Derek and Charisse Orth have been appointed by the American Farm Bureau Federation to its Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee for the 2017-2019 term beginning in March.
The national committee is comprised of 16 positions representing all regions of the U.S. An individual or a couple may hold each committee position.
The Orths recently completed a three-year term on the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee where they served as chairs in 2016.
Derek and Charisse milk 250 cows with his parents at Orthridge Jerseys near Lancaster. Derek is a board director and Charisse is co-women’s chair for the Grant County Farm Bureau. He is also a treasurer of the Wisconsin Jersey Breeders Association. The couple have one daughter, Zeeva.
Committee members are responsible for YF&R Program planning, which includes the coordination of YF&R competitive events during AFBF’s Annual Convention each January. They also provide support in planning and implementing AFBF’s bi-annual FUSION Conference for Farm Bureau volunteer leaders involved in YF&R, Women’s Leadership, and Promotion & Education.
“Farm Bureau’s YF&R Committee members play a vital role in advocating for agriculture while further building their leadership abilities,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “I am thoroughly impressed by the dedication these committee members have shown to Farm Bureau and their community.”
Other appointees to the YF&R Committee are: Matthew and Kimberly London, Georgia; Mark and Sarah Mathe, Michigan; Craig and Kelly Vaughn, North Dakota; Bradley Heimerl, Ohio; Jimmy and Lydia McAlister, Tennessee; Grant Coffee, Virginia; and Russell and Heather Kohler, Utah.
National committee members are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus. They study farm and food policy issues, participate in leadership training exercises and hone other professional skills during their tenure as committee members.
Tim and Danielle Clark of the Dodge County Farm Bureau were the last Wisconsin YFA members to serve on the national committee in 2014-16.
The American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers program includes both men and women between the ages of 18-35. The objective of the Young Farmers & Ranchers program is to provide leadership in building a more effective Farm Bureau to preserve our individual freedoms and expand our opportunities in agriculture.
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