By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Texas agriculture is in the hands of the next generation, and a statewide conference will provide opportunities for networking and education for farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18 and 35.

Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Spring Conference is designed to equip young leaders and professionals in agriculture with the tools needed to increase their agricultural advocacy efforts and help with farm and ranch decisions.

The event is set for April 5-7 at the TFB Conference and Training Center in Waco.

“I would encourage anyone involved in agriculture between the ages of 18 and 35 to attend the conference,” Jay Clark, TFB’s YF&R Advisory Committee chair, said. “This is a great opportunity for young farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals to network with one another and learn how they can improve their advocacy efforts and operation decisions.”

TFB also encourages college students to participate.

The conference will feature breakout sessions on business planning, media training and agricultural financing. Other sessions will include environmental issues, business professionalism and a look at the future of agriculture.

Veterinarian and agricultural influencer Dr. Marissa Hake, DVM, will be the keynote speaker.

“Texas is very diverse in agriculture, but we all face similar challenges. Spring Conference is a great opportunity for young farmers and ranchers to come together, discuss those challenges, think of solutions, celebrate our successes and most importantly, learn from each other,” Clark said. “It can be difficult to step away from our farms and ranches, but the conference is a great way to learn from breakout sessions and hear from keynote speakers.”

The conference will also feature the Collegiate Discussion Meet, which is a roundtable discussion of agricultural topics.

To participate, contestants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, enrolled in an undergraduate degree program and must have an interest in agriculture.

“Collegiate Discussion Meet is a great contest for students to put their professional skills and knowledge base to use and win cash prizes along the way,” Roger Hall, TFB associate director of Organization Division, Leadership Development, said. “It is also a great way to meet folks across the state with common interests. Students should not only come for the contest, but the networking opportunities and expertise shared by speakers.”

The winner will take home a $2,500 cash award and will receive expense-paid trips to the TFB Annual Meeting in December and the American Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet in March 2025.

The runner-up will receive a $1,500 cash prize and an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting.

The remaining finalists will each receive $750.

Registration for the YF&R Spring Conference and Collegiate Discussion Meet is available online through MyTFB and closes Feb. 23.

Additional registration information, including costs and the signup link, can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.