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The 2003 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting, its 84^th, will be held in Tampa, Fla., from Jan. 19 to 22. This year’s theme is being kept secret until your arrival in Tampa, but be assured the meeting agenda will be packed full of award presentations and professional seminars on topics such as technology, production and the future of the industry. And the best part -- no winter coats and no ice scrapers!

Outside the meeting, Ohio Farm Bureau members will have opportunities to enjoy some optional agricultural tours. Or you can explore Tampa Bay and its many offerings including theme parks, the Florida Aquarium, museums and the Gulf of Mexico.

WorldTravel BTI and Ohio Farm Bureau have put together a basic travel package for the event. You may access it via the Internet at www.ofbf.org and click on "Information and Registration" next to the label American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting. Or you may call WorldTravel directly at 800-562-8625 and choose option 3.

The hotel package includes accommodations for four nights at the Hyatt Regency Tampa Bay. Cost is $368 per person based on two to a room or $680 single occupancy. Convention registration is $50 per person. Different tours are available for Saturday, Jan. 18, and Tuesday, Jan. 21.

• Tour One -- 9 a.m.,approximately six hours, $45 per person. Stops at Food Technology, one of only two food irradiation plants in the country; Tropical Aquaculture Lab, see the new products diagnositc services and disease control at this facility; lunch at Cracker Cooker; Phosphate Mines; and the Strawberry Research Lab.
• Tour Two -- 9 a.m., four to five hours, $40 per person. Stops at Ornamental Horticulture Nursery, Tropical Aquaculture Lab, lunch at LaSeptima, Sanwa growers and the phosphate processing plant.

• Tour One -- 9 a.m., five to six hours, $50 per person. Same stops as Tour Two from Jan. 18 with the addition of the Big Bend Power Plant.
• Tour Two -- 9 a.m., about six hours, $45 per person, Stops at Food Technology, Tropical Fish Farm, lunch at a Florida-style BBQ, Phosphate Mines and the Strawberry Research Lab.
• Tour Three -- 9 a.m., approximately six hours, $45 per person, Stops at a strawberry farm, Ornamental Horticulture Nursery, lunch at a Florida-style BBQ, Gore Dairy and Bartgle’s Ranch.
• Tour Four -- 9 a.m., approximately six hours, $65 per person, Stops at Food Technology, Tropical Aquaculture Lab, lunch at the Cracker Cooker, Sanwa Growers, Fancy D farms.

Both days, trips are offered to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (admission $40 for adults and $33 per child ages 3 to 9) and the Florida Aquarium (admission $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for children ages 3 to 12).

Reservations for the special tours will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

One highlight already announced will be a presentation by television weatherman, author and public service advocate Willard Scott at the Monday afternoon general session.

Probably best-known as NBC's Today Show weatherman, Scott has brightened the nation's mornings for more than two decades. During his presentation at the Monday afternoon general session, Scott will use his first-hand knowledge of small-town communities to offer an inspiring perspective on the nation that he loves so much.

In addition to Scott's presentation, a variety of special conferences will be featured during Sunday afternoon and Monday morning seminars. Seminar topics include new uses of technology to improve food safety, new consumer products being offered by the beef industry, personal and professional development, and top agricultural issues affecting the industry.

"Members come to the convention seeking information on the issues important to them, their businesses and agriculture," said Rolland Hayenga, AFBF annual meeting coordinator. "They certainly will not be disappointed in our seminar and conference schedule this year."

Returning to this year's convention is the Cyber Café, sponsored by fbcountry.com. Other convention highlights include the Farm Bureau Showcase, Young Farmer & Rancher competitive events, Farm Bureau Women's business session and the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture ice cream fund raiser sponsored by Dairy Management Inc. The Sunday evening awards program, sponsored by John Deere, will feature annual Farm Bureau awards as well as the annual president's address by AFBF President Bob Stallman. The convention concludes with the annual meeting of state Farm Bureau delegates discussing and voting on the policies that will guide the organization in 2003.