Trade agreements, commodity prices, GMO labeling, government regulations, farm succession planning, dealing with the media, drones, and food safety were just a few of the many workshop topics at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in Orlando this week.
One popular session offered tips for working with the media from NAFB West Region Vice President Sabrina Hill of AgNet West and president Brian Winnekins of WRDN Radio in Durand, Wisconsin. The workshop was so well received that Sabrina and Brian said people stayed on well after the end and had to be ushered out for the next session.
During a session on estate planning, KCOE ISOM CPA Doug Claussen encouraged farmers to start planning now for future growth and to develop a clear and concise strategy for having the next generation take over the operation. “A lot of farmers want to build a legacy for their family,” Claussen said. “Farms that have been around for 100 years didn’t just happen by accident.”
UnmannedFarmer Robert Blair with Measure Drone as a Service provided perspective on the advantages and practical considerations of using unmanned aerial vehicles during a workshop on drones. “We need precision ag technology to increase profitability and reduce environmental impact,” Blair said. “UAVs give proactive data throughout the season. You can see what is happening and make adjustments on the spot.”
Check out the FB convention newsroom for more on happenings at the meeting this week, as well as links to photos, video and audio. Their team did an awesome job as always of getting content on-line for the media.