Collegiate Farm Bureau Shapes Bearkat Student's Path in Agriculture

Lanea Bayless, president of the Sam Houston State University Collegiate Farm Bureau, has found her passion in agriculture through the organization.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Although Lanea Bayless, the president of the Sam Houston State University Collegiate Farm Bureau, didn't grow up on a farm or ranch, agriculture has become the focus of her education, leadership experience and future goals. Bayless is pursuing a master's degree in agriculture and has helped grow the university's Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter, increasing student engagement.

Why it matters

The Collegiate Farm Bureau is helping connect students from diverse academic backgrounds to the agriculture industry, providing them with valuable leadership experience and a deeper understanding of where their food comes from. As more people become removed from the agricultural roots of their communities, organizations like the Collegiate Farm Bureau play a crucial role in educating the next generation about the importance of the industry.

The details

Bayless joined the Collegiate Farm Bureau as a freshman, initially enrolling in an agriculture class to fill an open spot in her schedule. That class and her agriculture teacher sparked her interest in the industry, leading her to become involved in showing livestock and agricultural leadership activities. Today, Bayless hopes to use her education to support rural communities and help both farmers and consumers afford their operations and food, respectively. As the Bearkat Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter continues to grow, members are focused on agricultural education and outreach, planning campus events to help students better understand food production and agriculture's role in everyday life.

  • Bayless joined the Collegiate Farm Bureau as a freshman at Sam Houston State University.
  • Bayless is currently pursuing her master's degree in agriculture at Sam Houston State University.

The players

Lanea Bayless

The president of the Sam Houston State University Collegiate Farm Bureau, who is pursuing a master's degree in agriculture and has helped grow the university's Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter.

Sam Houston State University

The university where Bayless is pursuing her master's degree and where the Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter she leads is based.

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What they’re saying

“When I started out, we were pretty small, and we only had two officers. But this most recent semester, we've actually grown quite a bit.”

— Lanea Bayless, President, Sam Houston State University Collegiate Farm Bureau (texasfarmbureau.org)

“We have business majors. We also have a nursing major. We have a wide variety of members.”

— Lanea Bayless, President, Sam Houston State University Collegiate Farm Bureau (texasfarmbureau.org)

“I didn't really think about where our food comes from before that.”

— Lanea Bayless, President, Sam Houston State University Collegiate Farm Bureau (texasfarmbureau.org)

“Anything that I can do to help farmers afford their operations and help consumers be able to afford food would be my ideal career.”

— Lanea Bayless, President, Sam Houston State University Collegiate Farm Bureau (texasfarmbureau.org)

“Farm Bureau has truly taught me so much, giving me a look into the social and political side and what it takes to be a famer and rancher.”

— Lanea Bayless, President, Sam Houston State University Collegiate Farm Bureau (texasfarmbureau.org)

What’s next

As the Bearkat Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter continues to grow, members are focused on planning more campus events to help students better understand food production and agriculture's role in everyday life.

The takeaway

The Collegiate Farm Bureau is playing a crucial role in educating the next generation about the importance of the agriculture industry, even for students who did not grow up on a farm or ranch. By providing leadership opportunities and a deeper understanding of where their food comes from, the organization is shaping the academic and professional paths of students like Lanea Bayless.