Young Farmers and Ranchers conference inspires attendees to be proactive
by Abby Grimmett, posted Feb. 25, 2008
Young farmers and ranchers from across the United States gathered the weekend of Feb. 16 in Baltimore, Md., for the 2008 American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) national conference.
The theme of this year’s conference, Reality Farming, was centered on the popular television series, Survivor. The slogan, “No Farmers, No Survivors,” was used throughout the conference to emphasize the importance of American producers.
The weekend consisted of leadership workshops, agricultural activist speakers, networking events and the YF&R collegiate discussion meet.
The YF&R program, as part of the American Farm Bureau Federation, is an organization for members of Farm Bureau between the ages of 18 and 35.
Russ Stundebeck, chairman for the Missouri YF&R committee, attended the conference for the seventh year in a row. Stundebeck, who operates a small cattle operation in Salisbury, Mo., said he first became involved in the YF&R program to become more proactive in the agriculture industry.
Stundebeck said he especially enjoyed the speakers featured at this year’s conference. Many focused their presentations on the general population’s misconceptions about agriculture.
“I’ve really learned that there has to be more programs to get the message of agriculture issues across,” said Stundebeck. “We can’t be silent anymore because the problem is getting worse.”
Trent Loos, Ron Hanson and Betty Wolanyk were recognized by many as favorites among the weekend’s speakers. Each addressed various concerns of young agriculturalists including dealing with anti-ag activist groups, transferring ownership of family farm operations, and righting common misconceptions that consumers have.
“We must show consumers what we really do on our farms,” said Chris Chinn, former national committee chairwoman for YF&R. “Our society hears, on a daily basis, false information about agriculture. If we don’t start telling our story, someone is going to do it for us.”
During her year serving as the chairwoman on the YF&R national committee, Chinn had the opportunity to travel the country spreading Farm Bureau’s message. She spoke of personal encounters she had with consumers and how she addressed and righted their misconceptions. She encouraged all members to take a proactive stance as she has.
“We have no reason to apologize for providing a safe, affordable and abundant food supply to our nation,” Chinn said. “We need to be proud and stand up for what we’re doing.”
Participants at the conference were encouraged to take what they learned and share it with others back home. Speakers called for the young farmers and ranchers to remain positive about the future of agriculture and help educate others about the importance of agriculture.
“It was a terrific experience,” Stundebeck said. “It was educational, inspirational and I came away being enthusiastic about the future of agriculture.”
Stundebeck has decided to remain proactive, as the speakers suggested.
