By Julie Tomascik
Editor

What happens in the city doesn’t stay there. It makes its way to farms and ranches.

Strong agricultural leadership, however, can make a difference in the field and beyond the fence row to court rooms, Congress and local and state organizations.

Juggling farm responsibilities with leadership can be a challenge. From speaking out on public policy to communicating with consumers or the media, farmers and ranchers may not know where to begin.

That’s where Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) new AgLead-FarmLead program can help. The leadership program can equip participants with the necessary skills to lead Texas agriculture in a bright, successful future.

In previous years, the programs were separate. AgLead was the leadership development program for farmers and ranchers ages 25-40, and FarmLead participants were farmers and ranchers ages 40 and older.

Merging the programs enhances leadership development and individual experiences.

“The purpose remains the same for the newly-merged program—to help participants hone their leadership skills, strengthen their confidence and grow their professional network with farmers, ranchers and industry professionals across the state, nation and the world,” Jamie Gipe, TFB director of Membership and Special Projects, said.

Both groups previously shared sessions together, and the interaction in those sessions led to merging the programs.

“Watching the positive dynamics during these joint meetings led us to a great reason to merge the programs,” Gipe said. “By merging the two programs together, a consistent curriculum will be available to both groups, and there are mentoring opportunities.”

TFB is now accepting applications for the AgLead XIV-FarmLead VII program.

A maximum of 20 participants will be selected for the program—10 AgLead participants between the ages of 25-40 as of Dec. 31, 2018 and 10 FarmLead participants age 40 and older as of Dec. 31, 2018.

The two-year program takes participants across Texas, the country and the world to discover agriculture and leadership from a new perspective. AgLead-FarmLead members develop a variety of skills—leadership, communication, public policy, regulatory advocacy and more.

“Being in AgLead expanded my horizons,” Monica Minzenmayer, AgLead XI participant, said. “I strengthened my leadership skills and my agricultural advocacy skills through the program.”

Minzenmayer and her husband, Paul, grow cotton and wheat and raise cattle in West Texas. For her, the most memorable visits were to California farms.

“I enjoyed visiting farms that were different than ours in West Texas, yet still seeing how similar we are because of the challenges we face, even though we farm different crops in different ways,” she said.

In addition to discovering new innovative agricultural techniques, participants will discuss agricultural policy with elected officials at the state and national level.

“Being in FarmLead showed me why it’s important to be a leader and be involved in organizations,” Kevin Counsil, FarmLead IV participant, said. “You many not think you can make a difference, but we all can. Building relationships with our elected officials in Austin and Washington matters and makes a significant impact.”

Counsil, who raises registered cattle in central East Texas, noted his relationships with lawmakers have strengthened.

“If we’re not making the effort to be the voice of agriculture, then others will tell our story for us,” he said. “I’m a voice of agriculture for my congressman, because he’s from an urban area. Because of our relationship, he calls me when he has questions about agriculture. That shows me the impact of this program and the efforts I’ve made.”

Time is a priority investment for the program and a limited commodity for farmers and ranchers.

But it’s time well spent, Minzenmayer and Counsil said.

And they both agree merging the programs is beneficial.

“We can all learn from each other. Incorporating technology, farm secession and estate planning or business decisions—all of those are issues we are facing or will face and having someone to turn to for advice is exactly what we need,” Counsil said. “Combining the programs allows for that discussion and learning from each other.”

They’ll take what they learn from the sessions and each