Strength in Numbers: MFB's 2025 State Annual Meeting, Dec. 2-3

Themed “Strength in Numbers,” Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2025 State Annual Meeting continues the hybrid format launched in 2020, dividing the proceedings into separate components from Nov. 5 to Dec. 3:

Kickoff

The Virtual Kickoff took place online Nov. 5, with opening remarks and a call to order from MFB President Ben LaCross, followed by reports from the credentials and rules committees; approval of the 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes; and reports from MFB COO Michelle Reynaert, Farm Bureau Insurance CEO Don Simon, and Treasurer Tom Nugent.

Discussion Meet Prelims

The preliminary rounds of the state-level Young Farmer Discussion Meet took place online Nov. 8, narrowing the field of contestants to this year’s Sweet 16:

• District 1 — Chad Geoit, Kalamazoo; Mark Trowbridge, St Joseph
• District 2 — Abby Vittore, Lenawee
• District 3 — Melissa Fusilier, Washtenaw; Alyssa Otto, Monroe
• District 4 — Samantha Bos, Ottawa; Emily Kropf, Kent; Zoey Zupin, Kent
• District 5 — Allison Heinitz, Clinton
• District 6 — Jasmine McNary, Sanilac; Katie Adam, Huron; Blake Gordon, Sanilac
• District 7 — Carmen Beemer, Oceana; Amanda Goodfellow, Mecosta
• District 9 — Madeleine Smeltzer, Wexford
• District 10 — Sarah Hollon, Clare

The in-person final rounds take place Dec. 2 in Grand Rapids. 

District Meetings

Delegates in Districts 1, 3 and 10-12 have already met in-person, Nov. 6-17. District 2 delegates meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at Olivia's Chophouse, 205 E. Chicago St. in Jonesville.

Delegates in Districts 4-9 will meet in Grand Rapids, just prior to the Annual Meeting: 10:30 – 11: 30 a.m. Dec. 2, in various Amway Grand Hotel conference rooms:

• District 4 — Governors Room
• District 5 — Imperial Ballroom
• District 6 — Vandenburg West
• District 7 — Thornapple Room
• District 8 — Grandview Room
• District 9 — Berkey Room

Each district’s representative on the state-level Policy Development Committee will share an overview of the issues delegates will consider in Grand Rapids. A written overview of this year’s policy slate is available online.

District meetings also cover several important housekeeping items, including delegate chair responsibilities and training in CloudVote, the system used by delegates taking part both in-person and remotely.

Grand Rapids

Everything culminates Dec. 2-3 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel & DeVos Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids, where delegates will engage in their final deliberations on policy recommendations that began taking shape months ago at your own county Farm Bureau.

That’s not all that happens in Grand Rapids, of course; here’s a detailed look at this year’s agenda:

Tuesday, Dec. 2

• 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. — Registration; DeVos Secchia Lobby
• 8:30 – 10 a.m. — Young Farmer Discussion Meet registration; DeVos Grand Gallery
• 10 – 10:20 a.m. — Young Farmer Discussion Meet competitors’ & judges’ briefing; DeVos Grand Gallery E
• 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. — Young Farmer Discussion Meet, Sweet 16 round 1; DeVos Grand Gallery A-D
• 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. — District meetings; various Amway rooms (see above)
• 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Outreach Lunch & Ice Cream Social; DeVos Ballroom B-C-D; seating by districts; board introductions, P&E Committee introductions, CAE awards, P&E Showcase
• 1:30 – 6 p.m. — Michigan Foundation for Agriculture Agricultural Art Gallery showcase & voting; DeVos Grand Gallery
• 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. — Young Farmer Discussion Meet, Sweet 16 round 2; DeVos Grand Gallery A-D
• 1:45 – 4:45 p.m. — Opening Delegate Session; DeVos Ballroom A
• 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. — Young Farmer Excellence Award presentation & Discussion Meet Final Four announcement; DeVos Grand Gallery Rooms C-D
• 5 – 6 p.m. — Consumers Energy Reception; DeVos Grand Gallery
• 6 – 8:15 p.m. — Awards Banquet; DeVos Ballroom B-C-D; Young Farmer Discussion Meet finals & winner announcement; Young Farmer Award recognition; Educator of the Year Award; Ag in the Classroom efforts

Wednesday, Dec. 3

• 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. — Registration; DeVos Secchia Lobby
• 7:30 – 8:45 a.m. — AgriPac Breakfast, guest speakers Baldly Bipartisan; DeVos Ballroom B-C-D
• 7:45 – 8:15 a.m. — High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet registration; DeVos Grand Gallery
• 8:15 – 8:30 a.m. — High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet briefings: High School (DeVos Grand Gallery D); Collegiate (DeVos Grand Gallery A)
• 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Michigan Foundation for Agriculture Agricultural Art Gallery showcase & voting; DeVos Grand Gallery
• 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. — High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet, round 1; DeVos Grand Gallery Rooms
• 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Delegate Session; DeVos Ballroom A
• 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. — High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet round 2; DeVos Grand Gallery Rooms
• 10:45 – 11 a.m. — High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet finalist announcement; DeVos Grand Gallery D-E
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet finals: High School (DeVos Grand Gallery D-E); Collegiate (DeVos Grand Gallery A-B)
• 12:45 – 2:30 p.m. — Member Engagement Lunch; DeVos Ballroom B-C-D — Key Society recognition; membership awards; Agent Charitable Fund; Presidential Volunteer of the Year Award; High School & Collegiate Discussion Meet winners announcement
• 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. — Michigan Foundation for Agriculture Agricultural Art Gallery silent auction; DeVos Grand Gallery
• 2:45 – 5:30 p.m. — Closing Delegate Session; DeVos Ballroom A — scheduled policies
• 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. — Crystal Flash Reception; DeVos Grand Gallery
• 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. — Annual Banquet; DeVos Ballroom B-C-D; Board of Directors introductions; President’s Address; Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award; Michigan Foundation for Agriculture Agricultural Art Gallery live auction