Young Farmer
Welcome to the Kentucky Farm Bureau Young Farmer Program, where young agriculturalists between the ages of 18-35 come together to improve their leadership and advocacy skills! Our program is all about connecting, growing, and developing young Kentucky Farm Bureau members through family-friendly opportunities and experiences.
Why you should join:
- Leadership Development: Strengthen your leadership skills with hands-on experiences and expert training. Become a leader for Kentucky agriculture!
- Agricultural Knowledge: Dive into agriculture with workshops, panels, and on-farm tours. Build your agricultural expertise and stay ahead of the curve.
- Community Connection: Connect with fellow farmers across the state. Share ideas, support each other, and grow together as a collaborative farming community.
- Family-Friendly Fun: Enjoy activities and events that are perfect for the whole family. Learn, grow, and have fun together!
Events
Young Farmer Leadership Conference
Get ready for two days packed with inspiration, learning, and fun! Our event features dynamic general sessions and hands-on workshops designed to help young farmers like you develop top-notch leadership skills and practical operational knowledge that you can use every day, both on and off the farm.
What to Expect:
- Inspiring Sessions: Kickstart the conference with motivational talks from industry leaders and fellow farmers who will share their success stories and insights.
- Interactive Workshops: Dive into extensive workshops where you'll learn the latest leadership strategies and agricultural knowledge.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, industry leaders, and subject matter experts. Share ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a fun and engaging environment.
- Fun for All: Join the group for our pre-conference event and closing celebration, where the focus is fun. These experiences provide the opportunity for attendees to build relationships and discuss the content of the conference in a fun setting.
Save the Date: The 2026 Young Farmer Leadership Conference will be held January 30-31 in Louisville, KY.
American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference
Each March, hundreds of young agricultural leaders gather together from across the country to learn, share, and grow.
What to Expect:
- Leadership Development: Apply takeaways from sessions on consumer outreach, membership value, advocacy, education, and leadership development.
- Networking: Share experiences and build lasting relationships with YF&R in various states.
- Community Service: Give back to the local community through charitable outreach and acts of kindness.
- Agricultural Tours: Experience agriculture in the host state through agriculture and industry tours.
- Celebration: Engage and celebrate Farm Bureau YF&R members at the Annual YF&R Banquet.
This event is also called the FUSION Conference. On alternating years, the event is held with the American Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership and Promotion & Education groups.
Registration: Registration for this event is completed through the AFBF registration site. Kentucky Farm Bureau does not register or book hotel rooms for members. Registration questions should be directed to AFBF’s events team.
Save the Date: The 2026 Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference will be held March 13-16 in Portland, Oregon.
Young Farmer Summer Outing
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at the KFB Summer Outing! This event is all about connecting and developing young farmers in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. Explore diverse agricultural operations throughout the state, and enjoy a mix of learning, competition, and entertainment for the whole family.
What to Expect:
- Agriculture Tours: Embark on exciting tours of various farms and agricultural operations. Discover new techniques, innovative practices, and the beauty of Kentucky's farming landscape.
- Informative Sessions: Dive into interesting and engaging general sessions where you'll learn from industry experts and fellow farmers. Gain valuable insights and knowledge to boost your farming skills.
- Young Farmer Contest: Show off your skills and compete in contests designed for young farmers. It's your chance to win some great prizes!
- Community Service: Make a positive impact by participating in our community service activity. Give back to the community while connecting with fellow farmers.
- Family Fun: Enjoy entertainment and activities designed for all ages. From games to live music, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Save the Date: The 2025 Young Farmer Leadership Conference will be held July 11-12 in Covington, KY.
Regional Young Farmer Outings
These events are all about bringing young farmers together for a fun and easy networking opportunity. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or just starting out, these outings are designed to help you connect with others in your region and engage with the KFB Young Farmer Program. These events are hosted across Kentucky, so you can determine which event is closest to your home and best fits your schedule.
What to Expect:
- Family-Friendly Fun: Bring the kids along! Our events are inclusive of children and designed to be enjoyable for the whole family.
- Half-Day Adventures: We know you're busy, so our outings are no more than half a day of programming. Perfect for fitting into your schedule!
- Free Participation: That's right, no cost to join in the fun. Just come ready to have a great time!
Young Farmer Luncheon
Hosted during the Kentucky Farm Bureau Annual Meeting each December, the Young Farmer Luncheon is a celebration of our young farmers' achievements! Enjoy lunch with friends while we honor young farmer contest winners and celebrate county young farmer successes. Join us as we reflect on the year behind us and gear up for an even better year ahead! Register for the luncheon through your county Farm Bureau.
