2024 MDFB Annual Convention & Meeting of Delegates

E V O L v e

Agenda

Click here to view the PDF version of the agenda. 

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. Please call Lisa Storm at 410-922-3426 for any late registration accommodations.

The 2024 Maryland Farm Bureau Annual Convention & Meeting of Delegates will be held December 7-10, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina in Cambridge, Maryland.

  • 9:00 AM – Ag Ambassador Closed Interviews Room: Sailwinds
  • 11:00 AM – Young Farmer NextGen Registration Open – Location: Windjammer
  • 11:45 AM – Young Farmer NextGen Luncheon Room: Choptank Ballroom
  • Featuring Michelle Miller, The Farm Babe, sponsored by Farm Credit!

  • 1:00 PM 
  • 8:00 AM – Trade Show Exhibitor Set-Up Location: Choptank Ballroom & Hallway
  • 9:00 AM – Registration Open Location: Choptank Ballroom Hallway
  • 9:00 AM  – Young Farmer Excellence in Ag & Achievement Award Interviews (Qualify for AFBF 2025 in San Antonio) Room: Skipjack AB
  • 9:00 AM – Women’s Leadership Committee Annual Meeting Room: Clipper A-B-C
    • All day meeting! Includes a speaker, community service project, fashion show, and Paint-A-Sign with Shelia! RSVP Required for the Paint-A-Sign – contact Chris Catterton to Register.
  • 9:30 AM – Young Farmer Committee Business Meeting Room: Schooner AB
    • Breakout: Crops and Livestock Economic Outlook & Rural Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Beginning Producers 
      Presenters: Mark Townsend,  Associate Agriculture Extension Educator, Frederick County & Charlie Sasscer, Prince George’s County Agriculture Marketing Extension Educator
  • 11:00 AM – Young Farmer Discussion Meet – Finals (Qualify for AFBF 2025 in San Antonio)
    Room: Schooner AB 
  • 11:45 AM – General Luncheon Sponsored By: F3 Tech |  Speaker: Mike Thielke Chesapeake Ballroom ABCD 
  • 1:30 PM – Tackling Tough Topics and Public Speaking, Elise Stoddard Cruce, Managing Director, Leadership, American Farm Bureau Federation Room: Clipper A-B-C 
  • 3:00 PM – Trade Show and Exhibit Hall Open Location: Choptank Ballroom & Hallway
  • 4:00 PM – MDFB Political Action Committee Meeting Room: Skipjack AB
  • 4:00 PM – DIY Panel Sponsored by: John Deere, AGGO, Kubota, CNH
  • 7:00 PM – Grand Opening Reception | Choptank Ballroom & Exhibit Hallway Sponsored by: Crow Insurance Agency 
  •  7:00 am – Room: Choptank Ballroom – Registration/Exhibit Hall/Continental Breakfast
  • 8:00 am – Room: Chesapeake Ballroom – Opening General Session
    • Welcome from President Stafford
    • Greetings from Nationwide
    • Credentials Committee Report
    • Roll Call – Delegate Body
    • Audit Committee Report
    • Strategic Plan Presentation
  • 11:00 am – 11:45 am – Morning Workshops
    • Preventing Fire: Exploring Innovative Protection Solutions, Nationwide
      Presenter: Matt Ludwig, Senior Risk Management Consultant

    • 2024 Legislative Session Preview, Cornerstone Government Affairs 
      Presenter: Mac Middleton

    • American Farm Bureau (AFBF) Promotion & Education Committee, AFBF
      Presenter: Logan Yearsley, Director of Member Engagement

    • Conservation Easements 101, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy 
      Presenter: David Satterfield, Director of Land Conservation

