By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) AgLead XVII class took a closer look at agricultural advocacy during its third session.

The cohort traveled to Austin and Washington, D.C., to meet with elected officials, policymakers and agency representatives to discuss issues affecting Texas farmers and ranchers.

“It was a very legislative-focused session,” Andrew Edelen, Jim Wells County Farm Bureau member, said. “We were able to meet with our elected leaders in both Austin and Washington, D.C. about issues facing Texas agriculture right now and we learned more about how the government works.”

Austin
The group started in Austin where they met with TFB’s state legislative team to learn about the organization’s grassroots policy development process and discussed issues impacting farmers and ranchers.

While in Austin, the group met with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

“The conversation was very engaging,” Macey Brown, Randall County Farm Bureau member, said. “He was willing to listen to our group and our concerns and some of the things that are on our radar.”

They discussed emerging challenges facing rural Texas, including New World screwworm (NWS), pasture mealybug and data centers.

AgLead members also met with Texas Secretary of State Robert Howden and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s Deputy Chief of Staff Marian Wallace.

AgLead XVII takes advocacy from Austin to D.C. Texas Farm Bureau’s AgLead XVII class took a closer look at agricultural advocacy during its third session when the cohort traveled to Austin and Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.
In Washington, D.C., they shifted their focus to federal policy and spent several days meeting with members of Congress, federal agencies and agricultural organizations.

“At the federal level, we had a pretty fast-paced trip, but everyone seemed genuinely engaging and willing to listen and work with farmers and ranchers to find solutions to some of the challenges we’re currently facing,” Edelen said.

The farm bill was a primary topic throughout the group’s meetings.

While the cohort was on Capitol Hill, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agricultural Act of 2026, advancing the legislation to the full Senate.

The timing gave participants an opportunity to see the connection between their conversations with lawmakers and the larger legislative process.

“Sometimes it’s hard to see the end product, so it was really exciting because it shows that we’re having productive conversations,” Brown said. “It was exciting to see the voices of farmers and ranchers being heard.”

The group also talked about the Buying American Cotton Act, agricultural labor, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and other federal issues affecting farmers and ranchers.

Edelen and Brown said conversations about NWS and pasture mealybug carried over to the national level, too.

The group met with the following members of the Texas Congressional delegation: U.S. Reps. Jake Ellzey, Keith Self, Pete Sessions, August Pfluger, Greg Steube, Monica De La Cruz, Roger Williams, Ronny Jackson and Craig Goldman. They also met with representatives from federal agencies and American Farm Bureau Federation staff.

AgLead XVII takes advocacy from Austin to D.C. Texas Farm Bureau’s AgLead XVII class took a closer look at agricultural advocacy during its third session when the cohort traveled to Austin and Washington, D.C.

About AgLead
AgLead is a two-year leadership development program that helps farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals strengthen their leadership, communication and advocacy skills while broadening their understanding of issues affecting agriculture.

AgLead XVII kicked off the two-year program in February in Waco and took an international trip to Canada in July.

The cohort’s next session will be in the greater Houston area, where they will discuss business and management.

For more information about the program, visit texasfarmbureau.org/aglead.