A Decade of Growth with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation

I know 2016 doesn’t seem like it was that long ago, but here we are ten years later. Why does 2016 have so much relevance? Well, thanks for asking.   

That year was my first real involvement in Farm Bureau. I participated in the District 3 Discussion Meet and was fortunate enough to advance to the state level. I continued to participate in that Young Farmer and Agriculturist contest until I met that fateful age of 35. I wasn’t necessarily sad to have reached that age, but more grateful for all the opportunities Wisconsin Farm Bureau had provided me along the way.  

At the time, I didn’t really have a full understanding of Wisconsin Farm Bureau and all it offered. I knew there was a county board and this program called YFA that I participated in, but I could not have imagined the impact this organization would have on making me who I am today.  

Part of that journey started with a push that I got from Tammy Wiedenbeck, who told me I needed to apply to be involved in WFBF’s Leadership Institute. So, I applied and soon found myself alongside 14 other members working through a year leadership training program with a mission to develop strong and effective agricultural leaders.   

After receiving a plaque and walking across the stage at the WFBF Annual Meeting, I remember going back to our next county board meeting. I was just hoping to thank them for the opportunity to sponsor me though the Leadership Institute, but I found myself accepting a position on the county board to which I still sit on. Over time I found myself as the Grant County YFA chair and the District 3 YFA Representative on the WFBF YFA Committee.  

One other thing I have learned is that I have a passion for farm policy. Without going through the Leadership Institute and serving on the county board, I would not have learned that about myself. I will always remember my first policy that was voted on at our county annual meeting and eventually was voted on to be included in the WFBF policy book.  

I have had the opportunity to fly out to Washington, D.C. to voice our policy needs to our government officials not once but twice. I have seen the power of a grassroots organization has and how channeling our message will affect us at a state and national level. These opportunities keep me motivated and want to do more for our state and our farmers, so I found myself on the WFBF Policy Development Committee.  

Most recently I have found myself Vice-Chair of the WFBF Foundation Board of Trustees. This is a meaningful role. Looking back now, I have realized a lot of these opportunities came from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation. This is where my opportunities began and yours can too.   

From sponsoring countless opportunities to attend conferences, to funding critical programs like YFA, Promotion and Engagement, and Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom, the mission of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation is to invest in education and professional development to grow awareness and understanding of agriculture and I think it has done just that.   

The Foundation is the key that may open the door to someone’s agricultural future – it did for me. Here, I didn’t even know it was an option on my keychain! For those who continue to support the Foundation, I thank you for helping build the past decade of my life.  By supporting the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, we all help build the leaders we need to keep WFBF strong now and in the future.