The Voice of Agriculture - American Farm Bureau

AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee Members

More from the Gilmers

Will Gilmer returned home to his family’s dairy farm in 2001 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering Technology & Business from Mississippi State University. He now owns and operates Gilmer Dairy Farm, LLC in partnership with his father. Joni, also a MSU grad, teaches first grade at a local elementary school. They married in 2003 and have two young children, Linton and Jillian.

The Gilmers manage a herd of 450 Holstein cows, heifers and calves. Their farm includes more than 500 acres of pasture and forage crop production as well. In addition to his daily farming duties, Will maintains a farm Web site and blog in an effort to educate the public about modern farming practices. Joni assists in the education effort by incorporating agricultural themes into her classroom curriculum.

The couple is active in their local and state Farm Bureaus. Will, a fourth-generation member, serves as secretary-treasurer and young farmers chairman of his county Farm Bureau and served as the chairman of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s State Young Farmers Committee in 2008. Joni is an active member of both the local young farmers and women’s programs. The Gilmers have also served as their dairy cooperative’s regional young cooperators’ steering committee chair-couple.

The Gilmers are members of Vernon First United Methodist Church, where Will leads the young adult Sunday school class and Joni is actively involved in children’s ministries. They enjoy attending collegiate sporting events and spending time with family.

More from Chalsey

Chalsey Kortes lives in the Leo community, 48 miles north of Hanna, Wyo., on her family’s cow/calf operation. Chalsey grew up in the Leo community and returned home to ranch with her parents, G.G. and Kim Kortes, after graduating college. Chalsey is a fourth-generation rancher living on the ranch her great-grandfather homesteaded in 1916. The Kortes’ run 300 head of Hereford X Angus cattle on their Black Canyon Ranch. Chalsey truly loves ranch work and the rural lifestyle.

Chalsey has attended Farm Bureau events since she was a child and became more active in 2004 when she was elected to the Wyoming Farm Bureau YF&R Committee. Two years later she was elected to serve as committee chair, a position she holds today. She also serves as county and district secretary.

Outside of work on the ranch, Chalsey enjoys watching the Denver Broncos, deer hunting and country music. She is a member of the American Missionary Fellowship, her community’s rural church group.

Leighton and Brenda Cooley are fourth generation chicken farmers in Crawford County, Georgia. The two live in the small town of Roberta, a place that they have always called home. In 2005, Brenda and Leighton expanded the family farm and began raising chickens, cattle, and hay. Leighton works on the farm full-time with his father and Brenda is a speech therapist at a neighboring elementary school.

Brenda and Leighton have been married for three years and their life consists mainly of family, farming and church. Their interests include spending time together, working on the farm, and serving as teen youth leaders at Roberta Evangelistic Church. Each summer Brenda and Leighton spend 10 days working at a local youth camp ministering to young children and teenagers. The couple served on the Georgia State YF& R Committee in 2007 and were privileged to serve as chairs of the committee in 2008.

Ryan and Nikki McClure live in Grover Hill located in Paulding County, Ohio. They met at the Paulding Fair, where both participated in 4-H for 10 years. Ryan showed feeder calves and steers; Nikki showed horses and dogs. They married in April 2005.

Nikki has an Associates Degree in nursing from Northwest State Community College. She is a third generation nurse at Paulding County Hospital. She works as a registered nurse on the medical-surgical floor, where she is a charge nurse for first shift.

Ryan is a fifth generation farmer in southeast Paulding County. He farms along with his dad, grandfather and a hired hand. They grow corn, beans and wheat. In the summer months they bail hay and straw. During the winter, Ryan hauls grain for the farm. They also operate a contract wean-to-finish hog operation.

Together Ryan and Nikki have a 35 head deacon-to-finish cattle herd that is sold privately and butchered by a small local butcher shop. In their spare time they enjoy spending time together at the lake and playing cards with friends. They are proud parents to their first child, Caleb.

More from the Schultzes

Jim and Andrea Schultz met 15 years ago at the Niagara County Fair where Jim was showing his registered shorthorn beef cattle. Jim has been involved in agriculture since childhood. His grandparents operated a slaughterhouse, cow/calf operation and vegetable farm. He fondly remembers digging potatoes, tying grapes and going to the local farmers markets as a youngster.

Andrea became involved in agriculture through the local 4-H program. Andrea studied animal science at SUNY Cobleskill and continued her education at Cornell University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science.

When the couple married in 2002 they decided they wanted to raise their children with the farm family values of hard work, honesty, responsibility and respect for the land and animals. Jim works for a heating and air conditioning company and Andrea handles human resources for a large poultry farm.

The couple operates a small lifestyle farm in Ransomville, N.Y., with their two sons, Wyatt and Jacob. They are active in Farm Bureau, 4-H and at their son Wyatt’s elementary school.

