BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — New York Farm Bureau will host its State Annual Meeting December 2-4, 2019 at the Double Tree by Hilton in Binghamton, NY which includes new events and significant schedule changes compared to previous annual meetings. The theme of the meeting is “Growing Stronger Together” highlighting the collaboration needed to support all of agriculture.
State Annual Meeting is the organization’s largest event of the year, bringing together more than 300 farmers, supporters and leaders in the agricultural community. It is the culmination of NYFB’s grassroots policy development process where delegates from 52 county Farm Bureaus from across the state will debate and vote on public policy positions for 2020.
New additions this year include a networking dinner on Monday, December 2 sponsored by Farm Credit East, featuring American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. An after-hours reception will follow to benefit NYFB’s Foundation for Agricultural Education. In addition, there will be a Promotion and Education workshop Monday afternoon for members entitled “Sharing Our Successes” and a leadership presentation for county Farm Bureau presidents and vice presidents.
The Opening Ceremony will kick off Delegate Session on Tuesday at 9 a.m. where members will begin discussing and voting on public policy resolutions. The keynote speaker, Vance Crowe, will take the stage at 4 p.m. His speech, “How to Address Controversies, Persuade Your Critics and Create Advocates,” will help members better communicate on agricultural issues that are often misunderstood by people who don’t have a farm background.
“I truly love talking about how people ‘know what they know,’ because it creates an ah-ha moment with the crowd. Suddenly they realize why their conversations on Facebook have gone badly, and why explaining your point of view often doesn’t go anywhere,” said Crowe.
Also new this year, the main awards banquet, sponsored by Nationwide, will be held on that Tuesday evening, instead of Wednesday as in prior years. NYFB’s Distinguished Service and James Quinn Awardees will be announced along with the winners of the Young Farmers and Ranchers’ competitive events. Following the banquet, the YF&R program will host a Fun and Games Reception sponsored by Heritage Hill Brewhouse.
State Annual Meeting will wrap up Wednesday, December 4 with two morning workshops: “Everything You Need to Know About Workers’ Compensation” and “Collective Bargaining Considerations for Your Farm.” These will be followed by a final delegate session and election of State Directors.
All New York Farm Bureau members are invited to attend State Annual Meeting. For more information, including how to register, please go to https://www.nyfb.org/events
–New York Farm Bureau
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