Spring 2024 | Pearls & Rubies

PEARLS&RUBIES YEAR 119 | SPRING 2024

CELEBRATING FH UNITY

THE MAGAZINE OF FARMHOUSE FRATERNITY

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FEATURES BUILDING BACK BROTHERHOOD A LEGACY OF SERVICE PUTTING THE U IN FARMHOUSE TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES DOWN TO THE DATA

CONCLAVE JOIN US IN OMAHA AWARD RECIPIENTS STARS OF FARMHOUSE

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FUND FOR THE FUTURE LEADERSHIP IN THE LONE STAR STATE MEET THE NEWEST FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN BENEFITS OF A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY FOUNDATION HONOR ROLL

IN EVERY ISSUE 2 6 22 41 42

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT FARMHOUSE PHOTOS IN MEMORIAM ALUMNI NEWS

On the cover: Tarleton State FH chapter members, André Archuleta (Tarleton State 21), Tanner Chambers (Tarleton State 20), Max Kessner (Tarleton State 22), James Williams (Tarleton State 22) and Kyler Sparks (Tarleton State 22), showcase their purple FH shirts for Purple Thursdays, a tradition celebrated by Tarleton State students to unify the campus and honor the university.

Pearls&Rubies Fall 2024

The fall 2024 Pearls & Rubies issue will highlight the lifesavers of FarmHouse, like the men at Alberta who raise thousands of dollars every year in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. If you have stories about a FH man who has saved a life or serves in a life-saving job on his campus, in their community, country or worldwide, please submit the story to bit.ly/FHnewssub.

Pearls&Rubies EDITORIAL Dave Hansen (Iowa State 90) Editor-in-Chief Ryan Laughlin Creative Director Christine Fly Managing Editor Graphic Design COPY EDITORS Miranda Howe Jeanine Lane Allison Rickels CONTRIBUTORS André Archuleta (Tarleton State 21) Eric Bymaster (Purdue 90) COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Kevin Warneke (Nebraska 82), Chair Clint Blaes (Kansas State 05) Tyler Pigg (Troy 10) Luke Munchrath (Tarleton State 17) Doug Thomas (Kentucky 78) VIEW PEARLS & RUBIES ONLINE Visit farmhouse.org/pearls-and-rubies to view this issue online.

GO PAPERLESS Sign up to receive future issues in a digital format by scanning the QR code below.

POSTMASTER U.S. address changes to Pearls & Rubies, FarmHouse International Fraternity, Inc., 1021 Jefferson Street Kansas City, MO 64153-9905 Canadian return address: Publications Mail Agreement #40043510, Station A; P.O. Box 54; Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.

Pearls & Rubies (USPS 424-540) is an educational and alumni publication published by FarmHouse Fraternity, Inc., and the FarmHouse Foundation.

Non-member subscriptions are available for $25 per year.

1021 Jefferson Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 Phone: (816) 891-9445

CALENDAR July 18-21, 2024

FHHQ@FARMHOUSE.ORG FARMHOUSE.ORG FarmHouse is a proud member of:

52nd Biennial Conclave Omaha, Nebraska

Jan. 9-12, 2025

FarmHouse Leadership Institute St. Louis, Missouri

February 2025 Power of 7 Seminar

May 2025

To Be & Become: Emerging Talent Retreat

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

About FarmHouse: FarmHouse was founded in 1905 at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, by D. Howard Doane, Robert F. Howard, Claude B. Hutchison, Henry H. Krusekopf, Earl W. Rusk, Henry P. Rusk and Melvin E. Sherwin.

FarmHouse Values: Faith, Ambition, Reverence, Morality, Honesty, Obedience, Unity, Service and Excellence The Object of the Fraternity: The Object of our Fraternity is to promote good fellowship, to encourage studiousness, and to inspire its members in seeking the best in their chosen lines of study as well as in life. Progress shall mark our every step; the spirit of congeniality shall reign at all times; and every member shall be honest with himself as with his brothers. Men elected to our membership are considered to be of good moral character, to be high in scholarship, to have the capacity for meeting and making friends, and to give promise of service to their fellow men and to the world.

To be and become such may at times require a sacrifice of time, pleasures and comforts.

International President Eric Bymaster (Purdue 90) Fraternity Executive Director & CEO Dave Hansen (Iowa State 90) Foundation Chairman Eric Thurber (Nebraska 89) Foundation Executive Director & CEO Allison Rickels, CFRE

Stay Connected: facebook.com/FARMHOUSEFraternity @farmhousefraternity @FarmHouse1905 linkedin.com/company/farmhouseinternational-fraternity/

Dear FarmHouse brothers and friends, Unity is a simple word, originating from the old French word “unite,” which stems from “unus”, the Latin word meaning “one.”

As a preeminent fraternity in the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC)— with noble ideals and a unified approach to building men—FarmHouse is a leader in many ways. Maintaining our standards requires constant effort, the skills and resources of many, and the determination to mark progress with our every step.

People unite for numerous reasons. We unite around having similar needs or around a common purpose, in support of others, as a team, family or a brotherhood. Uniting for a reason is often easier than uniting for a season or a lifetime, through good times and tough times, successes and failures.

Unity requires a lot of work, patience, empathy and understanding all while being humble and respectful.

Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress.

Working together is success.”

As a Fraternity, we are brought together, not knowing what to expect, not knowing what friendships and bonds will be made, and not knowing what challenges and hardships will strengthen us if we respond with determination and resolve. In FarmHouse, we come together, keep together and work together.

When a general contractor (GC) sets out to build a house, they need an architect to design and draw the plan. They also need a soil specialist to ensure the ground will support the structure. They rely on a subcontractor for site preparation and grading to prepare the building site and a contractor to build the foundation. The GC also needs various specialists to execute the

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project; a plumber, electrician, framer, roofer, cabinet maker, floor installer, insulation installer, bricklayer, painter, interior designer, inspector, administrator and a project manager.

Individuals with their own unique backgrounds bridging together different skills and ideas, all the while uniting for the singular purpose of building a house. When the team unites and functions as one, the project is successful.

As a Fraternity, we need to leverage different skill sets, varying ideas and different experiences in order to build the best fraternity possible. Bringing diverse approaches and skill sets and respecting one another’s ideas and abilities while uniting around our core values and common purpose creates the strong foundation from which we experience success.

Our core values are Faith, Ambition, Respect, Morality, Honesty, Obedience, UNITY, Service and Excellence. Unity requires respect, communication, understanding, collaboration, accountability, effort and a common purpose, acting as one. Our common purpose is to be a Builder of Men. As we approach the end of a successful academic year and Conclave around the corner, let us remain singularly united as a Builder of Men. Fraternally,

Eric Bymaster (Purdue 90) International Executive Board President

FALL 2023

FARMHOUSE FLASHBACK

Unity is one of nine FarmHouse values we believe are the foundation for personal and overall growth. This issue showcases unity within FarmHouse. In the summer 2009 issue of Pearls & Rubies FarmHouse featured To Be & Become, a new program created by the Fraternity to bring together members from across the North America. Read more about the story on page 8 of the issue from the archive by scanning the QR code or by visiting bit.ly/FLASHBACK2024.

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The new University of Missouri FarmHouse chapter house.

BUILDING BACK BROTHERHOOD

By Ryan Laughlin

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n 1905, seven men at the University of Missouri met at their YMCA bible study and made the decision to start a new type of organization, one that would create a home for more than 30,000 members.

This is a tale every member of FarmHouse knows by heart. Today, the chapter continues its legacy on the Missouri campus thanks to strong support from FarmHouse alumni and new generations of student leaders. Like most journeys, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride.

In 2018, after more than a hundred years on campus, the Mizzou chapter closed due to violations of university policies.

Amid the turmoil of the situation, a light sparked for many alumni who saw the opportunity for a revival. Not more than a day after the closure, a plan was put in place to develop and bring the chapter back in three years. Little did many of the faithful alumni know it would be reopened with a new house.

Unity, as a value of FarmHouse, was front and center as alumni, staff and soon-to-be new FarmHouse brothers came together to start a new era in Columbia, Missouri.

At a time when a fresh perspective felt necessary, Duncan Barks (Missouri 76) decided to join the Missouri FH Foundation board. He was no stranger to the chapter, maintaining close relationships with his pledge class and traveling with many of them to see baseball games across the country. He knew giving back to the organization was important, and in 2017 he ran for treasurer of the local FH foundation.

“It was disappointing to see the chapter leave campus, but in the end, it was necessary,” Barks said. “FarmHouse International staff were there right away. Christian Wiggins, 4 P E AR L S & R U B I E S | FAR M H O U S E .O RG

FarmHouse CEO at the time, had already talked to university administration and walked into the house with a game plan of how to fix the situation.”

As the plan was put together for the chapter’s return to campus, the university agreed to a rare three-year suspension and FarmHouse leaders acted quickly.

“It was a collaborative effort with no individual making the call, we made group decisions. Everyone put their egos aside and decided to do what was best for FarmHouse,” Barks said.

“At the center of it all, Jeff Hillbrenner (Missouri 97) had the vision to move out of our old house, invest in a new one, build it right, and make sure it matched the demographics and student population at a time when there had been a downturn in enrollment.”

As hard as it was to cut ties from the old chapter house, alumni saw an opportunity to secure a premiere spot for the new house: a location almost every student passes by during their time at Mizzou and it would be surrounded by the homes of many other fraternities and sororities on campus.

For many, seeing a new house built for FarmHouse was the perfect opportunity to re-engage with the organization and the community. During this time, Matt Kist (Missouri 06), a civil engineer at Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., offered his expertise to ensure the building of the new chapter house was a success.

“I heard through the grapevine the chapter closed and there were discussions about building a new house. Since design is a world I live in through my profession, I wanted to make sure good decisions were being made about the project,” Kist said.

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After joining the project, Kist quickly took the lead arranging a building committee to steer the project and engage more people with the house design and construction.

“I did all of this because I’m a proud Mizzou FarmHouse alumnus and I really hope my sons have a home in FarmHouse on campus where they can see the legacy of this organization,” Kist said.

While ensuring the project had key alumni contributing their years of experience, there was also a need for the new members to make an impact on the home.

JR Adkins (Missouri 20), who would ultimately serve as the refounding president, had a rare opportunity to join one of the university’s fastest-growing expansions.

“I came to school in fall 2019 when FarmHouse wasn’t on campus; I tried going Greek then, but it just didn’t click,” Adkins said.

Once word spread FarmHouse was working to make a return, Adkins heard of the chapter’s legacy and decided to give it a try, calling up his friends to see if they wanted to restart a chapter. From there, his small group of friends turned into 60 men eager to be members of FarmHouse.

“Jeff Hillbrenner always says recruitment is the lifeblood of this Fraternity,” Adkins said. “We all saw something special that didn’t exist before, which really brought the group together.”

As the expansion efforts continued, alumni started the interview process for the chapter’s officer core, where Adkins expressed interest in being the re-founding president.

“It was shocking to see how unified the alumni were while I was interviewing and joining the exec team,” Adkins said.

“Each [executive] position would inevitably have a direct advisor and mentor. I worked with Jeff Hillbrenner, who ensured we were all on the same page. Before you know it, we were a full-fledged chapter.”

Support from alumni and Fraternity staff taught the group how to recruit and run an operationally sound chapter.

Learning to recruit, manage their finances and make decisions for the chapter’s future were keys to their success.

“The alumni created a lot of opportunities for direct student input, asking us what we wanted to see in the house and realistically how many men we could recruit into the chapter,” Adkins said.

Adkins gives a lot of his credit to the advisors supporting the group, but few are as resonant to the chapter as Steve Borgelt (Missouri 76). Borgelt had held many volunteer roles

within the chapter through the end of the millennia and was a permanent fixture on Mizzou’s campus as a faculty member.

While a professor, it was easy for him to stay connected to the chapter without being a full-time advisor.

“At the time we closed, I was sad to hear it but not completely surprised. I didn’t even really know if there was a way for us to come back, but after seeing the Fraternity staff and alumni involvement, I had a feeling I’d end up coming back as an advisor,” Borgelt said.

For Borgelt and many others, it was imperative that things needed to be different if this was going to be successful.

“The new exec team started to get together. I began getting to know the guys and quickly knew there was something really good going on here,” Borgelt said.

The project had an energy that kept bringing more alumni brothers of the chapter back into the fold, bringing together men from across the country.

“Duncan lives in Maryland and we’ve remained close friends. It’s great to see how engaged he’s become through this project. It’s incredible how much this group has grown through improved communication and a desire to tell the story of the chapter house, Borgelt said.

“This project has brought me much closer to brothers like Jeff Hillbrenner and JR Adkins, all from different generations.

It was memorable seeing JR receive the D. Howard Doane Award. Jeff and I began to think back to when we got the award and see this cross-generational connection.”

April 15, 2023, the new chapter house officially opened.

With alumni continuing to dedicate their time to the group, the future of FarmHouse at Mizzou is bright.

“When I went to the FarmHouse Leadership Institute, I was reminded I needed to go all the way if I was going to do this right. I want to be an effective advisor at my age, not just an old guy sitting in their way. Thankfully, I haven’t felt that way. It’s been a good experience and I hope to continue being an advisor to them who continues to be beneficial,” Borgelt said. “If you do it right, this Fraternity experience is so good for college men.”

A SPECIAL THANKS

The Mizzou FH Chapter would like to offer a special thank you to the following people who made the housing project possible: BUILDING COMMITTEE Matt Kist (MO 06), chair Duncan Barks (MO 76) Pat Bryant (MO 76) Ryan Fuller (MO 08) Sam Hallett (MO 12) Jeff Hillbrenner (MO 97) Don Johnson (MO 54) Spencer Jones (MO 76) Andrew Kummerfeld (MO 06) Kyle Middleton (MO 99) Jeff Windett (MO 73) FEASIBILITY COMMITTEE

The foyer of the newly constructed chapter house.

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Duncan Barks (MO 76), co-chair Adam Burger (MO 13), co-chair Johnny Jankovich (MO 08) Kyle Kuenzel (MO 08) Aaron Rigdon (MO 03) Scott Smith (MO 90)

HOUSING CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE Roger Alewel (MO 56) Lance Burditt (MO 94) Phillip Burger (MO 83) Steven Burger (MO 81) Terry Coffelt (MO 76) Brian Hazelrigg (MO 97) Jeff Hilbrenner (MO 97) James Hulshof (MO 00) Don Johnson (MO 54) Marc Kaiser (MO 99) Chad Kavanaugh (MO 90) Dan Malan (MO 73) Randy Oberdiek (MO 81) Scott Smith (MO 90) Joe Stephens (MO 93)

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LEADERSHIP

Spotlight

WITH JOHN CARLIN (KANSAS STATE 59)

By Clint Blaes (Kansas State 05)

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s a young adult, John W. Carlin (Kansas State 59) graduated from college with plans to manage his family’s registered Holstein operation near Smolan, Kansas. Little did he know, he would spend nearly 40 years in politics serving his state and country.

Carlin’s journey into politics began in 1968 when the Democratic candidate for the local Kansas House seat unexpectedly dropped out of the race. While the local party was scrambling, Carlin read in the Sunday newspaper they were looking for a candidate and he decided to give it a try.

Quickly accepted as the new candidate, Carlin had only six short weeks to campaign with serious adversity going into the election. Although he lost the race in 1968, two years later he tried again and won. This began a long career in public service for Carlin, where he served as a Kansas State Representatives from 1971-79, Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives from 77-79, served two terms as Governor of Kansas from 1979-1987, and spent a decade as Archivist of the United States from 1995-2005.

After a full career in public service, Carlin retired and launched the next phase of life—teaching in the School of Leadership Studies at his alma mater, Kansas State University. While teaching, Carlin desired to give back to the Kansas State FarmHouse chapter that had given him so much, which led him to serve a term as an advisor from 2012 to 2015.

Today, Carlin continues to share ideas and promote civic engagement through his blog. In his spare time he also works with the Kansas Oral History Project and the Kansas Historical Society encouraging others to share their stories of leadership and public service.

Carlin shaking hands with former United States President Ronald Reagan.

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How did your experience in FarmHouse contribute toward your career in public service?

FarmHouse was a great experience for me. When I attended K-State, I didn’t go through formal recruitment. Two years before attending college, I had a friend from home who didn’t have a positive Greek life experience and it soured my view towards fraternities. I didn’t know anything about FarmHouse, but I was acquainted with some FarmHouse men through my 4-H experience, and they invited me to dinner a couple of times, which led me to join. I had a great experience as an undergraduate and even served as a new member educator.

