The Zipline: ‘Growing Tomorrow Together’ at the 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention

It’s time to mark your calendars and make your plans to join the Farm Bureau family as we gather Jan. 7-12 in Atlanta for the 103rd American Farm Bureau Convention. Registration is now open — at https://annualconvention.fb.org/register — and we are excited to welcome you back in person.

Your safety remains our top priority, which means some things might look a little different as we abide by COVID guidance, but what we all value and enjoy most about these gatherings remains the same.

People

For those who can join us in person, we will once again have a full lineup of events, including our popular Flapjack Fundraiser for the Foundation for Agriculture, inspiring general sessions, educational workshops and our engaging trade show with special events on the Cultivation Center Stage.

We also understand that some folks may not be able to travel for a variety of reasons, and we will offer a slimmed down array of virtual options, including key components of the event, to keep the doors open to all who wish to join.

The American Farm Bureau Convention provides a time for us to celebrate one another, mark our achievements together and hear from leaders who have helped strengthen agriculture. With three general sessions this year, we can better elevate the work across all 50 states and Puerto Rico and recognize our outstanding members.

And new this year, we will host a Farm Bureau Celebration — I am especially excited about this one — at the College Football Hall of Fame on Monday evening. I invite you to reserve your tickets and come dressed in college football gear, ready for a fun night of fellowship with our winning team of American farmers and ranchers.

Purpose

Our team is preparing a robust lineup of workshops and trainings geared to help strengthen your farms and ranches. We have invited experts and leaders from across the industry to discuss the most pressing topics facing agriculture.

You will get the latest policy updates and economic analysis from the team working for you here in Washington. You will discover ways to better engage with consumers to share your farm story. And, you can participate in AFBF’s Farm State of Mind program as we host a rural stress and mental health training, open to all attendees.

From innovation and sustainability to market updates and regulatory reform, each session topic is designed to provide you with the resources you need to stay informed, improve your business and engage with your community.

Possibilities

Innovation on the farm and in rural America takes center stage at the American Farm Bureau Convention every year with the Ag Innovation Challenge. This year is no exception, and I am excited to see which of our 10 semifinalists will compete live on the Cultivation Center Stage.

These are the entrepreneurs and innovators who are helping to shape the future of agriculture, and thanks to the generous support of our partner Farm Credit and our other sponsors, we can take part in boosting their success.

As farmers and ranchers, we look to the future; it’s the nature of our work to have an eye on planning for the next season. The 2022 convention theme celebrates how across Farm Bureau we are growing tomorrow together through our people, purpose and possibilities.

We want to continue to improve, to bring the next generation to farming and to strengthen our rural communities for our children and grandchildren.

I hope each of you will make plans to join us and invite friends and neighbors to be a part of this event. We each share in the success of our organization, our communities and our nation, as tomorrow’s growth begins with the seeds we plant today.

Let’s come ready to engage and share ideas for how we can continue to move forward and grow together.