YF&R Conference Sessions

Saturday, February 26, 2022

11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

Farm Economic Outlook for 2022 – Daniel Much - AFBF – Advocacy & Policy
Olmstead Ballroom 5
Join AFBF Associate Economist Danny Much to learn about the crop and livestock markets for the upcoming year, including information on COVID-19 consumer behavior shifts and supply chain woes. This session will also cover how frequent natural disasters are changing the role of government assistance in national farm income.

Hello! My Name is . . . – Jill Brown – Northwestern Missouri State University– Leadership Development
Olmstead Ballroom 6-7
Every day we cross paths with others. Learn how to maximize those connections and set yourself up for success after graduation. Personal branding and social media strategies will also be addressed.

Crucial Conversations – Jordan Henry - AFBF – Leadership Development
Olmstead Ballroom 2-3
Crucial Conversations teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional or risky topics – at all levels of our organization. By learning how to speak and be heard, we’ll surface the best ideas, make good decisions and then be able to act on our decisions with unity and commitment. This training is based on the New York Time’s bestselling book “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When the Stakes are High.”

What does the new tax law mean for your farming future – Paul Neiffer, CPA – CliftonLarsonAllen LLP – Advocacy & Policy
Olmstead Ballroom 4
Many new tax laws have been put in place by Congress. These changes will have a dramatic effect on your farm operation. We will go over these changes and planning to minimize the impact.

Retirement Planning for Younger Generation – Steve Hamilton - Nationwide - On the Farm
Olmstead Ballroom 1
Learn the importance of starting retirement planning now. Nationwide is committed to the ag community and understands that retirement is unique to everyone. That’s why we define it as your vision for the future, not as dollars and benchmarks. Since retirement seems far off, it’s hard to imagine for many young farmers, so start planning today to help ensure a secure financial future.

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions

Profitable Marketing Starts with Risk Management – Richard Jelinek & Danny O’Bryan, StoneX Financial Inc. – FCM Division – Niche
Olmstead Ballroom 5
Your livelihood not only depends on the success of your production but how well you market it. You are faced with the decision on when and how to sell in an ever changing and volatile marketplace. In this session, you will learn about the importance of managing price risk and key marketing tools that should be considered in order to be positioned for success and profitability in all market environments.

Engaging Members through Farm Bureau Committee Programs – Jon Iverson, AFBF AFBF YF&R Chair, Andrea Brossard, AFBF P&E Vice Chair and Isabella Chism, AFB Women’s Leadership Chair – Leadership Development
Olmstead Ballroom 4
During this panel discussion, the three American Farm Bureau Committee Chairs will discuss the unique purpose for each Farm Bureau committee and spotlight how each program engages members in unique ways. Attendees will learn about specific programming each committee has to offer and how all three committees work together to accomplish the mission of the organization.

Building a Profitable Cattle Operation with a Focus on High Quality Beef - Josh Worthington – Worthington Angus – On The Farm
Olmstead Ballroom 1
Building a cattle operation that creates value in the future requires a disciplined approach to focusing on the end product and therefore the end user, the consumer. Understanding the tools available in the beef industry are an essential piece of the puzzle. Without inheriting one acre, one cow or one dollar, Josh quit his day job and set out in his early thirties to build a cattle operation that could stand on its own. The keys that he used to build his program can be utilized to develop any farm, ranch or business. By focusing on the people, the product and the performance of the business, long-term success is attainable.

Change Starts with Me – Dr. Mia Farrell – University of Kentucky – Leadership Development
Olmstead Ballroom 2-3
Change Starts with Me, is a workshop that will begin with self-awareness and is ultimately designed to facilitate positive intergroup interaction while teaching individuals who are different from others how to work together effectively.

Tackling Tough Ag Topics – Johnna Miller – AFBF - Advocacy & Public Policy – Olmstead
Ballroom 6-7
It can be tough talking about controversial agricultural topics with non-farmers, but it’s necessary. This workshop focuses on building trust and encouraging productive discussion. It will give you tools to make it easier to tackle those tough topics without being “unfriended” or getting blocked on Twitter.

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

Future Seed Technology – Jim Schweigert & Pat Miller – ASTA – On The Farm
Olmstead Ballroom 1
This program will start with a pipeline discussion and profit opportunities with seed traits. This research is driving towards systems that will partner growers and seed companies for unique and innovative market solutions. Sustainability initiatives that will drive agriculture production and revenues start with seed. Subsequent policy implications will be discussed, including guidance.

