LOGAN - The Utah Farm Bureau Federation will be holding its annual Midyear Conference July 15 -16 at the Riverwoods Conference Center in Logan. The theme for this year's conference, "Securing a Better Tomorrow", illustrates the priorities of Utah's farmers and ranchers in making preparations for a changing agricultural economy.
"With the changing nature of our economy, it makes sense for agricultural leaders to meet and make sure we're on the right course," said Leland Hogan, president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. "We have a great legacy of meeting the challenges that come in agriculture. Meeting together to find solutions to challenges will ensure we continue that legacy."
President Hogan will speak to the theme of the conference "Securing a Better Tomorrow."
The conference will include several presentations concerning the lives of farmers and ranchers as well as urban Utahns alike. Kyle Stephens, Deputy Commissioner of Utah's Department of Agriculture and Food, will speak to the effects of the slow economy on Utah agriculture and rural Utah. He will illustrate the reasons why agriculture is able to retain a strong foothold in Utah's economy despite the recession.
Utah Farm Bureau has a rich tradition of producing sound policies through grassroots meetings like the commodity breakout sessions held at its midyear conference. Pertinent agriculture issues and relevant commodity problems will be addressed in specific sessions on Friday morning. Issues ranging from animal health to water transfer to energy efficiency will be discussed by commodity producers.
A highlight of the conference will be a discussion on the vision for agriculture and rural Utah from the perspective of two candidates running for the office of Utah's Governor, Lt. Governor Greg Bell, representing Governor Gary Herbert, and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon.
In response to the passage of legislation concerning public stream access (H.B. 141), Alan Clark, Assistant Director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will present the benefits for landowners in opening their private lands for public use. Walk-in-access will be the focal point of the presentation complete with websites and more information regarding several related programs.
State Representatives Chris Herrod and Ken Sumsion will present on legislation aimed at recapturing Utah's public lands. Conference attendees will be able to discuss with Representatives Herrod and Sumsion their recent legislation focusing attention on sovereignty and is designed to keep open the public lands that rural ranchers depend on.
Additional topics to be presented at the conference will include putting Utah's water to beneficial use by Utah State Engineer Kent Jones, calculating greenbelt values by Utah State University's Department of Applied Economics Dr. Don Snyder, and a wolf update by Mike Linnell, Director of Wildlife Services.
"We look forward to keeping Utah Farm Bureau members and other interested parties informed on issues concerning food and agriculture," Hogan said. "There will be valuable information to be heard, good friends to see, and new relationships to be made."
The midyear conference creates a central gathering point for farmers and ranchers from across the state, where people from a variety of production sectors can meet and discuss those issues that impact their livelihood on a daily basis. It also serves as a catalyst for educating farm and ranch leaders on current issues impacting agriculture and on developing policy solutions which meet those needs.
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