It’s official!

Farm meeting season kicks off the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. If you haven’t registered yet, there is still time to do so.

Here’s a quick overview of the annual meetings coming up.

Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation 100th annual meeting, Nov. 15-17, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Bloomington-Minneapolis South. Meeting highlights:
• On Nov. 16, Minnesota Farm Bureau’s 2019 policy resolutions will be established at the voting delegate session. Delegates will vote on candidates for the office of MFBF vice president and members of the board of directors from districts 2 and 6.

• Friday wraps up with the Farm Bureau Awards Banquet, with the keynote presentation given by MFBF President Kevin Paap.

• On Nov. 21, the Young Farmers and Ranchers contests take place throughout the morning. They wrap up with the Discussion Meet finals at the noon luncheon, with the announcement of all contest winners following the meal.

• Panel presentations on the 2019 political landscape, environmental regulations and the opioid epidemic will be given in the morning.

For more information, visit MFBF's 100th annual meeting webpage.

Minnesota Farmers Union 77th annual convention, Nov. 16-18, Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast. Meeting highlights:
• Debate and pass MFU policy and elect delegates to represent Minnesota at the National Farmers Union Convention in Bellevue, Wash., March 2-5.

• This convention also marks 100 years since the first Farmers Union chapter in Minnesota was established — the Rost Center Local in Jackson County. MFU will celebrate the occasion at its Saturday night banquet.

• The convention features Minnesota-grown meals; silent and live fundraiser auctions for its foundation and political action committees; and presentations by Roger Johnson, NFU president; Joe Martin, Minnesota Farm Service Agency director; Meg Moynihan, Minnesota Department of Agriculture senior adviser for strategy and innovation; and Steve Simon, Minnesota secretary of state (invited).

There is no cost to attend. However, meals are ticketed events and RSVPs are required. The public is welcome to attend and may register at MFU's annual convention webpage.

Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association annual convention and trade show, Dec. 7-8, Arrowwood Resort, Alexandria.
• Convention highlights include MSCA and Minnesota CattleWomen annual meetings; live and silent auctions; setting 2019 legislative priorities; and networking opportunities with legislators, government agencies, beef industry partners and fellow cattle producers.

• Agenda items include discussion on trade trends and growing markets, and right to farm and legislative updates from state and national lobbyists.

Register at mnsca.org.

Minnesota Milk Producers Association annual conference and expo, Nov. 27-28, Treasure Island Resort and Casino, Welch.
• Highlights include presentations on dairy trade, employee engagement, building resilience, succession planning and antibiotic use.

• During its annual business meeting, the MMPA board of directors will present a proposal to reduce the board from 14 to 10 directors in coming years.

For more information, visit MMPA's Dairy Conference and Expo webpage.

Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Shepherd’s Holiday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Rochester.
• Meeting highlights include optional farm tours on Nov. 30, followed by the annual lamb social that includes lamb cooking, sampling demonstrations and the annual fundraiser auction.

• The next day, the Make It With Wool program takes place in the morning, following by educational seminars in the afternoon.

For more information, visit MLWP's Shepherd's Holiday webpage.