By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Being passionate, building a strong team and equipping leaders with information were on the agenda for the 2022 Presidents’ Conference, which was held Feb. 16-17 at the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Conference and Training Center in Waco.
“We host the Presidents’ Conference every other year. It’s a great chance to visit about goals, ideas and purpose activities,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “This conference helped equip our leaders with the tools their county Farm Bureaus need to be successful. It does take a team, and we know that their success as county Farm Bureau presidents depends largely on the team that surrounds them.”
Guest speakers and several breakout sessions helped county presidents learn more about purpose activities and how county leaders utilize various TFB resources.
Ellis County Farm Bureau President Scott Born, TFB Director of Communications Gary Joiner and TFB Associate Director of Government Activities Billy Howe discussed communications and political advocacy.
The panel covered how TFB staff can assist county Farm Bureaus with communications efforts, as well as agricultural and political advocacy. TFB’s Communications Division aims to add volume, reach and depth to the Voice of Texas Agriculture mission when communicating with various audiences. In the Government Affairs Division, the Legislative staff pursue and implement policy, and the Commodity and Regulatory staff help address and navigate complex issues and requirements.
Together, those divisions and county Farm Bureaus can amplify and elevate stories that highlight the sustainability of Texas agriculture.
Another panel consisting of a county president and TFB staff focused on education and urban outreach efforts and leadership development.
Deaf Smith/Oldham County Farm Bureau President Landon Friemel discussed how he’s utilized TFB’s agriculture in the classroom resources and talked about his role on the Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee.
TFB Director of Organization Whit Weems and TFB Field Representative Jessica Nemir also shared information on how county presidents and leaders can grow leadership skills and a greater awareness of agriculture in local schools and communities.
TFB’s Organization Division encompasses leader development, youth outreach and educational outreach. Leader development programs help sow the seeds of TFB’s future, growing leaderships and an understanding of agricultural advocacy. The division also strives to increase agricultural literacy and awareness in schools and communities through various educational and interactive programs.
TFB’s Field Operations Division serves as a liaison between the state office and county Farm Bureaus. Field representatives assist county Farm Bureaus in developing a plan of work and budget, as well as executing activities and promoting membership.
County presidents also heard from leadership experts Jay Mathis and Rachel Woods on how to empower their teams and delegate responsibilities.
“This conference was all about exceptionalism. We wanted to give county presidents and their teams every opportunity to excel by highlighting some of the staff, resources and information available to them from TFB, as well as give them a chance to discuss and share ideas with one another,” Boening said. “Whether it be an entire program of work or just a few priority activities, I’m confident our county Farm Bureaus will have another exceptional year.”
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar also addressed the county leaders during the Presidents’ Conference, saying agriculture’s impact and what they do is important to Texas.
“I want to say thank you for all you do for engaging in issues important to agriculture and rural Texas,” he said.
Hegar shared three things that concern him regarding the economy—inflation, supply chain issues and lack of available labor.
“All of those are playing into our economy,” he said. “Texas exports 19% of all the product out of the United States. We are very connected to the global economy. Agriculture is a big part of this. Can there be a drag, something that happens around the world? Yes. But Texas is poised to continue to grow at a much greater rate than the rest of the nation.”
Boening urged those in attendance to take back the information and share it with their board members and county Farm Bureau offices and to continue the exchange of ideas throughout the year.
“The activities and involvement from our county presidents, county leaders and members help TFB continue to be a strong voice for Texas agriculture in our communities and in Austin and Washington, D.C.,” Boening said. “Together, we bring awareness to the value and impact of Farm Bureau to agriculture, rural communities and everyone connected to the production of our food, fiber and fuel.”