Young farmers and ranchers attend statewide leadership conference

MANHATTAN - Farmers and ranchers from across Kansas gathered in Manhattan Jan. 30-Feb. 1 for the annual Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) leaders conference. More than 500 attended the three-day Kansas Farm Bureau conference designed to provide educational and networking opportunities for young growers in Kansas.

The conference provided farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18-35 with agricultural education, motivational speakers and opportunities to connect with industry resources and network with peers.

Attendees heard from Braxten Nielsen, a former professional rodeo competitor about overcoming adversity, and Jace Young, founder and CEO of Legacy Farmer, which provides financial training and guidance to farmers and ranchers.

State committee members from each of the 10 Kansas Farm Bureau districts planned and hosted the conference, which included workshops, speakers, tours and competitions.

Winners of the conference competitions include the following:

• Ag Quiz Bowl - Kiana Martin, Tera Wistuba, Nicholas Zerr and Zack Zongker, Fort Hays State University­
• Collegiate Discussion Meet - Jory Ratzlaff, Kansas State University
• YF&R Discussion Meet - Jacob Brubaker, Rawlins County

Winners of the Ag Quiz Bowl received $50 per person and a traveling trophy. Ratzlaff received $500 and an expense-paid trip to the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Leadership Conference in Portland, Ore. Brubaker received $700 and will represent Kansas at the 2027 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

Thomas Eisenbarth, Pottawatomie County, received the Rural Minds Matter Young Advocate of the Year award for his work cultivating resilience and well-being among farmers, ranchers and rural communities. You can read about his work here.

Casten Fellows, which aims to create leaders who can enact change through meaningful relationships, innovation in ideas and processes through effective leadership development, recognized graduates from Class 3, including Ashley Beying, Osage County; Craig Dinkel, Ellsworth County; Matt Friesen, McPherson County; Jessica Johns, Riley County; Christa Milton, Stafford County; Nathan Mentzer, Allen County and Adam York, Pottawatomie County.

Photos and cutlines of competition winners are available for download here.