Group is open to young, and ‘young at heart’

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Newly-elected Texas Young Farmer state officers are (from left) Area 10 VP Albert Esparza, Willacy Co. chapter; President-elect for ‘07 Reagan Jacobs, Limestone Co. chapter; Area 6 VP William Kirby, Mount Vernon/Saltillo chapter; ‘06 President Kirby Edney, A&M Consolidated chapter; Area 6 VP Debi Peyton, Chico chapter; Area 3 VP Carrie Bates, Bryan chapter; Area 9 VP Doug Gandy, Dayton chapter; and Area 7 VP Tommy Ketchum, San Saba chapter. � Staff photo by Montgomery

Jan. 26, 2006 - Not just for the young, but also the “young at heart,” The State Association of Young Farmers of Texas (Young Farmers) has made many changes since it “sprang to life again at the 1953 State FFA Convention in Fort Worth.”

For years, the association limited its membership to those age 35 and under. That requirement has since changed and now is open to those over 18 and not in high school. Simply put, “Anyone (can join) who has an interest in furthering or supporting the agricultural youth.” 

What is Young Farmers about?

According to Vanessa Forgy, who was the 50th, and first female, president of the association, “Our main focus and goal is to be the backbone and support of Texas Ag Teachers in their endeavors to build and maintain a strong FFA foundation. Without farmers and ranchers, where would Texas be?”

The association has come a long way since the 1950s. Originally, known as Texas FFA Alumni Association, the goals of the Young Farmers have not changed. They still emphasis ag education, with most of these programs “geared to keeping Young Farmers abreast of new developments in the field of agriculture, agribusiness, and leadership training.”

Other areas emphasized are community involvement, leadership, and recreation.

The Texas Young Farmers is a branch of the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas (VATAT).

Young Farmers and the FFA Alumni associations are under VATAT because they support ag education. The difference between the two associations is, according to 2006 Young Farmers President Kirk Edney, the Young Farmers was formed on a commitment to offer adult agricultural education. This is done by offering seminars, educational tours, and various competitions at the state level. On the local level, agri-business speakers are invited to meetings to detail new and exciting things happening in the industry. One of the biggest endeavors of the Young Farmers is to help with a local livestock project show and to offer scholarships to area youth. This ties in with the FFA Alumni who also support and promote the local youth.

Simply put, the Young Farmers and FFA Alumni are all about supporting and promoting agriculture. 

There are several chapters across the state. State dues for 2006 are $15. Young Farmers recently held their state convention in Corpus Christi, but the state conventions for 2007 and 2008 will be in East Texas – Tyler abd Nacogdoches, respectively.

For a list of chapters, or to find out how to form a new chapter, go online to www.txyfa.org.