The Murray State University Collegiate Farm Bureau organized an overnight trip to Kentucky's capital in the spring of 2023.
The goals of the trip were to:
• Foster relationships among all four Kentucky Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters.
• Educate Collegiate Farm Bureau members and elected officials about current agriculture topics and issues.
• Build relationships between Collegiate Farm Bureau members and elected officials.
During the trip, students visited Kentucky's Department of Agriculture and heard from both the state House of Representatives and Senate Agriculture Committee chairs. They also met with Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman and Senior Advisor to the Governor Rocky Adkins, and watched the House of Representatives gavel into session.
"Not only was the legislative day impactful for our collegiate chapter, but we were able to share this experience with other Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters from across the state," said Murray State University Collegiate Farm Bureau President Jessie Lewis. "As collegiate members, we have a strong united voice and must be present in front of our legislators so that when they have agriculture-related issues come across the table, they are comfortable reaching out to us."
The Murray State University Collegiate Farm Bureau was able to reach their goals for the trip and they look forward to making it an annual event. They are grateful for the mini grant from the American Farm Bureau Federation's Young Farmers & Ranchers program, which helped to fund the trip.
The 2023-2024 AFBF Collegiate Farm Bureau Mini-Grant program is open for applications through Sept. 21. Since the program's launch in fall 2017, AFBF has awarded over 60 mini-grants.
There are over 120 Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters across the U.S., focused on empowering students to be united voices for agriculture, while building skills in leadership and communications, facilitating networking opportunities and offering scholarships.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-rarrarorro
Categories: Kentucky, Education