Hello My Name is…. – Jill Brown – Northwestern Missouri State University – Leadership Development
Olmstead Ballroom 6-7
Every day we cross paths with others. Learn how to maximize those connections and set yourself up for success after graduation. Personal branding and social media strategies will also be addressed.

Profitable Marketing Starts with Risk Management – Richard Jelinek & Danny O’Bryan, StoneX Financial Inc. – FCM Division– Niche
Olmstead Ballroom 5
Your livelihood not only depends on the success of your production but how well you market it. You are faced with the decision on when and how to sell in an ever changing and volatile marketplace. In this session, you will learn about the importance of managing price risk and key marketing tools that should be considered in order to be positioned for success and profitability in all market environments.

When is a Long Time Too Long? – Steve Issacs – University of Kentucky –Leadership Development
Olmstead Ballroom 2-3
This session will use a case study approach to examine how long-term leadership positions may impact the development of new leaders and the vitality of the organization.

Washington Policy Update – Emily Buckman, Dustin Sherer & Andrew Walmsley -AFBF – Advocacy & Public Policy
Olmstead Ballroom 4
Hear the latest updates from Washington, D.C. about significant and relevant activity in Congress, the Administration, and the Courts on issues important to American farmers and ranchers.

Sunday, February 27, 2022

11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

How to Create a Compelling Story for your Agri-Brand – Brian Bennett – STIR Advertising & Integrated Messaging – Niche
Olmstead Ballroom 4
Young farmers and ranchers are cultivating an exciting future that should be shared via a powerful story that creates connections and grows customers into loyal ambassadors. This session will teach you how to identify your brand’s persona and activate it through various media channels.

Your Ag Literacy Toolbox – Sierra Comstock – AFBF – Consumer Engagement
Olmstead Ballroom 1
Have you been searching for opportunities to help share the story of agriculture? Check out the FREE tools that are available to YF&R members to easily and effectively do just that! The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is making it simpler to tell the story of agriculture and move the needle in consumer awareness. Let’s help educate those around us!

Break Out of the Echo Chamber – Sarah Bohl –Etiquette Expert – Leadership Development
Olmstead Ballroom 2-3
It's often said that you are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with. The very same can also be said about the news sources you consume. When you are advocating to someone that may not agree with you, it's critical to be able to compassionately recognize our own biases and have effective listening and communicating techniques.

The Collegiate and Young Professional Resume – Jacob Vazquez – Butte College –Collegiate
Olmstead Ballroom 6-7
As students and young professionals, how do we market ourselves when competing against those with years of experience? For the next 60 minutes, we’ll master developing an effective resume - specifically tailored for your stage in life. Hear from Agribusiness Professor Jacob Vazquez, who in his Careers in Agriculture course, has helped nearly 200 students develop their own effective resumes.

Influencing Policy and Perception in Ag – Michelle Miller – Farm Babe LLC – Advocacy & Policy
Olmstead Ballroom 5
The average person is so far removed from agriculture and doesn’t always have an accurate perception of where their food comes from. Join Michelle Miller, the Farm Babe, to learn how to better share your story to ensure policy and voting stay in favor of ag issues. Together, our collective voices in ag can persuade corporations, media campaigns, celebrities, policy and more.

Farm Succession Planning Strategies for Young Farmers – Ron Hanson – University of Nebraska-Lincoln – On the Farm
Wheat
Implementing a transition plan is crucial for passing a family farm to a next generation of young farmers. Succession planning often presents challenging questions. Finding answers is an essential strategy for keeping a farm in the family. This program will identify guidelines and share planning solutions to ensure a successful transfer of farm ownership and management to young farmers.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions

Win Them Over: How to Crush the Job Interview- Sarah Bohl & Eric Bohl – Etiquette Expert & Missouri Farm Bureau- Collegiate
Olmstead Ballroom 2-3
Acing a job interview doesn't have to be hard. With some simple updated tools and quick preparations, you can confidently field any curve ball thrown your way.

Engaging Millennials – Ken Culp & Kelsey Evans – University of Kentucky & Ridley Specialty Products – Leadership Development
Olmstead Ballroom 6-7
Millennials are the second largest generation in history but currently constitute the greatest workforce percentage. Distinctly different than previous generations, Millennials have expectations, feel entitled to share those expectations, and expect to be accommodated. Twelve expectations will be shared, which Farm Bureau must consider when involving Millennials as Farm Bureau members and volunteers.