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 Florida Farm Bureau Federation
News Release
PO Box 147030
Gainesville, FL 32614-7030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2004
Florida
Farm Bureau changes venue for 63rd annual meeting Oct. 27-29
(GAINESVILLE, Fla.) - The 63rd annual meeting of the Florida
Farm Bureau Federation has been relocated to Walt Disney World's
Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando October 27, 28 and 29.
Due to damage from recent hurricanes, the Adam’s Mark
Hotel in Daytona Beach was unable to meet our needs.
Farmers and ranchers from across the state will gather for
the Florida Farm Bureau Federation's 63rd annual meeting.
They will share knowledge and perspectives with colleagues
as they set organizational policies for the coming year.
This year’s convention theme is “Grassroots Heroes,”
and during the meeting Florida Farm Bureau will honor dozens
of leaders who help make Florida Farm Bureau an effective
advocate for agriculture, the state’s second-largest
industry.
“We are so fortunate to have many high caliber individuals
who contribute to the success of the agricultural industry
as Farm Bureau leaders,” said President Carl Loop Jr.
“Their accomplishments are evident in the public’s
growing understanding of the impact of agriculture to this
state. Agriculture accounts for $62 billion in annual economic
impact across the state and provides 649,000 jobs.”
Convention registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
Oct. 27. Conferences on new county Farm Bureau programs and
Florida Farm Bureau’s state legislative agenda begin
that afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Farm Bureau Women will hold a
reception from 3:00-4:30 p.m. while other attendees receive
a briefing from the Florida Wildlife Commission. The President’s
Reception begins at 6:30 p.m. featuring Dr. Holiday, “The
Hilarious Hypnotist.” The reception will be followed
at 8:30 p.m. by an ice cream social for Young Farmers and
Ranchers.
Highlights of the Thursday session will include a breakfast
beginning at 7:00 a.m. Clebe McClary, a Vietnam War hero will
be the keynote speaker. The Youth Speech Contest will follow
at 9:45 a.m. and the Young Farmer and Rancher discussion meet
finals take place at 11:00 a.m.
The balance of the Thursday schedule includes a Farm PAC
luncheon honoring lawmakers who have supported Farm Bureau’s
legislative initiatives and guest speaker Grover Norquist,
president of Americans for Tax Reform, a coalition of taxpayer
groups, individuals and businesses opposed to higher taxes
at both the federal, state and local levels. The general session
will include the president’s annual address and the
awards banquet, where two leaders will receive Florida Farm
Bureau’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service to
Agriculture Award.
On Friday, the convention will host the Commissioner of Agriculture’s
Environmental Leadership Award Breakfast. The breakfast will
be followed by a general session at which delegates will elect
the president and vice president.
Hotel reservations at Coronado Springs Resort can be made
directly by calling (407) 939-1020. Room rates are $95 per
night (single or double occupancy) when asking for the Florida
Farm Bureau rate. Deadline for hotel reservations is Friday,
October 15. Those who have already made reservations at the
Adam's Mark Hotel will need to call and cancel at (386) 254-8200.
Early registration will remain at $60/person and late at $70/person.
Early registration deadline is still set for October 1.
The Florida
Farm Bureau Federation is the state's largest general-interest agricultural
association with more than 151,000 member-families statewide. There are
Farm Bureaus representing 64 counties in Florida, where agriculture
comprises a stable, vital foundation 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.
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