La. Farm Bureau Celebrating 100 Years of Serving State’s Farmers and Ranchers
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest general farm organization, will hold its 100th Annual Meeting and Centennial Celebration June 23-26, 2022 at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal St.
The 100th Annual Meeting will be a “family reunion” of sorts because it will be the first in-person convention in two years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1,500 farmers, ranchers and their families are expected to attend the four-day convention, where Louisiana Farm Bureau volunteer leaders from across the state set policy for the coming year, host conferences for all of the state’s farm commodities and hold contests for rural youth.
“It’s going to be great to have all of our grassroots leadership together again,” said Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper. “We have a lot of catching up to do, not just on the personal side, but on setting policy and preparing for the 2023 Farm Bill. Bringing a voice to that debate is vitally important as agriculture is facing record high costs for fuel, fertilizer and all other inputs.”
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon are all scheduled to speak during the convention.
The convention will hold two general sessions. One on Friday, June 24 at 1:30 p.m. and another Sunday at 9:30 a.m. It’s during these sessions when most elected officials and those running for office are expected to attend.
Friday night is when attendees will celebrate 100 years of Louisiana Farm Bureau with a Centennial Celebration featuring live music from Nik-L-Beer and a party worthy of the rich history of the organization.
Saturday will feature commodity conferences for the farm products grown or raised in the state where experts will share their knowledge and expertise and members will discuss issues and policy recommendations. John Deere, Sunshine Quality Solutions and Goldman Equipment will sponsor a lunch and exhibit to showcase some of the latest technology available on the farm. There will be a special Farm Bill Conference immediately following the lunch where Louisiana Farm Bureau Members can learn about the issues up for debate as Congress drafts a new farm bill.
“These commodity conferences are really where our grassroots connect and move their farms and ranches into the future,” Harper said. “And that Farm Bill Conference is an event every farmer should attend. The decisions made in drafting that bill will affect every single American, not just farmers and ranchers.”
Each night of the convention will feature special events, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night will be the organization’s Annual Awards, featuring recognition for members of the press for their contributions, the top Farm Bureau Parishes and the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award for the top young farm couple in the state. Friday night is the Talent Contest, featuring the very best of Louisiana’s rural youth. Finally, Saturday will be the Queen’s Contest, where the 2022 Louisiana Farm Bureau Queen will be crowned.
“Those youth events organized by our Women’s Leadership Committee really set Louisiana apart from other state Farm Bureaus,” Harper said. “Our convention is family friendly and, this year, it’s really a time to celebrate the rich history of the Louisiana Farm Bureau.”
A complete rundown of the convention can be found at https://lfbfconvention.org/.
Founded in 1921, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing more than 136,000 member families.
For more information: www.lafarmbureau.org