Annual Meeting Event Agenda

IFBF Annual Meeting 2025 >> Annual Meeting Event Agenda 

Tuesday, December 9   

9:00 a.m.
Registration Opens 

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
AFBF Voting Delegate Interviews

(Room 311)

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
County Leadership Conference Kickoff (*invitation only*)

  1. Leading with Purpose: Inside the Boardroom - Brent Johnson, IFBF President & featured IFBF Board of Directors (Rooms 302-305)
    Emcee: Lane Eads, Regional Manager, IFBF
    2. Kick off the conference with a powerful look at leadership in action. This exclusive session offers practical insights into effective meeting management, real-time decision-making, and the role of District Directors. Step inside the boardroom to see how purposeful leadership sets the tone for success - and walk away with tools to sharpen your leadership edge.

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Breakout Session

  1. Real-World Positivity! Unlock the Benefits of Cultivating a Brighter Outlook on Life - Brenda Clark-Hamilton, MA Ed., Workplace Trainer, Fresh Coffee (Room 319) 
    2. Discover how practical positivity can boost your well-being and leadership. This interactive session explores the research behind positive thinking and offers real-world strategies to stay compassionate, grounded, and resilient - without ignoring life’s challenges.

10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
County Employee Celebration

(Room 309 - 310)

12:00 p.m.
County Farm Bureau Celebration Luncheon

(Grand Ballroom)

  1. National Anthem

  2. Outstanding County Farm Bureau Awards

  3. Membership Toppers

  4. Ag Leaders Institute Graduates

  5. County Topper Awards

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions – Round #1

  1. Your Farm Bureau Journey: Discover, Engage, Lead - Molly Shanahan, Leadership Training Manager, IFBF (Room 316)
    Where do you want your Farm Bureau journey to take you? Explore the many ways to get involved, grow your impact, and shape your leadership path. This session will help you uncover opportunities and build a personalized plan for your next step forward.

  2. Celebrating County Success: Together We Thrive - Jim Heithoff, Regional Manager, IFBF & Troy Leininger, Regional Manager, IFBF (Room 317)
    Let’s celebrate what’s working and learn from each other’s wins. In this interactive session, you’ll join small-group conversations to share your county’s strengths, creative programs, and biggest challenges. Come ready to exchange ideas, reflect, and leave inspired by the successes of fellow leaders across the state.

  3. The Power of the Ask: Turning Conversations into Commitments - Maegan Meredith, Director – Leadership & Organizational Training, AFBF (Room 318)
    4. Whether you're inviting someone to join the board, become a member, or step up as a volunteer - how you ask matters. This session explores the art of the ask through real-life examples and practical tips to help you inspire action and build stronger engagement in your county.

  4. The Power of Understanding: Building Bridges Through Better Communication - Brenda Clark Hamilton, MA Ed., Workplace Trainer, Fresh Coffee (Room 319)
    Great communication is the foundation of strong leadership. This session explores how understanding different communication styles, generational perspectives, and conflict dynamics can help you connect more effectively, reduce misunderstandings, and lead with greater impact.

  5. Ag Policy Outlook - American Farm Bureau Federation  (Room 320)

2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Voting Delegate Session

(Rooms 312 - 315)

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Break & Networking

Take advantage of the break to connect with fellow Farm Bureau leaders and share ideas!
(300 Level)

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Orientation

(Room 306)

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions – Round #2 

  1. Building Your Future: Planning with Purpose - Alan Feirer, Founder & CEO, Group Dynamic (Room 316)
    2. Strong boards don’t happen by accident - they’re built with vision, strategy, and intention. This session will guide you through practical approaches to strategic planning, goal setting, and board development. Learn how to align your team, strengthen your nominating process, and lead with purpose toward a thriving future.

  2. Celebrating County Success: Together We Thrive - Matthew Jones, Regional Manager, IFBF & Kyle Poen, Regional Manager, IFBF (Room 317)
    3. Let’s celebrate what’s working and learn from each other’s wins. In this interactive session, you’ll join small-group conversations to share your county’s strengths, creative programs, and biggest challenges. Come ready to exchange ideas, reflect, and leave inspired by the successes of fellow leaders across the state.

  3. Beyond the Logo: Building a County Brand That Connects and Inspires - Maegan Meredith, Director – Leadership & Organizational Training, AFBF (Room 318)
    4. A strong brand is more than a logo - it’s a clear sense of purpose, values, and connection. This session will help you define what your County Farm Bureau stands for, communicate it effectively, and build trust with your community. Learn how to inspire engagement by leading with meaning.

