Utah Farm Bureau (UFBF) leadership visited Washington, D.C. after the recent convention to visit with congressional offices and to receive updates on issues from American Farm Bureau leadership. The visit also provided new Board members with the opportunity to build relationships with each other and unify behind new policy priorities.

“It was great for us all to come together and get updated on some national issues and receiving training on how to be most effective as a board from our national leadership,” said ValJay Rigby, President of the Utah Farm Bureau. “And despite it being the holidays and a time of change in Washington, we were able to have time visiting with many of our congressional offices as they prepare for the new session of congress.”

Rep. Celeste Maloy (left) gives a tour of the U.S. Capitol to members of the Utah Fam Bureau Board & Staff

Upon arriving in Washington, Congresswoman Celeste Maloy took time to take the State Board and staff on a tour of the capitol and shared many of her experiences since becoming a member of Congress. Having previously served as chief legal counsel to former Rep. Chris Stewart, Rep. Maloy’s experiences working in natural resources have been a great benefit for Utah agriculture.

Board members doing training with American Farm Bureau in Washington, D.C.

The UFBF Board received training at the American Farm Bureau’s offices, focusing on governance best practices and updates on western congressional issues. Many of these priorities were shared with congressional offices later that day, as board members were able to share concerns when meeting with Congresswoman Maloy and her staff.

In addition to work of implementing UFBF policy, Board members visited Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello and had the special opportunity to place a Utah Farm Bureau wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is Arlington National Cemetery.

Presenting the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery

With the board having been recently elected in November, the training and policy briefings were especially helpful as the board, staff, and local County Farm Bureau leaders go about implementing Farm Bureau policy during the upcoming Utah legislative session beginning in late January.