By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Emerging agricultural leaders from across the state gathered in Waco to launch AgLead XVII, the newest class of Texas Farm Bureau’s leadership program.

AgLead is a two-year leadership development program that 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.

“The program brings together farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals from various backgrounds, ages and experiences,” said McKenna Bush, TFB leadership coordinator. “AgLead is about equipping men and women in agriculture with practical skills they can take home and put to work immediately.”

The group’s first session was held Feb. 15-18 in Waco.

Featured presentations
Participants explored the importance of sharing agriculture’s story in a way that resonates beyond the farm gate.

The group heard from Dr. Tobin Redwine, executive director at Montgomery County Fair, who led a session on storytelling and advocacy. He challenged participants to think strategically about how their personal experiences can influence public perception and policy.

AgLead participants were then encouraged by Allyson Spears, instructional assistant professor at Texas A&M University, to use their influence intentionally by connecting people, ideas and purpose to communicate in ways that build trust and strengthen relationships.

Sessions also focused on understanding the media’s role in agriculture and how to create content that authentically shares their stories and experiences.

Other sessions included reviewing their DiSC Assessment results to better understand their personality styles and team dynamics. The group had the opportunity to engage with industry experts on topics like careers, leadership and legislation, and received training in parliamentary procedure and business etiquette.

The session also included a site visit at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Research Center in McGregor where the group learned about beef cattle production and observed cutting-edge technology used to monitor herd health and performance. Dr. Ryon Walker discussed current research studies underway at the center, offering a glimpse into the science shaping the future of cattle production.

Participant experiences
In addition to leadership training, AgLead encourages participants to build connections that benefit them both personally and professionally.

AgLead has been a full-circle opportunity for Raley Kirk of San Saba County, a compliance consultant for Triangle Insurance and who raises hair sheep and Spanish goats.

“My dad was in the second class of AgLead, and from an early age I saw the positive impacts the program had on my dad’s life and all that he was able to gain from it to grow our operation and try new things to be innovative,” she said. “And I was excited to be able to have the opportunity myself.”

For Kirk, learning how to be a better storyteller stood out the most during this session. The presentations equipped her with tools she can apply both in her professional role and on the farm, helping her more effectively communicate how agriculture impacts individuals and communities.

“We’ve talked a lot this week about how 2% of the population feeds 100% of it,” she said. “And so that other 98% have no idea what’s going on in agriculture. They assume their meat just shows up in the grocery store. If the 2% that provide that resource are not the ones telling the story, they’re going to be getting a false narrative. It’s vital that we use our voice to express how food, fiber and fuel is created in Texas and in the U.S.”

Kirk said the relationships formed within the AgLead class are just as impactful as the program itself.

“I love talking to people. I love meeting new people,” Kirk said. “My favorite quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson is, ‘Every man I meet is in some way my superior, and in that I learn from him.’ Every person here comes from a different part of the state and has expertise in different areas. Being able to exchange ideas and pick up those little nuggets of wisdom from one another has been incredibly valuable.”

Andrew Edelen, Jim Wells County Farm Bureau president and a second-generation farmer raising beef cattle and poultry, echoed that sentiment.

“We have a really great group of people in AgLead XVII. We’re all from somewhere different across Texas, different avenues, different viewpoints, and we all learn differently,” Edelen said. “I’m excited to get to learn from everyone and hear what they have to say.”

Edelen’s biggest takeaway was advocacy.

“My biggest takeaway from this session is how to advocate for agriculture,” he said. “It all came down to how to be a better advocate and understanding how the ideas and needs of a farmer go through an organization like Texas Farm Bureau and turn into policy that impacts the farmer.”

Upcoming AgLead sessions
Future program sessions will include stops across Texas, Washington, D.C. and two international trips.

The next session will be the group’s first international trip in May.

For more information on the TFB’s AgLead program, visit texasfarmbureau.org/aglead.