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Young farmers find success through YF and R committee

Opportunities abound for involved participants

By Farms.com

The American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee offers valuable experiences for young individuals passionate about agriculture.

Neil, a fourth-generation farmer, manages a diversified farm with grain crops, sugar beets, and livestock feed production. Melissa, a recent master's graduate in speech language pathology, currently serves as a representative in the Idaho House of Representatives.

Despite the challenges of a virtual committee due to the pandemic, Melissa highlights the valuable skills she gained, including online learning and communication. These skills proved instrumental in completing her online degree and ultimately motivated her to pursue a career in public service.

Neil's experience on the committee was equally enriching. He now serves as his county Farm Bureau president and participates in various state Farm Bureau committees. He credits the YF&R Committee for fostering his leadership skills and confidence to take on new challenges.

The Durrants remain strong advocates for Farm Bureau involvement. They emphasize the importance of networking and building relationships with others facing similar challenges and opportunities within the agricultural industry.

The Durrants exemplify the spirit of young farmers who find success through the YF&R Committee. Their story encourages other passionate young individuals to get involved in Farm Bureau and explore the opportunities it offers.


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Spring Planting Prep Just Got Serious… We NEED This!

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Getting closer to planting season means one thing… it’s time to get EVERYTHING ready.

Today didn’t go exactly as planned—we thought we’d be hauling potatoes again, but instead we spent the day digging equipment out of the cellar, hooking up the grain drill, and getting tractors ready to roll. With wheat planting just around the corner, every piece of equipment matters.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a normal day without a few problems… dead batteries, hydraulic issues, and a truck tire that absolutely refused to cooperate. We tried everything—jump packs, bead bazooka, ratchet straps… and eventually had to bring out the “big guns” just to get things moving again.

But that’s farm life—adapt, fix, and keep moving forward.

We’re getting close to go-time. Wheat seed is coming soon, and planting season is right around the corner