Each December, over 1,200 farmers and ranchers from across Missouri gather at the Lake of the Ozarks to reconnect with old friends, learn from national experts and debate policy positions for the coming year. The 2022 Missouri Farm Bureau Annual Meeting will be the 108th of its kind, a tradition unrivaled for its longevity and breadth. This year, we are celebrating Missouri Farm Bureau being “Rooted in Service.” We’ll have the opportunity to recognize the difference our members make all across the state, and delegates will hear from some of the top agriculture leaders in America at the conference.
Gregg Doud, who previously served as the United States’ Chief Agricultural Negotiator, will give his insights into the current state of agricultural trade policy. As a trained agricultural economist, Doud has a deep understanding of how the war in Ukraine, supply chain breakdowns, fertilizer shortages and high inflation are affecting America’s farmers and ranchers.
Attendees will also hear from Ray Starling, who served in the White House as Special Assistant to President Trump for Agriculture, Trade and Food Assistance and later as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Starling will discuss the future of agriculture policy and the struggle between “Farmers versus Foodies” to determine its direction in the coming years.
The final keynote speaker of the conference may be the most renowned to the general public. Dan Meers, better known as the Kansas City Chiefs’ mascot K.C. Wolf, will speak about his experiences as an NFL mascot and the challenges he had to overcome after a life-threatening injury.
The strength of Missouri Farm Bureau has always come from its grassroots members. Every year, they spend more than six months thoroughly reviewing and revising our policy book, which spans agritourism to zoning and everything in between. The process concludes at Annual Meeting, with hundreds of voting delegates coming from every county across Missouri to debate and vote on changes in an open discussion.
In between all of the learning and serious work, attendees have a lot of fun too. The Sunday morning Flapjack Festival is a crowd favorite, as is the Sunday evening Trivia Night. Both events benefit the Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, which provides educational and leadership development opportunities for young people and aspiring leaders.
Missouri Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting will be held December 4 – 6 at Margaritaville Lake Resort, and the agenda is filled with other popular items including contests, awards, good food and laughs with new and old friends. Farm Bureau members can contact their local county office to register and experience the fun of our signature annual event.
