American Farm Bureau Convention Sunday Preview: Remarks from President Zippy Duvall, Ag Innovation Challenge Final Four, Opening News Conference and More

The American Farm Bureau Federation Convention continues with an action-packed day of programming Sunday, focused on the hottest topics and most pressing issues for farmers, ranchers and consumers in 2024.

Sunday’s slate of activities includes two general sessions, 12 workshops, the live pitch competition for the final four Ag Innovation Challenge teams and the Sweet 16 round of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet. AFBF President Zippy Duvall will deliver his keynote remarks during the opening general session at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time, and the coveted state award winners will be announced.

The mid general session, which begins at 4 p.m. Mountain Time, features an informative and motivational keynote address from global futurist and best-selling author Jack Uldrich. The Farm Dog of the Year and Distinguished Service Award winner will be announced during this session as well.

Media are also invited to attend the convention opening press conference at 11:30 a.m. Mountain Time. President Duvall will discuss AFBF’s goals for 2024 and will be joined by special guests to announce a pair of groundbreaking rural mental health collaborations. AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Chair Matt Fimon will provide remarks on the success of YF&R’s Harvest for All initiative.

A livestream of the opening press conference will be available to all media (regardless of registration status). Access the opening press conference through this link.

Sunday’s workshops will focus on opportunities and challenges facing U.S. agricultural trade, an analysis of the 2024 elections, a panel discussion on hot topics in agricultural policy and more. Cultivation Center Stage presentations include a Ted-style talk from farm fitness influencer Amanda Nigg (known as FarmFitMomma), perspectives from the next generation of agriculture leaders and a demonstration of a new national mental health resource available for farm and ranch families.

Start times, locations and descriptions of all workshops are available here. Learn more about Cultivation Center Stage events here.

Saturday Recap

Though the Convention fully opens Sunday, plenty of exciting programming took place today. From tours of Utah agriculture to the opening of the trade show and Cultivation Center Stage, Saturday had plenty to offer for attendees.

Top agriculture influencers Tara Vander Dussen and Natalie Kovarik recorded a live episode of their podcast “Discover Ag,” where they talked about trending topics in the food and ag space. Portions of the episode will be available on all podcast platforms on Thursday, January 25.

Later, a panel of leaders representing food processors and retailers came together to discuss opportunities for collaboration between food companies and retailers and the restaurants they supply.

Cultivation Center Stage programming wrapped with announcements of the Sweet 16 round of YF&R Discussion Meet and the Achievement Award Top 10. Winners of both contests will be announced during the closing general session on Monday.

Recordings of all Cultivation Center Stage content will be available here.