I worked very hard in that position and was successful in making some changes to the program to make it a more positive and serious experience for incoming members.

I also give 4-H a lot of credit. That’s where I learned Robert’s Rules of Order, giving speeches and project talks, and especially being involved in judging teams. That all came together to make a huge impact.

As I reflect now, my 4-H judging experience was impactful.

Having eight minutes to gather my thoughts and then present a platform for a cause taught me many important skills. I was one of six 4-H’ers across the nation who had the opportunity to present to President Eisenhower as he was leaving office. It was a fantastic experience.

What were some of your most rewarding experiences or accomplishments in public service?

In the Kansas Legislature, I started out as a dairy farmer on the back row. I loved the process, listening to members from both parties debate the pros and cons of the bills. One of the advantages I had from my dairy experience was getting up early in the morning. So, I’d get up early and go to the Capitol and have time by myself. I was the first one there for the Democrats, so I started helping the leader run errands.

I decided I could do more than run errands, so that’s how I moved up in leadership and earned my position as Speaker of the House.

During that time, Democrats and Republicans could work well together. Neither side was extreme. One example I can think of was a bill that dealt with how farm laborers organized in Kansas. I supported the bill because it had a provision about not striking during harvest—and that made sense to me. Governor Robert Docking, a fellow Democrat, was closely backed by labor unions, and vetoed the bill. The Republican leaders asked me to make the motion to override the veto. My caucus leader was upset when he heard I was SPRING 2024

Carlin working on the family farm in Smolman, Kansas.

Carlin in his office during his term as Kansas governor.

thinking about it—claiming I couldn’t cross labor lines and wouldn’t go anywhere in the Democratic party. But I said there was too much at stake for agriculture. I made the motion and we successfully overrode the veto.

As governor, I had a working relationship with Republicans. We started the first real state water office and enacted water policies. I knew it was going to be difficult since there were so many different ideas on water policy.

Recognizing both houses of the legislature were controlled

by Republicans, I knew we all were going to have to work together. With bipartisan involvement, public hearings and a lot of work, it passed into law during my tenure. I was very proud of that.

In today’s political climate, what advice do you have for FarmHouse men trying to build bridges and find common ground?

My advice is not to be too extreme either direction. By doing so, people have more capacity to compromise and succeed. Be willing to listen to someone who has a different opinion and look for ways to find common ground. I want FarmHouse men to be able to go out and have a positive impact in the communities they live in. To do so, a person has to be willing to work with others who have different points of view.

There are huge opportunities for FarmHouse men to be community leaders no matter their career path. There are a lot of problems in this world, and we need FarmHouse men willing to step up and help their communities work through the problems they face. We have to be willing to work with people we disagree with and carve out consensus.

When I was governor, I had Republican leadership across

A portrait of John Carlin as the eighth archivist of the United States.

the legislature. I was dependent upon Republicans to pass my programs while still dependent on Democrats to protect my vetoes. Nonetheless, a lot of basic things were done. I worked well with the Republican legislature because we needed that to happen in order to be successful.

What lessons have you tried to impart on students in your teaching career and during your term as an advisor to the Kansas State FH chapter?

The focus of my classes was always focused on practical leadership, based on my experience. Practical ideologies I thought would be valuable to students regardless of what career path they chose. I taught students to always think big picture and long range. Don’t ever look at an issue or problem without considering the big picture and long-range outcomes.

Look down the road.

One thing I did in my classes was to poll students and ask for their reaction when someone says something is political.

Almost 100% of the students would react negatively to that statement. Same question with the word “power,” and the reaction would also be negative. I told them that’s wrong.

You have to develop political skills. That doesn’t mean you’re going to be in elected office. Politics is in everything.

Basic political skills are useful in every situation. Power is a positive and only becomes a negative if it’s abused. If a community group is trying to get money for a project, you have to be able to go to the community leaders and get the funding. It can be bad, it can be abused. But, powerful people can do wonderful things.

Carlin meeting constiuents during his time as governor of Kansas.

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A LEGACY OF SERVICE

By Christine Fly

THE STORY OF KEEPING JOHN ROMINE’S† MISSION ALIVE

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s many FarmHouse members know, there is a unique camaraderie that forms when a person joins the Fraternity. It’s a bond forged through shared experiences, laughter and sometimes even tears.

For John Romine (Purdue 05)†, his journey with FarmHouse wasn’t just about brotherhood; it was a testament to resilience, kindness and chapter support.

“John was so excited to be a part of FarmHouse. From the first time he met the men in the chapter he instantly knew it was where he wanted to be,” Carol Romine, John’s mother, said.

Little did he know FarmHouse would become not just his fraternity, but a brotherhood and second home—a sanctuary where he felt valued and loved.

Romine eagerly embraced fraternity life, cherishing every moment spent with his fellow brothers. But amidst the laughter and horseplay, Romine faced a battle that would test his strength and resilience like never before.

As he embarked on his college journey, Romine’s health began to deteriorate, with subtle signs of fatigue and unexplained symptoms hinting at a deeper underlying issue.

Despite his struggles, Romine remained actively involved in FarmHouse while still attending cattle shows and helping with his family’s Christmas tree farm near Columbus, Indiana.

However, his exhaustion continued and his health declined.

It wasn’t until Thanksgiving break the truth revealed itself­—a diagnosis that would alter the course of Romine’s life— Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Yet, in the face of adversity, Romine’s strength and kindness still inspired all who knew him.

Romine and his mom, Carol.

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Determined to continue his journey with FarmHouse, Romine would not let cancer define him, even telling his doctors he needed to leave the hospital to be initiated with his pledge class.

His commitment to brotherhood remained unwavering, even in the darkest of times.

FarmHouse became more than just a fraternity—it became a second family. His brothers, recognizing the gravity of his situation, went above and beyond to ensure his John Romine (Purdue 05)† comfort and well-being. From adjusting living arrangements to accommodate his needs to organizing fundraisers in his honor, the Purdue FarmHouse chapter stood by Romine’s side every step of the way.

One moment truly captured the spirit of FarmHouse brotherhood—a fundraiser organized by his fraternity brothers to support Romine’s medical expenses. Despite his illness, Romine’s selflessness shone through as he insisted on donating the proceeds to Riley Hospital, a gesture that showed Romine’s true colors as the kind, selfless man he was.

Romine’s impact extended far beyond the walls of FarmHouse. His optimism touched the lives of everyone he encountered. Whether it was running alongside a friend so she didn’t have to run alone or offering a helping hand to those in need, Romine’s acts of kindness left a memorable mark on those around him.

“We were always hearing stories of times John helped someone. Even years later we still hear stories of his kindness,” Carol said.

During his junior year of college, amidst his battle with cancer, Romine embarked on a mission to make a difference.

He recognized the urgent need for cancer research, and support for cancer patients and stem cell donors, not only for himself but for countless others battling cancer.

At the 2008 Conclave, Romine passionately advocated for FarmHouse to adopt the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and NMDP, formerly Be The Match, as the Fraternity’s national philanthropies.

Moved by Romine’s spirit and profound strength, FarmHouse unanimously embraced both causes as the organization’s national philanthropies. Romine’s vision became a reality, igniting a nationwide movement within the Fraternity to support cancer research, patient support and stem cell donation.

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HOW TO

GIVE BACK Carol and Mark Romine stand by their bone marrow registry table at the Purdue University Dance Marathon in 2017, an event that was created in memory of John.

As his battle with cancer continued, FarmHouse remained a constant source of support and strength. His brothers stood by his side, offering words of encouragement and support. Even in his final days, Romine’s FarmHouse brothers remained by his side, a testament to the enduring bond of brotherhood.

In December 2008, surrounded by his loved ones and fraternity brothers, Romine passed away, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, courage and resilience. His memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew him, his spirit embodied in the enduring bond of the FarmHouse brotherhood.

FarmHouse continues to honor Romine’s memory by holding fundraisers to support cancer research, raise awareness and to identify more donors for the bone marrow registry. His legacy serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring future generations of fraternity brothers to embody the spirit of compassion and kindness that defined Romine’s life.

In the end, Romine’s story is not just about cancer—it’s a testament to the power of support, resilience and the bond of brotherhood.

“I never would’ve guessed so many young men would come together to support and help John, but that’s just how FarmHouse men are,” Carol said.

Right ­— Romine speaking to the Purdue chapter at their 2006 Hair Auction.

Below ­— Romine (right) has his hair shaved during the hair auction held in support of John’s battle with Hodgkins’ Lymphoma.

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Join us in commemorating the life and legacy of John Romine by supporting the fight against blood cancers. Romine was a beloved member of our community whose kindness and compassion touched the lives of many. As we remember him, let’s honor his memory by making a difference in the lives of those battling cancer.

Here’s how you can contribute: 1. Donate to LLS: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is dedicated to finding cures and ensuring access to treatments for blood cancer patients. Your donation will fund groundbreaking research, provide support services for patients and their families and advocate for lifesaving treatments. Donate today at bit.ly/llsfarmhouse or scan the QR code.

2. Fundraise in John’s name: Consider organizing a fundraising event or campaign in John’s honor. Whether it’s a charity walk, dance marathon or a virtual fundraiser, rallying your friends, family and community members can make a significant impact. Get creative and let John’s spirit of generosity inspire your efforts.

3. Join the NMDP bone marrow registry: For patients with blood cancers and life-threatening blood diseases, a cure exists—a blood stem cell donation from a matching donor. It’s simple to join the blood stem cell donor registry. Swab your cheeks and you can help someone. To join the registry visit bit.ly/FH_NMDP. Together, we can continue John’s legacy of kindness and generosity by supporting LLS and NMDP to bring hope to those battling blood cancers. Thank you for honoring Romine’s memory and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

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U

PUTTING THE IN FARMHOUSE

By Kevin Warneke (Nebraska 82)

UNITY AMONGST

UNITY ACROSS THE

As a transplanted Kansan living in Nebraska, Drew Goering (Kansas State 07) never considered getting involved with the Nebraska FH chapter.

“It just wasn’t on my radar,” said Goering, who moved to Nebraska in 2022 to work as an account executive for Lincolnbased Hudl. “I just had never thought about the possibility of being involved with a different FarmHouse chapter.”

Goering had worked previously as an educational leadership consultant for FarmHouse, and, during that time, met Ryan Drvol, (Nebraska 13) who served as Nebraska FH chapter president. Once Goering made the move to Nebraska, Drvol suggested to his father, Scott (Nebraska 80), Goering would make an excellent addition to the Nebraska FH Association Board, where Scott served as the Nebraska Association vice president at the time.

One conversation led to another, and Goering found himself as a newly elected board member. Two years later, he now serves as association secretary and assists with special events and fundraising.

“We knew Drew would bring a new and important perspective to our board,” Scott Drvol said. “He quickly did that and became a respected voice in our group.”

Goering said he is glad he accepted the offer to become involved with a chapter other than his own. “FarmHouse is a brotherhood that carries from chapter to chapter. It unifies us together to be Builders of Men.”

Grant DeBruin (Ohio State 22) usually isn’t surprised when he comes across another FarmHouse man while traveling, especially when it comes to conferences around faith, one of FarmHouse’s nine values.

Earlier this year, DeBruin, a senior majoring in plant sciences, attended an international Catholic faith conference in St. Louis. He found himself in a breakout session focused on fraternities and sororities when he spotted some participants sporting familiar letters. He learned they were from Iowa State, Kansas State and North Dakota State.

“We talked for a while about our chapter and our faith—and what we were trying to do to bring Christ into our chapters.”

They talked a second time and DeBruin is confident they will meet again. “It just shows me how strongly held our values are by our chapters.”

The connection of FarmHouse men continues to go beyond the bounds of just one chapter with faith often being a connecting piece for the men of the Fraternity across the continent.

CHAPTERS

COUNTRY

Set apart in purple, Drew Goering (Kansas State 07), a K-State alum, quickly fit in with the Nebraska Association Board members and advisers.

From left: Jared Russell (Kansas State 21), Grant DeBruin (Ohio State 22) and Nathan Frank (Iowa State 20) at the Seek conference.

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UNITY EMPOWERS

BROTHERHOOD

Kent Warneke (Nebraska 79) graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

When Kent Warneke (Nebraska 79) arrived for his first semester of classes at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln­­—nearly two weeks late—his new FarmHouse big brother was ready at the house to help him with his wheelchair.

Shortly before attending his first year of college, Warneke found out he needed surgery to remove a kidney. The surgeon told Warneke, who walked with crutches at the time, college would have to wait until he recovered and he would need a wheelchair the first few days.

After weighing his options, Warneke was determined to go to college as soon as possible. Little did he know, his soon-to-be FarmHouse big brother, Pat Sullivan (Nebraska 77), would make it happen. Without giving it a second thought, Sullivan went above and beyond to ensure Warneke did not fall behind.

Warneke joined FarmHouse following a summer recruitment event, recalling where he likely met Sullivan, but didn’t recall their introduction.

“We probably shook hands and talked, but I would say we didn’t know each other. His was an unfamiliar name and face to me,” Warneke said.

For Sullivan, not knowing Warneke very well didn’t matter, what came first was brotherhood. Shortly after becoming Warneke’s FH big brother, Sullivan stepped up to help by informing each of Warneke’s instructors that he would miss the first week of classes. Sullivan asked they not drop him from the roster, while also getting a syllabus for each of Warneke’s classes, purchasing Warneke’s textbooks and shipping them to Warneke to help him keep up with assignments.

“I think you could say that Pat went above and beyond what is expected of a big brother,” Warneke said. “I was grateful then and I still am.”

Sullivan didn’t stop there. Once Warneke arrived on campus, Sullivan accompanied him the first few days to help get his wheelchair out of the car and to the classroom. After class, Sullivan waited until Warneke was finished for the day so the two could return to FarmHouse together.

Sullivan continued to support his little brother throughout his recovery.

He made sure Warneke could get around the house without challenges often pulling him and his wheelchair up stairs and then down again.

“It’s a credit to Pat for what he did,” Warneke said. “His support only reinforced my decision to join FarmHouse.”

UNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY There’s something about a hot dog—when it is sold for a good cause—that brings a college campus together.

Which is why members of the Tennessee FH Chapter set up their hot dog cart in a park near campus nearly a dozen times each semester—and direct the proceeds from their sales to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“People are always asking ‘when are you going to set up your hot dog cart,’” said Will King (Tennessee 21), chapter philanthropy chair.

Although the dogs (they sell for $3 each) taste good, King said, their appeal is the cause the chapter supports.

“As simple as it sounds, it means a world of a difference for those we support. Everyone loves the feeling of coming together and giving back,” King said.

Chapter members have their jobs to do—some sell, some cook, some even peddle the product at nearby establishments. Everyone enjoys staffing the cart and it’s a fun way to hangout as brothers, King explained.

They typically start selling at 8 p.m. about the time students are going out for the night.

“Sometimes, we’re open until 2 a.m. It’s a long night but we generally sell out and that’s when we call it a successful night,” he added.

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From left: Sean O’Neill (Tennessee 21), Josh Apt (Tennessee 22), Will King (Tennessee 20), Jim Herbert (Tennessee 61), Nich Carlisle (Tennessee 22), Stephen Hinkley (Tennessee 21), Rylan Skelton (Tennessee 22) and Rylan Sewell (Tennessee 23).

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UNITY BEYOND GENERATIONS

From left: Justin Murphy (Auburn 05) and Lee Murphy (Auburn 80) at a Green Bay Packers game.

The Murphys—Lee (Auburn 80) and son, Justin (Auburn 05)—have much in common.

They love the Green Bay Packers and hold an even greater passion for everything Auburn University. The father and son have one more connection they never imagined possible: they are FarmHouse brothers.

Lee was serving as an advisor in 2005 for the Auburn FH Chapter when the chapter president posed a question: Would Justin, then in high school, want to be an associate member?

Lee’s first reaction was gratitude, especially because it came from the chapter officers he advised. Second, because he knew his son would be thrilled. Lee suggested they ask and he wholeheartedly said yes.

“I knew I wasn’t going to college,” Justin said, explaining at a young age he was identified as autistic.

Growing up, Justin was a regular at the Auburn chapter house, especially when Lee was advising chapter meetings. Lee’s kids would hang out in the study room, where inevitably, the undergraduate members ended up afterwards, usually to see Justin and help with his homework.

Several months earlier, Lee spotted several members at Justin’s high school graduation ceremony. “This told me their invitation to Justin was genuine.”

