By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Young farmers and ranchers stepped beyond their farm gates to help grow the future of agriculture as more than 115 young producers attended Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Conference.
The event was held March 29-31 in Waco.
“This conference was a good opportunity for networking and learning,” Melody Kneupper, TFB’s YF&R Advisory Committee chair, said. “Our sessions allowed us to dive deeper into a variety of issues and become better farmers and better businessmen and women for today’s and tomorrow’s agriculture.”
The conference kicked off with keynote speaker Chet Garner of The Daytripper. He talked about exploring Texas, especially small towns, and highlighting the people and places that make the Lone Star State special. He encouraged the group to share their stories, noting that each one is unique and part of Texas’ legacy.
They discussed several topics—including feral hogs, cattle fever ticks, animal disease traceability and electronic logging devices—with Tracy Tomascik, TFB associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities.
The disconnect between consumers and agriculture was the focus of a presentation by Dr. Dan Hale, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service meat specialist. Hale highlighted the Path to the Plate program, an unbiased look at agriculture and it’s connection to human health.
A panel discussion focused on agricultural technology with three young farmers—Layne Chapman of Vernon, Clint Rutledge of Prosper and Jesse Wieners of Groom.
The need for rural veterinarians, keys to successful bookkeeping and marketing while managing risk were the focus of additional presentations during the conference.
Kneupper noted many issues face young farmers and ranchers. From decreasing availability of land to high costs of production and increased regulations, it’s tough for young farmers to get started in agriculture. But their desire, optimism and willingness to learn helps counter those obstacles.
“Young farmers have new ideas and are interested in incorporating new technologies,” she said. “This conference gave young farmers a chance to brainstorm and discuss new concepts and technologies—what does and doesn’t work, how best to implement new strategies and ways to find additional resources.”
The attendees were also challenged to tell their agricultural stories by Matt Rush, an inspirational speaker and farmer.
“Farm Bureau can help people do more, be more and become more than they ever thought possible,” Rush said.
He focused on connections during his presentation—connecting with other farmers and connecting with consumers.
“If we can connect to other people—the people buying our products and people like us, then we can make progress in closing the gap between agriculture and consumers,” said Rush, who grew up on a farm in New Mexico and later served as executive director of New Mexico Farm Bureau. “Conferences like this one help give young farmers and ranchers the tools that they can actually use to be more effective as advocates, producers and as future leaders of Farm Bureau, our state and our country.”
Young farmers from across Texas between the ages of 18 and 35 were in attendance. That included college students like Matthew Boerner who is pursuing his master’s degree at Tarleton State University.
“I met so many people from around Texas, and everybody has their own unique story. But we all have something in common—our passion for agriculture,” Boerner said. “This conference was a great way to bring us all together, and I learned a lot. There are things I can improve on personally, and this conference helped give me the skills and information to do that.”
It was a record attendance for the event.
“We saw many new faces at this year’s conference,” Kneupper said. “That’s exciting and inspiring. Our Young Farmer & Rancher program is growing, and we’re reaching out to more young producers. It’s great to get the future of agriculture involved in Texas Farm Bureau.”
During the conference, young farmers and ranchers raised $1,042 to contribute to Nebraska Farm Bureau’s disaster relief fund to aid farmers, ranchers and rural communities devastated by recent natura