Nearly 400 young farmers, ranchers and women in agriculture gathered in Orlando for Florida Farm Bureau’s FUSION Conference July 10-12, and the Hernando/Citrus County Farm Bureau came home with top honors. Both the county’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Program and Women’s Program received Activity Awards for outstanding efforts to promote agricultural awareness and community service across the region.
The three-day conference brought together agriculture enthusiasts from across Florida for leadership development and hands-on learning. Attendees participated in local farm tours, competitive events, networking socials and professional development breakout sessions. In a standout service project with Feeding Florida, conference participants packed 11,000 pounds of potatoes for distribution to food banks statewide.
Keynote speaker Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned animal scientist, author and autism advocate, addressed the crowd with a message that resonated throughout the event. Grandin, whose innovations revolutionized humane livestock handling systems worldwide, told attendees, “We need the skills of people who think differently.” Her remarks reinforced the conference’s core mission of cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders and preparing members to meet the challenges and opportunities facing Florida agriculture.
The Hernando/Citrus County Farm Bureau is affiliated with Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, representing more than 132,000 member-families statewide. The organization works to enhance farm enterprise and improve rural communities throughout Florida. For more information on local programs and membership, visit the Hernando/Citrus County Farm Bureau or read the original report at the Hernando Sun.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