    • The Maryland Climate-Smart Agriculture Project, Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology
      Presenter: Terry Nuwer, Hughes Center Maryland Climate-Smart Agriculture Project Coordinator
    • How to Plan a Successful Day-in-Annapolis 
      Presenter: Tom Donnelly, American Farm Bureau Federation
    • Innovative Conservation Delivery to Enhance Farm Economics and Profitability 
      Presenter: The Keith Campbell Foundation 
    • Protecting America’s Food Supply from Ransomware & Cyberattacks
      Presenter: Colin Hamill
    • How to Best Utilize MDA’s Services 
      Presenter: Karen Fedor and Mark Powell, MDA
  • 12:00 pm – General Luncheon Sponsored by: Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association
  • 1:30 pm – Room: Chesapeake Ballroom – Second General Session
  • 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
    • Preventing Fire: Exploring Innovative Protection Solutions, Nationwide
      Presenter: Matt Ludwig, Senior Risk Management Consultant
    • 2024 Legislative Session Preview, Cornerstone Government Affairs 
      Presenter: Mac Middleton
    • American Farm Bureau (AFBF) Promotion & Education Committee, AFBF
      Presenter: Logan Yearsley, Director of Member Engagement
    • Conservation Easements 101, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy 
      Presenter: David Satterfield, Director of Land Conservation
    • The Maryland Climate-Smart Agriculture Project, Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology
      Presenter: Terry Nuwer, Hughes Center Maryland Climate-Smart Agriculture Project Coordinator 
    • How to Plan a Successful Day-in-Annapolis 
      Presenter: Tom Donnelly, American Farm Bureau Federation
    • Innovative Conservation Delivery to Enhance Farm Economics and Profitability 
      Presenter: The Keith Campbell Foundation 
    • Protecting America’s Food Supply from Ransomware & Cyberattack
      Presenter: Colin Hamill

    • How to Best Utilize MDA’s Services 
      Presenter: Karen Fedor and Mark Powell, MDA

  • 5:30 pm – Room: Choptank Ballroom – Dinner Reception
  • 6:15 pm – Room: Chesapeake Ballroom – Awards Banquet & Scholarship Fund Live Auction Sponsored by: Nationwide
  • 7:00 am – Room: Choptank Ballroom – Registration/Exhibit Hall/Continental Breakfast
  • 8:15 am – District Caucus (Elections for District Directors, Executive Committee, and PAC)
    • District 1 – Room: Galleon A – Chair: Matthew Schnebly
    • District 2 – Room: Galleon B – Chair: Howie Feaga
    • District 3 – Room: Galleon C – Chair: Karl Shlagel
    • District 4 – Room: Clipper A – Chair: Amanda Miller
    • District 5 – Room: Clipper B – Chair: Jennifer Debnam
    • District 6 – Room: Clipper C – Chair: Far Nasir
  • 9:30 am – Room: Chesapeake Ballroom – Closing General Session (Officer Elections)
    • Roll Call – Delegate Body
    • Policy Resolutions Committee Report – Continued
    • Officer Elections (President, First VP, Second VP)
    • Final Motions
    • Closing Remarks

Voting Delegate Credentials | County Farm Bureau Delegates, Affiliates, Program Committees & WLC Annual Meeting – Deadline Friday, November 8, 2024

Voting delegates from county Farm Bureaus, the Women’s Leadership Annual Meeting and Affiliate organizations must register for the convention using the link above. The state office will verify all delegate credentials to ensure an accuracy in the delegate body. All delegates must be dues-paid members in good standing.  If you cannot meet the Friday, November, 8, 2024 deadline, please contact Parker Welch directly.

Nominations | Deadline – Friday, November 8, 2024

The board of directors request that all those who intend to be nominated for or self-nominate for the position of district director to the state board of directors, executive committee of the state board of directors, committee members of the Maryland Farm Bureau Political Action Committee, and officers of the state board of directors – first vice president, and second vice president; submit their nominations in advance to the Corporate Secretary through the use of an official electronic nominations form.

