For the Georgia Farm Bureau, their Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference goes beyond just learning.
More than 200 young farmers and ranchers from across the Peach State got the opportunity to network together while experiencing professional and personal growth at the same time.
The event took place on Jekyll Island—where learning, competition, and bonding all come together. The yearly event cannot be overlooked—as Leadership Programs Coordinator Breanna Barry points out — it provides young farmers, who are either just starting or who are more established, with the opportunity to bring new knowledge back to their farms as well as a network of connections to help them succeed in the agriculture industry.
“The biggest benefit to them is to build their professional network and to build that community of ag professionals that they can call on [and] that they can ask questions to,” Barry said. “Especially if you’re a new producer starting out, or if you’ve got some experience—maybe there are some new innovative ideas that are out there that you’re able to grab a hold of and take home.”
The American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers program includes both men and women between the ages of 18-35. The objective of the program is to surface, grow, and develop young Farm Bureau members and provide them with opportunities and experiences to strengthen their leadership and ensure effective Farm Bureaus.
