SAN ANTONIO — “The stars at night are big and bright!”
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall’s knew exactly what would happen next as he kicked off his opening address to the 106th American Farm Bureau Convention, being held in San Antonio, Texas.
“Deep in the heart of Texas!” the crowd chimed back.
That energy matched the event’s theme — Step Up, Drive Forward — as Duvall recognized County Farm Bureau presidents as the “very heartbeat of our mighty federation.”
Duvall recalled the countless successes of the past year, which he had designated as “The Year of the County President.”
“I know you don’t ask to be recognized,” Duvall said of county presidents across the country, harkening back to his own days as a county president in Greene County, Georgia. “You serve because you love your farms and your communities. Having an impact — making a real difference — begins with you, at the local level.”
Duvall shined a national spotlight on some of the incredible achievements happening at the county level, including a special call out for DeWitt County, Texas, a “small but mighty” county that’s grown in membership every year for the past 75 years.
“They are proof you sure don’t have to be the biggest to make a difference,” Duvall noted.
“With growth comes energy and enthusiasm and that, my friends, becomes the secret sauce to make a difference for our families, neighbors and our communities.”
Duvall went on to recognize the other work of other county presidents, including the efforts of Mercer County, Kentucky’s Megan DeHart, who spearheaded a social media campaign “#365Days of Mercer County Ag,” which showcased farms, faces and families behind local agriculture.
DeHart also found a way to connect Farm Bureau to underserved populations, planting gardens at local rehab facilities and retirement homes.
“From food drives to field days. School visits to scholarships. County fairs to Capitol meetings. Farm Bureau is there, and at the center of it all, our county presidents are organizing and inspiring,” Duvall said.
Other accomplishments from county Farm Bureaus included innovative ways to connect with urban communities, hosting events with legislators, creating new Farm Bureau-led farmers markets which donate proceeds to local youth education programs, and many more.
‘Could that be you?’
Noting that the kind of efforts that get results takes “a lot of dedication, and sometimes a dose of courage,” Duvall said Farm Bureau needs courageous leaders.
“Could it be you?” he asked. “I know it’s hard to juggle all the demands on your time, but it’s worth it. The sense of accomplishment that comes with a job well done is awesome.”
Duvall said it takes members sharing their stories, and Farm Bureau’s story.
“I came to my first Farm Bureau meeting because my dad invited me. And I’d bet that everyone sitting here is here because someone invited you to your first meeting,” Duvall said.
“It’s my hope that we all get excited about our local Farm Bureaus and all the good we can do together.”