New Orleans September 14, 2018

Dear Maryland Farm Bureau Friends:

I hope you will join us in New Orleans this January for the 100th Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation. This centennial celebration is an opportunity to meet farmers from around the country, participate in worthwhile workshops, hear some great speakers and debate issues that are will impact our ability to farm far into the future. Registration opens on October 1st. Book early to get the best ag tour options! The Maryland Farm Bureau group usually numbers around 60 for the national conference. This includes Young Farmers who compete in competitions, Women’s Leadership representatives, our two Voting Delegates and many other farm couples who enjoy the fellowship of traveling with friends. The travel package we are offering allows you to specifically customize your trip. The only required charges are for hotel, convention registration and the Maryland group dinner. You can also purchase tickets for ag tours, the leadership luncheon or one of the fundraising events to support the AFBF Foundation for Agriculture. These include the Foundation Night Out and the flapjack breakfast. You can purchase your airfare directly from your airline of choice and charge it right onto your credit card. This way you can build travel points and make changes as needed. We suggest traveling to New Orleans on Friday morning and home on Tuesday, but that’s just a suggestion. We look forward to your company for as long as you can join us in the Big Easy – New Orleans! Sincerely,

CHUCK FRY President

New Orleans Marriott 555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

The Maryland delegation will stay at the New Orleans Marriott, just blocks from the convention center along Canal Street. According to the website, “New Orleans Marriott welcomes you to the Big Easy with contemporary style, award-winning service and an unparalleled location. You'll find our hotel on Canal Street at the edge of NOLA's French Quarter, within walking distance of famous attractions including the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, the Garden District and Harrah's Casino. Settle in to your room or suite, which features everything you need to relax - from comfortable bedding to a flat-screen TV and premium bath amenities. Many accommodations also offer incredible views of Canal Street and the French Quarter. Elsewhere at the hotel, you can savor American cuisine at 5Fifty5, our signature restaurant, or stop by 55 Fahrenheit for a perfectly poured glass of wine. Break a sweat in the fitness center, or drop by the Starbucks® for a coffee before heading out to explore all that NOLA has to offer. Excitement awaits at New Orleans Marriott.”

The Convention The American Farm Bureau Federation is the nations’ largest general farm organization with over 6 million-member families in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The Annual Convention is an opportunity for members across the nation to come together for business, educational and networking opportunities. During this meeting our delegates will adopt policies for the coming year and elect leadership to guide these policies forward. The AFBF Annual Convention offers a preview into the future of agriculture. Through the IDEAg Interconnectivity Conference, thought-provoking and controversial educational workshops and the latest in precision agriculture and technology, attendees will be given the opportunity to learn information that can be used in everyday life and experience what’s next in agriculture. Attending the AFBF Annual Convention provides unfettered access to Farm Bureau and industry leaders, subject matter experts and corporate partners. FARM BUREAU MEMBERS Full Farm Bureau member registration includes the following opportunities:

• IDEAg Trade Show • General Sessions • Featured Workshops • Educational Workshops (Sun and Mon) • YF&R Competitive Events (Sat, Sun and Mon) • Foundation Silent Auction

Available for additional purchase:

• Foundation Flapjack Fundraiser (Sun) • Leadership Luncheon (Sun) • Foundation Entertainment Event (Mon) • Tours of the local Ag & beyond (Sat & Tue)

