Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 103rd Convention recently adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2022. Key topics ranged from milk pricing and beef market transparency to urban agriculture.

“Delegates from all 50 state Farm Bureaus and Puerto Rico came together today to demonstrate the power of grassroots leadership,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The policies set forth will guide Farm Bureau in its mission to advocate for farmers and ranchers and build a sustainable future of safe and abundant food, fiber and renewable fuel for our entire nation and world.”

Delegates also re-elected AFBF President Zippy Duvall and Vice President Scott VanderWal for their fourth terms. Utah Farm Bureau President Ron Gibson was also re-elected to a two-year term on the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors. Dot Jensen, the Utah Women's Leadership Committee Chair, was also re-elected to the AFBF Women's Leadership Committee.

Dan Glessing, president of Minnesota Farm Bureau (Midwest Region); Brent Johnson, president of Iowa Farm Bureau (Midwest Region); and Eric Mayberry, president of Tennessee Farm Bureau (Southern Region), were elected to fill one-year terms on the AFBF board of directors. Jeb Smith, president of Florida Farm Bureau (Southern Region), was elected to a two-year term.

Twelve other state Farm Bureau presidents were re-elected to two-year terms to represent their regions on the board.


Midwest Region

  • Carl Bednarski, Michigan
  • Kevin Krentz, Wisconsin
  • Mark McHargue, Nebraska

Northeast Region

  • Rick Ebert, Pennsylvania
  • Ryck Suydam, New Jersey

Southern Region 

  • Mark Haney, Kentucky
  • Harry Ott, South Carolina
  • Rich Hillman, Arkansas
  • Jimmy Parnell, Alabama
  • Wayne Pryor, Virginia

Western Region

  • Ron Gibson, Utah
  • Bryan Searle, Idaho


National Program Committees

Vickie Bryant of Kentucky (Southern Region), Jennifer Cross of Maryland (Northeast Region), Margaret Gladden of Indiana (Midwest Region) and Dotty Jensen of Utah (Western Region) were re-elected to two-year terms on the Women’s Leadership Committee.

Alisha Schwertner of Texas was elected chair of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, taking over the position in February at the end of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference for a one-year term. Tanner Clark of Missouri was elected vice chair and Jessica Wade of Idaho was elected secretary. They will each serve one-year terms. 

AFBF thanks the more than 50 speakers and more than 4,000 registered attendees who helped make the 2022 Convention such a success. Registered attendees may view selected workshops and sessions on-demand on the convention website for the next 90 days.

Planning for the American Farm Bureau’s 2023 Convention has already begun. Mark your calendar to meet us Jan. 6-11, 2023, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.