Justin, now in his 30s, said he never imagined being part of his father’s (and brother, Joshua, Auburn 07) fraternity would be an option.

This gesture of inclusiveness that made a young man’s day is just one example of unity—one of the Farmhouse pillars—in action. And true to the characteristics found in FarmHouse men, Justin initially asked that he not be the focal point of this story. When he learned his story would be one of several examples of unity among FarmHouse men and would serve as a way to thank the fraternity brothers who asked him to join, Justin readily agreed.

“Justin didn’t believe it at first,” Lee said. “I thought it was a wonderful gesture. He was honored and I was grateful.”

“No thanks are needed,” said Stephen Powell (Auburn 02), chapter president at the time. “Justin represents the qualities FarmHouse seeks in its members.”

Justin was initiated as an associate member during ceremonies in Columbia, Missouri, commemorating the 100th anniversary of FarmHouse Fraternity. His father and eight chapter members attended to celebrate the ceremony and special occasion.

Unity Everyone loves the feeling of coming together and giving back.”

— Will King (Tennessee 21)

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REFLECTING ON THE PAST, UNIFYING FOR THE FUTURE

N

ational Marrow Donor Program,® formally known as Be The Match,® which operates the world’s most diverse registry of blood stem cell and marrow donors, is proud to unveil its new organizational name and brand: NMDP.SM Find cures. Save lives.

What began as the national registry of unrelated bone marrow donors 37 years ago has grown and evolved into a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy driving research to improve outcomes for patients diagnosed with more than 75 blood cancers and disorders. The new name and brand align with the evolution to harness the full breadth of NMDP’s expertise, programs and partnerships worldwide—now and in the years to come.

“Our organization has been known by many names— National Marrow Donor Program, the national registry, Be The Match—but we have always operated with a single purpose: saving lives through cell therapy. Over nearly four decades, the world has evolved, and so have we, expanding our global footprint, advancing research throughout the cell therapy ecosystem and impacting more people’s lives,” said Amy Ronneberg, NMDP CEO. “As we reflect on all we have achieved and the advancements we hope to realize from here, the time is right to unify our name and brands to reflect this evolution.”

NMDP’s vision is to create a world in which every patient can receive life-saving cell therapy. Since it’s founding, the organization has facilitated more than 125,000 blood stem cell and marrow transplants, however, there are still thousands of patients each year who face barriers to treatment. Two key strategic focus areas shaping the future of the organization include innovative research to advance standards of care and improve patient outcomes; and leveraging that same research with patient advocacy to provide equitable access to life-saving cell therapies.

FarmHouse has been a key partner to help enable more NMDP patients than ever before to access cell therapy. With more patients able to move forward with transplants because donor options are expanding, there is an increased need for NMDP to fundraise to help patients overcome financial barriers.

Since FarmHouse adopted NMDP as an official philanthropy partner at the 2008 Conclave, their efforts have not only raised thousands of dollars but helped more than 4,000 members join the registry, resulting in 36 life-saving donations.

FarmHouse member Robert Graves, D.V.M., (Colorado State 53) founded NMDP in 1987 after his daughter became the first leukemia patient to receive a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor. Thanks to Graves’ compassion and commitment to finding a cure, NMDP has unveiled a new unified identity to reflect its groundbreaking research. The new name and brand align with this evolution, harnessing the full breadth of NMDP’s expertise, programs and partnerships (including that of FarmHouse) worldwide— now and in the years to come.

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As NMDP advances its work in research, treatment and support, its new unified brand will strengthen the global community of volunteers, donors, partners and supporters.

Together, NMDP and FarmHouse strive to create a world where every patient can receive their life-saving cell therapy.

A LIFE-SAVING

DONATION “My biggest hesitation was a fear of the unknown,” Luke Mendheim (Auburn 21) said.

He didn’t let his fear get in the way of his decision to donate life-saving blood stem cells to a stranger. After learning more about the process from NMDP, he was all in.

“For me, there was no reason to say no,” he said.

“It wasn’t going to affect my day-to-day life and knowing I could help somebody is the reason I said yes.”

Even though Luke is “not a needle guy,” he was able to relax during his donation, thanks to the amazing staff.

“It isn’t something to be afraid of,” he said.

“Everyone is extremely helpful, and they make the process as easy as possible.”

Congratulations, Luke! Thanks for helping save a life.

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A senior photo of Griffin Wild (Texas Tech 19), former Texas Tech chapter president.

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REACHING OUTSIDE THE CHAPTER

GRIFFIN WILD FOUND HIS SECOND HOME IN FARMHOUSE, WITH CONNECTIONS SPANNING THE NATION

By André Archuleta (Tarleton State 21)

I

n the heart of Lubbock, Texas, miles away from home, Griffin Wild (Texas Tech 19) discovered his second home, FarmHouse.

Wild’s journey to join FarmHouse began with a desire to explore life beyond the rice and crawfish farms of his Louisiana upbringing. As a valedictorian in high school, he set his sights on an out-of-state university with a strong agricultural program. Texas, with its thriving agriculture industry, called out to him. After a campus tour, Texas Tech University became his dream destination.

The appeal of the university, however, was accompanied by a major concern: out-of-state tuition. Griffin’s financial worries were soon eased. After a meeting with the tuition office, the university recognized his passion and waived their out-of-state tuition policy. It was a gesture that solidified his commitment to Texas Tech.

Despite his father being a member of a fraternity, Wild never found an appeal or desire to join one himself. But once he spent some time on campus, he found himself drawn into the brotherhood of FarmHouse Fraternity. Introduced to the Fraternity by a persistent camp counselor, Wild discovered a sense of belonging that exceeded his expectations. What started as a reluctant acceptance, evolved into genuine connections, turning a shy kid from high school into a leader within his campus and community.

Wild’s journey within FarmHouse took an unexpected turn when he made the decision to run for chapter president and was elected. This role not only enabled him to foster unity within his own chapter but also opened doors to friendships with FarmHouse presidents from chapters nationwide.

When I became chapter president I realized we needed to connect with other FarmHouse chapters, so that’s what I did. It’s been great to communicate and learn from other FH men.”

— Griffin Wild (Texas Tech 19)

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The connections formed in cross-chapter group chats and during events like the FarmHouse Leadership Institute and the Power of 7 Seminar, became the foundation for his expansive friendships across the FarmHouse brotherhood.

A core memory that came from one of those friendships was an invitation to visit the Iowa State FH chapter, an experience made possible by his close relationship with their chapter president at the time. The trip not only exposed him to new perspectives on chapter dynamics but also allowed him to explore a part of the country he had never seen before.

It was one of the many instances that highlighted the power of brotherhood within FarmHouse.

Back in Lubbock, Wild also treasured visits from the Tarleton State FH chapter, creating lasting memories that underscore the bonds formed within the Fraternity. These visits, occurring twice during his time at Texas Tech, showcase the close-knit nature of FarmHouse chapters, especially within the Lone Star state.

Having graduated from Texas Tech in December 2023, Wild continues his FarmHouse journey serving as an advisor for the Missouri FH chapter while pursuing his master’s degree in agronomy at the University of Missouri.

Through FarmHouse, Wild developed a deep appreciation for the power of brotherhood connections, transforming him from a reserved individual to a strong leader with friends scattered across the nation.

Wild’s story is a testament to the unity fostered within FarmHouse, transcending geographical boundaries and transforming individuals into leaders who are ready to make a lasting impact in their communities.

From left: Chandler Lawing (Tarleton State 19), Griffin Wild (Texas Tech 19), Joshua Holeman (Tarleton State 20), Will Van Vessem (Tarleton State 20) and Zealand Davis (Texas Tech 21) when the Tarleton State chapter vistied Texas Tech.

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TURNING CHALLENGES INTO

OPPORTUNITIES

ROYCE JONES INSPIRES RESILIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE FOR THE PURDUE CHAPTER

By Doug Thomas (Kentucky 78)

T

he youngest of two boys, Royce Jones (Purdue 21) grew “Royce was a great addition to the chapter,” said Jesse up with loving, supportive parents who, along with his Kolb (Purdue 19) who, at the time, served as the Purdue teachers, prepared him for life in college and beyond. chapter’s new member educator.

Born just weeks prior to 9/11, Royce looked like Jones’s brothers agree he is best known for his strong any other toddler; however, when he reached the age of two, character and desire to be seen just like anyone else. his mother noticed he was not walking like other kids his “Royce fits our ideals as a FarmHouse man,” said current age. Jones’ struggles pushed his parents to take him to see Purdue chapter member Noah Berning (Purdue 20). “Our several doctors where they eventually learned Royce was entire membership treated him the same as any other born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). brother and Royce chose to make his experience the same as SMA is a disorder affecting the nerve cells that control every other chapter member.” voluntary muscle movement. The cells are located in the Near the end of his first semester as a FH member, Jones spinal cord and because they cannot respond to signals from faced yet another challenge as he became ill and was unable to the nerves, they weaken and sleep for a month and a half. Unable shrink over time. to sit up or eat anything, he went to “I was able to walk until the emergency room and was later the age of 14 when I became admitted into ICU where he stayed for wheelchair bound…there just four nights. wasn’t enough SMN1 protein While there, he was diagnosed in my body to allow me to with Type I Diabetes. During this time, walk any longer,” Jones said.

Jones lost 25 pounds and his muscle “Despite the challenge, I mass declined so much he struggled to was determined nothing was lift his feet after putting on a new pair going to stop me.” of cowboy boots.

Growing up in rural Indiana, “The doctors told my parents Jones was a long-time 4-H that I was close to dying,” Jones member and played baseball said. “My blood sugar levels shot and Upward basketball. through the roof and my body “My brother Wyatt and had become depleted of minerals, I were blessed with good particularly potassium.” parents,” he said. “They pushed “It was a serious scare that me to do my best and not let concerned all the brothers,” Berning any obstacles hold me back.” said. “Several members who were Jones graduated from close with Royce learned how to Tri-Central High School in help him, what to do and when to Jones and his mom, Sheral.

Sharpsville, Indiana, and do it. Everyone wanted to help—no set off for Purdue University questions asked.” where he majored in agribusiness. Driving a Ford F-150 Despite Jones’s setbacks, he maintained all A’s and B’s with a lift, he moved into his dorm, which was handicap and completed another successful semester. Once again, accessible, where he lived for his first two years of college.

Royce saw the obstacles as opportunities and persevered as a “When you’re confined to a wheelchair, it’s great to college student. have a dorm that accommodates you,” Royce said. “But the Jones gives all the glory for his recovery to God and his downside is that you’re living in a single room and you end savior, Jesus Christ. up somewhat isolated from other college students.”

“There were a lot of people praying for me and I have no At the start of his sophomore year, Jones crossed paths doubt God answered those prayers,” he said. “Most of my with a FarmHouse member who was a year older than memories at Purdue and especially of FarmHouse center him and from the same high school. After reconnecting, more on good times, particularly since I was fortunate Sam Ripberger (Purdue 19) invited Jones to dinner at the enough to serve on the chapter’s Grand Prix team.”

FarmHouse chapter, and after a few days of recruitment, he Held each April on the Purdue Grand Prix track, the was offered a bid to the new member class of the fall of 2021. preparations for the event begin in late February when

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organizations build go-karts and begin the qualifying process. The event brings together fraternities, sororities, dorms, other student organizations and alumni as eightmember teams qualify to participate in the 190-mile race.

“About 60 go-karts participate each year, but only the top 24 qualifying teams actually compete,” Jones said. “When I was a crew member, I helped with inspections, balancing tires for practices and with timing laps.”

Growing up as a fan of NASCAR, Royce said serving on the FarmHouse Grand Prix team helped him build tight bonds with his brothers, further developing his skills as a team member and teachinghim how to overcome obstacles.

“The Grand Prix team is all about collective problem solving, whether it’s a more complex problem like breaking an axle or something as simple as searching for a wrench to adjust a bolt,” Jones said.

During Jones’s junior year at Purdue, he moved into the chapter house, which is handicap accessible and has an elevator.

Later, he was elected as total member educator, an office that originated in the Purdue chapter in 2017.

“I oversaw organizing brotherhood events and gave presentations to the new member classes about the importance of maintaining strong academics, community service, campus activities and basically how we want to represent ourselves on campus,” Jones said. “I also organized a Euchre tournament where 36 of our members competed and that was a lot of fun.”

During the summers prior to his junior and senior years, Jones secured internships at agricultural businesses, where he weighed grain trucks and worked sales at a turf center.

He also determined farm acreage by analyzing soil maps online and flew drones over trial plots where he tracked crop growth, soil deficiencies and crop response from chemicals.

“There was a farmer watching me fly the drone over his field of soybeans one day and it showed there was a deer in the field eating his beans,” Jones said. “He asked me to fly the drone close to the deer to scare them out of his soybeans and into the woods to avoid additional crop damage.”

Jones along with members of the Purdue chapter after a night of playing cards.

Jones graduated in December 2023, after he finished his bachelor’s degree a semester early, thanks in part to taking a class or two each summer. He participated in the fall commencement ceremony at Purdue and was seated on stage for the entirety of the ceremony so he could easily receive his diploma.

Jones doesn’t let his mobility challenges keep him from fully participating in life while still supporting his fraternity brothers as much as they supported him.

In January 2024, the 22-year-old Jones moved to Peoria, Illinois, where he now works for Caterpillar, Inc. as a pricing analyst. His job responsibilities include process automation, price analysis and price planning. Happy in his new role, he says the challenges he’s faced with his mobility and diabetes have made him more adaptable as an individual.

“I learned to become a problem-solver as I was growing up and I view myself as anyone else. I want to be held to the same standards as the next guy,” Jones said. “Thankfully, problem-solving tasks were a part of my agribusiness classes, my summer internships, and even the FarmHouse Grand Prix team. It seems I’m facing new problems every day and life has prepared me to look at challenges as opportunities.”

Jones at a Purdue football game.

Jones in front of the Purdue chapter house on the day of his graduation.

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TRANSFORMING

TRADITION INSIDE THE EVOLUTION OF THE FARMHOUSE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE WITH BRADEN WILSON

F

or more than 30 years, the FarmHouse Leadership Institute (FLI) has been a constant in the FarmHouse experience and the kickoff to a new year, providing undergraduate members the opportunity to connect and learn with each other. Since the leadership program’s inception, a lot has changed in the world, especially for college-aged men. To meet their ever-changing needs, the program is modified year after year to ensure the content is of the highest caliber and aligns with the men of FarmHouse.

One individual who has played a key role in both facilitating and planning FLI is Braden Wilson (Colorado State 13).

Having served as a FarmHouse staff member and continuous volunteer, Wilson has attended FLI nine times and models the way as a dedicated volunteer and donor, while showcasing the lifetime commitment of FarmHouse membership.

In the fall of 2013, Wilson, a small-town kid from Colorado, transferred from a community college to Colorado State University (CSU), where he enrolled as an engineering student and was looking for a home away from home.

“Fort Collins, at the time, felt like a big city, which I wasn’t used to,” Wilson said. “I heard about FarmHouse and decided— after living in rural communities my entire life—it would be great to find another rural community, of sorts, for college to feel like home.”

The chapter quickly welcomed Wilson and provided the support he needed to thrive at CSU. “My first semester, I quickly realized I was not meant to be an engineer,” Wilson said. “In one semester, I got my first B, C, D and F and was about to drop out if not for my chapter brothers, who, at the time, encouraged me to stay and try something new.”

Wilson’s FH brothers continued to encourage him, which inevitably led him to leadership roles within his chapter. At a time when the CSU Association and Fraternity staff wanted to offer more support, Wilson stepped in to help address the chapter’s disconnect and low membership.

“We ultimately decided to try having a Fraternity staff member stay with us for a period of 12 weeks to help with recruitment. By the end, we welcomed 17 new members that fall semester. It really catapulted us into a new era of growth,” Wilson said.

After working with Fraternity staff, Wilson was motivated to continue engaging with the International Fraternity, where he attended a program in Honduras with 15 other FH undergraduates called, ‘The Journey,’ where the group built a home for a family and met people in the community.

“The Journey was truly one of the most impactful programs I participated in with FarmHouse. We were quickly acting like chapter brothers, even though we just met.

Initially, I didn’t think I was going to be able to attend, but in 1 8 P E AR L S & R U B I E S | FAR M H O U S E .O RG

Wilson (left) attending his first FLI.

two days, my brothers helped me collect the funds to go to Honduras. The following year, I helped two people attend The Journey,’’ Wilson said.

