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The Young Farmers & Rancher (YF&R) Program of the Montana Farm Bureau provides an excellent opportunity for young farmers and ranchers, ages 18-35, to actively participate in Farm Bureau programs and become leaders in the Farm Bureau organization.
Developing Montana Agriculture's Future Leaders
Young farmers and ranchers are a rare commodity these days, yet they are probably one of agriculture's most important. It is imperative that we surface new leaders who will work to continue our agricultural way of life for generations to come. As a young farmer or rancher, an organization like Farm Bureau is a valuable tool to have under your belt. You have many challenges ahead of you; we can provide you with all the tools you'll need.
As a result of active participation in Farm Bureau programs, YF&R members will experience personal growth and achievement as Farm Bureau members, farmers or ranchers, citizens, and community leaders. Participation in membership acquisition and maintenance, legislative activities, policy development and execution, commodity promotion, marketing, political education and action, and local affairs build strong leaders for the future of Farm Bureau.
Staff contacts is Jasmine Evans jasmine@mfbf.org.
YF&R LEadership COnference
This statewide annual leadership conference is held in January and is designed to give young farmers and ranchers, ages 18-35, insights into agricultural issues and how, through Farm Bureau, they can work to solve them. This event is a great networking opportunity that has a balance of personal and professional development plus fun activities making it beneficial and enjoyable for all who attend. Watch our social media pages for more information on the conference agenda and how to register.
Hoofin' it for hunger trail run
The MFBF YF&R Committee is proud to support the Montana Food Bank Network through the Hoofin’ it for Hunger Trail Run. The 5K and 10K run was formerly held in September in Dillon, MT, and all proceeds from the race were donated to the Montana Food Bank Network. This event is part of a larger partnership between YF&R programs across the country and Feeding America. Whether the contribution is a bushel – a dollar – or an hour, Farm Bureau and Feeding America are working together to finish an important job – making sure every American can enjoy the bounty produced on our farms and ranches. The Montana Farm Bureau YF&R Committee is proud to have raised $68,000 dollars for the Montana Food Bank Network. Since Harvest for All was launched, Farm Bureau families across the country have gathered more than 412 million pounds of food, logged more than 224,000 volunteer hours, and raised more than $10 million in donations.
Ask a farmer, Feed a Family
The MFBF YF&R Committee recently shifted its focus to supporting the Montana Food Bank Network to a series of "Ask A Farmer, Feed A Family" events taking place across the state. These events...
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Raise money for Montana Food Bank Network via the sale of raffle tickets for a $500 Scheel's gift card
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Gather food donations from those shopping at local markets, all for Montana Food Bank Network
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Bring Young Farmers & Ranchers along with the Promotion & Engagement committee collaborating members into grocery stores to answer consumer questions about how their food is raised
For more information on when these events are being held, please visit our Events page. Please reach out to jasmine@mfbf.org to get involved or with any questions.
Collegiate Chapters
Achievement award
The contestants will be evaluated on a combination of their farming operation growth and financial progress of operation, Farm Bureau leadership, as well as leadership outside of Farm Bureau. More specifically, the judges will be looking for excellence in management, growth and scope of the enterprise and self-initiative that have been displayed throughout the operation. A contestant’s participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations is a definite point-getter from the judges.
excellence in agriculture
The Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award Program is designed as an opportunity for Young Farmers & Ranchers, while actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture, to earn recognition.
Participants will be judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations (i.e. civic, service, and community)
Discussion meet competition
The Farm Bureau Discussion Meet contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. The judges are looking for the contestant that offers cooperation and communication while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions. The winner of the Montana YF&R Discussion Meet receives a new Polaris Ranger and an expense paid trip to compete at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention.
There is also a collegiate competition through which students can earn an expense-paid trip to the National Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Conference.
Pre-recorded conference calls that include additional information and expert insights on each of the six Discussion Meet topics are available upon request. Contact Jasmine Evans at jasmine@mfbf.org to receive those calls electronically.
Meet the state committee...
Lauren Kett
State Chair
Livingston
Rancher & Feed Store Owner
Makae reed
District 2
Whitehall
Sheep Rancher
Jacob Stenberg
District 4
McLeod
Cattle Rancher
Britta Brenner
District 6
Glendive
Cattle Rancher
hattie bumgarner
District 8
Belt
Farmer, Cattle Rancher
Houston Blevins
District 1
St. Ignatius
Cattle Rancher
Riley Slivka
District 3
Winifred
Farmer, Rancher, Media Businessowner
Lea Aye
District 5
Broadus
Nurse & Rancher
Mccall Lammerding
District 7
Saco
Cattle Rancher
Klayton Lohr
District 9
Shelby
Farmer
Buddy Cheff
District 1
Ronan
Cattle Rancher
Vic Lewis
District 3
Ryegate
Cattle Rancher
Fiona Mott Hankins
District 5
Miles City
Cattle Rancher
John Walker
District 7
Nashua
Precision Ag Consultant
Kat Taylor
District 9
Jefferson City
Projects Coordinator
Mark Boyd
District 2
Alder
Cattle Rancher
Stryker anderson
District 4
Laurel
Cattle Rancher
Tienna Canen
District 6
Circle
Rancher, Agritourism,
Horse Breeder
Karissa eddy
District 8
Cascade
Agronomist
Jeremiah Peterson
District 10
Bozeman
Cattle Rancher
Young Farmers & Ranchers
Chair
District 1
District 1
District 2
District 2
District 3
District 3
District 4
District 4
District 5
District 5
District 6
District 6
District 7
District 7
District 8
District 8
District 9
District 9
District 10
District 10
Lauren Kett
Houston Blevins
Buddy Cheff
Mark Boyd
Makae Reed
Riley Slivka
Vic Lewis
Stryker Anderson
Jacob Stenberg
Lea Aye
Fiona Mott Hankins
Tienna Canen
Britta Brenner
McCall Lammerding
John Walker
Karissa Floerchinger Eddy
Hattie Bumgarner
Klayton Lohr
Katharine Taylor
Lauren Kett
Jeremiah Peterson
Livingston
St Ignatius
Ronan
Alder
Whitehall
Lewistown
Ryegate
Laurel
McLeod
Broadus
Miles City
Glendive
Glendive
Saco
Nashua
Cascade
Belt
Shelby
Jefferson City
White Sulphur Springs
Bozeman