wyoming · 2019. 12. 18. · do every day and i’m honored to be counted in that group as your...

WYOMINGAGRICULTURE

Agriculture...Keeping Wyoming Strong

IN THIS ISSUEwww.wyfb.org

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RE A look back in time—Feb. 1965 ........................Page 3

Baars elected YF&R Chair ...............................Page 4Swartz as out-going YF&R Chair ....................Page 4Quilt raffl e raises 12,413 meals .........................Page 5LCCC student wins CDM .................................Page 5Garber retires from WyFB board.....................Page 8100th Annual Meeting photos ...........Pages 10 and 11WyFB YF&R 2020 Conference .......................Page 13Membership awards ........................................Page 16Centennial Commemorative Item orders ......Page 18

VOL. 37, No. 5 Dec. 2019/Jan. 2020PUBLISHED BY THE WYOMING FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

See ‘Centennial Anniversary’ page 17

By Kerin ClarkTodd Fornstrom, of Laramie

County, was elected to his fourth term as President of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) at the or-ganization’s 100th annual meeting in Laramie.

“I appreciate the vote of confi -dence,” Fornstrom stated. “We will keep working hard for the members

of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Fed-eration.”

“Advocating for agriculture is something Farm Bureau members do every day and I’m honored to be counted in that group as your Wyo-ming Farm Bureau Federation Presi-dent,” Fornstrom stated. “Advocacy for agriculture and policy develop-

By Kerin ClarkIrrigation infrastructure, taxes,

private property rights, and mi-gration corridors were among the many topics included in policies adopted at the 100th annual meet-ing of the Wyoming Farm Bureau

Federation (WyFB). Held Nov. 13-15 in Laramie, Wyo., the meeting is an important step in the grass-roots policy development process of Farm Bureau.

“County Farm Bureau members

See ‘WyFB elections’ page 13

Wyoming Farm Bureau sets policy for coming year

WyFB Legislative MeetingFeb. 27-28, 2020 ~ Cheyenne, WY

WyFB Young Farmer & Rancher ConferenceFeb. 26-28, 2020 ~ Cheyenne, WY

See page 13 for details.

By Kerin Clark“You, the county members, are the

most important people in our organiza-tion,” American Farm Bureau Federa-tion (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall told Wyoming Farm Bureau (WyFB) members during the organization’s 100th Annual Meeting Centennial Banquet held Nov. 14.

“We are one voice, with one mis-sion and we are going to continue to provide that for agriculture,” Duvall stated. “Agriculture is going to be fi ne because we are diligent, we are hard-working and we are dedicated. And together we are going to continue to

We are one Farm Bureau--AFBF President Zippy Duvall speaks at Centennial Banquet

By Kerin Clark“I wanted to tell the country

about the Wyoming Farm Bu-reau, so I put a Congressional Re-cord statement together,” United States Senator John Barrasso shared with Wyoming Farm Bu-reau members at the 100th An-nual Meeting Nov. 15 in Laramie.

“This year is unique, as the or-ganization (WyFB) celebrates ten decades of service to farmers and ranchers across the State,” Bar-rasso read. “Without question, the agriculture industry in the State, and in the region, has seen immense benefi t from the impor-tant work the Federation employ-ees do every day.”

“Today, the Wyoming Farm Bureau is integral in gathering public opinion and disseminating

Centennial Anniversary recognized in United States Senate--Senator Barrasso recognizes WyFB in Congressional Record

See ‘We are one Farm Bureau’ page 20

See ‘WyFB sets policy’ page 7

Todd Fornstrom elected to fourth term as Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation President

American Farm Bureau Federation Presi-dent Zippy Duvall addressed a record-setting crowd at the Centennial Banquet at the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation 100th Annual Meeting. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

United States Senator John Barrasso (center) with WyFB President Todd Forn-strom and WyFB Vice President Cole Coxbill at the 100th annual meeting of the organization. Senator Barrasso ad-dressed WyFB members and shared the Congressional Record text recognizing the organization’s Centennial Anniversary. Kerin Clark photo.

information to farmers and ranch-ers across the state,” he contin-ued. “Just as they did in 1920,

December 2019/January 2020

Calendar of Calendar of EventsEventsJanuary 202016 ........WyFB Commemorative Item Online Store Closes17-22 ....AFBF Annual Meeting—Austin, TexasFebruary 202010.........Wyoming Legislature Budget Session Convenes26-28 ...WyFB YF&R Conference—Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center in Cheyenne27-28 ...WyFB Legislative Meeting—Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center in CheyenneMarch 20202 ..........WyFB Scholarship application deadline13-16 ...AFBF YF&R Conference—Louisville, KentuckyApril3 ..........“Ag Books for Kids” county contest deadline20 ........“Ag Books for Kids district contest deadline

Visit wyfb.org for calendar updates

always adapting and improving thanks to innovation developed on

and off the farm.Farmers are innova-

tors—by nature and ne-cessity. It’s in our blood to look for better ways to do things—to save precious time and re-sources. Over this cen-tennial year at American Farm Bureau, we have celebrated the great strides we have taken to-gether in agriculture, but

more importantly we are looking to the future and how we can con-tinue to grow stronger together.

At Farm Bureau, we are tack-ling agriculture’s challenges from

By Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation President

One hundred years ago, most farmers and rural Americans didn’t yet have electricity. Today, we are experi-menting with self-driving tractors. Sixty years ago, the Ameri-can farmer fed 26 peo-ple. Today, the average U.S. farm feeds 166 annually in the U.S. and abroad. Fifty years ago, many small family farm-ers milked 100 dairy-cow herds by hand. Today, a robotic milk-er can handle nearly twice that workload. The American farm is

Zippy Duvall

Driving the Future of Agriculture with InnovationAGRICULTURALLYSPEAKING

Wyoming Agriculture, ISSN 10710272, is the offi cial publication of the Wyoming FarmBureau Federation, 931 Boulder Drive, Laramie, WY 82070 and is published monthly, except for combined July/August and December/January issues. $1.00 subscription rate is deductedfrom Farm Bureau membership dues. Paid subscriptions are available to Wyoming Farm Bureau members only. Periodicals postage paid at Torrington, Wyoming 82240. Postmaster send change of address to: Wyoming Agriculture, Box 1348, Laramie, WY 82073. The Wyoming Farm Bureau toll-free number is 1-800-442-8325. www.wyfb.org

EDITOR - KERIN CLARK307.532.2002• [email protected]

WyFB Offi cers TODD FORNSTROM—PresidentCOLE COXBILL–Vice PresidentKEN HAMILTON–Executive Vice President

TIM PEXTON, Central DistrictRAENELL TAYLOR, Northeast DistrictTHAD DOCKERY, Northwest DistrictKEVIN BAARS, Southeast District

JUSTIN ELLIS, Southwest DistrictRACHEL GRANT, Director-at-LargeCHELSEA BAARS, YF&R Chair

AGRICULTURALLYSPEAKING

all sides. From the halls of Con-gress to the corporate board room, agriculture is taking a seat at the table. We are proud of our advoca-cy work and the accomplishments we have seen together. But we also know that some of the great-est forces for change are far from our nation’s capital. They are the small business owners and hard-working entrepreneurs across this country—men and women like you who are working every day to make tomorrow a little better. That’s why we are proud to host the Ag Innovation Challenge for the sixth year. Farm Bureau be-gan this competition because we wanted to promote and support the businesses that are driving U.S. agriculture and rural commu-nities forward. And this year’s 10 semi-fi nalists are doing just that.

Let’s take a look at the excit-ing work these amazing men and women are already doing for their farms and communities. This year’s top contenders include in-novators who have developed systems to increase sustainability by turning waste into biochar and recycling food waste into fertiliz-er. We have farmer entrepreneurs who found ways to market their personal innovations to reduce cost and increase profitability.

Several of this year’s semi-final-ists are harnessing technology to connect farmers with suppliers, equipment, workers, and even bees. What do all these unique businesses have in common? They have seen challenges as op-portunities.

I’m excited for the whole Farm Bureau family to have an oppor-tunity to meet these entrepreneurs as they compete live at our Annu-al Convention in Austin. Thanks to our sponsors, each team has already been awarded $10,000, which will go a long way in sup-porting their growing businesses, and in January, they will compete for the chance to be the next Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year. I hope you’ll be sure to come learn more about the exciting work these folks are doing and cheer them on as they help advance ag-riculture.

As we kick off the next century of Farm Bureau, we all can shape the future of agriculture—through the policies we advocate for, the business decisions we make, and the calling we continue to answer. Together, we can take on the challenges facing our farms and ranches and find solutions that will take us through the next 100 years and beyond.

Joint Legislative Meeting andYoung Farmer & Rancher Conference

Feb. 26-28, 2020Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Savethe D

ate!

