University of Wyoming Collegiate Farm Bureau students recently traveled to Washington, D.C., where they explored policy, advocacy, and the broader role of their organization on a national scale. 

“The goal was for UW students to get the opportunity to see our nation’s capital, to see our government in action and to make connections with people in policy—specifically within American Farm Bureau,” said Jordan Anderson, a recent UW graduate and former Collegiate Farm Bureau president. 

The group’s week was divided between historical sightseeing and professional networking. Students toured major landmarks, visited the Department of the Interior and the Capitol, and sat down with representatives from American Farm Bureau and even the Mexican Embassy. 

“It was really valuable to learn more about Farm Bureau at the national level and how that filters down to us as collegiate members,” Anderson said. “We learned about the different committees, how the structure works, and how we as students fit into that.” 

For Anderson, seeing policy discussions in real time brought abstract issues to life. 

“Sometimes as a college student, if you're not familiar with the Farm Bureau structure, it’s hard to understand what being a collegiate member really means,” she said. “But being able to see the broader scope of what Farm Bureau is doing—and how we can fit into that—was really valuable.” 

The group also learned more about current agricultural issues, including Farm Bill negotiations. 

“It was cool to see the people who are actually working on those issues and talk to them,” she said. “There’s just a lot of value in seeing it firsthand.” 

Some of the most impactful moments weren’t scheduled. While touring the Capitol with an intern from Senator John Barrasso’s office, the group was joined by a family from Los Angeles. 

“They were told Collegiate Farm Bureau students would be joining the tour,” Anderson said. “When we showed up in suits and professional clothes, they were surprised. I 100% think they expected us to be in boots, a cowboy hat and flannel.” 

Those small encounters, Anderson said, gave students a chance to be ambassadors for agriculture in everyday settings. 

“Just being a voice for agriculture in those small, unplanned moments was really impactful,” she said. “Even things like conversations in restaurants gave us the chance to represent the ag community and help people better understand who we are.” 

For Anderson, the D.C. trip was a culmination of years of work to revive Collegiate Farm Bureau at UW. 

“When I first came to UW in 2022, there were conversations about Collegiate Farm Bureau, but it had really died off,” she said. “After COVID, the people who were involved had graduated. It wasn’t officially a club anymore.” 

Rebuilding the organization took time, persistence and a lot of behind-the-scenes work. 

“It took us about a year and a half to get all of that official paperwork done,” Anderson said. “We had to find the old constitution, the bank account—our advisor had retired. There were a lot of hoops to jump through to get reinstated with the university.” 

Anderson served as president for two years and watched the club grow from a handful of students showing up for pizza to a more engaged and active presence on campus. 

“This club has been a stepping stone for me,” she said. “I grew up with my parents being involved in Farm Bureau, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to get involved myself in college.” 

Although she’s originally from Pennsylvania, Anderson said participating in Collegiate Farm Bureau in Wyoming gave her a broader understanding of agricultural issues across the country. 

“It’s the same organization, but the things that are important to farmers and ranchers here are different than at home,” she said. “It’s been fun to get a glimpse of that.” 

Anderson said her time in the organization—especially opportunities like the D.C. trip—helped prepare her for a career in communications and marketing. 

“My experiences with Farm Bureau have helped me get more comfortable talking to people and sharing my story—sharing agriculture’s story,” she said. “Wanting to tell the story of agriculture and actually knowing how to do it are two different things.” 

She credits her involvement with helping her land a job, too. After interning with the Center for Dairy Excellence in the summer of 2023, Anderson stayed on in a part-time role. This spring, she was offered a full-time position starting Sept. 1. 

As she transitions into her career, Anderson plans to stay involved with Farm Bureau through her local county chapter. 

“I feel prepared and excited for that next step,” she said. “It’s about finding your place in agriculture. Whether you’re from a ranch, a dairy, or grew up in town, there’s a spot for you. It’s a place to learn, grow, and advocate.”