Nearly 400 young farmers, ranchers and women in agriculture from across the state gathered at Florida Farm Bureau’s FUSION Conference July 10-12 in Orlando. The event brought together agriculture enthusiasts for leadership development and hands-on learning opportunities aimed at strengthening the future of Florida agriculture.
Attendees participated in local farm tours, competitive events, networking socials and professional development breakout sessions. Participants packed 11,000 pounds of potatoes for statewide distribution through food banks in a service project with Feeding Florida.
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Young Farmers & Ranchers Competitions
Finalists were selected for Florida Farm Bureau’s 2026 Discussion Meet, Achievement in Agriculture and Excellence in Agriculture awards. These awards recognize young farmers and ranchers for their leadership, agricultural achievements, advocacy and service to Farm Bureau and their communities. Finalists will compete for state titles at Florida Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting in October.
The 2026 Discussion Meet finalists are:
- Lainey Francisco, St. Lucie County
- Kyle Mendes, Alachua County
- Carly Montuani, Jackson County
- Wesley Thomas, Union County
The 2026 Achievement in Agriculture Award finalists are:
- Jacob and Katelyn Nixon, Okaloosa County
- Alex and Emily Murphy, Hamilton County
- David and Libby Torbert, Dade County
The 2026 Excellence in Agriculture Award finalists are:
- Matt and Kayla Gonzales, Jackson County
- Sarah Luther, Alachua County
- Victoria Register, Volusia County
County Activity Awards
Putnam-St. Johns County’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Program and Duval County’s Women’s Program earned Outstanding Activity Awards for providing members with outstanding opportunities to promote agricultural awareness and engage in community service. They each received $250 to help fund county activities next year.
Nineteen counties qualified for the 2025 Young Farmers and Ranchers Activity Award: Alachua, Clay, Dade, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hernando/Citrus, Highlands, Jackson, Lake, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Polk, Putnam-St. Johns, Seminole, Taylor, Union and Volusia.
Twenty-eight counties earned the 2025 Women’s Activity Award: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando/Citrus, Highlands, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Okaloosa, Palm Beach, Polk, Putnam-St. Johns, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and Volusia.
Keynote Speaker
Conference attendees heard from keynote speaker Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned animal scientist, author and autism advocate whose innovations revolutionized humane livestock handling systems around the world.
“We need the skills of people who think differently,” Grandin said.
Her message reinforced the conference’s focus on cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders and equipping members to meet the opportunities and challenges facing Florida agriculture.
