Emerging agricultural leaders recognized by AFBF

Mar 12, 2024

By Farms.com

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) proudly announced the graduation of the 11th cohort from its esteemed Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) program. The initiative is designed to mold agricultural enthusiasts into formidable advocates for the sector, equipping them with necessary skills to lead conversations on farming issues at various levels.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall lauded the graduates for their perseverance and expressed eagerness to witness their impending positive impact on agriculture. The PAL program, noted for its rigorous and comprehensive curriculum, spans two years and covers essential advocacy areas, including effective storytelling, policy shaping, and stakeholder interaction.

This year's graduates hail from a broad geographic spread, demonstrating the program's reach and the diverse perspectives it encompasses. Their training, bolstered by support from key industry partners like Farm Credit and Bayer CropScience, sets a foundation for influential advocacy in agriculture.

With the door now open for applications to PAL Class 12, the AFBF is on the lookout for the next generation of leaders aged 30 to 45 who exhibit a passion for agricultural advancement. The application process underscores the importance of state Farm Bureau endorsement, ensuring that candidates are genuinely committed to agricultural advocacy.

Through the PAL program and its focus on developing skilled advocates, the AFBF is laying the groundwork for a future where agriculture’s voice is stronger and more influential, both in policy circles and within communities. This initiative not only celebrates individual achievement but also strengthens the collective force of agricultural advocacy across the United States.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.