Agricultural News
Nation's Largest General Farm Organization Heading for the Pacific Northwest
Thu, 07 Jan 2010 1:25:19 CST
Climate change legislation, livestock care issues and social media tools will be at the forefront of topics discussed during conferences at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 91st annual meeting, Jan. 10-13, in Seattle, Wash. As a preview to the 2010 meeeting, we talked with the President of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Mike Spradling, about the Oklahoma delegation heading to this year's meeting and the key policy issues that he anticipates will be discussed this next week as delegates set the organization's policy for 2010. Click on the Listen Bar below to hear our conversation with President Spradling.
AFBF President Bob Stallman will deliver his annual address at 9:30 a.m. (PST) on Sunday, Jan. 10, during the general session in Seattle. It has been 58 years since the AFBF annual meeting was last held in the Emerald City.
The exciting conference lineup includes Christopher Horner's "story behind the story," Global Warming: A Red Hot Lie?, Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Horner, a frequent guest on national news shows, has testified before Congress, spoken to the European Parliament and is the best-selling author of two widely acclaimed books on global warming and environmental policy.
AFBF remains strongly opposed to congressional climate change legislation. AFBF has launched the "Don't Cap Our Future" grassroots campaign to mobilize Farm Bureau members to contact members of Congress to speak out against the legislation. A member-action booth will feature the campaign during the annual Tradeshow exhibit at the meeting.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation will be leading a conference titled, A Pro-active Approach to Livestock Care Challenges, Sunday at 1:45 p.m. In November, Ohioans voted overwhelmingly in support of Issue 2, which will create a livestock care standards board within that state. OFBF established the Center for Food and Animal Issues as part of its pro-active strategy in response to efforts by out-of-state animal rights groups who desired a ban on certain livestock practices in Ohio.
Gina Schreck will help shed some light on technology and social trends shaping our world, Monday at 9:30 a.m., in her conference, Turn on the Lights; Technology Has Left Me in the Dark! This program is for those who (in the past) resisted the "mobile phone" and may still be boggled by social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Schreck will answer questions and help those in attendance discover how to use social media tools effectively to tell their stories.
Bringing a taste of Seattle to the lineup, on Monday at 1:30 p.m., Joseph Michelli, Ph.D., will be sharing his wisdom into the fundamental values and amazing transformation of the world famous Pike Place Fish Market. When Fish Fly: Lessons from the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market will discuss the remarkable success it has achieved through its unique culture and marketing strategies. Located downtown, Pike Place offers an abundance of fresh fish, flowers, produce, pastries and many other delectable treats. It is even the home of the very first Starbucks.
Pike Place is only one of the many unique attractions that Seattle has to offer. Farm Bureau members visiting the city will be able to take the Monorail to visit the Space Needle, NASA, the Science Fiction Museum and more.
The keynote speaker for this year's annual meeting is Pittsburgh Steelers football legend and Texas rancher Terry Bradshaw. He will speak at the Monday afternoon general session. Bradshaw is a four-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, two-time Super Bowl "Most Valuable Player" and Pro Football Hall of Fame member. He owns an 800-acre ranch in Texas, where he raises cattle and breeds horses.
On Tuesday the delegate session will begin to decide what policies will lead AFBF through 2010. As this is an election year, state delegates will also have the opportunity to vote for AFBF president before the convention officially ends on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
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