Tuesday, December 8
9:00 a.m.
Registration Opens
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
County Employee Celebration
(Rooms 309 - 310)
9:30 a.m.
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Orientation
(Room 316)
10:00 a.m.
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Semi Final Round
(Rooms 307-308)
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
AFBF Voting Delegate Interviews
(Room 311)
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Morning Breakout Session
- Positives of Passing It On (Room 319)
- Jolene Brown, CSP, CPAE, Farmer and Author Do you really want your business to continue? If so, you’ve important decisions to make and actions to take, starting today. In this upbeat, eye-opening session we’ll learn lessons from owners and managers of their successful legacy businesses. It becomes clear they do the work necessary to transition the education, experience, and then the physical assets of the business. They build a solid foundation with legal and financial documents. They realize that transition does not have be a painful, dreaded process….but one that brings peace of mind, assurance of business, clarity for family, and renewed motivation to make a good business even better.
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
County Leadership Conference Kickoff – *Invitation Only*
- Setting the Tone: Leadership That Shapes Culture (Rooms 302 - 305)
- Amanda Lea Kaiser, keynote speaker and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community As a county leader, how you show up sets the tone for your entire county Farm Bureau. Explore how your presence, actions, and mindset influence your board’s culture and how members experience Farm Bureau. Learn how to lead by example and be intentional in creating a culture that builds trust, engagement, and pride.
12:00 p.m.
County Farm Bureau Celebration Luncheon
(Grand Ballroom)
- National Anthem
- County Topper Awards
- Membership Topper Recognition
- County Award of Excellence
- Farm Bureau Community Partnership Awards
- Ag Leaders Institute Graduates
2:00 p.m.
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Final Round
(Room 308)
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions – Round #1
- Evolving Your Culture: Strengthening Engagement in Your Farm Bureau Community (Room 317)
- Amanda Lea Kaiser, keynote speaker and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community
Culture shapes how people experience your Farm Bureau, whether you are leading from the board table or showing up as a member. This session explores practical ways to strengthen connection, shift long-standing habits, and create a more welcoming and engaged environment. Walk away with simple, actionable ideas you can use to positively influence your local Farm Bureau and help it move forward.
- Telling Your County Farm Bureau Story: Building Connection and Member Value (Room 318)
- JP Smith, Principal & CMO, Flying Hippo Brand + Digital
A strong Farm Bureau story goes beyond a logo. It is how people understand your purpose and why it matters to them. This session will explore how clear messaging, consistent outreach, and authentic storytelling can strengthen connection across your community. Learn practical ways to share your Farm Bureau’s impact, build recognition, and help others see the value of being involved.
- Strong Foundations: Making Meetings and Teams Work Better (Room 319)
- Mark Sturgell, Principal & Chief Inspirational Officer, Performance Development Network
Effective groups start with strong fundamentals. Whether you serve on a board, a committee, or simply want meetings to feel more productive, this session covers practical tools to stay organized, focused, and efficient. Learn useful tips for running smoother meetings, contributing with confidence, and helping your team make meaningful progress.
- Effective Conversations: Navigating Tough Moments with Confidence (Room 320)
- Alan Feirer, Founder & CEO, Group Dynamic
Challenging conversations happen. This session will help you approach challenging ag topics, differences of opinion, and important discussions with confidence and clarity. Walk away with practical tools to communicate effectively, stay grounded, and build trust in the moments that matter most.
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Break & Networking
(300 Level)
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions – Round #2
- (Repeated) Evolving Your Culture: Strengthening Engagement in Your Farm Bureau Community (Room 317)
- Amanda Lea Kaiser, keynote speaker and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community
Culture shapes how people experience your Farm Bureau, whether you are leading from the board table or showing up as a member. This session explores practical ways to strengthen connection, shift long-standing habits, and create a more welcoming and engaged environment. Walk away with simple, actionable ideas you can use to positively influence your local Farm Bureau and help it move forward.
- (Repeated) Telling Your County Farm Bureau Story: Building Connection and Member Value (Room 318)
- JP Smith, Principal & CMO, Flying Hippo Brand + Digital
A strong Farm Bureau story goes beyond a logo. It is how people understand your purpose and why it matters to them. This session will explore how clear messaging, consistent outreach, and authentic storytelling can strengthen connection across your community. Learn practical ways to share your Farm Bureau’s impact, build recognition, and help others see the value of being involved.