Annual M� tingSpons� Appreciation


February 1965

Wyoming Agriculture

column by then WyFB

President Herb

Livingston

A look back in time

February 1965

Wyoming Agriculture

column by then WyFB

President Herb

Livingston

A look back in time

“The work you do really has an impact on issues we work on for you in D.C.,” Paul Schlegel, American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President, Public Affairs told WyFB members at the 100th Annual Meeting in November.

Schlegel spoke about the grassroots efforts spanning multiple years that led to the old WOTUS rule being withdrawn and a new rule put in its place. He also addressed Endangered Species Act Reform and ag labor among the many issues being worked on by his department.

Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

Farm Bureau members hear from head of AFBF Public Affairs Department

Annual M� tingSpons� Appreciation

WyFB would like to extend a special ‘Thank you’

to the sponsors of our 2019 Meeting


By Kerin ClarkNiobrara County Rancher Chel-

sea Baars was elected as the State Chair of the Wyo-ming Farm Bureau Fed-eration Young Farmer & Rancher Committee. This position holds a seat on the WyFB Board of Directors. Baars is the fi rst 2nd genera-tion WyFB YF&R leader in the program’s 17-year history. Her parents Kevin and Denise Baars served as founding members of the WyFB YF&R Committee in 2002 where Kevin served as the fi rst State YF&R Chair for the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation.

And she remembers those days. According to Baars, she remembers from the time she was old enough to talk, her Dad would tell her he was going to Farm Bureau meetings ‘to make the world a better place.’ She also remembers sitting in the back of meeting rooms playing with cool toys and books that other Farm Bu-reau member children had with them. Meeting the Governor at a young age and helping out with a YF&R Con-ference also top the list of her memo-ries from younger years in Farm Bu-reau.

“I can still remember touring the Capitol building and how cool it

was for my little-self to meet a big, important person like the Gover-nor of Wyoming,” Baars recalled. “However, one of my fondest memories was building a barn with my Mom out of an old refrigerator box. We dili-gently worked and paint-ed on it, then took it to the 2004 YF&R Conference

in Casper. We kids had such a blast playing in that barn.”

Baars considers it an honor to be the fi rst 2nd generation leader of the WyFB YF&R Committee. “It is neat to help carry on a legacy that my Mom and Dad helped found. However, I’m not doing it for any title, recognition, or prestige,” Baars explained. “I am simply doing it because I am truly passionate about Farm Bureau, get-ting other young farmers and ranch-ers involved, and making a difference for Wyoming agriculture.”

“I am still aware that I am just one member of a well-oiled machine,” she continued. “I am not any greater than anyone who has come before me or will come after me. I have a new responsibility to learn from, care for,

and represent the young farmers and ranchers across the state of Wyoming. It is a responsibility I intend to take seri-ously and fulfi ll to the best of my abilities.”

Baars is looking forward to the oppor-tunity to refi ne her listening, learning and serving skills. “I have always felt that a good chair makes others feel valued, appreciated, and re-spected. It is my sin-cere desire that I can also do this for oth-ers,” Baars stated. “Additionally, this is a unique opportunity to gain and gather knowledge from those with greater wisdom than I have. I’m looking forward to being on the WyFB Board of Directors and learn-ing from the others with more time and experience under their belts.”

Baars was fi rst elected to the WyFB YF&R Committee in 2017. “For me, the Wyoming Farm Bureau YF&R program means gaining a whole new family of friends. It is a group I can go to who cares about and understands the joys and trials I face on our family ranch,” she said.

“It is also a group that challeng-es me to become a better person,”

Baars continued. “I have been blessed to grow in the areas of personal, busi-ness, and leader-ship development in my short time on the YF&R Com-mittee. Honestly, some of the growth was uncomfortable. Nonetheless, now I am more at ease with those places in my life because my YF&R respon-

sibilities helped me through those obstacles.”

Baars shared she prioritizes her time to volunteer as a Farm Bureau leader because she treasures the abil-ity to make a real-life difference. “It is a priority to me that the voice of the everyday Wyoming farmer and rancher is heard,” Baars said. “If we don’t stand-up for ourselves and our way-of-life, who will? We need to continually educate our elected-offi -cials, consumers, and general public about agriculture if we hope to con-tinue farming and ranching for years to come.”

““I am simply doing it

(serving as State YF&R Chair) because I am truly passionate about Farm Bureau, getting other young farmers and ranchers involved, and making a difference for Wyoming agricul-ture.”—Chelsea Baars, WyFB YF&R Committee State Chair

Young Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher News

Outgoing WyFB YF&R State Chair Toni Swartz was presented with an appreciation plaque at the 100th an-nual meeting by WyFB President Todd Fornstrom. Dirt Road Wife Photogra-phy/Teresa Milner photo.

By Kerin Clark“Farm Bureau’s YF&R pro-

gram is a great stepping stone to learn from your peers about agriculture and about how Farm Bureau sets the stage for young farmers and ranchers,” said Lex Geer, Campbell County ranch-er. Geer served on the WyFB YF&R Committee as the At Large member from 2017-2019.

“The program is a great op-portunity to meet younger folks and see how they work with their families in agriculture,” Geer said. “I’ve enjoyed meet-ing young farmers and ranchers like I am. I will miss getting to know the committee members and know their experiences as Farm Bureau members.”

WyFB appreciates Geer’s dedication and time to the

Chelsea Baars

Chelsea Baars elected WyFB YF&R State Chair

Lex Geer receives his retiring YF&R Committee member plaque from out-going WyFB YF&R State Chair Toni Swartz. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

Lex Geer—Retiring YF&R Committee Member

WyFB YF&R program. Geer is a strong supporter of Farm Bureau and will continue his volunteer leadership as president of the Campbell County Farm Bureau Federation.

YF&R Retiring State Chair - Toni SwartzBy Kerin Clark

“The Farm Bureau YF&R program has so many options and avenues available,” said out-going Wyoming Farm Bu-reau Federation (WyFB) Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) State Chair Toni Swartz. “My advice to those interested would be to try it all out and find what suits you best! There are endless opportunities to grow yourself as well as bring new ideas and experiences to the table.”

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation thanks Toni Swartz, of Campbell County, for her ser-vice as the WyFB YF&R Com-mittee State Chair from 2018-19. As State Chair, Swartz also served on the WyFB Board of Directors.

According to Swartz, it was an honor to serve as state YF&R chair and serve on the state board of directors.

“Through monthly conference

calls and quarterly meetings, I was able to learn so much from the amazing people that keep WyFB running,” Swartz stated. “It inspires me to keep growing and stepping out of my comfort zones, and hopefully continue a life-long journey with WyFB.”

Swartz was first elected to See ‘YF&R Retiring State Chair’ page 19


By Kerin ClarkWyoming fami-

lies facing hunger received a boost mid-November with the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & R a n c h e r ( Y F & R ) Committee “Harvest for All” project. The a nnual fund drive and raffle to benefit the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies raised $3,103.35 which is the equivalent of 12,413 meals for Wy-oming families.

Niobrara County Ranche r Che l sea Baars is the chair of the sub-committee tha t oversees the “Harvest for All” project. “You can’t be involved in agri-

culture without car-ing for others,” Baars said. “It is the very foundation of why we do what we do. Agri-culture isn’t an easy job, and it doesn’t al-ways pay well. How-ever, at the end of the day we are thankful for what we have and want to share what we can with those less fortunate.”

During the WyFB 100th annual meeting Nov. 13-15 in Lara-mie, County Farm Bureaus and farmers and ranchers from across the state do-nated money to help the food bank in their work with hunger-re-lief programs across the state of Wyo-ming. A raffle for a

handmade 100th An-niversary quilt helped raised funds for the Harvest for All proj-ect.

Niobrara County Rancher and incom-ing WyFB YF&R C o m m i t t e e S t a t e Chair Chelsea Baars created and donated her time for the cen-tennial quilt master-piece. Baars is a sec-ond-generation Farm Bureau leader with deep roots in agricul-ture.

“This year’s raffle item was very special for me. To some it may have looked like ‘just a quilt’,” Baars explained. “To me this was journey that led to a greater story.

I challenged myself to build a quilt that would showcase the structure and power of our organization.”

“I started with our most important asset, our members,” she continued. “When the brand submis-sions started rolling in, I soon found out these were more than just brands. I received notes and even some phone calls. Several brands were terri-torial brands, oth-ers were brand new. Some even included notes of their parent’s and grandparent’s in-volvement in Farm Bureau. Each brand, and each member, is unique and brings a

Young Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher NewsYoung Farmer and Rancher News

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher Committee holds an annual “Harvest for All” fund drive to make a difference for Wyoming families in need. This year’s drive raised the equivalent of 12,413 meals for Wyo-ming families in need. Converse County Rancher Rachel Grant and former WyFB YF&R Committee Member (left) won the raffl e of a quilt handmade by Niobrara County Rancher/WyFB YF&R Com-mittee Member Chelsea Baars. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

Wyoming Farm Bureau members donated the equivalent of 12,413 meals to help Wyoming families in need

By Kerin ClarkLaramie County Commu-

nity College (LCCC) student Kathi LaPoint discussed agriculture issues at the Wyoming Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Collegiate Discus-sion Meet and earned $300 cash and an expense-paid trip to Louisville, Kentucky. LaPoint competed Nov. 12 in Laramie. Twelve competitors representing LCCC, Sheridan Col-lege and the University of Wyoming (UW) entered the competition. The competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected.

