GFB News Magazine
Young farmers and ranchers visit Portland
by Levi Davis
Young Farmers & Ranchers Coordinator
Posted on May 22, 2026 12:11 PM
Representing Georgia at the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference were from left: GFB YF&R Program Coordinator Levi Davis; GFB YF&R Committee Members Joe Twiner, Gwinnett Co.; Chris & Paige Little, White Co.; Stuart Gregg, Pike Co.; Committee Chair Garrett Hurley, Chattooga Co.; GFB District 1 Federation Manager Lacy Powell, GFB YF&R Committee Chair Sarah Hurley, Chattooga Co.; Collegiate Discussion Meet Competitor Torrie Reed, Gilmer Co.; GFB YF&R Committee Members Bristol Peterson, Wilcox Co.; Committee Vice Chair Emily West, Taliaferro Co.; Committee Members Bailey & Blake Segars, Cook Co.; Committee Vice Chair Tucker West, Taliaferro Co.; Committee Member Bradley Peterson, Wilcox Co.; & GFB Field Services Director Clay Talton. /Photo courtesy of Levi Davis
The GFB YF&R delegation enjoyed a tour of GS3 Quality Seed Inc., while attending the AFBF YF&R Conference in Oregon. /Photo courtesy of Levi Davis
Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Ranchers (YF&R) traveled to Portland, Oregon, March 13-17 to attend the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) YF&R Leadership Conference. The conference theme was “Rooted in Resilience.”
The conference included sessions designed to sharpen the leadership and advocacy skills of the YF&R members attending from across the country. Tours of farms and ag businesses were also offered. In addition to breakout sessions, attendees got to hear from keynote speakers such as renowned motivational speaker and former United States Army Ranger Keni Thomas.
GS3 Quality Seed Inc. and Mckee River Farms hosted the Georgia delegation on farm tours of their operations around Monmouth, Oregon, where they demonstrated agricultural practices in Oregon and the importance of advocacy.
During the conference, Gilmer County Farm Bureau member Torrie Reed competed in the AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet. Torrie represented Georgia well in the contest, making it through the preliminary and Sweet 16 rounds to compete on stage for the final four.
In addition to experiencing leadership development for themselves, the GFB YF&R attendees gained ideas to implement at GFB’s YF&R Conference set for July 15-18 on Jekyll Island.
GFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Coordinator Levi Davis may be contacted at ledavis@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5233. Contact your county Farm Bureau if you’d like to join your local YF&R Committee.