From March 7-10, 15 Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) members participated in the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)’s FUSION conference in Denver, Colorado. The conference, which focuses on leadership development, agricultural advocacy, and farm business education for Farm Bureau members, is organized through AFBF’s national Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R), Women’s Committee, and Promotion and Engagement (P&E).
The conference offered a wide range of educational sessions, covering topics such as agricultural advocacy, financial planning, trade, mental health, and social media strategies. Attendees left the conference equipped with valuable knowledge they can share with their farms, families, and local communities.
Among the first-time attendees was Delaware YF&R and P&E member Maci Carter, who expressed her enthusiasm about returning home with new ideas. “I was able to attend breakout sessions throughout the conference, where I learned about how to grow our membership, what platforms are best used to communicate with the public, and updates on tax policy and the farm bill. These sessions grew my knowledge of agriculture and allowed me to network with other YF&R members from across the country, to hear their own personal experiences and take back ideas to our committee,” Carter shared.
Steve Breeding, Delaware Farm Bureau First Vice President and Sussex County Farm Bureau President, serves on the National P&E committee. FUSION conference is just one of the many events that Breeding has been an integral part of through his position at AFBF.
In addition to the educational sessions, attendees had the opportunity to explore Denver and its surrounding areas. A highlight for many Delaware participants was the excursion to Manitou and Pikes Peak. Members took a ride on the Cog Railway, the world’s highest and longest cog railroad, to the summit of Pikes Peak. Along the journey, they enjoyed breathtaking views and local wildlife, including elk, deer, yellow-bellied marmots, and bighorn sheep.
Of the 15 FUSION attendees from Delaware, 13 of them were YF&R members. YF&R would not be able to have such a robust attendance without help from their sponsors:
- All in Ag Service
- Chesapeake Pump & Electric
- Delaware Department of Agriculture
- Delaware Farm Bureau
- Delaware Auctioneers Association
- Dream Structures, LLC
- Growmark FS – Massey
- Holtz Farms, LLC
- Horizon Farm Credit
- Kent County Farm Bureau
- Laurel Grain Company
- Legacy Farms
- New Castle County Farm Bureau
- Noble and Lois Cahall
- Paradise Auctions
- PepUp
- Powers Farm
- Schiff Farms
- Selbyville Tractor & Equipment
- Willey Farms
- William V. Sipple & Son
