MADISON – Wisconsin Farm Bureau members recently attended the American Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention on Jan. 6-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Door County YFA Member Competes Nationally
Rachel Harmann from Door County advanced to the Sweet 16 Round of American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet.
The Discussion Meet contest is a panel discussion in which Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35 are judged on their ability to express their ideas and opinions and reach a solution on current issues affecting agriculture.
She is a volunteer engagement representative for the American Red Cross. Harmann and her husband and sons raise and show registered beef cattle.
Harmann serves as Door County Farm Bureau’s vice president and local affairs chair. She is participating in AFBF’s Partners in Advocacy Leadership program; was an Alice in Dairyland finalist; Master of Beef Advocacy graduate; Wisconsin Beef Ambassador; and graduated of WFBF’s Leadership Institute Class XIV.
Clark County Dog Places in Farm Dog of the Year Contest
Bree, a Border Collie owned by Clark County Farm Bureau members Ed and Elizabeth Nowbielski, was recognized as a finalist for Farm Dog of the Year.
The contest celebrates farm dogs that work alongside farmers and ranchers as they sustainably produce nutritious food for families and their pets across America. Rounding up livestock and chasing off predators are among the many tasks performed by farm dogs.
As one of four runners-up, Bree will receive $1,000 in prize money, a trophy plate and Purina products.
The winner of the 2023 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year award is Tough, a Border Collie owned by Kansas Farm Bureau members Denny and Donna Ashcraft. AFBF, with support from Nestlé Purina PetCare, recognized Tough, four regional runners-up and a People’s Choice Pup on Sunday of the convention.
Brossard Completes Term, Leahy Appointed to AFBF Promotion and Education Committee
Andrea Brossard of Dodge County is concluding her term on the American Farm Bureau Federation Promotion and Education Committee. Brossard is a third-generation dairy farmer at Brossard Dairy Farm, LLC, her family’s farm, in Beaver Dam. She is a graduate of the WFBF Leadership Institute and the AFBF Women’s Communications Boot Camp.
Waushara County Farm Bureau member Lynn Leahy has been appointed to the committee for a two-year term. Lynn is a research agronomist at Heartland Farms, Inc., a 9,000-acre farm growing potatoes for potato chips. Lynn and her husband, Mike, reside in Plover.
The Promotion and Education Committee is comprised of 10 individuals representing qualifying Farm Bureau Promotion and Education states. It was launched in 2014 to develop and centralize resources that inspire and equip Farm Bureau members to convey the significance of agriculture.
Committee members support and encourage state Farm Bureau volunteers to participate in projects and activities by providing resources for programs, communicating with state leaders and contributing collaborative ideas.
Ben and Haily Sand Appointed to AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee
Dunn County Farm Bureau members Ben and Haily Sand have been appointed to AFBF’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee for a two-year term. The couple grows rye, corn, soybeans, sweet corn, pumpkins on their farm near Menomonie.
The YF&R Committee is made up of 16 positions representing all regions of the United States. An individual or couple may hold each committee appointment. Committee members are responsible for program planning, which includes the coordination of YF&R Committee competitive events during AFBF’s Annual Convention each January, and the Harvest for All program.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing farms of all sizes, commodities and management styles.
