Learning from the Neighbors......



I always love it when I can come back from a YF&R trip, full of excitement and ideas to put to use in Nevada. This past weekend was no exception. Last Friday found us crossing the border to visit our neighbors in Utah as they held their annual YF&R Conference in Midway, Utah.

The Zermatt Resort in Midway, Utah was where we stayed and where the conference was held. 
NICE. 
And, even though we were in the height of the Wasatch Mountains,
surrounded by some of the "Greatest Snow on Earth",
we actually had pretty good weather and a wonderful stay.

What brought us to Utah?  Well, four years ago, I started my first journey as the Nevada YF&R Chair.  We travelled to Evanston, Wyoming to learn from a rural western state, much like our own, what it takes to build a YF&R program.  Only problem—the biggest snow storm in years.  We made it in from the South-western corner of the state, but most of them didn’t make it in with I-80 being shut down.    So we ate, visited and even bowled, but really didn’t get to see their committee in action.  The next year the National YF&R Conference was in Sacramento and so we decided to stay close to home and attend the big event.  And after a couple more national conferences, we have still felt we were grasping at straws a little.  In Orlando, we were able to visit with Marc and Hollie Henrie, who had just come on to the AFBF YF&R Committee from Utah, and friends we had met back in Sacramento, Dustin and Harmony Cox, YF&R Chairs from Utah, also.  At their encouragement, we looked into attending their state conference—and I am glad we did.

The NEVADA Crew--
Micah & Shelbie, Jasmine, Stephanie, Candace, Lacey, Hannah, Jamie, Grant, Michele, Kevin.



 I have to admit, I was to the point that I was wishing I wasn't committed to this meeting.  I am busy chasing four kids, four months into my fifth pregnancy (just getting over the nausea and starting to function again), very busy with church callings, my dishwasher went out, then the heating element in my oven, it's sick seasonfor elementary school age children, so life is a little full.  Plus, that weekend fell on the only home wrestling tournament for LCHS which my husband and kids didn't want to miss, it was also a funeral for a friend of ours and a birthday for our second son.  Just finding someone to feed the horses and chickens, and someone else to bottle feed the calves was enoughto make me want to give up.  BUT, we perservered and I am so glad we did.

Let me tell you why--For the past four years I have been trying to build and establish the Nevada YF&R Program in to something that can stand on its own without me there to do it all.  I have been trying to find ways to involve people, trying to find people to involve, and have been reminded over and over that it takes a lot of time, a lot of work and DON'T GIVE UP!!  Though I at times come close, I am still here, and after this weekend, I am renewed and ready to keep moving forward.

Reason #1--We had some really great people attend the conference with us, and I am really excited to have the Leatham's, Bunker's, and Smith's involved.  I think that it is great people like this who catch the spark and make the program grow.

Reason #2:  In the past few months, I have seen the result of perserverance, benefits to others in Nevada Farm Bureau that would not have come without the YF&R program--I'll tell you more about this in a future post.

Reason #3:  After attending this conference and seeing YF&R at the state level, visiting with their committee to learn more, and knowing that in about ten years their growth ahs gone from about 30 attnedees to 224, I TRULY BELIEVE  THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!  I now have a vision of what NV YF&R can be, and while we may never compare in size with other states, we can compare in passion, drive, leadership, and members that truly make a difference.

Utah's conference starts out by conducting a Discussion Meet contest for FFA members that have already be narrowed down by district contests into a 'Sweet Sixteen' contest.  After two rounds of that, it is time for the conference to fully begin.  Our first speaker was Kim Farah, who is in charge of the LDS Church Public Affairs.  Her many years of experience as a reporter and in the media helped her share with us the importance of 'Raise Your Voice, Share Your Story.'

In between door prizes, ice breaker games, ice cream breaks and speakers, they also had video features of the YF&R committee members, their families and production.  Then it was time to  "Get Serious About Laughing More' with Baxter Black.



Baxter Black, Cowboy Poet and Former Veterinarian, was the guest speaker and entertainment at the conference.  He had us rolling on the floors with laughter--wait maybe that was him rolling on the floor, and then hopping back up again as he told about cracking open rocky mountain oysters.  Pretty agile for someone of his age!  ;)



After a great BBQ dinner buffet, it was time for game night, though we spent most of our time just yapping with friends.

Bright and early we were back for breakfast with Baxter and the the final round of the FFA discussion Meet.  The winner took home and IPad and the three runners-up each a $100 check.  This was followed by breakout sessions, dealing with: Farm to Retail, Application Process for YF&R Competitions, FSA Loans for Beginning Farmers, Grazing Improvement Program, and "You have a story to tell" by a YF&R member who completed the AFBF's intense two-year PAL's program.

As the old committee was thanked and the new committee welcomed on board, Chairs Dustin and Harmony Cox were saying good-bye to their years on the state committee.

For those who were able to attend, there was a tour of the Heber Valley Cheese Plant.  Unfortunately I missed this part, we had to head south for a birthday party for our son.  So, you will have to check out the Clark County FB blog to learn more about that!

A great weekend, a great meeting, thanks to our Neighbors to the west.  And a HUGE special thanks to our state YF&R coordinator/Field Agent/ All-around Superwoman, Stephanie Licht, who does so much to make these events happen!!

Kevin and Michele have recently returned to the family farm in Dry Valley, Nevada,
and we are so thrilled to have them learning the ropes of what Farm Bureau and YF&R are.

Yes, we spend a lot of time at Farm Bureau meetings around the table--we have to support our producers and growers, don't we??

Stephanie, Jasmine, and Candace enjoying Breakfast with Baxter.

Shelbie and Micah.



He loves it when I pull out the camera, especially when its meal time.
This was a great breakfast, though, with Baxter Black cracking us up,
good food and friends, it was worth getting up so early for!



I grew up in a home where Western Horseman Magazine was a monthly arrival in the mail.  Most of that time I was too young to care much about the articles, but there was one, on the backpage that I never missed--
"On the Edge of Common Sense," By Cowboy Poet and Veterinarian, Baxter Black.
We had already planned to go to this conference when we found out that Baxter would be the guest presenter, so I have to say, I was pretty darn excited. 

Jasmine and Candace are both into team roping and part of the Friday night FUN was a roping contest, along with card games and a wii dance-off contest.  Well, these Nevada girls showed those Utahns how to rope and won top honors.  Utah YF&R Chair, Dustin Cox presented them with fun gift boxes for their win.