The University of Minnesota Crookston Collegiate Farm Bureau has been awarded a $500 mini-grant on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Since the development of the program in the fall of 2017, AFBF has awarded more than seventy mini-grants through the Collegiate Farm Bureau Mini-Grant Program. The chapter is the first official collegiate group in Minnesota

The grant money will be used to help the chapter with transportation and registration fees for the 2025 Minnesota Farm Bureau LEAP (Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Promotion) Conference. Chapter President, Lily Krona said, “Attending the LEAP Conference is an important step to establish statewide connections and support”. The LEAP Conference's mission is to provide leadership and advocacy training for all Farm Bureau members.

In 2024, the Crookston Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter sent 11 chapter members to the conference and plans to send 20 members to the conference this coming year.

Most collegiate members are first-time Farm Bureau members, and the LEAP Conference covers topics from networking opportunities and showcasing a variety of solutions to new technology ideas and innovations, with diverse speakers from different fields of study all related to the agricultural field.

“Connecting with our organization on a state-wide level is crucial to the sustainability and longevity of our newly formed chapter,” said Krona.

 

 University of Minnesota- Crookston Collegiate Farm Bureau Founding Members:

Lily Krona – President

Katelyn Larson - Vice President

Katie Mack - Secretary

Sarah Reichert - Treasurer

Mal Miller - CSA Representative