Thirty-five individuals have been selected as Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s 35 Under 35 Award finalists. The award is presented by WFBF’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist program in partnership with Insight FS.
The 35 Under 35 program recognizes the creativity and innovation of young farmers and agriculturists who are preserving agriculture through leadership in environmental, social and economic activities.
In the third year of the program, 44 innovative and deserving YFA members submitted applications. Applications were evaluated for their involvement in one of five categories – Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Future, Sustainable Self, Sustainable Service and Sustainable Storytelling.
“The YFA Committee was thrilled by the record number of nominations for 35 Under 35 and we are proud to recognize the best of the best up-and-coming agriculture leaders,” said WFBF YFA Committee Chair Kat Peper. “Congratulations to the finalists! We can’t wait to celebrate you at YFA Conference in December.”
The 2024 35 Under 35 finalists are:
- Amy Austin, Green; Sustainable Service
- Kori Blank, Monroe; Sustainable Service
- Lauren Brey, Door; Sustainable Environment
- Chad Bruss, Green Lake; Sustainable Future
- Isaac Christenson, Polk-Burnett; Sustainable Service
- Andrew Dal Santo, Grant; Sustainable Self
- Sydney Flick, Columbia; Sustainable Future
- Kendra Goplin, Trempealeau; Sustainable Storytelling
- Allison Gorr, Green; Sustainable Service
- Joanna Guza, Brown; Sustainable Storytelling
- Cosette Henthorne, Vernon; Sustainable Future
- Emily Herness-Oates, Trempealeau; Sustainable Environment
- Karoline Homan, Dodge; Sustainable Future
- Kendra Jentz, Grant; Sustainable Storytelling
- Tyler Meinnert, Sheboygan; Sustainable Future
- Cody Mullikin, Sheboygan; Sustainable Environment
- Brady Nigh, Vernon; Sustainable Future
- Brittany Olson, Barron; Sustainable Storytelling
- Sam Olson, Barron; Sustainable Future
- Serenity Palmer, Rusk; Sustainable Future
- Niki Peterson, Door; Sustainable Self
- Katie Reineking, Sheboygan; Sustainable Self
- Josh Roos, Polk-Burnett; Sustainable Future
- Lily Schuster, Dodge; Sustainable Service
- Charitee Seebecker, Juneau; Sustainable Storytelling
- Ben Sosnovske, Lincoln; Sustainable Environment
- Emily Strahota, Green Lake; Sustainable Self
- Sawyer & Jillian Tietz, Polk-Burnett; Sustainable Future
- William Walleser, Vernon; Sustainable Environment
- Tammy Wiedenbeck, Grant; Sustainable Future
- Amanda Williams, Shawano; Sustainable Service
- Eric Wuthrich, Green; Sustainable Service
- Beth Yanke, Sauk; Sustainable Service
- Tess Zettle, Green; Sustainable Self
- Katie Zimmer, Rusk; Sustainable Self
The Sustainable Environment category recognizes individuals who are good stewards of the land and their resources. The Sustainable Future category recognizes individuals who are preserving generational success on the farm. The Sustainable Self category recognizes individuals serving their community through leadership, mentorship and mental health advocacy. The Sustainable Service category recognizes individuals who are serving agriculture through trade skills or advisory roles. The Sustainable Storytelling category recognizes individuals who use their platform to share agriculture’s sustainability successes.
“The 35 Under 35 program continues to be a successful initiative that highlights the incredible talents within the future leaders of Wisconsin agriculture,” said Insight FS General Manager Ben Huber. “It is refreshing to see the leadership qualities and sustainability initiatives on display, and Insight FS is proud to be a partner again in 2024. Congratulations to all the nominees and finalists; you are the best and brightest our industry has to offer!”
Each finalist will receive an apparel item and cash prize sponsored by Insight FS. The top individual in each category will be announced during the WFBF Annual Meeting and YFA Conference in December. The finalists are also invited to attend an exclusive networking reception during the conference.
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