January 8, 2019 – SANDY, Utah – Approximately 80 agricultural leaders and Utah Farm Bureau members will be traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana to join more than 6,000 other agricultural leaders from around the country at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 100th 2019 AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, January 11-15, 2019.

The Annual Convention is an opportunity for members across the nation to come together for business, educational and networking opportunities. During this meeting delegates selected from across the nation will discuss and adopt policies for the coming year and elect leadership to guide these policies forward.

“This year’s convention will really focus on the theme of engagement, and leading out on the important issues facing agriculture,” said Ron Gibson, President of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. “As the largest general farm and ranch organization, we know it’s important to bring everyone together – to unite as an industry – so we’re more effective at advocating for issues that impact all of us. We’re also excited to celebrate the American Farm Bureau’s 100th anniversary.”

The convention kicks off Friday morning with a series of farm management and informational breakout sessions, as well as opening rounds of competitive events for Young Farmers & Ranchers. AFBF President Zippy Duvall will share Farm Bureau’s direction for 2019 with the opening general session Sunday morning.

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will address farm and ranch families from across the nation on Monday as part of the convention’s closing general session.

The Utah Farm Bureau delegation will be hearing issues ranging from the economic outlook for the 2019 crop and livestock markets, connecting agricultural issues to non-farming audiences, exploring the implications of the new political landscape, successful strategies for recruiting volunteers, several biotech and immigration issues, public land issues, and more.

“Successful farming and ranching in the 21st century involves managing a vast amount of knowledge and information on a day-to-day basis,” Ron Gibson said. “This can be a real challenge, but by attending the national Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in New Orleans, Farm Bureau members can cut through the clutter and return home with a better understanding of how all the various issues impact their lives and livelihoods.”

In addition to the convention, Farm Bureau members will able to attend the IDEAg Trade Show and dozens of workshops covering a variety of topics and issues. Three young Utah farm families will be competing with their counterparts across the country for awards given to the top, young farmers and ranchers in the country. These families will be representing the Millard, Wasatch, and Washington County Farm Bureaus.

For more information please contact Matt Hargreaves, Vice President of Communications for the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, at matt.hargreaves@fbfs.com, or you can follow the convention hashtag at #AFBF19.