RICHMOND, Vt. — The Des Marais Farm in Brandon, Vermont was host to an impressive variety of Vermont officials, Agricultural leaders and Vermont Farmers at Vermont Farm Bureau’s Annual summer picnic and board meeting on August 31.
Honored guest, American Farm Bureau Federation President, Zippy Duvall warmly addressed the crowd that spilled out of the white tent. He encouraged members and farmers to be engaged in agriculture by contacting their own representatives, and stressed that as constituents they had the most influence of all. “This is your time as farmers,” he stressed and noted that AFBF representatives were engaged with members of Congress, the White House, and the President.
As an active beef and poultry farmer from Georgia he playfully joked that he needed to get home and pay his own invoices after being away. Prior to the meeting he spent three days visiting farms throughout Vermont with Joe Tisbert, President of Vermont Farm Bureau.
Following Duvall, Tisbert welcomed attendees and invited Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman and Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts to speak to the crowd. Rutland county president Ray Duquette and his wife Beth organized the event and pulled it off with the help of many others who served, donated and sponsored it. Guests were treated to a pig roast, beef brisket and grilled chicken.
“We couldn’t be more pleased,” stated Joe Tisbert. “Unifying all types of agriculture has been a major goal of Vermont Farm Bureau for the past year. Bringing together our members, State officials and Ag leaders can only increase awareness of the importance of agriculture in our state and beyond. We’re looking forward to our Annual meeting on November 3 & 4 at the Taconic Hotel in Manchester, Vermont and hope to bring even more people together.”
Vermont Farm Bureau’s office is in Richmond, Vermont, and has a membership of 3000. Their purpose is to be a unified voice advocating for Vermont’s diverse agricultural interests. Anyone active in agriculture or forestry or interested in supporting these industries is invited to become a member.
Find out more at www.vtfb.org.
—Vermont Farm Bureau
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