions Session Tuesday, voting delegates from across the state meet to discuss and vote on what will become MFBF Policy for 2017. In addition, the group will vote on who will be the new president and vice president, as current president Bob Hanson retires from many years of service to Farm Bureau. At the Tuesday evening awards banquet, county Farm Bureaus will be recognized for their hard work during the year. Immediately following the awards ceremony, Ag’s Funny Man, Damian Mason will deliver ag-themed entertainment with an edge.
“Once again, the Montana Farm Bureau Convention promises to have something for everyone, from interesting workshops to excellent speakers on topics pertinent to agriculture,” noted MFBF President Bob Hanson. “Of course, the resolution session defines Farm Bureau as truly grassroots. This is when our members bring policy from their county Farm Bureaus and decide if that will become Farm Bureau policy.”
