Young Farmers Gain Insights and Skills at Conference
Editor’s Note: submitted by Kathy Siler, condensed from the Michigan Farm Bureau
More than 300 young farmers from around the state gathered in Grand Rapids Feb. 28 through March 2 for Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) 2014 Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference. Centered on the theme “Get Involved, Take a Stand,” sessions included opportunities to increase professional development, such as estate planning, reducing farm safety risks, integrating ag technology, global trade and the 2014 elections. “Our goal is to provide young farmers with the tools necessary to manage their farms and take charge of their future,” said Jason Jaekel, manager of MFB’s Young Farmer department. “They were challenged to participate in a policy development activity, reinforcing the importance of having their voice heard on issues affecting Michigan farms.”
Attending from Washtenaw County were Chad and Travis Fusilier, Katelyn and Natalie Horning, David and Nathan McCalla and MFB District 3 Young Farmer Representative Julie Thelen.
Pre-conference activities kicked off with two great tour options to 8 farms around the Grand Rapids area. “The tours provided an opportunity to see a variety s of farming operations”, said David McCalla. “I really enjoyed visiting Victory Farms and seeing all the different kinds of root-veggies they grow, including parsnips.” His brother Nathan was impressed with the technology and specialized equipment at Dietrich Orchards for apple storage. “There were even auto sensors on the doors between buildings to maintain optimum temperatures”, he said.
The main event kicked off with MFB President Wayne Wood inspiring participants; reminding them that each one was there because “someone in your county farm bureau thought you had leadership potential”. Friday night’s Harvest for All auction closed the first evening. Between the auction and cash donations during the weekend; the young farmers raised $5,125 for Harvest for All and area food banks.
Keynote speakers for the conference included AgProVise Founder Lori Culler and Paul X. Rinn. Culler offered her experience in management, consulting, profitability and sustainability. Rinn provided stories of his time as a U.S. Navy captain, focusing on ordinary people achieving great things when they have the skills and opportunity.
In addition to its educational components, the conference provided young farmers an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from each other. Natalie Horning cited the Policy Development session as one of the highlights of the conference for her. “It really gave us an opportunity to experience the process”, she said. “We worked in small groups to develop resolutions and then came together as a whole group to discuss and vote on which ones we would adopt”.
MFB’s annual Young Farmer Leaders’ Conference offers farmers ages 18 to 35 a combination of leadership development, informative seminars and idea exchanges, all with a focus on building a strong new generation of agricultural producers to lead Michigan’s second-largest industry into the future.
About the Washtenaw attendees:
The Fusiliers graduated from Manchester High School. Travis participated in an Ag Education Study Tour in the Ukraine last September. He is pursuing an Agribusiness degree at Michigan State University. Chad helps manage the family farm and recently launched his own horticulture and vegetable enterprise on M52 near Segar Rd.
The Hornings graduated from Manchester High School. Natalie attends MSU and recently received the Outstanding First Year Dairy Club Member award. With over 100 members, the MSU Dairy Club is a professional and social organization that allows its members to experience the dairy industry beyond the classroom. Katelyn is one of two MSU students to receive the Jack & Betty Barnes Scholarship from the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation for the 2013-2014 academic year. The scholarship is earmarked towards completing an international study experience. She is pursuing a degree in animal science and agri-business management.
The McCallas grew up on Broadview Farms which has been in their family since 1914. They are graduates of Milan High School. David earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Systems and Agribusiness Management from MSU. He is employed as a Crop Production Consultant for Crop Production Services in Ann Arbor. Nathan has also studied at MSU and currently works fulltime on his family farm where they raise corn, wheat, soybeans and hay.
Thelen graduated from Saline High School. She earned a degree at MSU in Agriscience Education and Animal Science. Thelen completed her Master of Science in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University while teaching agricultural education courses in Indiana. Since last June she has worked for Michigan State University Extension as the statewide 4-H Livestock and Veterinary Science Educator. She still raises purebred beef cattle and helps out on the family farm in Saline.
Young Farmers’ Leader Conference: Washtenaw attendees: front row: Katelyn Horning, Julie Thelen, Natalie Horning; back row: Travis Fusilier, Nathan McCalla, Chad Fusilier, David McCalla
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