Six Tips for Young, Beginning and Starting Farmers

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall shares the path that led him to AFBF president and his best tips for beginning farmers.

Here’s a glance at this episode:

• [01:32] President Duvall explains his background in agriculture growing up on a dairy farm and his career path leading to American Farm Bureau.
• [04:56] President Duvall shares what his job role is and what a typical day in Washington D.C. looks like for him.
• [06:22] Discussing some of the top issues in agriculture right now, President Duvall shares some of the main topics American Farm Bureau is focusing on, including input costs and labor.
• [08:30] President Duvall explains how American Farm Bureau serves as a “watchdog for American agriculture.”
• [11:03] Having the ability to communicate like never before, is one of the top ways President Duvall feels that agriculture has changed.
• [12:11] President Duvall explains why there is value for young farmers in belonging to a membership organization.
• [14:59] Giving advice for young farmers, President Duvall explains some of the challenges they face.
• [22:10] Farmers and non-farmers are encouraged to get involved with their local Farm Bureau and help promote the future of American agriculture.

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Bios

Guest: Zippy Duvall

Zippy Duvall is the current president of The American Farm Bureau Federation. He is a 3rd generation poultry, cattle and hay producer from Georgia and has been president of AFBF since 2016. Through his leadership as AFBF president, he has helped share a new farm bill, defeat misguided regulations, shepherd new trade agreements and ensure farmers and ranchers are supported through natural disasters and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Host: Phil Young

Phil is an account officer for AgCredit serving Van Wert County. He’s been in ag lending for over four years but his agricultural background goes back much farther. He grew up on his family’s farm where his father raised a large herd of sheep. Currently, he helps with the family farm raising corn, soybeans and wheat. Phil likes working at AgCredit because he can help people achieve their goals. Whether that is purchasing a new piece of farm ground, updating a piece of equipment, or helping a borrower understand their financials, helping his clients succeed is always his goal.

Host: Libby Wixtead

Libby has been an account officer for eight years serving AgCredit members in Marion County. She grew up on a 200-acre grain farm and was very active in 4-H and FFA. Today, Libby and her husband operate a 2,400-head swine finishing barn. Her favorite part about working at AgCredit is working with local farmers from the same area where she grew up and seeing their operations thrive. She loves working in agriculture and helping her customers be successful year after year.