Nov 23, 2025
Members discussed policy, attended breakout sessions, participated in giving and receiving awards, voted on open Board seats, and heard from a few top-tier speakers.
Colorado Farm Bureau (CFB) hosted their 107th Annual Meeting this weekend, at the Hyatt Regency in Denver, CO. At this meeting, Farm Bureau members discussed policy, attended breakout sessions, participated in giving and receiving awards, voted on open Board seats, and heard from a few top-tier speakers.
This year’s keynote speaker was Shaun Haney, who is the founder of RealAgriculture, one of North America’s leading agricultural media platforms, serving farmers and ranchers with timely, trusted insights on ag policy, agronomy, current events, and farm management. Through a combination of digital content, radio, and podcasts, RealAgriculture reaches a broad audience across the ag sector.
President Carlyle Currier shared about the membership and policy wins of 2025, and some policy changes CFB may be facing in 2026.
After hearing from President Carlyle Currier, members heard from Taylor Szilagyi, Executive Vice President, who celebrated the accomplishments of CFB staff and members, and shared an updated CFB mission statement, which now reads, “we lead the way in promoting, strengthening, and advocating for agriculture.”
On Friday morning, a few counties were recognized for their hard work throughout the year.
President’s Awards of Excellence:
Gunnison County earned the President’s Award of Excellence in Communications/Outreach for working with their local Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to provide a Thanksgiving dinner and a July 4th pancake breakfast.
Mesa County earned the President’s Award of Excellence in Leadership Development for working with their local college to create a new collegiate Farm Bureau chapter.
Pueblo County earned the President’s Award of Excellence in Local Affairs for hosting a fire mitigation symposium, providing information to the public about emergency agencies and how they work together.
Logan, Morgan, Washington, and Yuma County Farm Bureaus earned the President’s Award of Excellence in Membership for hosting a seminar to provide their members with essential tools to transition their family farms to the next generation.
La Plata County earned the President’s Award of Excellence in Policy Implementation for hosting informational meetings to inform their community about the harm and potential increase in costs due to a rural electricity coop buyout.
Silver Award: Douglas County, for hosting policy discussions, events, and education workshops
New Horizon Award: La Plata County, for implementing a new, free program for their community
Top Recruiter Membership Awards:
1st Place: Jeff Thomas
Tied for 2nd Place: BJ Bushman, Janet Cox, and Jerry Meyer
Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance Awards:The Serving the Same People Award goes to the insurance agent and county that fosters and advances the partnership between the Colorado Farm Bureau Federation and the Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance Company.
Serving the Same People Award Top Agent: Amber Holleman, Middle Park Farm Bureau
Serving the Same People Award Top County: Garfield County Farm Bureau
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) also awarded Colorado Farm Bureau in their State Awards of Excellence for Advocacy, Leadership and Business Development, Coalitions and Partnerships, and Engagement and Outreach.
The following Board members were elected on Friday afternoon:
District 1: Norman Strickholm
District 3: Dallas Vaugn
District 5: Connie Hass
District 7: David Brown
District 9: Zandon Bray
Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee Chair: Kole Kelley
On Saturday evening, Colorado Farm Bureau hosted their annual banquet, where a few people were honored for their service, membership, and other accomplishments.
YF&R Discussion Meet Winner: Anna Leigh Peek
Collegiate Discussion Meet Winner: Brock Miller
The discussion meet competition is a simulation of a county board meeting discussion. Contestants are given a pre-selected topic to discuss and are judged on their cooperative attitude, problem solving abilities, and implementation of a solution. Discussion Meet winners will move on to compete at the AFBF annual conference in Anaheim, California, in January.
Emerging Leader Award: Cole Cooper
Land Steward of the Year: Mike and Tim Ritschard
Distinguished Volunteer Award: Dr. Zena Buser
Retiring Board Members, Chad Musick from District 1 and Jason Vermillion from District 3, were recognized for their service.
CJ Mucklow
Each year, the Colorado Farm Bureau recognizes two individuals with the most distinguished and highest honor, the Service to Agriculture Award. One is awarded to an individual “outside” and one “within” Farm Bureau. The Service to Agriculture Award was started in 1968 and is given to individuals who have exhibited extraordinary service to Colorado agriculture and to the Colorado Farm Bureau.
The Service to Agriculture “outside” Farm Bureau winner is CJ Mucklow, and the winner “within” Farm Bureau is Marc Arnusch.
Watch CJ Mucklow's video here. Watch Marc Arnusch's video here.
Marc Arnusch
There is a special recognition for members who have maintained their membership for more than 50 years. This year, there are 314 families who have been members for 50 years or more! The longest-running membership is held by the Allen and Velvet Ents Family, who have been members for 83 years.
The Women’s Leadership Committee ended the evening by raising $13,377 from their silent and live auctions for the Ronald McDonald House of Colorado Springs.
Colorado Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization, whose mission is to lead the way in promoting, strengthening, and advocating for agriculture. Learn more about becoming a member at coloradofarmbureau.com/join.