By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist
Growing up in the small farming and ranching community of Goldthwaite, Texas, Makayla Miles always felt a deep connection to agriculture.
From an early age, she was surrounded by farmers and ranchers who she considered family, shaping her passion for the industry.
“Agriculture is second nature to me,” Miles said. “It was really everything I was interested in, but it was also everything that I knew. And the best people in my life were farmers and ranchers. Agriculture was everything I wanted to pursue.”
So, she did. Miles immersed herself in showing livestock and competing in FFA events in high school and eventually becoming president of the Matador Collegiate Farm Bureau at Texas Tech University.
Her personal pursuit of agriculture began with showing pigs and cattle. In high school, she was involved in FFA and participated in Texas Farm Bureau’s Student Success Series.
She is in her second year at Texas Tech University and classified as a senior. Miles is studying agricultural education and hopes to attend law school to become a water rights attorney.
“I’ve always known that my passion is advocating for the producer,” Miles said. “I have a passion in bridging the disconnect from a legislative standpoint to boots on the ground. I always knew I wanted to go to law school. After attending an ag law reception, they informed me about all the opportunities, which really piqued my interest, and I realized I can become a lawyer.”
In addition to her leadership position with the Matador Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter, she is involved in Texas Tech’s Matador Institute of Leadership Engagement Program (MILE) Program. Through the MILE Program, Miles has participated in on- and off-campus tours and has visited with lawmakers in Austin and Washington, D.C.
Tech’s Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter is just getting started and is in its second semester. The first event Miles attended as president was the Collegiate Farm Bureau officer retreat in October. The chapter has since hosted professional development meetings and socials. They are creating plans for future chapter meetings and outreach events to further connect students with the community.
Agriculture has helped Miles build a community and leadership skills.
“Agriculture, to me, goes back to ultimately family being more than just blood,” Miles said. “I found support in everybody in agriculture, whether you’re a farmer or a rancher or advocating for them, you’re all working toward the same cause. And that is the benefit of providing for the people around us and getting involved at a young age. It personally taught me more than I could have ever known as far as responsibility and leadership and getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things.”
Leave A Comment