Young Farmers and Ranchers

Background Information

Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers are active agriculturists like you -- between the ages of 18 and 35 and involved in production, banking, business, and many other areas of the industry. Young Farmers & Ranchers develop leadership skills while volunteering time as active, vital members of the county Farm Bureaus.

As a member of Young Farmers & Ranchers, your voice will join those of your peers to speak out for agriculture. As you develop your skills and knowledge, your efforts will help Farm Bureau to effectively represent all farmers and ranchers.

Mutual Benefits

* There are many returns for your time and effort as a Young Farmers & Ranchers participant.

* You will have the opportunity to attend seminars focusing on leadership training, and you will gain valuable insights into all aspects of agriculture. You will learn how to promote your commodity as well as your industry. You will learn about issues and how to resolve them.

You will also make valuable professional contacts. You will meet and work with your elected officials. You will make friends for life with other young people in agriculture who share the same interests and challenges that you face daily.

Legislative Awareness

California agriculture is the most diverse in the world, and as a result, public policy issues affecting our agriculture can be very complex. Farm Bureau needs young leaders like you to be involved in the legislative process. Young Farmers and Ranchers offers programs that give you that opportunity.

The Legislative Conference provides a one-day training at the State Capitol building and the opportunity to speak with legislators.

Social Activities

One aspect common to all Young Farmers & Ranchers activities is the opportunity to meet people. Whether you are participating on the county, state, or national level, there are others who share the same challenges and successes that you do. Social activities are where YF&Rs have fun and network at the same time!

How Do I Become Involved?

Contact the Yolo County Farm Bureau office at (530) 662-6316 or email the committee officers. Meetings are generally the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM at various locations throughout the county.

Scholarship Information

The Yolo County Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Scholarship is designed to give financial aid to students residing or attending a high school in Yolo County with a desire to start a career in the agriculture industry or an agriculture-related field. Scholarships ranging in amounts from $1,000 to $5000 will be awarded to graduating seniors from a Yolo County High School. This scholarship is based on scholastic achievement, leadership skills, and agriculture involvement.
Any graduating high school senior residing or attending a high school in Yolo County and entering a two year community college, four year college or university, or a career technical program and is majoring in an agriculture based or related field is eligible. The student must be enrolled as a full-time student or enrolled in at least twelve (12) academic units per semester or quarter during the year of the scholarship award. Applicants do not need to be a member of Yolo County Farm Bureau to be eligible.

Application instructions

Fillable, electronic scholarship applications can be found online at www.yolofarmbureau.org under the tab “About Us,” then select “Scholarships.” Completed applications must be received on or before June 2, 2024. Applications and materials not received by or postmarked on June 2, 2023 will not be accepted. All submissions must be typed.

Mailing Address

Yolo County Farm Bureau, P O Box 1556, Woodland, CA 95776

Scholarships will be awarded to students via their school’s financial department and will be directly applied to their tuition. Students are responsible for submitting proof of enrollment and student ID numbers as well as addresses to their school’s financial department in order to receive scholarship monies.
Interviews may be necessary to determine the scholarship recipient. Finalists will be contacted directly to schedule an interview time and date. If you have any questions regarding the YF&R Scholarship, please contact the Farm Bureau office at (530) 662-6316.

Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee

Isabelle was a member of the Woodland High School FFA Program for four years. She was recently awarded her State Degree. Isabelle has served as Chapter Secretary and Chapter President for Woodland FFA. She has also been a State Finalist on her FFA Vet Science CDE Judging Team for the past four years. She has raised market hogs and lambs for FFA and 4-H. Isabelle has been inspired by her agriculture teachers and mentors to pursue a career in agriculture. She hopes to teach agriculture and become an FFA Advisor. Isabelle will be attending Chico State in the fall to study Agriculture Science and Education.

Kassidy Talbot

Kassidy was a member of the Woodland Christian FFA Program for four years. She was recently awarded her State Degree. Kassidy has earned the Blue & Gold Award, 1^st place in Advanced Round Robin, 1^st place in Sheep Showmanship, Star Chapter Farmer Award, and Champion Breeding Ewe. She has been raising sheep for 4-H and FFA for the past eight years. In 2017, Kassidy started her own floral business for her SAE project. She is Woodland Christian’s FFA President. Kassidy hopes to receive her PhD in Plant Genetics and pursue a career in Plant Breeding for a seed company. She will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall to study Agricultural and Environmental Plant Science.

Brooke Day

Brooke was a member of the Pioneer High School FFA Program for five years. She has recently been awarded her State Degree. Brooke has participated in FFA for five years, 4-H for eight years, has played softball for two years, and has been involved in many volunteer events such as Team Sammie’s Bunny Drive and Walk For Your Angel. She has been Club President and Teen Swine Leader for Willow Oak 4-H, a Chapter Delegate for Pioneer FFA, and Defensive MVP and Scholar Athlete for Pioneer High School Softball. Brooke has known since early High School that she is interested in a career in agriculture. Her goal is to graduate with a degree in Ag Business and a minor in Crop Science, and she would like to become an office manager or CEO/COO. She will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall to study Ag Business.