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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution recognizes the contributions the Utah Farm Bureau has made to
11 agriculture in the state over the past 100 years.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ recognizes the Utah Farm Bureau for strengthening agriculture and rural
15 communities and improving the lives of all Utahns; and
16 ▸ congratulates the Utah Farm Bureau on its 100 years of leadership and service to its
17 members and the state.
18 Special Clauses:
19 None
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21 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
22 WHEREAS, 100 years ago on December 4, 1916, farmers and ranchers from across the
23 state gathered at the Hotel Utah in downtown Salt Lake City to create the Utah Farm Bureau
24 Federation;
25 WHEREAS, these agricultural leaders laid the foundation for a state organization that
26 continues to provide a voice for all farmers and ranchers in Utah, improve farm income, and
27 give representation to our state's food producers;
28 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau was established to serve and strengthen agriculture,
29 supply valuable member services to family farms and ranches, and maximize production
30 agriculture's ability to engage in national, state, and local policy decisions;
31 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau is a true grassroots organization dedicated to
32 ensuring that agriculture remains healthy and vibrant;
33 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau achieves these goals through the organization's
34 unique individual member-driven policy development process and active legislative and
35 regulatory advocacy programs;
36 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau worked closely with Utah State University
37 Extension Service to provide valuable information from the land grant system to improve
38 production and farm income;
39 WHEREAS, in 1921, the Utah Farm Bureau established the Women's Program to focus
40 on farm life, rural community life, and leadership opportunities;
41 WHEREAS, in 1939, the Utah Farm Bureau established the Young Farmers Program,
42 the precursor to the Utah Young Farmer and Rancher Program, to provide leadership
43 development, training, and opportunities for young members;
44 WHEREAS, Utah Farm Bureau agriculture education outreach efforts include the
45 "Share-A-Book" campaign to place fact-based books in Utah schools, the "Agriculture in the
46 Classroom" initiative, the "Our Food Link" program to introduce thousands of Utah school
47 children and other Utahns to the family farms and ranches dotting the state's landscape, "Farm
48 Field Days" hosted by county farm bureaus across the state, and "Farm Bureau Day" at the
49 Utah State Fair;
50 WHEREAS, approximately 29,000 member families from all 29 counties in the state
51 comprise the Utah Farm Bureau, making it the largest agriculture organization in the state and
52 the recognized "Voice of Agriculture";
53 WHEREAS, the vision, commitment, and service of the Utah Farm Bureau boards of
54 directors, volunteer members, and staff have built partnerships and industry coalitions for the
55 past 100 years;
56 WHEREAS, these partnerships and coalitions have developed and implemented
57 initiatives and projects focused on the United States Constitution and fundamental principles
58 such as limited government, private property rights, and free enterprise;
59 WHEREAS, the Utah Farm Bureau has been a leader in meeting the insurance needs of
60 farmers and ranchers, establishing Utah's first "Farmers Market," and advocating for policies
61 that support farmers including the "Greenbelt Amendment" and production-based property
62 taxes;
63 WHEREAS, these efforts have enabled farmers and ranchers to produce and sell their
64 products, provide nutritious and affordable locally grown foods, serve as vital contributors to
65 our state's economy by providing more than 80,000 jobs, and serve as environmental stewards
66 protecting and enhancing our state's natural resources; and
67 WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America and
68 principal author of the Declaration of Independence, said, "Agriculture is our wisest pursuit,
69 because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness":
70 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
71 Governor concurring therein, recognizes the Utah Farm Bureau for strengthening agriculture
72 and rural communities and improving the lives of all Utahns through its leadership, service to
73 its members and the state of Utah, and efforts to champion the production of food and fiber and
74 the noble professions of farming and ranching.
75 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor congratulate and
76 salute the Utah Farm Bureau Federation as it enters into its centennial celebration in 2016.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel