YF&R National Conference

 

The next generation of farmers and ranchers from around the country assembled together in Phoenix Arizona to connect with each other and learn how to improve the family farm. 6 members of the Clark County Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer’s & Rancher’s organization (YF&R) attended the National Conference February 9-11. Those 6 included Lucas and Lacey Tom, Betsy Hardy, Carly Alexander, Trina Dalley, and Stephanie Bunker.

The group of Farmers and Ranchers were able to take tours of farms, ranches, and dairy’s in Phoenix. The tours showed great examples of successful working farms that integrated tradition and change. One stop along the tour was an impressive dairy that consisted of 28,000 cows, and 2 milking carousel’s that hold 80 cows each. A wheat farm had found it’s own niche in the business world in order to survive. After growing and harvesting wheat stocks they have a contract with Hobby Lobby and Pottery Barn to put together bouquets and wreaths of wheat for decorative pieces.

The convention covered two types of topics, becoming a political advocate, and gearing towards the future of farming and ranching. These topics were taught through a series of speakers and classes. They heard from the former Navy Commander of the USS Benfold, Michael Abrashoff. He shared his experiences of bringing the Benfold from one of the very worst in the fleet, to the absolute best. The farmers and ranchers learned leadership qualities that can help their business be successful. Another highlighted topic was part of the theme of the conference, “Celebrating Tradition, Embracing Change.” To bring this point home they invited a professor of agriculture economics at Ohio State University, Dr. Bernard Erven to speak to them. He exaggerated that embracing change is vital to farm life.

Lacey Tom found networking to be one of the highlights of the conference. She saw how connections could be made through social media via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. She said, “The purpose is to connect with Young Farmers & Ranchers across the country, it’s a great opportunity to network with people that have similar situations, or to see another side of the market industry.”

Cindy Hardy, a member of Clark County Farm Bureau commented on how Young Farmers & Ranchers benefit from being apart of the organization. She said, “It gives them leadership opportunities and a role in Farm Bureau. Not only are they are being made aware of agriculture, but also the political side of it as well.” The Farm Bureau encourages its members to reach out to their legislators, bringing politics to the local level and making a difference on Capitol Hill.