State YF&R Committee
Young farmers shaping the agriculture of today and tomorrow
The State YF&R Committee is a two-year leadership development program which aims to surface and develop the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals to be highly effective grassroots leaders at the local, state and national levels.
This committee also serves as an advisory role between SCFB Staff and County Farm Bureau YF&R members to further develop County Farm Bureau YF&R programs and leaders. Two couples or individuals per district represent YF&R members statewide for an alternating two-year term.
State YF&R Committee members enjoy many opportunities to attend specialized trainings and events across the state and country. These events focus on personal growth, effective communications strategies, legislative advocacy, professional networking, servant leadership and more!
For more information on eligibility and program details, download the State YF&R Committee Handbook.
Applications for the 2025-2027 cohort of the State YF&R Committee are due by September 1, 2024. Applications must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the applicant's County Farm Bureau President. Interested parties should review the State YF&R Committee Handbook in its entirety before applying.
Coastal District
Heath & Lauren Wilson
Heath and Lauren Wilson live in St. Matthews where Heath works for AgSouth Farm Credit as a Crop Insurance Agent and Lauren is a stay-at-home mom to their two children, William and Anna Betts. Together, they help run Heath's family business, Scape ‘Ore Kennel and Hunting Preserve LLC, where they raise Boykin Spaniels in Mayesville, SC. In 2023, Heath and Lauren’s father opened Palmetto Ag Solutions, where they offer precision soil sampling. Health currently serves as the State YF&R Committee Chair for 2025.
Piedmont District
Ben Cothran
Ben is a first-generation farmer growing peaches, plums and blackberries in Spartanburg County. He is a full-time Lieutenant in one of the busiest rescue companies in the upstate. He is a graduate of the Nashville Auto Diesel College with a degree in Heavy Duty Diesel Equipment. Ben serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Spartanburg County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Ben wants to inspire other beginning farmers to be successful in their operations. Ben serves as the Vice-Chair for the 2025 YFR State Committee.
Central District
Samantha Gumm
Samantha lives in Kershaw County. She was raised on her family's dairy farm and began competing in rodeos at 11 years old. She currently manages a horse boarding and training facility, while also growing produce and poultry. She serves as the YF&R Chair for Kershaw County Farm Bureau. Beyond her agricultural pursuits, Samantha homeschools her children, enjoys playing the piano, leading worship at her church, and recently opened a home bakery.
Coastal District
Hank Hutto
Hank Hutto is a 7th-generation farmer on his father’s side and a 4th-generation farmer on his mother’s side. He farms row crops with his uncle and cousins in the Providence and St. George areas. Hank also runs a produce stand, Fuzzy Farms, selling everything from blackberries & peaches to fresh sweet corn and squash. However, his biggest specialty is fresh boiled peanuts cooked daily. Hank has been involved with Farm Bureau since 2016 and currently serves as the Dorchester County YF&R Chairperson.
Piedmont District
Sally Harrison
Sally Harrison works at her family’s cattle operation, Yon Family Farms, in Ridge Spring. She has two children, Zoe Ruth and Jace. She earned a BS in Agricultural Education from Clemson University in 2013 and a Master of Science in Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University in 2015. She has served as the Saluda County YF&R Chair and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Saluda County Cattlemen’s Association Board and the SC Angus Association.
Central District
Brandon & Devon Myers
Brandon and Devon Myers own and operate Crossroads Processing, a custom livestock processing facility in Fairview. They have two daughters, Paisley and Porter. Brandon also works as the Supply Manager at FPL Food, LLC in Augusta, Georgia, and Devon is the Treatment Coordinator at Davis Orthodontics in West Columbia. Brandon serves as the Lexington County Farm Bureau President, is the current Chair of the State Processing Advisory Committee, & both are active members of the Lexington County YF&R Committee.
Pee Dee District
Robert & Julianna Hunter
Robert and Julianna Hunter are both Clemson graduates residing in Darlington County. Robert is a first-generation cotton and peanut farmer who built a self-sufficient operation from scratch in five years. Julianna is a Water Resources Engineer for Woolpert, Inc. They have both been involved with Farm Bureau since college. Each has served as County board members and YF&R chairs—Robert in Darlington County and Julianna in Hampton County. They enjoy spending time with their dog, Molly Hunter.
AFBF Representatives
Andy & Allison Whiten
Andy and Allison live in Oconee County where they grow row crops, raise chickens and do custom work. They served on the SCFB State YF&R Committee from 2023 to 2025. Andy is the State Director for Oconee County Farm Bureau. Allison teaches special education, is a 4-H volunteer, leads the Future Farmers Club at Westminster Elementary School, and serves on the Oconee Farm Bureau Women's Committee. Both are active members of their church and community. They have a daughter named Emmarie.