Farm Bureau hosts annual meeting

Delegates from 36 counties met this week during the 77th annual meeting of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation to set the organization’s course for the coming year.

Former Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley and wife Susan were awarded the IFBF President’s Cup for service to the organization. They served with distinction for over 30 years.

IFBF President Bryan Searle said the Priestleys mentored him for decades as a young farmer and rancher, then as a board member and now as president.

The Priestleys served on the Franklin County Board and the State Board of Directors. Frank Priestley was elected president of the organization in December 1997.

Farm Bureau’s annual banquet drew more than 350 members.

Delegates reviewed the organization’s entire policy book updating positions and adding new policy on a wide range of agriculture, natural resources and other topics. Delegates adopted new policy on wolf management, tax credits for new farmers and ranchers, managing the state’s constitutional defense fund, pension spiking and several others.

Farm Bureau Delegates elected Austin Tubbs of Oneida County and Bob Konen of Nez Perce County as new members of the State Board of Directors. Re-elected as state directors were Scott Steele of Bonneville County, Rick Brune of Jerome County, and Cody Chandler of Washington County. Alton Howell of Bonner County and Mark Harris of Bear Lake County left the State Board and were recognized for their service as state directors

LaNae Nalder of Minidoka County was elected YF&R Chairman and will also serve on the Idaho Farm Bureau Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning in 2017.

Winner of this year’s Young Farmer and Rancher discussion meet was Erica Louder of Jerome County. Chris and Autumn Banks of Caribou County won the Young Farmer and Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award. Travis Beckstead of Franklin County received the Young Farmer and Rancher Achiever Award. The Women’s Leadership Committee recognized four women as part of their Woman of Year program. This year’s winners include April Toone of Caribou County, Suzanne Takasugi of Canyon County, Jo Anne Kay of Teton County, and Emy Darrington of Cassia County.