New York Farm Bureau News Bytes

Episode #1: Interview with Christian Lewis on Young Farmers and Ranchers

Guest: Christian Lewis (Allegheny County Young Farmers & Ranchers Chair)
Air Date: January 28, 2026
Host: New York Farm Bureau

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid and insightful interview with Christian Lewis, a dedicated young farmer and Chair of the Allegheny County Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R). Broadcasting from Blue Ruin Ranch in Angelica, NY, Christian shares his journey in agriculture: from “voluntold” leader in Farm Bureau to state-level advocate, mentor, mental health advocate, and promoter of the next generation of agricultural leaders. The episode dives into the challenges and opportunities for young farmers, the important role of Farm Bureau, mental health struggles in the farming community, and concrete examples of leadership, innovation, and community connections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Christian’s Path Into Leadership and Farm Bureau

• How He Got Started:
  Christian describes his long-standing local roots and history in 4H, which led to his being “voluntold” into Farm Bureau leadership at just 20. He’s held the county YF&R chair for ten years and now serves as District 1 representative on the NY Young Farmers & Ranchers State Committee.

  “I was voluntold to be at a county annual meeting dinner...so I went up and just talked about who I was and how I'd been involved in the ag industry...was voted in and for 10 years now I've been the young farmer rancher chairperson.” (00:21)

Life and Operations at Blue Ruin Ranch

• Farm Details:
  • Established 1912, passed through the Chamberlain family
  • ~600 total acres, with 200-300 acres rotationally grazed
  • 160-165 head of 100% grass-fed Red Devon cattle
  • Prioritizes multigenerational mentorship and sustainable practices
  • Sells cattle both to other direct-to-consumer farms and outside NY
  • Emphasizes on-farm natural approaches, rotational grazing, baleage, and haylage
  • Minimal chemical inputs
  • Expansion plans in the near future

  “We currently run about 160, 165 head of Red Devon cattle. We are 100% grass fed. There haven't been any chemicals in the property in a few years. So we try to be as natural as we can.” (01:21)

Bridging Farmers and Resources: Soil & Water Conservation

• Represents Farm Bureau on the county’s Soil and Water Conservation District Board
• Connects farmers with funding and grants they may not know about

  “One of my jobs as a young farmer...is to help connect the dots. So me being on that board allows me...to know what programs they might need to keep on their radar...” (04:22)

Farm Bureau Membership: Benefits, Advocacy, and Networking

• Originally unaware of Farm Bureau's importance; now champions its programs

• Realizes the breadth of benefits for farms of all sizes and opportunities for leadership

• Attend/participate in conferences, speak at the Senate Ag Committee, network with peers

  “A lot of the benefits they have apply to our small farmers. But...there's a lot of leadership opportunities. I had the chance to go speak in front of the Senate Ag Committee this year, which I would have never had the chance to do without Farm Bureau.” (05:13)

• On Networking:
  Farm Bureau bridges generational, commodity, and political divides.

  “It’s kind of daunting to go into a room with county legislators...Farm Bureau helps to bridge that gap.” (06:19)

Fostering Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapters

• Instrumental in establishing the chapter at Alfred State—connecting students after Collegiate FFA disbanded

  “I was just making phone calls back and forth and sending emails... Pat Elsheman is the advisor...I believe they have close to 20 some something attendees coming to our conference in Syracuse...” (07:41)

Testifying Before NY Assembly Ag Committee

• Spoke at a fall 2025 hearing on behalf of emerging farmers, sharing real-life “boots on the ground” perspective

  “I really think...that myself, Rich Demeyere and Quaid Kirk were the only ones who were boots on the ground dealing with cow shit every day. And so it meant something different...” (09:02)

• Emphasized need for new, younger entrants into ag (“average age of farmers now is 57”)
• Highlighted funding/program access issues, role of Farm Bureau in providing a “real voice”

  “If farmers go out, everyone else does too.” (09:32)

Social Media and Agricultural Advocacy

• Leveraged a TikTok following (70,000+) to share message and feedback from ag community

  “When you have someone up there saying, look, we need more producers, we need more processors, we need more funding, it helps to spread the battle out...” (11:48)

