GFB members attend 88th annual AFBF convention

GFB President Zippy Duvall, right, met with Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns at the AFBF Convention in Salt Lake City.

A delegation of 170 Georgia Farm Bureau members attended the 88th Annual American Farm Bureau Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 7-10.

Members attended seminars addressing numerous topics including animal identification, the upcoming farm bill and crop forecasts. During the annual awards program, Georgia was recognized for receiving four Awards of Excellence in the program areas of education and agriculture promotion, leadership development, member services and policy implementation.

“We came out here to learn more about our industry by attending the educational seminars and touring the trade show where new methods of farming are on display. Our voting delegates also spent two days voting on the American Farm Bureau policy resolutions, which is important because it sets the tone for AFBF’s legislative agenda,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said.

Duvall was elected to the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors during the Southern Regional Caucus.

Colquitt County FB member Elton Baldy advanced to the third round of competition in the Young Farmer Discussion Meet.

Colquitt County Farm Bureau member Elton Baldy won the first two rounds of the Young Farmer Discussion Meet in which he competed, talking himself into the Sweet 16 Round where he competed against one of the final four contestants and discussed how farmers can influence policy that affects agriculture in light of the partisan nature of politics today. Baldy, who is a licensed auctioneer and is soon to earn a degree in agriculture education, also manages a row crop farm. Amy Christensen of California won the contest.

Will Boyd of Screven County represented Georgia in the Young Farmer Achievement Contest. Boyd grows 1,200 acres of cotton, corn, peanuts and soybeans and has a herd of 250 brood cows. John and Jill Mahan of Kentucky won the contest.
Coffee County Extension Director Eddie McGriff participated in the exhibit showcase, displaying the results of his evaluation of cotton seed technologies and production systems that determined how 20 cotton seed varieties would perform in their designed technology system.

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns addressed Farm Bureau members at the convention, saying that increased subsidies do not equate a strong ag economy. Johanns said that $32 billion was paid in farm subsidies in 2000, before the ’02 farm bill was written, but described the farm economy as being “far from impressive.” He argued that the U.S. farm economy is stronger today although support payments have dropped to about $20 billion annually.

“We must look at more than just the total dollars. The next farm bill must be broader in scope. We’re looking at ways to develop programs that are more equitable, effective and less complex,” Johanns said.

ABC News veteran Sam Donaldson, who is a Farm Bureau member and grew up on a cotton and dairy farm in New Mexico, delivered the keynote address, describing leadership traits he believes are necessary for successful leaders.