The 2023 American Farm Bureau convention in Puerto Rico Jan. 6-10 was a great time for Oklahoma Farm Bureau members to gather with fellow farmers and ranchers from around the country to celebrate Mi Familia – the Farm Bureau family.
This year’s convention was a great one for OKFB members. Check out all the convention highlights for OKFB below:
Young Farmers & Ranchers contestants advance
Several Young Farmers & Ranchers competitive events participants advanced in their competitions at the 2023 AFBF Convention.
Travis and Rylee Schnaithman were among the 10 national finalists for the AFBF YF&R Achievement Award. The Garfield County farmers and ranchers progressed to the interview round of the contest and appeared on stage during the closing general session along with the other nine finalists.
Dillon Johnson advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the AFBF YF&R Discussion Meet. Johnson competed in two opening rounds, then participated in the Sweet 16 round discussing issues affecting agriculture alongside fellow YF&R members from around the nation.
Rogers County Farm Bureau member Chris Hoskins represented Oklahoma in the AFBF YF&R Excellence in Agriculture competition, where he gave a presentation to a panel of judges about his on- and off-farm activities, Farm Bureau experience and future goals.
Women’s Leadership Committee participate in Women’s business session
OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee members gathered with Farm Bureau women from across the nation to elect leaders and prepare for the coming year.
OKFB WLC Chair Mignon Bolay served as the credentials committee chair for the AFBF Women’s Leadership Meeting, where she gave the credentials report before the group.
Speakers, sessions and trade show
OKFB members attended three general sessions, numerous breakout sessions on a variety of agricultural topics and visited vendors and fellow organizations at the trade show.
Keynote speakers at the general sessions included AFBF President Zippy Duvall, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, country music artist “Big Kenny” Alphin, and Life is Good Co-Founder Bert Jacobs.
Additional convention highlights
The convention was full of daily highlights for OKFB members as they enjoyed the convention and San Juan.
OKFB members gathered for a group breakfast on Monday, Jan. 9, to fellowship and visit about Oklahoma’s achievements during the convention.
Farm Bureau members took time to enjoy Puerto Rico through a variety of tours in the San Juan area focusing on the culture, history and attractions of the island.
OKFB members were also featured heavily in the AFBF convention video, which highlighted Farm Bureau families from around the nation.
For additional convention news and highlights from AFBF, visit annualconvention.fb.org.