The Importance of Engaging Young People

• Farm Bureau’s vitality relies on new generations learning, leading, and sharing knowledge

  “You can't continue this lifestyle without sharing the knowledge. So Farm Bureau really takes care of all those...” (12:39)

• Highlights mentorship, access to knowledge, and leadership experience as core benefits

Farmer State of Mind – Discussing Mental Health in Agriculture

• Open and emotional account of mental health challenges in farming
• Recounts calling the AFBF’s Farmer State of Mind crisis line at a low point
• Lauds the value of peer support—“someone who...has had a connection to ag”

  “When you come home, it doesn't matter...if you're having a rough time...there was a point where you begin to doubt your worth...” (13:48)
  “AFBF has created this thing called Farmer State of Mind, which is a program that it doesn’t matter. I called at 2 in the morning...and someone will answer the phone and talk to you.” (15:43)

• Endorses speaking up, seeking help; underscores it’s ok to talk about struggles

  “If he's [AFBF president Zippy Duvall] willing to do it, anyone can do it.” (16:32)

Fostering Leadership – Young Farmers & Ranchers Programs

• Describes the supportive, family-like structure among YF&R members
• Conferences are planned by those needing the knowledge—not just dictated by state office
• Real-world solutions to issues like succession planning, transitioning to regenerative ag

  “Young people...can come to these conferences and talk to people who are doing it or have done it...connects a lot of individuals to the information that they're trying to find with real life people, not just something on a screen.” (17:28)

Upcoming NY YF&R Conference: “Break the Mold, Build the Legacy”

• March 21-22, 2026 in Syracuse area
• Tours (Fairlife, Anheuser Busch), casino night for socializing, and interactive panels, not just “sitting and listening”
• Focus on peer-to-peer exchange, succession, and legacy building

  “We don’t want everyone to just feel like they have to just talk ag...We just want to meet and talk with you and see who you are and just...get to know you.” (19:47)
  “We’re going to pass the mic around the room and you can talk and ask your questions and walk up to any of us who are on the board...” (20:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I was voluntold to be at a county annual meeting dinner...and for 10 years now I've been the young farmer rancher chairperson.” —Christian Lewis (00:21)
• “We are 100% grass fed...we try to be as natural as we can.” —Christian (01:21)
• “If farmers go out, everyone else does too.” —Christian (09:32)
• “It was individuals involved in the ag industry across the state...happy to hear that there's individuals who are still fighting for them.” —Christian on response to his TikTok video (11:48)
• “Farm Bureau gives you a reason to stick around...helps the next generation.” —Christian (12:39)
• “I called at 2 in the morning and someone answered...it’s not some person sitting in an office in New York City.” —Christian on Farmer State of Mind (15:43)
• “If he's [Zippy Duvall] willing to do it, anyone can do it.” —Christian (16:32)
• “We're not just a group of people—it's a family.” —Christian on YF&R support (17:28)
• "We don’t want everyone to just feel like they have to just talk ag...We just want to meet and talk with you and see who you are..." (19:47)

Time-stamped Highlights

00:21 – Christian’s start in YF&R and Farm Bureau
01:21 – Introduction to Blue Ruin Ranch
04:22 – Role on Soil & Water Conservation District Board
05:13 – What Farm Bureau membership offers
06:19 – Networking opportunities through Farm Bureau
07:41 – Founding collegiate Farm Bureau at Alfred State
09:02 – Testifying before NY Assembly Ag Committee
11:48 – Christian’s agricultural advocacy on TikTok
12:39 – Why young people’s engagement is critical
13:48 – Mental health challenges and Farmer State of Mind
16:32 – Zippy Duvall’s example, mental health normalization
17:28 – YF&R as a family and resource network
19:47 – Upcoming “Break the Mold, Build the Legacy” Conference

Conclusion

Christian Lewis’s interview is a powerful snapshot of the challenges and rewards facing young and beginning farmers in New York. His story—balancing boots-on-the-ground labor, local and state advocacy, embracing mentorship, supporting mental health, and pushing for more inclusive and interactive leadership—marks a hopeful and practical vision for the future of agriculture. His infectious enthusiasm and frank talk about both the struggles and joys of farming offer inspiration and actionable insight for farmers, advocates, and anyone connected to rural communities.