By Timothy Collins, Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
I have written in previous articles about how the Young Farmers & Ranchers are giving scholarships, promoting ag, learning about the industry, or being involved in the community, but this month, I want to focus on the leadership development aspect of YF&R. Members of our officer team were able to attend the California State Young Farmers & Ranchers Summer Leaders Meeting recently. This is a two-day event where many of the county YF&R chairs and other YF&R officers from across the state gather.
We met in Fresno this year and spent Friday touring local ag operations, participating in community service projects, and networking over dinner. The focus of the event was to facilitate discussions on leadership development and learn from other groups across the state.
There are numerous facets that go into running a successful YF&R club, and it is important to be part of the state-level organization. The success of our YF&R in Kern is something we were able to share with many counties across the state.
As an active FFA member in high school, I was always too timid to become an officer, but YF&R gave me an opportunity 8 years after high school to take on responsibility and build leadership skills. As a professional out of school and in the industry, I was fortunate to have a friend invite me to the group. At the time, becoming the chair was never something I envisioned for myself, but as I write these 5 years later, I am well into my second year as chair. I’ve learned and grown so much by becoming involved and joining the officer team. I have been able to get so much out of the group by putting so much into it.
I know what it takes to plan events and fundraisers because we are the ones who actually make them happen. I can comfortably lead a meeting–something I would not have dreamed of back in high school. I am more capable of building relationships with those around me in the ag industry and elsewhere. Little of this would have happened if I had laid low and let someone else do the work. The success of our group depends on everyone in our executive team—you will hear more from me in the future about how great our team has been to work with and how often they put in more work than me! Another benefit is the new group of friends made from working together throughout the year.
Sometimes it seems like the good life is to be free of responsibilities; however, it is our responsibilities that make life worth living. Being involved takes work and time commitment, but it has certainly been worth it. I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve on the officer team. What I have taken on in YF&R will certainly help me in taking on the greater responsibilities in life that are sure to come, whether that be in family, work, church, or anything else.
Email: KernYFR@KernCFB.com
Instagram: @Kern YFR
Facebook: KernYoungFarmersAndRanchers