Mark your calendars: AZFB’s Issue Advisory Committees (IACs) will meet the week of May 1-5, 2023.

The kickoff to our policy development process, our IACs are an opportunity for subject-matter experts, nominated by their county Farm Bureaus to serve, to come together and surface issues for our counties to discuss during their policy development meetings. Throughout the week, our committees will convene and have a free-wheeling discussion about the issues that you’re facing and what you think Farm Bureau’s role might be in helping address them. These meetings will also include a dynamic lineup of guest speakers who can give our members updates on issues including water and environmental regulations.  

By popular demand, this year we will be offering our IAC meetings both virtually and in-person. If you prefer to join in three dimensions, we’ll be hosting the meetings at our Gilbert offices. If you would rather Zoom in, we will have that option available as well.

Here’s the tentative lineup for the week’s meetings:

  • Monday, May 1
    1. 8:30 am: State & Federal Lands
    2. 1:30 pm: Ag Labor
  • Tuesday, May 2
    1. 8:30 am: Equine
    2. 1:30 pm: Water
  • Wednesday, May 3
    1. 8:30 am: Organic & Direct Marketing
    2. 1:30 pm: Crops
  • Thursday, May 4
    1. 8:30 am: Air & Water Quality
    2. 1:30 pm: Food Safety & Specialty Crops (combined committees)
  • Friday, May 5
    1. 8:30 am: Farm Policy
    2. 1:30 pm: Livestock

 

So, begin thinking about issues important to the committee you serve on. Relate it to the current challenges and even opportunities you might be experiencing in your own agriculture business operations. Plus, check in with your neighboring farms and ranches to find out what might be of concern for their operations. Then, once May rolls around bring these issues to the committee on the day of the IAC.

Can’t wait to see you there!