FHSU Collegiate Farm Bureau members attend leadership conference
02/16/18
Fort Hays State University Collegiate Farm Bureau members recently attended the annual Kansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Rancher’s leadership conference in Manhattan.
The event provides tools, resources, information and encouragement for those building a foundation for their operation and the many who are considering a career in agriculture.
“Ad astra per aspera, meaning to the stars through difficulty, is not only the Kansas motto but the way of life for our state’s farmers and ranchers and the theme of this year’s conference,” said Amy France, Kansas YF & R committee chair.
“Through uncertainty, disaster and difficult years, farmers and ranchers adapt and find a way to survive,” she said.
Participants attended workshops in agricultural economics, agricultural mechanics, agricultural safety, animal science, current agricultural events, farm bureau, natural resources, plant science, rural community development, leadership and communication.
FHSU students who attended are listed alphabetically by hometown.
BIRD CITY: Jacob Brubaker, a senior majoring in political science, is a 2015 Cheylin High School graduate.
BUCKLIN: Allyson Rudd, a senior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2015 Bucklin High School graduate.
CHEYENNE WELLS, Colo.: Shaelyn Akers, a senior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2014 Cheyenne Wells High School graduate.
Katie Pelton, a senior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2014 Cheyenne Wells High School graduate.
DODGE CITY: Noah Day, a sophomore majoring in agricultural business, is a 2013 South Gray High School graduate.
DOWNS: Kendra Brummer, a senior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2015 Osborne High School graduate.
Jeremy Simmelink, a sophomore majoring in agricultural business, is a 2016 Rock Hills High School graduate.
HERNDON: Neil Portschy, a junior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2015 Rawlins County High School graduate.
LONGMONT, Colo.: Alexis Nehls, a junior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2015 Skyline High School graduate.
MANKATO: Allison Railsback, a junior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2016 Rock Hills High School graduate.
MINNEOLA: Brianna Stefan, a junior majoring in agriculture, is a 2016 Minneola High School graduate.
NORTON: Travis Cressler, a senior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2014 Norton High School graduate.
SHARON SPRINGS: Nick Smith, a senior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2013 Weskan High School graduate.
STOCKTON: Alison Miller, a senior majoring in agriculture, is a 2015 Stockton High School graduate.
- PAUL, Neb.: Sathena Scarborough, a freshman majoring in agriculture, is a 2017 St. Paul High School graduate.
STRATTON, Colo.: Celine Hornung, a senior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2014 Stratton High School graduate.
TURON: Garrett Geesling, a senior majoring in agriculture, is a 2015 Fairfield High School graduate.
VICTORIA: Anna Schmidtberger, a senior majoring in agricultural business, is a 2015 Victoria High School graduate.
WINFIELD: Audrie Bailey, a freshman majoring in agricultural business, is a 2017 Winfield High School graduate.
Collegiate members also had the opportunity to compete in the collegiate discussion meet, an event that challenges Collegiate Farm Bureau members to analyze agricultural issues and decide on solutions that best meet the needs of the industry.
“The competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant,” said Kelsey Stremel, digital marketing assistant director in FHSU’s University Relations and Marketing.
“Contestants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems through discussion of pre-selected topics,” she said.
FHSU Collegiate Farm Bureau sponsors were Stremel, Dr. Craig Smith, associate professor of agriculture, and Stephanie Eckroat, Ellis County Farm Bureau County Coordinator.
Members also had the opportunity to participate in the collegiate ag quiz bowl, which is open to teams from the Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters in Kansas. Contestants demonstrate their knowledge of topics relating to Kansas agriculture.
Brubaker took first place, winning $500 and an expense-paid trip to compete in the national contest at the 2019 American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in New Orleans. Schmidtberger and Bailey also competed in the final round of the discussion meet.