Following graduation, Braden joined the Fraternity staff in the spring of 2017, where he completed 17 chapter visits and began supporting Fraternity educational programs.

“My main focus was listening and working with each chapter’s executive committees to address chapter issues,” Wilson said. “I brought the knowledge from the chapters with me as I transitioned to senior leadership within the Fraternity.

I was impressed with the level of detail and care given to programs like FLI.” During his time on staff, the FH Leadership Institute, previously known as the President’s Academy and the Leadership Academy, honed in on broad leadership concepts and limited officer training. Wilson and other staff members soon realized the institute was losing its impact—students retained leadership concepts year after year while there was a slump in the fundamental knowledge of their officer roles.

“A lot of changes to FLI were the result of listening to what the chapters needed and it was clear they were lacking fundamental skills needed for their officer positions,” Wilson said. “I brought this back and started developing it into what FLI would become.

We were the listening ear to the chapter members.”

In 2018, Wilson and Fraternity staff revealed a new and improved FLI with officer training at the core of the curriculum—bridging unity across all chapters.

Under Wilson’s leadership, the Excelsior program the Fraternity currently uses was implemented, alongside a new direction of curriculum to push results-driven common goals.

Excelsior, a list of 40 achievements, was created for chapters to complete annually and used to gauge their work on campus.

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“Excelsior enabled us to be much more user-friendly and inform chapters of their involvement during FLI, which helps inform their decisions for the remainder of the year,” Wilson said.

While no longer on staff, Wilson continues to make FarmHouse a part of his life, volunteering with his chapter’s association and continuing to be part of FLI as a facilitator.

“It’s been incredible as a volunteer for my wife to see what FarmHouse has done in my life, as a staff member and now as a volunteer, to the point she helped us organize a cleanup day at the chapter house,” Wilson said. “To some extent, my time on staff was a little selfish. I hired 12 people, and as you build relationships with them, programs like FLI and Conclave have become family reunions.”

Many former FarmHouse staff continue to volunteer at FLI, four of those being staff and former staff Braden hired.

“Braden has been a steadfast image at FLI for many years,” said Gill Wilson (Clemson 14), senior director of member services. “The program would not be what it is without Braden’s great influence. He’s been an amazing mentor to a generation of students and I count myself among the lives touched by this wonderful friend, mentor and FarmHouse brother.”

For Braden, it’s always been a no-brainer to attend FLI as a volunteer. He’s loved seeing the changes to the program year after year.

“We’ve allowed attendees to customize what they’re learning through learning lab sessions,” Wilson said. “I presented a program on followership that was well received and brought great discussion. I also love being there for faith-based sessions. With the opportunity to attend FLI, I have enjoyed deep and meaningful conversations with chapter members and it is by far my favorite part.”

“I always try to put into perspective what other chapters are doing and help them find the light bulb moment of ‘if we could do that, it would be awesome’. It’s hard to beat that experience,” Wilson said.

Gill Wilson , Sam McFarland, James Spry, Jay Watkins, Ryan Vonderhar eating dinner together at their shared apartment while on staff for FarmHouse.

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Wilson facilitating at the 2023 FLI.

The annual FLI experience is possible because of donations to the FarmHouse Foundation through leadership endowment funds, association sponsorships and the FH Excellence Fund. For the 2024 FLI, the Foundation provided a grant of $140,096 to fully fund the cost for 216 students and volunteers to attend and gather to learn together. This includes their travel, meals, lodging, program development and facilitation.

“It goes without saying it takes money to run things. In my current role as a finance director, I’ve become very aware of that,” Wilson said. “It’s always just so powerful to see how generous FarmHouse alumni can be and the ways they invest in our students and programs. We are blessed with so many opportunities that would not be available without alumni support through the Foundation.”

Wilson’s FarmHouse journey and his place in the program’s history are prime examples of the unity FLI continues to foster. FarmHouse staff members strive to find new and inventive ways to connect chapters with each other in hopes of creating unity across the entire organization.

“My FarmHouse experience started at a point very distant from FH headquarters, but I realized it [FarmHouse] was 34 chapters wide, full of young men striving toward the same goals while upholding the values I treasure,” Wilson said.

“There are many more touch points than ever for other chapters to connect with each other,” Wilson said. “My favorite FLI session of the weekend continues to be Officer 104, because it’s just a time for the men to chat about their problems and hear from men who may have solutions.”

As the program continues to change, Wilson hopes the Fraternity staff can keep providing officer training for participants while continuing to implement deep discussions around leadership principles and FarmHouse values.

“We need to continue to address the needs of chapter members and where they’re at, capturing this style of program lends itself to deeper conversations across all chapters,” Wilson said.

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DOWN TO THE

DATA

O

ver the last four years, Dyad Strategies and FarmHouse have continued to engage in a valuable and necessary partnership, collecting data which has resulted in another very successful year of student assessments. Each fall, FarmHouse members are asked to evaluate their fraternity experience based on affinity, risk tolerance, trust and overall mental health. In addition, current demographic information is captured, giving staff and volunteers a better understanding of who FarmHouse students are today.

With more than 85% of members completing the 2023 confidential online survey, it was the highest percentage of participation realized to date and the collected data will drive the strategy for both the Fraternity and Foundation as we measure brotherhood, aversion to risk, the propensity to give, the satisfaction of members and the overall net promoter score (NPS).

Out of the 12 national fraternities who have partnered with Dyad for an annual student assessment, FarmHouse and one other organization stand above the rest with NPS scores of 59 (Figure 1) for 2023. Both of these organizations have substance-free housing policies, demonstrating FarmHouse’s ability to innovate amongst our peers and provide a safe,

A LOOK BACK AT FOUR YEARS OF THE FARMHOUSE EXPERIENCE healthy environment for our membership.

One of the core concepts of the assessment is a measurement of brotherhood amongst undergraduate members. Through the research, we found the bonds built by members continue to be strong, oftentimes scoring above the national benchmark. The belonging score continues to rise year after year, with an average score of 4.3 out of 5. Twenty FH chapters showed a positive increase in their overall sense of belonging, with only one chapter scoring below a 4.0.

FarmHouse chapters naturally create a positive environment for their brotherhood to grow. The data shows our men hold themselves to a higher standard with an accountability score of 4.39 out of 5, scoring above the national average (Figures 2 & 3).

These graphs skim the surface of the data FH has at our disposal, and this data helps to generate educational programs and chapter visits. As our partnership with Dyad has evolved, so has the data chapters receive. Access to a four-page report is provided to each chapter which highlights data from the past four years, creating opportunities for in-depth discussions about chapters’ future.

“The Dyad survey helped to identify strengths and weaknesses for the Minnesota chapter,” Noah Erickson

Figure 1. Net Promoter Score in FarmHouse Over Time in Comparison to National Benchmark

Figure 2. FarmHouse Brotherhood in Comparison to National Benchmark

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Brothers who feel they belong are more engaged, more committed, and are more likely to remain active contributors throughout their collegiate experience. The work that FarmHouse is doing at the national and local levels to grow this important aspect of the brotherhood is working, and it is having an incredible impact on the FarmHouse experience.”

— Gentry McCreary, CEO of Dyad Strategies

(Minnesota 22) said. “Which not only shows us what we do well, but how we can grow.”

Without this data, there would be limits to the resources FarmHouse staff could provide to chapters during programs and in-person visits. With the data, the Fraternity staff and IEB can tune into what risk factors affect specific chapters, which helps leadership make informed decisions around their individual organization. For example, Fraternity staff analyzes the trust of members and works to connect themselves with the students, alumni and their university.

“Nothing beats that light bulb you see in the students when they put two and two together and start crafting a plan around the data,” Emilly Little, assistant director of member services said. “At FH we’re centering our strategy around data, so why shouldn’t the students? Whether it’s recognizing there may be toxic behavior around alcohol or striving to raise member satisfaction with a growing chapter, it’s inspiring to see this create change across a single chapter.”

FarmHouse continues to invest in chapter advisor support through education around the data. During the 2024 FH Leadership Institute, 21 chapter advisors had the opportunity to learn more about how to utilize the research from Dyad Strategies CEO, Gentry McCreary.

“Seeing the cumulative results over the last few years from the Dyad survey for our chapter and the Fraternity as a whole provided such an insight into the growth, change and progress made between pledge classes and universities,” said Troy chapter advisor Heath Barton (Troy 13). “The impactful and critical data that’s provided through this experience is critical to not only having insight as an alumnus and advisor, but also to know that our brotherhood is in an incredible position for continued success.”

“The significant gains we have seen in belonging, brotherhood and overall satisfaction with the FarmHouse experience are incredibly encouraging, McCreary said.

“Brothers who feel they belong are more engaged, more committed and more likely to remain active contributors throughout their collegiate experience. The work that FarmHouse is doing at the international and local levels to grow this important aspect of the brotherhood is working, and it is having an incredible impact on the FarmHouse experience.”

FarmHouse staff and volunteers are excited about what the future of this data holds as we work to dive deeper into what drives each FarmHouse chapter and to provide chapters the tools they need to achieve their full potential.

Figure 3. Brotherhood Over Time

SPRING 2024

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SPRING The Ohio State University

Photos South Dakota State University

University of Alabama (Associate Chapter)

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SPRING 2024

University of Alberta

New Mexico State University (Associate Chapter)

Kansas State University

Tarleton State University

Troy University

SPRING 2024

Oklahoma State University

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JOIN US IN

Omaha

Andrew Stockmann (Wichita State 17), Gabriel Eckert (Kansas State 95) and Lloyd Bettis (Iowa State 67) attending the 2022 Conclave.

JULY 18-21, 2024

Alumni, undergratuates and guests are invited to attend the 52nd Biennial Conclave in Omaha, Nebraska, for networking, fellowship, education and celebration.

Join the conversation of where FarmHouse and the fraternal movement is headed.

Together, we’ll continue to not only build men, but build FarmHouse.

Register today at bit.ly/2024Conclave Online registration closes July 5, 2024. Inperson registration will take place at Conclave. For more information visit bit.ly/2024Conclave.

THURSDAY, JULY 18 All Day Registration & Silent Auction Drop-off 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception & Steak Dinner, hosted by the Nebraska FH Association

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Vespers & Memorial Service

SATURDAY, JULY 20 FRIDAY, JULY 19 All Day Registration & Silent Auction Drop-off 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Future of the Fraternity Breakfast 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Fraternity Business Session

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Volunteer Recognition & Awards Luncheon 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Honorary Initiation

2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Fraternity Business Session

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Celebrating FarmHouse at Omaha Zoo and Aquarium

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All Day Registration & Silent Auction Drop-off 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Master Builder Breakfast & Panel 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Leadership Luncheon

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Closing Banquet & Gala

9:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Chairman’s Club Reception

SPRING 2024

BOOK A ROOM

OMAHA MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN Rooms will be available at our host hotel, the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capital District for $184 per night (tax not included).

Please note, the majority of programming will be on-site at the Marriott and all off-site programming will include travel to and from the hotel.

Non-delegate attendees are responsible for booking their own accomodations at the Omaha Marriott Downtown (222 North 10th Street Omaha, NE 68102) rooms can be booked at bit.ly/2024ConclaveHotel.

Eric Bymaster (Purdue 90), International Executive Board president, speaking during the 2022 Conclave.

Full Weekend Package

RATES & REGISTRATION

(Includes all sessions, events and meals for the weekend.

Does not include travel or lodging)

July 18-21 $575 Day Packages

(Includes all sessions, events and meals for that day)

Friday, July 19 $250 Saturday, July 20 $250

À La Carte Options

(À la carte options will include a one-time $25 admin fee)

Thursday, July 18 • Welcome Reception & Steak Dinner, hosted by the Nebraska FH Association — $50 Friday, July 19 • Fraternity awards & volunteer appreciation luncheon — $75 • Celebrating FarmHouse at Omaha Zoo — $125 Saturday, July 20 • Master Builder Breakfast — $75 • Closing Banquet & Gala — $125

THINGS TO DO IN OMAHA

The Old Market in Omaha, Nebraska.

SPRING 2024

The Old Market Explore Omaha’s Old Market entertainment district, a historic dowtown area that has been transformed into a lively shopping, dining and nightlife destination.

The Bob Kerrey Bridge This stunning, 3,000-foot-long walkway stretches across the Missouri River, giving pedestrians a spectacular view of Omaha’s skyline and an almost airborne experience.

Boys Town When Father Edward J. Flanagan purchased the Overlook Farm in 1921, it became the new, permanent site of Boys Town.

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MEET THE 2024

AWARD WINNERS MASTER BUILDERS

In 1950, the Master Builder of Men Award was created by the International Executive Board (IEB) as the highest honor FarmHouse can bestow upon one of its alumni members. Neither position, wealth, nor occupation enter into consideration for the award but simply what he has done to help others.

BRENT BIBLE (PURDUE 93) Bible was raised on a small farm in west central Indiana and attended Purdue University where he became a member of FarmHouse in 1993. As an undergraduate member, he served as secretary and house manager while earning his degree in agricultural economics.

In 1995, he joined the Indiana State Police as a trooper, retiring as a Captain in 2007. He is currently a managing partner and owner of Stillwater Farms, a 6,000-acre production farming operation. The farm’s proximity to Purdue has allowed him to employ dozens of FH brothers over the years, with many living with him and his wife, Stacy, at their home in Lafayette, Indiana, during the summer months.

Bible has served as a chapter advisor for more than 25 years (and counting) and as a co-chair of the Purdue chapter’s building project that culminated with a new chapter house in 2016. He is currently a director on the Purdue association’s foundation board, previously served six years as a Foundation Trustee and served four years on the International Executive Board, including two years as president.

He has also volunteered in several capacities at Purdue and in his community, including currently serving on the Purdue President’s Council Advisory Board, the Purdue Fraternity Sorority and Cooperative Life Advisory Board, the Purdue Grand Prix Foundation Advisor, Purdue Farm Policy Study Group, and Top Producer Advisory Panel for the Environmental Defense Fund.

“Nearly every professional and personal achievement in my life can be directly attributed to my relationships with FamHouse brothers, and I am so much the better man because of FarmHouse,” Bible said.

BORGELTN C. BORGELT (MISSOURI 76) For nearly five decades, Borgelt has been a steadfast pillar of FarmHouse. Beginning his tenure at the Missouri chapter, Borgelt’s dedication shone during his time as an undergraduate FH member, serving as secretary, scholarship chair, chapter secretary and vice president. As an alumnus, he served as the association treasurer for twelve years and has served as a chapter advisor for more than two decades. He also currently serves as the bridge between the chapter, the Missouri FH Foundation and the association board of directors.

Borgelt’s dedication hasn’t been confined solely to FarmHouse; his roots on a crop and livestock farm in central Missouri cultivated a profound commitment to agriculture as he was active in 4-H and FFA. In academics, he earned B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in agricultural engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Texas A&M University, respectively.

For more than three decades, Borgelt has taught as a professor at the University of Missouri (MU)—primarily in engineering and agricultural technology—leaving an imprint on countless students, many of whom were FarmHouse men. In 2018, Borgelt received the Missouri Honor Award for Distinguished Service in Engineering, the highest service recognition of the university, a first for an active faculty member.

Borgelt has received numerous teaching and advising awards, including the MU Faculty Award for Student Development in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to students outside the classroom, and the 2023 MU Student Organization Advisor of the Year for 15 years of contributions to the Engineers’ Club.

Borgelt lives in Kingdom City, Missouri.

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SPRING 2024

CLAUDE B. HUTCHINSON AWARD

In 2018, the Fraternity recognized there was an opportunity to add an award for a much needed area—long tenure as a volunteer or completion of a significant period of volunteer service. The IEB gave considerable thought to name the award and settled on Claude B. Hutchison Award for Meritorious Service.

This recognition is the Fraternity’s second highest recognition for an alumnus, second only to the Master Build of Men honor.

ERIC BRUNKOW (KANSAS STATE 08) Brunkow graduated from Kansas State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. As an undergraduate, he served as treasurer and president for the K-State FarmHouse chapter. Since then, he obtained his professional engineering license and worked for GENESYS Systems Integrator in Kansas City as a design engineer, project engineer, field operations manager, project manager and currently, manufacturing manager and assistant engineering manager. He has been married to Dr. Mollyanne Brunkow for five years and recently welcomed baby, Zion, to their family.

Brunkow recently concluded ten years of service to the Kansas FarmHouse Association board, serving as secretary for four years, and in 2020 chaired the Long Term Vision Committee as the project manager for the $4 million addition/renovation to the Kansas State chapter house.

