Organizational leadership professor, author and business strategist David Horsager will kick off the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 2013 Young Farmers Leadership Conference Feb. 22-24 at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center in Columbus, Ga. A native Minnesotan, Horsager will share his secrets of using trust to impact the bottom line when he addresses more than 300 young farm families from Alabama. His signature speech and book, The Trust Edge, have inspired leaders and motivated teams toward greater results on four continents and across the United States. “David was raised on the farm, and he chose to raise his four children on the farm as well,” said Federation Young Farmers Director Jennifer Himburg. “His ability to relate trust and how it impacts the business we do in agriculture will be valuable for our young farmers.”The conference includes a series of workshops Feb. 23, which expand on Horsager’s trust-building techniques and educate county chairmen on how to build successful Young Farmers programs. A workshop highlighting the Young Farmers’ Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions are also on the agenda. During Saturday’s evening banquet, attendees will watch as commodity division finalists are named in the Federation’s Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) competition. Alabama’s 2013 Outstanding Young Farm Family will receive a prize package worth more than $50,000, including a new GM-model truck valued at $35,000, courtesy of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere Gator 825i, courtesy of Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; a computer package, courtesy of CCS Technology/Valcom Wireless; a lease of a John Deere Tractor, courtesy of TriGreen, SunSouth and Snead Ag; and an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting.The deadline to apply for the OYFF competition is Jan. 31. See page 19 of this issue for details.Registration for the Young Farmers Leadership Conference is due by Jan. 28. Cost for registration is $230.50 per adult and $35 per child, and all children must be registered. To register, visit http://events.SignUp4.com/2013YoungFarmersConference. For more information, contact Himburg at (334) 612-5159 or jhimburg@alfafarmers.org.