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GFB YF&R Program off & running

Posted on February 19, 2022 12:00 AM

By Breanna Berry

While COVID has changed many things, it has not changed the mission of the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program. Georgia Farm Bureau members ages 18-35 are continuing to develop and strengthen their leadership skills to advocate for agriculture.

In addition to staple events such as the YF&R Summer Leadership Conference, GFB’s YF&R Committee has an exciting lineup of activities this year. The Legislative Drive-In, held Feb. 7, in conjunction with GFB Day at the Capitol, prepared YF&R and Women’s Leadership Committee members from across the state to interact with their state legislators the next day during GFB Day at the Capitol.

“We were excited to offer a new program to support our members and strengthen their ability to engage with our elected officials,” said GFB YF&R Chairman Walt Pridgen.

In early March, GFB will release information about all YF&R award programs – Achievement Award in Agriculture; Excellence in Agriculture Award; and Discussion Meet.

The achievement award recognizes YF&R members for their farming operations and leadership activities. The excellence in agriculture award honors YF&R members who earn the majority of their income off the farm but are vocal ag advocates. The discussion meet simulates a meeting where participants talk about current ag issues and explore possible solutions.

These awards are pillars of the YF&R program and promote YF&R members across the state. GFB wants as many members as possible to apply for the awards and participate in YF&R activities to grow the program.

Registration information for the YF&R Summer Conference, to be held July 14-16 on Jekyll Island, and the annual YF&R Photo Contest will be released in early March. The application deadline for awards and conference registration is June 1. Photo contest entries are due by June 10.

Visit www.gfb.ag/yfr or contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information about the awards, photo contest and to register for the conference.

Georgia Farm Bureau YF&R Coordinator Breanna Berry may be reached at bcberry@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5232 for more information. Contact your county Farm Bureau if you’d like to get involved with your local YR&R program.