By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) members, it is quite likely one of the most exciting times of the year: The 91st annual meeting Dec. 1-4 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville.
Delegates from across the state will gather to participate in committee meetings, business sessions, award presentations, officer elections and to finalize 2011 priority issues and policy revisions, according to information from the KFB. Mark Haney, agency president said there is a lot to do during the meeting.
“It’s always an exciting time of year when KFB’s volunteer leaders gather in Louisville for our annual meeting. Just as the harvest has now been completed, we also see the months of grassroots policy development work from each of Kentucky’s 120 counties culminate into our final resolutions for 2011,” he said.

Haney added leaders and youth who have performed at an exceptional level over the last year will be honored, a new membership milestone will be celebrated, board members and other leadership will be elected and while the board will set priorities for the upcoming year.

“The annual meeting is designed to energize county-level leaders for the new year and to provide each member with an opportunity to learn from the successes of other members,” he said. “By mixing in the right blend of reflection, fellowship and goal-setting, we create an event that our members simply look forward to each year.”

The annual meeting will also include the familiar agriculture outlook conducted by University of Kentucky College of Agriculture experts who will not only take a look at the coming year but recap 2010 from an agricultural standpoint.

State and Congressional officials will also be on hand. Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler and Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer will all serve as guest speakers.

A full day’s agenda will begin Dec. 2, with 10 commodity and special interest conferences covering a range of topics from tobacco and livestock to farm labor and agricultural chemicals.

The meeting will also host a one-day trade show featuring agriculture associations and businesses from around the country, the KFB County Activities of Excellence, Farmer Idea Exchange and student agricultural science displays.

Ed Maixner, editor of Kiplinger Agriculture Letter, will serve as the keynote speaker during the Dec. 2 Commodity Luncheon. The following day will feature Haney delivering the annual president’s message and delegates will discuss and adopt resolutions later in the day.

The final day’s activities will include the Public Affairs Breakfast and voting delegates will elect directors and officers. The state’s Outstanding Young Farm Family will also be announced during the conference.