District 8 (Clark, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Price, Taylor and Wood counties)
Josh (committee chair) & Ashleigh Calaway
715.781.1220
Josh and Ashleigh Calaway own and operate a 200 acre grass fed beef and sheep operation with Josh’s parents. They are the fourth generation to take over the family farm in central Wisconsin. Josh is the 2012 State Young Farmer and Agriculturist Chair and also serves as the Wood County Farm Bureau President. Ashleigh is the Wood County Ag in the Classroom Coordinator. Both Josh and Ashleigh work off the farm as well, Josh as a truck driver Frost Trucking, hauling wood products, and Ashleigh as the Community Development Manager for the Girl Scouts of the North Western Great Lakes Inc.
“Being a part of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) program has played an integral role in who we are today. It is the ideal program for those who want gain leadership skills, meet new people and learn from the best in the industry. The YFA program provides everyone the keys they need to be successful in whatever industry they work in. Along with an amazing staff to ensure that the voice of every member is heard, which is not something many organizations can say they do and do well!”
District 1 (Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties)
Allen & Nancy Dornacker
262.629.1870
Allen and Nancy Dornacker are in a partnership with Allen’s dad in Dornacker Prairie Acres. They have 120 dairy cows, 80 Holstein steers, and 100 heifers. They work 900 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. They also do custom planting and harvesting of around 200 acres. Nancy works off the farm with a part time job in information technology. Allen attended technical college for farm operation and Nancy has her master’s degree in computer science. The couple has been married for six years and they have three children: Kate, Jack and Adam.
“We are involved in Farm Bureau because it helps advance and preserve issues related to farming. Additionally, we are able to network with people passionate about agriculture; which gives us new perspectives on how to manage our business.”
District 2 (Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Rock and Sauk counties)
Maria McGinnis
715.222.4053
Maria McGinnis currently works for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison as director of Career Services. She holds a master's degree in life sciences communication from UW-Madison, and a bachelor's degree in agricultural marketing and communications from UW-River Falls. Originally from Minnesota, Maria lives in Portage. Maria served as the State YFA Chair last year.
"The YFA program is very unique in that it caters to young professionals in production agriculture AND industry. As the agriculture industry has evolved – so has the YFA program. Everyone with a connection to agriculture, food and their community has a place with this amazing group."
District 3 (Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland and Vernon counties)
Ryan & Krista Dolan
608.574.6280
Ryan and Krista Dolan of Dodgeville are partners in their family dairy operation Dolan Farms LLC with Ryan’s parents. Both are graduates of UW-Platteville; Ryan holds a degree in agricultural business while Krista in elementary education. Since transitioning into a farm management role, the couple has overseen an expansion that nearly doubled the herd size. They also grow corn, alfalfa and winter rye. Ryan and Krista serve as county YFA chairs and represent District 3 on the state YFA committee. They have a four year old son, Kaleb, and enjoy fishing and camping.
"Farm Bureau is our voice at the capitol when it comes to agricultural issues. We also know that Farm Bureau will be there to back farmers in a time of need. Being dairy farmers, we are kept current with laws and regulations with the help of Farm Bureau."
District 4 (Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe and Trempealeau counties)
Brian & Sara Maliszewski
715.530.1107
Brian and Sara Maliszewski of Independence are partners in Brian’s family’s beef and crop operation. They raise feeder cattle and grow crops on the rolling hills of Trempeleau County. Since completing his agronomy degree at UW-River Falls, Brain started his own custom harvesting operation, doing planting, round bailing, chopping, hay grinding, trucking and combining. Additionally, he runs 1,600 acres of owned and leased land. Sara works off the farm as a credit analyst. They enjoy being involved in Farm Bureau because they say it’s a great way to meet young leaders in the agriculture industry.
“YFA is more than just farming, it is the collaboration of the new generation of agriculturalists. It is an organization of young adults sharing and leading together, resulting in cutting edge ideas that change communities and the production of today's ever-changing and growing world. Farm Bureau YFA is where it all begins. Live, Lead and Enjoy!”
District 5 (Adams, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Juneau, Marquette, Waushara and Winnebago counties)
Tim Clark
262.305.8733
Tim Clark works for Dairyland Seed as a certified crop advisor and district sales manager where he manages sales of seed to a network of farmers and dealers across five counties in South Central Wisconsin. He has the opportunity to interact with a variety of people and share his knowledge on biotechnology, seed advancements and sustainable cropping systems to positively impact agriculture. He has served as the YFA Chair in Fond du Lac County for two years and he graduated from Farm Bureau’s Institute class in 2011.
“Farm Bureau calls us to educate, advocate and collaborate with our neighbors to protect an industry whose mission is nothing short of amazing: feed the people of the world.”
District 6 (Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties)
Nichole & Chuck Rabitz
920.676.6474
Nichole and Chuck Rabitz of Manitowoc are cash grain farmers of corn, barley and hay. Nichole has an elementary education degree from UW–Green Bay and Chuck has degrees in dairy science and agriculture journalism from UW–Madison. Currently, Chuck works at Denmark State Bank as an agricultural lender. They have three daughters: Audrey, Olivia and Emily.
“We are involved in Farm Bureau to keep agriculture strong. Issues that affect our farm operation and agribusiness thought the United States needs representation in Washington. Serving on the YFA committee helps promote membership, leadership and positive communication for young Farm Bureau members. This helps further the mission of Farm Bureau which is the voice of agriculture.”
District 7 (Langlade, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano and Waupaca counties)
Rebecca & Adam Kuczer
920.822.2772
Adam and Becky Kuczer own Kuczer Farms, a 250 head steer and 900 acre grain operation (corn, soybeans, wheat and hay). They have been married for 8 years and have 4 children: Nicholas, Sawyer, Clara and Cadence. The couple has been active Shawano County Farm Bureau members for six years. Adam served as the YFA chairman for four years and is currently the Shawano County Farm Bureau Vice President.
“Farm Bureau has given us opportunities that we may not have otherwise had. Thanks to the Kalahari trip, every year we get a break from the farm. Thanks to the Institute we’ve learned so much about our personality type and how to apply it to life. Thanks to State Committee we are growing as leaders.”
District 9 (Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix and Sawyer counties, and the Superior Shores Farm Bureau)
Teresa Hanson
715.829.5584
Teresa Hanson works as a Dairy Nutritionist for Crystal Creek, Inc. located in Spooner and resides in Shell Lake. In 2007, Teresa graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a major in agricultural education and a minor in animal science. In her spare time, she is active on her family dairy farm in Dunn County.
“The Young Farmer and Agriculturist program provides young individuals in the agriculture industry the chance to network through social, educational and service events. Several leadership training opportunities allows this younger generation to gain skills that will be useful for the future growth of the organization."
Ex-officio member
Rick Roden (Former Wisconsin chair and current member of American Farm Bureau Federation's Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee)
262.689.1038
Rick Roden of West Bend is a graduate of West Bend High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Farm & Industry Short Course. In 2005, he formed a limited liability corporation consisting of land and livestock with his parents Robert and Cindy Roden. He owns nearly one-fourth of the 400 cows that make up his family’s milking herd.
As a member of the 16-member committee for the nation’s largest general farm organization, Roden will help plan a national leadership conference and the competitive events that occur at the AFBF Annual Meeting for young Farm Bureau members.
Roden, who is a member of the Ozaukee County Farm Bureau, is the first Wisconsin YFA member to serve on the national committee since Randi and Cecelia Brooks served in 2005-06.