More from the Sweets

Matt and Erin Sweet make their home in Arbuckle, California where Matt works as a foreman/manager and fabricator for KalAg Farms/NorCal Nut and Erin owns and operates Ridgecut Gristmills, Inc. Together they raise pastured poultry, specifically broilers for private sale.

Matt is the fifth generation of his family to reside in Arbuckle. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College after graduating from high school. After successfully completing a two-year welding certification program, Matt returned home to work for local ag-based businesses and spent several seasons as a huller man. At KalAg Farms/NorCal Nut, Matt works as a foreman/manager and fabricator in conjunction with the two owners, tending to 8,000 acres equally split between rice and almonds. His duties vary on a daily basis, but include everything from frost production to setting irrigation boxes in rice fields. This past winter Matt built a bankout wagon (self propelled grain cart) from the ground up.

Erin is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness: farm & ranch Management. She also received her teaching credentials in agriculture from California State University, Chico. Shortly after graduating and returning home, Erin became a district representative for the California Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers State Committee. After four years on the committee, Erin was elected state chairwoman in 2005. In 2006, Erin started Ridgecut Gristmills, which specializes in stone milling locally grown corn for cornmeal and grits/polenta, much of which is sold bulk to restaurants. In addition to corn, Erin mills various gluten free grains such as oats, buckwheat and rice. Erin also sells at San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and online. She is working with local distributors to move her bulk products into more restaurants in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe/Reno area.

Matt and Erin were married in July 2008 at Holy Cross Catholic Church and are members of Sacred Heart Parish. In their spare time, Matt and Erin enjoy remodeling their house, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and determining their next adventure.

More from the Wagners

Mark and Val Wagner were married in 2001. They reside on the Wagner Family Farm located near Monango in southeastern North Dakota. Mark took over the management of the farm the year they were married and Val worked as a district manager for the James River Soil Conservation District. Val is now a stay-at-home mom with their four sons: Ian, Scott, Evan and Eli.

The Wagner’s farming operation includes 175 commercial Red Angus Simmental cross beef cows. Mark’s brother, Bryan, has an additional 200 cows on his farm near Wetonka, South Dakota. Mark and Bryan feed and market calves together and own some equipment jointly.

For 50 years the family has been working hard to build up their closed herd of cattle. Mark utilizes one cycle of AI, prior to turning out the Red Angus and Simmental bulls. The Wagner’s farm 2,000 acres of cropland utilizing minimum tillage and no-till farming practices. The crop rotation includes corn, soybeans, wheat and dairy quality alfalfa. They have started using cover crops to improve soil health and provide late-season grazing.

Mark and Val are strong believers in community involvement. They previously served on the state YF&R committee and were named 2005 state achievement award winners. Mark is currently the Dickey County Farm Bureau president, the chair of the joint board for the Presbyterian United Methodist Church, serves on the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Board of Directors, is a member of NCBA, judges 4-H competition at the county fair and has served on the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Board. Val is also a member of the Monango Community Betterment and Monango Heritage and Historic Society, is involved in local dinner theater, teaches Sunday School, organized a church youth group and plays women’s softball. Mark and Val both serve as township officers.

Roland Yee is a third-generation specialty vegetable farmer in south Florida. Yee Farms, Inc. began growing Asian vegetables in Great Meadows, New Jersey in 1940. The operation expanded to Boynton Beach, Florida in 1974 in order to service its customers year round. Yee Farms produces Asian vegetables such as Bok Choy, Napa Cabbage and Baby Bok Choy, and Asian herbs like cilantro, chives and Asian Celery and citrus.

Roland plays an active roll in Florida Farm Bureau being the past chair of the Young Farmers and Ranchers program and as the vice president of Palm Beach County Farm Bureau. He currently chairs both the state vegetable advisory committee and the Palm Beach county horticulture committee. In addition to Farm Bureau, Roland sits on the board of directors for the United Way.

Roland graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduation, Roland worked for Corning, Inc. in Wilmington, North Carolina for six years as a process engineer making optical fiber. Roland left the field of engineering and returned to Florida to farm where he currently resides in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

More from Jason

Jason Bunting has been active with the Livingston County Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee since its reorganization in 2003. Since that time, he served as committee chair until 2006; then District 6 Young Leader Representative since December 2006, Livingston County Farm Bureau board member since 2003, and is currently serving as the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader State Committee Chair.

He co-owns and operates a custom hay, straw, and cattle and sheep business. The operation specializes in horse-quality hay, the sale of club calves, and a small feedlot operation. Jason assists with his family farming operation consisting of corn, soybeans and wheat. He also began a seed dealership for Golden Harvest in fall of 2007. Jason served as the Broughton Township Road Commissioner from 2001-2009.

