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Young Farmers and Ranchers Update

by Breanna Berry
GFB Leadership Programs Coordinator

Posted on May 24, 2024 12:15 PM

Representing Georgia at the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference were from left: GFB 7th Dist. Field Services Manager Christie Montford, GFB YF&R Committee Chairmen Emilia & Cleve Jackson, 4th Dist. Committee Chairs Kaleb & Kaitlyn Marchant, 10th Dist. Committee Chairs Kelsie & Ryan Highsmith, YF&R member Jack Pringle and GFB Leadership Programs Coordinator Breanna Berry.

By Breanna Berry 

Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Ranchers (YF&R) traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, March 8-11 to attend the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) YF&R Leadership Conference. In a Midwestern city surrounded by farm country, the conference theme was appropriately “Growing Leaders in the Heartland.”

The conference included sessions designed to sharpen the leadership and advocacy skills of the YF&R members attending from across the country. Tours of farms and ag businesses were also offered. In addition to breakout sessions, attendees got to hear from keynote speakers such as AFBF President Zippy Duvall and world-renowned motivational speaker Dr. Rick Rigsby.

During the conference, Jack Pringle of Henry County Farm Bureau competed in the AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet. Although he did not take home the national title, Jack represented Georgia well during his time competing. 

Jack was selected as GFB’s competitor by being the highest ranked collegiate contestant in the 2023 GFB Discussion Meet. He is currently attending Georgia Southern University with plans to transfer to the University of Georgia and major in agriculture education. 

“Our members from Georgia loved attending the AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference. As always, one of our favorite parts was the opportunity to network and meet other YF&R members with diverse backgrounds from across the country. A bonus was the great breakout sessions and keynotes,” YF&R Chairman Cleve Jackson said. “We also always enjoy supporting our Collegiate Discussion Meet competitor and seeing the future of our organization.” 

In addition to experiencing leadership development for themselves, the GFB YF&R attendees gained ideas to implement at GFB’s YF&R Conference set for July 17-20 on Jekyll Island. Registration is open  until June 1 at https://gfb.ag/yfrslc. All Georgia Farm Bureau members ages 18-35 are invited to attend for a time of networking and personal growth. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information. Enter the GFB YFR Photo Contest at https://gfb.ag/yfrphoto by June 7. 

Georgia Farm Bureau is proud to have sponsored the FFA Discussion Meet Career Development Event held at the Georgia FFA Convention on April 24. GFB congratulates the three runners-up: Sriniketh Edupuganti representing Denmark High School in Fulton County, Anna Grace Hunter from Colquitt County High School, Harrison Russ from Citizens Christian Academy in Coffee County, and the state winner John Haven Stalvey from Berrien County High School. 

GFB Leadership Programs Coordinator Breanna Berry may be contacted at bcberry@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5232. Contact your county Farm Bureau if you’d like to join your local YF&R Committee.