Montana Farm Bureau offering paid trips to national leadership conference

The Montana Farm Bureau Foundation is offering an all-expense paid trip for two first-time attendees to the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Conference. This year’s conference is being held Feb. 21-23 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The annual leadership conference is designed to provide young Farm Bureau members with the skills needed to be the next generation of ag industry leaders. The conference offers motivational speakers, educational workshops, idea exchange sessions and great networking opportunities.

In addition, the conference will include educational tours of Hardy’s Tuleview Dairy, the Hill Air Force Museum, Mountainland Apple Orchard and the Olympic Oval, where attendees will enjoy dinner while watching a junior speed skating team and race demonstration or try their hand at curling, slapshot hockey or skating.

"As a young agriculturalist, this conference has real value in providing a positive setting for learning and networking with other young farmers and ranchers from across the United States," said Jeff Welborn, state Young Farmer & Rancher chair and cattle producer from Dillon. "The funding through the MFB Foundation makes this an opportunity that you can’t afford to pass up."

The Young Farmer & Rancher Program provides an opportunity for Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35 to come together and discuss issues and concerns affecting young rural citizens.

In addition, the program provides opportunities for leadership development and enables young adults to participate in what is the largest agriculture organization at both the state and national levels.

Eligible applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 and be a current paid member of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation.

Applications are available by contacting Danielle Rau, MFB Foundation, at 406-587-3153 or on the MFBF Web site at http://www.mfbf.org. The application deadline is Jan. 12, 2004.

Copyright 2003 Sidney Herald Leader.