Louisville, KY (January 6, 2014) – Just a few weeks after concluding their own annual meeting, volunteer leaders from Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) are headed to the 95th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), set for January 12-15 in San Antonio, Texas. Approximately 350 KFB members are traveling to the Lone Star State to help shape Farm Bureau’s national policy agenda for 2014, take in numerous informational seminars and compete for some of the country’s top agricultural honors in a variety of contests. Set with a theme of “Our Heritage, Our Future,” AFBF’s annual convention is anticipated to draw nearly 7,000 attendees from the 50 state Farm Bureaus and Puerto Rico.

Twenty-five Kentuckians will serve as voting delegates during the business session of the annual convention. They will join their counterparts from across the nation in debating and adopting policies on key national issues. Kentucky’s priority issues include passage of a national farm bill, environmental regulations, and farm labor reform.

“Each year Farm Bureau gathers its members and sorts through the key issues facing our nation’s farmers. This is by far one of the most important functions of the organization,” said KFB President Mark Haney, of Pulaski County, who heads the delegation from Kentucky. “Our participation in the policy development process guarantees that Kentucky’s issues are not only heard but also included in AFBF’s national priorities for 2014.”

Boyle County’s Terry Gilbert, chair of the AFBF Women’s Committee and member of both the state and national Farm Bureau boards, will preside over a variety of women’s activities at the annual convention. Greg and Contessa Harris, KFB’s 2012 Excellence in Agriculture winners, will also continue to serve as members of AFBF’s Young Farmer & Rancher Committee through 2015.

Additionally, several of Kentucky’s state-level winners will vie for top honors against competitors from around the country. KFB will be represented in the Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award competition by Shane and Mary Courtney of Shelby County, in the Excellence in Agriculture contest by Linda McClanahan of Mercer County, in the Discussion Meet by Janella Miller of Pulaski County, and in the County Activities of Excellence contest by Fayette, LaRue and Nelson County Farm Bureaus.