News Release

(GAINESVILLE, Fla.) – Florida Farm Bureau Federation announces its 62nd annual meeting, an information-packed program that will attract nearly 500 agricultural professionals from around the state to Daytona Beach Oct. 22-24, 2003. Attendees will have an opportunity to share knowledge and perspectives with colleagues as they set organizational objectives for the coming year.

Carl Loop, president of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, stated, "Florida Farm Bureau is an effective grassroots organization, as witnessed this year by many events such as legislation that passed, agriculture as a consideration in county growth management plans and more effective working relationships between Farm Bureau and many state, educational and commodity organizations. These are accomplishments we can be proud of. The public’s understanding of the importance of agriculture is growing, and this year’s annual meeting will help our voice be even stronger next year. It will help members stay informed and keep them on the forefront of issues impacting the industry.”

The meeting will kick off with the second annual golf tournament, the Florida Farm Bureau Golf Classic, Oct. 22 at the Indigo Lakes Golf Course in Daytona Beach. Members can sign up now by contacting Kim Roberts at (352) 374-1543 to reserve a spot or team.

In addition, deadlines are quickly approaching for the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Newsperson of the Year nominations. The Excellence in Agriculture application deadline is Sept. 1 and the Discussion Meet application deadline is Oct. 1. Forms are available at the FFBF website. Newsperson of the Year nominations are being accepted until Sept. 15. Forms are available through county Farm Bureau offices. Youth Speech Contests are currently being held by county Farm Bureaus throughout the state with winners competing at the state level during the annual meeting.

The “Legislator of the Year” will be honored at the PAC luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 23. The “Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher” family, “Distinguished Service” award, “Gold Star” awards, and the “Outstanding Newsperson of the Year” awards will be presented at the banquet on Thursday evening. The Commissioner of Agriculture Environmental Leadership Awards Breakfast will begin Friday at 7:30 a.m. Visit the Florida Farm Bureau website, http://FloridaFarmBureau.org, for session details and other program information.

The hotel reservation deadline is October 1 to ensure room availability and the convention rate. Reservations must be made by calling the Adams Mark Daytona Beach Resort at 1-800-444-ADAM (1-800-444-2326) or (386) 254-8200. Cost per room is $ 92 for single or double occupancy when the Florida Farm Bureau rate is requested.

The annual meeting registration fee is $50 per person on or before Oct. 1 and $60 per person afterwards. Forms will be available at the county Farm Bureau offices. Registration will open at the Adam’s Mark on Wednesday, October 22 at 3 p.m.

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general-interest agricultural association with more than 150,000 member-families statewide. There are Farm Bureaus in 62 counties in Florida, where agriculture comprises a stable, vital leg of Florida's economy, rivaling the tourism industry in economic importance. Headquartered in Gainesville, the Federation is an independent, non-profit agricultural organization and is not associated with any arm of the government. More information is available on the organization’s website, http://FloridaFarmBureau.org.