LaPoint says she is grateful for the opportunity provided through this competition. “It has allowed me the experience of getting in touch with agriculture on a new level that sheds light on what is affecting farmers and ranchers today,” she said. “The abil-ity to understand pressing issues in modern agriculture is key to staying informed as I chase my college de-gree in agriculture business and ani-mal science.”

Jedidiah Hewlett, a UW student, was named the runner-up and was awarded a $150 cash prize. Hewlett

is a senior majoring in Ag Business, Farm and Ranch Management. He also serves as the Chapter President of the UW Collegiate Farm Bureau.

Rounding out the “Final Four” fi nalists were: Kylie Carson, LCCC and Caden Callaway, LCCC. Carson, of Torrington, is a freshman majoring in ag business. From Northeastern Colorado, Callaway is a freshman majoring in ag business.

Contestants are given pre-deter-mined topics. They are judged on their knowledge, speaking ability, ability to participate in a committee meeting and listen to others and air all points of view. All contestants competed in two rounds of compe-tition. The top four advanced to the “Final Four” round.

The “Final Four” discussion topic was: “The 21st-century agricultur-al economy is threatened by labor shortages. Without a clear solution for accessing foreign guest workers as a component of immigration re-form coming from Congress, what are some creative and legal ways for agriculture to address the labor needs of a modern production system.”

According to LaPoint, the competi-

The “Final Four” Finalists in the 2019 Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher Collegiate Discussion Meet held in Laramie mid-November. From left to right: Toni Swartz, WyFB YF&R Committee; Caden Callaway, LCCC; Kathi LaPoint, LCCC; Jedidiah Hewlett, UW; Kylie Carson, LCCC; and Chelsea Baars, WyFB YF&R Committee. Kerin Clark photo.

Laramie County Community College student Kathi LaPoint wins Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet

Laramie County Community Col-lege’s Kathi LaPoint (center) won the 2019 W yoming Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher Collegiate Discussion Meet. She re-ceived her awards from WyFB YF&R Committee Members Toni Swartz (left) and Chelsea Baars (right).Kerin Clark photo.

See ‘Harvest for All project’ page 6

tion provided a challenge to discuss real time agriculture issues of concern and determine a potential solution. “It was interesting to see where my peer’s minds are at regarding modern day issues,” LaPoint explained.

“The Collegiate Discussion Meet is a great way for students to take what they’re learning in the class-room and apply it to real world ag issues,” said Chelsea Baars, WyFB

See ‘“Discussion Meet’ page 13


The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation scholarship deadline is March 2, 2020. Nine college scholarships are offered each year. Scholarships are available for high school graduates and for those students who are continuing their college education. Applications are available at www.wyfb.org; click on the education tab. Applications are also available at county Farm Bureau offi ces. For questions, con-tact Jessica Romero at 307.721.7719 or [email protected].

Wyoming Farm Bureau Scholarship opportunities

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different story. To me it shows the value that each person brings to our organization.”

“The chain blocks really helped me envision the power of our County Farm Bureaus,” Baars ex-plained. “Each county is individual and unique, and they do a great job of serving and helping their local communities. However, it takes all of the counties working together to have a stronger, more unifi ed pull.”

“Fina l ly, the spec ia l logo showed the one united voice we have by coming together. Togeth-er we can make a difference,” she stated. “However, it takes all of the different elements working together for the organization to exist. If you lose one element, the entire structure collapses. We all have to come together for the bet-terment of Wyoming Agriculture as a whole.”

Baars considered it an honor to tell the story of Wyoming Farm Bureau and our members through this one-of-a-kind quilt.

“I’d like to thank the YF&R Committee, Wyoming Farm Bu-reau Federation Board of Direc-tors, and our members for grant-ing me the privilege of being a part of such a special project. I am truly blessed,” Baars concluded.

The WyFB Young Farmer & Rancher Committee is in its 17thyear of joining with the American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Committee in what is called a “Harvest for All.” Throughout the program’s seventeen-year span, the WyFB YF&R Committee has partnered with Farm Bureau members to raise 6,044 pounds of food, $26,753 and 74 man hours of volunteer time to help those facing hunger in Wyoming.___________________________

Editor’s Note: Visit https://www.wyfb.org/yfr/harvest-for-all/ to read more about the vision of the 100th Anniversary Quilt with Chelsea Baars’ “Building Blocks of the Next Century and Quilt Brand Book.”

Harvest for All projectFrom page 5

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start the policy development pro-cess at the local level,” said Ken Hamilton, WyFB Executive Vice President. “The process continues through the district, state and na-tional levels as members discuss a wide variety of policy issues that are of concern to them.”

Infrastructure at all levels is critical to agriculture produc-tion. “The collapse of the irriga-tion tunnel in Goshen County this summer brought the discus-sion on emergency funding to the forefront,” Hamilton explained. “Farm Bureau members recog-nized the importance of managing our water resources and address-ing aging irrigation infrastructure through policy calling for the cre-ation of a funding mechanism to utilize in emergency irrigation in-frastructure situations.”

Regarding taxes and state ex-penditures, Farm Bureau members spoke out against tax increases when they supported a policy to oppose any new fuel taxes. “In ad-dition to opposing new fuel taxes, our members expressed concern

over state expenditures on school capital construction,” Hamilton explained. “Our members know education costs and school capi-tal construction costs are a large item and they feel the state should work diligently to ensure school buildings are only updated or re-placed when necessary.”

Concern about eminent domain use by county, state or federal governments led to policy calling for the limit of this use within the state to protect property rights. “Farm Bureau members are al-ways concerned when entities use eminent domain to take property,” Hamilton said. “They approved policy that would support amend-ing the Wyoming State Constitu-tion to limit the use of eminent domain within the state for state and county government projects.”

Farm Bureau members weighed in on discussions surrounding mi-gration corridors in the state and what points they feel should be considered. The policy highlight-ed the need for: local involvement on decisions; a risk analysis pro-

cess to be used; protection of ex-isting economic and planned ac-tivities as well as private property rights; consideration of any fund-ing increases to the state; and if there are any state mandates, they must be paid for by the state.

In other issues, members reit-erated their concern of the need for a humane slaughter facil-ity for horses in America. “Ad-ditional policy specifi ed that U.S. horse meat should be used to feed animals in U.S. Zoos and Game Parks rather than importing horse meat,” Hamilton explained.

Farm Bureau is dedicated to the principles on which our nation was built. Farm Bureau members reiterated their support for the Second Amendment again this year with discussions surrounding Red Flag laws. “Several resolu-tions were discussed on this issue and members eventually settled on a policy that does not support these types of laws,” Hamilton said.

Regarding brand inspection is-sues, discussion looked at elimi-

nating brand inspections for crossing county lines. “This idea was rejected by the voting dele-gates because they feel brand in-spection provides protection and they expressed the desire to retain the ability to have a brand inspec-tor look at movement across the county line,” Hamilton explained.

“This policy discussion is the reason we hold our annual meet-ing,” Hamilton concluded. “By the time a resolution makes it to our state policy book, it has been discussed by our members at three different levels. This grassroots policy development guides the work of our organization and we are proud to have just completed that process for the 100th year of the organization.”

“Our policy continues to sup-port strengthening private prop-erty rights,” said Brett Moline, WyFB Director of Public and Governmental Affairs. “These policies will be added to our pol-icy book to help guide the federa-tion in the work we do to protect private property rights.”

WyFB sets policy


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By Kerin Clark“Leadership opportunities and

the strength of the grassroots or-ganization is what we value the most about Farm Bureau,” said David Garber, of Sheridan Coun-ty. “It is important for farmers and ranchers to have an outside influence through participation in organizations.”

“I believe Farm Bureau is the best balance because it is a na-tional voice, very credible and works towards the goals of agri-culture,” he continued.

Garber is a second-generation Farm Bureau leader as his father was active in Farm Bureau. Da-vid started active Farm Bureau involvement in 1984.

“I started at the invitation of Carleton and Jackie Perry and I just found out this last year that the reason Carleton and Jackie got involved in Farm Bureau is my fa-ther paid for their first year mem-bership so there is a long history in Farm Bureau,” Garber explained.

Garber has served two stints on the WyFB Board of Directors as the Northeast District Direc-tor. The Northeast District con-sists of the counties of Camp-bell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston. His first service was from 1994-2001 and his second service from 2006-2019. His wife Judy is always by his side supporting David in his Farm Bureau work.

