FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS—Montana Farm Bureau members had a fantastic opportunity last week during the organization’s Summer Conference at Fairmont Hot Springs to hear from a multitude of experts, elected officials and industry representatives about the state of agriculture both in the Montana and the country during the organization’s annual Summer Conference.

Attendees gleaned a wide range of knowledge from Farm Bill updates and discussions on new property tax laws while enjoying social gatherings, the annual golf scramble and historic tours. Thirteen committees, which included Livestock, Public and Private Lands, Membership, Water, and Taxation, met to discuss issues and surface potential policy for discussion at county Farm Bureau meetings in September.

The MFBF Advocate. Communicate. Educate. (ACE) program kicked off the conference June 9 with seminars on collaborative efforts in rural communities. The Young Farmers & Ranchers program held tours and a committee meeting that day, as well and the Women’s Committee made plans for their activities for summer and fall.

At Tuesday morning’s Opening Session, motivational speaker Karen Grosz provided positive energy with her upbeat message of “quiet leadership” and audience interaction.

National agricultural issues remained front and center for members, with concerns addressed by American Farm Bureau Policy Director R.J. Layher. Layher went into detail on reconciliation and tax reform, the Farm Bill, Make America Healthy Again and Trump Administration’s regulatory agenda. Layher said reconciliation is a legislative tool allowing certain budget-related bills to pass with a simple majority vote. He explained the difference between the House and Senate farm policy and what is needed to pass a Farm Bill. 

“By using the reconciliation process, parts of the Farm Bill—such as nutrition program reforms—along with increases in reference prices and investments in animal health would only need 50 votes to clear the Senate,” said Layher.  He added, “The current administration’s regulatory agenda cuts ten regulations for every one regulation currently in place, including those that impact farmers and ranchers. These include a variety of regulations such as the Packers and Stockyards Act and Waters of the U.S.” 

MFBF President Cyndi Johnson said, “There are many issues we're grappling with, and this year has the added challenges of adjusting to recent Montana property tax legislation; trying to be patient while the new administration negotiates on behalf of American agriculture and businesses; and playing both defense and offense where the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative is concerned.”? 

The MFB Foundation Fundraiser “Off to the Races” Dinner and Auction raised more than $16,000 with attendees having a wonderful time sporting Derby hats and joining in entertaining games. 

On Wednesday, tours for conference attendees included the Montana Resources Continental Mine, the Montana Precision Products manufacturing plant and Butte Underground. Other members opted for the Foundation Golf Scramble at the Fairmont Golf Course.

Theo Yanzick, who has been a Carbon/Stillwater County Farm Bureau member for 32 years, is a fan of the summer conference. The Absarokee rancher praises the educational sessions and said it’s always interesting to learn from other members across the state.

“Farm Bureau provides so much knowledge; it’s wonderful that the organization has so many commodities and is able to share that knowledge to protect and support agriculture,” Yanzick said. 

Northwest Counties Farm Bureau’s Susan Lake appreciates the work Farm Bureau does at the summer conference and throughout the year, keeping members informed about what’s happening with food and agriculture on the state and national levels.? 

“When you are busy farming or ranching, sometimes you cannot pay attention to what is always happening with legislation affecting agriculture. Farm Bureau represents you when you can’t be there to speak up. It really is the Voice of Agriculture.”?