Opportunities for Young Producers
Below you will find a list of programs offered from various organizations throughout the state of Wyoming for those interested in pursuing a career in agriculture. Along with this, we will periodically update the page with meetings and other pertinent information to producers looking to get a start in agriculture.
Young Producer Assembly
Organization: Wyoming Stock Growers Association
Description: This assembly was started at the 2015 Winter Roundup winter convention as a subset youth group to WSGA and since that time the group has over 25 participants from across the state. This recognizes that many agriculturalists are older and may be just getting started in the business past 40 years of age and wanted to ensure that those individuals would have a place to learn, network and strengthen their roots in Wyoming agriculture and WSGA. YPA focuses on the needs, issues and educational goals of this age group while also seeking mentorship from older WSGA members. Currently the assembly is creating operating procedures, trademark and general rules of conduct to sustain and guide them into the future. Assembly members will have an opportunity to learn more about WSGA as the group will be closely structured the same and leadership roles will be like the association’s. This will create a smoother transition to those assembly members who want to take leadership roles in WSGA as they will already understand how the association operates and be a willing and educated participant. Looking to the future, the assembly hopes to join forces with the Youth-Joint members and foster them to stay involved, attend educational sessions and give them a place where their opinions will be heard.
Ages: 18-40
Requirements to participate: To be eligible, young producers must meet the age requirement or have 5 years or less experience in the agricultural industry. Members of this group do not need to be a WSGA member in good standing, but they cannot vote on specific items that could affect YPA or WSGA in any way unless they do become a WSGA member.
Contact Information: Olivia Sanchez, Communication, Publications & Programs Director
(307) 638-3942
Invasive Species: Rangeland Internship Program
Organization: Wyoming Stock Growers Association, The Nature Conservancy – Wyoming & Association of Conservation Districts
Description: Starting in 2013, this joint internship program was designed to offer natural resource and agricultural based students real-world ranching experience and resource management educational opportunities. The program can support up to 5 interns with each intern paced on a volunteering ranch across the state who will mentor them throughout the summer. Many of the mentoring ranches in this program have been with the program since 2013 with mentoring ranches in Lander, Powell, Gillette and Savery, Wyoming. Students are paid a monthly stipend, given free housing, Wi-Fi and laundry as well as the opportunity to obtain 1-3 credit hours. Currently, this program is open to take applications for the summer of 2017.
Ages: Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Graduate Student
Requirements to participate: To be eligible, applicants must be a college Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Graduate Student who is majoring in a natural resource or agricultural based major.
To apply, please include a current transcript, one letter of recommendation, typed one page essay describing how this internship opportunity will further your educational experience and the application form found under the Rangeland Internship Program page located under the Programs and Partners tab on the WSGA website. Attach essay and other supporting materials to this form if mailing to the WSGA office or submit together as an email attachment. Please complete this application form and return it to the address below by Friday, March 31st or sooner. Please send to: Wyoming Stock Growers Assn. Attn: Haley Lockwood, P.O. Box 206, Cheyenne, WY 82003 or by email to haley@wysga.org.
Contact Information: Olivia Sanchez, Communications Director
(307) 638-3942
Youth-Joint Membership
Organization: Wyoming Stock Growers Association
Description: For collegiate aged students, WSGA offers a Youth-Joint membership to any college aged individual who is a part of a Wyoming community college or University of Wyoming Recognized Student Organization (RSO) that is geared specifically towards agriculture. WSGA started this program in 2013 and has created a membership base with students at Laramie County Community College (LCCC) and the University of Wyoming (UW). Both groups, Laramie County Community College Cattlemen’s Club and Wyoming Collegiate Cattle Association, have participated in WSGA events, hosted WSGA members as guest speakers and have sought help from WSGA for various resources and information. Our goal is to support youth in this membership through resources, networking and education.
Ages: All college aged individuals
Requirements for participation: Youth-Joint Membership is only available if the Wyoming University or Community College has a Cattlemen’s or Cattle oriented club or recognized student organization (RSO). The club or RSO can then enroll their members as Youth-Joint members.
Contact information: (307) 638-3942
Clifford P. Hansen Scholarship
Organization: Wyoming Stock Growers Association
Description: 2015 marked the first year that WSGA was able to gift the second scholarship, the Clifford P. Hansen Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in remembrance of Clifford Hansen, who was known as a Teton county rancher, Past President of Wyoming Stock Growers Association, the Governor of Wyoming and a U.S. Senator. The Memorial Scholarship was established through contributions received in memory of Senator Hansen and other departed WSGA leaders. It recognizes an outstanding college student pursuing an education related to Wyoming’s agriculture or natural resources. WSGA believes that continuing education is an important asset for youth and we are proud to announce that January 2016 marked the second year of awarding the $1,000 scholarship.
Ages: All college eligible individuals
Requirements to participate: To be eligible, student, parents or guardian must be a member in good standing of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. The applicant must be a sophomore, junior or senior enrolled full-time at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming Community College, have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and be majoring in agriculture or natural resource related field. The Scholarship Selection Committee is always impressed by each application as each student is very involved in their school, studies and have taken the initiative to become a leader to their classmates. The winning scholarship recipient is invited to the Wyoming Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show summer convention to receive their scholarship money from Governor Matthew H. Mead, grandson of Clifford Hansen, and address the WSGA membership.
Contact Information: Olivia Sanchez, Communications Director
(307) 638-3942
Young Farmer and Rancher Program
Organization: Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation
Description: The Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) agriculture program includes both men and women between the ages of 18-35. The objective of the YF&R program is to provide leadership in building a more effective Farm Bureau to preserve our individual freedoms and expand our opportunities in agriculture.
The YF&R program is a committee centered, fully integrated part of Farm Bureau at the county, state and national level. County and state committees are charged with surfacing, training and motivating young Farm Bureau board members to understand basic Wyoming Farm Bureau principles and procedures and to foster active involvement in Farm Bureau agricultural projects.
The program offers opportunities in: Leadership Development; Legislative Awareness; Educational Conferences; Networking with other farmers and ranchers around the world; Competitive Events; and Involvement in the whole Farm Bureau program.
Statewide and district events, programs and contests are designed by the WyFB YF&R Committee to enhance Farm Bureau efforts and to build skills that will translate to positive action for agriculture.
Ages: 18-35 years old
Requirements to participate: No requirements to participate in the annual WyFB YF&R Conference.
Leadership and competitive events participation requirements: Must be a regular member of the Wyoming Farm Bureau between the ages of 18-35
Contact Information: WyFB YF&R Coordinator Kerin Clark, 307-532-2002, www.wyfb.org
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