YF&R Leaders Conference
2024 YF&R Leaders Conference
February 2-4, 2024 | Manhattan, KS
Join young farmers, ranchers and agriculturists from across the state at the 2024 Young Farmers & Ranchers Leaders Conference. The event will focus on connecting you with practical tools and resources to add value to your daily work, expanding your peer and professional network and providing encouragement and motivation to keep pushing forward in a tough time for agriculture. Regardless of the crops you grow, animals you raise or off-farm role you play, this conference has something for all young people connected to agriculture and will empower attendees to return home with the tools and knowledge to make positive changes for their farms, families and communities.
Registration
This conference is planned with KFB farmer/rancher and collegiate members who are 18-35 in mind, but all individuals who find the content valuable, regardless of membership, age or profession are welcome to register and attend. Registration includes:
- Friday Collegiate Lunch (Collegiate Farm Bureau members & Advisors only)
- Friday Evening Reception & Kick-Off (includes heavy appetizers and cash bar)
- Saturday Eggs & Issues Breakfast
- Saturday YF&R Networking Lunch
- Saturday District Dinners
- Sunday Breakfast by Chris Cakes
- All general sessions, workshops, tours and competitions.
Conference registration has closed. If you're still interested in attending the event or have questions, please email yfr@kfb.org
Tentative Schedule
Friday, February 2
| 11:15 AM | Collegiate Registration Opens | East Foyer |
| 12:00-1:30 PM | Collegiate Farm Bureau Lunch & Huddle | Big Basin/Kaw Nation |
| 1:30-1:45 PM | Collegiate Ag Quiz Bowl Orientation | Konza Prairie C |
| 2:00-3:30 PM | Collegiate Ag Quiz Bowl | Konza Prairie A
Konza Prairie C Kings A Kings C Alcove McDowell |
| 2:00-6:00 PM | Campaign School Mini Session If you're considering running for state legislature, school board, county commission or other public office, KFB's Campaign School Mini Sessions can teach you the nuts and bolts of campaigning and help you execute a winning campaign. Register here. |
Big Blue River/Fort Riley |
| 4:00-6:00 PM | Collegiate Industry Insight Events | Off-Site TBA |
| 6:00-6:45 PM | Collegiate Dinner on Own | Off-Site |
| 6:00-8:00 PM | YF&R Registration Open at Hilton | East Foyer |
| 6:15-6:45 PM | First Time Attendee Info Session | Alcove |
| 6:45-10:15 PM | Bus Loop to/from K-State Athletics | East Foyer |
| 7:00-9:00 PM | YF&R Registration Open at KSU | KSU Shamrock Zone*
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| 7:00-10:00 PM | Kick-Off at the Stadium | KSU Shamrock Zone* |
*If driving yourself to the stadium, use Gate 5 to enter the West parking lot and park near Gate D. Take the ramp to Bramlage and follow signage to the event.
**Complimentary shuttles are provided. Please consider using KFB busing if you plan to consume alcohol at the event.
Saturday, February 3
| 7:00 AM-12:30 PM | Registration Open | East Foyer |
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast Lines Open | South Foyer |
| 7:30 AM | Collegiate & YF&R Discussion Meet Orientation | Big Blue River/Fort Riley |
| 8:00-9:30 AM | Eggs & Issues Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marshall Stewart, Senior Vice President for Executive Affairs, University Engagement and Partnerships, and Chief of Staff at Kansas State University |
Big Basin/Kaw Nation |
| 9:45-10:45 AM | Workshop Round 1
|
Konza Praire A
Konza Praire B Kings A Kings B |
| 9:45-11:30 AM | Excellence in Agriculture Presentations | Little Apple Boardroom |
| 9:45 AM-12:15 PM | Collegiate & YF&R Discussion Meet | Konza Praire C
Kings C Big Blue River/Fort Riley |
| 9:45 AM-12:15 PM | Morning Ag Tours
|
Buses Depart from East Foyer |
| 10:30 AM-5:30 PM | Ag Leaders Tradeshow | Flint Hills |
| 10:45-11:15 AM | Tradeshow & Networking Break | Flint Hills & South Foyer |
| 11:15 AM-12:15 PM | Workshops Round 2
|
Konza Praire A
Konza Praire B Kings A Kings B |
| 12:30-2:00 PM | YF&R Networking Lunch | Kaw Nation/Big Basin |
| 2:15-3:15 PM | Workshops Round 3
|
Konza Praire A
Konza Praire B Kings A Kings B |
| 2:15-3:15 PM | Collegiate & YF&R Discussion Meet | Konza Praire C
Kings C Big Blue River/Fort Riley |
| 2:15-4:00 PM | YF&R of the Year Interviews | Little Apple Boardroom |
| 2:30-4:30 PM | Afternoon Tours
|
Buses Depart from East Foyer |
