Young Farmers and Ranchers Excited to Strengthen MFBF into the Future
The opening night of the 2025 Mississippi Farm Bureau Federations Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference was all about games from bingo to corn hole to trivia, this evening served as an ice breaker so to speak. However, this weekend was anything but child’s play. This weekend served to inspire Farm Bureau’s newest active members about telling their farm story, improving farm operations, and without a doubt, letting these producers know, they have a large group they can lean on no matter the commodity they grow.
“Every Farm Bureau event we get to talk with other people that do the same thing as we do every day,” said Kash Miller, Covington County cattle producer. “We definitely try to learn something from other attendees and always looking to improve our operation.”
“I feel like the best thing is being plugged into something like this to talk to other people who do this every day, who have done it, and getting your name out there,” said Sarah Peacock, Forrest County Cattle producer. “If you’re trying to sell cows and nobody knows who you are, you know, like that would make it difficult, but getting out there and talking to people and introducing yourself, I feel like it helps.”
From the uplifting story of barrel racer Amberly Snyder to Vance Crow’s strategic communications tactics to breakout sessions on financial literacy, beef productivity, and readying your operation’s budget for success, there was something here for newcomers and experienced young farmers alike. Congressional staff members even updated attendees on ag-related trends in Washington D.C.
“They gave some very good advice as far as running your business and it’s good for us because we’re kind of to the point we have an existing business,” said Millie McKinney, Union County farmer. “We’re trying to also, you know, create something new for just us as a married couple. So, I think it’s very good advice for that.”
“I’m kind of looking forward to seeing where I fit in. I’m 26 right now. I think I can be in this organization until around 35, somewhere around there. So, I look forward to do more in the organization,” said Juwan Page Benton County extension agent.
Even as the average age of a farmer in Mississippi is nearly 60 years old, through the Young Farmers and Ranchers program, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation strives to strengthen the next generation of leaders as they follow in the footprints of those who built the largest general farm organization in Mississippi over the last 102 years.
“I love networking with other people who have the same goal as me, you know. They say that you take on the personality of the company that you keep, so I like being around other people who have the same goal as me because it educates me and it helps me to level up,” said Paige Bergeron, Newton County cattle producer and agriculture lender
“We’re getting all these people together letting them know there’s an organization out there that really finds it important to get the young ones together and the next generation to come together and really spurs the next generation to take over,” said Jackson McKinney Harrison County farmer. “ We’re talking about succession planning. We’re talking about finance. We’re talking about all these things.”
The future of Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation and agriculture in Mississippi seems brighter, as these young farmers, ranchers, and members return home motivated to go above and beyond.
“There’s something that I can take home and put on my farm,” said Will Swann, Lee County cattle producer. “Every little opportunity I try to learn something that’s important or valuable I can take home and use.”
“To us, it is just about being connected with everybody and networking to make a stronger farm for our farm,” said Hayden West, Green County farmer.
“We were a little hesitant to join because we were on the state YF&R Committee and just time restraints of full‑time job and kids and farm, but, man, like it lit us on fire,” said Kortney Gaddy, Copiah County cattle producer. “We loved just the leadership skills we learned, the advocacy, learning from people and them pouring into us, so we absolutely excited for the future.”