Wisconsin Farm Bureau Names 2024 YFA Award Finalists

MADISON – The finalists have been named for Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Farming for the Future and Outstanding Agriculture Professional Awards.

Four finalists in each category will compete for top honors at the WFBF Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) Conference in December.

The Farming for the Future Award recognizes YFA members who excel in their farm involvement, future goals, leadership abilities and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic and service organizations. Applicants must derive a majority of their income from on-farm production.

“This year’s finalists are innovative leaders in Wisconsin’s farming community,” said WFBF President Brad Olson. “We are excited to recognize young farmers who are advancing the future of agriculture.”

This year’s finalists include:

• Jacob and Eliza Bobolz, Rock County
• Jacob and Jennifer Hoewisch, Waupaca County
• Josh and Kristen Joseph, Richland County
• Tiffany Kohlmann, Manitowoc County

The Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award recognizes YFA members who excel in their agriculture involvement, leadership abilities and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic and service organizations. Applicants are agriculturists who derive a majority of their income from an off-farm job.

“It is an honor to recognize this group of agriculture advocates in this year’s competition,” said Olson. “Being a finalist in this contest is a testament to the positive impact they have, both in Wisconsin agriculture and Farm Bureau.”

The four finalists are:

• Kat Peper, Sauk County. Kat is a Technical Sales Support Manager at CRV USA.
• Travis and Bethany Senn, Polk County. Travis is the Assistant Director of Milk Marketing and Analytics for Southeast Milk, Inc. and Bethany is the Calf and Heifer Technical Specialist for Vita Plus Corporation.
• Brooke Trustem, Rock County. Brooke is the Sales & Marketing Coordinator at BouMatic.
• Tammy Wiedenbeck, Grant County. Tammy is the founder and owner of Traveled Acres Media Services.

Each finalist will conduct an interview with judges at the 2024 WFBF Annual Meeting and YFA Conference at Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, December 6-8. The winner of each award will receive $1,500 courtesy of GROWMARK, Inc., the opportunity to attend the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation FUSION Conference in Denver, CO, will be eligible to participate in the 2025 YFA Washington, D.C. Fly-In and be a guest of WFBF at the 2025 YFA Conference. The total value of the prize package is more than $5,000.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation co-sponsors these awards with GROWMARK Inc. and Rural Mutual Insurance Company. Information about all YFA contests can be found on wfbf.com.