Young farmers find success through YF and R committee

Jul 03, 2024

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.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.