Cooperative Living January 2019 - 9

YoungFarmers | Story and photos by Pam Wiley, Virginia Farm Bureau
Program nurtures
rising generations of
agriculture leaders
A
s with successful crops of corn, soybeans or vegetables,
Virginia is fertile ground for new generations of farmers.
The state's largest agricultural organization is committed
to nurturing those rising generations.
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation's (VFBF) Young Farmers
Program was established for individuals between 18 and 35 who
want to make a difference in Virginia's largest industry. Participants
have access to personal development and leadership-building
opportunities on local, regional and state levels.
" The average age of Virginia's farmers is 59, and many are
quite a bit older, " notes VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor. " We
want their children and grandchildren to know that they, too,
are an important part of Virginia agriculture, and we want to
serve as a resource and an advocate for them.
" Many of our Young Farmers do indeed farm full or part time.
Others work in agribusiness or agriculture education. Some are ag
students, and others simply take an active interest in agriculture. "
In 2018 a group of VFBF Young
Farmers met with state legislators
during the Virginia General Assembly to
discuss issues of importance to
agriculture - and young producers. In
July, Young Farmers traveled to Washington
to meet with congressional leaders and
encourage support for rural broadband
initiatives. In the fall they staged their
fourth annual safety exhibit at the State
Fair of Virginia to remind motorists to
watch for slow-moving equipment.
The upcoming Virginia Farm Bureau
Federation Young Farmers Winter Expo
will be held in February in Smithfield.
The event will offer tours of farms,
processing facilities for peanuts and
cotton, a paper mill, the Smithfield
Innovation Center and Amadas
Industries, which manufactures
advanced harvest systems for peanuts.
" The Young Farmers Program has
been a great experience for me, " said
Kyle Sturgis of Northampton County,
newly elected chairman of the VFBF's
Young Farmers Committee. " The thing
I love the most about the program is the
ability to network with other young people
across the state who have a passion for
agriculture. It is great getting to build
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lasting friendships that will extend into the future with
my farming career. "
Sturgis is a precision agriculture specialist for Helena AgriEnterprises
LLC and works on his family's grain and vegetable
farm. The family also is a partner in an aquaculture operation
that raises clams and oysters.
At the other end of the state, Mindy McCroskey of Washington
County recently concluded a two-year term as Young Farmers
Committee chairman. " I love the Young Farmers program
because I get to collaborate with other farmers my age, " the cattle
producer and Abingdon High School agricultural educator and
FFA advisor said. " I enjoy their friendship and expertise. " 
Participants in Virginia Farm Bureau's 2018 Young Farmers Summer
Expo listened to a presentation on produce farming at Newmarket
Plantation in Caroline County.
January 2019 | Cooperative Living | 7
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Cooperative Living January 2019

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