MADISON – Brad Olson was elected to serve a one-year term on American Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors on Tuesday during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 106th Convention. Olson is a crop farmer near Frederic in Polk County.
Olson was first elected to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors in 2022 to represent District 9, which includes: Barron, Dunn, Chippewa, Pierce, Polk Burnett, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer and Superior Shores Farm Bureaus. He was elected WFBF President in 2023.
Brad and his wife, Vicky, farm more than 600 acres of crops and are members of Polk-Burnett Farm Bureau. They have two children and two grandsons.
WFBF Receives National Recognition
Wisconsin Farm Bureau was recognized for excellence in implementation of member programs and membership achievement in 2024. WFBF was recognized with the Pinnacle Award, the highest honor a state Farm Bureau can be awarded for program and member achievements. The Awards of Excellence recognize state Farm Bureaus that demonstrated outstanding achievements in four program areas: Advocacy, Coalitions & Partnerships, Engagement & Outreach and Leadership & Business Development.
WFBF also received the New Horizon Award, which honors the most innovative new state Farm Bureau programs. Wisconsin was recognized for Gather Wisconsin, a series of resources including blog posts, recipes, an annual print magazine and member activities that connect consumers with the farmers growing and raising their family’s food.
Coates Competes in National Light
Kallie Jo Coates of Racine County made it to the Sweet-16 Round of American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet.
The Discussion Meet contest is a panel discussion in which Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35 are judged on their ability to express their ideas and opinions and reach a solution to current issues affecting agriculture.
Coates works in office management for Harry Hansen Meat Service and is a marketing freelancer with Briar Marketing. Her and her husband, Devin, own Coates Farm where they raise 150 laying hens in addition to 225 acres of corn and forage crops. She graduated from UW-Platteville with a degree in agricultural education before attending Texas Tech for a master’s degree in agricultural communications.
Leahy Re-Appointed to Promotion and Education Committee
Lynn Leahy was re-appointed to AFBF’s Promotion and Education Committee for the 2025-2027 term starting in March.
Lynn Leahy is a research agronomist at Heartland Farms, Inc., a 9,000-acre farm growing potatoes for potato chips near Hancock. She grew up on an 80-cow dairy farm in Argyle. Leahy holds a bachelor’s degree in dairy science and a master’s degree in horticulture, both from UW-Madison. Leahy is a graduate of Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Leadership Institute Class VIII. Leahy and her husband, Mike, reside in Plover.
The Promotion and Education Committee is comprised of 10 individuals representing qualifying Farm Bureau Promotion and Education states. It was launched in 2014 to develop and centralize resources that inspire and equip Farm Bureau members to convey the significance of agriculture.
Committee members support and encourage state Farm Bureau volunteers to participate in projects and activities by providing resources for programs, communicating with state leaders and contributing collaborative ideas.
Sands Complete Young Farmer and Rancher Committee Term
Dunn County Farm Bureau members Ben and Hally Sand completed their two-year term on AFBF’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. The couple grows rye, corn, soybeans, sweet corn and pumpkins on their farm near Menomonie.
The YF&R Committee is made up of 16 positions representing all regions of the United States. An individual or couple may hold each committee appointment. Committee members are responsible for program planning, which includes the coordination of YF&R Committee competitive events during AFBF’s Annual Convention each January, and the Harvest for All program.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is committed to embracing sustainable solutions for a stronger tomorrow. Made up of 61 county Farm Bureaus, it represents agriculturists and farms of every size, commodity and management style.
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