By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Students who serve in leadership positions with the eight Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters attended an officer retreat at Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) state headquarters in Waco this month.

The event was designed to equip chapter officers with tools, strategies and connections to help their organizations thrive on campus.

“Collegiate Farm Bureau is expanding in Texas, and our goal with this retreat is to give young leaders the knowledge and confidence to strengthen their chapter,” McKenna Bush, TFB youth outreach coordinator, said. “They can return to campus and elevate their chapter’s meetings, initiatives and presence.”

During the three-day event, the collegiate officers visited the state Capitol to gain firsthand exposure to TFB’s grassroots policy process and meet with lawmakers and their staff.

They learned more about the outreach programs and leadership opportunities offered through TFB. They also participated in a social media advocacy exercise and discussed recruitment efforts.

For some chapters still in early development, the retreat also provided a chance to learn from more established groups and bring new ideas back home.

“This retreat gives the student leaders a chance to brainstorm and share ideas on activities, recruitment and meeting promotions and speakers,” Bush said. “They can learn from each other’s successes and challenges and then take those ideas back to campus to grow their chapters and engage more students in agriculture.”

In addition to presentations from Farm Bureau staff, the group participated in sessions related to event planning, parliamentary procedure and servant leadership.

Student leaders from Midwestern State University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Texas Tech University and West Texas A&M University were in attendance at the officer retreat.

The first collegiate chapter was chartered in 2021. Since then, the program has seen significant growth.

“The Collegiate Farm Bureau’s purpose is to support students who are engaged in agriculture, enhance their education, grow their networks and help develop future leaders within Texas Farm Bureau and the agricultural community,” Bush said.

Several opportunities are available to collegiate members, including scholarships, the Collegiate Discussion Meet, Collegiate Ag Tour, Collegiate Farm Bureau Quiz Bowl and regional meetings. They can also attend and participate in Young Farmer & Rancher activities like the Spring Conference and Fall Tour.

For more information about Collegiate Farm Bureau, visit texasfarmbureau.org/collegiate or email youthactivities@txfb.org.