A press release from the Minnesota Farm Bureau:

Bruce Vincent, a motivational speaker and businessman, will deliver the keynote address at the 2010 Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Leadership Conferences, January 29-31 at the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Mall of America Hotel in Bloomington.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

The young farmers and ranchers will hear “Activism 101.” In “Activism 101,” attendees will learn how to make activism a business line item – and avoid having it take over your life.

Bruce is a third generation logger from Libby, Montana. During the past 20 years, he has given motivational speeches throughout the United States and the world, has testified on natural resource issues before Congress and has appeared on several news programs such as “60 Minutes.” Bruce has been named Timberman of the Year in Montana, National Forest Activist of the Year, the Agri-Women’s 2007 Veritas Award Winner, and in 2004 received the inaugural Presidential Preserve America Award from President Bush. His current activities represent a family commitment to responsible environmentalism.

CONFERENCE SESSIONS

On Saturday, attendees will spend the day at the Capitol working through a mock legislative session along with a tour of the Capitol. Conference sessions also include “Contact with an Impact” and “How to Make Your Voice Heard.” Preliminary rounds of the Discussion Meet will also be held at the conference. Discussion Meet registration deadline is January 15, 2010.

PRE-CONFERENCE TOURS

This year’s pre-conference tours will depart from the Hilton Airport Hotel in Bloomington at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, January 29. Attendees will tour CHS, University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostics Lab and SUPERVALU Distribution Center. Pre-registration is required.

CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

Saturday, January 30, 8:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Dakota County 4-H Ambassadors have a fun-filled day planned for any children attending the conferences. Activities are adult supervised. Available to children ages 3-12.

SCHOLARSHIPS

We are pleased to announce that the Minnesota Corn Growers Association will be providing $100 scholarships to the first 100 applicants. Recipients must be young farmers or ranchers who are Farm Bureau members and/or Minnesota Corn Growers members and attend the entire conference to be eligible for the scholarship.

ALTERNATIVE SATURDAY SCHEDULE

For those who would prefer not to attend the Capitol sessions, you may participate in the Saturday Promotion & Education Conference. Topics include safety education, social media, agricultural communications and more!

CONFERENCE DETAILS

When: January 29-31, 2010

Where: Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Mall of America Hotel in Bloomington

Who: All county YF&R chairs and those members interested in topics pertaining to young farmers and ranchers (ages 18-35).

Registration: Registration is due January 4, 2010 to MFBF, YF&R Conference, PO Box 64370, St. Paul, MN 55164.

COSTS

Full Conference Registration- $215 per person (based on double occupancy; includes room, meals and materials)

Single Room Registration - $280 per person

Conference Only - $100 per person

One-day Registration - $75 per person

Pre-Conference Tours - $25 per person

Children’s Program - $55

Thank you to the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association for their continued partnership in this conference.

Visit www.fbmn.org to view a conference brochure. For more information call 651-768-2115 or email kschaefer@fbmn.org.

The 2010 Promotion and Education Conference and the Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference will be held simultaneously during the weekend of January 29-31, 2010 at the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Mall of America Hotel in Bloomington.

Minnesota Farm Bureau is comprised of 78 local Farm Bureaus across Minnesota. Members make their views known to political leaders, state government officials, special interest groups and the general public. Programs for young farmers and ranchers develop leadership skills and improve farm management. Promotion and Education Committee members work with programs such as Ag in the Classroom and safety education for children. Join Farm Bureau today and support our efforts to serve as an advocate for rural Minnesota, www.fbmn.org.

For more information on Minnesota Farm Bureau log onto www.fbmn.org.