Farm Bureau Presents Convention
Farmers and ranchers face tough times, but during the 102nd Montana Farm Bureau Annual Convention Nov. 8-11 in Billings, keynote speakers provided uplifting insights and valuable information to make the road easier. Members of the states’ largest agricultural organization grow a wide range of products, including beef cattle, wheat, sugar beets, chickpeas, barley, sheep, bees and more.
Jay Hill kicked off the convention Tuesday morning, talking about standing behind one’s heritage while pushing for the future. His keynote led to the understanding that the future is changing, but one still can control one’s destiny. For Hill, what started as 10 acres and a John Deere 4020 tractor has grown into a multi-layered commercial operation of 18,000 acres with highly diversified crops in west Texas and southern New Mexico. Hill strives to continually implement new practices and the latest technology to utilize his resources and farm sustainably. He actively advocates for the industry he loves on social media, using this platform to give an authentic glimpse into the life of a farmer.
During Tuesday’s lunch, Frank King, “The Mental Health Comedian and Suicide Prevention Speaker,” discussed ways to develop effective suicide prevention strategies within the agriculture industry. Farmers are at a greater risk for suicide than veterans, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Occupational Suicide List. King covered recognizing warning signs associated with suicide, understanding how to start a conversation and offering support through referrals. You can save a life, and it may be as simple as starting a conversation, he explained.
Wednesday’s lunch featured Mike Pearson, who provided an outlook for the farm markets and global trends impacting these markets. Pearson was born on his family’s hog and cattle farm, built his own cow herd and worked as an agricultural lender. Over the next 10 years, Pearson left the world of finance and entered the world of media. He’s previously hosted “Market to Market” on Public Television, the Ag News Daily podcast. Currently, viewers can find him behind the anchor desk on “This Week In Agribusiness” with Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson, seen on RFD-TV or hundreds of local stations each weekend.
In addition to the compelling keynote speakers, the convention offered unique workshops, a trade show, socials and the venerable delegate sessions where MBF policy is adopted for the coming year.
