9:00 AM           Registration Desk Opens

Policy Committee Available for Delegate Presentations until 12:00 pm (sign up on site)

Explore San Francisco on your own and learn more about California agriculture.

1:00 PM           Convention Opening Session

Welcome – National Farmers Union President Rob Larew & California FFA

Appointment of Parliamentarian; Bylaws Committee Report; Rules, Credentials, Elections Committee Report

Remarks from Thomas Undlin, Partner at Robins Kaplan LLP

NFU is a plaintiff in a lawsuit alleging that America’s four largest beef packers conspired to suppress the price of cattle and increase the price of beef. Thomas Undlin is the lead attorney in the case and works on complex business disputes, including antitrust claims, in a wide range of jurisdictions. From his vantage point as litigator in this important case, Mr. Undlin has a unique perspective on how legal actions can help advance the goals of NFU's Fairness for Farmers campaign.

Remarks from Kevin O’Reilly, U.S. PIRG

Right to Repair is an important part of NFU’s Fairness for Farmers campaign and PIRG is a key ally. NFU and PIRG have partnered on numerous reports, surveys, and advocacy efforts aimed at exposing how equipment manufacturers are preventing farmers from fixing their own equipment, harming their bottom line, and reducing options for independent repair. Kevin O’Reilly is a leader in the Right to Repair movement and will share his perspective on the progress made so far and what it will take to win.

Remarks from Michael Kades, Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the antitrust division at the U.S. Department of Justice

Remarks from Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi

2023 Farm Bill Outlook

The current farm bill expires on September 30, 2023, and Congress will be considering, debating, amending, and adopting the next version of the wide-ranging agricultural legislation in the coming months. With so many interests and issues at stake — including farm production and risk management, conservation and climate, competition and resiliency, nutrition and food security, rural development and trade — the farm bill process will be complicated but important. Senior staff from the agriculture committees on Capitol Hill will provide insights and updates into the 2023 Farm Bill process to help Farmers Union members to be prepared for grassroots advocacy in the year ahead.

Remarks from NFU partners: Farmers Union Industries, Farm Credit, and POET

1:00 PM           Policy Committee Available for Delegate Presentations until 3:30 pm (sign up on site)

4:00 PM            Convention Reception

5:00 PM            Convention Opening Banquet

The banquet dinner will feature the State of the Farmers Union address by NFU President Rob Larew, remarks from California Farmers Union President George Davis, and presentation of awards for meritorious service.

7:00 PM            National Farmers Union Foundation Dessert Reception Fundraiser ($30 ticketed event)

The NFU Foundation's mission is to empower people to educate our youth, neighbors, media, and policymakers of the social, economic, and cooperative contributions of family agriculture. Through the NFU Foundation, we offer leadership camps for young people, beginning farmer and rancher programming, college scholarships, cooperative education, and more.

7:00 AM           Registration Desk Opens

8:00 AM           Convention General Session

Membership & Leadership Awards Ceremony

Keynote Address: Glenda Humiston

Dr. Glenda Humiston’s commitment to agricultural and environmental policy led her from the Colorado cattle farm of her youth to appointments in the USDA during both the Clinton and Obama administrations. Now more than seven years into her tenure as vice president of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Humiston will address the climate and market challenges farm families face today and our opportunities to build resilience for the future.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said, “In many respects, National Farmers Union has been the architect and the designer in terms of the work we are doing in this administration in rural America and farm country.”  Sec. Vilsack will address our members on the progress of that work, and make major announcements on USDA’s efforts under the Biden Administration’s to strengthen the food supply chain, promote competition and innovation, and protect consumers and producers.

10:15 AM         Select a Breakout Session to Attend:

Organizing the Next Generation of Ag Advocates
Sarah Degn (Moderator), Rose Curley, Kaiea Medeiros, Rachel Prevost, & Katie Trisch

Who makes up the next generation agriculture advocates? Join us for a discussion addressing how the next generation is organizing, advocacy methods they’re using, and how Farmers Union leaders, divisions and members can be part of this process. Help us build the next generation of agriculture advocates!

Solar Energy Siting on Agricultural Lands: Finding a Balanced Approach
SPONSORED BY: Solar Energy Industries Association, The Nature Conservancy, Solar United Neighbors, and American Farmland Trust
Solar energy is the fastest-growing source of new electricity generation in the United States, and solar deployment is expected to accelerate. Increased solar deployment creates opportunities for farmers to earn new income and reduce their energy expenditures, while helping address climate change. But the expected large land-use footprint of future solar deployment raises questions about competing goals and needs. Join a panel of experts to learn more and engage in conversation about building a successful renewable energy future.

Farmers Union's Farm Bill History
NFU Honorary Historian Tom Giessel and Kate Giessel
From the New Deal to the 2018 Farm Bill to today, National Farmers Union has played a pivotal role in agriculture policy. Learn more about the history of these events and how they have shaped current policies.

11:30 AM         Break for Lunch on Own

12:00 PM        Delegate Registration Closes

1:00 PM           Select a Breakout Session to Attend:

Explorations in Leadership: Insights from a Co-op Startup Perspective
Keith Taylor, Professor of Cooperative Extension & Community Economic Development at UC Davis & Vince Trotter, Sustainable Ag Coordinator / Agricultural Ombuds, UC Cooperative Extension, Marin County

In addition to providing farmers with access to new and growing markets, cooperatives also offer a range of leadership opportunities. This session will highlight ways to engage with your local co-op and how to use your skills to advance their mission.

This session was made possible with support from CHS Inc.

One Engine at a Time: New Innovations for Biofuels in Carbon Reduction
BJ Johnson, CEO and Cofounder of ClearFlame Engine Technologies; Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union; Anne Steckel, Senior Advisor at National Farmers Union (Moderator)
Biofuels continue to provide a proven way to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. This session will focus on new technologies that allow for continued growth of biofuels as a core component of carbon reduction initiatives. Come learn more about the exciting role agriculture has in decarbonizing the future.

Someday All This Will Be Theirs … How Will the Next Generation Regard Us?
Pete Ferrell, CFO, Business Administrator and Executive Director of Ferrell Ranch
The triple bottom line has never been more important. How do we relearn the art of regeneration with an eye toward history?

2:30 PM           Remarks from Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture

Delegate Orientation

3:00 PM           Final Report of Rules and Credentials Committee

Bylaws and Policy Consideration & Adoption

5:00 PM           Evening on Your Own

5:15 PM           NFU PAC Happy Hour Reception ($100 suggested contribution)

7:30 AM         Registration Desk Opens

8:00 AM        Policy Consideration & Adoption

Remarks from the National Youth Advisory Council

12:00 PM         Break for Lunch on Own

1:30 PM         Policy Consideration & Adoption

Please do not plan to leave the hotel before 5:00 PM!