YF&R conference coming to town

“Springing Outward and Upward” is the theme of the Jan. 19-21, 2018 Wyoming Farm Bureau (WyFB) Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Conference in Thermopolis, at the Days Inn. The conference is open to young agricultural producers between the ages of 18-35 (no membership necessary) and all Farm Bureau members.

The conference kicks-off at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19. The keynote presentation “Modern Ag in a Facebook Culture” with Dr. Gary Sides begins at 1 p.m. Dr. Sides is entertaining and insightful and will take a look at how we can ensure a viable agricultural industry for our children and grandchildren.

Following a networking break, the next session will be at 3 p.m. where Wyoming Farm Bureau staff share about the organization and provide a legislative preview.

At 3:30 p.m., Albany County Ranchers Kyle and Stacy Berger will talk about “Outward Succession” and what young farmers and ranchers can do to work towards their agricultural goals. The Bergers share that they have gleaned much information from conferences like these and it is their goal to provide tools to help you use what you learn at this conference to advance your position in agriculture.

“Conflict Management” will be presented by American Farm Bureau Federation Trainer Lindsay Calvert at 4:30 p.m. The key to conflict is not to avoid it, but to learn how to identify and use conflict to achieve successful outcomes. Learn how personal conflict styles work and how to choose the appropriate style for any situation.

Friday evening’s dinner will provide more networking time and the chance to learn more about Farm Bureau.

Following Saturday’s 8 a.m. breakfast, “Estate Planning” will be presented by Larry Heiser. Heiser is a Certified Public Accountant from Worland with a strong background in estate planning which is important to all generations.

At 11 a.m. a panel “Insights and Innovations: Different Ways to Market Your Livestock” will include Pat Caines (Superior Livestock); Jeff Brown (Riverton Livestock Auction); and Karoline Rose (KRose Marketing & Consulting).

At noon attendees will see the Mock Discussion Meet to learn how they can win $500 and a national trip by competing in Farm Bureau’s Discussion Meet competition.

Saturday afternoon will be filled with area tours and will conclude with dinner at the VFW.

Sunday morning devotions at 8:30 a.m. will explore “What does the Bible have to say about succession planning?”

At 9 a.m. the “Outward Succession: Taking Steps to Advance Your Own Ag Operation” session will begin.

The agenda and registration form are available at http://www.wyfb.org or you may call 307-532-2002. The registration fee is $95/adult and the deadline is Jan. 10, 2018. Late registrations may be accepted based on availability after Jan. 10 at $135/adult.