Montana Farmers Union Producer Conference
Join us the for the 2017 Produce Conference at the Best Western Plus in Havre March 24-25! ! Enjoy workshops on bull acquisition and genetics, the use of drones in agriculture, pulse crops, value added agriculture and what’s expected in the next Farm Bill. The cost is: $35 members/$50 nonmembers, plus lodging at a reduced rate. Check our our agenda and speakers! Register now!
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Our Speakers:
Robert Blair
Robert Blair is the VP of Agriculture for Measure, Drone as a Service and a fourth generation farmer from north central Idaho managing 1,300 dryland acres of wheat, barley, peas, lentils, chickpeas, alfalfa, and cows. The farm is situated on the edge of the rolling hills of the Palouse and not far from his Alma Mater the University of Idaho where he received his B.S. in Agriculture Business. His journey with precision agriculture started in 2003 using a PDA for simple mapping. That evolved into all different types of equipment, including Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) in 2006. Robert is the first farmer to own and use a UAS. His vision and advocacy of these technologies helped him become the Precision Ag Institute’s 2009 International Farmer of the Year.
Barbara Patterson, Government Relations Director/National Farmers Union
As Government Relations Director for National Farmers Union, Barbara Patterson advocates for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in Congress and the executive branch. Her focus is on trade, livestock, competition, cooperatives, nutrition, and food safety. Prior to her employment with NFU, Patterson worked as a policy associate for New England Farmers Union. Patterson graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and recently graduated with a Master of Science in Agriculture and Nutrition Policy from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
Eric Sannerud, Co-founder & CEO of Mighty Ax Hops
Eric R. Sannerud is a farmer, thinker, and entrepreneur. Eric is co-founder and CEO of Mighty Axe Hops, Minnesota’s largest hop farm. His first collection of poetry, Keep Your Eye Out, explores the reality and absolute sweetness of the farming life. Eric is a Minneapolis Saint Paul Business Journal 40 Under 40 and a Minnesota Business Magazine Top 35 young entrepreneurs. Eric is a founding member of the Central Minnesota Young Farmers Coalition, a Udall Scholar, and a Fellow of the Future.
