More than 500 young farmers and gathered in Manhattan, Jan. 25-27 for the 2013 Kansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Leaders Conference.
“We saw record attendance this year with 535 agricultural leaders from across the state joining us for the three-day conference,” Jim Schmidt, Geary County and chair of the Young Farmers & Ranchers committee, says. “We had three days of keynote speakers, competitions, 16 workshops, a trade show and lots of networking.”
The group also attended a private reception at the Flint Hills Discovery Center courtesy of UMB.
Competition winners included:
Collegiate Ag Quiz Bowl
· Kansas State University team members: Julie Kalivoda, Bobbi Ann Shanks, Laikyn Adams, Elizabeth Forsyth and Dalton Hodgkinson
YF&R Discussion Meet
1. Barrett Smith, Kiowa Co.
2. Jeremy Hacker, Ellis Co.
3. Aaron Douglas, Franklin Co.
Collegiate Discussion Meet
1. Kassie Curran, K-State
2. Kylee Classen, Allen County Community College
3. Jay Kindler, Ft. Hays State University
Kansas Farm Bureau state committee members include Matt and Stephanie Symns, Atchison; Nick and Jennie Guetterman, Johnson County; David and Addi Foster, Fort Scott; Mark and Kristin Bergkamp, Haysville; Jim and Sarah Schmidt, Manhattan; Mike and Sara Rosebrook, Lincoln County; Tyler and Leah Alpers, St. John; Clint and Jessica Dearden, Scott City; Jeff and Azuree Jones, Johnson; and Tim and Katherine Franklin, Goodland. At the conference, Katherine Franklin was elected to chair the 2014 Kansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leaders Conference.
Attendees also contributed to the Harvesters Food Community Network by providing 367 pounds of food and collecting more than $400. Their efforts will provide 2,382 meals for Kansans.
Kansas Farm Bureau represents grassroots agriculture. Established in 1919, this non-profit advocacy organization supports farm families who earn their living in a changing industry.