Source: KFB

MANHATTAN –Several Farm Bureau members of Kansas have taken leadership positions within their farm organization at the state committee level.

Kansas Farm Bureau’s Natural & Environmental Resources (NER) Committee advises the KFB Board of Directors on issues and concerns related to the environment and natural resources. New members include Denny Ashcraft, Jackson Co., John Yoger, Crawford Co., Jeff Buckley, Cloud Co., Brad Shogren, McPherson Co., and Michael Deaver, Finney Co.

New members of Kansas Farm Bureau’s Promotion & Ag Education Committee include Clint Hornberger, Douglas Co., Jo Lynne Brothers,  Cowley Co., Dana Pieper, Rooks Co., Becky Rider, Ness Co. and Diana Nickelson, Graham Co. The committee identifies, researches and prioritizes issues that have a direct association to member relations, membership marketing, consumer education, promotion of agriculture and agriculture education for students and producers.

The KFB Resolutions Committee has a mission geared directly to the policy positions (resolutions) of the organization. The committee surfaces, directs study on, develops questions concerning and tentative resolutions covering issues important to members of county Farm Bureaus. The committee develops tentative resolutions for consideration by voting delegates at the farm organization’s annual meeting. New members include Loren Baldwin, Douglas Co., Steve McCloud, Harvey Co., and Doug Zillinger, Phillips Co.

New members of the Women’s Leadership Committee are Pam Meng, Doniphan Co., Denise Mentzer, Allen Co., Carrie Fraser, Cloud Co., Sue DeWeese, Pratt Co., and Donita Hayes, Morton Co. The committee is led by Marieta Hauser, Grant County, who also serves as Member-at-Large on the KFB Board of Directors. The committee contributes an essential perspective to the organization, broadening opportunities for women to become increasingly involved in all aspects of Farm Bureau, actively participating in the implementation of priority issues involving agriculture education, improving the quality of life in rural communities, promotion of the industry and agricultural advocacy.

New members of the Young Farmers & Ranchers State Committee include Nick and Jennie Guetterman of Johnson Co., Mark and Kristin Bergkamp of Sedgwick Co., Mike and Sara Rosebrook of Lincoln Co., Clint and Jessica Dearden of Scott Co. and Tim and Katherine Franklin of Sherman Co. On Wednesday, Dec. 5, committee members elected Jim Schmidt, Geary Co., as chair; Matt Symns, Doniphan Co., as vice chair and Stephanie Symns, also of Doniphan Co., secretary.

The Young Farmers & Ranchers are hard-working agriculture professionals dedicated to developing their leadership skills and empowering others to become actively involved in agriculture advocacy, promotion and education. The group will host their Leaders Conference Jan. 25-27, 2013, in Manhattan.