Rowe to speak at AFBF meeting

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mike Rowe, the creator and executive producer of Discovery Channel’s Emmy-nominated series “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe,” will deliver the keynote address to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 92nd annual meeting on Jan. 10, 2011, in Atlanta, Ga.

More than 5,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation will gather in Atlanta Jan. 9-12 to hear from leaders and participate in a grassroots policy setting process that will guide the American Farm Bureau through 2011.

A champion of farmers and ranchers and other hard-working Americans, Rowe has spent years traveling the country, working as an apprentice on more than 250 jobs that most people would go out of their way to avoid. Rowe knows how to get his hands dirty and has worked in just about every industry, including many agriculture jobs.

“We are excited to have Mike Rowe as our keynote speaker,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman in a press release. “Like farmers and ranchers, he’s not afraid to roll-up his shirt sleeves and get his hands dirty. Mike understands that most things that contribute to our standard of living — such as abundant food — are the result of someone else’s hard work, dedication and skill, not magic. I think Farm Bureau members will get a lot out of his message.”

Some of Rowe’s Dirty Jobs have included apprenticing as a big animal veterinarian, cow feed lot worker, dairy cow midwife, rice plantation worker, egg producer and a farmer for goats, pigs, turkeys, potatoes and sugar cane.

Rowe was also the keynote speaker at the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis last year.

Farm Bureau members can register for the 92nd AFBF annual meeting through their state Farm Bureaus.