June 2009

Summer expo is a chance for young farmers to network, learn

Farm tours, a tractor safety demonstration, political forum and picnic are all on tap for this year’s Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Summer Expo.

The annual event will kick off July 31 at Farm Bureau’s state office in eastern Goochland County. Participants will attend a Farm Bureau-sponsored gubernatorial candidates’ forum there.

The forum will give Republican and Democratic candidates a chance to answer questions generated by members of Farm Bureau and other agricultural groups.

The summer expo, which will run through Aug. 2, is open to anyone ages 18–35 but is geared toward those who support agriculture through production, education, promotion or leadership.

After the Friday afternoon forum, expo events will be at the Doswell Community Center just north of Ashland in Hanover County. They will include the first round of the annual Young Farmer Discussion Meet. For the first time, the Outstanding Young Agriculturalist Award competition will occur during the expo as well.

District winners—high school juniors and seniors—will make presentations on “Farm Bureau—Building the Leaders of Tomorrow.” A state winner will be selected from the competition.

Discussion Meet finalists will compete at the VFBF Annual Convention in early December, and the state winner will compete at the AFBF Annual Convention in January.

Expo participants also will have a chance to tour a large grain operation and a community-supported agriculture farm as well. The day’s activities will culminate with a tractor safety demonstration and picnic. Discounted tickets will be available for an optional Sunday trip to Kings Dominion.

For updated information, visit VaFarmBureau.org and click on “Our Programs,” then “Young Farmers” and then “Young Farmers Spotlight.” Or call the VFBF Women’s Young Farmer Department at 804-290-1032.