SCOTT DRVOL (NEBRASKA 80) Joining FarmHouse as a freshman at the University of Nebraska had an enormous impact on Drvol’s life.

“The quality of men who surrounded me during a critical period of my growth showed me what I should become as a man. Examples of the FarmHouse values were witnessed every day during my college career,” Drvol said.

While serving as pledge class president, recruitment chairman and vice-president, Drovol found inspiration from the interactions with his brothers, developing bonds that would stay with him for the next 40 years. Being an active volunteer for the Nebraska FH Association has enabled him to give back to the chapter and hopefully leave it better than he found it.

“The FarmHouse legacy has, and will continue to guide me through my career and life,” Drvol said.

Drvol currently living in Omaha, Nebraksa serves as the president and owner of Dimatic.

RUSS JONES (IOWA STATE 86) Jones joined FarmHouse at Iowa State University in the fall of 1985, initiating in the spring of 1986. Throughout his collegiate career, FarmHouse provided strong values and a desire to succeed in all aspects of the Fraternity. This brotherhood brought him lifelong friends, including meeting his wife, Becky, a FarmHouse little sister from 1986-1990. Jones earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Iowa State University. In 2009, he returned to the university as the director of intramural sports, a role that reconnected him with the chapter.

In 2013, Jone’s son, Russell, joined FarmHouse at Iowa State and when he saw him flourish as chapter president in 2016, Jones knew it was time to step up and give back to FarmHouse. He joined the Iowa State FarmHouse advisory board as the on-campus advisor. He has enjoyed assisting the men of FarmHouse in continuing to build the foundation of values for the brotherhood.

GARRY WESTON (KENTUCKY 97) Weston joined FarmHouse at the University of Kentucky, where he served as chapter president and was recognized as FarmHouse Chapter President of the Year in 1999.

He has served the Fraternity for the past 25 years, locally as a chapter advisor and its association president. On an international level, Weston served as a consultant to multiple chapters, two terms on the IEB, including four years as the vice president and volunteered more than 10 years as a FLI facilitator.

Outside of FH, Weston has served on the board of directors for multiple non-profit organizations across central Kentucky, oftentimes serving as chair of those boards. His service has been alongside a two-decade-long career with Baptist Health System, supporting the healthcare needs of Kentucky and southern Indiana. Weston currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky.

Weston has led a life committed to honoring his “promise of service” to his fellow man and the world.

SPRING 2024

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PHILANTHROPY LAUREATE AWARD WINNERS Two alumni will be honored during the 52nd Biennial Conclave with the FarmHouse Foundation’s most prestigious honor, the Philanthropy Laureate Award. Larry Hageman (Ohio State 94), will be recognized as the 2023 Laureate, and Donald Ferguson (Kansas State 63), has been chosen as the 2024 Laureate.

Established in 1999, the award recognizes FarmHouse alumni, family or friends who have exhibited great philanthropic intent to the Foundation, FH chapters and their communities throughout his/her life.

Since the award’s inception, 27 individuals have received the award.

“Larry and Don are leading examples of the type of person we want to recognize through this award,” said Allison Rickels, CEO of the FarmHouse Foundation. “They continue to be exceptionally generous as outstanding volunteers and donors and have deep care and admiration for FarmHouse. They are most deserving of this honor.”

LARRY HAGEMAN, PH.D. (OHIO STATE 94)

Hageman is a fourth-generation farmer and manages the Hageman/Jackson Trust Farms of Northern Illinois. He is a leader in the agribusiness industry known for his exceptional volunteerism and generosity in his community, alma maters and FarmHouse.

Hageman received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1971, then earned a master’s (1980) and Ph.D. (1982) in agronomy/weed science from the University of Minnesota. He has earned honorary FFA degrees at the local, state and American levels.

Hageman spent 40 years in various roles including research biologist, manager of the Rochelle Field Station and territory manager for development crop projection for DuPont, then FMC Corporation. Hageman’s extensive work received multiple distinctions, including writing more than 30 publications and peer-reviewed articles, earning a U.S. patent and playing instrumental roles in the development of many well-known herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Hageman recently retired in December 2022.

In 1994, Hageman was initiated into Alpha Tau Zeta (ATZ) Fraternity at The Ohio State University. In 2010, Hageman strongly advocated for the ATZ and FarmHouse merger, having mentored many FH men during his career.

Hageman was named a Master Builder recipient in 2020. He has endowed several scholarships with the Foundation, sponsors and coordinates the Ohio State chapter’s annual scholarship banquet, and serves on the chapter’s Foundation Council. He was a sponsor and mentor of the 2024 Power of 7 Seminar. He is a member of the Cornerstone Society, the Foundation’s highest giving level, and has generously included the Foundation in his estate plans.

Hageman resides in Rochelle, Illinois.

DON FERGUSON, PH.D. (KANSAS STATE 63)

Ferguson spent his career in engineering and management consulting fields for the nuclear industry for more than 44 years. In his first 32 years, he consulted in the defense and nuclear industries, primarily with the Department of Energy’s cleanup of the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site and with Fluor Hanford, Inc. and CH2M HILL Hanford Group.

Ferguson spent five years in leadership roles to complete the construction and startup of the Comanche Peak power station in central Texas. For 12 years, he was a staff member with Argonne National Laboratory, leading the research and development plan for advanced reactor safety technology for the Department of Energy.

He then served as executive vice president and CFO for EnergX, which he founded in 1997 along with two partners. A part of his work was assisting as a senior management consultant to firms in the defense and commercial nuclear industries. Ferguson has also spent time as a consultant for cyber security, network design and database application development.

Ferguson earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University, a master’s degree from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an executive MBA from the University of Chicago.

He served as chair of the Kansas State FH capital campaign committee, helping to raise more than $2.8 million for their house expansion and renovation. From 2005-11, Ferguson served as a Foundation Trustee. He continues to serve on the Foundation’s audit committee. He has attended eight Power of 7 Seminars, is a member of the Foundation’s Cornerstone Society, and has included the Foundation in his estate plan.

Ferguson and his wife, Signe, have homes in Denver, Colorado, and Chicago, Illinois.

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SPRING 2024

ROBERT L. OFF SERVANT LEADER

AWARD WINNERS

In 2017, the Robert L. Off Servant Leader Award was established by the Foundation as a means to recognize individuals who have tirelessly contributed his or her time, leadership and resources in meaningful ways for the advancement of the FarmHouse Foundation. The award is named after Bob Off (Colorado State 64) for his 44 years of professional service to FarmHouse.

At Conclave, two new honorees, Ryan Downs (Nebraska 88) and Dick Wittman (Idaho 68), will be celebrated. They will join five other FH alumni who have received this distinction.

“Ryan and Dick’s devotion, commitment and generosity for FarmHouse is inspiring and embodies the spirit of brotherhood. They always say yes when asked to serve, and are innovative leaders and outstanding mentors. We are honored to recognize them with the prestigious Robert L. Off Servant Leader Award,” said Eric Thurber (Nebraska 89), chairman of the FarmHouse Foundation.

RYAN DOWNS (NEBRASKA 88)

Downs is the President of Unison, a San Francisco and Omaha-based financial services company that enables homeowners to access home equity without incurring debt.

Additionally, he owns a consulting business providing strategic advice. He serves on the boards of Assurity Life Insurance Company and Huvr, a tech startup.

Previously, he was President and CEO of Proxibid for a decade. Prior, he was Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations for PayPal and managed Global Customer Support for eBay. He was also an attorney early in his career.

Downs serves on several non-profit boards including Bellevue University and the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska.

Downs has been involved with FarmHouse since he initiated and was a chapter president. He was Chairman of the FarmHouse Foundation, served as a Trustee for seven year, and chaired the Nebraska FH housing campaign. He has mentored several Nebraska FH undergraduates and was a keynote speaker for the 2024 FH Leadership Institute. He is a member of the Foundation’s Century Club, for accumulative giving of $100,000-$249,999. Downs has been recognized with two of FarmHouse’s highest honors, the Master Builder of Men and the Philanthropy Laureate Award.

He grew up on his family’s farm outside of Hershey, Nebraska. Downs earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his law degree from Harvard University.

His father, Doug (Nebraska 61), and his brother Dale (Nebraska 91), are FH members. He and his wife, Valerie, live near Springfield, Nebraska, and have three adult children, Emily, Lauren and Carson (Nebraska 22).

DICK WITTMAN (IDAHO 68)

Wittman is board chairman and retired manager of Wittman Farms, a 20,000-acre dry land crop, range cattle and timber operation in northern Idaho. After degrees from the University of Idaho and M.B.A. from the University of Utah, Wittman worked for the Farm Credit System in the Pacific Northwest and Washington, D.C. In 1980, he joined his family’s farming operation in Idaho. Concurrently, he established a consulting practice focusing on financial management, family business governance, process improvement, business succession planning and consultant training.

He has served on several industry, community and bank boards. He is a founding director and past president of the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association and the Farm Financial Standards Council. He has been part of the faculty for the TEPAP Ag Executive Program since 2003 and serves as an adjunct faculty member at Texas A&M University.

Additionally, he sits on the board of advisors for the Farm Journal Legacy Institute.

The Wittman Family helps sponsor an Outdoor Education Camp, located on their farm, that gives hundreds of students, teachers and natural resource professionals exposure annually to key natural resource concepts.

Wittman served as a Foundation Trustee from 2017-23, leading the creation of the Foundation’s governance committee in 2019 and serving as the inaugural chair for four years. He is a member of the Foundation’s Century Club, for accumulative giving of $100,000-$249,999.

Wittman and his wife, Dawn, live in Culdesac, Idaho, and have five adult children and several grandchildren.

SPRING 2024

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The Stars of FarmHouse will shine brightly again for the 52nd Biennial Conclave! You are invited to join in the celebration, whether you attend Conclave or not!

For $20 each, you can give a Star of FarmHouse in honor, celebration or memory of your FarmHouse brothers or friends. These gifts are a great way to let someone know they are thought of, remembered or honored.

Would you honor your FH brothers or friends with stars?

Please consider making an honorary gift of $20 to the FH Excellence Fund for each FarmHouse brother or friend important in your life. We will promptly let your honoree(s), or their family, know of your thoughtful gift. And, their name will shine virtually and brightly on our Stars of FarmHouse Wall at Conclave.

Stars may be purchased in advance or during Conclave, online or by check.

Your investment in the next generation of FarmHouse Stars, through the FH Excellence Fund, will help sustain and support FarmHouse young men by providing values-based educational experiences, like Conclave.

And, as those who have done for you, your generosity will be a vote of confidence as you honor them.

Celebrate, remember and honor the Stars in your life by continuing this special Conclave tradition and ensuring FarmHouse continues to shine bright this next academic year!

“I thank my lucky stars for this recognition idea! My years of involvement and association with FarmHouse brothers has truly been a highlight of my life.

So many wonderful, talented, generous people have made my cherished list of memories. I will remember them forever!”

— Bill Appelgate (Iowa State 65)

CONCLAVE AUCTION

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GIVE A STAR TODAY! CREDIT CARD We accept all credit cards at bit.ly/FHStars24 or scan the QR code.

CHECK Make your check payable to the FarmHouse Foundation.

VIRTUAL STARS WALL bit.ly/FHStars24

Please consider donating an item to the Conclave live and silent auctions to benefit the FarmHouse Excellence Fund for educational programs like Conclave. Donations may include FarmHouse memorabilia, travel packages, vacation homes, unique tickets, art, sports collectibles, gift certificates, specialty products, food gift baskets or exclusive experiences.

Auction items may be donated by alumni, students, friends, chapters and/or associations. Throughout the weekend, attendees will bid on these fantastic items through the silent auction. Conclave culminates Saturday night with the long-running tradition of the live auction and the Fund-A-Need auction.

To donate an item, contact Miranda Howe at Miranda@FarmHouse.org or 816-891-9445.

SPRING 2024

FUND FUTURE FOR THE

By Luke Munchrath (Tarleton State 17)

To be a thriving community and requests for IRA gifts by rooted in tradition, always alumni 70.5 years and older. reaching for the future­is The association also the vision that inspired the asked alumni to participate Minnesota FH Progress in Give to the Max Day, for Endowment Fund. Together the state of Minnesota’s with the FarmHouse giving holiday, Nov. 15, Foundation, the Minnesota 2023, requesting their FarmHouse Association gifts be designated to the created the permanent fund as MNPF with the FarmHouse a catalyst for change, a beacon Foundation. of opportunity and a lifeline The fund’s annual for the Minnesota FarmHouse spending allowance is Members of the 2024-25 Minnesota FH officer team at the 2024 FarmHouse Leadership Institute.

Chapter. From scholarships to versatile, covering a empower the next generation wide array of essential of leaders to educational grants that pave the way for success, educational initiatives to benefit the chapter, including this fund transforms lives, elevates experiences and secures their attendance at the FH Leadership Institute, academic the Minnesota FarmHouse legacy for generations to come. scholarships, study abroad opportunities, technology, and the The Minnesota FH Association has a rich history of educational aspects of maintaining, operating and repairing successful fundraising. With their original home constructed in the chapter house. Additionally, the fund can provide grants 1961, the association embarked on a mission in 2008 to build for educational chapter retreats, seminars, team-building a new modern chapter house on the St. Paul campus. Thanks activities, etiquette training, career development programs and to a decade of dedicated fundraising efforts by their housing engaging educational speakers. campaign committee and the generous contributions from The principal of the MNPF may also be used for a donors, their vision met reality and the new and impressive mortgage loan for the Minnesota FH Association for future two-story chapter house was dedicated in June 2017. living/learning renovations, major repairs or remodeling.

With vision and momentum for change, the Minnesota Presently, the association is emphasizing the importance of FH Association developed a plan to continue support of the chapter’s recruitment efforts, equipping chapter members their chapter. Established in the fall of 2022, through the with the necessary skills in networking, communications, collective contributions of key leaders from the association relationship building, goal-setting, sales and promoting the and the FarmHouse Foundation, the Minnesota FH Progress fraternity experience. The MNPF seeks to empower members Endowment Fund (MNPF) was established. Since then, 80 to effectively engage in recruitment, sales and networking donors have stepped forward, giving 132 gifts, and collectively through comprehensive training programs like Phired Up, a contributing over $197,000. Contributions to the MNPF program designed to help foster a vibrant fraternity community. are dedicated to enriching the educational experiences and “FarmHouse means I get to be part of something bigger. leadership opportunities available to members of the Minnesota It is an organization based on progress and devoted to the FarmHouse Chapter tailoring them to their specific needs. furthering of men within the Fraternity. I feel as though I The fund is now the focal point of the association’s gained a new family this year, and words can’t begin to fundraising endeavors and bears the name of a revered figure: explain how powerful these connections are,” said Michael former house mother Mary Ann Bannerman, who dedicated 15 Pliscott (Minnesota 21), whose sentiments echo the years to the chapter. Harnessing the widespread recognition importance of FarmHouse and why the fund was created. of her contributions, the association plans to continue “In seeking to grow chapter numbers and provide an recognizing Mary Ann for her significant contributions and enhanced fraternity experience, the MNPF serves as a vital in the future will recognize other members and friends of resource in achieving those goals,” said Master Builder Kent FarmHouse who leave a legacy while striving to enhance the Horsager (Minnesota 81), one of the architects of the fund. chapter’s overall living/learning experience.

“With this fund, we can offset parts of the chapter house “Once the chapter house was built, we wanted to establish expenses as it relates to education and fund educational an endowment fund for the future and name it in honor of experiences with scholarships. Its inherent flexibility allows Mary Ann because she had been instrumental for over 15 the fund to respond swiftly to the chapter’s ever-changing years,” said Master Builder Frank Bezdicek (Minnesota 67), educational needs, addressing priorities as they arise.” chair of Minnesota’s Building the Future Capital Campaign.

The Minnesota FH Association will continue to mark In December 2022, the association kicked off its progress with every step as they work towards their ambitious fundraising efforts–as well as events like a silent auction in goal of raising $1 million by the chapter’s centennial 2022 and fundraising around this year’s Founders’ Day–for the celebration in 2031.

MNPF with a mailing to all Minnesota alumni. Since then, they “With this dynamic approach, Minnesota is poised to have been raising awareness in creative ways through their propel the chapter towards a bright future marked by annual mailings, monthly e-newsletters, personal outreach expansion, enrichment and sustained success,” Horsager said.

