By Julie Tomascik
Editor

A collegiate agricultural organization is taking root across university campuses in Texas, where a growing number of students are joining to promote agriculture, grow their professional networks and strengthen their skills.

Collegiate Farm Bureau in Texas has shown significant growth since the first charter was issued to West Texas A&M University in 2021. Since then, chapters have been chartered at Sam Houston State University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University, with plans for additional chapters to come online in the near future.

As of October, there are over 250 members in the collegiate organization, and those numbers will likely continue to grow as the organizations become more active on campus.

“The Collegiate Farm Bureau’s purpose is to support students who are engaged in agriculture, enhance their education and help develop future leaders within Texas Farm Bureau and the agricultural community,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said. “We’ve seen strong growth in the collegiate program, and we hope to continue cultivating opportunities that inspire more students to get involved.”

Leadership and engagement opportunities that encompass career development and professional networking are available for college students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.

“Our goal is to provide resources and a network for students engaged in the collegiate program,” Bush said. “The chapters have the flexibility to prioritize the activities they engage in and what direction they want to take the chapter.”

Some chapter activities have included guest speakers to highlight the importance of internships, tours of local agricultural businesses and farms, golf tournament fundraisers and industry experts discussing agricultural issues, among others.

Collegiate members have also attended career fairs and other campus events, as well as helped county Farm Bureaus with Ag Days and other activities.

“Organizations that students choose to invest their time in are an integral part of learning and growing,” Bush said. “As students look for their new ‘home’ on campus, we hope they look to Farm Bureau.”

Several opportunities are available to collegiate members, including scholarships, the Collegiate Discussion Meet, Collegiate Farm Bureau Officer & Advisor Retreat, Collegiate Ag Tour and Collegiate Farm Bureau Quiz Bowl. 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 program, visit texasfarmbureau.org/collegiate.