Live Auction Items Request | Deadline – Friday, November 8, 2024


Each County Farm Bureau is asked to donate one item for the Maryland Farm Bureau scholarship fund auction. The auction will take place following 2024 Maryland Farm Bureau Annual banquet and Awards Ceremony the evening of Monday, December 9, 2024. Please provide a photo of your auction item for the PowerPoint presentation. Your prompt response will help us put together a list of items that will be up for bid in advance for convention attendees to review.

Click here for the PDF to submit your item.

Trade Show Exhibitors & Convention Sponsors | Deadline – Friday, November 3, 2023

The MDFB Convention & Meeting of Delegates will once again host a trade show open to business and industry partners, government agencies, and affiliate member organizations. Exhibit booth space may be reserved for $1000, $1250, or $1500 depending if exhibitors would like a standard, prime or premium location. Please see the trade show booth chart for locations and pricing. Exhibitors will be provided with one (1) Full Registration, one (1) six-foot table and two (2) chairs. Electric and wi-fi will be available. Exhibitors may register additional attendees at $260 per person.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Please click here to download and read the exhibitor and sponsorship information in detail.

2023 MDFB Women’s Leadership Committee Annual Meeting 

The MDFB Annual Meeting of Women will convene on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Each county Farm Bureau may appoint one WLC meeting delegate for every 40 regular/voting members (or portion thereof) to the Women’s Leadership Committee Annual Meeting. This is the same number of delegates that each county has for the full MDFB delegate body. Please submit the names of your Annual Meeting of Women delegates using an online credentials application portal by Friday, November 3, 2023. If you cannot meet the November 3 deadline, please contact Parker Welch.

The WLC Annual Meeting will include a Business Meeting, Speaker, Community Project, Fashion Show, and Paint A Sign with Sheila (Wine & Gnosh – LIMITED SPACE) ! RSVP is required for the Paint A Sign. Contact Chris Catterton by November 3rd to RSVP.

Use the link/button at the top of the page to register delegates for the Women’s Leadership Committee Annual Meeting.

2022 County Leader Pre-conference – Sunday, December 4

This year, we will be holding a special pre-conference session design specifically for county Farm Bureau leaderships – presidents, secretaries and board members. Join us as we dive into essential leadership lessons to help you guide your county Farm Bureau to success.

Speakers include staff from the American Farm Bureau Federation who will help you develop strong communications skills around tough policy topics, Mariner Management’s Peter Houstle and Peggy Hoffman will help you find ways to grow volunteer engagement at the county level, and Maryland Farm Bureau organization and field staff will guide you through how to make that very important ASK to recruit new people to become members of your county Farm Bureau.

The County Leader Pre-conferece will begin with the Leadership Luncheon at 11:45 AM in the Chesapeake Ballroom followed by the formal program. All who attend the County Leader Pre-conference are invited to stay for the President’s Grand Opening Reception to kick-off the 2022 MDFB Annual Convention & Meeting of Delegates starting at 7:00 PM.

County presidents and their spouse/guest are invited to join President Stafford for his annual County President’s Dinner sponsored by Nationwide Sunday evening at 5:30 PM prior to the Grand Opening Reception.

Young Farmer Competitive Events & Committee Nominations | Deadline – Friday, November 17, 2023

Discussion Meet– To compete at the 2025 AFBF Convention in San Antonio, TX

Achievement Award – To compete at the 2025 AFBF Convention in San Antonio, TX

Excellence in Ag Award – To compete at the 2025 AFBF Convention in San Antonio, TX

2024-2026 MDFB Young Farmer State Committee Nominations– Districts 2, 4, and 6

thank you to our 2024 sponsors!

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina

100 Heron Blvd, US-50
Cambridge, MD 21613

Single: $92.00/night
Double: $92.00/night
Does not include tax and other fees.

DEADLINE to reserve hotel rooms in the Farm Bureau block is Friday, November 8, 2024. Any changes to room reservations made after November 8, 2024, will incur a $5.00 inconvenience fee assessed by the Hyatt. *After November 10th, we cannot guarantee room availability. *

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