During the 100th WyFB Annual Meeting Memory Sharing Talk Show, Garber shared his thoughts on change in the organization. “The biggest and most pleasant change is when I look out and see all the younger faces across the room,” he said. “When I start-ed, I was the young guy in those days, but I’ve come through a generation and a half of lead-ership in Farm Bureau and the best, greatest change is to see the young people taking the leader-ship roles in the Wyoming Farm Bureau.”

David Garber, of Sheridan County, shares Farm Bureau memories during the WyFB 100th annual meeting Memory Sharing Talkshow. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

David Garber retires from WyFB Board

WyFB President Todd Fornstrom presents David Garber with his retiring board mem-ber plaque at the WyFB 100th Annual Meeting Centennial Banquet. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.


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December 2019/January 2020 Page 11December 2019/January 2020

Stories by Kerin Clark.Photos by Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner.

The link for the annual meeting photographer photos is at wyfb.org/centennial

WyFB President Todd Fornstrom thanked retiring county Farm Bureau presidents for their service.Top Left photo: Rachel Grant, Converse County. Top Right photo: Corey Forman, Park County. Bottom Left photo: Andy Greer, Niobrara County. Not pictured: Gordon White, Lincoln County; and Jim Miller, Washakie County.

Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Ken Hamilton presented two staff longevity awards. Left photo: Hamilton recognized Kerin Clark, WyFB Media and Member Relations Director, for 25 years of service to WyFB. Right photo: Hamilton recognized Holly Kennedy, WyFB Field Services and Federal Lands Associate, for 5 years of service to WyFB.

The Centennial Banquet was the opportunity to celebrate achievements and friendships in agriculture. Following an incredible keynote address by AFBF President Zippy Duvall, Farm Bureau members enjoyed a private concert by Chancey Williams a n d t h e Yo u n g e r B r o t h e r s Band that had the meeting hall in smiles and laughter with great music and dancing.

The 2019 Annual Meeting Parliamen-tarian was Morgan Spiro. Spiro is a freshman at the University of Wyoming with a double major in Agriculture Com-munications and Agriculture Business. At UW, she is a member of the Colle-giate Farm Bureau. She comes from a horse ranch in California’s Central Valley where she participated in many organi-zations, including the FFA, the California Milk Advisory Board, 4-H, and her lo-cal Farm Bureau. WyFB Vice President Cole Coxbill (left) and WyFB President Todd Fornstrom (right) thanked Spiro for her service at the 100th annual meeting.

“Honoring Our Past, Growing Our Future” was the theme of the 100th annual meeting of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau members from each district displayed saddles, phones, signs, quilts, Farm Bureau minute books and much more to share their heritage in agriculture and honor our past.

Centennial celebrations also included a Memory Sharing Talk Show and a Game Night. Bottom Right photo: The Memory Sharing Talk Show was hosted by WyFB President Todd Fornstrom (at left). The fi rst panel is shown here and in-cluded: David Garber, Sheridan County; Jean Harshbarger, Weston County; Keith Hamilton, Big Horn County; and Perry Livingston, Crook County. Thanks to our 2nd panel of Tim Pexton, Converse County; Frank Eathorne, Converse County; Frank Hawken, Crook County; and Elden Baldwin, Goshen County. Farm Bureau stories and memories were shared and enjoyed by all. Top Left photo: Following the memory panel, the WyFB YF&R Committee hosted a Game Night. From a corn hole tourna-ment to card games to Giant Jenga, fun was had by all ages. Left Bottom photo: The winners of the WyFB YF&R Cornhole Tournament were Andy Greer, of Niobrara County, and Matt Stroh, of Weston County. They received a custom WyFB Centennial cornhole board set.


market our bulls Private Treaty. We invite you to the ranch to take a look at our offering and have a hot cup of coffee with us. Please contact us at 307-856-4268 to inquire directly, or fi nd us on Facebook. Thank you for your interest in Stoll Limousin.

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LIVESTOCKCLASSIFIED POLICY: 1) Wyoming Farm Bureau mem-

bers are entitled to free classifi ed advertising in this publication for the purpose of selling items they grow or make themselves, selling used machinery or household items, for posting wanted advertising. Real es-tate sales not included. Each member family is entitled to two (2) free ads per month, for 3 months, of up to 40 words each. Member ads will be ac-cepted by e-mail to [email protected] or by mail to WyFB, ATTN: CLAS-SIFIEDS, P.O. Box 1348, Laramie, WY 82073. Please include member’s name and county.

2) Non-Wyoming Farm Bureau members and WyFB members acting as agents or dealers of products pro-duced outside the member’s family may purchase commercial classifi ed advertising at $0.50 per word, at a minimum of $5.00 per ad. Discounts: 5% for 4 to 9 insertions, 10% for 10 or more insertions. Commercial ads must be submitted in writing, and an agreement regarding payment must be made between Farm Bureau and the advertiser.

New Members

ALBANYMadelyn Cluck, Laramie; Cameron Dory, Laramie; Glenda Dowler, Laramie; Han-nah Kraft, Billings, MT; Michael McCaffrey, Laramie; Courtney Newman, Fort Collins, CO; Mywra Otte, Laramie; Lorraine Saulino-Klein, Laramie; Trevor Schilegel, Hulett; Alex Valencia, Laramie

BIG HORNPenny Cooley, Basin; Frank Heiser, Lovell; Thomas Jones, Greybull; Randal Parent, Greybull; Al Webster/ Eureka Beer Creek LLC (REG), Shell

CAMPBELLJoshua Harper, Wright

CARBONMelissa Cook (REG), Saratoga; Paul Cook (REG), Elk Mountain; Tara Cook (REG), Elk Mountain; Kami Dietrich, Evansville; Matias Guillot (REG), Saratoga; Thomas Hood, Saratoga; Scott Kerbs (REG), Saratoga; Quade Palm (REG), Medicine Bow

CONVERSEGlenda Albertson, Glenrock; Ron Burton, Douglas; Ryan Collier, Glenrock; Tim Gill, Douglas; Bradley Jones, Glenrock; Jamas Pickinpaugh, Douglas; Lane Strock, Doug-las; Amanda Temple, Douglas; Breck Wag-staff, Douglas; Kami Wasserburger, Douglas

CROOKKayla Cortez, Sundance; Amanda Fraker, Moorcroft; Laurey Hoyt, Newcastle; Da-vid Tonak, Sundance; Michael Weigand, Sundance

FREMONTDanen Barquin, Riverton; Shannon Cash, Riverton; Kent Christensen (REG), Riverton; Lee Dejmal, Lander; Chase Emerson, River-ton; Mike Evans (REG), Pavillion; Walter Geis, Shoshoni; Justin Hegwer, Pavillion; Justin Helton (REG), Riverton; Casey Hinkle, Riverton; James Hlavnicka, Lander; Troy & Nicole Shaffer, Lander; Melanie Shepper-son, Casper; Gail Sorensen, Lander; Lynn Woolford, Lander

GOSHENMichele Everts (REG), Fort Laramie; Ashley Harpstreith, Cheyenne; Bethany Sanders, Torrington; Adam Tregemba, Torrington; James York, Torrington

HOT SPRINGSRoy Fleming, Thermopolis; Corey Johnston, Thermopolis; Ricky Love, Thermopolis; Cheryl Markillie, Thermopolis; Jessica Nor-ris, Thermopolis; Kay Rush, Thermopolis; Jeffrey Thomas, Thermopolis

JOHNSONJohn Arambel, Rock Springs; Stephan Brigan, Buffalo; Quint Gonzales, Buffalo; Valorie Hale, Buffalo; Mike Ihnat/ Mike Inhat Construction CIM, LLC, Buffalo; David Lau-sen, Buffalo; Ethan Richins, Buffalo; Steve Simms, Story; Mark Smith, Buffalo; Pablo Velasquez, Buffalo

LARAMIEStephen Allred, Cheyenne; Rhonda Brandt (REG), Cheyenne; Darlene Buchanan, Wheatland; Michael Peterson, Cheyenne; Premium Hay Products, LLC (REG), Pine Bluffs; Saul Vasquez, Cheyenne

LINCOLNDeja Bennett, Kemmerer; Millard Cody, Cokeville; Chad Dana (REG), Thayne; Larry Hunzie, Kemmerer; JH Merritt (REG), Thayne; Trent Peterson (REG), Afton; Keith Rasmussen, Kemmerer; James Seilbach (REG), Afton; Matthew Wright, Kemmerer

