NFO convention will be held in West Des Moines
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 02/02/2012 9:13 AM
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AMES, Iowa — The National Farmers Organization will hold their 2012 convention at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel Jan. 30 to Feb. 2.
Approximately 325 people are expected to attend the event, which features elections for president and vice president, a day at the Iowa Power Farming Show and opportunities to learn more about NFO's marketing programs.
Members are encouraged to lend their input to the direction of the non-profit organization during the convention.
"It's a good time for them to share their ideas for the future and help figure out what is going to help them back on their farms," said Helene Bergren, an NFO communications specialist.
The first day is devoted to board of directors meeting and committee meetings.
A general session on Jan. 31 includes committee reports, an address by vice president Ron Mattos and a noon luncheon with Daryll Ray of the University of Tennessee. He will provide an update on the farm bill.
Bylaws and resolutions will be discussed that afternoon. Ag policy analyst Gene Paul and Dick Levins, a professor emeritus in University of Minnesota's Department of Applied Economics, will speak.
A candidate forum will be held with this year's election hopefuls: Mark Rohr of Minnesota is running against incumbent Paul Olson of Wisconsin for the president's position. With Mattos stepping down from the vice president's office after seven years, Paul Riniker of Iowa and Mark Manford of Missouri are running for the role. The candidates will answer pre-determined questions from a member committee.
The evening agenda includes a dessert reception and staff awards,young producer bargainer recognition awards and an address by Olson.
Feb. 1 is the designated day for visiting the Iowa Power Farming Show at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. NFO is one of the show's exhibitors.
NFO chose to include the show partly to encourage their young farmer-members.
"They have a long career of farming ahead of them, they're going to need a lot of equipment," said Bergren. "It's a good place to congregate, offer up our services to new people. It's a fun time."
The convention continues that afternoon with educational dairy, livestock and grain workshops.
"I think producers will be in a good place to learn more about our marketing programs this year," said Bergren.
Evening entertainment is a dance with music from the band Passion.The lead singer's father is an NFO member, Bergren said.
Nomination speeches, voting and commodity reports will take place Feb. 2. Election results will be announced at the convention. People who were selected as nominees to the national board of directors at state conventions will be up for confirmation.
The nominated director from Iowa is Rhonda Bakken while Minnesota's is Leander Wagner. The two states' other national directors, Paul Riniker and Mark Rohr, will continue two-year terms.
A noon luncheon speaker, Max Thornsberry, president of R-CALF USA's board of directors, will present a session titled "How free trade agreements have reintroduced animal diseases to the U.S.A."
Registration at the door for the convention costs $70, or $85 with two banquet lunches. Bergren said Sheraton rooms were still available as of Jan. 19.