Insights on economic challenges and navigating volatile markets will be among the topics shared at the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s 2022 annual meeting Dec. 6 and 7 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. 

“Cultivating Opportunity” is the theme of this year's annual meeting, which will celebrate the achievements of county Farm Bureaus and provide members information on a wide range of topics during educational seminars on building soil health, combating increased fertilizer costs, building your farm brand, an ag market outlook and briefings on key national legislative issues. 

Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson will give his first annual meeting address to Farm Bureau members during the general session Dec. 7. 

“It’s a tremendous honor to be trusted to serve as the Iowa Farm Bureau president, and our annual meeting is a great time to gather as members and celebrate our collective achievements while recognizing the accomplishments of the members who are the strength of our organization,” said Johnson. 

“We are looking forward to recognizing our outstanding leaders and sharing valuable insight on important issues and new opportunities that members can take back to their farms.”  

Following Johnson’s comments, members will hear a keynote speech from Jason Brown, a former NFL star who walked away from professional football to become a full-time farmer. Brown, a former offensive lineman drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2005, became the highest-paid center in the NFL after signing a $37.5 million contract with the St. Louis Rams in 2009.  Rather than pursuing his next big contract in free agency following his stint with the Rams, Brown retired from the game and bought a 1,000-acre farm in North Carolina, where he’s been farming full time since 2013. Brown, who gives away nearly everything he grows on his farm, will share his inspirational message on resiliency and tenacity and the parallels between the football field and farm.  

Throughout the meeting, award luncheons will recognize IFBF’s Young Farmer Leadership Award winners, Distinguished Service to Ag (DSA) recipients, Ag Leader Institute graduates, Farm Bureau Community Partnership Awards and others.  

More than a dozen farmers will compete in the Young Farmer Discussion Meet, with robust dialogue, insight and idea-sharing on the biggest issues facing agriculture today among the next generation of Farm Bureau leaders.

Voting delegates will also convene to elect a new vice president and directors for Districts 4, 6 and 8, along with conducting other organizational business. Current IFBF Vice President Joe Heinrich has announced he will not seek re-election.

Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information about how to register for the IFBF meeting and to seek hotel accommodations. 

Additional information on the annual meeting will be featured in future Spokesman issues and at www.iowafarmbureau.com.