A two year layoff due to COVID-19 restrictions did not hurt attendance at the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation 2022 Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Memphis. Couples returned in mass to the Peabody Hotel to renew relationships, hear about the latest issues and policy changes, and brainstorm ways to continue improving their farming practices and communication with consumers.
“We love being a part of something that makes a difference,” YF&R member Addie Mayfield said. “One of the speakers talked about changing the world. Getting fired up and doing that sounds great, but when you return to your everyday life, it’s hard to feel that way anymore. Being a part of this conference and organization reminds you that you can make a difference in the lives around you and change the world.”
The speaker Mayfield was referring to was Jay Hill, a New Mexico farmer and public speaker who strives to empower agriculturalists to become better leaders.
“If agriculture can do a better job of figuring out how to communicate in and through each other, I think our united message would be a lot louder,” Hill said to conclude his presentation.
The men and women who attended this year’s conference did just that by learning from the list of speakers. They represent hundreds of farming operations from every corner of Mississippi, so each speaker and topic targeted their specific stage of life for building the future of the YF&R program and Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.
“We’ve got to invest in them right now,” MFBF President Mike McCormick said of the young farmers and rancher in attendance. “We got to get them hooked on to the Farm Bureau message so they see the value of a membership and the value of giving their time to be a part of the voice of agriculture. Without them, there won’t be a Farm Bureau.”
By investing in these members’ futures today, the grassroots effort Farm Bureau is known for takes root. These farmers and ranchers take what they’ve learned here and grow their communities and home county Farm Bureaus, YF&R Chair and Clay County rancher Clint Ladner said.
“This program has helped me grow in numerous ways, Clint Ladner said. “I’ve learned new things to bring back to my county board and farm. It has made me look at things from a different perspective. I hope those in attendance will see the benefits of this program and become more excited to participate.”
“By attending this conference, we have the opportunity to talk to people about problems we have on the farm and learn from how they solved a similar problem,” said Brook Ladner, Clint’s wife. “The general session and breakout session speakers bring information to us, and we relay it to the people who don’t know. I think that is invaluable.”
In the end, this conference brings young farmers experiencing the same successes and problems, and it establishes a safety net of friends and colleagues who help each other grow more than just crops and animals.
Betsy Belk: “This program lets us learn from one another and be here for each other in the good times and bad,” said Betsy Belk, YF&R committee member. “Before my husband, Adron, and I joined the program, I had never met a chicken farmer. Now, I have friends who are chicken farmers. Being on the committee has given us so much knowledge on how we need to work together.”
“You don’t really realize everything going on throughout the state, so it’s been really good for Betsy and I to socialize and get to know people from other areas,” Adron Belk added.