The Ag industry, like many American industries, needs to focus how to get the next generation passionate about becoming tomorrow’s leaders.

 

Enter the Farm Bureau’s PAL program.  Partners in Advocacy Leadership works to not only connect the Ag industry with the next generation of leaders, but also connect young farmers with the non-Ag community.  Angi Bailey with the Oregon Farm Bureau participates in PAL, and said the program has forced her outside of her comfort zone and familiarity.

 

“It’s grown and stretch me in ways that I did not anticipate and I think one thing that I truly appreciated is, again, the diversity of opportunity within the program to stretch and develop multiple skill sets. Not just one.”

 

April Clayton with the Washington Farm Bureau says if farming is to survive into the future, the industry has to adapt and be attractive to the next generation.  She says many young people don’t that farming’s changed a lot since their great-grandparents.

 

“You know, there are a lot of young up and comers in the field, especially with new technologies out there in farming, it’s becoming an even more exciting field, so it’s really important to get those young faces and voices out there to spread the word so that younger generations can be interested in farming and come back to the farm.”

 

To learn more about the PAL program, visit the Farm Bureau's Website.

 

 

 

 

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com

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