It is at the VFBF Annual Convention that voting delegates from each county Farm Bureau help shape the organization’s state and federal policies for the coming year. Delegates also will elect members of the VFBF board of directors to represent Districts 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

Commodity Luncheon

• Keynote speaker: J.J. Keever, senior deputy executive director for external affairs, Virginia Port Authority
• VFBF Journalism Awards

Educational Conference: “Port of Virginia: Proximity & Potential Profit”

• Greg Edwards, director of external affairs, Virginia Port Authority

Educational Conference: “Conservation Easements: The Right Fit for Your Farm?”

• Lisa Hawkins, founding partner, Lenhart Obenshain PC
• Kevin Schmidt, coordinator, Virginia Office of Farmland Preservation
• Laura Thurman, easement project manager, Virginia Outdoors Foundation, Shenandoah Valley Region
• Moderator: Matt Lohr, Virginia commissioner of agriculture and consumer services

Family Night dinner and program

Young Farmers Benefit Auction, to benefit Virginia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program and Virginia Tech’s Agricultural Technology Program scholarship fund

Wednesday, Nov. 30

Breakfast

Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore will speak on Gov. Bob McDonnell’s recent trade mission to Israel and India.

General Session

• Reports of officers and Resolutions Committee
• Policy discussion

Fellowship Luncheon

• Speaker: Damian Mason

General Session

• Nominations of directors
• Report of Resolutions Committee
• Policy Discussion

Banquet

• Distinguished Service Awards
• County Activity – Best-in-State Awards
• Entertainment: The Spiritual Harmonizers

Thursday, Dec. 1

Leadership Breakfast

• Recognition of county Farm Bureau presidents
• Membership Activity Awards

General Session

• Report of Resolutions Committee
• Policy Discussion
• Elections of directors
• Annual Meeting of Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.
• Annual Meeting of Virginia Farm Bureau Marketing Association