GFB News Magazine

Young Farmers & Ranchers Spring 2026 Update

by Levi Davis

Posted on February 26, 2026 3:49 AM

Members of the 2026 YF&R Committee are from left: Stuart Gregg, Pike Co., GFB Dist. 5; Joe Twiner, Gwinnett Co., GFB Dist. 3; Taylor & Gabe Outlaw, Wilkinson Co., GFB Dist. 6; Paige & Chris  Little, White Co., GFB Dist. 2; Vice Chairs Emily & Tucker West, Taliaferro Co., GFB Dist. 4; Committee Chairs  Sarah & Garrett Hurley, Chattooga Co., GFB Dist. 1;  Caitlyn & Christian Crispell, Tattnall Co., GFB Dist. 7; Bristol & Bradley  Peterson, Wilcox Co., GFB Dist. 8; Bailey & Blake  Segars, Cook Co., GFB Dist. 10;  Chelsea & JT Sumner, Thomas Co., GFB Dist. 9. / Photo by Jay Stone

This will be an exciting year for participants in Georgia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Program! YF&R activities are open to all Farm Bureau members ages 18-35. 

The YF&R program is designed for those who work in any part of agriculture – farming, ranching, banking, ag education, ag sales, marketing, etc. College students pursuing careers in agriculture are also welcome.

GFB will hold its 2026 YF&R Summer Leadership Conference July 15-18 on Jekyll Island. This event is a great way for young agriculturalists to network, sharpen their leadership skills, hear updates on current ag issues and learn about Farm Bureau. The conference is kid friendly.

A cornerstone of GFB’s YF&R program is its awards - the GFB Achievement Award in Agriculture; GFB Excellence in Agriculture Award and GFB Discussion Meet. GFB encourages existing and potential YF&R members to apply for the awards. 

The Achievement Award recognizes YF&R members for their farming operations and leadership activities. Feb. 28 was the deadline to apply for the achievement award.

 The Excellence in Agriculture Award honors YF&R members for their ag advocacy and ag leadership activities. Applicants for this award earn most of their income off the farm. 

The Discussion Meet simulates a meeting where participants talk about current ag issues and explore possible solutions in groups of four to six contestants. 

The Achievement & Excellence in Ag Award winners will be announced at the summer conference. The Discussion Meet will be held at the July conference and a winner named. 

All state winners will receive prizes and will represent GFB at the American Farm Bureau Convention January 2027 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Registration information for the conference, Excellence in Ag Award and YF&R Photo Contest will be released in the spring. Visit www.gfb.ag/yfr or ask your county Farm Bureau office for more information about the awards, photo contest and registering for the conference.

YF&R Deadlines

April 30       Excellence in Ag Award entry due 

June 1        YF&R Discussion Meet entry due 

                   YF&R Leadership Conference registration due

June 12      YF&R Photo Contest entries due

Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Coordinator Levi Davis may be reached at ledavis@gfb.org or 478-474-0679, ext. 5233 for more information. Contact your county Farm Bureau if you’d like to get involved with your local YF&R program.