One Brown County rancher is participating in Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) AgLead XV program.
Jay Clark raises beef cattle and hair sheep on their family ranch in Brown and Coleman County. He and his wife, Francie, also manage a special events venue — The Homestead at Clark Ranch. They have implemented a regenerative model emphasizing soil health, animal performance and improving ecosystem functions. They have three children J.W., ClaraAnn and J. Boone. Jay is a graduate of Brownwood High School and Abilene Christian University. Jay and Francie were also finalists for Texas Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher program in 2021.
The two-year leadership development program takes participants across Texas, the country and the world to discover agriculture and leadership from a new perspective.
“AgLead is a program designed to cultivate and enhance skills and traits needed to be an effective agricultural leader,” said Roger Hall, TFB associate director of Organization division, Leader Development. “Through this program, members will learn to cultivate opportunities and develop a strong voice for agriculture in their various communities, whether that’s at schools, local politics, the state legislature or city and county government.”
Members will also develop a deeper understanding of communication, public policy, regulatory activities and political advocacy, according to Hall.
“AgLead empowers farmers and ranchers to continue the proud legacy of Texas agriculture,” Hall said. “Through this program, they will learn more about the intricacies of agribusiness, as well as the political and regulatory processes that influence their businesses at state and national levels.”
The program’s seven sessions include stops in Waco, Austin, the West Coast, Texas Panhandle, Rio Grande Valley, Washington, D.C. and an international trip.
In addition to Clark, the current class of 12 participants include: Tim Akers, Grimes County; Tryce Berend, Hood-Somervell County; Colton Buckley, Stephens County; Justin Cave, Dawson County; Clayton Conway, Van Zandt County; Hailey Hayes, Calhoun County; Jaret Reaves, Cooke County; Jarod Root, Denton County; Wesley Paben, Waller County; Austen White, Wilbarger County; and Matthew Wolf, Archer County.
AgLead is an advanced agricultural leadership program for TFB members ages 25 and above. To learn more about the leadership program, visit https://texasfarmbureau.org/aglead.