SPRING 2024

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LEADERSHIP IN THE LONE STAR STATE THE 17TH ANNUAL POWER OF 7 SEMINAR TAKES FARMHOUSE LEADERS TO TEXAS

By Christine Fly

Interested in attending or sponsoring in 2025? Save the date! The 18th Annual Power of 7 Seminar will be held in spring 2025.

Please contact Allison Rickels at Allison@FarmHouse.org for more information or to reserve your seat today.

“The Power of 7 Seminar was a transformative experience,” Palmer Wright (Nebraska 21) said. “The Seminar not only provided valuable insights into leadership and personal growth but also showcased the brotherhood within the Fraternity.

The weekend was engaging and thought-provoking, offering strategies for success both within our Fraternity and beyond. The connections I made with fellow attendees are invaluable, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an empowering event.”

The Power of 7 Seminar, a long-standing annual tradition, welcomed alumni, Fraternity and Foundation board members, and spouses, along with 12 FarmHouse undergraduate leaders from various chapters across North America. The weekend event was held Feb. 23-25, 2024, at The Adolphus, a historic hotel in Dallas, Texas.

The Seminar centered around sharing wisdom, life lessons and networking across generations, and with the Texas state motto being “friendship,” it was the perfect backdrop for new and old FarmHouse relationships.

“The Power of 7 was a great opportunity to expand connections with FarmHouse men from around North America and further develop life-long FarmHouse friendships,” said Lloyd Bettis (Iowa State 67), Foundation Trustee.

The Seminar commenced with a networking reception and a welcome dinner at The Adolphus, followed by the annual “Clayton Yeutter (Nebraska 49)† Lecture: Lessons in Leadership” session in tribute to Clayton’s illustrious career in public service and agriculture. This year, Randy Linville (Kansas State 73), past Foundation chairman and Philanthropy Laureate, shared insights from his book, “Plan of Action.” The book’s theme is a guide for executive leadership, life lessons, mentoring, faith and developing a plan on how to live well. He also highlighted his long-time FarmHouse involvement, learning from the masters, mentors and peers in his life, and the lessons he’s gained along the way.

Saturday’s sessions featured roundtable discussions on topics including the global economy, agriculture and the future of food, navigating today’s multigenerational workforce, entrepreneurism, financial independence, and personal health and wellness. Addressing national and global issues, as well as challenges faced by participants in their professional and personal lives, alumni facilitators guided these discussions. Attendees deliberated on many national and world challenges as well as opportunities they face daily in their professional and personal lives.

“I was extremely impressed by the number of quality alumni in attendance who poured out their wisdom to us,” Reese Durbin (Purdue 21) said. “Each roundtable session was very meaningful, engaging, and thought-provoking for my personal and professional growth. It provided me with insights I could bring back to my chapter and helped encourage positive growth for more involvement in FarmHouse.”

Saturday afternoon attendees enjoyed a tour of the historic Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, where they learned about the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy while exploring the culture and history of the 1960s.

The day concluded with a private thank you dinner at Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse in downtown Dallas. Following dinner, Shayne Woodard (Texas Tech 85), director of legislative affairs for the Office of the Governor for the state of Texas, spoke about his long-time career as a lobbyist and now being a part of the senior staff leadership in Governor Greg Abbott’s administration, which he began in December 2022.

Woodard also talked about his service as a Foundation Trustee from 2014 to 2020, the lifelong relationships he’s made, the leadership skills he’s gained, and how SPRING 2024

FarmHouse has impacted his life, first as a college student and then as an alumnus.

The Seminar wrapped up Sunday with advice and reflections from alumni and their spouses, providing undergraduate participants with the opportunity to learn and ask questions about picking a life partner, family and work balance and the realities and expectations for life after college. The students also shared what they learned from the experience and how FarmHouse impacts their lives.

Participants were also provided the opportunity to take a private tour of The Adolphus, which was built by AnheuserBusch cofounder Adolphus Busch and opened in 1912.

“The Power of 7 Seminar was an outstanding experience full of shared wisdom and enduring brotherhood,” said Andre Archuleta (Tarleton State 21). “The weekend bridged generations and fostered connections that will last beyond the Seminar. The Power of 7 is a great example of FarmHouse’s commitment to excellence and brotherhood.”

The Power of 7 Seminar is a unique annual fundraising tradition now in its 17th year. Alumni who make a gift of $10,000 or more to the FarmHouse Excellence Fund are invited to attend and mentor one of FarmHouse’s top undergraduate leaders.

Special thanks are extended to the Power of 7 donors who generously supported the 2024 Seminar experience with their generous giving and who were mentors, including Bill Appelgate (Iowa State 65), Rick Berg (North Dakota State 78), Corby Fichter (Iowa State 78), Gary Hansen (South Dakota State 72), Larry Hageman (Ohio State 94), Jim Hendrix (CO 72), Jim Hericks (South Dakota State 70), Bob Knief (Illinois 89), Jim Tobin (Iowa State 76), Ron Vaske (South Dakota State 87) and Kevin Wittrock (Oklahoma State 78). Plus, a special thanks to Andy Jacobitz (Nebraska 85) and Randy Linville (Kansas State 72) for participating in the Seminar as past Foundation Trustees.

Also, thank you to Brent Bible (Purdue 93), Steve Davis (Oklahoma State 77), Jack Haselbush (Colorado State 67), Jim Herbert (Tennessee 61)† and Jay Lockhart (Purdue 65) who were unable to attend, however, made generous gifts of $10,000 or more to the FH Excellence Fund in support of the Power of 7 Seminar.

The selected undergraduates who participated in the Seminar included: Andre Archuleta (Tarleton State 21), Logan Cone (Kansas State 21), Grant DeBruin (Ohio State 22), Reece Durbin (Purdue 21), Ryker Ewing (Illinois 21), Tristan Holland (Colorado State 23), Aaron Klain (North Dakota State 21), Rowan Mannion (Texas Tech 21), Caleb Smith (Troy 21), Kai Watrin (Alberta 21), Hunter Williamette (South Dakota State 20) and Palmer Wright (Nebraska 21).

“I always come away from the Power of 7 with a renewed sense of optimism,” said Bob Knief (Illinois 89), donor sponsor and mentor. “FarmHouse can be proud of the product we are attracting as students, and our alumni are doing impressive things and willing to give back to ensure future generations have opportunities to succeed.”

From left: Ryker Ewing (Illinois 21), Logan Cone (Kansas State 21), Kai Watrin (Alberta 21), Palmer Wright (Nebraska 21), Aaron Klain (North Dakota State 21) and Andre Archuleta (Tarleton State 21) taking a coffee break during the Power of 7 Seminar.

A group photo of all the Power of 7 attendees, staff, mentors and spouses.

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Q&A ERIC THURBER

MEET THE NEWEST FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN

It’s important FarmHouse continues to provide an exceptional experience and have a significant impact on young men for generations. I want to do my part to help ensure our success.”

— Eric Thurber (Nebraska 89)

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or most FarmHouse members, the fraternity experience begins the day they join the chapter, but for Eric Thurber (Nebraska 89), his FarmHouse experience began as a young child growing up in Roca, Nebraska, just south of Lincoln.

Eric’s father, Tom Thurber (Nebraska 60), a veterinarian and Master Builder, is a long-time Nebraska FH Association board member, former chapter advisor, a past Foundation Trustee and a dedicated FH volunteer. Well known for their hospitality, the Thurber family hosts the Nebraska chapter at their home each fall for the chapter’s annual retreat, and regularly welcomes FarmHouse brothers to their home, staying as connected as possible to the Fraternity.

Many of Eric’s memories involve his family spending time with other FH alumni and their families—attending county fairs, reunions, football tailgates or vacationing together. When Eric joined the chapter as a freshman, FarmHouse already felt like home.

Several childhood family friends became fraternity brothers as well as his brother, Lee Thurber (Nebraska 91), and future brother-in-law, Paul Rohlfing (Nebraska 83).

Eric credits FarmHouse—along with the people he surrounded himself with—for his personal development. The men in FarmHouse encouraged him to think bigger and broader than his life growing up in rural Nebraska.

Following college, Eric earned his law degree from Harvard Law School and then started working on Wall Street in New York City. He has served as a financial advisor to wealthy families since 1995 when he began his career at Montgomery Securities in the private client department and subsequently for various investment firms.

After leaving Wall Street, Eric co-founded and is managing director for Three Bridge Wealth Advisors, a private multifamily office located in Silicon Valley that provides comprehensive wealth advisory services to first-generation wealth creators—entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

Eric believes strongly in a value-based approach to wealth planning, advising clients with an integrated approach that spans investment consulting, estate planning, philanthropic planning, risk management and expert relationship management. He has over 25 years of experience with investment manager due diligence, portfolio construction, asset allocation and alternative investment analysis.

He holds a certified investment management analyst (CIMA) designation administered by the Investments & Wealth Institute and taught in conjunction with the Wharton School and is an associate at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.

A committed industry and thought leader, Eric is a member of the inaugural JP Morgan RIA Advisory Council and often quoted in financial publications and media outlets. Eric lives in San Francisco, California, and is passionate about fitness, global travel and experiencing unique adventures.

In 2018, Eric joined the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, following in the footsteps of his dad and brother as Trustees. They are the first in FarmHouse to have multiple family members serve as Trustees. Eric has been the investment committee chair since his board term began, providing guidance and expertise for the Foundation’s investment portfolios. In November 2023, Eric became the Foundation’s Chairman for a two-year term. With a deep commitment to FarmHouse, this is why Eric serves as the newest Foundation Chairman.

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I witnessed within the men of my chapter who were older mentors transformed and molded me as a person, which eventually led me to become a Foundation Trustee.

FarmHouse has helped me in my career and personal development even to this day. I am involved as a Trustee to provide more impact to this organization and help other undergraduate members have the same kind of life-changing experience I had as an undergraduate and continue to have as an alumnus.

What is your experience as a Trustee?

Serving as a Trustee has been an opportunity to remain engaged with FarmHouse by staying connected with alumni and networking with members who value FarmHouse like I do. The other Trustees are people I respect immensely and they are involved because they want to make a difference.

They come with the best intentions to serve, support and help grow FarmHouse through their efforts with the Foundation. It’s been an exceptional opportunity to re-engage with the organization that has given me so much and that I care a great deal about.

What contributions has FarmHouse made in your life?

FarmHouse has always been in my life. My dad, Tom, has been involved with the Fraternity since he was in college and probably knows most of the Nebraska FH alumni.

When I arrived at college, FarmHouse was the first time I experienced trying to be exceptional and working to be the best you could be was not only encouraged, it was celebrated.

So much of my grounding and personal development happened in the Fraternity. Through my FH experience, I realized the possibility for future success, both in college and life, with the opportunity to achieve something bigger and better. My FH brothers inspired me to pursue graduate education at Harvard, and then the confidence to take on Wall Street and do what I’ve done since.

What lifelong relationships have you gained through FarmHouse?

Several of the men in my chapter, who have become my dearest friends, I have known since I was little because they are sons of my dad’s FarmHouse brothers. They have become some of my dearest friends and Fraternity brothers. Other chapter brothers are important friends in my life today, as well. Several of my family members are FH men, including two nephews. What’s neat to see is that many of my friends’ sons are FH undergraduates today. It’s an extraordinary thing to see these lifelong friendships develop intergenerationally.

Why do you serve as a Foundation Trustee?

FarmHouse was instrumental in my development as a young person and I believe it was critical to being accepted to Harvard Law School. The leadership and exceptionalism

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Why do you serve as Foundation Chairman?

I believe it is important FarmHouse continues to provide an exceptional experience and have a significant impact on young men for generations. I want to do my part to help ensure our success. To help lead the Foundation as its Chairman is truly an honor. I find it immensely rewarding to work with other FarmHouse alumni and see the way they care and give humbly of their time, talent and treasure.

What about FarmHouse makes you proud?

I am most proud of the FarmHouse values, knowing the exceptional quality of the men and seeing the impact the Fraternity has had on them. I saw that for myself, members of my family, and my friends—in their development, successes, and the way they live their lives. I strongly believe the principles and values of FarmHouse have been consistent over decades and how the Fraternity has been able to build men into leaders, develop professional careers and impact their communities. It also makes me proud to witness alumni giving back to ensure future generations have every opportunity to succeed.

What does it mean to coach and mentor others?

I have had a wonderful experience mentoring several FarmHouse students, including some who have interned for my company. These young men have spent a year as interns on our team learning how to invest responsibly, understanding and respecting the complexities of offering sound and secure financial advice to highly-successful individuals, and becoming analysts on our team. Currently, we have a FH young man working with us. It has been an opportunity to connect, guide and help them grow in both their knowledge and values. Internships like these help them get farther along in their lives and gain early experience

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Q&A: ERIC THURBER

to get a leg up on the competition. It has been immensely gratifying and enriching to see how the experience helps them in their careers, increases their knowledge base and figure out where they’re going in their lives. At the same time, they’ve taught me what’s going on with young people and how they live today. It’s been a wonderful two-way path of learning.

How has generosity and service to others impacted your life?

When you give of your time and treasure, you often get just as much in return. The time I have spent as a Trustee, with other alumni, and mentoring FH young men has been life-enhancing. Being a part of programs like Conclave and the Power of 7 Seminar, I always come away with a renewed sense of optimism that investing in FarmHouse is always worthwhile.

Do you believe fraternities are still important today?

Fraternities may be more important than ever to help young people be successful. Today, we need well-rounded, developed young professionals who are grounded in values, fundamental beliefs and relevant life skills. Fraternities, particularly FarmHouse, build a foundation around values that empower young men to be confident and successful in life. So many young people are stuck with their phones in hand, tethered to technology, and maybe not as social as other generations. But, ultimately, we live in a world where we commune together and learn from each other. More studies about living longer and staying healthy are around having a strong community of people in your life. FarmHouse provides a much-needed community and sense of belonging.

What should donors know about the Foundation?

The Foundation exists to support the educational programs of the Fraternity, which enables FarmHouse men to have exceptional learning experiences. For example, the FH Leadership Institute offers chapter officers an opportunity

to come together to learn from each other, how to lead their chapters and define and develop their roles. The Foundation also provides much-needed academic scholarships, housing grants and study-abroad opportunities and more. Plus, it helps to fund research on the positive impact and value of fraternities today.

Most importantly, the Foundation helps to provide significant financial support to the Fraternity to invest in the important educational work they do. One-third of the Fraternity’s budget is from Foundation grants due largely in part to the generosity of our donors. The Foundation has a solid financial footing and is continuing to see incredible support from alumni and friends. But we can’t stop now in our fundraising efforts to grow the resources needed for the Fraternity to be successful with its educational priorities and to impact more young men now and for the future.

Why should someone invest in the Foundation?

I believe giving to the Foundation is an investment in the future of the Fraternity—for the development of young men, in the educational experiences we can provide and ensuring the Fraternity is there for the next generation of leaders.

These learning opportunities and growing experiences are needed more than ever for young people today.

Your family is the first to have three members as current or past Foundation Trustees. What does that mean to you?

One thing our father instilled in us is the importance of serving. I have witnessed how much he gave of his time and effort to FarmHouse because of how much he cared, how much he got in return and how his life was so enriched by the relationships he created along the way. This was a big reason my brother, Lee, and I found it to be important to be involved and we were honored when we were asked to join the Board.

It’s a very unique opportunity and we’re all very grateful to serve an organization that has given so much to us.

The Thurber family at a Nebraska FH event (from left) Logan Thurber (Nebraska 22), Lee Thurber (Nebraska 21), Eric Thurber (Nebraska 89), Pierce Rohlfing (Clemson 19) and Paul Rohlfing (Nebraska 83).

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SPRING 2024

HIGHEST RATES IN 16 YEARS:

THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY

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or the first time in a long time, now is the best time to consider the gift that pays you: a charitable gift annuity (CGA).

The FarmHouse Foundation offers charitable gift annuities, which is a contract that stipulates the Foundation will pay the donor(s) a guaranteed annual payment for up to two lives. After a donor(s) passes, the remaining amount is used as the donor(s) designated with the Foundation. Donors can also qualify for tax benefits depending on how they fund their gift.

The Foundation follows the recommended CGA rates set by the American Council on Gift Annuities, which increased Jan. 1, 2024, and are higher than they have been in 16 years.

Seize the moment by considering this amazing gift that provides a stable, regular income—regardless of the economy.

After your lifetime, the remaining amount becomes part of your FarmHouse legacy, enabling FarmHouse to thrive far into the future.

HOW IT WORKS For $10,000 or more, you can create a CGA using cash, marketable securities or appreciated property owned longer than one year. In turn, you will receive reliable, predictable payments from the Foundation for your lifetime (and the lifetime of a loved one, if you choose).

