BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) brought together over 300 of its members to Bemidji this past weekend its annual Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Promotion (LEAP) Conference, held at the Sanford Center.
Developed and hosted by members of the MFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) and Promotion and Education (P&E) Committees, the two-day conference featured workshops, breakout sessions and networking opportunities to help attendees grow both personally and professionally.
Each year, MFBF is proud to give back to the community that hosts the LEAP Conference as it rotates locations across the state. This year, MFBF partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Bemidji Garden Program, with its members raising funds and gifting raised garden beds and other gardening supplies. The program offers youth hands-on agricultural learning through planting and harvesting over 30 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Friday evening’s welcome banquet featured a keynote presentation from social media content creator The Iowa Dairy Farmer Dan Venteicher, followed by the recognition of four individuals for their contributions to Farm Bureau and agriculture:
- Calla Jarvie (Rock County Farm Bureau), P&E Advocate of the Year
- Katie Lee (East Polk County Farm Bureau), P&E Golden Apple Award
- Jason and Caitlin Keck (Steele County Farm Bureau), YF&R Golden Pitchfork Award
- Matthew Johnson (Meeker County Farm Bureau), Outstanding Friend of YF&R
The conference also spotlighted the next generation of agriculture leaders through YF&R competitions.
Aina Perez (Washington/Ramsey County Farm Bureau), a senior at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities won the YF&R Collegiate Discussion Meet and moves on to represent Minnesota at the American Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet during the YF&R Leadership Conference, March 13-16 in Portland.
Additionally, the YF&R Committee hosted preliminary rounds of the YF&R Discussion Meet. The following eight contestants advanced to the semifinals, which will take place during the MFBF Annual Meeting in November: Jeanne Anderson (Chippewa County Farm Bureau), Emily Bosch (Chippewa County Farm Bureau), Jesse Haarmann (Steele County Farm Bureau), Philip Horsager (Chippewa County Farm Bureau), Lily Krona (West Polk County Farm Bureau), Mary Lanoue (Lyon County Farm Bureau), Braden Lertourneau (Washington/Ramsey County Farm Bureau), and Kloe Wadd (Waseca County Farm Bureau).
For more information or to request additional event photos including the contests and award winners mentioned above, contact Rachel Reisig, director of communications at 612-916-9958 or rachel.reisig@fbmn.org.
