By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist
Kyli Kraft grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado where she was heavily involved in agriculture.
The Colorado native is a sophomore at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU). She is studying agricultural business and is serving as president of the WTAMU Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter.
Kraft noted her background in agriculture is different from most. Her dad owns a risk management firm, and her mother manages the family farm and cow-calf operation.
“Growing up, my brother and I ran a hay business,” Kraft said. “We put up about 15,000 small bales of alfalfa and grass hay each summer. My passion and my involvement in agriculture started from before I was born. It’s something that I am very passionate about, and I want to see continue for generations to come.”
Kraft joined the collegiate Farm Bureau chapter her freshman year.
When she isn’t at Farm Bureau events, she participates in various extracurricular activities, including Block and Bridal, Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow, Rise and plays intramural sports.
“Texas Farm Bureau, specifically the collegiate chapter, really sets itself apart from other organizations on campus. We focus on every aspect of agriculture,” Kraft said. “But it also really comes to benefit the members in my opinion.”
The members of the collegiate chapter have opportunities to serve their community and build relationships with their county Farm Bureau members.
“My personal highlight was building and walking a Christmas parade float in the Canyon Parade of Lights. This was something that we did for the first time this year in partnership with Randall County Farm Bureau,” Kraft said. “Coming together gave us the opportunity to get involved in the community.”
Kraft also had the opportunity to teach 300 kids in eighth grade about sustainability in agriculture.
Kraft and fellow WTAMU Collegiate Farm Bureau members hosted a tailgate at a football game. The tailgate allowed Kraft and other members to engage people with an informational game, where they answered questions about Texas agriculture and gave away door prizes.
“We are the next generation. If there is anything that we can do that gives us a voice within the community and a local environment, we should take advantage of it,” she said. “The policy that’s passed today is going to affect us down the road whenever we’re running our own operations. And TFB gives us that voice.”
Kraft attended the TFB annual meeting in Corpus Christi and visited Washington, D.C. with TFB.
After graduation, Kraft plans to continue to explore her interests within the beef industry before returning to the family operation.
“I truly believe that people involved in agriculture are the backbone of this country,” Kraft said. “The past generations have helped me grow up with firm morals, a sense of belonging and great knowledge. And I want to have that same impact for the future of generations and allow them to grow up with those same principles.”
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