Representing the Cowboy State: WyFB members gain insight, vote on policy at national convention
Thirty-one Wyoming Farm Bureau (WyFB) members traveled deep in the heart of Texas to attend the 106th American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention Jan. 24-29 in San Antonio.
Although Kerin Clark has traveled to past AFBF conventions, this is the first time she has served as the role of WyFB executive vice president, having been elected during the WyFB convention in November when Ken Hamilton retired.
“It was an honor to serve WyFB members at the national convention, and this year it was rewarding to look around and see volunteer members being part of this grassroots process,” said Clark.
Clark noted there were many highlights during the event. One was seeing Wyoming county farm bureau members being involved at the national level and seeing the larger picture of what AFBF represents with its wide variety of commodities.
“Although how we farm and ranch might differ, we are all tied together with the commonality we all produce food,” said Clark.
Then, citing keynote speaker Lt. Col. Dan Rooney’s statement, she added, “We need to be ready, so we don’t have to get ready. Certainly, this pertains to advocating for agriculture.”
Policy discussions
The new executive vice president noted watching the discussion of policy during the voting delegate system is a testament to true grassroots – how the policy moves from the ground up, from county farm bureaus to the state farm bureaus and then on to the national delegate floor.
WyFB President Todd Fornstrom, a farmer from Pine Bluffs, said his state had policies which advanced to the AFBF delegate floor to be discussed. One of these created extensive discussion centered around animal identification.
“Our voting delegates at our WyFB Convention spoke strongly about opposing mandatory animal identification, and Vice President Cole Coxbill and I brought this message loud and clear to the discussion on the floor at the AFBF delegate session,” said Fornstrom.
Fornstrom also spoke out during the delegate session on another WyFB policy.
The policy reads, “We oppose private industry – including non-governmental organizations – using monetary contributions to U.S. Department of Agriculture programs as a mechanism to dictate implementation and adoption of conservation practices on private property.”
The other policy followed suit with, “We oppose the use of natural capital accounting (NCA) methods in ecosystem services valuation.”
“We feel more outside control of ecosystem services on private property may impact the ability to produce food and fiber. In addition, we see NCA as a method to value ecosystem services with origins in the United Nations climate agenda,” Fornstrom explained.
What Fornstrom enjoys most about the event are the people.
“Rural people are similar, and they are my favorite people,” he shared. “Whether we are meeting with sponsors or talking to other farmers and ranchers in the halls, we share stories, and it is good to know we are not alone with what is going on, especially in hard times. AFBF is a wonderful organization with the broadest coverage of agricultural policy across the U.S.
Learning and networking opportunities
Matt Stroh, his wife and daughter made the 19-hour drive from their ranch near Newcastle to San Antonio – the first time any of them had attended the national convention.
Although Stroh had been active in the Weston County Farm Bureau for more than 20 years, he was elected recently to the board which made him decide to attend the national convention.
“I really enjoyed networking with other farmers and ranchers,” Stroh said. “Visiting with folks from Virginia and Tennessee is outside of our normal knowledge about agriculture, but there were issues, such as dealing with water, which was really interesting to learn.”
Wandering around the trade show and hearing the three keynote speakers – AFBF President Zippy Duvall; Rooney, who founded Folds of Honor and former National Football League Player Eric Boles – proved insightful.
“I am a military history buff so hearing Rooney share his experiences in the Air Force, then how he turned his experience into helping others, caught my attention,” Stroh explained. “He reinforced what I’ve been telling my kids and working on it myself – be the best version of yourself.”
A variety of tours offered included one to the Pacific War Museum and the Holt Ranch, an outfitting ranch which runs cattle and manages resources. Although the museum was not ag-related, the history interested Stroh and he found their exhibits compelling.
Stroh and his family found the overall experience superb.
“It was great for my daughter, who is in the Young Farmers and Ranchers program, to see farm bureau on the national level,” he said. “I enjoyed seeing the spectrum of people, from those who have been coming for 20 years to the 18-year-olds. There is a lot of information to take back to your community.”
He concluded, “I am a firm believer once someone gets involved in farm bureau, it becomes part of their DNA. It becomes something they want to be a part of. I will encourage everyone and everybody to go to the national convention.”
Rebecca Colnar is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