  4. From Tradition to Transformation: Evolving Your Board’s Culture - Mark Sturgell, Leadership Development Coach/ Trainer, GROWMARK, Inc. (Room 319)
    5. Strong boards don’t just manage - they lead with intention. This session explores how to shift board culture by setting clear expectations, embracing change, and applying leadership and meeting management best practices. Learn how to move from “how we’ve always done it” to “what’s possible next.”

  5. From One Generation to the Next: Planning Your Farm’s Future - Amanda Van Steenwyk, Farm Business Development Manager, IFBF and 
    Erin Herbold-Swalwell, J. D., Senior Counsel IFBF & FBFS     (Room 320)
    Transitioning the farm isn’t just a business decision - it’s a legacy decision. This session explores the legal, financial, and relational aspects of farm succession planning. Learn how to start the conversation, set clear goals, and build a plan that honors your family’s values while securing your farm’s future.

3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Semi-Final Round

(Rooms 307 - 308)

4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
County Leadership Conference Social Hour - connect, collaborate, celebrate (*invitation only) 

(Rooms 302 - 305)

4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Young Farmer Discussion Meet Final 

(Room 307 - 308)

5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Evening Dinner Featuring Young Farmer Awards

(Grand Ballroom)

  1. Chair Address

  2. Discussion Meet Results

  3. Grow Your Future Award – Introduction

  4. Young Farmer Leadership Award

6:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
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)

Wednesday, December 10

6:45 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Caucuses – District Candidates 4, 6, 8

(Rooms 308, 309, 310)

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)

  1. Agencies of the Year Awards

  2. Farm Bureau Community Partnership Awards

  3. Distinguished Service Awards

  4. President Brent Johnson’s Address

  5. Keynote – Lisa Bluder - Former head coach of the Iowa Hawkeye's women's basketball program

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
County Leadership Conference Send Off (*invitation only*)


  1. From Ideas to Action: Leading Forward - Alan Feirer, Founder & CEO, Group Dynamics (Rooms 302-305)
    2. Close out the conference with clarity and purpose. This session offers space to reflect on your leadership vision, overcome challenges, strengthen team dynamics, and think strategically about your board’s future. Through guided discussion and regional breakouts, you’ll identify key takeaways and create a plan to lead your County Farm Bureau with intention and impact.

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Breakout Session

  1. Enough is Enough: Turning Plans into Progress - Ron Rabou, President/CEO, Rabou Farms, Inc. (Rooms 316-317)
    2. In this energizing and practical session, take an inspiring and thought-provoking journey with ag business expert Ron Rabou as he helps guide you through the critical next steps of farm succession: moving from thinking to doing. With real-world insights and a no-nonsense approach, Ron will explore how to overcome common roadblocks, foster leadership across generations, and create a culture of accountability and shared purpose. You'll learn how to ask the right questions, embrace change, make hard decisions, and keep in perspective the things that should be the most important in your life, all while finding and developing your own successful journey. Whether your family is just starting the transition conversation or already deep in the process, this session will help you turn good intentions into lasting impact.

  2. County Leadership Conference Sendoff – *Invitation Only*
    - Alan Feirer, Founder & CEO, Group Dynamic
    - Emcee: Jason Wetzel, Regional Manager, IFBF (Rooms 316-317)
    3. Close out the conference with clarity and purpose. This session offers space to reflect on your leadership vision, overcome challenges, strengthen team dynamics, and think strategically about your board’s future. Through guided discussion and regional breakouts, you’ll identify key takeaways and create a plan to lead your County Farm Bureau with intention and impact.

11:30 a.m.
Luncheon Buffet

 (300 Level)

  1. Bonus Opportunity: Informal Farm Succession Q&A with Ron Rabou - Ron Rabou, President/CEO, Rabou Farms, Inc. (Rooms 316-317)
    2. Whether you have specific questions or just want to listen in, this is a great chance to dive deeper into succession planning in a relaxed, come-and-go setting - feel free to bring your lunch and join the discussion.

12:00 p.m.
All You Need To Know- 2026 President’s Incentive Trip to Dublin, Ireland

(Rooms 302 - 305) Gain a full understanding of your upcoming adventure to Ireland! Feel free to bring your lunch, and learn about the daily program agenda, key travel tips, important deadlines, and everything you need to help prepare for a memorable experience in Killarney and Dublin.

12:30 p.m.
Voting Delegate Session 

(Rooms 312 - 315)  

  1. Experience the Voting Delegate Session - *Optional for County Leadership Conference Attendees (Room 312)
    2. 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.
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