Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference Connects Young Leaders Across Nebraska Agriculture
KEARNEY, NEB. – More than 100 young farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals gathered for the Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Conference to develop leadership skills, discuss industry trends, and tackle the issues shaping agriculture in Nebraska today. The conference was held Jan. 23-24 at the Younes Conference Center South in Kearney.
For first-time attendee Nick Birdsley, the conference offered a chance to learn from peers across Nebraska and see new perspectives in agriculture.
“I gained a lot of good insight on different sides of the industry that I’m maybe not super familiar with,” Birdsley said. “One of my favorite takeaways was seeing different technologies and techniques farmers and ranchers use throughout the state that I otherwise may not hear about. I think getting out of the echo chamber to network with some of those other younger members can be a really good experience.”
The conference included guided tours of local agribusinesses, a keynote presentation by Dan Venteicher, known online as the Iowa Dairy Farmer, a Discussion Meet contest, focused breakout sessions on issues facing young farmers and ranchers, and opportunities for networking and relationship-building among peers from across the state.
“Young farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals are the future of agriculture in Nebraska, and this conference is about making sure they have a seat at the table,” said Grant Jones, chair of NEFB’s YF&R Committee. “Getting involved with YF&R means being part of the largest voice for agriculture in the state and helping shape the direction of our industry for generations to come.”
This year, the conference welcomed Nebraska State FFA officers for the first time, highlighting the connection between today’s young farmers and ranchers and the next generation preparing to enter agriculture. Their participation underscored the importance of early engagement and building a strong pipeline of future leaders in Nebraska agriculture.
“I think it’s really important for young people to get involved in agriculture because there’s a decreasing number of people going into agriculture,” said Meredith Ruda, Nebraska State FFA vice president. “It’s important that we have people going in and filling the jobs of not only farmers, but also people who are in charge of all the processes that go from the farm to the table.”
Four finalists were named in the YF&R Discussion Meet contest after competing in two preliminary rounds.
Sheridan Swotek of Buffalo County, Adam Oldemeyer of Adams/Webster County, Nick Birdsley of Douglas County, and Jakob Andreasen of Box Butte County advanced to the final round of the NEFB YF&R Discission Meet to be held at the 2026 NEFB Annual Meeting and Convention in December.
Sean Krebs of Buffalo County and Carlee Livingston of Holt County were named alternates. Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible to compete in the YF&R Discussion Meet. Instead of debating, contestants work together to develop solutions to a given problem, building on each other’s ideas. Participants must be ready to speak on a variety of agriculture-related topics, with the question announced shortly before each round.
Finalists received a $50 prize sponsored by the NEFB Foundation and a chance to compete for $500 and an all-expense paid trip to represent Nebraska in the American Farm Bureau YF&R Discussion Meet in Charlotte, NC in January 2027.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. Nearly 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.