Young Farmers & Ranchers

The Young Farmers and Ranchers Program is available for any Farm Bureau Federation member between the ages of 18 – 35.      

This program helps improve communication and leadership skills, provides opportunities to become more active members, to use their talents to strengthen the organization and an opportunity to meet peers with similar interests and concerns. Ultimately this program develops future leaders of Farm Bureau Federation.

Locally, the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers try to meet once a month to fellowship and discuss any concerns or upcoming projects. This is also a great place to meet new people and network.

Here are some of the programs and events we participate in…

Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Conference

This is a statewide event held every year in July. All Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35 years old are welcome to attend. There are various workshops at each conference, which help prepare Young Farmers and Ranchers to become leaders. A sample of workshops held at previous conferences include: personal improvement, communication skills, AG in the Classroom, Estate Planning, Immigration, Time Management, AG Under Attack, Motivational Speakers and more.

Farm Bureau Day

Farm Bureau Day in Tallahassee, every Farm Bureau member is encouraged go to our state capital and talk to our legislators about issues that are important to us. This is a day set aside for all Farm Bureau members throughout the state to come together and be the voice of Agriculture. There is a Farm Bureau dinner held the night before where we go through the main topics and a Reception for the Legislators that evening, where we can talk with them in a more informal setting.

AG Literacy Day

The Florida Agriculture in the Classroom and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have set aside one day each school year (around March or April) for volunteers to go into schools and help teachers and students gain a better understanding of Florida agriculture. The Young Farmers and Ranchers read to several elementary school classes each year. Anyone can volunteer to read! For more information please visit: www.agtag.org

Taste of Florida Agriculture Breakfast

This is held during the State Fair by the Agriculture Community the Florida State Fair and the Chamber of Commerce and encourages city, county and state officials to come enjoy some of Florida’s fresh food and speak with the Agriculture community. Our Board of Directors serve sausage biscuits to those in attendance. 

Farm Tours

We try to have at least one or two farm tours each year, throughout Hillsborough County and the State of Florida. These tours are to educate Farm Bureau members on the different types of Agriculture in our county and state.

Florida Ag Expo

This event is for Florida vegetable growers to listen to the latest information on new production trends and techniques, sample new varieties and see new field trails. There are over 60 industry supplies in indoor and outdoor exhibits. It is held at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research & Education Center in Balm Florida. The Young Farmers & Ranchers set up a booth to encourage participation in Hillsborough County Farm Bureau.

Hillsborough County Young Farmer & Rancher Scholarship Program

This is a new scholarship we are proud to bring to Hillsborough County Farm Bureau members thanks to the Women’s Committee – who raised funds through bake auctions at the Hillsborough County Annual Meetings.

There are several contests, hosted by Florida Farm Bureau Federation, which recognize outstanding members:

  1. Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award- acknowledges a farmer and family on their involvement in Farm Bureau and community, farming operations and leadership skills.  Click here for more information and to download the application
  2. Excellence in Agriculture Award – acknowledges someone who does not derive the majority of their income from agriculture, but actively contributes to agriculture and grows through their involvement in Farm Bureau and Agriculture. It is judged on involvement in agriculture, Farm Bureau, and other organizations.  Click here for more information and to download the application
  3. Discussion Meet – held at the Annual State Meeting in October, it is a panel type discussion in which contestants are judged on the ability to express ideas and opinions on the pressing issues in agriculture. Contestants attempt to influence others by posing and answering questions with the goal of reaching a solution to a stated problem facing agriculture.  Click here for more information including topics and to download the application
  4. Florida Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Group – This is a dedicated group of individuals who have committed to a two-year program which offers educational, professional and leadership development. The primary objective of the program is to build a more effective organization, which will preserve our individual freedoms and expand our opportunities in agriculture. As a member of this elite group, there will be one individual or family from each county, which will represent the county and district at several events, including National YF&R Convention and Washington DC, Field to the Hill. This is available for active County Young Farmers & Ranchers between the ages of 18 and 35.

Anyone interested in joining this growing group can contact us at:
yfr.hcfb@gmail.com

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Committee

This program is open to any Farm Bureau Women interested in participating. The women’s committee is involved in many different projects with a focus on agriculture education and promotion.

Some of the women’s committee projects are:

Youth Speech Contest

Youth between the ages of 14-18 have an opportunity to compete at county level, the County winner will then go to district competition and the District winner will go to state competition. The purpose is to promote a stronger interest and clearer understanding of the many aspects of agriculture and give youth the opportunity to gain knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of agriculture and help to promote its many values and virtues. Limit to 5 minutes. Click here for an application, rules, prizes and topics.

Ag-Venture

This is an opportunity to tell the story of our county farming operations to third graders in Hillsborough County, this event is held at the Florida State Fair Grounds several times each year. Click here for more information.

Food Check Out Day

Held in February, allows the women to get out into the public and promote that: as Americans we enjoy the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply on earth. This event brings awareness to the fact that it takes just five weeks for the average American to earn enough disposable income to pay for his or her family’s food supply for the entire year. (Based on Agriculture Department Statistics)

These are just a few of our projects. We invite you to come and join us. It is the goal of the Women’s Committee to develop new leaders and we welcome anyone interested in participating. Just contact Michelle Williamson at women@hcfarmbureau.org.

Community Programs

Hillsborough County Farm Bureau is involved in many different community programs. We believe it is important to engage with the community and tell the story of agriculture to our neighbors.

Some of the community projects are:

Ag-Venture

Ag-Venture is a “hands-on” learning experience designed to teach 3rd grade students in Hillsborough County, FL about the importance of agriculture and to help them develop an understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from and the impact of Agriculture in their everyday lives. As the students arrive, they are divided into groups and given a bright colored “cowboy” hat. The hats not only keep track of the different groups (each group has a different color hat) but the youngsters love them and they set the stage for an “AG” day!

The Student Tours will consist of visiting 5 stations representing different aspects of agriculture and participate in a variety of hands-on activities. Schools will be assigned to a tour that will have a balance of plant and animal science. Students will need to bring a packed lunch.

The cost for this awesome experience is only $4.00 per student/parent/chaperone! Teachers are FREE.  Pre-Registration is required and schools will receive a confirmation packet if selected to attend Ag-Venture. We select schools on a first come, first serve basis once registration is opened. 

Get Involved

Ag Abilities

Ag Abilities, hosted by The Hillsborough County Farm Bureau has been a remarkable success since 2001. The event attracts young Exceptional Education Students (ESE) from schools throughout the county and is held at the state fairgrounds in Tampa. The half day competition allows volunteers to interact with students while they learn about agriculture. Sample categories include the foods we eat, tractor driving and animal breed identification. Students are served lunch and participate in an awards ceremony. It is a heartwarming day for the students as well as the volunteers who make the day such a great success.