Idahoans Selected To Serve On AFBF Committees

In early December, three member of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation were chosen to join national committees with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Alan Clark, a rancher and farmer from Rigby, was selected to serve a two-year term on AFBF’s Promotion and Education Committee. The 10-member committee focuses on helping to promote agriculture as well as educate consumers about where their food comes from and how it is produced.

“It’s super important to promote agriculture and educate people about the industry and where their food comes from,” he said. “If we as farmers and ranchers don’t tell our story and promote our industry, people who don’t know anything about agriculture will tell the story and they will get it wrong.”

Clark also serves as chairman of IFBF’s Promotion & Education Committee, which is entering its second year.

Kyle and Jessica Wade of Downey, who have a custom cattle grazing, feeding and calving operation, were selected to serve a two-year term on AFBF’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. That 16-member committee is responsible for planning YF&R programs and events. The AFBF and Idaho Farm Bureau Federation YF&R programs are designed to help develop the next generation of leaders in the ag industry by offering them opportunities to network and sharpen their public speaking and problem solving skills during competitions and other events.

The Wades said their goal is to reach out to more FFA members to let them know this opportunity is available to them immediately.

“We have benefited in a big way from Idaho Farm Bureau’s YF&R program,” she said. “We have changed our operation because of things we learned through the program and it’s helped us in so many ways. We want people to be able to experience that starting from age 18.”

“[All three] are committed to Farm Bureau; it’s in their blood,” said IFBF President Bryan Searle. “They are very capable individuals and they are what Farm Bureau stands for and is all about. They will represent Idaho and the nation well in those positions.”

Both the Wades and Clark will start their committee positions in March.

“Continuing to engage with consumers to build trust and share the story of agriculture is an important part of national program committee work …,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a statement announcing the new committee members. “We applaud the commitment of these newly appointed Farm Bureau members.”

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com