Governmental conference planned

Springfield’s Prairie Capital Convention Center will be home to the 2017 Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference from the Illinois Farm Bureau this Wednesday and Thursday (Mar. 1 and 2).

The annual event provides Farm Bureau leaders with an opportunity to obtain the latest information on public policy and includes speakers and sessions which focus on the conference’s theme, “Together Toward Tomorrow.”

Workshops will cover topics including nutrient management, transportation, grassroots advocacy, immigration policy and local government. Following the Wednesday sessions, a legislative reception for General Assembly members will take place.

The keynote speaker is Michael Smerconish, a political commentator who hosts a weekly Saturday program on CNN and the Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM Channel 124.