Bryan Bickett from Union County and Grant Ziliak from Marion County have been chosen as Kentucky's representatives in the American Soybean Association Corteva Agriscience Young Leaders program, which is celebrating its fortieth year. This national initiative gathers young soybean farmers from across the country for a challenging leadership experience designed to enhance their leadership skills and allow them to network with other young leaders. What sets this program apart is its inclusion of participants' significant others, offering a unique opportunity to understand the importance of shaping national agricultural policies.
Bryan's wife, Lauren, will join him in the program, emphasizing the role both parties play in influencing national policies and advocating for agriculture. The Young Leaders program aims to prepare participants for future leadership roles within the soybean industry.
Bryan and Lauren Bickett farm with Bryan's family in Union County, where they cultivate soybeans, corn, wheat, cattle, and hogs. They have incorporated wheat into their crop rotation to combat erosion and utilize precision tools, both equipment and data, to maximize their acreage.
When asked about the major challenges facing farmers, Bryan cited concerns about their freedom to operate and legislation opposing agriculture. Grant Ziliak, serving as the operations manager for Peterson Farms in Loretto, expressed his interest in learning more about shaping agricultural policies. He highlighted weed control issues and the importance of maintaining the US's status as a preferred supplier to China and Japan as top concerns. Peterson Farms is actively implementing cover crops and improving soil health.
As Kentucky's ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leaders, Bryan and Grant will serve as ex-officio members on the board of the Kentucky Soybean Association. Their Young Leader duties will commence in late November with a training session at Corteva corporate headquarters in Johnston, Iowa. Part two of the training will take place in late February during Commodity Classic, the national annual meeting of the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, and the National Sorghum Producers, which will be held in Houston, Texas.
This program provides an invaluable opportunity for young farmers like Bryan and Grant to develop leadership skills, engage with the agricultural community, and contribute to the industry's growth and prosperity.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fotografixx
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