Jason is a 1994 graduate of Dwight Township High School and a 1996 graduate of Joliet Junior College with an Associates Degree in Ag Business. He is also active with the Livingston County Corn Growers serving on their Board of Directors.

Jason, his wife Tasha and daughters Isabella and Samantha, reside in rural Cabery located in Livingston County, Illinois. In his free time, when not shepherding “Bella’s Baas,” he enjoys water and snow skiing.

From “Farm to Fork,” that’s the message Dan and Seena Glessing share with consumers and the message they believe is the key to the future of agriculture. Today’s consumers are interested in knowing where and how the food they consume is produced. It is this message that drives the Glessings to participate in a variety of events and activities that promote and educate the public about the production and safety of our food supply. Most recently, Dan and Seena worked with industry leaders and other agriculturists to organize a Breakfast on the Farm event. The event was held on an area dairy farm in June 2009 and drew 1,200 consumers.

Upon graduating from South Dakota State University in Agriculture Education, Seena accepted a position to teach high school agriculture at Dassel-Cokato High School. Through her position as an agricultural teacher and FFA Advisor, Seena has served as Secretary of the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators and has coached two National Champion teams in the area of Food Science and Technology. While building a local FFA Alumni Chapter, Seena was introduced to Dan, who was serving as a neighboring chapter’s Alumni President.

Dan and Seena have been married for 6 years and have three boys, Wyatt, Mason, and Tanner. They are raising the boys on the family farm near Waverly, Minnesota. Dan completed the Dairy Management program at Ridgewater college in Willmar and returned home to the family farm. The Glessings own a dairy and crop farming operation in partnership with Dan’s parents. They milk 80 Holstein dairy cows and raise all support stock for their milking operation. They also raise 55 head of dairy steers annually. The cropping enterprise consists of a total of 600 acres. The family farm grows corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. The Glessings strive to build a strong business in hopes that one day it may be passed down to the future generation.

Both Seena and Dan are active in their community and professional organizations on the local and state level. Dan has been a Farm Bureau member for 10 years and currently serves as County President. He recently completed his term as the Minnesota Young Farmers & Ranchers Chair. Seena volunteers her time with the county dairy princess program.

Dan and Seena enjoy showing their cattle at the county fair. Seena also plays and coaches competitive volleyball while Dan is gearing up for the next tractor pull.

More from the LaCrosses

Ben and Kelsey LaCross are second-generation farmers from the northwest corner of Michigan’s lower peninsula. They have two children: Keaton and Lauren.

After graduating from Central Michigan University, Ben went to work full time on his family’s farm. Kelsey, a Hillsdale College graduate, is a high school Spanish and middle school English teacher.

Ben and Kelsey raise tart cherries, sweet cherries and plums on over 600 acres. The harvested crop is processed by the family’s processing operation which specializes in maraschino cherries. Recently the couple expanded the farm to include apples. Ben is in charge of orchard operations year-round. Kelsey has taken an active role in the family receiving station during the summer, weighing and grading local growers’ fruit to be shipped to processors.

Ben and Kelsey have a strong desire to share their agricultural story with the public. In fact, this was a priority of Kelsey’s even before she had a vested interest in agriculture. Upon becoming crowned the National Cherry Queen in 2001-2002, she devoted her time to helping educate others about the cherry industry, from elementary school students to legislators in the Michigan House of Representatives. Kelsey currently serves as chairperson of her county Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee.

Ben was selected to represent Michigan’s agriculture industry during a Michigan Farm Bureau-sponsored agricultural study tour in Europe where participants met with their European counterparts to compare farm policies. He is vice president of the Leelanau Horticultural Society, and has served four years on the Michigan Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee. Ben was chair of the Young Farmer committee for two years and was the Young Farmer representative on the Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors. In addition, he served two years on Michigan Farm Bureau’s policy development committee and his county Farm Bureau’s membership committee.

For recreation the couple enjoys Lake Michigan, golf, snowshoeing, skiing and spending time with their family and friends.

Dustin Ladenburger is a fourth-generation farmer working with his parents and his younger brother and sister-in-law. He received a BA in Rangeland Management in 1999 and a BS in Elementary Education in 2004 from Chadron State College. Dustin taught upper elementary for three years while farming part-time. He also substitute teaches at five area schools when he has time.

In 2007, Dustin purchased 800 acres of land. He raises wheat and corn on 500 acres of dry land farm ground and 100 Angus beef cows on 300 acres of owned grass and an additional 800 acres of rented grass. Dustin is the primary caretaker of the family’s 400 head cow herd and 5,000 acres of pasture. He also helps with haying and wheat and corn harvest.

