The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) centennial annual meeting, set for Dec. 3, 4 and 5 in downtown Des Moines, will be the perfect occasion to celebrate the organization’s proud history as Iowa’s largest grassroots farm organization and to look forward to a vibrant future, according to Craig Hill, IFBF president.

“The annual meeting will be a great chance for us to bring the whole Farm Bureau family together to celebrate our centennial and to remember those visionary Iowans who started Farm Bureau a century ago and worked to build our organization to what it is today,” Hill said. “It’s going to be an event that will make us very proud to be Farm Bureau members.”

IFBF’s centennial annual meeting will be held again this year at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, formerly Vets Auditorium, in downtown Des Moines.

The centennial annual meeting will begin on the afternoon and evening of Dec. 3 with a special Centennial Celebration. The event will provide members an opportunity to gather, catch up with friends and celebrate 100 years of Farm Bureau.

The celebration will feature music from Don Felder, renowned as a former lead guitarist of The Eagles, one of the most popular and influential rock groups of our time.

Several educational seminars, beginning the morning of Dec. 4, will provide members information on a wide range of important topics, including ideas for strengthening rural communities, developments in farm policy and changing consumer food trends.

The IFBF voting delegate session will begin Dec. 4 at 8 a.m.

County Celebrations

Farm Bureau will celebrate its counties and their achievements during the Farm Bureau Centennial Recognition Luncheon at noon on Dec. 4. Membership toppers, outstanding county Farm Bureaus and the Leo Waggoner award winners will be recognized during the luncheon. In addition, more than 50 county Farm Bureaus will also celebrate their 100th anniversaries at the Tuesday luncheon.

The centennial annual meeting’s young farmer events will be held during the evening of Dec. 4. The evening gala, which begins at 6 p.m., will celebrate the discussion meet winner, achievement award winner and the Young Farmer Leadership Award, which is in honor of former IFBF President Bob Joslin.

Home Free, an a cappella group of five vocalists who perform worldwide and recently toured with the Oak Ridge Boys, will entertain Farm Bureau members following the Young Farmer Gala.

District director candidate and vice president receptions will be held after the entertainment.

On Dec. 5, caucuses for district 1, 3 and 5 director elections will be held prior to the beginning of the general session.

An Iowa hero

Dr. Peggy Whitson, an Iowa native and record-breaking former NASA astronaut, will provide a keynote address to members on Dec. 5. Her keynote will follow Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill’s address to the membership and recognition of the Distinguished Service Award recipients.

Another educational session with a focus on trade issues is set to begin after the keynote session, followed by a luncheon buffet.

The voting delegate session is scheduled after lunch and will wrap up the centennial annual meeting events.

Check with your county Farm Bureau for more information about how to register for the IFBF centennial meeting and hotel accommodations. Also watch the Spokesman and www.iowafarmbureau.com for additional information on the centennial annual meeting.

See you in December.