By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Engaging with membership and efforts to increase consumer outreach helped Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) receive national recognition during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 101st annual convention in Austin on Sunday, Jan. 19.
AFBF presented awards to state Farm Bureaus to recognize excellence in implementation of outstanding member programs and membership achievement in 2019.
“We had a great convention,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “We won some awards and received recognition for efforts by our members, leaders and staff.”
TFB received two awards—the New Horizon Award and the Pinnacle Award.
The New Horizon Award honors states with the most innovative new programs.
“We try a lot of new things each year, but the new and innovative program in 2019 that we chose to focus on was working with the Texas Restaurant Association,” Boening said.
It was the first time TFB was involved in the Texas Restaurant Association’s Marketplace. The event, which is the second largest foodservice trade show in the U.S., attracts nearly 10,000 attendees.
As part of the trade show, TFB set up an exhibit that included a produce stand, beehive box, a live observation beehive and a monitor playing Meet a Farmer videos. TFB members also participated in a panel discussion.
In addition to the New Horizon Award, TFB took home the Pinnacle Award, which is the highest honor a state can be awarded for membership and program achievement.
Farm Bureaus compete annually for this award against other state Farm Bureaus of the same-sized membership. Of the five membership categories, Texas is in the group with the largest state memberships in the nation.
To earn this award, TFB first had to receive Awards for Excellence in four program areas: advocacy; engagement and outreach; leadership and business development; and membership value.
“The Pinnacle Award takes in everything that we do—whether it’s advocacy, public affairs, organizational programs, membership, consumer outreach and membership,” he said. “To win the Pinnacle Award in your size group of Farm Bureaus is extremely impressive.”
This award highlights the importance of the work that TFB staff and leadership does across the Lone Star State, Boening noted.
“Winning these two awards, in the same year, is a testament to the focus of our organization. The numerous elements involved don’t allow us to concentrate on just one area of our program of work,” TFB Executive Director/COO Si Cook said. “TFB was recognized at this convention for being an all-around player in the business of protecting and promoting the interests of agriculture.”