Dustin is active in Farm Bureau at the local and state level. He serves as Hitchcock County’s YF&R chair and is on the Nebraska YF&R state committee. Dustin serves on the UNL Extension board, is the 4-H council president, is on the Stratton Community Foundation Board, and helps with many other community activities and groups.

Dustin is a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where he serves on the church council, ground crew, and helps with the youth groups. He enjoys yard work, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

More from Derek

Derek Sawyer, a fourth generation farmer and rancher from McPherson, Kansas, believes in the future of agriculture. Derek had an early start on the farm riding beside his father or grandfather in the feed truck and tractor. He always knew the farm would be his home and after graduation from Kansas State University, in 2002, he officially joined the family operation.

Derek now operates the farm and has expanded to 2500 acres of wheat, corn, soybeans, milo, and alfalfa. He runs a commercial Angus cowherd of 350 head and backgrounds 1,000 calves annually. Derek does custom synchronization and AI work for neighbors and often helps them during calving season.

Derek enjoys his involvement in the Farm Bureau organization and he has taken an active role on the county and state levels. He is currently in his second term on the McPherson County board and is serving as President for the second year. He has served as chair of the Kansas YF&R committee and chair of the 2009 Leadership Conference. Derek also serves as Chairman of the Board for the Groveland Christian Church.

Away from the farm, Derek stays busy officiating high school football and baseball. He is in his 11th year as a registered official and was extremely honored in November 2009 to work in the state championship football game.

More from the Sinks

Scott and Mendy Sink operate SES Agricultural Enterprises focusing on beef cattle, hay, agritourism, and agricultural services. They also run The Snow Barn, focusing on concessions at Virginia Tech, Radford, and the surrounding community; and Hethwood Market, a store focusing on fresh produce, Virginia products, and general goods. They also have a partnership called Little River Produce that raises sweet corn, pumpkins, and other seasonal items.

Mendy is a property manager and marketing director for a 1,700 apartment community called Foxridge Apartments, a division of HHHunt. Scott is an instructor at Virginia Tech teaching Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and marketing classes in the Agriculture and Applied Economics Department. Scott also started the Kohl Agribusiness Center last year and has assumed the role of Director during the establishment phases. The Sinks have a daughter, Mekinsley, and enjoy raising her in an agricultural lifestyle.

Daniel and Alison Smith live near Stamping Ground, in central Kentucky, with their young son Creighton. Daniel farms with his father and brother; they run 700 commercial cows in addition to a stocker cattle operation. They also raise alfalfa, corn, soybeans, and wheat. Alison is Director of Marketing for the Kentucky Beef Council, where she promotes beef and educates consumers and retailers as part of the $1/head Beef Checkoff. Alison also has a small freezer lamb business.

Alison and Daniel both have deep roots in agriculture. Alison grew up on farm in Ohio, while Daniel is the fifth generation on his family farm. They met at the University of Kentucky where Daniel received his degree in Animal Sciences and Alison graduated with a degree in Agricultural Education. Alison also received her Masters Degree in Agricultural Education from Oklahoma State University. They are both recent graduates of the Kentucky Ag Leadership Program.

They have been active in their local and state Farm Bureau. As members of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Young Farmers committee, Daniel served as chairman in 2006 and Alison served as secretary in 2007. Daniel is currently Vice President of his county Farm Bureau. They were both very active in creating an Ag Adventure Day, sponsored by their county Farm Bureau, where they helped educate nearly 500 third graders in the county about agriculture.

Alison and Daniel are also active in the First Christian Church of Georgetown where they both serve as deacons. Alison is also active with the youth ministry.

Patrick and Kim Swindoll farm 2,500 acres of rice, soybeans and corn with his dad and brother in Desoto, Tate, and Tunica counties in northwest Mississippi. He also helps manage his family’s farm with his dad, two uncles, and grandfather.

Patrick received his degree in Agriculture Economics from Mississippi State University in 2004, where he met Kim. Kim received her degree from Mississippi State University in 2003 in Human Development and Family Studies.

The Swindolls are both very involved in Farm Bureau activities. They both serve on their county board, where Patrick is the YF&R chair and Kim is the Women’s co-chair. Patrick and Kim also served on the state YF&R committee in 2007 and 2008, and Patrick was elected state chair in 2008. He also currently serves on the Mississippi Farm Bureau Communications Committee; its purpose is to educate the public about agriculture in Mississippi through TV ads, radio spots, and print media. As DeSoto county Women’s co-chair, Kim is involved in Ag in the Classroom activities as well as doing her part to educate people in DeSoto County about the importance of agriculture.

Patrick and Kim live in Hernando, Mississippi where they are members of Hernando Baptist Church. Kim is actively involved in the women’s and children’s ministries.