By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist
Ten collegiate Farm Bureau chapters, including one from Texas, have been awarded the 2022-2023 Collegiate Farm Bureau mini-grant from American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).
West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) was one of the chapters that received $500 to aid in chapter recruitment, leadership development, purchase of educational materials or registration costs for conferences.
“The collegiate Farm Bureau chapter builds a network of people who are passionate about agriculture on campus,” Kyli Kraft, WTAMU Collegiate Farm Bureau president, said. “We strive to engage with the public on issues in agriculture, and one of the ways we do that is by educating our club members over a variety of sectors so they can go out and spread the word so agriculture can continue to thrive for generations to come.”
The $500 mini-grant will help the chapter send more members to Texas Farm Bureau’s 2023 Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Fall Tour.
The chapter implemented a point system, which rewards involvement and service within the chapter and community. If students earn enough points, the chapter will pay for their trip.
“If members achieve a certain percentage of points or participate throughout the year, they’re able to go on the YF&R trip, and it’ll be paid for by the club. The $500 will allow us to have more people from the chapter choose to attend YF&R activities come end of the spring,” Kraft said.
WTAMU Collegiate Farm Bureau provides undergraduate and graduate students the chance to engage in agriculture, grow in professional development and leadership development, as well as provides service opportunities.
“Collegiate Farm Bureau is different from other clubs on campus. We receive support from Randall County Farm Bureau and can give back to them, whether that’s donating our man hours or teaching fourth graders about ag,” she said. “Having that network and community has helped us to be where we are today. I think what’s neat about Texas Farm Bureau is we’re not just focused on one area of agriculture. That’s something that we’re highlighting with guest speakers and tours that we go on.”
The WTAMU chapter was established in 2021 and is one of the three Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters in Texas.
“We are proud of WTAMU Collegiate Farm Bureau for being named an AFBF Collegiate Farm Bureau Mini-Grant recipient. Their chapter has worked diligently to advocate for agriculture by participating in opportunities such as the mini-grant program,” McKenna Bush, Texas Farm Bureau youth outreach coordinator, said. “We look forward to continuing our work with them and supporting them as they complete their projects.”
Applications for the 2023-2024 mini-grant will open in fall 2023.
For more information on TFB Collegiate Farm Bureau, visit texasfarmbureau.org/collegiate-farm-bureau.
For more information, contact Bush at mbush@txfb.org.