Wellington resident and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union member Gail Meisner was among the more than 550 attendees at the National Farmers Union’s 112th Anniversary Convention in Santa Fe, N.M.
The 2014 convention brought together Farmers Union members from across the country and featured discussions on the results of the farm bill, challenges facing beginning farmers, the International Year of the Family Farming, farm safety, conservation and renewable energy. Meisner served as a delegate, helping shape the direction of the national family-farm organization through policy development.
The chief economists from the U.S. House and Senate and the chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA discussed the changes to the 2014 farm bill and how it will affect farmers. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, as well as a panel of the state agricultural commissioners, including John Salazar of Colorado, addressed convention attendees.
Meisner accepted the Leadership Achievement Award for Larimer County Farmers Union, where she serves as secretary/treasurer. This is her third year serving as a delegate.