Step Up, Drive Forward

We have officially wrapped up the 106^th American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, and I’m so thankful for another incredible week with our Farm Bureau family as we looked for ways to step up and drive forward.

The American Farm Bureau Convention is more than just an annual gathering, it’s an opportunity to celebrate our success, strengthen relationships and set the course to ensure we continue to be the Voice of Agriculture. From the inspiring general sessions and insightful workshops to the engaging policy discussions and meaningful connections with fellow farmers, every moment was a reminder of what we can accomplish together.

Throughout the week, we hosted training opportunities and workshops to equip our members and help them take their leadership and advocacy skills to the next level. The list of programs ranged from farm bill and labor to rural mental health wellness and consumer engagement, ensuring that whatever our attendees were passionate about we had something tailored to their goals. We also celebrated the creative and impactful programs from our local Farm Bureaus and cheered on our young leaders during competitive events such as the Discussion Meet and the Excellence in Ag presentations.

This year, we also took time to shine a spotlight on a foundational group within Farm Bureau – our county presidents. These leaders are the heartbeat of our organization, working tirelessly to engage their communities, lead in making Farm Bureau the premier organization in their area and grow membership. Throughout our convention, we celebrated their contributions through special programming and on the trade show floor.

Our trade show has always been the place to be, and this year was no exception. It is one of my favorite parts of convention, offering the chance to connect with our members and hear about incredible advancements taking place in agriculture. During the Final Four of our Ag Innovation Challege, I witnessed the passion that is driving innovation forward. As I toured our 2024 County Activities of Excellence Award winning booths, I was reminded how our organization is fostering leadership and successful public engagement that reaches beyond our fencerows.

Of course, the cornerstone of our convention is the voting delegate session where the power of our grassroots membership is on full display. Our policies are shaped by the voices of our members, starting at the local level and rising to the national stage. This process ensures that we remain true to the current challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers, and I look forward to taking the priorities we set back to Washington for the year ahead. Thank you to everyone who took part in the policy process this year and thank you again to our delegates for having thoughtful discussion as we look to drive Farm Bureau forward.

As we leave San Antonio, I hope we will all carry the momentum of convention into the year ahead. We may have challenges ahead of us, but as I said in my speech, and as we have seen over the years, we can move mountains together. Let’s all continue to step up and drive forward.