By STEPHANIE BUNKER
Moapa Valley Progress
Nevada Farm Bureau (NFB) and the Nevada Department of Agriculture presented the Southern Nevada Agriculture Conference in Las Vegas last weekend at the Santa Fe Station.
This was the first time in NFB history that the conference was held in Las Vegas and Clark County was well represented.
“It went well having a joint Southern Nevada Agricultural Conference with the Department of Agriculture,” said NFB Director of Communications Zach Allen. “It gave an opportunity to share new ideas and make new friends with a variety of people throughout the state.”
Allen explained that the convention provides a chance for farmers and ranchers to discuss and create policy that benefits agriculture throughout the state.
On Thursday attendees were able to hear several workshops pertaining to growing a business in agriculture. Logandale resident Cindy Hardy, who is also the Chair of the Woman’s Committee, found the classes informative and helpful.
“They were to help farmers get ideas to better their farming or ranching businesses,” she said.
Local Cooperative Extension Educator Carol Bishop taught a class with the NFB Vice President and Panaca farmer, Paul Mathews on Business Planning for a Farm or Ranch. Bishop explained to the class the importance of writing down expenses and creating a plan to show profit. Other classes during the conference focused on agronomy or making soil fertile as well as exporting into global markets, selling local, indoor growing, farm/ranch marketing, and food safety.
On Friday a Discussion Meet was held. It was a friendly competition consisting of a series of formal discussions on assigned topics.
Jamie Perkins, former Young Farmer Rancher Chair explained, “They are formatted after a (Farm Bureau) Board Meeting and discussion. This prepares them to lead discussions on policy and delegating important issues to lead and share ideas.”
Four Moapa Valley residents participated in the Discussion Meets including Kaluna Aki, Ashley Bunker, Stephanie Bunker, and Kaley Sproul.
“I liked how we could meet with people in the state of Nevada to discuss different views,” Aki said.
“It was good to have the opportunity to learn more about agriculture and discuss other Farm Bureau issues,” said Ashley Bunker a convention attendee.
The winners of the final round in the Discussion Meet were Cory Shrecengost for 1st, Bobby Fagundes took 2nd place, Dann Mathews won 3rd, and Ethan Marshall won 4th place.
After dinner Friday night the Nevada Farm Bureau honored former Executive Vice President Doug Bussleman with the highly regarded Silver Plow award. This was to recognize his 25 years working with Nevada Legislature representing the NFB.
On Saturday morning the group elected new board members within the organization. Hank Combs was voted in for his 9th term as President, and Bevan Lister was elected as the new Vice President replacing Paul Mathews.
