AAM Delegates Meeting
November 16, 2005

Chairman, Buddy Vance, called the meeting to order at 9:23 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance and opening prayer led by Vice Chair, Wayne Allen.

There were no minutes of the last meeting due to the absence of the Secretary.

The Treasurer passed out a printed copy of all income and expenses and then gave an oral explanation of the report. Wayne Allen made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as given. Ed Fashing seconded, motion carried.

First order of business was to prepare our handout for the Trade Talk tomorrow. We have six pieces to put in our handout folder. The title of Trade Talk booth will be “Agriculture and Energy.” Our position papers included Biomass, Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) prepared by Larry Matlack and the Ethanol Story, Agenda 21 and Codex prepared by Ed Fashing. We also included Dr. Daryl Ray’s paper on pursuing a new vision for agriculture policy and a 2006 AAM Calendar.

AAM will be participating in Trade Talk Plus tomorrow. It is a live interview that will be aired after Thanksgiving. We will get a report back as to what stations aired our interview. We prepared three question for the interviewer to ask us.
(1) To what extent do you think the development of biomass energy will affect rural economic development?
(2) What would this cost the American Taxpayer?
(3) What would be the effect of biomass energy production on propane, natural gas, fuel oil, kerosene, diesel and gasoline?

Larry Matlack brought us up to speed on “biomass.” It is a very good concept and one that would put money in the pockets of production agriculture. The main thing the whole concept needs is a marketing loan for biomass to protect the processor of the product from extreme fluctuations in energy prices. Larry was put in charge of putting the right people together to plan the strategy for moving forward on this idea.

Joyce was asked how the response to Steve Close’s letter was and would Joyce please send Larry a list of the folks who were entitled to a tractorcade tape.

We recessed for lunch with the idea that the final plans for convention would be finalized after lunch.

Reconvened at 1:20 p.m.

(1) Wayne Allen offered to get the auctioneer and preacher for the 2006 Convention.
(2) Ask Vera Morris if she would do the Ladies Luncheon and handle the Hospitality room.
(3) Ask Arthur Dean Chaney if he would handle the nominations and resolutions.
(4) Joyce will order some bumper stickers for convention packets “DON’T CUSS THE FARMER WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL.”
(5) Question possibility of combining the offices of Secretary and Treasurer???

Speakers to consider: David Senter, Larry Mitchell, Dr. Daryl Ray, G.B. Oliver, Steve Close, John Willis.

The following are to receive a special invite: Willie Nelson & Farm Aid, Randy Cook & NORM, Gerald McCathern, Alvin Jenkins, Darryl & Gene Schroder.

The dates are January 5, 6, 7, 8 of 2006. The schedule will be very similar to last year.

Thursday, January, 5
10:00 a.m. - Executive/Delegates Meeting
Noon - Special Ladies Luncheon
2:00 p.m. - Executive/Delegates Meeting
4:00 p.m. - Convention Registration and Hospitality

Friday, January 6
9:00 a.m. - Registration
10:00 a.m. - General Session
Noon - Parity Fund Luncheon
2:00 p.m. - General Session
4:00 p.m. - Hospitality
6:30 p.m. - Appreciation Banquet

Saturday, January 7
9:00 a.m. - Registration
10:00 a.m. - General Session
Noon - Sustaining Members Luncheon
3:00 p.m. - Business Meeting
5:00 p.m. - Free Lunch before Auction
7:00 p.m. - Auction

Sunday, January 8
10:00 a.m. - Church Services
After Services - Brunch Buffet (Dutch)
12:30 p.m. - Wrap-up

Submitted by Acting Secretary, Joyce Jobgen

The Holiday Inn Airport is located three miles north of the Airport at 2101 South Meridian Avenue and 1 mile south of Interstate 40 off exit 145.