By Shelby Shank
Field Editor
Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Thrive event motivated and equipped high school seniors to be future agricultural leaders.
The three-day event was designed to provide students with leadership and public speaking skills. Students also learned about the free enterprise system, marketing strategies, agricultural advocacy and money management.
Over 100 students across the Lone Star State attended the event.
“Thrive was created to help high school students discover and understand their personal strengths and talents, while also inspiring them to enhance their skills for future careers and advocating for agriculture,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said.
Sessions
Students practiced their public speaking skills with Jeff Klose, an agricultural science teacher and FFA advisor at Canyon High School. Klose walked students through the keys of public speaking and taught them how to use their voice to make an impact.
“It was really great to be able to learn from him and his experiences, along with learning how to be better public speakers,” Carson Koehler, a senior from Bosque County, said. “Public speaking is something that will continue to benefit us whenever we go to college and beyond, because it’s not something that necessarily goes away but is something we keep building off of.”
Jessie Jarvis, Of The West founder and CEO, addressed building the foundation for their future. Jarvis challenged students to think about their passions and set goals that align with their interests.
“Your why is the driving force and motivation behind what you do and how you do it,” Jarvis said.
Among the hands-on activities was a media engagement training where students participated in a mock TV interview. Students also discussed the farm bill and how to advocate for agriculture.
“Listening to the speakers talk about their life experiences and skills we can use to apply to our lives has been an amazing experience for me,” Koehler said. “It’s definitely been one of the highlights this weekend for me, learning from agricultural professionals.”
Student experiences
Thrive is a unique culmination of leadership development opportunities designed to help high school students examine and uncover their personal attributes and abilities.
“We’ve been able to hone in on what skills we’re good at and growing in the ones we’re weaker at,” Jud Voight, a senior from Parker County, said. “The ability to touch on these skills and build our personal profile has been very beneficial in preparing me for my future.”
Learning opportunities like Thrive help students step out of their comfort zones and strengthen their abilities to lead.
“You have to make yourself uncomfortable to be comfortable because it makes you a better person, a better speaker, a better leader,” Koehler said.
Participants were able to ask questions from industry experts about careers, leadership opportunities, legislation and how to be a strong agricultural advocate.
“Thrive has really pushed building connections and leadership,” Voight said. “You’re in a room of over 100 students that are interested in the same things as you, and you’re able to network with your peers and agricultural professionals.”
Thrive inspires students to better develop their skills for their future careers and put them on the path to future success.
“Even though I had some skills that I came in with this weekend, I am definitely leaving with more,” Koehler said.
About the event
Those who attended Thrive are eligible to participate TFB’s AgVentures Challenge, win associated scholarships and are also eligible to apply for the Dick Mitchell Memorial Scholarship.
Thrive is a part of TFB’s Student Success Series, which includes virtual and in-person programs for students in eighth through twelfth grades. The Student Success Series aims to help students develop a better understanding of advocacy, learn more about Farm Bureau and grow personal and professional skills they can use in the classroom and future careers.
The Thrive event took place Aug. 2-4 in Waco at TFB’s Conference and Training Center.
For more information about the Student Success Series, visit texasfarmbureau.org/student-success-series.
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