5 MINUTES WITH KEVIN

Why did you want to farm and why do you still?

I began farming to carry on my father’s legacy. I also wanted and experiences with my wife and children. Farming also gives to raise my children in the same environment that I was raised me the opportunity to be a good steward of the land as it is only in, one of hard work and strong ethics. I continue to farm for mine to work for a short time before it is passed down to the those same reasons and more. next generation. I enjoy caring for my animals, even if it means

I enjoy farming because every day is different. Every morning putting their needs before my own at times. While it’s a fastI develop a plan for my day, but as we all know, things don’t paced and unpredictable lifestyle, I’m learning to slow down, always go according to that plan. There is no typical day as a experience the good as it comes and be grateful for this life I’ve farmer, and I enjoy the challenges and experiences that it brings. been blessed with. Owning a family farm, I'm able to go through those challenges Besides farming, how do you spend your time?

I love to travel with my family. The beauty within this country Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, the Las Vegas Strip, Utah’s and the diversity of our landscapes and cultures is amazing. Mormon Church, Mount Rushmore and the Corn Palace. We Before my oldest son left for college, our family took a road trip traveled for seven days, covered more than 4,000 miles and to explore some of those landscapes and cultures. Every day created a lifetime of memories. was an adventure with something new to discover. We visited I also enjoy traveling around Wisconsin. Our state’s wineries, the Gateway Arch in Missouri, the Oklahoma Cowboy and restaurants, breweries, outdoor recreation areas and annual Western Museum, Texas Cadillac Ranch, Winslow, Arizona, the events are part of what makes me proud to be from Wisconsin. What is one thing that has happened in your life that has defined who you are today?

The volunteerism that my mother made me do as a young community is a major part of who I am and what I hoped to be boy has certainly defined who I am today. At the time I hated remembered for someday. it, but now I cannot imagine not serving others. Serving my What is the most important thing Farm Bureau has done for you or your farm?

Several policy changes, such as use value assessment, have enough to win the YFA Achievement Award in 2005. I was also been very important to my farm, but the most important thing part of the first WFBF Leadership Institute class. Farm Bureau has done for me is much more personal. The Additionally, I have been asked to testify many times through opportunities for growth and leadership that Farm Bureau has the years and have taken something away from each of those given me are unparalleled. experiences. I have learned that accepting new opportunities

Since day one, the professionalism of Farm Bureau has allows for personal growth. In my current position, I hope to motivated me to push myself and grow within the organization. take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow. I want Competing in the Young Farmer and Agriculturist events to continue to give back to the organization that has done so has been a major part of my personal growth. I was fortunate much for me. What is your favorite Farm Bureau memory or story?

My first experience in Washington, D.C., is my favorite The opportunity to learn more about our great country and to memory. Our goal was (and still is) to do what is right for experience the history within our nation’s capital was deeply agriculture, regardless of political preferences. The respect that moving. Washington, D.C., will always be a special place to me our group received from lawmakers, government agencies and and I experience the nostalgia of that first trip every time I go embassy officials inspired me to become even more involved. back there.