Carefree is the gathering point this week for hundreds of Arizona’s farmers and ranchers, who will thrash out policy and discuss agriculture at the 87th annual Arizona Farm Bureau convention.

The top initiative this year is domestic food supply. Keeping agriculture production in America is important for the U.S. economy, and Arizona, said Paul Brierley, director of organization for the Arizona Farm Bureau.

Generational transition, or how to pass on a farm to descendants, is also a leading issue.

“If farmers don’t plan, the death and estate taxes make it very difficult to pass on your farm,” Brierley said.

Additional speakers include political analyst Chuck Coughlin, who will recap Tuesday’s election, and Iowa Farm Bureau president Craig Lang, who will speak about prosperity in farm and ranch country.

Carefree Resort & Villas is hosting the two-day conference and trade show through Friday.The desert resort also hosted the event last year.

Other speakers are U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl and U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. A lunch with bureau president Kevin Rogers is expected to draw more than 300 attendees.

Renowned photographer Paul Mobley will debut his book American Farmer, which features iconic images of farmers from across the country.

“We have a lot of business we accomplish, but a lot of good speakers too,” Brierley said.

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