November 10, 2020
A Note From Your Executive Director
Greetings!

There’s still time to register for the 2020 Alaska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting events! While these events will based at Land’s End in Homer on November 13th-14th, we are also offering and encouraging members to attend virtually through Zoom! Click link below to register for either option.
 
 
The challenges of 2020 have certainly shown that it has never been more important to secure Alaska's food supply and expand economic opportunities for our future! 
 
While COVID 19 has hampered expansion of this year's Annual Meeting events, we are still planning a convention and trade show for 2021! Join us on Saturday, November 14th as we start to gather feedback from members on what you would like to see at the 2021 Convention & Trade Show.
 
Looking forward to seeing you all in person or virtually on November 13th and 14th! 

For those planning on attending in-person, we strongly encourage you to bring your mask(s) with you; we will be providing masks for those who need them. We will have plenty of hand sanitizer and the hotel staff are working diligently to provide a clean environment.
 
We want everyone to have a good experience with our Annual Meeting events; more importantly, we want you to stay healthy and minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19. While at Land’s End, please keep in mind the points below:  
If you are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, please participate virtually instead of in-person. 

Symptoms include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhea
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting

We look forward to seeing you in person or virtually, this Friday and Saturday!

Amy Seitz
Executive Director

37075 Nicholas View Lane
Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone: 907-252-5064
THANK YOU SPONSORS!!!!
FRIDAY FORUM – NOVEMBER 13, 2020

8:00     Friday Forum Registration
8:30     Welcome – Scott Mugrage, President, Alaska Farm Bureau, Inc.
8:45     Advocate from the Farm Gate: Social Media Advocacy Tips – Johnna Miller, Director of Media and Advocacy Training, American Farm Bureau
9:15     Peonies on Pioneer, a Way to Go; Farms and Beyond as an Economic Engine: Karin Marks, Chairman Homer Economic Development Advisory Commission
9:45     Governor Michael Dunleavy
10:00   Break
10:15   Agriculture and the Climate; Trends in Agricultures’ Conservation Efforts: Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau Federation
11:00   How COVID Has Changed Consumer Expectations: Charlie Arnot, Center for Food Integrity
12:00  Lunch

12:45   Great Alaska Cattle Drive: Monica Thornburg

1:00     Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies, Land Uses and how it Relates to Quality of Life – Tim Dillon, Executive Director Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District            
1:30     Alaska’s Peony Industry; 2020 Expectations & Outcomes - David Russell, President Alaska Peony Growers Association
2:00     A look at Farmers Market & Online Food Hubs in the Year of COVID - Robbi Mixon, Director Alaska Food Hub; Megan Geary, Local Foods Coordinator Alaska Farmer’s Market Association, Colin Peacock, Director Salt and Soil Marketplace             
2:30     Report from FFA; Youth Engagement in Agriculture – FFA officers
3:00     Break
3:30     Farm Services Agency – New Programs to Help Alaska’s Farmers; Bryan Scoresby
4:00     Division of Agriculture – Building Alaska’s Agriculture Industry; David Schade, Director Alaska Division of Agriculture
4:45    Closing
ANNUAL MEETING - NOVEMBER 14, 2020
8:00am Sign In
8:30am Call to Order
Determination of Quorum
Introduction of Guests
Agenda: Additions/Changes/Adoption
2019 Annual Meeting Minutes
President’s Report, Scott Mugrage
Treasurer’s Report, Eileen Herman, Accountant

Ratification of Election for Directors
Presentation to Chapter Presidents that met membership quota
Award Recipient Presentation: Ag Appreciation, 2020 Membership Drive
List of candidates developed for President and Vice President

Advocacy, Policy Development and Elections – Cody Lyon, Managing Director of Advocacy and Political Affairs, American Farm Bureau Federation
Expanding to Annual Convention & Trade Show Discussion

Chapter Reports - What has been going on in each of the chapters?
(Approximately 10-minute report from each)

Proposed Bylaw Change

Alaska Farm Bureau’s 2021 Priorities

Items from the Floor – Open Forum: What’s on your mind? Your opportunity to discuss ideas and suggestions for the Alaska Farm Bureau

Proposed Bylaw Change:
ARTICLE IX
OFFICERS

SECTION 1. Offices: The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, provided that the offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person.

