My name is David Hafner

and I am Farmer Advocate.

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My goal is to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers so the public can have a personal relationship with their food and farmers can have a stronger consumer base to whom they can sell. I want people to hear farmers' stories so they can understand the process of growing and raising food and getting it to our homes. I want to help people understand farmers live, work, and play in the same places as everyone else. I want to be a voice for agriculture and I will use the skills and connections I have gained to do so.

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I grew up on a ranch and worked in the equine industry until my early 30s. I learned a lot of important soft and hard skills while working on the ranch and with horses, but the most important thing I picked up is effective communication. Whether I was training horses, teaching people how to ride, or managing the staff to care for the horses and maintain the barn, I had to find ways to communicate with each person and animal in a way that they would receive the important information I was trying to convey.

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Along with my experiences on the ranch, I also worked in the feed industry off and on for about 15 years. During that time I dedicated myself to learn as much about the products I was selling as I could so I could give my customers the best advice possible. It was important to me that I be able to credibly recommend products that would meet my customers' needs while saving them as much money as possible.

 

In 2016 I was selected to the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers (FFBF YF&R) Leadership Program. For two years I was given access to Florida agriculture's top decision makers. From farmers and farm organization leaders to state legislators and congressmen, the FFBF YF&R gave me front row access and I took every advantage to make meaningful connections during that time. I worked so hard that I was named the 2018 FFBF Volunteer Communicator of the Year.

 

In 2018 I graduated from the FFBF YF&R, but I wanted more. I gathered my courage and applied to a very competitive agriculture leadership and advocacy program offered by American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). In 2019 I was selected to join the 10th class of the AFBF Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) Program. During my three years in AFBF PAL I was at the discussion table advocating for the future of agriculture. We met with industry leaders, policy makers, trade representatives, and media giants in New York City, Washington D.C., and through virtual meetings and we took every opportunity to make our voices known. I am proud to be the first and, at this time, only Floridian to complete the elite AFBF PAL Program.

 

During my time as an AFBF PAL I enrolled in classes at Warner University where I earned my A.S. in Agricultural Studies and my B.A. in Business Administration. My college graduation came at the perfect time as the position of 4-H agent opened in my county and my newly acquired degree was a minimum requirement to apply. I was awarded the position as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Martin County 4-H Youth Development Agent.

 

I now I use my life experiences and leadership training to not only tell my story and the story of agriculture, but also to give Florida 4-H members the confidence and skills they need to effectively tell theirs.