WV Farm Bureau Magazine March 2015 | Page 23

W est Virginia Farm Bureau board and staff members attended a three-day conference February 23-26 in Washington, D.C., which addressed issues of critical concern to agriculture. The first annual American Farm Bureau Advocacy Conference featured a number of dynamic speakers, including Dana Perino, Donna Brazile and Dr. Ben Carson. A series of workshops at the conference concentrated on specific topics such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act and their effects on farmers and ranchers, along with discussions on immigration, tax reform, biotechnology and trade. Attendees could also choose from a number of offerings that addressed strategies for successful visits with Congressional representatives. Following Wednesday’s presentation by Carson, Farm Bureau members fanned out across Capitol Hill to meet with legislators. WVFB staff met with Representatives McKinley, Mooney and Jenkins and Senator Capito. Joe Manchin was unavailable, but staff members met for a brief discussion. West Virginia Farm Bureau News 23