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DENVER — The National Farmers Union 120th Anniversary Convention concluded March 1 following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business.
More than 450 members and guests convened in Denver to set policy positions and priorities that support American farm and ranch families and strengthen rural communities.
Delegates to the convention adopted the NFU policy book and five special orders of business that will guide the organization’s government affairs priorities over the course of the next year.
Before the policy review began, Rob Larew was re-elected president and Jeff Kippley was elected as the organization’s vice president.
Larew was raised on a dairy farm in Greenville, West Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a bachelor’s degree in dairy science and completed graduate work in agronomy at Pennsylvania State University.
Before to his election as president, Larew served as NFU’s senior vice president of public policy and communications, and prior to his employment with NFU, served over 22 years in Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Kippley farms with his wife, Rachel, and dad, John, near Aberdeen, South Dakota.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack headlined the general session.
Convention attendees heard remarks from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg, as well.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana also addressed the convention body and was presented with the Fairness for Farmers Champion Award.
“It was inspirational to be back in the presence of so many enthusiastic Farmers Union members after a long and difficult two years,” Larew said.
“We had a lot of catching up to do and we exchanged what we learned from the challenges we faced. After hearing from a remarkable slate of speakers and a robust policy setting process, we leave Denver with a newfound energy. After all, Farmers Union is at its finest when the challenges are great, and we are well positioned to succeed in the difficult year ahead.”
“I’d also like to thank Patty Edelburg for her four years of dedicated service as NFU vice president. I look forward to working together with newly elected NFU Vice President Jeff Kippley,” Larew added.