The MFBF Annual Convention is just around the corner.  In addition to the high quality speakers and educational opportunities you’re used to seeing; we’ll also be kicking off our Centennial Celebration in earnest.  We have some great things in store to help us celebrate in style; one of which is a top notch slate of speakers coming to share their expertise with you.

This is just a small sampling of the topics you can expect to see at convention.  Click here for a full agenda and to register for convention.

Thursday, November 8

Timothy Williams

Timothy "Tim" Williams is currently serving as the Deputy Director Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, United States Department of the Interior (DOI).  Tim’s responsibilities among others are to work with Governors, State and Local Elected officials in the West as well as external stakeholder groups.

Tim was appointed by the President Donald J. Trump on January 20, 2017.  Prior to Tim’s appointment, he was the Nevada Deputy Director for Donald Trump for President. During his time with the campaign Tim was whip for the National Republican Convention as well as Arizona and Nevada’s respective conventions.

Prior to joining the Trump’s campaign Tim owned and operated Battleground LLC., which was a full-service Campaign Management and Candidate Development firm that offered full campaign management and consulting services that included Strategy, Communications, Media Production and distribution as well as boots on the ground Grassroots activism.

Tim relocated from Las Vegas, NV to serve his appointment and is married with three children and grandfather of one.

Tim will be speaking at the Century Club Members Only Breakfast. Not a Century Club member?  Call the office at 587-3153 to upgrade today and attend the Century Club Members breakfast at Convention!

Kristen Juras

Kristen Gustafson Juras is a fourth generation Montanan whose family ranches in Glacier County. She has been practicing law since 1982 and has been a professor at the University of Montana School of Law since 2000. She has authored several national textbooks and law review articles and is an advocate for property rights.  

Kristen is joining us for a workshop-- Conservation Easements: Traps for the Unwary--on Thursday, November 8 and will discuss issues to consider in making the decision on whether to create a conservation easement on your property.

Michael Nepveux

Michael Nepveux is currently an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, where he specializes in livestock and policy issues. Prior to joining AFBF, he served as a consultant with Informa Economics where he conducted market and policy research for clients and stakeholders in the agriculture and agribusiness sphere. He received his Bachelors degree in Agribusiness and Economics and his graduate degree in Agricultural Economics, both from Texas A&M University.

Michael will be joining us to provide an update on the Farm Bill process and other current issues in agricultural policy.

Friday, November 9

Darla Tyler-McSherry

Darla Tyler-McSherry is the founder of Ask In Earnest, an initiative designed to address mental health, depression and suicide in the farm and ranch population. This issue has personally impacted her, as her father, a Montana wheat farmer, took his own life on the family farm. She embraces the role of serving as an agent of positive change and advocacy for the farm and ranch population.

She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from The University of Montana in Health and Human Performance. Darla has been involved with college health for 24 years and is the Director of Student Health Services at Montana State University Billings. Additionally, she is the Treasurer for the Rocky Mountain College Health Association and Coordinator for the Yellowstone County DUI Task Force. Darla and her husband Dave also own a small business in Huntley, Montana.

Suicide rates have greatly increased in the U.S. in recent years. Montana, which has agriculture as its leading industry, tops the nation for suicide rates.  The need to have candid and compassionate conversations about mental health, including depression and suicide, and agriculture are more important now than ever.  Darla will examine the issue of suicide in farming, provide practical, proactive strategies to improve self-care, and discuss how we can help a person who may be depressed and suicidal get connected to help.  

Tim the Dairy Farmer

Rounding out our Friday night celebration will be Florida dairy farmer and agriculture comedian Tim Moffett.