NATRONAMatt Adamson, Evansville; Billie Atkins, Casper; Orion Bates, Casper; Ryan Bean, Casper; Jessica Brenton, Casper; Allie Cardinal, Casper; Marietta Dechant, Casper; Charley Elrod, Casper; Randell Ford, Casper; Paul Frye, Evansville; Keith Garlick/ KSG Capital LLC, Casper; Herbert Gochenour, Bar Nunn; Kiya Guseman, Mills; Kellie Hadlock, Casper; Billie Jean Hirsch (REG), Casper; Cody Holdren, Casper; Ashley James, Evansville; Jerry Johnson, Casper; Kyle Johnson, Evansville; Tracy Koski, Casper; Josh Mahoney, Casper; Brayden Marker, Casper; Kurt Marker, Casper; James McFall, Bar Nunn; Melinda Murphy, Casper; Dorthy Neumiller, Mills; Ryan Ogden, Casper; Christina Pavey, Casper; James Rivera, Casper; Waylon Schalau, Casper; W.jackson Stewart (REG), Evansville; Joshua Streeter, Casper; Lisa Weber, Casper; Kyle Wensloff, Casper; Timothy Woodward, Casper; Jerry Wyatt, Mills; Lauren Zuniga, Casper

NIOBRARAJoseph Giemza (REG), Lusk; Rich Rob-ertson (REG), Crawford, NE; Irene Story (REG), Lusk

PARKAdalberto Acevedo, Powell; Troy Cozzens, Powell; Jeff Dannemiller, Cody; Rodney Garvin, Powell; Landon Gines, Powell; Kelli Jo Hamilton (REG), Powell; Shana Jones, Powell; Keith Lundvall, Cody; Kristine Miller, Cowley; Kerry Pae, Cody; Naomi Sims, Powell; James Smith, Powell; Sally Whitman, Cody

PLATTEJames Angle, Wheatland; Dylan Call, Wheat-land; David Christiansen, Wheatland; Melvin Havely/ Triple H Farms Inc, Wheatland; Ben-jamin Marquez, Wheatland; Jimmy Murray, Wheatland; Hugh Peltz, Wheatland; Rebecca Rink, Wheatland

SHERIDANEmily Betzler, Sheridan; Douglas Brown, Sheridan; Brian Brownell (REG), Banner; Jesse Cantlon, Sheridan; Esteven Chavez, Sheridan; Keith Cooley, Ranchester; Cal-lie Crouse, Sheridan; John Detrick, Story; Armand Enslin, Sheridan; Brandon Forister, Sheridan; Trevor Goss, Sheridan; Zachary

**Note: (REG) denotes new “Regular” membership

DEADLINE:Ads should be received (via mail

or email) by the 3rd Thursday of the month in order to appear in the next month’s issue. Advertisers are asked to check your ad and report any er-rors. Paid ads must be mailed, typed or neatly printed, together with any payment due, to Wyoming Agricul-ture, Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 1348, Laramie, WY 82073. Free ads must be resubmitted by mail or e-mail after running three months. Ads for which there is payment due will run accord-ing to agreement between Wyoming Farm Bureau and the advertiser. Ad-vance payment is preferred for fi rst-time advertisers.

NOTE:The appearance of any ad in Wy-

oming Agriculture does not consti-tute an endorsement or approval of the product or service offered. The advertiser is liable for content of the advertisement and any claims aris-ing therefrom against this publica-tion. The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation reserves the right to re-fuse any advertising not considered in keeping with its publication’s standards.

See ‘New Members’ page 13Like us on Facebook

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From page 1

Granger, Sheridan; Arthur Haines, Sheridan; Raymond Hecker, Sheridan; Glenna Hopper, Story; Nicholas Johnson, Sheridan; Kevin Jones, Sheridan; Traci King, Sheridan; Kim Lassiter, Big Horn; Michael May, Sheridan; Tina McDougall, Sheridan; Connie Newcross, Sheridan; Evan Reish, Dayton; Chelsey Rob-erts, Sheridan; Kay Roush, Sheridan; Fran Smith, Sheridan; Jason Stevenson, Big Horn; Rebecca Thomas, Sheridan; Sharon Walters-Ritz, Sheridan; Luke Wanamaker, Sheridan; Melissa Watt, Sheridan; Julie White Hawk, Sheridan; Elisha Wood, Sheridan

SUBLETTERay Alexander, La Barge; Byron Brown, Pinedale; Keith Hanson, Big Piney; Louis Roberts (REG), Daniel; TMT Ventures LLC (REG), Leawood, KS; Abigail Whitaker, Pinedale; Erika Wood, Pinedale; Deborah Woyciesjes, Pinedale

SWEETWATERBorislav Damjanovic, Rock Springs; Terry Garvin, Rock Springs; Steve Harmon, Rock Springs; Jason Haycock, Lyman; Kristopher Jackson, Rock Springs; Daryl Meeks, Green River; James Moran, Green River; Jared Olds, Green River; Ashley Osborne, Rock Springs

TETONChad Budge, Jackson; Anthony Craft, Thayne; Janet Etzkorn, Jackson; Anthony Fasciano, Jackson; Robert Flath, Freedom; Jason King/ 46 Ranch LLC (REG), Wilson; James Knoke (REG), Jackson; Alexis Tapia, Jackson

UINTAJerry Arthur, Fort Bridger; Trenton Barnes, Fort Bridger; Braydon Christensen, Rock Springs; Matt Eardley, Mountain View; Clint Hardy, Smoot; Richard Knorr, Evanston; Casey Langley, Lyman; Dennis Miserany, Smoot; Justin Olson, Evanston; Brinton Powell, Lyman; Brandon Sw-ensen, Mountain View; Jason Williamson, Evanston

WASHAKIEArvil Ashment, Worland; Robert Bryant, Worland; Rachel Deal, Casper; Seth Greear, Arvada; Stacey Nomura, Worland; Rory Smith, Worland

WESTONTerri Brown, Rozet; David Christiansen, Newcastle; Keith Emmert, Newcastle; Shawn Fligge (REG), Upton; Larry Ron-ess, Newcastle; Michael VanDyke, Upton; Sherry Worden, Newcastle

From page 12New Members

SHERIDAN continued

ment is crucial to our future.”Todd and his family farm in Lara-

mie County. He and his wife, Laura, have four children. Forn-strom works with his fam-ily on the Fornstrom Farm near Pine Bluffs. The diversifi ed farm consists of irrigated corn, wheat, alfalfa, dry beans and a cattle and sheep feedlot. They also run a trucking business, custom harvest and Todd is in a partner-ship and runs Premium Hay Products, an alfalfa pellet mill.

Voting delegates elected Cole Cox-bill, of Goshen County, to his fourth term as WyFB Vice President. Cox-bill and his wife, Sammie, have three kids. They run a trucking business, commercial spraying business and raise cattle.

“It is a great opportunity to serve,” Coxbill said. “I love serving the mem-bers and representing you in all the work we do for agriculture in Wyo-ming.

Rachel Grant, of Converse County, was elected to her fi rst term as the Director-At-Large. Grant is a past president of the Converse County Farm Bureau Federation and a for-mer WyFB Young Farmer & Rancher Committee member. She also serves as the State Chair of the WyFB Nat-ural Environmental and Resources Committee. She and her husband

Will have four children and ranch in Southern Converse County.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to serve Wyoming Farm Bureau members as their director-at-large and to be a part of the next step in implementing the policy development process we have just completed here at the 100th Annual Meet-ing,” Grant said.

In addition to the three statewide elections, fi ve district directors and the

Young Farmer & Rancher state chair serve on the state board.

The Young Farmer & Rancher Committee elected Chelsea Baars, of Niobrara County, to her fi rst term as the state committee chair. This position has a seat on the WyFB Board of Directors.

Rounding out the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors are district directors: Raenell Taylor, Northeast District Director; Kevin Baars, Southeast District Director; Tim Pexton, Central District Direc-tor; Thad Dockery, Northwest District Director; and Justin Ellis, Southwest District Director.

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Fed-eration is the state’s largest general agriculture organization. The purpose of the 100th annual meeting held Nov. 13-15, 2019 was to develop policy to guide the organization in the coming year. Visit www.wyfb.org.

WyFB elections

Todd Fornstrom

YF&R Competitive Events Sub-Committee Chair. “We had a well-rounded group of contestants who brought a refreshing amount of enthusiasm and excitement to the event.”

LaPoint will represent the Wyo-ming Farm Bureau in the American Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet March 13-16, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. LaPoint is a freshman at LCCC pursuing a double major of agriculture busi-

ness and animal science. From Ev-ans, Colorado she has been involved in agriculture through working on her family’s farm and ranch and a dairy farm.

LaPoint is looking forward to the national competition. “It will be interesting to hear the perspectives of those who rep-resent such different regions of the U.S. and to see what direc-tion the topics will go as a re-sult,” she concluded.

Discussion Meet From page 5

By Holly KennedyEach year the Wyoming Farm Bu-

reau recognizes counties activities that further the goals of Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation through their County Activities of Excel-lence (CAE) Award. This year’s CAE Award goes to Big Horn County for their activity, Evening Mingles.

The Big Horn County Farm Bu-reau went above and beyond for their members by hosting Evening Mingles in fi ve different communities across their county. Their goal was to educate members on what the Farm Bureau does at the local, state and national levels while also increasing their membership numbers and active involvement in Farm Bureau.

