Everyday is game day ... there is no off season. (Farm Broadcast).

Athletes in each sport or competition prepare for their season or event and hope to reach the finals. For farm broadcast "athletes," however, "Everyday is Game Day... There is No Off Season!" Our "fans," or listeners, expect us to be at the top of our game every day, providing them with accurate and relevant information that will help them to make educated decisions as producers and consumers. And when we are not in the "lineup," someone else has to pinch hit for us -- there is no off season! In that spirit, the 57th Annual Convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters will be held November 14-18, 2001, at the Westin Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo.

There are a few interesting similarities between sports and agribusiness: both are competitive; players often switch uniforms; teams relocate; the public supports winners; and managers get fired.

NAFB President-Elect Colleen Callahan says the 2001 NAFB Convention is designed to appeal to and benefit the whole team -- owners, managers, players (voting members) and fans (associate members).

On Thursday, the games begin with Trade Talk, where farm broadcasters meet the newsmakers and agribusiness leaders face-to-face. Trade Talk will be followed by a special session on the future of our "sport." Friday is an all-star lineup on food safety, including USDA Secretary Ann Veneman and EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman. The food safety panel includes Dr. Patrick Moore, founder of Greenpeace; Michael Jacobson. director of the Center of Science in the Public Interest: Dr. Bruce Chassy, dean of Biotechnology at the University of Illinois: and Dr. Bernard Schwetz from FDA.

Whether you're on the air, trying to get a message on the air, or using the broadcast media to reach farmers, we think there is something for you in Kansas City!