YFA AWARD WINNERS

Natasha Paris Annual Meeting or $1,500 credit towards goods and services at the was selected local FS Cooperative. as the winner of Other participants included: Stephanie Abts of Manitowoc the Wisconsin County; Julie Wadzinski of Barron County; and Kellie Zahn of Farm Bureau’s Shawano County. Young Farmer and Agriculturist The Excellence in Agriculture Award is presented to a Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award at the organization’s virtual 101st Annual member between the ages of 18 and 35 who is actively engaged in agriculture but derives the majority of his or her income from an off-farm agricultural career. The winner is selected based on his or her knowledge of agriculture, leadership in Farm Bureau and other civic organizations. Meeting on Dec. 5. Natasha Paris is an agri-science teacher and FFA advisor at Ripon High School. She and her husband, Jordan, own ParKelm Farm, a pasture-based livestock operation.

“This contest highlights individuals and how they have positively impacted Wisconsin agriculture and Farm Bureau and inspire others to do the same,” said former WFBF President Joe Bragger. “Natasha is an outstanding advocate for agriculture.”

Paris has been a Farm Bureau member since 2015 and serves as the YFA chair and vice president of Green Lake County Farm Bureau.

She will compete at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention in January. In addition, she can participate in As part of the Excellence in Agriculture competition, Paris the 2021 YFA trip to Washington, D.C. GROWMARK, Inc., will gave a virtual presentation. offer the winner either an all-expense paid trip to the GROWMARK

Julie Sweney of Dodge County was selected as the winner of the 2020 Wisconsin Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Agriculturist Discussion Meet contest during the organization’s virtual 101st Annual Meeting on Dec. 5.

The Discussion Meet contest is a panel discussion in which Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35 are judged on their ability to express their ideas and opinions and reach a solution on current issues affecting agriculture.

Sweney grew up on her family's dairy farm in Dodge County. She is a 2011 graduate of the WFBF Leadership Institute and serves on the Dodge County Farm Bureau board of directors as membership chair. Julie enjoys being a member of Farm Bureau so she can help promote agriculture within her community. She is the director of marketing and communications at FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, serving dairy farmers throughout the Midwest.

Sweney will represent Wisconsin during the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in January. The winner also can participate in the 2021 YFA trip to Washington, D.C. GROWMARK, Inc., will offer the winner either an all-expense paid trip to the GROWMARK Annual Meeting or $1,500 credit towards goods and services at the local FS Cooperative. Along with awards from Farm Bureau, Rural Mutual Insurance and GROWMARK, the winner was presented a chainsaw courtesy of Grainger.

The other Discussion Meet finalists were Riley Bricco, Waupaca County; Erin O’Toole, Kewaunee County; and Natasha Paris, Green Lake County.

"While the virtual YFA conference can never replace the in-person event, I was able to watch more sessions and more of the YFA competitions. Being online, it was more convenient to tune in. There were still so many ways to stay connected."

"We really had a great time during trivia night. We also enjoyed being able to watch the Discussion Meet and Excellence in Ag presentations at our leisure."

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear from different types of farms across the U.S. We learned about tulip production in Oregon, raising cotton in Georgia and growing almonds/walnuts in California!"

"Although it was a bit different, I loved that we proved that we can be one unified voice for Wisconsin farmers while working through a virtual platform for the 101st WFBF Annual Meeting. We were able to adapt, work through and move forward together."

"I loved learning and seeing all the different types of agriculture in different states! My kids enjoyed it as well!"

Watch the Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture presentations and farm tours at wfbf.com/2020-virtual-yfa-conference.

Congratulations to these Farm Bureau members who won cash courtesy of Rural Mutual Insurance Company for their participation in the conference.

Christa Hoffman, Shawano County

Kellie Zahn, Shawano County Ashley Henke, Marquette County Amy Silver, Green County Brittany Steffes, Iowa County Taylor Gracyalny, UW-Madison Collegiate Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau membership is comprised of voting and Lincoln Counties. Twenty-nine county Farm Bureaus reported associate members. Voting members are farmers, people an increase in voting members. The largest increases came in with direct involvement in production agriculture and owners Dodge, Barron and Columbia counties. of agricultural property. Associate members are individuals "Membership growth is a high priority for any and businesses who join Farm Bureau to utilize services association, and especially for an organization like and benefits and to support the work of Farm Bureau that represents farmers and agriculture the organization. in general," said WFBF's Executive Director of

WFBF finished the year with Bayfield Member Relations Bob Leege. "It's gratifying to see 23,112 voting members and 24,101 that despite the difficulties that we've experienced associate members. Superior Shores (Douglas, Bayfield, Iron, Ashland) in 2020, Farm Bureau membership has

Twenty-nine of the 61 county Farm Douglas remained steady and strong." Bureaus reported a membership Iron gain, led by Dane, Portage and Ashland Burnett

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