Ben LaCross, a cherry grower from Leelanau County, was elected by Michigan Farm Bureau to serve as the grassroots organization’s 17th president.

The vote took place Dec. 4 at MFB’s annual state meeting in Grand Rapids. LaCross succeeds Tuscola County sugarbeet grower Carl Bednarski, who retired after 10 years as the organization’s president.

LaCross, who served as the District 9 director on MFB’s board of directors, grows about 850 acres of cherries in Leelanau County with his parents, Glenn and Judy. He and wife Kelsey have two sons, Keaton and Cameron, and a daughter, Lauren.

“In Farm Bureau, it's about agriculture, and it's about moving agriculture forward,” LaCross says. “I'm so inspired by our members every day — by what they do to provide food for our nation, for our state. That inspiration really drives me, and I know it drives the rest of the board of directors to do the right thing — to move agriculture forward and help solve the problems our farmers face.”

LaCross says he also looks forward to connecting with industry stakeholders, including Michigan State University and members of the state Legislature.

“I want to thank all of our members who are so supportive of Michigan Farm Bureau,” LaCross adds. “Our county Farm Bureau boards are the backbone of our organization. We wouldn't be where we are right now without them, and we're going to work on strengthening those relationships … to help give them what they need to be successful at the local level.”

Previously, LaCross served for four years on the MFB Young Farmer Committee, including two years (2007-08) as the committee chairman and Young Farmer representative on the MFB board of directors.

He also served on the MFB Policy Development Committee and as a chair of American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee in 2011.

Source: MFB