By Regina Pozzi
The Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee is a sub-committee of Farm Bureau, a relationship existing at the federal, state, and local level. Sonoma-Marin YF&R was glad to have Sonoma County Farm Bureau Executive Director Dayna Ghirardelli address the membership at their January meeting at the Washoe House. Dayna was a great speaker and shared that she looks forward to continuing the mutually beneficial relationship between Farm Bureau and YF&R.
The American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers program includes both men and women between the ages of 18-35. The objective of the Young Farmers & Ranchers program is to surface, grow and develop young Farm Bureau members and provide them opportunities and experiences to strengthen their leadership and ensure effective Farm Bureaus.
According to the American Farm Bureau, the YF&R program is focused on personal growth in the following areas: public speaking, issue advocacy, business development, networking, service leadership, media training , and telling the story of agriculture.
The 2023 American YF&R ‘FUSION’ Conference will be held March 3-6, 2023 in Jacksonville, FL. YF&R provides opportunities to develop leadership skills through involvement in Farm Bureau at the county, state, and national levels. YF&R members are a vital part of the organization. According to California Farm Bureau, each YF&R member’s efforts help California Farm Bureau to effectively represent the diversity of farmers and ranchers across the state.
The YF&R committee has fun while participating in agricultural activities. Volunteering, meeting, learning alongside other young people involved in agriculture is fun. Sonoma-Marin YF&R holds monthly meetings or socials on the third Wednesday of every month. Their February meeting will be at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Check out social media or join the YF&R email list (email us at sonomamarinyfr@gmail.com to be added) for more current meeting, volunteer, or YF&R program information.
