May 2008

Young Farmer Summer Expo to focus on variety
of agribusinesses

berry farm and winery tour, sunset cruise and agricultural discussion are all on the agenda for the third annual Young Farmer Summer Expo.

The Aug. 1-3 event on the Northern Neck will be sponsored by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer Committee. It is open to anyone age 18 to 35 but is geared to people who support agriculture through production, education, promotion or leadership. The goal this year is to have 75 or more participants.

Plans for the event are not final, but so far the expo will include tours of a seafood facility, a plantation and a berry farm and winery; semifinal rounds of the VFBF Young Farmer Discussion Meet; a sunset cruise; and a picnic dinner, according to Jessica Hynson, Summer Expo coordinator and Eastern District chairman for the Young Farmer Committee.

The Discussion Meet is an annual contest for young farmers who are producer members of Farm Bureau. It revolves around four agricultural topics selected by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Participants are given the topics prior to the competition so that they can research them. During the meet, young farmers cooperatively discuss the topics, work with each other to build a consensus and then form conclusions. Winners are selected based on their speaking ability, problem-solving capability and cooperative attitude.

Semifinalists will compete at the VFBF Annual Convention in early December, and a state winner will compete at the 2009 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in San Antonio in January.

At this summer’s expo, “we want participants to learn about a wide variety of agricultural operations,” Hynson said.

Tours are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Cowarts Seafood in Lottsburg and proceed to Omega Protein in Reedsville, followed by a sunset cruise and dinner. The Discussion Meet and additional tours will be held Saturday.

A picnic is scheduled for Saturday night, when the Discussion Meet finalists will be announced.

For updated information visit the VFBF Web site at www.vafb.com, and then select the “Our Programs” and “Young Farmers” options. Or call the Women’s and Young Farmer Department at 804-290-1031. The final agenda and registration information will be available by late May.

There is no registration fee, and registration includes all program events and most meals. Participants are required to make and pay for their hotel arrangements and optional tours offered on Sunday.