By Julie Tomascik
Editor
President Donald Trump will visit New Orleans next week to address farmers and ranchers in attendance at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show.
“The American Farm Bureau Federation is honored once again to host our nation’s president,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall, a beef and poultry farmer from Georgia. “President Trump has made agriculture a clear priority, giving farmers and ranchers a seat at the table on the top issues affecting our farms, ranches and rural communities. What better way to celebrate 100 years of Farm Bureau than to welcome the president of the United States to our centennial celebration?”
The annual convention is set for Jan. 11-16, and more than 6,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation are expected to attend.
Throughout the convention, they’ll hear from distinguished leaders and participate in a grassroots policy-setting process that will guide AFBF through 2019.
The IDEAg Trade Show will feature exhibits that allow attendees to learn about innovative technologies, shop featured products and hear TED-style talks on the Cultivation Center stage.
Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) members will also participate in several contests.
Justin and Lindsay Hannsz of Erath County Farm Bureau will represent TFB in the Achievement Award competition. This contest recognizes the accomplishments of young agricultural leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 who actively make a living from farming and ranching.
TFB representatives in the Excellence in Agriculture competition are Garren and Shannon Bellis of Van Zandt County Farm Bureau. This contest is designed for young farmers and ranchers ages 18 to 35 who are involved in agriculture but do not earn their primary income from a farm or ranch enterprise.
Madalynn Kainer of Victoria County Farm Bureau will represent TFB in the Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet. Through this contest, Kainer will discuss agricultural issues facing farmers and ranchers and potential solutions to those problems.
TFB will also be represented in AFBF’s IDEAg Trade Show. Several county Farm Bureaus received a County Activities of Excellence Award and will display photos and handouts that showcase the activities they held this year to connect consumers to agriculture. Bell County Farm Bureau, Cherokee County Farm Bureau and Nacogdoches County Farm Bureau will each have a booth in the trade show. The multi-County Farm Bureau partnership of Archer, Baylor, Clay, Montague and Wichita will also be highlighted.
In addition to Trump, other national officials attending AFBF’s annual convention include U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney. Several members of Congress will also be in attendance, including: Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) and Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).
Looking forward to hearing President Trumps speech at the meeting. So proud to be involved in sharing our North Texas project with farmers and ranchers from across the country. Texas Farm Bureau as always working for agriculture and private property owners all across our great state.