By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist
Finalists of Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) 2023 AgVentures Challenge: Pitch It, Market It, Sell It state contest recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill and visit historical sites.
The students on the trip included Mattison Smith of Wood County, Joe Polster of Hamilton County, Whitley Anderson of Scurry County, Justin Hill of Moore County, Jhett Davis of Johnson County and Aubrey Ellis of Rush County.
The expense-paid trip was part of the prize package the students received for being finalists in the state contest.
“The trip gave them a chance to meet congressional leaders, bringing the contest full circle for the students,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said. “It is important for young adults to understand constitutional government and the free enterprise system.”
During the trip, the finalists met with U.S. Reps. Pete Sessions, Jake Ellzey, Lance Gooden, Ronny Jackson, Nathaniel Moran and Jodey Arrington.
The students also met with U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn.
They visited the American Farm Bureau Federation office and had an evening tour of the U.S. Capitol.
They also met with congressional interns from Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and current staffers who are alumni from the intern programs.
The trip doubled as an opportunity for networking and learning about American history.
“This trip is an opportunity to reward them for their hard work, broaden their network and participate in experiential learning. This group of young adults are bright, and the trip allowed them to gain deeper knowledge of not only the nation’s government, but experience the capital while making memories,” Bush said.
Each student brought home a different lesson from the trip.
“It’s definitely a blessing to grow a deeper understanding of the role congressional members play,” Smith, the contest winner, said. “This trip has me looking at my future a little differently because being in D.C. and seeing everything at work at the Capitol is really different than what you see and learn about in school.”
Smith also put emphasis on the importance of agriculture in D.C.
“It’s important that farmers, ranchers and people who are passionate about agriculture go to D.C. because you’re able to share a story that they might not really understand unless it’s coming from you,” Smith said.
Polster, the contest runner-up, has always been interested in politics and noted he gained new perspectives while at the nation’s capital.
“It was truly an awesome experience,” he said. “We visited with my congressman, met their staff and learned about the different positions that are within government and how legislation is created and passed.”
The trip helped students understand grassroots advocacy and how one voice can help make a difference.
“If lawmakers aren’t representing agriculture properly, we’re not going to be able to grow food and raise livestock. It’s important we have congressmen and senators who are willing to meet with us so we can show the importance of agriculture in their everyday life” Polster said.
They visited the International Spy Museum and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The group also toured Old Town Alexandria, Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon, as well as attended the Congressional Baseball Game at the Washington Nationals Park.
Contest details
This was the first year for the contest and open to high school seniors who completed TFB’s Thrive experience last August.
Thrive is part of TFB’s Student Success Series, which includes virtual and in-person programs for students in eighth through twelfth grade. The Student Success Series aims to help students develop a better understanding of advocacy, learn more about Farm Bureau and grow personal and professional skills they can use in the classroom and future careers.
Ten finalists participated in the state AgVentures Challenge where they created an agricultural product, developed a marketing pitch and presented their ideas to a panel of judges.
The state contest took place at TFB’s Conference and Training Center in Waco Jan. 26.
For more information about the Student Success Series, visit texasfarmbureau.org/student-success-series.