SECTION 2. Election and Term of Officers: The President and Vice President shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The President may be elected from the list of candidate(s) forwarded by the nominating committee of all general members at the Annual meeting to be in compliance with AS 10.20.121. They must be willing to serve. They shall serve a term of office for [one (1) year] TWO (2) YEARS and until their successors are duly elected and shall have qualified. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the Board of Directors at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors. Other officers or assistant officers or agents, as may be deemed necessary, may be elected by the Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board of Directors and shall have such authority and may perform such duties as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors not inconsistent with these Be-Laws. All officers elected by the Board of Directors shall hold a term of office FOR TWO (2) YEARS [until the next regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors succeeding their election] or until a successor has been duly elected.

Bruce Willard Scholarship Auction!

Each year we hold our Bruce Willard Scholarship Auction at the Friday Forum and Banquet Friday night. This scholarship is to support students seeking an education in agriculture or natural resources. We award up to two $2000.00 scholarships to graduating seniors or those already attending college or vocational schools. 

This auction is the only source of funds for the Bruce Willard Scholarship program. 100% of funds raised go to helping students who want to work in agriculture or natural resources. 

Youth involvement in agriculture is important to the Alaska Farm Bureau and the future of agriculture, this scholarship is one way we can help younger generations continue to be part of ag. If continued education for our youth is important to you, please donate an item for the auction!   
 
Donations can be mailed to the Alaska Farm Bureau at 37075 Nicholas View Lane, Soldotna, AK 99669, dropped off at the Friday Forum registration table the morning of Friday, November 13th. If donations are too large to bring in email Amy.Seitz@gmail.com and we will make a certificate for those items.    

We will be offering live, virtual participation for the auction Friday night - jump on @ 6:45pm November 13, 2020 to participate!

Topic: Bruce Willard Scholarship Auction
Meeting ID: 884 9384 3208
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Meeting ID 884 9384 3208

We’ll have these items, and more!
Portable Welder Donated by NAPA
12x5in, handmade burl candle holder donated  by Eaglesong Family Peony Farm
Assorted neckties & scarfs donated by Bryan Scoresby
Tub of goat milk ice cream donated by Kodiak Heritage Farm & Ranch
USDA Offers Free Webinar on Livestock Risk Management
The Extension Risk Management Education Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture are hosting a webinar on Nov. 12 for agricultural producers and professionals focused on livestock risk management. The webinar is free to attend and will provide information on livestock markets, price risk and risk management options available through USDA.

“We strongly encourage farmers and ranchers to attend this webinar,” said USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey. “The information that will be presented here will be invaluable to livestock producers who have an interest in the various risk management tools available to them through USDA.”
“I brought my experience as a rancher with me when I came to USDA, and I know firsthand the challenges that America’s livestock producers face,” USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach said. “This livestock risk management webinar is just one example of our efforts to offer timely resources to cattle producers and others in the U.S. fed beef supply chain so they can make informed business decisions. USDA remains dedicated to addressing the concerns and strengthening the interests of livestock producers through forward-thinking actions that balance every segment of the nation’s livestock industry with the direction of today’s marketplace.”

The webinar is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. eastern on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Click Here to register for the webinar.
2020 BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTION RESULTS
CONGRATULATIONS! To the following members who have been elected/re-elected to serve on the Alaska Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors:

Delta Chapter: Scott Mugrage
Fairbanks Chapter: Fritz Wozniak
Kodiak Chapter: Kelli Foreman
Mat-Su Chapter: Carol Kenley
37075 Nicholas View Lane
Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone: 907-252-5064