Members of UT’s Collegiate Farm Bureau, 4-H, and FFA at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference. Photo courtesy of Celina Menard.
This article was written by agricultural leadership, education, and communications student Bella Orr.
Collegiate Farm Bureau, 4-H, and FFA officers and members from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, recently had the opportunity to attend the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in Portland, Oregon.
Throughout the conference, Herbert students connected with fellow Collegiate Farm Bureau members and young producers representing a wide range of agricultural backgrounds. From grape growers in Pennsylvania to apple producers in Washington, the experience provided a unique opportunity to learn from diverse operations and perspectives within the agriculture industry.
Pre-Conference Activities
The trip began with a visit to the Columbia River Gorge, where students explored Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon. On the second day, the group traveled to Tillamook, Oregon, where they toured the Tillamook Creamery. Students observed cheese production, packaging processes, and sampled a variety of Tillamook’s dairy products. That evening, the conference officially began with a first-timers session and welcome reception, offering valuable networking opportunities, including conversations with representatives from the FFA Foundation, Agriculture Future of America, and Farm Credit West.
Leadership and Professional Development
Conference programming officially kicked off on day three with a general session led by Keni Thomas, a former U.S. Army Ranger known for his service in the Black Hawk Down mission. Drawing from his military experience, he emphasized trust, accountability, and putting the needs of a team before personal recognition; principles that strongly resonate within the agriculture industry and the American Farm Bureau mission. The message on servant leadership set the tone for the remainder of the conference. Herbert students attended the Collegiate Discussion Meet where construction science and management student Tate Kerns competed at the national level and progressed to the Sweet Sixteen round of the competition. Additional highlights included a networking lunch and breakout sessions focused on succession planning, effective communication strategies, advocacy, and current agricultural trends. The Tennessee delegation also connected with members from Alabama Farm Bureau for an evening of relationship-building and professional networking.
The fourth day featured another general session with Kaitlyn Thornton, who shared her experiences in the apple industry and her work educating consumers through social media. Students continued to engage in professional development through breakout sessions on topics including consumer perception, campus engagement, and agricultural finance, followed by the Young Farmers and Ranchers awards celebration that evening.
Service Opportunities
On the final day, attendees participated in a service project in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, helping remove invasive English ivy while learning about the region’s biodiversity. The group observed local wildlife, including osprey and rough-skinned newts, in their natural habitat. The conference concluded with the Grande Finale event at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, where students toured the historic USS Blueback (SS-581), a submarine in service with the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1990. This event provided more time to connect with other Collegiate Farm Bureau members and learn about joining Young Farmers and Ranchers after graduation.
Student Impact
Overall, the experience provided students with invaluable opportunities to expand their professional networks, deepen their understanding of the agricultural industry, and grow as emerging leaders in agriculture. The opportunity to travel to Portland, Oregon, with the American Farm Bureau Federation would not have been possible without the support of the Herbert College of Agriculture.