Relax, connect, enrich at Young Farmer Leaders Conference

Spent? Burnt out? SO done?

We get it.

Refuel and recharge at the 2023 Young Farmer Leaders Conference, arguably the ultimate statewide networking event for active — and aspiring — Farm Bureau members, ages 18-35. This is where your generation comes together to forge relationships with like-minded peers from Monroe and Marcellus to Minden, Mancelona, McMillan and Marenisco.

You also stand a chance of learning a thing or two — useful, practical content you can take home after two short days and put to good use on your farm, in your community and with your family.

MFB’s 2023 Young Farmer Leaders Conference, Feb. 24-26 at the Lansing Center, is an opportunity to hone your existing skills and gain some new ones as you’re updated on current industry trends and enrich your engagement in the Farm Bureau organization.

Registration opens Jan. 3 and closes Jan. 16.

Attendees can take advantage of unique ag-facility tours, take in breakout sessions, break bread with their Farm Bureau family and indulge in some friendly competition.

This year’s Friday tour options are loaded:

• Visit nearby Gratiot County to witness vibrant agri-business redevelopment through the efforts of Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.; Michigan Agricultural Commodities, Inc.; and Agroliquid’s “A in Ashley” project.
• Pigs, Plants & Public Health: Tour some of Michigan State University’s most innovative research facilities, including the swine farm, veterinary diagnostic lab and the plant science research facility.
• Learn about food access and security at Lansing’s innovative Allen Park Neighborhood Center, home to the Hunter Park Garden House and Incubator Kitchen Program, followed by a trip to the MSU Extension Food Processing and Innovation Center to experience real-time food production.
• School House Rock Revisited pries open the world of politics with a visit to the Michigan Hall of Justice and Heritage Hall, the new state capitol visitors’ center, followed by a briefing from MFB’s State Government Relations staff focused on farmer advocacy in the policy realm.

All four tours will end at Impression 5 Science Center in downtown Lansing, where attendees can mingle and explore exhibits while enjoying heavy appetizers.

Saturday’s docket is packed with 10 repeating breakouts throughout the day. Content ranges from launching or boosting agritourism to strengthening your financial-records game with experienced advisors. Member panels will share real-world experience in MFB’s Young Farmer Awards and the meat-n-potatoes of Farm Bureau member engagement. Visit the conference website for the full list!

Saturday night focuses on fun with a general reception and live auction to benefit the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture, plus a fun keynote from Jay and Laura Laffoon with a serious message about balancing farming and family.

After that comes the competition: team games, individual games, and Putt-Putt Pantry — a take on mini golf that challenges each district to build putt-putt holes out of groceries, after which all that food will be donated to Lansing-area hunger-relief efforts.

Things wrap up Sunday with breakfast and three final workshops digging into topics like agritourism business planning and DOT regulations specific to agriculture.

Sound good? Don’t miss it — this is gonna be a good one!

Register Jan. 3-16 by contacting your county Farm Bureau to lock in your spot. Visit michfb.com/yflc for all the details!