Young Farmer and Rancher Update
Susan Wilkins, YF&R Chair
August found many members
of the Young Farmers & Ranchers
Committee taking in the State Fair
of West Virginia. In an effort to
reach more young people, we had
a display in the Underwood Youth
Building. Throughout the fair,
we tried to spend time manning
the display to speak with folks and hand out brochures.
Several committee members also spent time working in
the Gus Douglass Building at the West Virginia Farm
Bureau booth.
We encourage all young people transitioning out of
the FFA or 4-H to look into joining the West Virginia
Farm Bureau and becoming involved in the Young
Farmers & Ranchers program. Many of Farm Bureau’s
leaders got their start wearing a blue and gold jacket or
reciting the 4-H Pledge. One of the saddest days of my
life was when I was too old to be a member of the FFA;
but Farm Bureau was the perfect “next step” for me.
The leadership, public speaking, and parliamentary
procedure skills I first developed in FFA and 4-H
have been strengthened many times over through my
Farm Bureau involvement. It is one of the goals of the
committee to help more FFA and 4-H members see
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what great opportunities Farm Bureau offers for young
people to continue to be involved with agriculture.
Please help us in our efforts to reach out to our local
clubs and chapters. As your county holds your Annual
Meeting this fall, invite FFA and 4-H members to attend
and perhaps play a part in the program. Seek out ways
for your county Farm Bureau to become more involved
throughout the year – perhaps sponsor an FFA member’s
trip to the Annual Meeting or hold a farm tour for a 4-H
group.
Gaining new membership is critical to keep our
Young Farmers & Ranchers program – and the Farm
Bureau organization as a whole – growing. Don’t
forget to encourage worthy individuals to apply for our
Achievement and Excellence in Ag Awards for a chance
to win a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation
Annual Convention in San Diego. Applications are
available through the State Office by contacting Eric
Thomason at 1-800-398-4630 or [email protected].
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West Virginia Farm Bureau News 17