Yellow PagesSALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention will focus on energy and climate issues, as well as the current economic conditions for agriculture at its annual convention, November 19-20, at the Davis Conference Center in Layton, Utah.
"We are really excited with the array of speakers and presenters we have at this year's convention," said Leland Hogan, President of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. "The state of our local and national economy is certainly in the minds of everyone right now, and this convention presents the opportunity for great discussion on energy policy, animal agriculture, and private property issues and how we propose to go about solving these problems."
Thursday's agenda will feature reports from Utah Farm Bureau President Leland Hogan and CEO Randy Parker, in addition to Mark Maslyn, Executive Director of Public Policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation, who will add to the discussion on the challenges that will face American agriculture in the coming year in light of current economic challenges from national and international forces.
Following Maslyn will be the presentation of the Aldo Leopold Conservation award which is sponsored by the Sand County Foundation, the Utah Farm Bureau, WesternAg Credit and the Utah Cattlemen's Association. Amanda Smith, Director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, will address the convention and help Farm Bureau present the award which honors farmers and ranchers dedicated to the conservation and wise stewardship of Utah's natural resources.
Thursday will also include the final round of the Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet - a forum type competition where Utah's young farmers and ranchers address the pressing issues facing agriculture today and present ideas for solutions. Rather than a debate, this competition features the participants' ability to work together for consensus in problem solving rather than resorting to emotional rhetoric.
On Friday, convention goers will hear from Jim Karpowitz, Director of Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources, on managing Utah's wildlife and Utah Representative Kerry Gibson, a dairy farmer from Ogden, Weber County, will speak to the political forces impacting Utah agriculture.
Friday will also include an entertaining presentation by the author of the book A Train to Potevka, Mike Ramsdell. A Bear River native and USU Aggie, Ramsdell will talk about his experiences as an intelligence officer in the last days of the Soviet Union and the lessons he learned while there.
The convention will feature breakout sessions addressing topics such as identity theft, the benefits to schools from Utah's trust lands, and a presentation regarding the Federal Deficit Task Force created by the American Farm Bureau to discuss the serious problem of America's growing deficit and potential solutions to that problem.
The annual Gala Agricultural Banquet will be Friday evening, Nov. 20, with the awarding of the Utah Farm Bureau ‘Friend of Farm Bureau' award. The gala will include remarks from Utah Senator Bob Bennett and will conclude with entertainment from stars on the country music scene, ‘Due West'.
