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Each year, Texas Farm Bureau's Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee sponsors a fall get-together designed to bring young agricultural producers together for fun, fellowship and learning. It still seemed like summer to those who attended this year's YF&R Fall Tour in Ft. Worth, Sept. 9-11, but the warm temperatures didn't dampen the spirits of the 90 people who were there.
This year's attendees enjoyed a wide variety of tours and activities that appealed to interests of all types.
"We always try to put together a program that includes something for everyone," said Si Cook, TFB's Organization Programs director. "We started with lunch and a tour at a Buffalo Ranch in Denton the first day. It was interesting to see how people reacted to the menu , which was Buffalo Burgers."
The group then toured the Peterbilt Truck manufacturing plant and then traveled to a thoroughbred horse breeding facility in Pilot Point.
"Our aim is to get our folks into some places that they wouldn't have access to on their own. The Peterbilt plant in Denton is one of only two in the United States, and Valor Farms is truly an exceptional breeding facility. You just don't walk up to these businesses and ask to be shown around," Cook said. "The folks at both facilities couldn't have been any more accommodating."
Several new twists were added to this year's tour as well. For the first time, all former YF&R Advisory Committee members and AgLead participants were invited.
"It provided for a reunion of sorts for those folks, and we hope to continue and expand that segment of the tour in years to come," Cook said.
The YF&R Committee also inserted a little leadership training into this year's tour. Trent Loos, a sixth generation rancher and self-described "agricultural activist," joined the group for the entire weekend and spoke formally on two occasions. Trent's message focused on getting those who produce food and fiber in this country to speak out on their own behalf.
"We need to be proactive instead of just reactive." Trent said.
Other highlights of the tour were visits to Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers headquarters and Superior Livestock Marketing, which uses video to sell various classes of livestock to a nationwide audience.
