The 101st American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Austin, Texas started off on a somber note with the announcement at the general session Sunday morning that the wife of AFBF President Zippy Duvall had passed away the night before.

“It is with deep sadness that I share the news of Bonnie Duvall’s passing after a courageous battle with cancer,” said Vice President Scott VanderWal. “She was a special member of the Farm Bureau family, from being chosen for the 1982 National Young Farmer and Rancher Award with Zippy, to her travels with him 33 years later when he was elected president of American Farm Bureau.”

2020 AFBF VP Scott VanderWal comments (2:46)

The Duvalls were married 40 years and have four children and five grandchildren.

Since Duvall is obviously needed at home right now, VanderWal is filling in for him at the convention this week.

VanderWal provided a policy update for Farm Bureau members during the general session, and then answered questions from the media during a press conference. Reporter questions were not on mic, but the sound bites deal with the China trade deal, MFP payments and the farm economy, impacts of trade disputes and administration actions, WOTUS, wetlands, dairy policy, and ethanol.

2020 AFBF VP Scott VanderWal opening remarks (13:34)

2020 AFBF VP Scott VanderWal press conference (10:06)