The payment rate is based on a combination of the recipient’s age(s) when payments begin and the time between the creation of the annuity and the first payment. The older the annuitant when payments begin and the longer the deferral, the higher the rate of the payments.

With this type of gift, you can feel secure knowing you can count on receiving stable payments for as long as you live.

Also, with a gift annuity, you determine how you would like your gift to be used with the Foundation after your lifetime.

FOR EXAMPLE Charles, 72, donates $25,000 to the Foundation in exchange for a charitable gift annuity. He will receive annual payments of $1,650, a rate of 6.6%. This rate is based on a 5.2% charitable mid term federal rate. Deductions and calculations will vary depending on your personal circumstances.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY RATES

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ADDITIONAL BENEFITS With this gift, you’ll also enjoy: • A partial income tax charitable deduction for your gift when you itemize.

• Part of each payment being income tax-free throughout your estimated life expectancy.

TIP: YOU HAVE FUNDING OPTIONS GIVE APPRECIATED ASSETS Funding a CGA with appreciated assets, such as securities, will not only provide you with reliable payments for life and enable you to support FarmHouse, but a CGA can offer you financial benefits. You will receive a federal income tax charitable deduction (when you itemize) in the year the gift is made and eliminate part of the capital gains tax you would have paid if selling the securities. And if you have stocks that produce low-yield dividends, you may be able to increase your income.

GIVE FROM YOUR IRA Now, you can fund a CGA from an IRA. If you are 70½ or older, you can make a one-time election for a qualified charitable distribution of up to $53,000 (without being taxed) from your IRA to fund a gift annuity. While your gift does not qualify for an income tax deduction, it does escape income tax liability on the transfer and count toward all or part of your required minimum distributions.

REQUEST YOUR PERSONALIZED EXAMPLE The Foundation Staff is happy to send you a free, no-obligation calculation of the benefits you can receive from a CGA. Your personalized estimate will include your potential income tax charitable deduction and our annual payments to you for life. This information is not intended as legal or tax advice.

For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor.

For more information, visit farmhouse.planmylegacy.org.

CREATING A LEGACY WITH A CGA FarmHouse’s oldest living alumnus, Don Mosher (Illinois 39)†, passed away Nov. 1, 2023, at 106 years old. Don was the first donor to establish a CGA with the Foundation in 1998 and then did two more CGAs in later years.

For 25 years, he received quarterly payments from the Foundation. And as he intended, after his passing, he invested in the longevity of FarmHouse through an unrestricted endowment fund with the Foundation.

Don wrote in 2023, “I have had many lifelong friends and fond memories as a member of FarmHouse for 85 years. I am grateful for this lifetime experience and to be able to invest in FarmHouse.”

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73

ALUMNI JOIN FOUNDATION TOP HONOR ROLL CLUBS

The FarmHouse Foundation welcomed 73 members into its highest giving societies between April 1, 2023 and March 1, 2024.

We thank these very generous donors.

ORDER OF THE CREST Accumulative gifts of $250,000 to $499,999

Michael Fayhee (Illinois 67) is an attorney and of counsel for McDermott Will & Emery law firm in Chicago, Illinois. He served as a Foundation Trustee for six years.

When he is not raising a small herd of cattle with his brother in Michigan or spending time with his two children and four grandchildren, Michael and his wife, Jan, reside in Kenliworth, Illinois.

Corby Fichter (Iowa State 78) is regional vice president of business development for Farm Credit Services of America for southwest Iowa and has served in various roles with Farm Credit Services for more than 43 years. He also manages and operates their family’s 2,100-acre farming operation near Randolph, Iowa. Corby serves on the Fraternity’s International Executive Board, which he was elected to in July 2022. Corby and his wife, Jean, reside in Shenandoah, Iowa. They have three grown children, Austin (Iowa State 12), Adam (Iowa State 12) and Heidi, and three grandchildren.

Corby’s father, the late A. Corby Fichter, Jr. (Iowa State 50) and Heidi’s husband, Chris Mandt (Iowa State 15), are also FarmHouse members.

Kent Horsager (Minnesota 81) is president of CSC Arbitrage Group, a commodity trading firm, and serves as CEO of Compass Strategic Investments, a firm that specializes in creating and operating managed futures programs for individuals and institutional clients. A Master Builder recipient, Kent has been a long-time volunteer including as a Foundation Trustee for six years, from 1999 to 2005, and as Chairman. He has served on the Minnesota FH Association and most recently as their Foundation Council chair. Kent and his wife, Beth, live

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in St. Paul, Minnesota. They have three married children and three grandchildren.

Robert Knief (Illinois 89) is president of Bartlett and Company. He has been involved in the grain industry since 1992 after graduating from college.

He has served as chairman of the Transportation, Elevator, and Grain Merchants Association and on the National Grain and Feed board of directors. He was a Foundation Trustee from 2015 to 2021, including two years as Chairman. Bob and his wife, Annette, have a daughter in college and they live in Kansas City, Missouri.

Ronald Vaske (South Dakota 87) is a lawyer and partner with Ballard Spahr LLP, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ron’s practice is focused on matters involving banking, payment systems, consumer financial services, and commercial transactions.

He served on the Fraternity’s International Executive Board from 2004-08 and as a Foundation Trustee from 2012-18.

CENTURY CLUB Accumulative gifts of $100,000 to $249,999

James Niewold (Illinois 74) farms with his son, Greg (Illinois 02) and his brother Doug (Illinois 77), following their late father Wayne (Illinois 50). They raise corn and seed soybeans after retiring from swine breeding and production. Jim is active in his church, the Masonic Lodge and is a partner in a local Cobblestone hotel. He was chapter president, served two terms on the Illinois FH Association, and is helping with the Illinois FarmHouse housing campaign. He and his wife, Robin, live in rural Loda, Illinois.

Jeffrey Topp (North Dakota State 79) is a partner in a family-owned farming enterprise that grows wheat, barley, flax, canola, dry beans, soybeans and corn. The farm also runs cow/calf operations.

Jeff also manages Farmers Elevator, a family-owned grain elevator that specializes in supplying flax to the dairy industry. Working alongside his sons, both FarmHouse alumni, is something he relishes each day. He served as a Foundation Trustee for six years. Jeff and his wife, Jan, live in Grace City, North Dakota.

Donald Buhl (Minnesota 69) is a pork producer, a leader in state and national pork organizations for over 40 years, and has helped to expand U.S. pork exports.

He and his wife, Susan, own Buhl’s Ridge View Farms, Inc., which includes a farrow-to-finish business, marketing nearly 55,000 hogs per year. He served as president of the National Pork Producers and on their board of directors for 10 years, and was the recipient of the University of Minnesota’s 2016 Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture. Don is a Foundation Trustee, joining the board in 2022. He has been involved in the Minnesota FH Association and assisted with their housing campaign as a volunteer and donor. Don and Susan have four adult children and four grandchildren and live near Tyler, Minnesota.

James Parochetti (Illinois 59) is retired after a lifelong career as a scientist with USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, with a specialty in pest management. He is a past member of the Illinois FH Association Board and a lifelong donor to the Foundation, including giving the most number of gifts to the Foundation to date. He lives in Falls Church, Virginia.

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Scott Nagel (Minnesota 85) is the retired president of ADM-Benson Quinn, serving in the leadership role from 2008 to 2022. He began with the company after graduating from college and spent his career in various roles including commodity trading, grain accounting, wheat merchandising and freight trading. Scott served as a FH Foundation Trustee from 2018 to February 2024, including two years as Chairman. Scott and his wife, Jean, have two adult children, and they live in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

DOANE CLUB Accumulative gifts of $50,000 to $99,999

James Hericks (South Dakota State 70) is owner and CEO of FabriClean Supply, America’s largest local source of operating supplies, solvents, chemicals and janitorial supplies for professional dry cleaners and laundries. In 27 years, they have grown the business to 15 distribution centers, supplying dry cleaners and commercial launders in 22 states, in the south-central and southeastern United States. Jim and his wife, Shelly, have three adult sons and live in Irving, Texas. Jim joined the Foundation’s board in April 2022.

Gary Luth (Illinois 69) is a farmer who grows corn and soybeans. Gary serves as treasurer of the Illinois FH Association. He and his wife, Vicki, have three children and live near Allerton, Illinois.

Mark Magruder (Missouri 75) owns Magruder Companies, a conglomerate of businesses associated with heavy highway construction, production of limestone aggregates and asphalt manufacturing in communities across Missouri. Semiretired, Mark enjoys spending time with his family, tending to his classic car collection, hunting and deep-sea fishing.

He and his wife, Barbara, live in Eolia, Missouri. They have two adult children and four grandchildren.

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Kevin Olson (Illinois 73) is president, CEO and board chairman of Grundy Bank in Morris, Illinois.

He has led the bank for more than 38 years and is involved in numerous organizations in his community. He and his wife, Mary, live in Leland, Illinois.

Laurent Taylor (Idaho 62)† spent his entire career of more than 40 years with Glidden Industries, working in their industrial coating labs designing new paint formulas and wood products.

After his retirement, he was an avid gardener, photographer, mechanic and traveler. He passed away Dec. 14, 2022 and generously included the Foundation in his estate.

H.K. WILSON CLUB Accumulative gifts of $25,000 to $49,999

David Borgelt (Missouri 78) is principal and owner of a business consulting practice focused on helping firms to better manage, market and develop technology-based businesses. He served on the local Missouri FH Foundation board for 12 years. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia, and Columbia, Missouri.

Richard C Brantner (Illinois 73) is vice president for Compeer Financial, a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative with financial services in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. He and his wife, Lee Ann, have two adult sons and live in Dixon, Illinois.

Kirk D Farney (Illinois 79) is vice president for advancement, vocation and alumni engagement for Wheaton College, which he began in August 2014. He also holds faculty status as assistant professor of history. He serves on the board of directors for Thrivent Financial. Prior to Wheaton, he worked in international banking for 26 years.

Kirk and his wife, Cheryl, have two children and live in Hinsdale, Illinois

Bruce Frank (Illinois 05) is a tactical sales manager for John Deere and has worked for the company for nearly 16 years in their sales and marketing division.

Bruce is president of the Illinois FH Association. He and his family live in Paola, Kansas.

John Gill (Illinois 93) is a product group manager for Scoular, with over 26 years of experience with the company in various roles. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

David Gilmore (Illinois 86) is senior vice president of sales and marketing for John Deere & Company’s agriculture and turf division, a position he held since October 2020 and retired from in April 2024. He started working for John Deere after graduating in 1989 and held many positions with the company throughout his career.

He serves on the Farm Foundation board of directors and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers board of directors. David and his wife, Lori, have two children and reside near Geneseo, Illinois, where they are active with their church and community.

Darren Havens (Illinois 92) is director of production and precision ag marketing for John Deere’s Global Turf and Compact Utility business, with over 29 years working for the company. He serves as a Foundation Trustee, which he began in November 2021. He and his wife, Jody, have three children and live in Overland Park, Kansas.

Robert Hendrix (Arkansas 58) is retired after a 50-year management career in the poultry industry. He is involved in his church and several community organizations. He has been a chapter advisor, member of the Arkansas FH Association and helped to lead the fundraising efforts for its chapter house renovation. He and his wife, Karen, have two adult children, and they live in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

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Wendell D Herman (North Dakota State 67) is a land sales specialist and a licensed real estate salesperson for AcrePro. He had a 40-year career with Wells Fargo as a farm manager then became a vice president and senior trust administrator. He is active with the North Dakota State (NDSU) FH Association and recently led the renovation project for the NDSU chapter house. Wendell and his wife, Sue, live in Fargo, North Dakota.

Michael S Kollman (Illinois 84) is vice president of sales, marketing and product development for Intercrown Enterprise, leading their U.S. office for over 22 years, which is a stock and custom window treatment manufacturer.

He and his wife, Katie, and their family live in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Merle L Mulvaney (Illinois 56) served for 22 years in the U.S. Army, which started with ROTC in college, included three tours in Vietnam, worked at the Pentagon on the Joint staff and retired as a lieutenant colonel. Thereafter he worked recruiting senior staff for corporations and in finance for AutoDocs, a software development company. He lives in Beaufort, South Carolina.

William Northey (Iowa State 79)† served as the Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conversation for USDA from 2018 to 2021. He previously served as the Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa from 2006 to 2017. Most recently, Bill was the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa. His contributions as a farmer, public servant and leader positively impacted countless individuals and communities worldwide. He lived in Des Moines with his wife, Cindy, and their family, before his passing Feb. 5, 2024.

David Randall (Illinois 78) is retired and spends his time as a consultant, investor and managing his family’s farm. He was CEO of Liquid Container and then CEO of D&W Fine Pack, a manufacturer of packaging for

the restaurant and grocery industries.

He is a member of the Illinois FH Association board and their chapter house renovation committee. Dave and his wife, Sue, have four adult children and live in Carmel, Indiana.

Steven Robinson (Auburn 72) is a consultant, author and speaker on organizational culture design and leadership, brand strategy development, marketing and advertising. He is the former executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Chick-fil-A, Inc., serving from 1981 to 2015. During his tenure, he was integrally involved in Chick-fil-A’s growth and was a first-hand witness to its evolution as a global brand.

Steve and his wife, Dianne, have two children and four grandchildren. They live in the Highlands, North Carolina.

Brian Woolley (Iowa State 75) is an attorney and partner with Lathrop GPM LLP. He is a member of the firm’s labor, employment and higher education practice group.

Currently, Brian is co-chair of the steering committee for the Heartland Labor and Employment Law Institute, a program of the University of MissouriKansas City. He became a Foundation Trustee in December 2019 and is the governance chair. Brian and his wife, Patricia Martin, live in Kansas City, Missouri, and they have two adult children.

1905 CLUB Accumulative gifts of $10,000 to $24,999

Joseph Anderson (Illinois 78) Ruston, Louisiana Robert Anderson (New Mexico State 87) Alto, New Mexico Robert Benz (Illinois 86) Fort Collins, Colorado William Bodine (Illinois 93) Sherman, Illinois Darwin Builta (Illinois 61) Mahomet, Illinois Philip Burger (Missouri 83) Columbia, Missouri Jacob Butcher (Illinois 05) Springfield, Illinois Ross Cully (Missouri 00) Fayetteville, Arkansas Wesley Darnell (Missouri 80)

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Saint Joseph, Missouri Lary Eckert (Illinois 62) Millstadt, Illinois Norman Ehlers (Illinois 57) Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Earl Enix (Honorary 22) Centennial, Colorado Eugene Gerke (Missouri 69) Columbia, Missouri Ronald H Greenfield (Illinois 63) Yorkville, Illinois Thomas Harms (Illinois 69) Pleasant Plains, Illinois Tyrell Harris (Michigan State 64) Manchester, Michigan Brian Hetzer (Illinois 00) Chicago, Illinois Jeff Hilbrenner (Missouri 97) Columbia, Missouri Brian Hogue (Texas A&M 05) Kalispell, Montana William Hollis (Illinois 89) Hamilton, Illinois Walter Hoskins (Auburn 82) Columbus, Georgia Brian Huseman (Oklahoma State 91) Washington, D.C. Alois Kertz (Missouri 64) St. Louis, Missouri Dennis Liptrap (Kentucky 62) Nicholasville, Kentucky Thomas Marquis (Illinois 75) Princeton, Illinois David North (Illinois 85) Galva, Illinois Thomas Pluer (North Carolina State 79) Hillsville, Virginia William Plummer (North Carolina State 67) San Luis Obispo, California Jim Pounds (Auburn 81) Birmingham, Alabama Paul Roamer (Cal Poly Pomona 88) Evergreen, Colorado Roger Rodberg (Iowa State 88) North Charleston, South Carolina John Rutledge (Illinois 64) Wheaton, Illinois Randall Sims (Illinois 66) Liberty, Illinois Craig Sims (Illinois 94) Lake St. Louis, Missouri Brian Wenzel (Illinois 70) Kent, Illinois Jeffrey Weston (Oregon State94? 55) Portland, Oregon Kurt Williams (Illinois 90) Ellsworth, Illinois Philip Wirth (South Dakota State 86) Viborg, South Dakota Brian Yarbrough (Missouri 98) Lawson, Missouri

SPRING 2024

IN

Memoriam

ARKANSAS

JOHN W. BELL (57); 10/31/2023; 87; Hammond, LA JAMES W. MILLER (85); 6/17/2022; 55; Little Rock, AR JOHN W. MITCHELL (77); 7/6/2023; 65; Sheridan, AR COLORADO STATE VANCE D. BENSON (53); 10/13/2022; 89; Keldron, SD JIM B. BROWN (67); 5/18/2022; 74; Meeker, CO BENNIE G. ERWIN (50); 9/24/2021; 95; Paola, KS CLIFFORD M. JOHNSON (59); 2/18/2024; 83; Sydney, NE VERNON J. LaBAU (55); 11/29/2023; 88; Fort Collins, CO GEORGIA B. ALLEN DUNN (65); 12/25/2023; 82; Central, SC IDAHO

RUSSEL DALE TURNIPSEED (59); 2/27/2023; 83; Twin Falls, ID

JERRY A. CARLSON (56); 12/23/2023; 87; Cedar Falls, IA

RONALD L. WALTERS (65); 11/17/2023; 77; Lopez Island, WA

D. MAX DEETHARDT (52); 11/14/2023; 91; Austin, MN

IDAHO STATE

DONALD M. LARSON (57); 1/8/2024; 87; Livermore, IA

MARK H. BECHTEL (85); 4/14/2023; 57; Monticello, MN DALE PIERCY (68); 1/10/2023; 74; Parma, ID RONALD L. WALTERS (65); 1/17/2023; 77; Lopez Island, WA ILLINOIS J. ALDEN ASHBAUGH (50); 6/14/2022; 91; Dunlap, IL GREGORY A. DEAKIN (71); 6/12/2022; 70; Cuba, IL MAX V. FULLING (52); 10/30/2020; 87; Palestine, IL RICHARD L. MALCOM (70); 1/20/2019; 67; Bloomington, IL

CASEY L. AMY (79); 9/4/2021; 60; Harrison, ID

DONALD L. MOSHER (39); 11/1/2023; 106; DeKalb, IL

MICHAEL F. MADDEN (61); 3/11/2023; 80; Taylorsville, UT

MICHEAL J. PATRICK (73); 5/16/2023; 69; Austin, TX

DALE W. PIERCY (68); 1/10/2023; 74; Parma, ID LARRY D. SORENSON (69); 5/28/2022; 72; Sunny Lakes, AZ

SPRING 2024

ROLF E. VOGEN (43); 11/10/2023; 100; Sun City Center, FL IOWA STATE ROGER J. BLOBAUM (52); 10/29/2023; 94; Washington, D.C.