- (Repeated) Strong Foundations: Making Meetings and Teams Work Better (Room 319)
- Mark Sturgell, Principal & Chief Inspirational Officer, Performance Development Network
Effective groups start with strong fundamentals. Whether you serve on a board, a committee, or simply want meetings to feel more productive, this session covers practical tools to stay organized, focused, and efficient. Learn useful tips for running smoother meetings, contributing with confidence, and helping your team make meaningful progress.
- (Repeated) Effective Conversations: Navigating Tough Moments with Confidence (Room 320)
- Alan Feirer, Founder & CEO, Group Dynamic
Challenging conversations happen. This session will help you approach challenging ag topics, differences of opinion, and important discussions with confidence and clarity. Walk away with practical tools to communicate effectively, stay grounded, and build trust in the moments that matter most.
3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Voting Delegate Session
(Rooms 312 - 315)
4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
County Leadership Conference Social - Stronger Together: County Conversations & Connections – *Invitation Only*
(Rooms 302 - 305)
Join us to connect with other county leaders and share ideas. You’ll be grouped with peers of similar membership size, and together you’ll share what your county is doing well, where you’re feeling stuck, highlight programs, events, and partnerships that work, and reflect on key conference takeaways. Come ready to learn from one another and exchange ideas!
5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Evening Dinner Featuring Young Farmer Awards
(Grand Ballroom)
- Chair Address
- Discussion Meet Results
- Grow Your Future Award
- Young Farmer Leadership Award
6:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Vice President/Directors’ Reception – Music by Brian Congdon
(Grand Ballroom - Atrium)
8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Young Farmer Social Event
(Hilton Hotel - Cloud Ballroom)
Music by the WACO FFA Bluegrass Band
Wednesday, December 9
6:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast Buffet
(Grand Ballroom - Atrium)8:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
General Session
(Grand Ballroom)
- Distinguished Service Awards
- President Brent Johnson’s Address
- Keynote – Mark J. Lindquist
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Caucuses – District Candidates 2, 7 & 9
(Rooms 308-310)
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Breakout Session
- AI in Agriculture: Practical Uses for Farmers (Room 303)
- Paul Gormley, Growth Project Manager, Center for Industrial Research, Iowa State University
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life, but what does it actually mean for farmers? Paul will discuss practical ways AI can be used on the farm and in agricultural businesses. Through real-world examples and demonstrations, you'll learn how AI tools can help improve efficiency, support decision-making, analyze information, and create new opportunities for farm management. Whether you're curious, skeptical, or already experimenting with AI, this session will provide practical insights you can take home and put to work.
- Ag Policy Update & Post-Election Outlook: What Leaders Need to Know (Room 304)
- Brian Glenn, Director, Government Affairs, American Farm Bureau Federation
What will the post-election landscape mean for agriculture? Join us for an update on the key policy issues affecting farmers and learn how election results could shape the future of agricultural policy in Washington. The session will highlight major developments on the horizon and what they could mean for farmers in the months ahead.
- Positives of Passing it On (Room 305)
- Jolene Brown, CSP, CPAE, Farmer and Author
Do you really want your business to continue? If so, you’ve important decisions to make and actions to take, starting today. In this upbeat, eye-opening session we’ll learn lessons from owners and managers of their successful legacy businesses. It becomes clear they do the work necessary to transition the education, experience, and then the physical assets of the business. They build a solid foundation with legal and financial documents. They realize that transition does not have be a painful, dreaded process….but one that brings peace of mind, assurance of business, clarity for family, and renewed motivation to make a good business even better.
11:30 a.m.
Luncheon Buffet
(300 Level)
12:30 p.m.
Voting Delegate Session
(Rooms 312-315)
- County Leadership Conference – Experience the Voting Delegate Session – *Optional* (Rooms 312-315) Curious about what it’s like to serve as a Voting Delegate? Stop by the back of the room - whether for a few minutes or the full session - to observe the structure, flow, and responsibilities of this important role. This is a valuable opportunity to better prepare for the opportunity to represent your County Farm Bureau as a Voting Delegate in the future.