Young farmers, ranchers gear up for national competition
When asked what the sign-up fees were for Young Farmers and Ranchers club, the answer from all across the room full of members was a resounding, “Free 99!”
The club kicked off the year with its annual opening social Tuesday at the Agricultural Science and Technology Building. The Utah Farm Bureau Federation sponsored the event, and more than 70 students were present for dinner and the presentation.
Bailee Woolstenhulme, an agricultural communications senior, joined Young Farmers and Ranchers three years ago because it seemed like students in the club were interested in the same things as her.
“YF and R is a great program for those that love agriculture and want to be able to advocate and share their passions for agriculture,” she said.
The club is not limited to specific career fields and allows people from all aspects of the agriculture industry to discuss agriculture and the issues that surround it Woolstenhulme said.
“It is open to anybody in science, technology and business side of farming and ranching, now and in the future,” said Brett Evans, Utah State University Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers adviser.
The club hosts activities throughout the year that help promote learning and leadership for its members. Last year the club hosted three different lectures from professionals on topics that ranged from wind power to business.
“We had Western Ag Credit come in and do a presentation about finance, debt and how to finance an operation whether it was an agricultural or small business of any kind,” Evans said.
In addition to the opening and closing socials and presentations, the club will host a discussion meet competition.
“The event is designed to help tell your story about agriculture, help learn about issues and discuss issues in a non-confrontational and cooperative manner,” Evans said. “It is not a debate.”
Woolstenhulme said the discussion gives students an opportunity to research pertinent issues facing the agriculture industry and discuss them in such a way that helps provide insight and possibly answers for that problem. It teaches participants how they can talk about these issues in a knowledgeable way.
Laura Wilson, a senior in agricultural education, competed in the state and national meet last year.
Wilson said her best friend called her and told her to compete in the meet because she had just won the meet at Snow College. Wilson accepted the challenge, competed and won the USU contest.
She flew to Nashville, Tennessee with her best friend, where she competed in the national competition and attended workshops that focused on agricultural education.
“I learned a lot about policy and about being an articulate voice for agriculture,” Wilson said.
The competitors and the winner of the meet can expect it to be well worth their while.
“First of all, you are going to have fun and learn something,” Evans said. “You are going to have some very good experiences that will help you with priceless job preparation. The winner gets an all-expenses paid trip to the national YF and R meeting to be part of the collegiate discussion.”
The 2015 American Farm Bureau Federation meet will have four award winners. The winner will receive their choice of either a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2015 GMC Sierra. Three finalists will each receive $2,500, $500 in STIHL merchandise and a Case IH Farmall 55A tractor.
Only six competitors showed up to the USU meet last year. Evans hoped that the presentation Tuesday night clarified any questions and motivated students to participate in the event.
The club will hold a practice meet and go over the topics as well as answer any questions. The practice meet is Oct. 21 and the official competition will be held Nov. 4.
“We are contenders. Involvement is key, the key to success,” said David Bailey of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation.
Woolstenhulme hopes to see more involvement from students this year.
“It is a real organization representing real people who are involved with real production agriculture,” she said.