conference photos
If you weren't able to attend this year's National Farm Business Management Conference, here is a sampling of what you missed.
landscape photos
![Intro Slide](photos/Title_Sun.jpg)
![...](photos/Sun01_Welcoming-Banner.jpg)
Welcome!
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Pre-Conference Board Meeting L-R: Doug Wertish, Myron Oftedahl, Ira Beckman, Jim McCuistion, Jay D. Olsen, Al Graner, Jim Kelm and Wayne Pike
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Pre-Conference Board Meeting
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Pre-Conference Board Meeting
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Barb Kelm and Doug Wertish help the Thomases check in
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Comedian Scott Novotny entertained us with his zany humor
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NFRBMEA President Jay D. Olsen (L) and NAFBAS President Jim Huschka welcome everyone to the 2012 Conference.
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Conference attendees were given the opportunity to go to four different breakout sessions. Each breakout was offered twice.
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“Establishing Enhanced Services”, presented by Tom Thaden, NW IFBA (L) & Jim McCabe, IL Valley FBFM.
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Chuck Schwartau, U of MN Extension Educator, co-presented “How to Produce an Employee Manual”.
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Renee Setzer, Lakeshore Farm Mgt., co-presented “How to Produce an Employee Manual”.
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Todd Ziegler, KS Farm Mgt. Assoc. NW (L) & Al Roesler, FBM Instructor at South Central College presented “How to Prepare Data for Analysis”.
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Bob Rhea, IL (L); Tom Weygandt, OH (C) & Jim Kelm, MN
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Communications Director Deb Pike & IABME Director Tom Weygandt talk about the IABME site.
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Afternoon Session Chair Jay D. Olsen gets us ready for the afternoon's presentation.
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Session Chair Jay D. Olsen presented William Nelson, CHS, with a Distinguished Service Award- Friend
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The producer panel discussed “Needs of Growing Farms / Providing Value”. At right, panel commentator is Rob Holcomb, U of MN Extension.
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The audience enjoyed hearing about each producer's farming operations.
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After all the panelists had spoken, the floor was opened for Q & A.
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Past President Al Graner (ND) gives his report. Listening in foreground, L-R: Barry Kurtz (MN), Vic Richardson (MN), Doug Wertish (MN) & Tom Ackerman (OH).
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Jay D. Olsen listens as President Elect Doug Wertish (L) gives the Industry Relations Committee report.
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IABME members listening to presentations. L-R: JoAnn Peterson, Wayne Schoper, Pam Uhlenkamp, Shawn Erickson & Josh Tjosaas.
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IABME members also heard a presentation by Kent Beadle of Russell Consulting.
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IABME members (L-R): Lynsey Frey, Brenda Tyre, Amber Lovitt, Keith Knudsen & Kayla Peterson
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Monday evening visitors were free to explore. (L-R) Tom Ackerman, Raphael & Wayne Pike at MOA.
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Tom Gillaspy, Gillaspy Demographics, spoke about “Finding Opportunity in Demographic Change“
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Tuesday was a day to visit with vendors during Breaks
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Conference attenders heard from Dr. Michael Swanson, Senior VP, Agricultural Economist & Consultant with Wells Fargo & Company
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Tuesday was a big day. Lenders and agri-businesses purchasing tickets were invited to hear the day's speakers.
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Charlie Arnot, CEO, Center for Food Integrity, spoke about “Building consumer Trust & Confidence in Today's Food System”.
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Session Chair Doug Wertish presents a Bremer Bank representative with a Distinguished Service Award- Friend.
The Light Rail System, with a stop just across the street from the Crowne Plaza, took us right to Target Field.
Target Field, Downtown Minneapolis
It was a beautiful night for a baseball game...
... and the view of the skyline as the sun went down was beautiful too.
One big Bow-Wow: Target's “Bullseye” is 37' tall.
Bullseye is lit with LED lighting, and his tail is programmed to wag at different speeds.
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First-time conference attendees gathered during Wednesday's breakfast to learn about NFRBMEA and NAFBAS.
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The First-Timers' event is hosted by the Presidents Elect of each organization.
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One tour choice was the Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake. Thaddeus McCamant (R), instructor with Northland College, Detroit Lakes, MN introduces our tour host.
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Touring Pine Tree Orchard
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A group event was held at the MN Zoo Wednesday evening. Conference attenders not wishing to tour were able to come out to the zoo earlier in the day to explore.
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The topic of the Two-Toed Sloth came up for discussion on the lightrail coming back from Tuesday's Twins game. For more information about this animal go to www.mnzoo.com/animals/animals_sloth.asp.
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Bears are a lot like kids. They just can't leave each other alone.
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Leopard
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It was a nice evening for a picnic at the Zoo
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An inflatable toy was available for the kids to play in
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Wednesday evening picnic at the MN Zoo.
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Scott Miller's presentation
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The NFRBMEA Annual Business Meeting resumed Thursday morning.
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Al Graner receives his retiring officer plaque from President Jay D. Olsen
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The 2012-13 Board gathers for a Post-Conference Board Meeting. L-R: Past President Jay D. Olsen, Secretary Jim McCuistion, President Doug Wertish, Treasurer Myron Oftedahl, President Elect Mark Holkup.
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Ira Beckman (back to camera) Doug Wertish, Myron Oftedahl and Mark Holkup.
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Post-Conference Board Meeting
portrait photos
![Intro Slide](photos/Title_PSun.jpg)
![...](photos/Sun06_Barb-Jim-Kelm.jpg)
Barb Kelm explains this year's Spouse and Family program
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Wayne Pike introduces our Sunday evening entertainment
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Scott's brand of family-friendly humor was a hit with the entire group
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Monday morning Session Chair Jim Kelm
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Dan Looker, Business Editor of "Successful Farming" magazine, was the Keynote Speaker Monday morning.
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Mr. Looker also presented a "Big Picture Follow-Up" to conference attenders Tuesday afternoon.
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Wayne Pike providing tech support.
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Jim Huschka promotes next year's 2013 NFBM Conference in Overland Park, Kansas.
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Afternoon Session Chair Jay D. Olsen gets us ready for the afternoon's presentation.
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Bob Craven, Center for Farm Financial Management, moderated the Producer Panel.
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President Jay D. Olsen (UT) called the 27th Annual NFRBMEA Business Meeting to order.
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Despite an apparent “eye condition”, Communications Director Deb Pike delivers her report to the members.
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William Nelson spoke to the IABME members about CHS.
For those with an EXTREMELY sweet tooth-- also fairly entertaining when microwaved.
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Some took in a Twins game Tuesday evening.
Kent Hrbek
“Minnie” and “Paul”, a large version of the Minnesota Twins original logo.
The logo was created in 1961 by a St. Paul illustrator. Every time a Twins player hits a home run, Minnie and Paul light up and greet each other.
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![...](photos/Wed02a_pinetree-host.jpg)
Pinetree Apple Orchard Host Host
Apples!
Young apple trees "in training"
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Looks like it's time for a pedicure.
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Doug Wertish relates a story about "musical homilies" at Thursday's Annual Storytelling Breakfast
Anthony Barrett's story was about happiness.
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“Farm Transitions and Succession” presented by Scott Miller, Miller Legal Strategic Planning Centers, P.A.
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Al says, “Hi!”