By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Over 200 eighth and ninth grade students developed leadership skills and became more familiar with Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) through the Jumpstart and Activate programs.

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

“Through the programs, eighth- and ninth-grade students were given the opportunity to learn more about their community and agriculture, as well as develop critical professional skills,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said. “Jumpstart and Activate plant the seed of Texas Farm Bureau for these students and lead them into the second half of the Student Success Series.”

Both programs shifted from an online format to in-person events this year with sessions in Tyler, San Antonio, Abilene and Lubbock.

The in-person events offered a chance to build leadership skills through interactive, hands-on learning and meaningful networking with peers from across the state.

“We chose to transition Jumpstart and Activate from online to in-person to create a more engaging and personal experience,” she said. “Being together allows for richer conversations, stronger connections and a deeper sense of community that simply can’t be replicated virtually.”

Jumpstart
Eighth-grade students learned more about Texas agriculture, discussed careers in agriculture and natural resources, developed leadership skills and became more familiar with TFB through Jumpstart.

“Students took part in two hands-on workshops on career exploration and agricultural supply chains,” Bush said. “The sessions introduced them to a variety of opportunities within the Agricultural, Food and Natural Resources career cluster, with the goal of sparking new interests.”

The group interacted with Activate participants in joint opening and closing sessions. This opportunity allowed them to network with additional peers in the area.

Activate
Ninth-grade students learned more about TFB, discussed creating a legacy and personal brand and explored career opportunities.

“Through Activate, high school freshmen built on their knowledge of Farm Bureau while exploring legacy and leadership in two hands-on workshops, where they learned about the agricultural supply chain and how to develop a positive personal brand,” Bush said.

This program, Bush noted, 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
As a part of TFB’s Student Success Series, Jumpstart and Activate lead into Engage and Thrive.

“Students are encouraged to grow professionally and personally through each Student Success Series program,” Bush 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 the 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.