MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Seven Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) members, who serve on the statewide young farmers & ranchers committee (YF&R). participated in tours, breakout sessions and networking opportunities at American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) FUSION conference this week in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
“It is heartening to see such a strong delegation of Massachusetts young farmers attend this national conference,” said MFBF President Ed Davidian, who farms in Northborough. “With the average age of farmers across the nation on the rise, it is important that we develop the skills and knowledge of the young people who are farming.”
While in Pittsburgh, members learned about innovation and financial planning; economic and rural growth; advocacy, outreach and education; and leadership training and implementation.
“The skills that these young farmers gained at this conference will stay with them for their entire life and help develop them into our future leaders,” Davidian said.
MFBF members who attended this conference, included:
- Jamie Cruz, MFBF YF&R chair and Littleton farmer
- Heidi Cooper, MFBF YF&R vice chair and Rochdale farmer
- Brianna Mann, MFBF YF&R secretary/treasurer and Malden farmer
- Ryan MacKay, MFBF past YF&R chair and Jefferson farmer
- Heather Bonanno, Methuen farmer
- James Cooper, Rochdale farmer
- Chris Grant, Essex farmer
This conference also concluded Cruz’s two-year appointment to the National YF&R committee. According to Cruz, “it has been an amazing journey serving on the AFBF YF&R Committee and it is something I hope all of YF&R State Committee members will at least apply for.”
Click here to view the most recent updates from the MFBF YF&R committee on Facebook.
—Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
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