By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Texas farmers and ranchers will address organizational policy issues and be recognized for membership achievements at the 88th annual meeting of Texas Farm Bureau Dec. 3-5 in Corpus Christi.
The agenda for this year’s annual meeting will be a bit different than previous years.
Friday, Dec. 3
Registration will begin Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. TFB member services exhibits, County Activities of Excellence winners and TFB’s Doorways to Agriculture exhibit will be on display from 3-6 p.m.
The Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Discussion Meet registration and orientation will begin at 5 p.m.
Members can also enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship during the Annual Convention Welcome Event, which will be dueling pianos. The event, sponsored by the YF&R Advisory Committee, is scheduled for 8-10 p.m. at the Omni Hotel.
Saturday, Dec. 4
Activities will begin on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 8 a.m. The events include TFB member services exhibits, County Activities of Excellence displays, TFB’s Doorways to Agriculture exhibit, the YF&R Silent Auction and county delegate photos.
Also this year, a special guest will be in attendance in the exhibit area. Jen Betton, the illustrator of the children’s book Barn at Night, will be signing copies of the book. It is the latest from the American Farm Bureau Foundation For Agriculture’s publishing venture. The book features a father and daughter working in the pre-dawn hours in their barn to feed and care for their animals.
Betton lives in Dallas and has received numerous awards for her illustrations.
The first round of the Discussion Meet also begins at 8 a.m., followed by the second round at 10 a.m. The final round will begin at 1 p.m. Members are encouraged to watch the young farmers and ranchers participate in the various rounds.
The three YF&R Excellence in Agriculture finalists will each give a presentation, beginning at 9 a.m.
The Opening General Session will begin at 2 p.m.
During the session, members of the AgLead-FarmLead XV class will be recognized, as will the winners of the Pioneer Awards, Media Awards, Communications Awards and Outstanding Ag in the Classroom Teacher.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been invited to address members during the session.
District caucuses will begin after the general session concludes, and the AGFUND dinner, which is invitation only, is slated for the evening.
Sunday, Dec. 5
On Sunday, the meeting will resume at 8 a.m. with a devotional and tribute video, followed by membership recognition and the announcement of the YF&R contest winners. Members will also hear from Gov. Greg Abbott via video.
A delegate luncheon and YF&R Live Auction will be held before the business session. The money raised during the live auction benefits TFB’s scholarship program.
During the business session, members will discuss state and national policy issues to guide the organization’s advocacy efforts.
“Our members will address the needs of farmers and ranchers and rural communities through our grassroots policy development process,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Our policy discussions will look at ways to strengthen agriculture in our state and nation. We want to make sure agriculture stays sustainable and profitable, ensuring we have a nutritious food and fiber supply.”
Registration details
A link to the reservations and the tentative agenda is available online at texasfarmbureau.org/annualmeeting.
More annual meeting details will be posted online as information becomes available.