American Farm Bureau Convention Sunday Preview: Keynote Address from President Zippy Duvall, Congressional Leadership Panel, Ag Innovation Challenge Final Four and More

The American Farm Bureau Federation Convention continues Sunday with a lineup chock-full of programming to help farmers and ranchers imagine, grow and lead in 2026.

Sunday's program of activities includes two general sessions, nine workshops, the live pitch competition for the final four Ag Innovation Challenge teams and the Sweet 16 round of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet. AFBF President Zippy Duvall will deliver his keynote remarks during the opening general session at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time, and the highly anticipated state award winners will be announced.

The mid general session, which begins at 4 p.m. Pacific Time, features the Distinguished Service Award and the announcement of the fan-favorite Farm Dog of the Year and People's Choice Pup winners. Congressional leadership from both agriculture committees will also join the session for a panel discussion on their vision for the future of U.S. agriculture and their plans for 2026.

All general session content on Sunday, as well as Cultivation Center Stage programming, will be livestreamed for farmers, ranchers and the general public who are not able to join us in Anaheim. Visit fb.org to access the livestream.

Media are also invited to attend the convention opening press conference at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. President Duvall will provide a wrap-up of AFBF's work in 2025 and preview priorities for 2026.

A livestream of the opening press conference will be available to all media, regardless of convention registration status. Access the livestream here: https://app.sli.do/event/373xoDQVpaT1Fkcr4JjBqT

Sunday's workshop highlights include a conversation with USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, discussions on two aspects of the Make America Healthy Again movement, the ever-popular Public Policy Hot Topics panel and a strategy session to help young and beginning farmers take the next step in developing their business. Start times, locations and descriptions of all workshops are available here.

Cultivation Center Stage presentations include a showcase of County Activities of Excellence and New Horizon award winners, remarks from the 2026 Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner, an exploration of the first steps of writing a picture book and a variety of additional topics.

Back for the second year on the trade show floor is the Ag Insights Hub, where key industry partners will deliver timely updates on the issues that matter most to farmers and ranchers. Learn more about Cultivation Center Stage and Ag Insights Hub events here.

Saturday Recap

Though general session programming begins Sunday, attendees had a full day of activities today that ranged from tours of California agriculture to the opening of the trade show and Cultivation Center Stage.

Content creator and online personality Kiah Twisselman Burchett, better known as "Coach Kiah" inspired the Cultivation Center stage audience to become the main character in their lives. It was followed by a fireside chat between Duvall and content creator and mental health advocate Tara Beaver Coronado as well as an outlook for fertilizer markets in 2026.

AFBF Executive Vice President Joby Young joined the "Talk Dirt to Me" podcast for a live episode and the AFBF Women's Leadership Committee kicked off the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

The Cultivation Center Stage wrapped with announcements of the Sweet 16 round of YF&R Discussion Meet and the Achievement Award Top 10. Winners of both contests will be announced during the closing general session on Monday.

Press Contacts

Mike Tomko
Director, Communications
(202) 406-3642
[email protected]

Bailey Corwine
Communications Manager
(202) 406-3643
[email protected]