Texas Farm Bureau programs: Worthy of comparison with our own

During its recent bus trip the 2025 ProFILE class met with Texas Farm Bureau executives at their headquarters in Waco. 

After a quick introduction from Roger Hall, associate director of leadership development, Organization Director Dr. Whit Weems shared his experience growing up on a small farm in Erath County, his 14 years as an AgriLife Extension agent, his work with the Tri-County Agribusiness Association, and finally how Farm Bureau influenced each of those roles.

Weems explained the measures and leadership it took to resolve the City of Waco’s environmental concerns regarding local dairy farms, and described his role overseeing Texas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer & Rancher program, and educational outreach efforts toward urban youth.

With that he turned things over to Youth Outreach Coordinator McKenna Bush, who explained the educational and outreach programs she oversees, including their expanded Student Success Series focusing on grades 8-12 in four different themes.

It starts with “Jumpsmart,” a virtual program for new eighth-graders to learn about Texas agriculture, Farm Bureau and the vast array of careers in the industry. Ninth-graders take part in “Activate” to better understand farm life, the agricultural supply chain, personal branding and planning one’s own legacy. 

Grades 10 and 11 “Engage” more directly with agriculture by touring a local farm and visiting with community ag leaders for insights into the free enterprise system, plus guidance for navigating social media.

Finally, high school seniors “Thrive” with lessons in leadership and public speaking from motivational speakers. They learn about agricultural marketing and dive deeper into social media and digital advocacy.

Beyond the Student Success Series, Texas Farm Bureau also offers a variety of youth outreach programs. 

Ag Ventures challenges students to conceptualize an agricultural product, commodity or service in a “Pitch It, Market It, Sell It” competition. Ten top winners each receive a $1,500 scholarship; the top six get another $6,000 scholarship and an awards trip to Washington D.C. 

Youth in Texas FFA or Texas 4-H can compete in the Speak Out for Agriculture challenge to build problem-solving and communication skills in an agricultural context. 

Texas Farm Bureau also works closely with FFA and 4-H on an Ag Mechanics Grant Program, featuring competitions that’ve so far awarded more than $550,000 in student scholarships.

Also their impressive Collegiate Farm Bureau program boasts chapters at Texas A&M, Midwestern State University, Tarleton State University and other ag-friendly schools to help develop future leaders while keeping students engaged in the industry. Collegiate members enjoy a Farm Bureau Quiz Bowl that offers competition that expands their knowledge of Farm Bureau, production agriculture and discussion meet topics.

Associate Director for Educational Outreach Jordan Bartels explained Texas’ next step in education support: helping the teachers. With real-world experience keeping cattle and horses in line, she found keeping Ag in the Classroom programs in shape was a little different. All of its programs meet or exceed state requirements, from homeschool to continuing education. 

The youngest (K-5) levels participate in “Farm From School,” based on live virtual farm visits monthly. Homeschoolers have a “Homeschool Agriculture Academy,” a hands-on program offering farm visits for both students and instructors.

Texas Farm Bureau also hosts “Ag on the Go,” which takes ag education to schools — including urban centers — in a trailer, similar to Michigan’s FARM Science Labs and Van. 

Outreach also takes the form of grant programs, including the Learning from the Ground Up Garden Grant Program, which helps fund school gardening and teaching related lessons at every grade level. 

After high school, the focus shifts toward leadership. Hall detailed several programs, contests and committees Texas Farm Bureau maintains to develop leadership skills in young members. Their Young Farmer and Rancher committee manages contests honoring outstanding Young Farmers and teachers, with hefty awards to entice farmers in from the field and ranchland. The 15-member Young Farmer & Rancher committee is always trying new ideas; their “Summer Social” event attracted more 120 participants in its first year.

Similar to Michigan’s ProFILE, Texas offers a seven-session “AgLead” program, in which 12-member classes take a deep dive into leadership, communication and coalition-building. 

Some of those fresh leaders created “Farmers Feeding Families,” which donates to local food banks, with the state Farm Bureau chipping in $1,000 each. 

One Texas Farm Bureau motto — “Bring the Teacher What They Need” — has paid off in bringing in membership, involvement and overall ag education at every level, from kindergarteners finger-painting cows to Collegiate-level discussion meets. Their success in education, outreach and leadership development, statewide, is impressive and deserves a tip of the hat.

Cole Wood is a member of the Sanilac County Farm Bureau.