Andrew DalSanto of Grant County and Ben and Haily Sand of Dunn County have been appointed to Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee by the organization’s Board of Directors. Their terms begin at the YFA Conference, December 6-8, in Wisconsin Dells.
“It is exciting to see these young members stepping up and assuming a leadership role in our organization,” WFBF President Jim Holte said. “The YFA program is designed to build the next generation of Farm Bureau leaders and these appointees will surely rise to the occasion.”
Andrew DalSanto grew up on his family’s 100-acre farm on the Wisconsin-Illinois state line in South Beloit, Illinois. He was active in track and 4-H during high school. DalSanto earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and with an emphasis in agricultural engineering and a minor in building construction management from UW-Platteville in 2004. He works for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as the Feed, Fertilizer and Containment Unit Supervisor.
Ben and Haily Sand purchased their farm, south of Menomonie, in 2018 and established Sand Grains, LLC in 2019. On the farm, the couple grows corn, soybeans, rye and fresh produce. In addition to their work on the farm, the couple holds off-farm jobs. As an insurance agent with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, Ben works with farmers and general consumers to meet their home, auto and other insurance needs. Haily is an independent agriculture consultant with AgSource where she takes soil and plant tissue samples and works with farmers to create and review nutrient management plans. The couple has a daughter named Ryelin.
The WFBF YFA Committee consists of nine couples or individuals (ages 18-35) from across the state. Its goal is to get more young farmers and agriculturists acquainted with and involved in Farm Bureau. They carry out a variety of statewide initiatives, such as conferences, contests and award programs. The YFA Program is funded by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation.
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