According to their application, “The goal was to increase member-ship and participation by going to people in their local communities.” The Big Horn County President, Mike Whaley, and their Vice-President, Tim Beck, provided short presentations on Farm Bureau in addition to answer-ing questions. The outcome of these meetings was so successful that Big Horn County Farm Bureau plans to host additional Evening Mingles this spring.

Big Horn County Farm Bureau Presi-dent Mike Whaley accepts the WyFB County Activities of Excellence Award from WyFB President Todd Fornstrom at the WyFB 100th Annual Meeting. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

2019 County Activities of Excellence Award

Congratulations to the Big Horn County Farm Bureau on an outstand-ing and innovative approach to mem-ber engagement and recruitment. They will receive a $250 cash prize in recog-nition of their achievement.

Think your County Farm Bureau has an outstanding event that should be considered for the award? Please contact Holly Kennedy [email protected] or (307) 721-7728.

By Kerin Clark“Liberty and Justice for Ag” is

the theme for the Feb. 26-28, 2020 Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) Young Farmer & Rancher Conference in Cheyenne. This year’s conference will be held in conjunction with the WyFB Legis-lative Meeting.

Keynote speaker Harriet Hage-man will kick-off the conference on Wednesday Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. with a look at “Liberty and Justice for Ag” through regulatory and legal work. A fi nancial investments panel will provide insight into several differ-ent avenues farmers and ranchers

might consider. Additional con-ference highlights will include a Capitol Tour, legislative meetings, legislative updates and networking. American Farm Bureau Federation Director of Congressional Rela-tions Ryan Yates will add a look at national legislative issues impact-ing Wyoming and the West. The conference will adjourn on Friday morning Feb. 28.

Watch for the full agenda and registration information at wyfb.org and on social media. Make plans now to attend this outstanding conference! Membership is not re-quired to attend.

Liberty and Justice for Ag Conference Feb. 26-28, 2020--WyFB YF&R Conference in Cheyenne


Centennial Knife Raffle WinnerKyle Berger (and fam-

ily), of Carbon County, was the winner of the 2019 WyFB Foundation raffle fundraiser held at annual meeting. Donors had their names in a drawing for a custom, handcrafted carv-ing knife donated by Don Pavack (right). Pavack made the custom knife with Farm Bureau members brands to commemorate the Centen-nial Celebration. This year marks the thirteenth and final donation of Pavack custom knives. The Wyoming Farm Bureau Foundation sincerely thanks Mr. Pavack for his do-nations throughout the years. Thank you also to all of the donors to this year’s Founda-tion raffle. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

Centennial Carving Knife Handcrafted by Don Pavack

By Kerin ClarkWyoming Farm Bureau Federa-

tion members were welcomed to their 100th Annual Meeting in Lara-mie by University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Barbara Rasco, Wyoming Department of Agricul-ture (WDA) Deputy Director Stacia Berry and Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) Director Bri-an Nesvick.

UW College of AgIt was fitting to have UW College

of Agriculture and Natural Resourc-es Dean Barbara Rasco welcome members to the 100th Annual Meet-ing in Laramie as UW Extension is credited with starting Farm Bureau in Wyoming over 100 years ago.

Dean Rasco introduced herself to the members and shared her vi-sion for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to work with Wyoming agriculture.

“I am excited to work with the Wyoming Farm Bureau to improve agriculture and all of the things we need to do to keep our agricultural communities strong, vibrant and sustainable,” Rasco said.

Dean Rasco mentioned some goals for the college and they in-cluded accessibility and statewide

engagement. “I am focused on get-ting our Extension program back on track and getting people out to our counties,” she said.

WDA WDA Deputy Director Stacia

Berry opened with appreciation for the organization’s contribution to developing young leaders for agri-culture. During her college years, Berry represented WyFB in the AFBF YF&R Collegiate Discus-sion Meet where she was a Final Four Finalist. “I was so lucky to have Farm Bureau working to de-velop me as a speaker and a person by competing in a group meeting to help develop ideas and bring them forward,” Berry said.

Berry now volunteers as a judge for the WyFB YF&R Collegiate Discussion Meet. “It is exciting to look at the competition room and see the supporters and the commit-tee running the competition. They are participating and growing to-gether,” she continued. “Wyoming Farm Bureau is doing an especially good job of developing your fu-ture.”

“One of the main questions we are all facing in agriculture is ‘How do we bring this next generation forward’,” Berry said. “Your orga-

nization should be very proud as you have fo-cused on bringing your next generation of deci-sion makers forward and training them well.”

Berry highlighted four issues the WDA has worked on legisla-tively during the interim with the Joint Agricul-ture committee. “Preda-tor management funding, invasive species, raising pesticide fees from $90-$120 and hemp regula-tions are a few of the is-sues,” Berry said.

WGFD“Agriculture is a very

important component to the diversity and abun-dance of wildlife we have in our state,” said Brian Nesvick, WGFD Director. “We simply can’t have the quality of resources without private landowners and their contributions.”

Direc tor Nesvick touched on several issues on which the Department is working.

“Migration corridors is a topic of interest,” Nesvick said. “We have worked closely to identify those ar-eas that are most important for ani-mals to move to provide perspec-tive, but not an opinion.”

“There is no interest in or any legal authority in designating re-strictions on private lands based on migration corridors,” Nesvick ex-plained. “Our recommendations are strictly related to federal lands.”

Nesvick discussed the con-tinuation of the grizzly bear issue. “We’ve made great progress in our state with recovering grizzly bears,” Nesvick said. “The state, primarily through license sales, has invested more than $50 million over 4 de-cades in recovering that species.”

“For a judge to acknowledge the bear is recovered but then to put the grizzly bear back on the endangered species list from our perspective was certainly not in the best inter-ests of the grizzly bear and not in the best interests of the citizens of our state,” he continued. “We filed an appeal.”

Brucellosis is another issue of concern. “We are concerned with what is going on with policy ad-

vocation related to feedgrounds,” Nesvick stated. “Our approach in Northwestern Wyoming for many years has been to prevent comin-gling between elk, bison and cattle during peak times of the year to minimize brucellosis transmission. Feedgrounds have been a huge part of that equation.”

The WGFD Access Yes program is in the 20th year. “We thank all of you and the landowners across the state for making that program a success with millions of acres en-rolled allowing phenomenal hunt-ing and fishing access that helps with wildlife management goals and helps serve the citizens of this state.”

Invasive species, aquatic and terrestrial, are of concern. “We are working closely with the Governor and other agencies to tackle ter-restrial invasive species.” Nesvick said. “Aquatic invasive species are a high priority because we don’t have them in our state and now is the time to keep them out.”

Wyoming Farm Bureau Federa-tion appreciates Dean Rasco, Dep-uty Director Berry, and Director Nesvick joining us at our 100th An-nual Meeting.

WyFB 100th Annual Meeting Welcome Speakers

UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Barbara Rasco visits with WyFB Vice President Cole Coxbill prior to welcoming members to Laramie at the annual meeting. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

WGFD Director Brian Nesvick. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

WDA Deputy Director Stacia Berry. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.


It’s your future. Let’s protect it.®Together we’ll create a plan to protect what matters most to you.

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Securities & services offered through FBL Marketing Services, LLC+, 5400 University Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266, 877/860-2904, Member SIPC. Advisory services offered through FBL Wealth Management, LLC.+ Agent or advisor must be a registered representative of FBL Marketing Services, LLC to discuss securities products and must be released by FBL Wealth Management, LLC to offer advisory services. Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company/Laramie, WY. Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company+*/West Des Moines, IA. +Affiliates *Company provider of Farm Bureau Financial Services M199–WY (6-19)

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It’s your future. Let’s protect it.®Together we’ll create a plan to protect what matters most to you.

Insurance | Investments | Financial Planning | fbfs.com

Securities & services offered through FBL Marketing Services, LLC+, 5400 University Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266, 877/860-2904, Member SIPC. Advisory services offered through FBL Wealth Management, LLC.+ Agent or advisor must be a registered representative of FBL Marketing Services, LLC to discuss securities products and must be released by FBL Wealth Management, LLC to offer advisory services. Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company/Laramie, WY. Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company+*/West Des Moines, IA. +Affiliates *Company provider of Farm Bureau Financial Services M199–WY (6-19)

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Agent NameCityPhone

Agent Photo

Agent NameCityPhone

Agent Photo

Agent NameCityPhone

Agent Photo

Agent NameCityPhone

Agent Photo

BUFFALONICK SMITH307-684-1300

CASPERBOBBY PICKLE307-234-5515

CHEYENNEJASON BELL307-632-9008

CONVERSE COUNTYDOMINIC MADIA

307-436-8402

DOUGLASPIERRE ETCHEMENDY

307-358-3606

LANDERCORI SLINGERLAND

307-332-3295

NEWCASTLECLYDE BAYNE

ALSO CROP INSURANCE307-746-4471

RAWLINSTAMMY MORTENSEN

307-328-0094

SUBLETTE COUNTYJONI PENNOCK

307-367-2141

SUNDANCEANDREA ROBINSON

307-283-3582

WHEATLANDSALLY HOUX307-322-3791

UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Barbara Rasco visits with WyFB Vice President Cole Coxbill prior to welcoming members to Laramie at the annual meeting. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.


