Farm Bureau meeting features speakers, policy discussions

» November 19, 2004 «

Following a year that featured a contentious national election, local debate about biotechnology, and long-sought signs of improvement in the farm economy, California farmers and ranchers will gather in Sparks, Nev., next month for the California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.

The meeting, the Farm Bureau's 86th annual gathering, will feature discussion of all those matters and more, during sessions to be held Dec. 5-8 at John Ascuaga's Nugget.

Hundreds of Farm Bureau members from throughout California will gather at the meeting to discuss issues facing the state's farmers and ranchers, and to set Farm Bureau policies for the coming year.

Speakers during sessions Monday, Dec. 6, include famed cowboy poet Baxter Black, who will provide humorous insights on farm life. A co-founder and former president of the environmentalist organization Greenpeace, Patrick Moore, will speak about the benefits of biotechnology and the misinformation that distorts current environmental debates.

California Farm Bureau President Bill Pauli will also address the meeting on Monday, summarizing the organization's accomplishments and discussing issues likely to face farmers and ranchers during 2005.

The CFBF House of Delegates begins debating the organization's policies on Tuesday, Dec. 7, and formally adopts those policies the following day.

"A unique, grassroots process leads up to our annual policy discussions," Pauli said. "Our members work throughout the year to make certain our policies stay responsive to the wide range of issues that California farmers and ranchers face."

Ceremonies during the annual meeting will honor county Farm Bureaus for special programs and membership efforts, and honor individuals for service to agriculture and to the Farm Bureau organization.

More information about the California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, including online registration, is available at www.cfbf.com/am2004.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.