JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — It was a full house February 14-16 at Margaritaville Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks where Missouri Farm Bureau’s (MOFB) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Leadership Conference hosted more than 500 farmers and ranchers from across the state. Organized by the MOFB YF&R Committee for farmers ages 18 to 35, the event is considered the largest such Farm Bureau conference in the nation. Those attending from Bates County enjoyed a weekend away from farm chores to catch up with their peers and learn the latest industry news.
The conference included many breakout sessions providing a mix of learning and fun. Sessions ranged from farm succession planning to market outlooks for 2025, to food preservation, soil health and legislative updates. Children had their own sessions and a tractor pull. The evenings included a theme night of Denim & Diamonds and a competitive evening of Galactic Bingo.
The YF&R Discussion Meet is also held at the conference. A panel of four young farmers discussed the important question of how to engage the next generation of farmers and ranchers in policy discussions. The final round focused on the critical topic of rural energy issues, exploring solutions and strategies for addressing energy challenges in rural communities. Beth Bruckerhoff of Hermann was announced as the winner. Bruckerhoff will move on to compete at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Anaheim, California held January 9 – 14, 2026.
New chair of the MOFB YF&R Committee, Joseph Frueh of Nodaway County, closed the meeting. More than 35 companies and individuals lent their support to the conference. MOFB Insurance Companies is a presenting sponsor. Those attending from Bates County included: Austin Black, Laura Black, Gwen Fischer, James Fischer, Sharon Arnold and Casey Arnold. (not pictured, Brad Arnold).
