Derek and Charisse Orth have been appointed by the American Farm Bureau Federation to its Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee for the 2017-19 term, beginning in March.

The national committee is comprised of 16 positions representing all regions of the U.S. An individual or a couple may hold each committee position.

The Orths recently completed a three-year term on the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee, where they served as chairman and chairwoman in 2016.

The Orths milk 250 cows with Derek's parents at Orthridge Jerseys near Lancaster. Derek is a board director and Charisse is the women’s co-chair for the Grant County Farm Bureau. Derek is also a treasurer of the Wisconsin Jersey Breeders Association. The couple has one daughter, Zeeva.

Committee members are responsible for the Young Farmers and Ranchers Program planning, which includes the coordination of YF&R competitive events during AFBF’s annual convention each January. They also provide support in planning and implementing AFBF’s biannual FUSION Conference (Farmers United: Skills, Inspiration, Outreach and Networking) for Farm Bureau volunteer leaders involved in YF&R, Women’s Leadership, and the Promotion and Education Committee.

“Farm Bureau’s YF&R Committee members play a vital role in advocating for agriculture while further building their leadership abilities,” says AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “I am thoroughly impressed by the dedication these committee members have shown to Farm Bureau and their community.”

Other appointees to the YF&R Committee are: Matthew and Kimberly London, Georgia; Mark and Sarah Mathe, Michigan; Craig and Kelly Vaughn, North Dakota; Bradley Heimerl, Ohio; Jimmy and Lydia McAlister, Tennessee; Grant Coffee, Virginia; and Russell and Heather Kohler, Utah.

National committee members are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus. They study farm and food policy issues, participate in leadership training exercises and hone other professional skills during their tenure as committee members.

Tim and Danielle Clark of the Dodge County Farm Bureau were the last Wisconsin YFA members to serve on the national committee in 2014-16.

Geiger appointed
Rosalie Geiger has been appointed by the AFBF to its Promotion and Education Committee for the 2017-19 term, beginning in March.

Geiger currently serves as the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee chairwoman.

Geiger and her husband, Randy, have a 360-acre dairy farm near Reedsville. Along with milking 50 registered cows and raising heifers, they grow alfalfa, corn, soybeans and wheat. Geiger is a director for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. She also is the women’s committee chairwoman for Manitowoc County Farm Bureau, secretary for Reedsville FFA Alumni Association, a Manitowoc County Dairy Ambassador, a member of the Maple-Rock Homemakers Club and serves on Manitowoc and Calumet counties' dairy promotions committees. She is also a graduate of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Leadership Institute.

PROMOTION COMMITTEE: Rosalie Geiger has been appointed to the AFBF Promotion and Education Committee.

The AFBF Promotion and Education Committee is comprised of 10 individuals representing qualifying Farm Bureau Promotion and Education states. It was launched in 2014 to develop and centralize resources that inspire and equip Farm Bureau members to convey the significance of agriculture. Committee members support and encourage state Farm Bureau volunteers to participate in projects and activities by providing resources for programs, communicating with state leaders and contributing collaborative ideas.

“This committee has the ever-challenging task of advocating and educating consumers about the importance of agriculture,” says Duvall. “As advocates for today’s agriculture, they play an important role in building a greater understanding between farmers and consumers.”

Other new members of the committee include: Jennifer Bergin, Montana; Jamison McPherson, Utah; Renee McCauley, Michigan; Hilary Maricle, Nebraska; Val Wagner, North Dakota; and Chris Hoffman, Pennsylvania.

National committee members are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus. They study farm and food policy issues, participate in leadership training exercises and hone other professional skills during their tenure as committee members.

Source: Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation