young farmer update Jed Evans, Young Farmer Coordinator
Photo by Andy Lucas
Young Farmers travel to D.C.
Sens. Saxby Chambliss, pictured far left, and Johnny Isakson, pictured far right, met with the GFB Young Farmers visiting Washington, D.C., in the Senate Agriculture Committee Room on March 6.
B
raving snow flurries and ice from a winter storm, a group of 31 young farmers from across Georgia traveled to Washington, D.C., March 5-8 as part of the 28th annual trip hosted by the GFB Young Farmer Committee. After AFBF and GFB legislative staff briefed the group on priority issues, the young farmers met with Georgia’s congressional delegation to discuss the farm bill, farm labor and immigration, climate
change and livestock regulations. Rep. Austin Scott joined the group for breakfast on March 7 and encouraged the young farmers to work with their elected officials to ensure sound agricultural policy is set in place. A number of Congressmen working through the inclement weather met with the group. GFB President Zippy Duvall also addressed the young farmers, sharing the importance of meeting with their elected officials and
AFBF YF&R National Leadership Conference
Pictured from left, Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers attending the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., were: BJ & Kaci Marks, Newton County; Matt & Ivy Oliver, Macon County; Chris Rogers, Jefferson County; GFB YF Coordinator Jed & Shanna Evans; Committee Chairmen Garrett & Nydia Ganas, Ware County; Committee Vice Chairmen Jacob & Emily Nolan, Wayne County; AFBF YF Committee members Jake & Jennifer Carter, Henry County; Marcus & Neely South, Upson County; Matthew London, White County and Earnest Nichols, Newton County. 16 / April 2013
telling their story. In addition to visiting Capitol Hill, the young farmers had the chance to tour D.C. For many, it was their first visit to our nation’s capitol. “This trip is a great chance for young farmers to visit Washington, D.C., meet with our elected officials and share how these issues affect us as producers,” said GFB Young Farmer Committee Chairman Garrett Ganas from Ware County.
The theme for the conference held Feb. 8-11 and attended by nearly 1,000 young farmers from across the country was “Celebrating Tradition, Embracing Change.” The Georgia delegation participated in leadership development activities and heard several motivational speakers. Mark Mayfield, a former corporate lobbyist turned humorist, gave a great speech called “The Glass Ain’t Half Empty, It’s Just Too Big!” during which he encouraged young farmers to be creative as they cope with change on their farms and in their lives. Former Navy Commander Michael Abrashoff shared his “Leadership Roadmap” with the group. The group also toured some of Arizona’s farmland and helped judge the AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet. Georgia Farm Bureau News