Adams State University Alumnus Kreg Vollmer, Class of 2018, placed third in the National Competition of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) discussion meet held in Puerto Rico in early January 2023.
Starting as a student, Vollmer continued his interest in the yearly state competitions to stay sharp. “It is a good experience to test your mettle against other professionals.” The 50-year-old competition, held annually by the AFBF, also provides young agribusiness professionals the opportunity to apply all they’ve learned in their professional and personal leadership programs into one comprehensive event. This, in turn, develops better and more flexible advocates for the nation’s agricultural industry.
Vollmer advanced to the national competition after his outstanding performance at the state level.
“This is such a wonderful accomplishment, difficult to say the least, as competitors are taken from each state to compete in the national competition,” Zena Buser, Ph.D., professor of business, said.
It is a path Vollmer started while working on his Adams State undergraduate degree when he competed for the Adams State Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter. “Dr. Buser challenges her students to reach the next level,” Vollmer said. “The small batch, intimate community and cooperation between mentor and mentee at Adams State pushes students further than we thought possible. This can only happen in a smaller school curriculum.”
He attributes his success to Dr. Buser. “She won’t let you get away with nonsense. She holds you accountable and expects you to live up to her expectations, which puts you in a much better place than you were when you started.”
When first choosing a college, Vollmer toured a large front range university and immediately realized there were “far too many people.” He then visited Adams State and soon fell in love with the people, culture, and food.
Vollmer received his degree in business administration/agribusiness and currently is an agriculturist/agronomist for the Western Sugar Cooperative, which includes traveling to Washington, D.C. several times a year to advocate for sugar policy and farm bills. He also finds time to advise the Northeastern Junior College Collegiate Farm Bureau Club. In addition, he continues to help manage his family’s cattle feeding operation in Sterling, Colo.