The Schedule The 2019 New Orleans annual meeting – Our 100th Birthday Celebration – offers something for everyone. The Young Farmers and Women Leadership Programs will hold most of their activities on Saturday. There is a Farm to 5K for the runners among us. The IDEAg Trade Show opens on Saturday afternoon with the “Celebration of Grassroots” reception and runs through Monday. The Maryland Farm Bureau group dinner will be held on Friday, January 11th from 6-8pm a few blocks from the hotel. This event gives everyone a chance to meet up and plan convention activities. Louisiana Farm Bureau has put together a real nice list of Ag Tours, offered both on Saturday and Tuesday. The convention will feature 2 general sessions, with the closing session set to begin at 11:15am on Monday and end in time for the 1:00pm Centennial Celebration in the IDEAg Trade Show area. The AFBF Foundation Night Out on Monday evening will be a series of musical performances at the convention center, similar to last year’s event at the Grand Ole Opry. As always, Sunday and Monday will be filled with workshops, luncheons, trade show displays and final rounds for the Young Farmer competitions. The voting delegate session to consider AFBF policy and hold elections is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15th. The schedule suggests that members will want to consider flying down to Nashville early on Friday, January 11th and return on Tuesday, January 15th. Only our 2 voting delegates will have to remain through the day on Tuesday. MFB members can choose to head home or stay for the day and participate in one of the Ag Tours organized by the Louisiana Farm Bureau. Tickets for tours must be booked at the time of registration and are expected to sell out, so get your registration by October 1st if you have a tour preference. Stay tuned for our Facebook announcements about well-known celebrities for the keynote address and more….. Follow us on www.facebook.com/MDfarmbureau. Here is a look at the day-by-day convention schedule:

TENTATIVE AGENDA AFBF’s 100th Annual Convention • January 11 – 16, 2019 • New Orleans, LA

Ideal Travel – Arrive Fri/Depart Tue Friday, January 11, 2019 7:00 a.m. Convention Registration 5:00 p.m. YF&R Competitor Networking Reception 6:00 p.m. State Presidents’ Dinner 6:00 p.m. Maryland Group Dinner – Mother’s Next Door Saturday, January 12, 2019

6:30 a.m. Convention Registration 7:30 a.m. Farm to 5K Run/Walk 7:30 a.m. Ag Tours organized by Louisiana Farm Bureau (leave times between 8:00-8:30)

7:30 a.m. YF&R Excellence in Ag Competitor & Judges Orientation 8:00 a.m. Women’s Leadership Networking & Regional Caucuses

9:00 a.m. YF&R Excellence in Ag Presentations YF&R Discussion Meet Competitor Orientation YF&R Achieve & Apply Learning Session

10:30 a.m. Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Women 11:00 a.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Round 1 2:30 p.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Round 2 4:00 p.m. Celebration of Grassroots Reception – IDEAg Trade Show YF&R Sweet 16 and AA Top 10 Announcements Sunday, January 13, 2019

6:30 a.m. Convention Registration 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service

7:45 a.m. Foundation Flapjack Fundraiser (by ticket only - $40.00 pp) 9:30 a.m. Opening General Session 10:30 a.m. IDEAg Trade Show Opens YF&R Achievement Awards Interviews 11:00 a.m. Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge

12:00 p.m. Leadership Luncheon (by ticket only $45.00 pp, all are welcome) 1:15 p.m. Featured Workshop(s)

YF&R Discussion Meet Sweet 16 YF&R Excellence in Ag Learning Session

2:30 p.m. Featured Workshops Farm Bureau Agriculture Investment Pitch Session 1 3:45 p.m. Workshops 3:45 p.m. Farm Bureau Agriculture Investment Pitch Session 2 4:30 p.m. Featured Workshops 5:25 p.m. Announce YF&R Discussion Meet Final 4 and Excellence in Ag Top 10 5:30 p.m. IDEAg Trade Show Closes Women’s Communications Boot Camp Alumni Reunion 5:45 p.m. YF&R Finalist & Sponsors Reception Monday, January 14, 2019

7:00 a.m. Convention Registration 8:00 a.m. IDEAg Trade Show Opens Concurrent Workshops 8:15 a.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Final Four – IDEAg Trade Show 9:00 a.m. Workshops 10:00 a.m. Featured Workshops

11:15 a.m. Closing General Session – Keynote Address TBA 1:00 p.m. AFBF Centennial Celebration

3:00 p.m. IDEAg Trade Show Closes 7:30 p.m. Foundation Night Out – (ticketed in advance $75.00 pp)

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 7:00 a.m. Post-convention Ag Tours

8:00 a.m. Annual Meeting of Voting Delegates Amendment Processing Spouses of State Presidents Event (by invitation – President’s spouse only) 12:00 p.m. Voting Delegate Luncheon 1:00 p.m. Delegate Regional Caucuses 2:00 p.m. Voting Delegate Session Wednesday, January 16, 2019 7:00 a.m. AFBF Board of Directors’ Breakfast 8:00 a.m. AFBF Board of Directors’ Meeting

