Conclave Canceled

On March 15, 2020 the FarmHouse Headquarters staff were planning for and preparing to host the 2020 Conclave. Based on feedback from students and alumni, much excitement was brewing for the 51st Biennial Conclave. The four-day event in Louisville, Ky., was set to be a fantastic convention for many reasons. We had plans to initiate a sitting Congressman and the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture. Events were booked for more than 500 people at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. We were excited to bring FH brothers and families together in fellowship at the newly renovated Marriott Downtown.

WOW, 90 DAYS can change everything!

As COVID-19 picked up steam, after mid-March, we kept an eye on regulations in Louisville to monitor if the city and hotel could host Conclave. As we approached the middle of June, we knew we would need to find alternatives to salvage the 51st Biennial Conclave.

We quickly found a location in St. Louis where we could host a scaled-back version of events—limiting our attendance to 125 people. Safety was our paramount concern. St. Louis itself was a drivable option for more than 70 percent of our expected chapter and association delegates, meaning they could choose to attend without added exposure in airports.

After this plan was solidified, cases began spiking in St. Louis County and around the country. We were again without a host city for Conclave, so the International Executive Board made the decision to cancel Conclave.

Our attention now turns to the 2022 Conclave and, in between, planning a celebration for our 2020 Master Builder of Men. You can read more about them and other award recipients in the next few pages.

We plan to recognize our Master Builders in conjunction with the FarmHouse Foundation’s Power of 7 Seminar in Washington, D.C. on March 20, 2021. This will be an opportunity to share our fraternal bond and congratulate those deserving of the Fraternity's highest honor and award. More information will be published as we approach March 2021. ★