The majority of young farmers and ranchers participating in a survey of the farm economy said they are optimistic. The survey was conducted during the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers summer conference in Shawnee July 24-25.

The survey indicated 88 percent feel good about the farm economy but a less optimistic 66 percent believe this will be a good year for Oklahoma agriculture.

Typical of the comments made was this statement by Will Cubbage, Bartlesville:

“I am somewhat optimistic in the short run,” Cubbage said. “If farm prices improve the last half of the year, this will be a good year. “

Cubbage believes the farm economy has more vitality than the general economy.

“Global issues are contributing to a sluggish general economy,” he said.

Many of the young agriculturists stated the obvious when asked about the economic prospects of agriculture.

“Yes, of course, I am optimistic about the farm economy because the need for food will never go away,” said Amber Fuhrman, Lawton.

“I have to be optimistic or there is no point in farming,” said Gage Milliman, Talala.

When asked to name the biggest obstacles for young farmers and ranchers today, land acquisition, high input costs and government regulation were mentioned most often.

“It’s difficult for a young farmer to get established with high land and equipment prices,” said Clint Wilcox, Fairview.

The OFB Young Farmers and Ranchers conference is annually sponsored by the YF&R committee. In addition to the summer conference, the committee sponsors contests and other activities for young agricultural leaders aged 18-35. Applications are now open for the annual YF&R Achievement award, discussion meet and excellence in agriculture award. For more information contact Marcia Irvin, YF&R Coordinator at (405) 523-2405 or mirvin@okfb.org.

The American Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference starts today and runs through Monday, Feb. 22 in Tulsa.

For conference updates, you can follow @AFBFYFR on Twitter to get the official word from AFBF. Twitter users can also search Twitter using the #YFR10 hash tag.

Young ag producers from around the country will have an opportunity to develop their leadership and communication skills while networking with other young agriculturalists. Attendees will take tours of Oklahoma agriculture on Monday, Feb. 22, visiting operations from wineries to a pecan farm to the Food and Agricultural Products Research Center at Oklahoma State University.

More conference information, including an agenda, is available on AFBF's Web site.

Today's Tulsa World has has an article covering the upcoming American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference, including interviews with OFB YF&R leaders. The conference kicks off Feb. 19 in Tulsa.

The following quotes from YF&R leaders were included in the story:

"We share things online all the time with farmers that we know," said Budy, who runs a 1,500-acre wheat farm and cattle ranch.

And later in the article:

"Years ago, farmers only had to worry about their farms and their crops," said Cubbage, chairman of Oklahoma's Young Farmers and Ranchers group. "Now there are a lot of different groups working to make farming more difficult."

Read the entire Tulsa World article covering the 2010 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference.

More information on the conference is available on AFBF's Web site.

While it's been on our home page for several days now, it bears repeating: The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers are holding two social events for all young agriculturalists on December 4 and 5.

The first event will be held in western Oklahoma on Friday, December 4 at Lucille's Roadhouse in Weatherford. The event begins at 6 p.m.

The next day, Saturday, December 5, another social event will be held for young agriculturalists in the eastern part of the state. It will take place at Hideaway Pizza at 8222 E. 103rd St. in Tulsa beginning at 4:30 p.m.

If you are a young ag producer and you are interested, please R.S.V.P. by calling (405) 523-2470. We hope to see many young farmers and ranchers there!

For more information on the OFB Young Farmers and Ranchers program and to view the full promotional posters for the event, please visit this detailed page linked off our home page.