The Cultivation Stage @ the IDEAg Trade Show The Cultivation Stage in the IDEAg trade show will be a center for information exchange in New Orelans. Programs that have previously occurred in smaller breakout session rooms will occur here for all to enjoy. Expect to see the Young Farmer & Rancher Final Four Discussion Meet, featured workshops, and the final competition for the Ag Innovation Challenge - all on the Cultivation Stage, center court in the trade show arena. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is accepting applications for the 2019 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge, the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching food and agriculture businesses. Rural entrepreneurs will pitch innovative business ideas to a team of judges with expertise in ag technologies, business development and agribusiness, competing for $145,000 in startup funds made possible by our sponsors: Farm Credit, John Deere and Farm Bureau Bank. The Final Four teams will compete on the Cultivation Center Stage on Sunday, January 13, after the Opening General Session in New Orleans. For more information, go to: https://www.fb.org/events/afbf-annual-convention/events-experiences/ag-innovation-challenge Airfare – Please remember to book your airfare soon to take advantage of the best rates between Baltimore and New Orelans. Southwest has direct flights priced in the $280’s roundtrip for early booking.

American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture

Fundraising Activities Help raise funds to improve Ag Literacy by attending one or all of these fun filled events - the AFBF

Foundation Flapjack breakfast on Sunday or the Foundation “Night Out” at the convention center on Monday. As a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, MFB President Chuck Fry encourages all Maryland Farm Bureau members who travel to New Orleans to support the Foundation’s ag literacy effort to rebuild the bonds of trust between American consumers and the people who proudly grow their food, fiber and energy.

Pancakes for Ag Literacy! – The Foundation’s Annual Flapjack Breakfast sells out fast - so order your tickets early. This year’s feast will take place on Sunday morning, January 13th at 7:45am. The Ag Literacy Book of the Year will be previewed at the breakfast. Cost: $40 per person or $460 for a RESERVED table of 10

Foundation Night Out – Music & Dancing for Ag Literacy! – Join the Foundation for Agriculture for as series of musical performances from professional entertainers. Details about performers will be announced by mid-October. Cost: $75 per person

Louisiana Ag Tours Louisiana Ag Tours will be offered Saturday, January 12, 2019 and Tuesday, January 15, 2019. Tickets can be purchased through the registration system starting on October 1, 2018. Tours are expected to sell out, so don’t wait to buy tickets!

Saturday, January 12, 2019 • Tour #1 - Oak Alley Plantation & Laura Plantation, 8am-4:30pm $120 • Tour #2 - Laura Plantation & Oak Alley Plantation, 8am-5:45pm $125 • Tour #3 - Covey Rise Farms & Bracy’s Nursery, 8am-4:30pm $85 • Tour #4 - Bracy’s Nursery & Covey Rise Farms, 8am-4:30pm $85 • Tour #5 - Abita Brewing Co & Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery, 8:30am-4:30pm $115 • Tour #6 - Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery & Abita Brewing Co, 8:30am-4:30pm $115

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 • Tour #7 - Oak Alley Plantation & Laura Plantation, 8am-4:30pm $120 • Tour #8 - Laura Plantation & Oak Alley Plantation, 8am-5:45pm $125 • Tour #9 – Zen-Noh Grain Corp & Louisiana Sugar Refining, LLC, 7:45am-4:30pm $80 • Tour #10 – Louisiana Sugar Refining, LLC & Zen-Noh Grain Corp, 8am-4:30pm $80 • Tour #11 - John Deere Thibodaux, Inc. & Bayer, 8am-5:30pm $105 • Tour #12 - Bayer & John Deere Thibodaux, Inc., 8:30am-5:30pm $90 • Tour #13 - Clear Creek Stud & Duncan Acres Organic Farm, 8am-5:30pm $90

Detailed tour information can be found by clicking the link below: https://www.fb.org/events/afbf-annual-convention/events-experiences/louisiana-tours