By Julie Johnson-DoyleEach year the Wyoming Farm Bu-

reau Federation presents awards for membership to counties across the State. While some of these awards are presented during Annual Meeting in November and others at our yearly Legislative Meetings in January/Feb-ruary, they all have certain criteria that a County Farm Bureau must meet to qualify.

The coveted Bronze Boot was awarded to Niobrara County Farm Bureau for the second year in a row at this year’s Annual Meeting in Lara-mie. The Bronze Boot is a traveling trophy that is awarded each year to the first County to meet their established membership quota and acquire one new Regular membership of a mem-ber 35-years-old or younger. As with last year, Niobrara County was the first to reach their quota for the 2019 membership year with a new, young Regular member, but they held their position at the top of the membership chart all year long, with a final quota met of 104% of their 2019 member-ship goal.

The Bronze Hat was awarded to Lincoln County Farm Bureau for hav-ing the greatest increase in Century Club memberships for the 2019 mem-bership year over the previous year. The Bronze Hat is another trophy that

travels around the State from year-to-year. Lincoln County’s final count on Century Club memberships was 9, an increase of 2 memberships over the 2018 membership year.

Other membership awards pre-sented at this year’s Annual Meeting included: Jim Geesey’s Life Dividend Award to Niobrara County Farm Bu-reau for the first county to reach mem-bership quota (2nd-year in a row); Dan Bleak’s Century Club Membership Award to Converse County Farm Bu-reau for the county with the most Cen-tury Club and Life memberships (2nd-year in a row); Erick Arens’ Century Club Membership Award to Sheridan County for the county whose agents picked up the most new Federation memberships (2nd-year in a row); Jeff Suloff’s Century Club Membership Award to Crook County for the coun-ty with the most new Regular mem-berships; and Melissa Feldbush’s Century Club Membership Award to Fremont County, for the county retaining the greatest percentage of all members from the previous year. These awards are shared by the CEO and vice presidents of Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Com-pany, our affiliate insurance agency. We appreciate the support we receive from Mountain West and are proud of our 70+ years of history together!

WyFB Membership Awards

Exemplary CategorySheridan ..... Dave Craft .............99

Superior CategoryJohnson ...... Nick Smith .............64Sheridan ..... Lloyd Meineke ......63Natrona ....... Bobby Pickle .........51Lincoln .......Tamey Peternal ......45Park ............ David Gilliatt .........41Natrona ....... Jack Swanson ........41Natrona ....... Matt Thornton ........40

Outstanding CategoryAlbany ........ Zack Jacobsen ........38Uinta ........... Bridger Mackey .....38Laramie ......Chris Anderson ......32Natrona ....... Eli Ford ..................31Sublette ...... Joni Pennock ..........30

Excellent CategoryBig Horn..... Frank Kelly ............29Converse .... Dominic Madia ......26Campbell ....Mike Smith ............25Fremont ...... Sammi Buzzard .....23Sheridan ..... Erin DeFries ..........23Platte .......... Sally Houx .............23Converse .... Pierre Etchemendy...22Carbon ........ Rick Hughes ..........22Laramie ......Garth Simkins ........22Carbon ........ Tammy Mortensen .21Sweetwater . David Stauffer .......21Goshen ........The late Chuck Curry .. 19Washakie .... Chris Brinkerhoff ...18Campbell ....Becky Pearson .......18Park ............ Jeanna Kennedy .....17Fremont ...... Jon McConahay .....17Crook.......... Andrea Robinson ...17Sweetwater . Jesse Wilkinson .....17Hot Springs ...Mark Whitt ............16Weston ........ Clyde Bayne ..........15Laramie ...... Jason Bell ..............15Albany ........ Justin Jeffers ..........15

Agent RecognitionMembership Acquisition

In 2019, the Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Compa-ny Wyoming agency force acquired 1,238 new memberships for Wyo-ming Farm Bureau. This was a 6% increase from last year’s numbers. A huge thank you goes out to these agents and their staff who work hard at supporting Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation through their year-round membership acquisition.

For the second year in a row, the Niobrara County Farm Bureau was the first county to reach membership quota and acquire one new Regular member under the age of 35. WyFB President Todd Fornstrom (left) presents the Bronze Boot member-ship award to Niobrara County Farm Bu-reau President Chelsea Baars. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

WyFB President Todd Fornstrom (left) presents the Bronze Hat membership award to Lincoln County Farm Bureau Vice President Trent Peterson for hav-ing the greatest increase in Century Club memberships. Dirt Road Wife Photogra-phy/Teresa Milner photo.

Sheridan County Farm Bureau President David Garber accepts a membership award from MWFB Vice President of Mar-keting Erick Arens. Sheridan County was the county whose agents signed the most new members. Dirt Road Wife Photogra-phy/Teresa Milner photo.

Rachel Grant, Converse County Farm Bu-reau out-going president, accepts a mem-bership award from MWFB Vice President of Marketing Erick Arens. For the 2nd year in a row, Converse County had the most Century Club and Life members. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

Crook County Farm Bureau Federation President Perry Livingston (left) accepts a membership award for being the county with the most new regular members. Mountain West Farm Bureau Vice Presi-dent of Marketing Erick Arens presented the award. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.

By Julie Johnson-DoyleMembership is the driving force of

the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation. Without the help of our volunteers and the efforts of Mountain West Farm Bu-reau’s agency force, we could not do what we do. As a thank you to those individuals who are always working hard to share our message and grow our membership, each year the WyFB State Office accepts nominations for Out-standing Membership Worker awards in the fields of Agent, Staff and Volunteer.

This year, “Outstanding Member-ship Worker – Agent” was awarded to Dave Craft in Sheridan. Dave’s nomination was submitted by Sheridan County Farm Bureau Federation Presi-dent David Garber, who noted, “As a

Dave Craft, of Sheridan, receives the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Outstanding Membership Worker Award-Agent from WyFB Member-ship Chair Tim Pexton. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner.

Outstanding Membership Worker Awards

See ‘Outstanding Membership Worker Awards’ page 17


Outstanding Membership Worker Awards

the organization brings individu-als together to identify common threats to their way of life.”

The statement continued: “With-out question, farmers and ranchers faced many challenges when the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federa-tion was founded in 1920. Just as they did 100 years ago, farmers and ranchers continue to work to-gether today to produce abundant, high-quality food and fiber for their neighbors and communities around the world. I can only imag-ine the challenging discussions that prompted the first meeting in 1920, but I am certain early members left that meeting with the same con-fidence they will leave the 100th meeting.”

Senator Barrasso’s statement concluded with appreciation.

Centennial AnniversaryFrom page 1

Eldon SchnoorJuly 20, 1931- October 31, 2019

Eldon Schnoor, 88, a former Tilden resident, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2019 in Thornton, CO. Born to Max and Marie Schnoor on July 20, 1931 on a farm north of Tilden. Eldon and his wife, Mar-lene, farmed alongside of his parents, north of Til-den. During this time, he also played first base on the local semi-pro base-ball team. He later began to work at a local auction house to supplement his farming income. Mr. Schnoor learned to auctioneer, and his fast tongue was used at many sales at the auction barn in the 1950’s. Eldon served as the Antelope County Farm Bureau President where he began a long and illustrious career with the Ne-braska Farm Bureau Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federa-tion until retirement. Mr. Schnoor was instrumental in the Farm Bu-reau Federation’s growth and pro-gram development for many years.

Eldon is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marlene Schnoor (Ahlers) of Thornton, CO; chil-dren Gary Schnoor & wife Kathy of Broomfield, CO, Randy Schnoor

of Thornton, CO, Janet Schnoor of Thornton, CO and Cindy Roberts

(Schnoor) & husband Tom of Lee’s Sum-mit, MO. Blessed with four beautiful granddaughters, Ka-tie McCord (Roberts) & husband Logan of Lee’s Summit, MO, Janée Vandeveer (Roberts) & husband Zachary of Lee’s Summit, MO, Layne Lahey (Schnoor) &

husband Ryan of Broomfield, CO and Bailey Schnoor & fiancé Mi-chael Emery of Broomfield, CO; joyously blessed with great grand-children, Emma Roberts, Callie McCord, Max McCord and Char-lotte Vandeveer all of Lee’s Sum-mit, MO.

Mr. Schnoor was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Marie Schnoor, sisters Ruth Galy-en (Schnoor) and Helen Ahlers (Schnoor), nieces and a nephew.