| 3:30-4:30 PM | Workshops Round 4
|
Konza Praire A
Konza Praire B Kings A Kings B |
| 4:30-5:30 PM | Ag Leaders Tradeshow & Happy Hour featuring Shop Kansas Farm vendors and Beer & Wine |
Flint Hills & South Foyer |
| 6:30-8:30 PM | District Dinners
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*Offsite TBA |
*Optional complimentary transportation will leave the Conference Center at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 4
| 7:45-8:15 AM | Sunday Morning Music & Devotions | Kaw Nation/Big Basin |
| 8:15-9:00 AM | Breakfast by Chris Cakes | Kaw Nation/Big Basin |
| 9:00-10:30 AM | Closing Keynote & Competitive Event Awards Keynote: Jason Wetzler Jason grew up on a 14-acre farm in the middle of Portland, OR. He was the only “farm-kid” in a high school of over 2500 students and attributes the lessons he’s learned in life to his agricultural upbringing. Jason has worked with audiences in over 40 states, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and South Africa. He authors a weekly newsletter called Two for You that you can find at read or subscribe to at jasonwetzler.com. Jason is passionate about asking big questions, loves telling stories, is his Grandma Dorothy’s biggest fan, and is married to a southern girl way out of his league. When he’s not holding a microphone, he loves coaching wrestling, doing CrossFit, traveling internationally, taking Lucy and Finn to the dog park, and creating something new with his friends and family. With everything Jason does he has one goal: to make the life of other people better. |
Kaw Nation/Big Basin |
| 10:30 AM | Depart for Home |
2024 YF&R Leaders Conference Sponsors
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YF&R and Collegiate Competitions
Apply today for three YF&R and two Collegiate Competitions! The prizes for all YF&R awards include winning up to $500 and a trip to the 2024 AFBF Annual Convention which will be held in San Antonio! The top 4 individuals for each award will receive a cash prize and be recognized at the YF&R Leaders Conference. Click on the links below for both competitions and applications. All Applications are due January 14, 2024.
- YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award
- Young Farmer and Rancher of the Year
- YF&R Discussion Meet
- Collegiate Discussion Meet
- Collegiate Ag Quiz Bowl
Lodging
Hotel arrangements will be your own responsibility and are not included in registration or handled by KFB. Kansas Farm Bureau has blocked rooms at five hotels with affordable, negotiated rates. Room blocks are now open and specific information will be shared at that time.
| HOTEL | PRICE (tax not included) | BOOKING INFORMATION | BOOKING DEADLINE | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
| Hilton Garden Inn 410 S 3rd Street (Connected to Conference Center) |
$114 | Call: 785-532-9116
Group Name: Young Farmers & Ranchers |
January 5 |
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| Bluemont Hotel 1212 Bluemont Ave (7-10 minute drive to Conference Center - 1 block from Aggieville) |
$98 | Call: 785-473-7091 Group Name: KFB-Young Farmers & Ranchers Booking Online: Go to bluemonthotel.com > Click on BOOK ONLINE (top/right of page) > Under ADVANCED OPTIONS select “I have a group number” > Enter the Group ID: YFRC24 |
January 3 |
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| Courtyard by Marriott 715 N 12th Street (7-10 minute drive to Conference Center - 1 block from Aggieville) |
$110 | Call: 785-587-1972 Group Name: Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference Booking Online: Book your group rate for KFB / Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference |
January 15 |
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| Fairfield Inn 300 Colorado Street (1 block from Conference Center) |
$110 | Call: 785-539-2400 Group Name: Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference |
January 5 |
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| Holiday Inn Express 115 Blue Earth Place (1 block from Conference Center) |
$109 | Call: 785-320-7454 – Mention Group Code – KFB Book Online: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Manhattan - Manhattan, United States (ihg.com) Enter the Group Code: KFB |
January 5 |
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Questions?
Contact Edie Doane at 785-587-6102 or doanee@kfb.org for more information.