Contests
Outstanding Young Farm Family
The Outstanding Young Farm Family recognizes Young Farmers who have excelled in their farm or ranch and have honed their leadership abilities to superiority. Participants are involved in production agriculture with a majority of their income subject to normal production risks. Judges evaluate competitor's excellence in management, growth and scope of their enterprise and self-initiative that have been displayed throughout the farm or ranch.
Excellence In Agriculture
The Young Farmers (YF) Excellence in Agriculture Award competition is designed as an opportunity for young farmers and ranchers to earn recognition, while actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Participants will be judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and participation/involvement in Farm Bureau and other organizations (i.e., civic, service and community). The ideal candidate(s) for the Excellence in Agriculture Award is an individual or couple who does not have the majority of his/her gross income subject to normal production risk.
Discussion Meet
Farm Bureau’s strength depends on its members’ abilities to analyze agricultural issues and decide on solutions that best meet their needs. The competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each committee member. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems. A successful participant is a productive thinker rather than an emotional persuader. He/she will assist the group in creating ways to implement the solutions discussed and highlight Farm Bureau’s involvement in those actions/steps.
2025 Discussion Meet Application
Meet Your Committee
The State Young Farmer Advisory Committee advocates for young farmers statewide, ensuring the program remains relevant and impactful for producers and growers across the state. Committee Members serve as ambassadors, connecting County Young Farmer Chairs with state programming and opportunities.
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Randy & Adysen Adams, District 1 |
Ben & Gabrielle Prevette, District 2 |
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Adam & Kristin Benham, District 3, Social Media Chair |
Ryan & Erin Arnett, District 4, Vice Chair |
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Alex & Katie Butler, District 5 |
Josh & Mackenzie Wright, District 6, Immediate Past Chair |
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Steve & Ann Margaret Hughes, District 7, Secretary |
Andrew & Maggie Simpson, District 8 |
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Terra Pigg, District 9 |
Justin & Katie Imel, District 10, Chair |
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Dillon & Angela Callahan, District 11 |
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Harvest for All
Welcome to Harvest for All, an incredible partnership between the Young Farmers and local charities dedicated to providing food and supplies to those in need across the state. Harvest for All is more than just a campaign; it's a statewide movement. State and county Farm Bureaus team up with local food charities and other organizations to organize activities that make a real difference in our communities. Together, we're working to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food and the basic supplies they need.
Get involved in your local county Farm Bureau's activities and be part of something bigger. These activities are designed to bring people together and support those in need. Every contribution counts, and together, we can harvest hope and make a lasting impact.
LEAD
Beginning in 1998, Kentucky Farm Bureau has been providing leadership training through our Leadership Enhancement for Agricultural Development (LEAD) Program. Since the program’s inception, 220 outstanding men and women from across the state have participated in this intensive learning experience focusing on political involvement, effective communication, personal development, and Farm Bureau involvement.
The LEAD Program is open to any Farm Bureau member between the ages of 25-40 who demonstrates leadership potential. An informational brochure may be found below.
Farm Bureau has always supported the development of young agricultural leaders. Through the LEAD Program, up to 16 young Farm Bureau members will have the opportunity to spend two years developing both personally and professionally.
Applications will be available in the Fall of 2026 for the 2027-2028 LEAD Class.
Young Farmer Scholarship
The Young Farmer Scholarship awards one $2,000 college scholarship and one $1,000 college scholarship to current college students each year. Monies for the KFB Young Farmer Scholarship are raised annually through the leadership of the KFB Young Farmer Advisory Committee. County Young Farmer Committees, with the support of their county boards, participate in an auction at the annual KFB Young Farmer Leadership Conference. To learn more and submit your application, check out the Scholarship page here.
Collegiate Farm Bureau
Welcome to Collegiate Farm Bureau, where students with a passion for agriculture come together to grow, learn, and connect! Our program is designed to enhance your future through professional development, industry networking, and educational activities, all while building awareness of Kentucky Farm Bureau.
Why you should join:
- Professional Development: Sharpen your skills and prepare for a successful career in agriculture with workshops, seminars, and leadership experiences.
- Industry Networking: Connect with industry professionals and fellow students who share your agricultural interests. Build valuable relationships that will last a lifetime.
- Educational Activities: Dive into engaging and interactive activities that expand your knowledge and keep you ahead in the field of agriculture.
- Campus Chapters: Join one of our chapters at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), Kentucky State University (KSU), Morehead State University (MSU), Murray State University (MSU), University of Kentucky (UK), and Western Kentucky University (WKU).