Kaitlyn Kesler was selected as the winner of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturalists Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award at the organization’s 104th Annual Meeting and YFA Conference on December 3.
Kesler is the director of communications and outreach for the Wisconsin Beef Council. Her passion for agriculture started on her family’s registered Jersey farm near Gays Mills. She served as the 48th Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs and the 71st Alice in Dairyland. In 2022, Kesler received the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation 35 under 35 Award for Sustainable Storytelling because of her work with the Wisconsin Beef Council and currently is participating in the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Leadership Institute.
“This contest recognizes our young members who have gone above and beyond for agriculture within their communities,” said WFBF President Kevin Krentz. “Kaitlyn exemplifies the impact Wisconsin Farm Bureau members have in rural communities across the state.”
The Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award is presented to a Farm Bureau member between the ages of 18 to 35 who excels in their leadership abilities, agriculture involvement, and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic and service organizations. Applicants are agriculturists who have not derived a majority of their income from a farm (that they own) in the past three years.
Kesler will receive $1,500 courtesy of GROWMARK, Inc., will have the opportunity to attend the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference in Omaha, Neb., will be eligible to participate in the 2025 YFA Washington, D.C. Fly-In and be a guest of WFBF at the 2024 YFA Conference.
Other finalists included Julie Sweney of Dodge County, Brooke Trustem of Rock County and Tammy Wiedenbeck of Grant County.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation co-sponsors this contest with GROWMARK, Inc. and Rural Mutual Insurance Company.
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