AFBF Convention American Farm Bureau Federation

Rural stress can be especially harmful due to the risk of isolation and a go-it-alone attitude among farmers and ranchers. Raising awareness of the issues and funding for rural health care services and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health will encourage farm and ranch families to seek help and help each other. This discussion will feature different perspectives on the issue of rural mental health and information about Farm Bureau’s efforts to respond to this key moment in agriculture.

In 2021, there is constant information coming at us from phones, computers, and even smartwatches. The attention required can feel overwhelming, especially as we volunteer our time to causes we care about, all while trying to maintain balance in our lives. Join PAL Class 10 members Matthew McClanahan, Sarah Ison, and James Henderson as they discuss three different ways volunteers choose to contribute to the organization while balancing their career, farm, and family farm.

Hear two successful stories on engaging and advocating for agriculture through unique media opportunities. Will Sutton, competitor on NBC’s Titan Games, and Melissa Burns, cast member on CBS’s Tough as Nails, discuss how they were able to represent the agricultural community through their experiences with reality TV.

Are you a woman longing to beef up your ag communication skills? Join past Women’s Boot Camp Graduates and American Farm Bureau Federation staff to learn more about the program and their experience going through it. This elite training program is offered by the staff at American Farm Bureau and the Women’s Leadership Committee.

A discussion with a panel of farmers diving in, right in the middle and on the other side of the trenches of generational family transitions. This panel will bring a unique perspective of lessons learned at each stage of transitioning your operation.

These folks have been there, done that, got the t shirt and while they are still serving Farm Bureau, they are happy to share lessons learned from experiences in the field at all levels of the organization. Join the multigenerational panelists as they discuss concrete next steps to help you along you Farm Bureau leadership journey.