The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) 101st annual meeting, set for Dec. 3 and 4 in downtown Des Moines, will celebrate the achievements of county Farm Bureaus and the strong grass roots of the state-wide organization.

The annual meeting will provide Farm Bureau members information on a wide range of important topics, including man­­aging stress in a difficult and volatile agricultural economy, the potential of crop and livestock diversification, and progress of conservation efforts in Iowa. There will also be updates on successful programs by county Farm Bureaus.

“We feel the line-up of speakers and seminars we have set for this year’s annual meeting will provide a range of choices for our members,” said IFBF President Craig Hill. “It will be a great opportunity for Farm Bureau members to network, learn about important issues and celebrate the ongoing success of our organization.”

The IFBF annual meeting will be held the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, formerly Vets Auditorium, in downtown Des Moines.

The 2019 annual meeting will begin on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 3 with education seminars focused on managing stress, improving crop production and highlighting county Farm Bureau successes.

The seminars will be followed by a luncheon to celebrate county Farm Bureaus. Membership top­­pers, outstanding county Farm Bureaus and IFBF Ag Leaders will all be recognized during the luncheon.

Following the luncheon, there will be a repeat of educational seminars about managing farm stress and improving crop production, along with another topical presentation.

The annual meeting’s young farmer events will be held that evening. A dinner featuring the young farmer awards begins at 6 p.m. It will include the announcement of the 2019 discussion meet winner, the Young Farmer Leadership Award and the introduction of the IFBF’s new Grow Your Future award.

The Jerseys, a tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, will entertain Farm Bureau members following the young farmer events.

The musical program will be held at the ballroom of the Hilton Downtown Des Moines, a new hotel adjacent to the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center.

On Dec. 4, caucuses for district 4, 6 and 8 director elections will be held prior to the general session.

General Session on Dec. 4

Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill’s address to the membership will begin the general session. His address will be followed by the Distinguished Service Award recipients.

Chris Norton will give an in­­spirational keynote address later in the general session. Norton suffered a spinal cord injury while playing football at Luther College, and doctors gave him a very slim chance of moving anything below his neck again. Four years later, he defied the odds and walked across the stage at his college graduation with his fiancé.

After the general session, there will be another round of educational sessions with a focus on conservation progress and diversification. Those will be follow­ed by a luncheon buffet.

The vot­ing deleg­ate session is scheduled after lunch and will wrap up the annual meeting events.

Check with your county Farm Bureau for more information about how to register for the IFBF meeting and hotel accommodations.Also watch the Spokesman and  www.iowafarmbureau.com for additional information on the annual meeting.