By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Students who will be in eighth and ninth grade in August can dive into leadership, learn about agriculture and become more familiar with Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) through TFB’s Jumpstart and Activate programs.

“As the first half of the Student Success Series programs, Jumpstart and Activate provide opportunities for students to learn more about their community and agriculture, as well as develop critical professional skills,” McKenna Bush, TFB leadership coordinator, said.

For the second year, both programs are in-person events.

This year, eight sessions are scheduled across the Lone Star State. The regional sessions will be held in June through September. Dates and locations are available on texasfarmbureau.org/student-success-series.

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

Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a free program for students in the graduating class of 2031.

It introduces students to TFB, highlights the importance of Texas agriculture and sparks interest in careers within the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster.

“Eighth grade students will participate in two, hands-on workshops focused on career exploration and supply chain in agriculture. They will also interact with and learn from  Activate participants in joint opening and closing sessions,” Bush said.

A virtual observation option will be available.

Activate
Activate is a free program for students in the graduating class of 2030.

“Through Activate, high school freshmen build on their knowledge of Farm Bureau and explore legacy and leadership through two hands-on workshops,” Bush said. “They’ll also have the opportunity to interact with Jumpstart participants in joint opening and closing sessions.”

A virtual observation option will be available.

For teachers
Texas eighth and ninth grade educators will have an asynchronous option to implement the Jumpstart and Activate programs in the classroom.

Registration for teachers is open through July 24.

Modules will be available for completion on Aug. 3, and a final report is due to TFB Oct. 30.

Student Success Series
Jumpstart and Activate are part of TFB’s Student Success Series, which also includes Engage and Thrive.

“The Student Success Series explores key skills and concepts valued by schools and employers through the lens of agriculture,” Bush said. “They gain a fresh perspective on these concepts and grow their understanding of agriculture’s role in day-to-day life.”

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

Thrive is a three-day conference designed to equip high school seniors with leadership and public speaking skills.

Registration details
Registration for Jumpstart and Activate is now open and closes two weeks prior to each event.

Both programs are free. Texas Farm Bureau membership is encouraged but not required.

For additional details and to register, visit texasfarmbureau.org/student-success-series.

Contact Bush at mbush@txfb.org or call 254-399-5037 with questions.