By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Registration is underway for Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Conference.
The conference is designed to equip young leaders in agriculture with tools and information needed to increase their agricultural advocacy efforts and help with farm and ranch decisions.
The event is set for April 9-11 at the Austin Marriott North Hotel in Round Rock. Sessions will also be available via Zoom for those who are unable to travel to the event.
“This conference is for any young farmer and rancher across the state,” Kaylin Isbell, TFB’s YF&R Advisory Committee chair, said. “During the conference, we’ll learn more about Texas Farm Bureau, how the organization operates and the impact it has on agriculture, as well as our own farms and ranches.”
Conference attendees will hear from legislators and learn more about how a bill is drafted and the processes to make it a law. Grassroots advocacy, information about political action committees and the politics of politics are also on the agenda.
“We will learn more about the grassroots process TFB uses to help enact policy changes for the benefit of farmers and ranchers and how the organization works to oppose and stop bills that would negatively impact agriculture,” Isbell said. “The legislative process can be confusing, but this conference will help us learn more about politics and the important role we, as farmers and ranchers, have in the process.”
Other activities include a virtual tour of the Texas Capitol. Keynote speakers are Chet Garner, host of the TV show The Daytripper, and Matt Rush, an inspirational speaker from the Texas Panhandle.
“This conference will also be a great opportunity for networking with other farmer and ranchers,” she said. “You’ll be able to talk with other young producers around the state and gain some ideas and tips to apply to your business, as well as establish some new contacts.”
The conference is open to college students and young farmers and ranchers ages 18 to 35.
Additional registration information, including costs, can be found online at https://texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
CDC guidelines, including social distancing, will be followed at the in-person event.
The registration deadline was extended to March 19 for virtual or in-person participation.
Login or create an account at my.texasfarmbureau.org to register for the YF&R Conference.
For questions regarding the conference, contact youngfarmers@txfb.org or call 254.751.2489.