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AROUND IFB
Idea Depot to offer roundtable discussions on a variety of topics —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team Are you packed and ready? The Indiana Farm Bureau state convention is only a couple weeks away, and the schedule is packed with activities – and options – to please nearly anyone. Many options are available during the Idea Depot on Friday, Dec. 12, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The Idea Depot is an extension of an idea from last year’s convention that proved very popular – roundtable discussions. The format allows convention goers the opportunity to select from a long list of topics and have short, focused discussions on those topics with facilitators and representatives of other county Farm Bureaus. As of The Hoosier Farmer’s Nov. 17 deadline, the following topics were slated for the Idea Depot: • Financing Dos and Don’ts
• Hot Topics for the Legislature • Response to Ag Opposition Groups • Using Social Media • How Do You Educate the Consumer? • Is Your Farm’s Liability Enough? • So You Want a Sustainable Farm • What’s Up in Washington • Annuities vs CDs • How Do You Communicate with Your Elected Officials? • Apps for Productivity • How Is Indiana Farm Bureau Doing? • Building a Strong YF&R Program • Effective County Committees • Private Lands Forestry • Soil Health • Eminent Domain • Cowboy Ethics • Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center (Indiana State Police and Indiana Department of Homeland
Security) • Ag in the Classroom • Wild Card Table Topics may change, but it is unlikely they will change much. Some additional reminders and information: Many of the deadlines for signups have passed, but there is one opportunity members can still take advantage of: a little pampering at one of the hotel spas. The spas will stay open late on Friday night, and members will receive a 10 percent discount on individual spa services (packages not included). There are also shorter versions of services available. Contact the spas at the hotels or visit their websites for more information. Convention attendees should bring cash and checkbooks for the Young Farmer silent auction. Some great items will be available, including a golf package valued at $525, donated by
County Farm Bureaus recognized in five program areas —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Indiana Farm Bureau’s 2014 county recognition program ended on Sept. 30. One hundred percent of the counties participated, noted Chris Fenner, INFB field services program director, who coordinated the program. This year, counties were asked about five program areas: membership outreach, issue engagement, influential organization, public relations and education, and young farmers and youth. These categories are aligned with the INFB strategic plan.
At the annual convention, county Farm Bureaus will be recognized as “Cardinals,” “Hawks” or “Falcons.” The Cardinal Award will be given to those counties that meet the basic goal for that particular category. The Hawk Award will be given to those counties that complete additional requirements. Any county who fulfills these extra requirements in all five categories will be given the Falcon Award. A full list of the awards received by all counties will be available at the convention, but it can also be found on INFB’s website,
conv.infb.org/awards. Listed below in alphabetical order are the counties that earned the Falcon Award: Allen, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Dearborn, Decatur, DeKalb, Delaware, Dubois, Elkhart, Fountain, Franklin, Gibson, Greene, Henry, Knox, Kosciusko. Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Monroe, Newton, Noble, Pike, Posey, Randolph, Rush, St. Joseph, Shelby, Starke, Steuben, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Vanderburgh, Vigo, Warrick, Wells, White and Whitley.
French Lick Resort. For those wanting to learn a little more about French Lick beyond their website at www.frenchlick.com, the resort maintains of blog at
frenchlickresort.blogspot. com. Convention runs Dec. 1213 at the French Lick Resort. For more information, visit conv.infb.org.
When someone says fresh greens, do you think “18 holes” rather than “salad bar”?
Don’t forget cash or your checkbook for the Young Farmer silent auction at state convention. Many great items will be up for bid, including:
AFBF convention travels to San Diego —By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team Members still have a few days to register for the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in San Diego, California, Jan. 1013, 2015. The convention features well-known late night talk show host Jay Leno, Navy SEALs commander Rorke Denver, IDEAg tradeshow, tours and workshops. For more information
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
on specific activities, visit annualconvention.fb.org. Registration and hotel reservations are due by Dec. 1 and must be made through
Indiana Farm Bureau. More information is available on www.infb.org under the “Events” menu or by calling 317-692-7853.
One round of golf at the Donald Ross course for four people, valued at $525. Donated by our friends at French Lick Resort. Proceeds of the auction go to Feeding America November 24, 2014