Indiana Farm Bureau members have a chance to learn more about important farm and food issues during the annual Spring Conference March 10th and 11th at the Indianapolis Marriott East in downtown Indianapolis. Ashley Beasley with INFB says Spring Conference is the annual training and networking opportunity that is always well-attended and very topical.
“We’re really looking forward to bringing in around 400-500 members,” she said. “This year our theme is Change, Challenge and Opportunity and we’re talking about all of the different things that are going on in our world currently. We’ll address some of the changes in biotechnologies and legislation and opportunities for all of our members to overcome some of the challenges that they might see on their own farming operations.”
Vance Crowe, Director of Millennial Engagement for Monsanto, one of the keynote speakers, will address INFB members Friday evening.
“And he’ll also be doing a breakout session on social media advocacy. We’re really excited to have him there. He has a really dynamic story. He used to be part of the Peace Corps, so he’s used to talking with different people about cultures and food issues. We also have comedian Leslie Townsend who will be in on Saturday to talk about how she got into agriculture by marrying in.”
Sessions on hot topics like antibiotics and GMO’s are also part of this year’s Spring Conference.
“During the sessions we have an antibiotic panel discussion that will be hosted by Dr. Leah Dorman,” Beasley said. “She’s a veterinarian and a speaker as well, and then we have a GMO panel discussion that will be moderated by Michele Payn who is a speaker and author about food and farm facts. We also have volunteer engagement with Ag in the Classroom training sessions to help give some hands-on activities and lessons for our volunteers to feel comfortable and adequate to go into classrooms and talk about agriculture for K-12.”
Plan for the conference in March now, and you can register online in late January. Beasley is Women’s Leadership Program Coordinator at Indiana Farm Bureau.
Find Your Voice with Indiana Farm Bureau membership. You can become an Indiana Farm Bureau member by joining online at www.infb.org/findyourvoice.