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Farm Bureau FUSION conference brings to light priorities for next gen leadership

The opioid crisis, depression, and succession planning are top of mind for the next generation of Farm Bureau leaders.

Minnesota Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher committee member Ava Breise attended the recent FUSION conference in Milwaukee hosted by AFBF.

“There was a speaker talking about opioids in rural communities. It’s kind of crazy (because) you don’t really expect that to happen in rural communities as much as in big cities, (so that was) an eye-opener.”

She tells Brownfield mental health is another concern.

“Just with how every year it’s gone downhill with prices and everything.”

And Briese says she and others at the conference are interested in farm transition.

“My dad farms with his cousin and it’ll be kind of interesting to see how that all works out.”

The FUSION conference brings together volunteer leaders from Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Council, Women’s Leadership program, and YF&R.