GFB News Magazine
Inspiration & professional development core of YF&R Conference
by Jay Stone
News Writer
Posted on September 2, 2025 3:33 PM
Whether it was inspiration from keynote speaker Amberley Snyder, practical advice on succession planning or learning during informative breakout sessions, attendees at the 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Summer Leadership Conference grew.
The conference, held July 16-19 on Jekyll Island, operated with the theme, “Where You Belong.”
During the opening session on July 17, GFB President Tom McCall emphasized that Farm Bureau needs young farmers’ and ranchers’ involvement to continue its mission of influencing legislators to affect public policy.
“On our trip to D.C., those folks up there listened to y’all,” McCall said. “We want you to get involved. Get in touch with your county’s legislative committee chair. We need you on that legislative committee.”
Professional rodeo cowgirl Amberley Snyder shared her story that inspired the movie “Walk. Ride. Rodeo.” / Photo by Logan Thomas
No future in giving up
Professional rodeo cowgirl Snyder provided the keynote address at the opening session, sharing her experiences, observations and motivations as she has transitioned into life as a paraplegic after a 2010 vehicle accident. She inspired the Netflix movie “Walk. Ride. Rodeo.”
Her journey from the accident to competing nationally as a barrel racer has taken her from relearning basic life skills, adjusting to new ways to get on and ride a horse, and driving a pickup adapted with an array of hand controls.
She’s also married, zip-lined in her wheelchair, paraglided, written a book and produced the movie. At every step, there have been people who helped her see a way through.
“There will be experiences in all of our lives when we need help,” Snyder said. “Just because I had to have help doesn’t lessen my achievements.”
Snyder shared her thoughts on overcoming obstacles.
“We don’t get to choose our obstacles, but we do get to choose how we will handle them,” she said. “When you come to a limit you think you have, take one more step.”
Snyder emphasized that whatever a person’s journey is, progress is a reward that can keep them going.
“We get to decide what we’re capable of. There is no future in giving up,” she said.
Getting involved in GFB
The breakout session “Rooted in Opportunity: A Panel of Young Voices in Ag,” further encouraged conference attendees to become active in Farm Bureau. The panelists included: GFB YF&R Committee members Cole and Nicole Roper; GFB State Affairs Manager Adam Belflower; 2024 Excellence in Agriculture winners Kaitlyn and Kaleb Marchant of Oglethorpe County; and Amelia Jackson, of Floyd County, who served on the 2023/24 GFB YF&R Committees with her husband, Cleve.
Their overall message: Get involved in as many GFB activities as possible and stay engaged. The Ropers, who grow sweet corn they sell from their farm, discussed how the GFB Certified Farm Markets program has boosted their roadside stand.
“It’s a good program, and if you’re looking to sell directly to the public, it’s a good way to get started,” Cole said. “It took our farm to the next level.”
Belflower discussed how young farmers and ranchers can remain involved in Farm Bureau after the YF&R program, noting the activities GFB’s Public Policy Department offers to facilitate engagement between GFB members and elected officials, including GFB Day at the Capitol, the Presidents’ trip to D.C., issue-driven campaigns and the organization’s commodity advisory committees.
“For our organization to be successful, our members have to engage, and it’s important for you to learn these things through YF&R,” Belflower said.
Kaitlyn Marchant, who won the GFB Discussion Meet in 2019, said the contest helps develop the ability to identify a problem, research it and discuss the issues associated with the problem with others.
“The skills you gain from competing in the Discussion Meet will translate to other things,” Kaitlyn said.
The Marchants encouraged participants to make sure they are involved at the local level.
“Make sure your county YF&R Committee is the most important part of what you do in YF&R,” Kaitlyn said. “Take the things you learn here home and use them.”
During a breakout session at the YF&R Conference, Cole Roper, center, & his wife, Nicole, talk about the GFB Certified Farm Markets program while GFB State Affairs Manager Adam Belflower discussed legislative activities. / Photo by Jay Stone
Farm succession planning & more
Attendees heard a live recording of GFB’s “Growing On” podcast, which featured YF&R Committee member Garrett Hurley and attorney Taylor Broun of James, Bates, Brannen, Groover. You can hear the discussion centered on succession planning and the perils of not doing it well or not doing it at all at https://www.gfb.org/news/growingon.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) President Dr. Tracy Brundage shared the Tifton school’s value, noting that the ABAC YF&R Club is one of the most active groups on campus and encouraged attendees to absorb all they could.
“You’re not just the future of agriculture; you’re the heart of it,” Brundage said.
The conference also provided breakout sessions about conflict resolution, Georgia Public Broadcasting ag education tools, funding farm purchases through conservation trusts, farm safety, and mental wellness. You can read more about these sessions at https://gfb.ag/yfrbreakoutsessions.
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GFB YF&R Committee member Garrett Hurley shared his family’s experience with farm succession planning. / Photo by Logan Thomas