WASHINGTON, D.C. — Farm Bureau farmer and rancher members play an important role in our communities and our organization by serving on governing boards and committees at local, state and national levels. Several newly appointed volunteers, including one from Utah, will provide leadership beginning in 2025 as members of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Promotion & Education and Young Farmers & Ranchers committees. 

“Farm Bureau members care for their communities through engagement at every level of our organization,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “As these newly appointed national program committee members focus on advancing the mission of the American Farm Bureau, they will bring positive change and new ideas. It’s gratifying to see engaged grassroots leaders stepping up and driving agriculture and rural communities forward.”

Duvall announced the appointment of the following members to the P&E Committee for the 2025-2027 term starting in March: Amy Mitchell, Idaho (beef cattle); Cindy Durheim, Minnesota (sheep, goats, hens, chickens, hogs, hay, corn); and Lacey Branson, Utah (beef cattle, alfalfa, corn, wheat). Three members were reappointed for two-year terms: Heidi Cooper, Massachusetts (turkeys, beef cattle, hens, hogs, sheep); Nate Schlief, North Dakota (beef cattle, hay/feed); and Lynn Leahy, Wisconsin (potatoes). 

"I am excited and honored to represent our great state of Utah on the American Farm Bureau Federation Promotion and Education Committee. I look forward to working alongside fellow committee members to support and promote the values and initiatives that strengthen agriculture and rural communities," Branson said. "I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Utah Farm Bureau Board and its members, whose guidance and examples have taught me so much. I deeply appreciate their vote of confidence, and I can't wait to get to work!"

Eleven individuals representing qualifying Farm Bureau Promotion & Education states make up the P&E Committee. Its mission is to offer members the opportunity to engage consumers and bridge the gap between field to fork by inspiring and equipping farmers to convey the significance of agriculture to the public. 

Duvall announced the appointment of the following members to the YF&R Committee for the 2025-2027 term beginning in March: Cleveland Jackson, Georgia, (beef cattle); Scot Schwieterman, Kansas (alfalfa hay, row crops, cereal grains); Rachel Duncan, Louisiana (soybeans, beef cattle, cut flowers); Cora Okkema, Michigan (dairy cattle); Dustin and Katie Wiese, Minnesota (beef cattle, hay, corn, sorghum, oats); Tommy Salisbury, Oklahoma (soybeans, milo, wheat, beef cattle); and Jonathan Quigley, Washington (tree fruit). 

The YF&R Committee is made up of 16 positions representing all regions of the U.S. An individual or couple may hold each committee appointment. Committee members are responsible for program planning which includes the coordination of YF&R competitive events during AFBF’s convention each January, and the award-winning Harvest for All program. 

National committee members are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus. Learn more online: Promotion & Education and Young Farmers & Ranchers. You can also find ways to get involved in these same committees on the state level, with more information found HERE.