Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Federation Meeting Is July 21-22

"When a Vietnam vet heard David's speech, he struggled with every ounce of his strength so that he could get out of his wheelchair at the concluding moments."

David Okerlund's promotional material uses this passage to describe how he affects audiences. He plans to have the same sort of impact when he addresses Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) Officers' and Leaders' Conference this month in Hot Springs.

Some 600-plus Arkansas farm and ranch leaders from all over the state will gather and hear the inspirational humorist in the Arlington Hotel July 21-22. His will be the closing address of Farm Bureau's annual midsummer leaders' conference there.

His material doesn't mention where Okerlund is from, but it does note he is a farm boy, born and bred, and ag audiences are his favorite. In fact, his speech is titled, `Sacred Cows Sometimes Make the Best Burgers.'

"Okerlund's humor is specifically geared toward the experiences and subjects people in agriculture embrace every day," states the Clear Lake, Iowa, Globe-Gazette newspaper.

His message has been described as a "journey -- like riding a rolling coaster." He will speak at the luncheon ending the two-day conference July 22.

Opening at 1:30 p.m. July 21 in the Arlington's Conference Center, the conference also will include presentations by Richard Newpher, head of AFBF's Washington office, reporting on 1997 Congress's progress; Andrew Whisenhunt, state president, who will speak on `Farm Bureau Today'; Dennis Robertson, new state executive vice president; and Dr. Keith Lusby of the University of Arkansas, who will report on the progress of UA Animal Science Activity Center. They will appear, respectively, as first through fourth speakers in the opening general session.

Also, the meeting will feature workshops beginning at 8:30 a.m. July 22, titled, `Public Policy Issues,' `Marketing: Making It Happen' and `Pathway to Success.' They will involve state Sen. Morril Harriman Jr. and state Rep. Richard Simmons; Dr. Nathan Smith of Extension; and Jimmy Rydell of AFBF, respectively.

A tribute and reception for Jack G. Justus, Farm Bureau's recently retired executive vice president, also will be held following Lusby's talk. It will be in the Arlington's Crystal Ballroom.