WAYNE V. NORTHEY (54); 12/12/2022; 90; Spirit Lake, IA WILLIAM NORTHEY (79); 2/5/2023; 64; Urbandale, IA RICHARD PHILLIPS (43); 11/8/2022; 99; Westmoreland, KS KANSAS STATE EDWIN C. COTNER (54); 6/11/2023; 87; Naperville, IN JACK R. WEAVER (74); 10/28/2023; 67; Wheaton, IL KENTUCKY JAMES “EDDIE” E. AUSBROOKS (92); 2/14/2024; 51; Scottsville, KY GERALD W. DRYDEN (62); 12/14/2023; 82; Peoria, AZ PAUL E. HALL (78); 2/18/2023; 65; Williamsburg, OH RICHARD A. MATTINGLY (82); 5/31/2022; 60; Glasglow, KY

MICHIGAN STATE

BRUCE L. BANDURSKI (60); 3/1/2024; Tucson, AZ LARRY K. CRANDALL (46); 12/8/2023; 81; Battle Creek, MI JAMES D. FOX (52); 9/2/2022; 88; Waterford, MI CARL B. HOLLAND (60); 5/11/2022; 83; Tigard, OR EDWARD R. POWELL (49); 12/7/2023 98; Portland, MI MINNESOTA BLAIR C. ANDERSON (75); 9/13/2022; 69; Fairfax, MN MARK E. LUND (79); 12/13/2023; 64; Cambridge, MN PHILLIP M. OSTENSO (60); 5/26/2022; 80; Mount Dora, FL RANDALL W. STERNBERG (73); 3/4/2024; Albert Lea, MN

The following are notices received by the international office between October 11, 2023 and March 22, 2024. Listed by—Name (Initiation year); Date of Death 0/0/0000; Age at time of death; Resided in

MISSOURI MERLA D. CUNNINGHAM (51); 2/15/2022; 89; West Lafayette, IN

JOSEPH C. GLASS (54); 11/14/2022; 90; Raleigh, NC

KENNETH D. HARPSTER (66); 5/1/2023; 89; Tulsa, OK

BENNY B. HAMPTON (60); 1/21/2024; 83; Troy, NC

DEAN P. PROFFITT (53); 1/8/2024; 89; West Plains, MO

ROY S. HUSKEY (71); 5/9/2022; 70; Henrietta, NC

GREGORY A. WEGENER (15); 11/3/2023; 27; St. Charles, MO NEBRASKA WILLIAM T. AHLSCHWEDE (61); 2/27/2024; 82; Lincoln, NE JAMES E. DUNN (54); 11/17/2023; 87; Farmington, AZ JOHN D. LISTON (77); 12/11/2023; 65; Fremont, NE DAVID C. RASMUSSEN (70); 3/14/2024; 72; York, NE D. BOYD SHANK (32); 3/5/2024; 109; Brookings, SD

ELDON A. TESSMAN (47); 1/22/2024; 95; Minneapolis, MN

WENDELL E. STARR (54); 8/8/2023; 88; Hastings, NE

JEROME F. ZETAH (55); 3/20/2022; 88; Owatonna, MN

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

MISSISSIPPI STATE

DOUGLAS W. ALPHIN (61); 7/9/2022; 79; Zebulon, NC

THOMAS M. MURPHY (74); 10/30/2022; 69; Canton, MS

TOM F. FOSTER (54); 5/12/2023; 92; Concord, NC

EMERSON B. DEESE (55); 8/17/2023; 88; Cary, NC

CARL (LOUIS) McGEE (60); 12/13/2022; 83; Boomer, NC ROGER “DEAN” STUCK II (70); Lewiston, ID GERALD B. WHITE (59); 4/14/2023; 83; Ithaca, NY DAN M. WILLIAMS (68); 9/12/2023; 74; Olin, NC NORTH DAKOTA STATE DONALD G. JOHNSEN (55); 12/27/2023; 90; Crookston, MN DONALD H. KROPF (55); 9/25/2023; 92; Westphalia, KS DELORIN W. SCHLUCHTER (55); 12/18/2021; 90; Tucson, AZ CHARLES W. WEISER (60); 4/21/2023; 82; Minot, ND DONALD D. WILKES (55); 11/1/2023; 92; Culpeper, VA

THE OHIO STATE HENRY M. ENTERLINE (53); 1/12/2022; 92; Norman, OK ZANE L. LANTZ (56); 9/12/2021; 86; Stephenville, TX JAMES A. MEYER (56); 3/20/2022; 89; Warminister, PA OKLAHOMA STATE LOUIS W. NIGHTENGALE (50); 12/18/2020; 89; Brighton, CO OREGON STATE CHRISTOPHER A. MERTZ (82); 6/22/2022; 59; Shelton, WA PURDUE LARRY M. BENNER (55); 3/9/2024; 87; Valparaiso, IN KENNETH V. BRASHABER (52); 10/15/2023; 93; Rushville, IN JIMMIE L. ELLER (52); 11/22/2023; 92; Aurora, CO EDWARD H. HECKMAN (65); 10/6/2023; 77; Avon, IN TODD M. NELSON (89); 6/8/2022; 53; Claypool, IN MARSHALL D. NOEL (61); 11/3/2023; 81; Noblesville, IN ROBERT B. RHODA (75); 10/13/2022; 67; Chesterton, IN

FAR M H O U S E .O RG | P E AR L S & R U B I E S 41

IN MEMORIAM CHARLES D. ROWE (58); 5/24/2023; 83; Normal, IL

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE LARRY G. NELSON (87); 3/8/2022; 82; Pierre, SD

C. STANLEY STRAUSS (71); 9/23/2018; 72; Brookfield, CT JARET WICKER (05); 1/4/2024; 39; Carmel, IN VANCE O. YORK (52); 1/15/2024; 93; Durham, NC

JEFFERY L. ROBBINS (78); 1/17/2024; 66; Hendricks, MN DOUGLAS R. STOEBNER (76); 11/16/2023; 69; Menno, SD

TENNESSEE THOMAS M. CAMPBELL (60); 12/10/2020; 84; Kennesaw, GA JOHN C. COLEBANK (63); 2/27/2020; 75; Nolensville, TN ANDREW R. CURL (60); 1/20/2023; 89; Gallatin, TN JAMES L. HERBERT (61); 3/16/2024; 83; Lansing, MI

JAMES W. McKEE (59); 9/2/2023; 85; Lexington, TN JAMES H. STERLING (63); 1/22/2023; 84; Greenville, TN TEXAS TECH C. EARL JARRETT (80); 12/20/2020; 60; Llano, TX JOHN REGER (78); 12/1/2023; 65; Gainsville, FL

MARK “OTIS” THORNTON (87); 7/31/2021; 53; Kingsport, TN

ROBERT G. STEVENS (63); 7/4/2023; 78; Prosser, WA

GRANT C. McALISTER (05); 11/23/2023; 38; Bowling Green, KY

TROY

RAYMOND C. WILLIAM (67); 7/23/2023; 76; Roseville, CA

WYOMING

MATTHEW S. AWBREY (23); 12/14/2023; 18; Opelika, AL WASHINGTON STATE ERIC S. ERICKSON (62); 6/7/2023; Spokane, WA

WESTERN KENTUCKY BILLY GRIGGS (06); 9/8/2008; 22; Owensboro, KY

RICHARD R. DRAKE (55); 7/14/2021; 85; Sheridan, WY JOHN B. KING (74); 12/8/2023; 68; Greybull, WY

We rely on alumni and families to send us obituaries of brothers who have passed away so we may properly record the passing of FH brothers for our membership and send our condolences to his family. Please email obituary information to FHHQ@FarmHouse.org or call 816-891-9445. Badges of deceased members may be donated to the FarmHouse Foundation to be passed on to the deceased member’s chapter of initiation at the family’s discretion.

BILL NORTHEY (IOWA STATE 79)† HONORED BY AGRIBUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF IOWA

ALUMNI

NEWS

The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) Foundation recently announced its building will be named after the late Bill Northey (Iowa State 79)† and simply called “The Northey Building” in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Bill was a giant in agriculture,” said Mark White, board chair of the AAI Foundation. “While he wanted to be known first as a farmer and conservationist, he was actively involved in many facets of public service to agriculture. He served as a conservation district commissioner, Secretary of Agriculture for Iowa, the nation’s first Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation at USDA, and as CEO for the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.”

IOWA STATE

KANSAS STATE

THE OHIO STATE

Matt Staley (Iowa State 15) entered into the Catholic Seminary to become a priest for the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa.

Jeff Hadachek (Kansas State 15) joined the department of agricultural and applied economics as assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Chris Henney (Ohio State 97), of Columbus, Ohio, was named executive director of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association.

Daniel Tarte (Iowa State 14) received his PhD in molecular, cellular and developmental biology from Yale University. He identified a gene necessary for the typical photoperiodic regulation of phenylpropanoids. Congratulations, Dr. Tarte!

Jed Wyse (Iowa State 19) was united in marriage with Summer McVicker on Dec. 16, 2023.

SHARE YOUR NEWS

NORTH DAKOTA STATE Long-time community leader, Karl Bollingberg (North Dakota State 82), was presented the 2024 Klaus Thiessen Impact Award at the Grand Forks Region EDC Annual Meeting.

OKLAHOMA STATE Mark Herndon (Oklahoma State 84), of Flower Mound, Texas joined Stillwater M&A Advisors as a managing director. He will provide leadership and direction for all acquisition mandates and expand our strategic acquisition practice.

Submit your news for our next issue of Pearls & Rubies at bit.ly/FHnewsSub

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SPRING 2024

IN

Memoriam

Whether it was his Southern charm, down-toearth nature, humbleness, confidence or honesty, Jim Herbert (Tennessee 61) stood out. Herbert had the ability to captivate, engage and inspire everyone around him.

He knew countless individuals of worldwide fame and success, collaborated with CEOs and government leaders, served on more than 30 corporate and non-profit boards and has the University of Tennessee’s College of Agriculture named in his honor. At the same time, Herbert related to anyone he met and treated everyone with kindness and respect.

Herbert was born in 1940 in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up on family farms raising cotton and cattle. He received his bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in journalism from the University of Tennessee (UT) in 1962. He worked at a greenhouse on the UT campus to afford college.

He joined FarmHouse as a sophomore where he eventually served as chapter president. It was during his time at UT that he met his college sweetheart and wife, Judi.

After college, he began his career as an editor for various agricultural publications. Writing was a passion throughout his life. He then made a series of career moves into positions of increasing responsibility, serving as vice president of corporate development for DeKalb Ag Research.

Herbert then became a wildly successful CEO, chairman and co-founder of Neogen, a publicly held multi-billion biotechnology company focusing on food and animal safety, diagnostic testing, genome studies and sanitation. Herbert was president and CEO of Neogen Corporation from its inception in 1982 until 2017, when he assumed the role of chairman of the board until he retired in 2020.

Under Herbert’s leadership, Neogen became a pioneer in food and animal safety products, receiving honors numerous times by Forbes, USA Today, NASDAQ and alike. Herbert was also named Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year.

In 2022, Herbert co-authored the book, “A Mission That Matters” about an idea and a little money that led Neogen to a $4 billion company, having success in saving thousands of lives and truly making the world a better place.

Herbert served as a FarmHouse Foundation Trustee for six years (2008-14), including two years as chair-elect and two

Herbert and his wife, Judi.

SPRING 2024

“FarmHouse has impacted my life for decades. As a college student, the Fraternity gave me the opportunity to learn and practice many leadership skills that were building blocks for the future. Through the years, I’ve had the opportunity to be associated with many FarmHouse men and find there is a true brotherhood built on common values.”

— Jim Herbert (Tennessee 61) years as Chairman, and continued as a Trustee Emeritus until his passing.

Jim was known for challenging the Foundation board and staff to think bigger, be more innovative and stretch its goals.

At the same time, he always provided reassurance, confidence and vision that it could be done.

He and Judi walked the talk with their generosity as the largest donors to the Foundation. They were one of four donors to give $1 million during Live. Learn. Lead.—The Campaign for FarmHouse. During the campaign, Herbert played a part every step of the way, he kicked off the campaign as one of the first to establish an endowment, now known as the Herbert Endowment Fund, and donated an additional six-figure gift on the campaign’s last day.

The Herbert Endowment Fund has been transformational in funding the Fraternity’s educational staff to develop and implement programs impacting FH students and supporting volunteers.

Herbert was a champion for the Power of 7 Seminar—even in years when he couldn’t attend—as a donor and mentor, attending for 12 years because he always wanted “a seat at the table.”

Herbert was named a Master Builder of Men recipient in 2016. In 2017, he received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the North-American Interfraternity Conference Foundation and was honored with the Philanthropy Laureate Award in 2018 by the FarmHouse Foundation.

He and Judi received several awards for their philanthropy and volunteerism. They are well-known for their exceptional generosity to the University of Tennessee, which renamed its college of agriculture for the Herberts after they made a transformational gift. They have been a driving force behind the Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center in Lansing.

Jim passed away March 16, 2024, at the age of 83. Jim is survived by Judi, his children, Scott and Melissa, and several grandchildren. He is deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the thousands of lives he has immeasurably impacted.

Herbert speaking at the 2018 Conclave.

FAR M H O U S E .O RG | P E AR L S & R U B I E S 43

P O SH Shop for great

FarmHouse

merchandise or find custom design inspiration for your chapter’s next order!

Scan to see more or visit farmhousestore.org

4 4 P E AR L S & R U B I E S | FAR M H O U S E .O RG

SPRING 2024

FARMHOUSE PHOTO

Auburn FH chapter members schowcasing their float during the Auburn University homecoming parade.

SPRING 2024

FAR M H O U S E .O RG | P E AR L S & R U B I E S 45

FARMHOUSE FRATERNITY 1021 Jefferson Street Kansas City, MO 64105

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

SAVE THE DATE July 18-21, 2024

Join the conversation of where FarmHouse and the fraternal movement is headed at the 52nd Biennial Conclave. Together, we’ll continue to not only build men, but build FarmHouse.

Register today at bit.ly/2024Conclave Online registration closes July 5, 2024.

For more information visit bit.ly/2024Conclave.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 467 BOLINGBROOK, IL