American Farm Bureau Convention Sunday Recap: President Zippy Duvall Celebrates Key Accomplishments in 2025; Rare 4 Corner Ag Congressional Panel; Farm Dog of the Year and More

The American Farm Bureau Convention continued today with a full slate including a keynote address, reflections from congressional leadership, diverse workshops, Cultivation Center Stage presentations and a medley of awards.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall encouraged each and every member of the audience to imagine the possibilities before them and dream of growing an even brighter future for agriculture during his keynote address. He challenged attendees to strive for servant leadership, even when there are costs and sacrifices associated with serving.

"Leadership will take all you can give, and then some," Duvall said. "It isn't something you take on for yourself-leaders are driven to help and serve others. They believe in their hearts that giving their all can and will make a difference. Maybe not today, and maybe not even next week or next year, but how you lead right now matters."

Duvall also encouraged farmers and ranchers to engage with the administration, lawmakers and consumers to explain what farmers are doing every day to grow a safe, healthy food supply.

"Every conversation, every engagement bridges the gap-from stories on social media to meetings at your statehouse, and even the White House," Duvall told attendees. "We believe it's critical for consumers and lawmakers to hear straight from farmers."

In a rare joint appearance, all four leaders of the congressional agriculture committees came together to discuss issues important to rural America during the mid general session. The chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Ranking Member Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) as well as the chair of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.), and Ranking Member Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) covered priority issues including passing a new five-year farm bill, developing domestic and international markets for agricultural products, providing access to a stable workforce for farmers and ranchers, and the importance of grassroots involvement in advocacy.

Also during the opening general session, former Virginia Farm Bureau Federation President Wayne Pryor was recognized with the Farm Bureau Founders Award. The late Bill Northey, longtime agricultural leader from Iowa, was honored posthumously with the Distinguished Service Award. More information is available here.

Delaware, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, Utah and Virginia Farm Bureaus earned the Pinnacle Award, the highest honor a state Farm Bureau can be awarded for program and membership achievement. The New Horizon Award was given to Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina and Texas and 35 states were recognized with Awards of Excellence. Read more here.

Max, a Border Collie from Oklahoma, was named the 2026 Farm Dog of the Year, and "I LOVE Blueberries," a sequel to the beloved book "I LOVE Strawberries," by Shannon Anderson was announced as the Foundation for Agriculture's 2026 Book of the Year. Retiring board members were also recognized.

Workshops included a conversation with USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden discussing how the agency is bridging the gap between Washington policy and the farm gate, as well as a panel of young farmers and farm business experts providing insights about how to take a farm business to the next level. Two workshops provided perspectives on the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.

Monday Preview

Tomorrow's highlights include the closing general session featuring remarks from Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins as well as the keynote address from Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL player Tim Tebow. Young Farmers &Ranchers competitive event award winners will also be announced, as well as the 2026 Ag Innovation Challenge winner and runner-up.

Engaging and educational workshops and Cultivation Center Stage programming continue tomorrow. Farm Bureau's team of economists will provide an economic outlook for 2026, innovation specialists will discuss trends in agri-tech, and agricultural youth and professional development organization CEOs will reflect on how to effectively engage and empower young leaders.

What We're Saying

Press Contacts

Mike Tomko
Director, Communications
(202) 406-3642
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Bailey Corwine
Communications Manager
(202) 406-3643
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