SCOTTSDALE, A.Z.(Press Release)- The 122nd National Farmers Union will begin Sunday in Scottsdale, AZ. The convention runs through Tuesday.
Here’s the schedule of events taking place:
Sunday, March 10
9:00 AM Registration Desk Opens
Exhibits Open
Policy Committee Available for Delegate Presentations
(Until 3:30 PM. Sign up on site.)
1:00 PM Opening Session
Welcome Messages
Report: Rules, Credentials, Elections Committee
Secretary’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Panel: The Future of Farmer-Owned Cooperatives
4:00 PM Welcome Reception
5:00 PM Opening Banquet
Message from The White House
State of the Farmers Union Address from National Farmers Union
President Rob Larew
Award Presentations
7:00 PM NFU Foundation Dessert Reception Fundraiser
($30 ticketed event)
Monday, March 11
7:00 AM Registration Desk Opens
8:00 AM General Session
Membership & Leadership Award Ceremonies
Sarah Suggs, Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy
President & CEO
The Honorable Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
(invited)
10:15 AM Breakout Sessions 1
Do Right-to-Farm Laws Benefit Farmers?
Since the 1970s, all fifty states have adopted “Right-to-Farm” laws to prevent nuisance lawsuits against agricultural production. This session will explore how most of these laws do not benefit family farmers and rural communities, and why changing them can help confront corporate power and make our communities more just and democratic.
Session attendees will receive a free copy of the book “Empty Fields, Empty Promises”, a guide to right-to-farm laws written by two of the session panelists, Loka Ashwood and Lindsay Kuehn. (While supplies
last).
Biofuels: New Opportunities for Agriculture to Lead the Way in the Low Carbon World
Advancements in technology and carbon reduction are rapidly spawning new opportunities for a diverse set of agricultural feedstocks and fuels. Demand for ethanol and other feedstocks are growing in this fluid market for biofuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We are seeing a biofuels renaissance brought about by new technologies that increase utilization of feedstocks. Join us as we explore these new market conditions that have the potential to significantly increase the opportunity for biofuels and farmers.
Food Safety in the Southwest
Join the NFU food safety team to cover the state of food safety needs and regulations for produce growers across the region, emerging scientific insights, challenges to implementing food safety practices, and community engagement and outreach strategies. Following the panel, we will screen a selection of food safety educational videos produced by NFU.
11:15 AM Lunch
12:00 PM Delegate Registration Closes
12:45 PM Breakout Sessions 2
Managing the Stress and Stressors of Agriculture in 2024
Join us for a discussion on healthy ways to navigate the stress, stressors, and challenges of agriculture in the 21st century. During this session we will discuss signs and symptoms of chronic stress, effective strategies for managing stress, values of social connection, and ways to support our family, friends, and neighbors when times are tough.
Protecting Landowner Rights
Several controversial carbon capture pipelines have been proposed in recent years and Farmers Union members have spoken out in defense of landowner rights. In this session, you can learn more about how to effectively voice concerns and challenge pipeline companies’ attempts to use eminent domain to access private property.
2:00 PM General Session
National Youth Advisory Council Presentations
Comedian Charlie Berens
Milt Hakel Award Presentation
Farm Family Wellness Alliance
Final Reports: Rules, Credentials, and Elections Committees
Election of NFU President and Vice President
Bylaws and Policy Consideration and Adoption
5:15 PM NFUPAC Happy Hour
($100 Suggested Contribution)
Tuesday, March 12
7:00 AM Registration Desk Opens
8:00 AM General Session
Policy Consideration & Adoption
11:30 AM Lunch
1:00 PM General Session
Policy Consideration & Adoption