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| Our Organization |
- Mission: Farm Bureau is an organization dedicated to improving net farm income and the quality of life for all Utahns.
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- Organization: Farm Bureau is governed by an elected, eleven-member Board of Directors, all of whom are working farmers or ranchers. Under the Board's direction, the Chief Executive Officer, Randy Parker, directs the organization's programs and activities to implement the policies developed by Farm Bureau members. The current president of the Utah Farm Bureau is Leland Hogan, a cattle and alfalfa producer from Stockton, and the vice president is Stephen A. Osguthorpe, a cattle rancher from Park City, Utah. The other members of the Board of Directors are listed HERE.
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- History: The Utah Farm Bureau was organized in the fall of 1916 by a group of Utah farmers who met in Salt Lake City. D.D. McKay of Huntsville, Utah, became the first president of the state organization. He served until 1922. The first convention was held in 1918 at the Utah Agricultural College in Logan. The first session of the convention was dedicated almost entirely to discussing the price they should seek for sugar beets. Since then, the organization has developed into the largest general agricultural organization in the state of Utah. The American Farm Bureau was formed when farmer delegates from 30 states gathered at Chicago's LaSalle Hotel on Nov. 12, 1919. Currently there are more than 2,800 county Farm Bureaus in the United States. The first county Farm Bureau was formed in Broome County, NY in 1911. The "bureau" in Farm Bureau is used because the first Farm Bureau was formed as a "bureau" of the chamber of commerce in Broome County. Missouri was the first state to form a statewide organization in March of 1915.
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- Grassroots: The Farm Bureau proudly claims a grassroots structure. Numerous volunteer leaders serve on county Farm Bureau boards and committees, providing direction to the state and national organization. The public policy process begins at the county level. There, members research and discuss issues affecting rural Utah and America and develop policies that are passed and sent on to the state resolutions committee then potentially on to the American Farm Bureau. Full-time legislative representatives work to support those policies at the Utah State Legislature and the U.S. Congress. In addition, a variety of Farm Bureau programs and committees work to support members, educate the public and enforce the mission statement.
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- Politically active: Farm Bureau is a nonpartisan organization seeking to further its member's goals. Farm Bureau is involved in local, state, national and international issues that affect its members. Farm Bureau provides full-time representation at the Utah State Legislature and the U.S. Congress.
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