RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. -Madisen Boyer has grown up in the Russellville Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives.
As a Cole County R-1 School junior, she now is involved with the Russellville FFA Chapter, too.
But it's the influence of her mother's involvement with the adult program that inspired Boyer's recent speech, which earned her second place at the fall competition.
Similarly, the Young Farmers program has been inspiring new ideas and encouraging commitment for generations in the Russellville area.
On Thursday the Russellville chapter will meet with the California Young Farmers for a look at 2014 with expert Ron Plain.
The Russellville Young Farmers meet monthly October through April with a carry-in dinner, time for friends to catch up with one another and a program. Topics include Right to Farm legislation, investment strategies, livestock health issues and fencing and facility improvements.
At least half of the Russellville community is involved in farming at some level, said FFA advisor Jason Twenter.
"They like to hear what's going on," Twenter said.
Several farmers like Kenyon Maier have been attending the Russellville Young Farmers meetings since FFA advisor Dave Snyder organized it in the early 1970s.
At that time, Maier's primary emphasis was hog farming. But today, few hog farms are left and he is primarily a niche farmer in Piedmontese cattle, he said.
The number of members has remained about the same in the last 40 years, Maier said. But the agricultural practices and concerns have changed significantly, he said.
One of the best perks of the association is the annual summer tour, Maier said.
"It sure helps to see what somebody else is doing," he said.
The bottom line always has been finding better ways to make money in farming. Few people today rely on farming as their sole income.
As an older member, Maier said it's important to bring along the younger farmers and the FFA members who will become farmers.
"If we don't have younger people carrying on, somebody's going to go hungry," Maier said.
The Young Farmers group supports the FFA chapter with fundraising and volunteer hours, particularly the annual Turkey Supper in November and providing scholarships for graduates.
And this spring, the Russellville Young Farmers will erect a welcome sign along the highway entering the city to the east.
"There's a huge disconnect between the general public and the ag community," said FFA Advisor Alicia LePage. "Young Farmers can help bridge that gap."