Spotlight on YFA: Ben and Haily Sand

Ben and Haily Sand, District 9 WFBF YFA Committee members
Farm Bureau members since 2018

Why do you value your Farm Bureau membership?

Our Farm Bureau membership has kept us in contact with fellow farmers and hopefully will provide for a future in farming for generations to come. Not only does Farm Bureau represent local farmers within the county, but also on the state and federal levels through programming and legislative involvement. There are fewer farmers, and as they say, the agricultural community is a small world, and it truly is. Since we aren’t able to walk to the neighbors and ask for help or pop in for a quick visit, we are calling, sending out text messages and setting up Zoom calls, to name a few. Times are changing and we need to change with them. That’s why being involved on the legislative side also allows us to advocate for what we think is right.

What has been your favorite Farm Bureau program/event/etc and why?

Our favorite event has been the YFA Conference in Wisconsin Dells and also is the only event we have been able to attend due to COVID-19. The YFA Conference gave us the opportunity to not only meet the members of the state committee for the first time but we also met other young Farm Bureau members from across the state who share the same passions as we do.

It was great to attend workshops, help keep the show rolling in the background and learn more specifics of different parts of agriculture, from agriculture tourism, policy, farming practices and crop production.

What would you tell YFA members about getting involved in the YFA program?

You need to take that leap and jump in; you will not regret it. YFA provides you with opportunities to help you build relationships, dive deeper into local and state issues, develop better speaking skills, other personal growth and be in front of what is coming in agriculture.

Best words of advice/words of wisdom?

Join! Attend a YFA event. Go to the WFBF Annual Meeting and if you see us, stop and say hi. Have questions, ask! Your membership is what you make it. If you don’t jump, you will never know.