By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Strong agricultural leadership can make a difference in the field and beyond the fence row, and members of Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) new AgLead class will grow their leadership skills to help benefit Texas agriculture and their communities.

“AgLead is a program designed to cultivate and enhance skills and traits needed to be an effective agricultural leader,” said Roger Hall, TFB associate director of Organization division, Leader Development. “Through this program, members will learn to cultivate opportunities and a strong voice for agriculture in their various communities, whether that’s at schools, local politics, the state legislature or city and county government.”

The current class of 12 participants include: Tim Akers, Grimes County; Tryce Berend, Hood-Somervell County; Colton Buckley, Stephens County; Justin Cave, Dawson County; Clayton Conway, Van Zandt County; Jay Clark, Brown County; Hailey Hayes, Calhoun County; Jaret Reaves, Cooke County; Jarod Root, Denton County; Wesley Paben, Waller County; Austen White, Wilbarger County; and Matthew Wolf, Archer County.

The two-year leadership development program takes participants across Texas, the country and the world to discover agriculture and leadership from a new perspective.

Members will also develop a deeper understanding of communication, public policy, regulatory activities, political advocacy and more, according to Hall.

“AgLead empowers farmers and ranchers to continue the proud legacy of Texas agriculture,” Hall said. “Through this program, they will learn more about the intricacies of agribusiness, as well as the political and regulatory processes that influence their businesses at state and national levels.”

The group’s first session was held Nov. 7-11 in Waco.

“We spent the week learning about leadership, social media, agricultural advocacy and how Farm Bureau works on behalf of farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” Hall said. “It was a packed week full of fun and education that ended with them taking home the foundational skills they’ll build on throughout this program and begin to use every day.”

And communicating about agriculture is a top priority for leaders.

The group participated in an engagement training that culminated with mock interviews to help them be better prepared to share their agricultural story.

“As we progress through the program, their confidence and understanding will grow,” Hall said. “They will be able to use these skills in any future leadership roles and activities.”

Time is a priority investment for the program and a limited commodity for farmers and ranchers. But, Hall said, it’s time well spent.

“The trips take time away from their families, farms, ranches and other businesses. The result, however, will be worth the investment,” Hall said. “They will get to see all types of agriculture and agribusinesses, connect with others across the country and go places they may never had had the chance to do by themselves. Farm Bureau is truly offering them an opportunity of a lifetime.”

The program’s seven sessions include stops in Waco, Austin, the West Coast, Texas Panhandle, Rio Grande Valley, Washington, D.C. and an international trip.

The next session will be held in the Rio Grande Valley in early 2022.

AgLead is an advanced agricultural leadership program for TFB members ages 25 and above. To learn more about the leadership program, visit texasfarmbureau.org/aglead.