By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

More than eighth- and ninth-grade students gained leadership skills, explored career opportunities and learned more about Texas agriculture through Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Jumpstart and Activate programs.

The two programs are a part of TFB’s Student Success Series, which is designed to help Texas youth grow their knowledge of agriculture, advocacy, Farm Bureau and professional development.

“Jumpstart and Activate introduce students to these concepts and gives them a foundation they can continue to build on,” said Dr. Clarissa Darby, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator. “They’re developing skills and gaining experiences they can use as they take on new opportunities in high school.”

For the second year, Jumpstart and Activate were held as in-person events.

The eight regional sessions were held in Waco, Weatherford, Brenham, Tyler, San Antonio, Abilene, Lubbock and Canyon.

The programs were also offered virtually.

Jumpstart
Jumpstart introduced eighth-grade students to Texas agriculture, potential careers and leadership development.

“Students participated in two hands-on workshops that focused on career exploration and learning about agricultural supply chains,” Darby said. “The activities gave them a chance to discover areas of agriculture they may not have considered before and helped them see how their interests could connect to future opportunities.”

The group also joined ninth-grade students in Activate for opening and closing sessions to network with peers and build connections within their communities.

Activate
Activate challenged ninth-grade students to build on their understanding of Farm Bureau and develop their personal brands and leadership skills.

“Through Activate, high school freshmen built on their knowledge of Farm Bureau while exploring the kind of leader they want to become and the legacy they want to leave,” Darby said. “Learning about the agricultural supply chain and developing their personal brands helps students gain practical skills that can steer them into leadership opportunities throughout high school and beyond.”

This program helps the students as they prepare for the remainder of their high school education and begin applying for leadership roles in school and community organizations.

Student Success Series
Jumpstart and Activate are part of a progression of programs that continues with Engage and Thrive through TFB’s Student Success Series.

“Students are encouraged to grow professionally and personally through each Student Success Series program,” Darby said. “The Student Success Series takes concepts such as leadership, personal branding and careers and looks at them through the lens of agriculture. It’s an opportunity to gain new perspectives and develop a greater understanding of agriculture and the role it plays in our lives.”

Engage is an in-person event hosted in each of the 13 TFB districts for high school sophomores and juniors. The events were hosted in May.

Thrive is a three-day conference designed to equip high school seniors with leadership and public speaking skills. The conference was held in early August.

For more information on the individual programs, visit texasfarmbureau.org/student-success-series.