Empowering Young Leaders

Farmers and ranchers understand it can take generations to build something that lasts. For example, when I look over my own land, I can see the decades of hard work my grandfather and father poured into this farm – where there were once ditches and gullies, there are now rolling green hills. Those who came before me understood that their efforts weren’t just for themselves but for the generations to come.

This same principle of investing in the future is also a cornerstone of Farm Bureau – our foundation was not built overnight but forged by a long line of leaders dedicated to those who would follow.

The Importance of Young Leaders

The future growth of our organization depends on rising leaders, those whose are ready to answer the call and face both the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Right now, we are facing some tough times in agriculture with more headwinds to come. We need young leaders to bring innovative ideas, strong voices and the determination to secure our sustainable food, fiber and renewable fuel supply.

The good news is that we have countless folks ready to carry the torch. We just need to tap them on the shoulder, give them opportunities to grow, and equip them with the skills and confidence they need. A lot of us, including me, wouldn't be where we are today without the encouragement of leaders before us. Now is the chance for us to do the same and empower our rising leaders.

Identifying Young Leaders

As I travel the country, I am constantly impressed by the passion, leadership and willingness of rising leaders to take on big challenges. Just this week, I had the opportunity to visit with a group of young leaders in Georgia as I toured the Hall County School District Agri-Business Center. Through work-based learning, students at this state-of-the-art agriculture center are able to gain real-world experience and exposure to the numerous career paths in agriculture. What stood out most wasn’t just hands-on learning they were gaining through the program but how quickly you could see the leadership skills they were developing along the way. Many of these students didn’t come from traditional agricultural backgrounds. But they were stepping up – raising livestock, helping manage processing operations, and running a storefront to sell their products. The agriculture center gave them a chance not only to get experience in agriculture but also to learn what it takes to run a business and lead a team.

Rising leaders, like these students, are problem solvers and innovators who embrace change, take action and make a difference. They just need the opportunity to do so.

Investing in Young Leaders

Leadership doesn’t just happen, it’s cultivated. If we want to secure a strong future for agriculture and Farm Bureau, we must do more than recognize rising leaders, we must empower their leadership journey.

Farm Bureau leadership programs are designed with rising leaders in mind. Whether it be our three member engagement programs – Young Farmers & Ranchers, Women’s Leadership and Promotion & Engagement – Collegiate Farm Bureauor training on the county, state and national levels, we have the tools and resources for rising leaders to take the next step.

Perhaps investing in rising leaders is the next step on your leadership journey. Think about someone around you who has leadership potential. Take the initiative to invite them to the next Farm Bureau meeting, encourage them to apply for an award program, or maybe just take a few minutes to mentor them and share what you have learned along the way. You never know the difference you can make by showing someone they have a seat at the table, giving them a chance to grow, or encouraging them on by simply saying, “You got this.”

The future of Farm Bureau and agriculture is only as strong as the leaders we prepare today. By empowering and investing in our rising leaders, we ensure they’re ready to take the reins and continue to lead tomorrow.