The annual Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Conference was presented last month in Indianapolis to a sold-out crowd. The conference theme was “Innovate and Grow,” and it provided an opportunity for education and networking for INFB members under the age of 40.

Alongside keynote and breakout sessions, county YF&AP programs were honored for their accomplishments in 2024.

Farm Bureaus in Kosciusko and Dubois counties were the winners of the Awakening Award, which recognized county YF&AP programs that were new or had not applied for the contest in the last three years.

County YF&AP programs also were recognized for their contributions to Feeding America, a nonprofit with a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that provide meals to tens of millions of people in need every year. Kosciusko County Farm Bureau was recognized for donating more than $3,000 to Feeding America in 2024.

The opening session kicked off with a keynote speech from Dr. Temple Grandin, author and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. As a world-renowned animal advocate, Grandin has been instrumental in implementing animal welfare auditing programs that are used by McDonalds, Wendy’s, Whole Foods and other corporations. She spoke to the group about cattle and sustainability practices.

The second keynote speaker was Braxten Nielsen, who shared how he has overcome setbacks and challenges related to a rodeo accident that almost left him permanently paralyzed.

Breakout sessions focused on hot topics in the ag industry, including water rights, cattle risk management, biosecurity, AI and farming, mental health and more.

For more information on the YF&AP program, visit infb.org/YFAP.