Agriculture
Indiana Farm Bureau plans annual convention
A wide range of speakers, breakout sessions, tradeshow activities and special events are planned for the Indiana Farm Bureau annual convention, "Partnering for Progress."
The convention is set for December 8 and 9 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
"Indiana agriculture is changing, from the rapid expansion of biofuels facilities to increased opportunities in livestock production," Kim Vail, IFB director of field services, said. "The convention programs are designed to help farmers take advantage of these changes and enable them to be a part of the progress."
Friday's general session, "Food, Fuel and Security for America," will feature Wally Tyner, professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University, and Daniel De La Torre Ugarte, University of Tennessee Agricultural Policy Analysis Center, discussing how alternative energy sources like biofuels relate to economic and national security.
"Energy is big," Tyner said. "When you think about the size of the energy market compared to the food market, it's enormous. If the top three oil companies chose to, they could buy the entire U.S. corn crop with their profits in one year-just their profits. So if we do choose to develop ag-based energy sources, the potential market is enormous."
Eight breakout sessions are offered on Saturday. One $250 Visa cash card sponsored by Farm Bureau Bank will be offered as a door prize at each session. Morning session topics include rules for driving farm equipment on the road, identity theft, a review of the 2006 election and easements. Afternoon sessions will cover volunteerism, crop insurance, passing a farm to the next generation and livestock production.
Farm Bureau delegates will consider any new business since the last meeting in August and elect a new director-at-large during their session on Friday. For those who aren't delegates, two sessions will be offered. District 8 Woman Leader Donna Handley-Lynch will lead "Spice up Your Holiday Cooking." Certified public accountant David Frette will provide advice on important information to have current with "And If I Die before You Wake."
"The session will cover what basic records and information should be readily available upon the death of a loved one," Frette said. "Having the information already gathered can make things easier for a difficult time."
The closing session on Saturday will feature special recognition for retiring Second Vice President Carolyn Hegel and awards for county Farm Bureaus.
A trade show will be set up in the exhibit hall to include display booths, the Young Farmer silent auction, a farm toy show and sale, safety demonstrations, a milking contest and an ethanol demonstration car from Sinden Racing. There will also be a kiss-a-pig contest, pitting Hegel against President Don Villwock, Vice President Randy Kron and Young Farmer Chairman Dave Ferguson. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the Indiana Ag Law Foundation; kiss-a-pig monies will benefit America's Second Harvest; the cow milking contest will benefit Indiana Farm Bureau ELECT, which is IFB's political action committee.
The general session on Friday and the closing session on Saturday both will have a $500 door prize, sponsored by Farm Bureau Bank.
Hotel reservations can be made until Nov. 3 at the group rate by calling 1-800-FARM-BUR (327-6287). For more information, call the number above or visit www.infarmbureau.org.
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