More than 20 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers and collegiate Farm Bureau members attended the 2026 American Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference March 13-17 in Portland, Oregon.
The conference brought together more than 900 YF&R and collegiate Farm Bureau members from around the country.
Members at the event had the opportunity to hear from several keynote speakers including former United States Army Ranger, Keni Thomas; content creator and apple grower, Kait Thornton; and current and past AFBF YF&R chairs, Tommy Salisbury, Jon Iverson and Ryan MacKay.
During the conference, Tulsa County Farm Bureau member, Tommy Salisbury, officially began his two-year term as AFBF YF&R committee chair after being elected to the position during AFBF’s 2026 convention in January in Anaheim, California. Salisbury had previously been appointed to the AFBF YF&R committee in early 2025. The AFBF YF&R committee is made up of 16 positions that represent all regions of the United States. Committee members are responsible for program planning, including YF&R competitive events during AFBF’s annual convention and the Harvest for All program.
OKFB members also attended numerous breakout sessions throughout the conference ranging from building relationships and tackling large-scale farming to becoming a young board member and effective communication.
Tommy Salisbury, hosted several breakout sessions including sharing strategies to bring teens and young adults into YF&R and tackling the realities of large-scale farming. OKFB director of YF&R and safety, Burton Harmon, and Ottawa County Farm Bureau member, Alisen Anderson, hosted a breakout session equipping YF&R members with the tools, confidence and strategic mindset needed to take on leadership roles within their county Farm Bureaus.
Attendees wrapped up the conference with Oregon agriculture tours featuring the Tillamook Creamery, Organic Orchards Cider and Hudson Falls, and Triskelee Farm.
