SALT LAKE CITY—Complex agricultural topics, daunting farm challenges and pursuit of the dream were discussed with ease and authenticity by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers contestants at the recent American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers competitions.

During AFBF’s 105th convention in Salt Lake City, titled New Frontiers, four Virginia competitors earned top placement.

Goochland County young farmers Thomas and Rachel Henley took third place in the national Excellence in Agriculture Award competition. During a live presentation, they showcased their backgrounds, contributions, barriers and victories in agriculture.

With personal accounts of challenges posed by urban sprawl, land availability and navigating farm transition, plus a combine fire that fueled a passion to strengthen agricultural safety, they shared the ups and downs of pursuing a farm livelihood. Eventually they increased consumer engagement with a bright idea in 2019—opening the family farm’s sunflower fields to the public, and creating a thriving agritourism operation on the outskirts of greater Richmond.

They’ve given back, with a track record of investing in community outreach, education and farm preservation advocacy.

“According to the American Farmland Trust, over 50% of nationally significant land is more likely to be converted by 2040,” said Rachel Henley, a Virginia Cooperative Extension agriculture agent and transition planning educator. “That’s highly productive soils and prime farmland, which is essential to providing food and fiber to not only our country, but also the world.”

Dr. Amanda Weakley-Scott, a livestock veterinarian and farmer from Madison County, advanced to the semifinal round of the national Discussion Meet. During the collaborative four-person discussions, she talked about engaging diverse agricultural sectors and leaders, and the advancement of industry-wide sustainability, while building consensus and exploring solutions.

The VFBF Young Farmers program is actively inclusive of emerging, non-traditional agricultural operations, Weakley-Scott said.

“In my state, we host tours where we’re going to these climate-controlled ag facilities where they have a lot of innovative technology with recycled water and sustainable practices,” she explained. “It’s one thing to say, ‘Come to our meeting’ and another to truly engage!”

Weakley-Scott, recently elected to the AFBF Animal Welfare Policy Board, serves on the VFBF Poultry Advisory Committee.

Adam Davis, a Halifax County farmer and VFBF Achievement Award recipient, also competed on the national level at the convention.

In addition to young farmer accolades, Virginia Farm Bureau received AFBF Awards of Excellence in all four program areas: advocacy; coalitions and partnerships; engagement and outreach; and leadership and business development.

And a group of VFBF voting delegates helped set national policy issues that AFBF will lobby for in 2024. Important topics include passage of a new farm bill, addressing the growth of artificial intelligence in agriculture, stabilizing wage rates for H-2A workers and recommending that Congress investigate tariffs placed on imports.

Media: Contact Kelly Roberts, VFBF Special Programs, at 804-837-6194.