02/13/19
Twenty-four members of Fort Hays State’s Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter recently attended the Kansas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Manhattan.

“This year, Kansas Farm Bureau is celebrating 100 years, and this year's YF&R Conference was focused on honoring traditions of the past while providing opportunities to cultivate progress in their future careers,” said Allison Railsback, Mankato senior majoring in agriculture education, chapter president.

The conference consisted of many events for students to attend including workshops, tours, and guest speakers. Two of the guest speakers were Kansas U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, Kansas First District.

Eight members also participated in the Agriculture Quiz Bowl open to all of the Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters in Kansas. The eight members split into two teams of four.

The first team was Kendra Brummer, Downs senior majoring in agricultural business, Trent Pauly, Viola senior majoring in agronomy, Railsback, and Brianna Stefan, Minneola senior majoring in animal science. They lost in the final round.

“The students agreed that this experience was beneficial for them and I am truly proud of how professional our members were during the conference and how well they represented Fort Hays State University,” said Railsback.

Other members who attended:

Miranda Atchison, Kirwin senior majoring in elementary education.

Jacob Brubaker, Bird City senior majoring in political science.

KelsiJo Crouch, Scott City junior majoring in agricultural business.

Todd Durler, Dodge City senior majoring in agricultural business.

Rileigh Gardner, Scandia sophomore majoring in agricultural business.

Garrett Geesling, Turon senior majoring in agronomy.

Geordan Hayden, Towanda sophomore majoring in animal science.

Kashli Holthaus, Tribune senior majoring in agricultural business.

Shea Mesik, Ottawa senior majoring in agricultural business.

Wyatt Neeland, Pawnee Rock senior majoring in agricultural business.

Wade Niermeier, Hoxie senior majoring in agricultural business.

Shay Northrup, Stoneham, Colo., junior majoring in agricultural business.

Katie Pelton, Cheyenne Wells, Colo., majoring in nursing.

Anna Schmidtberger, Victoria senior majoring in agricultural business.

Michaela Strecker, Minneola junior majoring in elementary education.

Morgan Tucker, Dighton junior majoring in animal science.

Tara Varner, Towanda senior majoring in agricultural business.

Chase Wagner, Esbon senior majoring in agricultural business.

Haley Winkel, Tipton junior majoring in agricultural business.

Kenton Wondra, Olmitz senior majoring in agricultural business.

Chapter sponsors are FHSU’s Kelsey Stremel, assistant director of digital marketing, Stephanie Eckroat, executive director of the Kansas Dairy Association and the Kansas Dairy Commission.