By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Ben Flanagan grew up raising livestock, and as a college student, he’s planting his roots deeper into agriculture.

He’s the fourth generation on his family’s ranch in Ballinger where they raise sheep and cattle.

“We’ve been on that ranch for about 100 years. Agriculture is something I’ve always had a passion for and has followed me throughout my life,” Flanagan said. “Agriculture has instilled drive in me, and I know agriculture is important . It’s something worth fighting for.”

Flanagan is a sophomore pursuing a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in agricultural sales at Texas A&M University.

Growing up, he participated in 4-H livestock judging, livestock skillathon and became involved in Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) events in high school.

Flanagan won the TFB Free Enterprise Speech Contest in 2021 and visited Washington, D.C. with five other students.

He continues to seek opportunities through TFB and is the treasurer for Texas A&M Collegiate Farm Bureau, which was chartered this year.

“There are students here who don’t understand where their food and fiber comes from. So, I think there’s a real need to advocate and tell our story of ag on campus,” Flanagan said. “They need to know where their food comes from. That’s where I found my passion and why I think Collegiate Farm Bureau is so important on college campuses.”

Through his experience with TFB, he has grown his professional and personal skills. He has had opportunities to serve the community through raising money for cancer awareness and participating in educational outreach efforts at the Brazos County Fair with TFB’s Doorways to Agriculture trailer.

“I’m super thankful for all Farm Bureau has done for me—going on all these trips, officer training, scholarships,” Flanagan said. “It’s had a tremendous influence on how my life has turned out so far, and it’ll continue to do that.”

Flanagan is also involved in several other student organizations on campus including C.O.A.L.S. Council, C.O.A.L.S. FX and Saddle & Sirloin.

After graduation, he hopes to further his education by getting a master’s degree in animal nutrition and work in a feedlot as a livestock nutritionist.

For more information on collegiate opportunities, visit texasfarmbureau.org/collegiate.

Flanagan’s ag roots grow through Collegiate Farm Bureau Ben Flanagan grew up raising livestock, and as a college student, he's planting his roots even deeper into agriculture.