Kansas Farm Bureau annual meeting - mark your calendar

By Scout Nelson

The Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) will host its annual event from Saturday, December 7, to Monday, December 9, at the Manhattan Conference Center, featuring a packed agenda focused on agriculture and rural community issues.

The event kicks off Saturday evening with the KFB Foundations' Fundraiser, preceded by a two-hour window (4-6 p.m.) for participants to drop off items for the Silent Auction.

Sunday’s program begins with Vespers at 7:30 a.m., followed by registration and the opening of the Silent Auction. The general session starts at 8:30 a.m., honoring outstanding county Farm Bureaus and individuals for their contributions to agriculture and rural communities.

Award highlights include the County Farm Bureau awards, Membership Traveling Trophy, Friends of Agriculture, and the new “Rural Minds Matter” award, which recognizes efforts supporting rural mental health.

A tradeshow opens at 9 a.m., providing attendees with an opportunity to connect with vendors and explore agricultural innovations.

Workshops commence at 11 a.m., covering topics of interest to farmers, ranchers, and rural professionals, with a second round following at 1:30 p.m.

A keynote address, "From Fields to Policy: Ensuring Affordable Food and Agricultural Freedom," features speakers Diane Sullivan and Brian Klippenstein.

Diane Sullivan, a Massachusetts anti-hunger activist and co-founder of Equitable Spaces, draws from her personal experiences of poverty and hunger to advocate for accessible food policies.

She will be joined by Brian Klippenstein, a seasoned agriculture policy advisor with roots in Northwest Missouri, who has extensive Capitol Hill experience and formerly served as senior advisor to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Together, they’ll discuss the impact of ballot initiatives on food costs and the importance of supporting farmers' autonomy.

The evening closes with a banquet featuring awards like the Farm Families of the Year and Distinguished Service Award, along with recognitions for leadership in the Kansas Farm Bureau.

On Monday, events begin at 7:30 a.m. with a candidate forum and caucus meetings. The business session starts at 9:30 a.m., rounding out a three-day gathering focused on advancing agricultural policy, leadership, and the interests of Kansas’s rural communities.

Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey