Fourteen members of the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and Montana State University Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter learned all about using social media, toured farms and networked with young people interested in agriculture during the 2010 American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers National Leadership Conference.

The event, held Feb. 19-22 in Tulsa, Okla., was appropriately themed “Stand Up, Speak Out,” as it focused on using social media as a new and exciting way for young farmers and ranchers to share their stories and spread the message of agriculture.

One MSU student, Alena Ogg, made the final four out of 39 competitors in the Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet. There were 39 competitors from across the nation who discussed solutions to selected agricultural issues and challenges. “The fact that the other competitors were very prepared made the discussion meet realistic and intense because everyone had a different strategy. It was motivating to hear how other young farmers and ranchers are active in their Farm Bureau programs, and the different initiatives that are being incorporated to combat the issues we discussed,” Ogg said. “I was thrilled to make it to the final four where I went up against three other top-notch students. I definitely learned more about the intent of this competition, and I would like to move on and compete in the National Young Farmer & Rancher Discussion Meet.”

Ogg received a $1,000 scholarship for her achievement and was thankful that she had the opportunity to participate. “I had a lot of fun at the competition and am happy with the results,” the Montana State University student said. “This opportunity gave me a chance to not only think about these questions, but to develop ideas and initiatives that Farm Bureau members could be a part of as well.”

Jason Ferguson, vice president of MSU Collegiate Farm Bureau, attended the national conference for the second time, having attended last year’s event in Sacramento. “The workshops and breakout sessions provided wonderful opportunities to learn about important issues and what we can do to become proactive concerning these issues that affect agriculture,” Ferguson noted.

The workshops included working with family members of different generations within your operation; how to effectively use social media as a means to tell our story about agriculture; and how to successfully communicate with politicians and legislators on issues that are critically important to Farm Bureau members.

Ferguson found the Issues Management workshop especially compelling because “it really opened our eyes to issues that face other state Farm Bureaus. We discussed methods to speak to legislators in ways that are more personal than a generic letter with a signature. It taught us how to let non-agricultural people know why certain issues are of such importance to us.”