Members of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee elected Cole Coxbill, of Goshen County, as the committee’s chairman for 2016. He began his one-year term at the conclusion of the AFBF YF&R Conference held mid-February. He will also serve a one-year term on the AFBF board of directors.

“Farm Bureau is our voice of and for agriculture at the county, state and national levels,” Coxbill said. “We are all busy in agriculture. But if we stay on the sidelines and do our own thing, changes will happen and it won’t always change to your liking. We can either sit on the sidelines or step up and take charge of our own involvement.”

According to Coxbill, connecting with people outside of farming and ranching continues to be a top priority—and the next generation of farmers and ranchers is in a unique position to share agriculture’s story.       

            “We are passionate about agriculture and have chosen it for our occupation,” Coxbill stated. “Most young farmers and ranchers have a degree in something else, but we have made the choice to farm.”

Cole and his wife Sammie have three children and live near Huntley where Cole is the fourth generation on the Coxbill Farm. Coxbill Farms is a diversified farm with corn, alfalfa, sugar beets, dry edible beans, wheat, cow/calf operation, background feedlot and custom feedlot.  Cole and Sammie also have a spraying business, trucking business and cow herd.

            “Farm Bureau is the best organization in the world to get involved with because we can shape the future of agriculture,” He concluded. “I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve young farmers and ranchers, advocate for agriculture and represent Farm Bureau in this position.”

            “Cole and his wife, Sammie, are both dedicated to their family, farm, Farm Bureau and Wyoming and American Agriculture,” said Kerin Clark, WyFB YF&R Coordinator. “Their hard work, loyalty and leadership skills are second to none.”

“We appreciate their involvement in the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation,” Clark continued. “Developing leaders for agriculture is a primary goal of the Farm Bureau YF&R program and we know our future is bright with farmers like the Coxbills involved in leadership.”

The YF&R program includes men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. The program’s goals are to help younger Farm Bureau members learn more about agriculture, network with other farmers and realize their full potential as leaders in agriculture and Farm Bureau.

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agriculture organization. On the web, www.wyfb.org.