LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Farm Bureau’s past, and future, will be on display at its 75th Annual Convention, scheduled for Dec. 2-4 at the Peabody Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

Gov. Mike Beebe, Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach and Lowell Catlett, an agricultural futurist and dean of the College of Agriculture at New Mexico State University, headline the speakers for the convention, expected to draw more than 1,000.

“This diamond anniversary convention is all about looking back, and looking forward,” said Veach, a cotton, rice and soybean farmer from Manila (Mississippi County), who is completing his first year as president of the organization. “With this being the 75th annual convention, it is an appropriate time to look back at some of the great leaders who have navigated this organization through times of great change.”

A video tribute, featuring the five living past presidents of the organization, will provide attendees with some historical perspective on Farm Bureau’s mission to advocate the interests of agriculture. Additionally, a reception will honor all past board members of the organization and their families. A 1.4-carat Arkansas diamond will be awarded to a lucky attendee at the convention.

“After two failed attempts, in 1921 and 1931, J.F. Tompkins and a group of farmers in Mississippi County came together in 1934 to organize the first county Farm Bureau in Arkansas,” Veach said. “A few months later, in 1935, Mr. Tompkins and a dozen or so  agricultural producers from across the state met in Little Rock to officially form the 39th state Farm Bureau in America.

“Now, 75 years later, we gather again in Little Rock to conduct the business of this great organization.”

The convention will culminate with the organization’s annual business session, where its 334 voting delegates elect the president and vice president and define the organization’s policy positions on items of importance to the Farm Bureau membership.

“This organization has grown from 65 members in 1934 to more than 220,000 member-families today,” Veach said. “That is a clear indication that we have succeeded in the mission those founding members staked out as important for this organization and for Arkansas agriculture.

“During the three days of our convention, we will honor those who have given their time and talents to make Farm Bureau the “Voice of Agriculture” in Arkansas. We are going to relive our most significant accomplishments and share some wonderful memories. And we’ll look to the future, which is the core purpose of our policy development process.”

A number of special conferences will take place, covering environmental issues, rural health topics, and public policy items, plus commodity-specific conferences in cotton, equine, forestry, soybeans, dairy, wheat and feed grains, beef, poultry and rice.

Farm Bureau will also spotlight the winners in its Young Farmer & Rancher competitions — the Discussion Meet and the Excellence in Ag and Achievement awards. The top county Farm Bureau, best women’s program and Sew With Cotton contest winners are all honored, as well. Additionally, the organization will honor its Ag-in-the-Classroom Teacher of the Year.