DENVER — More than 300 members and friends of the Colorado Farm Bureau gathered on Nov. 16-19 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center in Denver to conduct its 99th Annual Meeting.

The meeting not only brings together members and friends from across the state, it serves as an opportunity for educational breakout sessions and highlights presentations from key speakers, giving attendees a larger look into what’s impacting the world of agriculture. Speakers included Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, Don Brown; General Ronald Keys, USAF (ret.), chairman, CNA’s Military Advisory Board; and Dale Moore, executive director of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“This year has been one of great uncertainty, both on the political front, and the economic. Farm and ranch income is down, and all signs point to a continued trend of low commodity prices. While some progress has been made on longstanding policy issues like regulatory reform, we still have yet to see movement on transportation and infrastructure, taxes, and other important issues,” said President Don Shawcroft of the San Luis Valley. “Our organization has undergone much change in the past year, setting the table for our upcoming centennial celebration, and our leap into the next 100 years.”

The annual meeting is an important part of the organization’s role as the state’s leading voice in agriculture. The “Growing Agriculture” theme was ever present in members’ minds as they created organizational policy and learned about key issues.

An important activity conducted during the annual meeting is the review of current policies, as well as the addition of new policies by the voting delegates. The policies adopted by Colorado Farm Bureau delegates originate at the grassroots level and define the organization’s position on a variety of issues including land use, water, wildlife, broadband, farm programs, and machinery software, just to name a few.

“To ensure the success of Farm Bureau in the years to come, our work now is as important as ever,” Shawcroft said.

Each year, Colorado Farm Bureau celebrates individuals inside and outside of the organization who have made a marked difference in the agricultural community. These individuals are presented with the Service to Ag award.

This year’s recipients were Mel and Maureen Rettig, long-time Mesa County Farm Bureau members, and Phil Seng, chief executive officer of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. They received their awards and recognition at the annual banquet.