Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2021 Annual Meeting is taking shape as a hybrid affair, incorporating several familiar in-person activities and elements of last year’s virtual proceedings.
Pandemic precautions in 2020 made it necessary for an almost entirely virtual annual meeting, and feedback from members who took part was mixed. Most missed the camaraderie and efficiency of in-person interaction, but that sentiment was tempered by the undeniable convenience “phoning it in” meant for those living and farming long distances from Grand Rapids.
Barring the unforeseen, this year’s format will borrow from 2020 an early virtual kickoff event in early November for dispensing with reports and other formalities, followed by in-person district meetings the following week.
Those district meetings will allow delegates to nominate and elect their district director (odd-numbered districts only this year) and review the policy agenda prior to the full delegate body convening three weeks later.
The final component will largely resemble our familiar, in-person annuals, but in a condensed, two-day format that will incorporate means for delegates to join the proceedings without coming to Grand Rapids. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 will be packed with Young Farmer discussion meets, the Ag Art Gallery, Promotion & Education content and more.
The agenda below isn’t final but is close enough to offer a good idea of what this year’s MFB Annual Meeting will look like. And it is not too early for interested members to let their county Farm Bureau leaders know they want to take part!
DRAFT AGENDA: MFB 2021 STATE ANNUAL MEETING
Wednesday, Nov. 3
Virtual Kickoff: 7-8 p.m.
- Welcome
- Business session call to order
- Approval of 2020 annual meeting minutes
- Officer reports
- Rules Committee report
- Credentials Committee report
Tuesday, Nov. 9 & Wednesday, Nov. 10
District Meetings: in person within the district; times TBD
- Nominations & elections of district director (odd districts only)
- At-large director candidates to join virtually for introductions and Q&A
- Policy review
Tuesday, Nov.30
State Annual Meeting Day 1: in-person at Amway/DeVos, Grand Rapids
- 9 – 11 a.m. • Young Farmer Discussion Meet registration, contestant & judges briefing
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. • Young Farmer Discussion Meet Sweet 16 – Round 1
- 12 – 1:30 p.m. • Discussion meet participant lunch
- 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. • Young Farmer Discussion Meet Sweet 16 – Round 2
- 2 – 9:30 p.m. • MFA Ag Art Gallery showcase & voting
- 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. • Opening delegate session (Hybrid delegation)
- Welcome
- Scheduled polices
- Young Farmer Discussion Meet Final Four announcement
- 5 – 5:30 p.m. • P&E Showcase sneak peak (for non-delegates)
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. • Reception
- P&E Showcase of County Activities of Excellence & 2-3 stations from state P&E committee
- Young Farmer Excellence Award presentation
- Sponsor exhibit space
- 6:30 – 9 p.m. • Leadership Banquet
- State Young Farmer committee Introductions
- Young Farmer Discussion Meet finals
- State P&E committee introductions
- Foundation introduction & kick-off for Art Gallery
- Recognition of county P&E activities and announcement for Ag Week 2022
- YF Awards – winners and finalist recognition
- Ag in the Classroom (Farm Science Lab & FARM Crates) and Educator of the Year
- Young Farmer Discussion Meet winner announcement
- Distribute P&E t-shirts
Wednesday, December 1
State Annual Meeting Day 2: in-person at Amway/DeVos, Grand Rapids
- 7:15 – 8:45 a.m. • Breakfast
- State AgriPac committee recognition
- AgriPac keynote speaker
- 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. • MFA Ag Art Gallery showcase & voting
- 8 – 8:30 a.m. • High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet registration & briefing
- 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. • High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet round 1
- 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • Delegate session (hybrid delegation)
- Nomination and elections of district, YF, P&E and at-large directors
- Scheduled polices
- Block voting
- 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. • High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet round 2
- 10:45 – 11 a.m. • High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet final six announcement
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet final six round
- 12:45 – 2:30 p.m. • Lunch
- Key Club recognition
- Agent Charitable Fund recognition
- High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet winners announced
- Presidential Volunteer of the Year
- 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. • Closing Delegate Session (hybrid delegation)
- Block voting
- High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet contestants observe
- 4 – 7 p.m. • Ag Art Gallery Silent Auction
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. • Friends of Agriculture Reception
- Incorporate elected Friends of Agriculture as a showcase event
- AgriPac pin sales
- Sponsor exhibit space
- 6:30 – 9 p.m. • Annual Banquet
- Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award
- President’s Address
- MFA Ag Art Gallery live auction (popular vote winners & best in show)