INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Online registration has closed, but anyone interested in attending this weekend’s 2011 Indiana Farm Bureau (IFB) State Convention can register on-site for the many educational and entertaining sessions. Convention sessions are free and open to anyone.

The convention is Friday and Saturday at the new JW Marriott at 10 S. West St., Indianapolis. Registration is from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and from 8-11 a.m. Saturday.

Along with Farm Bureau policy and leadership meetings, the convention features general sessions, breakout sessions and a trade show. Planners responded to members’ preference of humor and entertainment for general sessions, and booked political humorist Patrick Haggerty for the general session at 4 p.m. Friday and Bel Canto, an elite group of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, at the closing luncheon session at noon on Saturday.

The trade show featuring commodity organizations, commercial exhibitors and information sessions runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday only. Sessions include cooking with poultry by Karen Lackey, gardening by Dick Crum, cooking with dairy by Michelle Plummer, water gardening by Cool Ponds and cooking with beef by Joe Moore.

Breakout sessions on Friday begin at 10 a.m., with topics including ag nutrients and water quality, talking to consumers and tying government finance to the economy.

IFB President Don Villwock will deliver his address at the opening luncheon session at 11:30 a.m., when the Rural Teacher of the Year, Farm Family of the Year and other award winners are recognized. Afternoon breakout sessions include revised confined-feeding rules, working with local government and farm succession.

Haggerty will address the general session at 4 p.m. The evening’s general session takes place at the Indiana State Museum and includes a reception and dinner, viewing of the “Amazing Maize” exhibit and announcement of the Discussion Meet and Young Farmers awards.

Breakout sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and include networking, avoiding farm truck accidents and commodity marketing. Tours are available at 9:30 a.m. to Hurst Beans or Easley Winery. Tickets are $10 and are available at the registration desk.

The closing session and lunch begin at noon, with entertainment by Bel Canto and membership and county action goal awards. Tickets are required for all meals and are available at the registration desk. For more information, including a printable program, maps and answers to frequently asked questions, go to www.infarmbureau.org/convention/program.html