Eldon and Marlene maintain a family farm southwest of Clear-water, NE and their residence in Thornton, CO. Interment will be held at a later date at the Tilden Cemetery.

Eldon Schnoor

Obituary

young agent, Dave Craft has done an outstanding job of representing the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation in Sheridan County while selling policies through the Craft Agency. Dave enthusiastically collects new memberships and conscientiously collects memberships from his exist-ing clients, while his wife Jennifer has been the Sheridan County Farm Bureau Treasurer since April. They have opened their offices for the use of the county board and have added energy and focus to the local orga-nization. As of this writing, Dave has collected the most memberships in the state [for this year]. Sheridan County Farm Bureau is honored to submit Dave Craft as Outstanding Membership Worker – Agent.”

“Outstanding Membership Worker – Agency Staff” went to

Crystal Braaten from Laramie County. Crystal’s nomination was submitted by Laramie County Farm Bureau Treasurer Todd Forn-strom. Crystal is a full-time em-ployee of Josh Tangeman’s office and has served the county Farm Bureau as Membership Secretary for the last 5 years. Her nomina-tion form stated, “Whether work-ing with an insurance client, pro-moting the Federation, or helping another county work through prob-lems with the ATLAS [database] program, Crystal is willing to help in any way she can!”

While there were no submis-sions for “Outstanding Membership Worker – Volunteer” this year, we hope to be able to award this nomi-nation next year to one of our many worthy volunteers!

Outstanding Membership Worker Awards From page 16

“Working in agriculture is not sim-ply a job. It is a calling, and some-times, a challenging way of life. I rise today with great appreciation for the work Wyoming farmers and ranchers have done, and continue to do, for our great State,” Senator Barrasso stated.

Senator Barrasso presented the Congressional Record statement to WyFB President Todd Fornstrom at the 100th Annual Meeting. The Senator also recognized America’s Veterans in the room and thanked them for their service.

Senator Barrasso concluded his remarks with comments on the unique and special values we hold in Wyoming.

“When President George H.W. Bush visited Wyoming in 1990 he

said ‘Wyoming is a special and sa-cred place. Its vision and values continue to inspire America,” Bar-rasso said.

“And on this 100th celebration birthday of the Wyoming Farm Bu-reau you continue to inspire Ameri-

ca with the visions you have in this group and this group is special like all of Wyoming,” Senator Barrasso concluded.

The entire statement in the Con-gressional Record may be viewed at wyfb.org, click on the News tab.

United States Senator John Barrasso thanked the Veterans in attendance at the WyFB 100th Annual Meeting and presented them each with a Challenge Coin in appreciation. From left to right: Bob Harshbarger, Wally Ramsbottom, Fred Correll, Dale Heggem, Diana Burian, Joe Simmons, U.S. Senator Barrasso, Brent Barker, Avis Veach, Frank Eathorne, Chad Sears and Jim Dolan. Dirt Road Wife Photography/Teresa Milner photo.


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the WyFB YF&R Committee in 2013. She continues to serve on the committee as a Northeast District Representative.

Learning about the agricultural issues that face each committee member is one of the as-pects of Farm Bureau’s YF&R program Swartz most enjoys. “We all struggle to live this life we love, but things af-fect each one of us dif-ferently,” she said.

“This past year I re-ally wanted to try to attend as many WyFB functions as possible and show my support to this great Federation,” she continued. “I was blessed to make many great memories with ev-eryone and meet some real ly amazing new friends.”

A h i g h l i g h t f o r Swartz was attending the American Farm Bu-reau Federation YF&R Leadership Conference in Milwaukee, WI. “I loved being able to rep-resent Wyoming Farm Bureau as their YF&R State Chair,” she said.

Swartz values the op-portunity to advocate for agriculture so she

prioritizes her time to volunteer as a Farm Bureau leader.

“Life gets busy for everyone and I enjoy volunteering my time

for Farm Bureau because the Federation supports my passion for a life in agriculture,” Swartz concluded. “Farm Bureau stands

up for our rights and allows our unified voices to be heard. I en-joy helping those looking for a way to advocate for agriculture.”

YF&R Retiring State ChairFrom page 4


American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall with his Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Centennial Commemorative Rifle presented by WyFB President Todd Fornstrom. Kerin Clark photo.

move agriculture forward with the power and strength in our county Farm Bureaus and this great Farm Bureau family we have.”

Duvall congratulated the organization on celebrating 100 years. “That is an awe-some accomplishment,” he said. “Your theme of ‘Honor-ing Our Past, Growing Our Future’ is what we do in Farm Bureau.”

AFBF celebrated its 100th birthday on Nov. 12, 2019. “Just to think about the men and women that had the fore-sight to start County Farm Bureaus around 1911 trying to affect policies at their lo-cal level,” Duvall said. “Then they said we should do it at the state level and in 1916 Missouri started a state Farm Bureau and then in 1919 the county and state Farm Bu-reaus said we need one united voice and AFBF was estab-lished.”

A Georgia farmer, Duvall described Farm Bureau like a three-legged milk stool. “One leg is the county and that is the most important, powerful leg under that stool,” he said. “The state organization is another leg and the national organiza-tion makes up the third leg.”

“If one of those legs comes out from under us you know what happens…we tumble over and we are not effective anymore,” he continued.

Duvall began his leader-ship through the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers program and the AFBF YF&R program where he served as the National YF&R Chair.

Duvall explained his lead-ership motivation was sparked after complaining one morn-ing at the breakfast table when he was a young farmer. “I was complaining about milk pric-es and regulation and all the issues we were facing back then,” he reminisced. “My Dad calmly told me if I was going to do anything about the complaints I would need to get outside my fencerows and give back to my community. That started my journey right there.”

“I want every young per-son to know that if they dream it, and work hard enough at it

and stay focused they can ac-complish anything that they dream,” Duvall continued. “This old country boy never dreamed he’d get the chance to do what he is doing.”

Vision for next 100 yearsAccording to Duvall, when

he first came to Washington, D.C., he had so many things he wanted to accomplish. In his first two years as AFBF president, he fulfilled his commitment to travel to all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

“It was an awesome trail across this country,” Duvall stated. “We have a beautiful country made up of farmers and ranchers that are the salt of the earth.”

“As I traveled, I wanted to learn and listen,” he contin-ued. “I want us to work to-gether to build the next centu-ry of AFBF to what you want it to be.”

According to Duvall, the messages he heard across the nation helped him narrow down some goals. “Our fore-fathers did an excellent job of creating our organization,” he said. “We may refine our organization, but we will not change in what matters most.”

Duvall shared that vision for the next century of Farm Bureau and it includes: Unity, Transparency, Engagement, and Relationships.

“Unity is something you have to work at every day because we will have things that get in-between us and we have to work together,” Du-vall explained. “Our organiza-tion is structured into separate regions, but you have to erase those regional lines when working on issues that affect us all. Our strength comes from speaking with one, unit-ed voice.”

According to Duvall, it is important to be transparent so everyone can see AFBF’s work. “If you know what we are doing, that makes you feel the value of what you have in that leg of the organization,” he said.

Member engagement is critical to success. “The pol-icy staff lay the groundwork with your policy book each and every day whether it be at the Capitol, federal agencies, with the administration, or

coalitions,” Duvall explained. “But when you take time to make a phone call, send an email or travel to D.C. and you tell your lawmakers the same things we have been saying while laying ground-work it paves that road right to success.”

“That is why I say you are the most important piece of the three-legged stool and we have to keep you engaged,” he continued. “You are busy; I know when I go back to my farm, I am busy. But your law-makers and this White House want to hear from farmers and ranchers like you, and when you speak, that is when we see things happen and we ap-preciate your work.”

When speaking about en-gagement President Duvall highlighted Wyoming mem-bers who are engaged at the national level.

President Duvall recog-nized Cole Coxbill and Keith Hamilton for their service on the AFBF Issues Advisory Committees. Coxbill serves on the Environmental Regu-lations Committee and Ham-ilton serves on the Federal Lands Committee.

“Cole also did a fantas-tic job chairing our National Young Farmer & Rancher Committee several years ago,” Duvall stated.

President Duvall thanked WyFB President Todd Forn-strom for his leadership on the AFBF Board of Directors. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate him. He has made such an impression on me in his short time on our board,” Duvall said. “He’s done a great job. He has a wonder-ful family and comes with the right attitude and asks good questions.”

Following engagement, the final component is relation-ships. “Our staff at AFBF has great relationships in town, but with the presidency I wanted to bring an extra layer of relationship building,” Du-vall said. “My Dad taught me everything in your life that is a success starts with a relation-ship. He branded that in my brain, so I’ve spent my life building relationships.”

Duvall shared a story of a conversation with President

We are one Farm Bureau From page 1

Donald Trump, highlight-ing the national leadership of Farm Bureau for American agriculture. “President Trump called an

wyoming · 2019. 12. 18. · do every day and i’m honored to be counted in that group as your...

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