The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2024 Convention is approaching fast, and the organization is partnering up this year with 4-H, FFA, and MANRRS to offer free registration to youth members. David Townsend, assistant director of member engagement, said this partnership ties perfectly into the Convention’s theme of “New Frontiers.”
“This means that we’re also looking to the future of agriculture, food, and natural Resources by highlighting the work of our partner youth organizations,” Townsend said. “This convention offers a snapshot of various opportunities available for Farm Bureau members at the local level as well that Junior MANRRS, 4-H, and FFA members can get a view of at convention and then implement back home. There’s just so much that happens at convention that is a great representation of ways that youth in agriculture can get involved.”
The Sunday schedule includes programming specifically focused on youth. Townsend said there are many reasons why young agriculturists should be interested in the national convention.
“If middle school and high school aged members are curious about how to get involved with Farm Bureau, convention is the place that offers a great look into what’s available for the organization but without the cost of a registration fee,” Townsend said. “This free registration for youth members includes the entire convention experience, and on Sunday, January 21, we host an intentional youth convention experience that we call the Youth Leadership Program. It includes a leadership development training and free attendance for a youth-focused leadership luncheon this year.”
Townsend added that the collaboration between the American Farm Bureau and youth organizations is important to everyone involved, as the youth are quite literally the future of agriculture.
“At Farm Bureau, partnering with organizations aimed at similar goals that we have in cultivating young ag leaders is an important priority and part of how we support youth,” Townsend said. “A huge part of it is because Farm Bureau needs the brightest minds and the hardest workers ready to solve agriculture’s challenges and explore new opportunities together. And we can’t do it alone, so partnerships are essential to the success of the industry, of agriculture, food, and natural resources.”
For more information, go to annualconvention.fb.org.
