MARL Alumni in Nashville

It was impressive and inspiring to watch and be with several MARL Alumni at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Meeting in Nashville this week. The theme for the annual meeting was "Many Voices, One Vision" and many voices included over 6,000 people in attendance. MARL Alumni participating included: Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) President Kevin Paap, Greg Bartz, John Chute, Debbie Chute, MN Farm Public Relations/Foundation Director Kristin Harner, Dan Hoffman, David Marquardt and past MARL Board member Duane Alberts.

MARL Alumnus Kevin Paap was re-elected to the AFBF Board of Directors, Kristin Harner was instrumental in scheduling several radio interviews for several of us and arranged a tour of RFD TV studios for me. David and Julie Marquardt represented Minnesota as the Minnesota Farm Bureau Achievement Award Winners while Kristy Miron represented MN as the MFB Discussion Meet Winner. Roger Dvergsten attended as the MN Outstanding Secondary Ag Educator and Ann Marie Ward-Thiel was in attendance as the MN Outstanding Extension Educator. I want to thank the Minnesota Farm Bureau for selecting and honoring me as "Ag Communicator of The Year" and the experience in Nashville.

 

US Secretary of Ag Tom Vilsack takes the stage as AFBF President Bob Stallman welcomes him.

 

 

 

US Sec of Ag Tom Vilsack spoke at the AFBF Annual Meeting.

 

 

NASA Captain Mark Kelly piloted the last space shuttle mission aboard the Endeavour. Captain Kelly delivered an inspiring message about his space travel experiences and the journey back to health that his wife former Senator Gabby Giffords has traveled after being shot in the head in Arizona.

 

The Minnesota Farm Bureau delegation returned in time for me to represent MARL at the MN Pork Congress in Minneapolis. Thank you to MARL Program Leader Mike Liepold for staffing the booth during the first day of the MN Pork Congress.