Keith and Savannah Henke of Jackson County, Sara Menard of Adams County and Lauren Kostello of Manitowoc 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 end of the virtual YFA Conference on December 5.
“It is exciting to see these young members stepping up and assuming a leadership role in our organization,” WFBF President Joe Bragger said. “The YFA program is designed to build the next generation of Farm Bureau leaders and these appointees will surely rise to the occasion.”
Keith and Savannah Henke were recently married and live in Black River Falls. Keith grew up on a dairy farm in Stanley before pursuing a degree in industrial mechanics at Chippewa Valley Technical College. He works for Millis Transfer driving freight throughout the Midwest. Savannah did not grow up on a farm, but her grandfather’s farm was just down the road. She showed Brown Swiss at the county, state and national levels in addition to being an active member of 4-H and FFA. She earned a degree in dairy science and agricultural business from UW-River Falls. She is a graduate of WFBF’s Leadership Institute. Savannah is the operations manager at the Land O’ Lakes Animal Milk Solutions plant in Black River Falls. Additionally, she is pursing a master’s degree in organizational leadership and development.
Sara Menard may not be a Wisconsin native, but agriculture runs deep in her roots. Her father, an FFA advisor, is the reason she became interested in agriculture from a young age. She was active in 4-H and FFA showing livestock and participating in cooking competitions. Sara attended Louisiana State University where she was introduced to a food science professor who guided her education and career path. After receiving a master’s from Kansas State University in food science, Sara received a job offer from Grande Custom Ingredients in Fond du Lac and has called Wisconsin home ever since. She now works as a senior food scientist at Brakebush Brothers in Westfield where she works with national restaurant chains to develop new chicken offerings.
Lauren is a crop insurance agent for Investors Community Bank based out of Manitowoc. In this role she provides agricultural insurance products, including crop, livestock and milk insurance, throughout the state of Wisconsin. Lauren grew up on her family’s dairy farm near Ashland and was an active member of her local 4-H club where she showed cattle and horses. She graduated from UW- River Falls with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business with a dairy science minor. Lauren serves on the Manitowoc County Farm Bureau board of directors and is a graduate of WFBF’s Leadership Institute.
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.
For more information about WFBF’s YFA Program or committee, call 1.800.261.FARM or visit wfbf.com.
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