By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Although Bearkat Collegiate Farm Bureau President Lanea Bayless didn’t grow up on a farm or ranch, agriculture has become the focus of her education, leadership experience and future goals.

Bayless is pursuing her master’s degree in agriculture at Sam Houston State University, where she’s helped grow the university’s Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter and increase student engagement.

“When I started out, we were pretty small, and we only had two officers,” Bayless said. “But this most recent semester, we’ve actually grown quite a bit.”

The chapter meets monthly to discuss agricultural issues, Farm Bureau updates and current agricultural issues. The organization is open to students of all majors, helping connect agriculture to a wide range of career paths.

“We have business majors. We also have a nursing major,” she said. “We have a wide variety of members.”

Bayless’ interest in agriculture began during her freshman year of high school when she enrolled in an agriculture class to fill an open spot in her schedule.

The class, and her agriculture teacher, sparked her interest in the industry and led her to become involved in showing livestock and agricultural leadership activities.

“I didn’t really think about where our food comes from before that,” Bayless said.

That early exposure ultimately shaped her academic and professional direction. Today, Bayless hopes to use her education to support rural communities and help both farmers and consumers.

“Anything that I can do to help farmers afford their operations and help consumers be able to afford food would be my ideal career,” she said.

Bayless joined Texas Farm Bureau after attending a Bearkat Collegiate Farm Bureau meeting.

“I had no idea what to expect, and I made one of my closest friends,” she said.

Since then, she has attended events like the Young Farmer & Rancher Spring Conference and Texas Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting, where she gained a broader understanding of agriculture and grassroots leadership.

“Farm Bureau has truly taught me so much, giving me a look into the social and political side and what it takes to be a famer and rancher,” Bayless said.

As the Bearkat Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter continues to grow, Bayless said members are focused on agricultural education and outreach.

The chapter is planning campus events to help students better understand food production and agriculture’s role in everyday life.

“So many people don’t know exactly how agriculture works,” she said. “We want to engage students and help them understand where their food comes from.”

After graduating, Bayless plans to continue serving rural communities and improving access to food and agricultural resources.

“Agriculture really is responsible for our nation’s history,” she said. “I would encourage everyone to take time to learn about it.”

To learn more and get involved with Collegiate Farm Bureau, visit texasfarmbureau.org/collegiate.