LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. – The Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) held its annual Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Conference from February 14-16 at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Lake of the Ozarks, where seven talented members competed in a highly anticipated discussion meet.
Beth Bruckerhoff (Hermann) emerged victorious in this year’s competition.
The discussion meet is designed to encourage thoughtful debate on pressing issues within the agriculture industry. It features two rounds in which participants are assigned topics related to agriculture without prior notice or preparation, ensuring the discussions remain spontaneous and reflective of real-world challenges. In the first round, participants tackled the important question of how to engage the next generation of farmers and ranchers in policy discussions and organizational activities that shape the agricultural sector. The final round focused on the critical topic of rural energy issues, exploring solutions and strategies for addressing energy challenges in rural communities.
Bruckerhoff’s performance stood out during the competition, and she was joined in the final round by fellow competitors Nathan Forck (Greene County), Branden Bothwell (Livingston County), and Kay-Lynn Lysinger (St. Clair County), each demonstrating strong insights and leadership in the discussions.
Eric Volmer, MOFB senior director of field services and the Young Farmer & Rancher Program, expressed his enthusiasm for Bruckerhoff’s success. “I’m excited that Beth will have the opportunity to represent Missouri at the American Farm Bureau Federation National Conference next January,” he said. “She has shown tremendous skill in this competition, and I have no doubt she will prepare diligently to showcase Missouri’s agriculture leadership on the national stage in Anaheim, California.”
Bruckerhoff’s victory marks an exciting milestone in her career, and she now looks forward to representing Missouri at the upcoming national competition.