Farm Credit Knowledge Center Hosts Free Virtual Conference for Farmers
The Farm Credit Knowledge Center is hosting a free virtual agricultural advocacy conference titled, “A Voice For Agriculture – Finding Your How, What, Where and Why.” The conference will take place over the course of five live webinars beginning August 3, 2020.
Each of the five sessions that makeup the virtual conference will feature local, state and nationally recognized speakers that are experienced advocates for the agriculture industry. Featured speakers include: Matthew Lohr, Chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); Brandi Buzzard, Cattle Producer; Stefanie Kitchen, Assistant Director of Governmental Relations at Virginia Farm Bureau Federation; Andrew Smith, Assistant Director of Governmental Relations at Virginia Farm Bureau Federation; Delegate Israel O’Quinn, Virginia State Legislator; and Delegate Mark Keam, Virginia State Legislator.
Conference sessions will include, but are not limited to, establishing and maintaining relationships with legislators, learning how to put your farming business and/or agribusiness’ best foot forward, advocating tips and resources, and effectively communicating the story of agriculture and the role you play.
The conference is open to anyone interested in learning how to advocate for the agricultural industry. There is no cost to participate. The first 25 registrants will receive a Farm Credit swag bag. There will also be additional opportunities throughout the conference sessions to earn prizes. Interested individuals are encouraged to learn more and register at the following link: https://bit.ly/2BWJmy6.
Session Information:
Session #1: Going up? Elevator Speeches and Other Tools for Agricultural Advocates
Date/Time: August 3rd from 9 - 10:30 a.m. EST
Speaker: Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
Session #2: Hard Work Worth Doing
Date/Time: August 6th from 8 - 9:30 p.m. EST
Speaker: Brandi Buzzard
Session #3: Telling your Farming/Agriculture Story
Date/Time: August 10th from Noon-1:00 p.m. EST
Speaker: Matthew Lohr
Session #4: Communicating and Connecting- A Legislators Perspective
Date/Time: August 13th from 9-10:00 a.m. EST
Speakers: Delegate Israel O’Quinn and Legislative Director Jake Holmes
Session #5: Challenging the Status Quo
Date/Time: August 14th from 9-10:00 a.m. EST
Speakers: Delegate Mark Keam
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“The conference will be an excellent resource for agriculturalists of any age, size operation, and commodity focus, but will also serve as a great opportunity for young and beginning farmers looking to find their voice in agriculture,” said Knowledge Center Program Specialist, Sarah Scyphers.
To access conference information, visit the Farm Credit Knowledge Center website, www.farmcreditknowledgecenter.com. Additionally, to stay up-to-date on the conference, as well as general industry updates, events and resources, you are encouraged to follow the Knowledge Center (@FCKnowledgeCenter) and Farm Credit of the Virginias (@FarmCreditofVirginias) on Facebook.
About Farm Credit of the Virginias
Farm Credit of the Virginias provides over $1.8 billion dollars in financing to more than 11,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural homeowners throughout Virginia, West Virginia and western Maryland. Farm Credit is a cooperative capitalized largely through investments made by farmers, ranchers and the rural homeowners and businesses that borrow from them. In fact, as part of a nationwide network they are the largest single provider of agricultural credit in the United States and have been for over 100 years. Farm Credit helps maintain and improve the quality of life in rural America and on the farm through its constant commitment to competitive lending, expert financial services and for facilitating and sharing knowledge and resources through the Farm Credit Knowledge Center. For more information, visit www.FarmCreditofVirginias.com.