Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
More than 250 of Georgia's future agricultural leaders made their way to Jekyll Island for Georgia Farm Bureau's annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Summer Leadership Conference — and the energy was unmistakable. Reporting from Jekyll Island, Damon Jones takes us inside one of the most important gatherings in Georgia agriculture each year.
YF&R Committee Chairman Garrett Hurley says there's no other event in Georgia that brings together such a diverse cross-section of the agricultural world — chemical salespeople, equipment dealers, educators, producers, and advocates all in one place at one time. That diversity of perspective is exactly what makes the conference so valuable.
The conference isn't just about networking. Sessions focused on advocacy, education, and political engagement gave attendees the tools and motivation to show up for agriculture beyond the farm gate. AFBF Advocacy and Political Management Director Mike Sistak delivered a sobering reminder of why that matters — with fewer and fewer members of Congress having any agricultural background, producers must advocate loudly and clearly for themselves, their families, and their communities.
This year's award winners were also announced — Allie Andrews of Lamar County took home the Achievement Award, Bryan and Addie Tucker of Wilcox County earned the Excellence in Agriculture Award, and Michael Howard of Hart County won the Discussion Meet. All of them credit involvement in events like this one as the foundation of their success.
Keynote speaker Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, fighter pilot and founder of Folds of Honor, wrapped things up with a message rooted in discipline, faith, family, farming, and freedom — reminding the next generation of farm leaders that showing up every day with purpose is the foundation of everything.
More than 250 of Georgia's future agricultural leaders made their way to Jekyll Island for Georgia Farm Bureau's annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Summer Leadership Conference — and the energy was unmistakable. Reporting from Jekyll Island, Damon Jones takes us inside one of the most important gatherings in Georgia agriculture each year.
YF&R Committee Chairman Garrett Hurley says there's no other event in Georgia that brings together such a diverse cross-section of the agricultural world — chemical salespeople, equipment dealers, educators, producers, and advocates all in one place at one time. That diversity of perspective is exactly what makes the conference so valuable.
The conference isn't just about networking. Sessions focused on advocacy, education, and political engagement gave attendees the tools and motivation to show up for agriculture beyond the farm gate. AFBF Advocacy and Political Management Director Mike Sistak delivered a sobering reminder of why that matters — with fewer and fewer members of Congress having any agricultural background, producers must advocate loudly and clearly for themselves, their families, and their communities.
This year's award winners were also announced — Allie Andrews of Lamar County took home the Achievement Award, Bryan and Addie Tucker of Wilcox County earned the Excellence in Agriculture Award, and Michael Howard of Hart County won the Discussion Meet. All of them credit involvement in events like this one as the foundation of their success.
Keynote speaker Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, fighter pilot and founder of Folds of Honor, wrapped things up with a message rooted in discipline, faith, family, farming, and freedom — reminding the next generation of farm leaders that showing up every day with purpose is the foundation of everything.
