Future agricultural leaders build lifelong connections through IFAL

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 12, 2026) — A group of rising high school seniors representing more than 30 Kentucky counties gathered on the University of Kentucky’s campus this June for the 41st annual Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL). IFAL is a leadership development program hosted by Kentucky Farm Bureau in partnership with the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Murray State University.

Throughout the week, students lived in residence halls, explored campus, toured UK research farms, participated in leadership development sessions, networked with agricultural professionals and experienced college life firsthand. Students also competed in the IFAL discussion meet competition and participated in a team building ropes course and the annual barnyard Olympics.

Taylor Nash, director of Young Farmer Programs at Kentucky Farm Bureau, said IFAL was created to help students discover the opportunities available within Kentucky agriculture while building the relationships that will shape their futures.

“IFAL is a Farm Bureau program that’s been going on for four decades with the goal of bringing together upcoming seniors and helping them get connected with agriculture in the industry and see what their future might look like here in Kentucky agriculture,” Nash said.

Hosting IFAL on UK’s campus is an intentional part of the experience, Nash said.

“For a lot of students, they hear about college, but they get very few opportunities to really see what college life looks like,” he said. “This is an opportunity to bring them to campus, put them in a dorm, let them eat at the dining hall, get to explore campus and really begin seeing the importance of keeping Kentucky’s talent in Kentucky.”  

That immersive experience left a lasting impression on attendees, including Addie Baker from Adair County.

“Being on a college campus had so many benefits, especially giving me a taste of what my future college experience could be like,” Baker said. “Seeing the proximity of classes to the dorms, the study rooms and the security that each building on campus had made me feel much more comfortable with the college experience as a whole.”

For Baker, the week also clarified her future.

“I had been going back and forth between the medical field and the agriculture industry, and this made me realize that I wanted to continue to be a voice for agriculture long after I graduate high school,” she said. “Seeing the difference that the advocates, farmers and instructors make at the University of Kentucky was eye-opening and absolutely outstanding.”

Baker described IFAL as a “program immersed in agriculture and leadership skills, but also a sense of lifelong relationships that help us create our future pathways.” Participants and organizers alike agreed that those relationships are what make the program truly unforgettable.

“When I think about when I did IFAL 12 years ago, the people I met then are still friends and important people in my life,” Nash said. “I think it’s the most special part about IFAL. The people who are mentors here will be mentors in the future, but also peers and will soon be friends and colleagues.”

Wayne County attendee Collin Ramsey said his favorite part of IFAL was meeting students from across Kentucky while learning from agriculture professionals. Ramsey said the program also strengthened his confidence and leadership abilities.

“I learned the importance of leadership, communication, teamwork and how agriculture impacts our communities,” he said. “I also gained confidence in working with others and stepping outside of my comfort zone.”

Although many participants come from farming backgrounds, Nash emphasized that IFAL welcomes everyone with an interest in agriculture.

“It’s open to everyone,” he said. “It’s open to anyone in that age range who has an interest in agriculture and wants to explore more of what their future could look like in it.”

For Baker, the impact of the week extends beyond leadership workshops and campus tours.

“My favorite part about IFAL was the people,” she said. “Seeing people with so many different interests, backgrounds and dreams all coming together to share their love for the agriculture industry gave me hope for the future of agriculture.”

As another class of students left UK’s campus with new friendships, expanded professional networks and a clearer vision for their futures, IFAL once again demonstrated how a single week can inspire Kentucky’s next generation of agricultural leaders.