The American Farm Bureau Federation recently honored 10 outstanding young farm and ranch leaders as graduates of the organization’s ninth Partners in Advocacy Leadership class, two of which came from Utah. PAL provides advanced training to the organization’s rising stars, with the goal of developing powerful advocates for agriculture and cultivating leaders who can help Farm Bureau advance its policy goals. 

“It’s inspiring to see the work and commitment that PAL graduates put into this program,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “I look forward to seeing the results of their engagement to help shape the policies that affect our farms and our nation’s food security.” 

Graduates of PAL Class 9 are: Angi Bailey, Oregon; John Boelts, Arizona; April Clayton, Washington; Becca Ferry, Utah; Amy France, Kansas; Amelia Kent, Louisiana; Matt Niswander, Tennessee; James O’Brien, Texas; Tyson Roberts, Utah; and Jamie Tiralla, Maryland. 

PAL training involves four learning modules designed to develop specific leadership skills while exploring components of leadership and its theories and philosophies. The modules build on one another over the two years of the program and include intense, in-person, hands-on training. 

The PAL program is sponsored by AFBF, Farm Credit and Bayer Co. To be eligible for the program, candidates must be between the ages of 30 and 45, with demonstrated leadership skills.