R-5 youth tour State Capitol during Farm Bureau trip

A record number of high school students attended this year’s Youth Leadership Day. About 406 students and their chaperons from 72 counties took part in the program at the Missouri Farm Bureau Center and State Capitol. The one-day seminar, sponsored by MFB Promotion and Education Programs, allows students to experience the legislative process first hand.

During the seminar, Rep. Steve Hobbs spoke to the group in the Capitol rotunda, welcoming them and inviting them to get involved in the political process. They did just that as students broke into smaller groups to visit one-on-one with their state senators and representatives.

After lunch at the MFB Center, the youth heard from the organization’s Chief Administrative Officer Dan Cassidy, and Missouri Director of Agriculture Fred Ferrell. Ferrell told the group a major shift is occurring as older farmers begin to pass their operations to the next generation. He pointed out the youth attending were the future treasure of agriculture and his department is working hard to help with their transition into production agriculture.