Idaho companies support young farmers and ranchers

POCATELLO – Three Idaho companies – Polaris, Valley Wide Cooperative and Northwest Farm Credit Services – are helping to support young farmers and ranchers in Idaho.

The companies provide Polaris four-wheelers to young producers who win contests sponsored by Idaho Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program, which provides training, networking and leadership opportunities for Idaho producers between the ages of 18 and 35.

A state YF&R committee that is chosen by young farmers and ranchers plans conferences, workshops and activities for members throughout the year and topics for these events are based on the realities of being a young producer in Idaho.

During IFBF’s annual conference in December, the YF&R program hosts a Discussion Meet, which simulates a committee meeting and is meant to improve participants’ communication, cooperation and constructive criticism skills.

The winner of the event gets a Polaris Ranger “side by side” that is donated by Valley Wide Cooperative.

During the annual conference, IFBF presents an Achiever in Agriculture award to a young farmer or rancher who has excelled in their farming or ranching operation and honed their leadership abilities.

Contestants are evaluated on a combination of their farming operation’s growth and financial progress and their leadership both within Farm Bureau and outside of the organization.

The winner of this award is given a Polaris Ranger “side by side” that is donated by the Polaris dealers of Idaho.

IFBF also presents an Excellence in Agriculture Award to a young farmer or rancher during the conference. This award spotlights young Farm Bureau members who are agricultural enthusiasts but have not earned a majority of their income from an owned production agriculture enterprise in the past three years.

Competitors are judged based on their understanding of ag issues as well as their leadership experiences and achievements. The winner gets a Polaris four-wheeler donated by Northwest Farm Credit Services.