2014 Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Annual Review

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P.O. Box 64370St. Paul, MN 55164651-768-2100 Fax: 651-768-2159info@�mn.org �mn.org

Join the Century Club Today!

Be a part of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Century Club today with a contribution of $1,000 or a pledge totaling $1,000

(payable $250 in each of the next four years).

For more information, contactRuth Meirick, Director

Minnesota Farm Bureau FoundationPO Box 64370

St. Paul, MN 55164651-768-2115

www.�mn.org

Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Century Club

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The mission of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is to provide opportunities for supporters of agriculture to invest in people

and programs focused on supporting active farmers and agriculturalists, better connecting agriculture to

consumers and serving rural communities.The Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is poised to

do just that.

In celebration of Minnesota Farm Bureau’s 100th Anniversary, we would like to invite you to join the Minnesota Farm Bureau Century Club, a fundraising campaign to commemorate the past and celebrate the future of the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

This fund will assist in the development of programs and endeavors that encourage leadership development, create communication, agriculture education and outreach to an increasingly non-farm culture.

Your support of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation through the Century Club will ensure unification of past, present and future leaders of the organization behind a common mission – developing leaders equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

2014Annual

FoundationReview

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Foundation Thank Yous continued

In 1986, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Board of Directors created the Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation. The

focus was to grow, support and enhance agricultural education, safety education and leadership development. Our mission is to provide opportunities for supporters of agriculture to invest in people and programs

focused on supporting active farmers and agriculturalists, better connecting agriculture to consumers and serving rural communities.

The MFB Foundation has continually enhanced its efforts on agricultural education and safety education both with consumers and children. MFB Foundation programming provides continued education and leadership opportunities for farm and ranch families. These local outreach opportunities are supported by our Agricultural Promotion Grant program, now in its 11th year, which provides $40,000 annually to county Farm Bureaus to support consumer outreach activities such as Breakfast on the Farms, I Met a Farmer Tours, Ag in the Classroom and Farmers Market activities to name a few.

In addition, the MFB Foundation believes strongly in investing in today’s youth for tomorrow’s leaders. During the last 15 years, the MFB Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships and grants that fund programs and projects designed to help improve agriculture and the quality of life in rural Minnesota. We have touched the lives of thousands of Minnesotans through our focus on agricultural education, safety education, leadership development and scholarships.

MFB Foundation has developed resources and programs that are positively affecting Minnesotans. Safety resources developed include the Agriculture Transportation Handbook and the trespass flier. The Speak for Yourself program has trained over 40 farmers and ranchers who share their farm story to key influencers such as service organizations and MOM groups reaching nearly 200,000 consumers the past two years. The Ag Cab Lab projects are mobile learning units about today’s farming that are highly sought after by museums for long-term agriculture exhibits including at Headwaters Science Museum of Bemidji, Children’s Museum of Rochester, Minnesota Zoo Wells Fargo Family Farm and the Minnesota State Fair CHS Miracle of Birth Center reaching nearly 2 million annually. In addition, the Ag Cab Lab projects have allowed us to be at the table with the Minnesota History Museum for their new edition of the 6th grade history book.

This past year, we helped our fellow farmers and ranchers who were devastated by the 2013 October blizzard by raising nearly $30,000 for the South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares Fund to assist with basic needs for these families.

Population shifts have resulted in fewer people on the farm and in rural communities. This has profound ramifications for agriculture and our way of life. That is why your generous support of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is so important. Your support shows you care about developing leaders and enhancing awareness of agriculture.

On behalf of the nearly 30,000 farm and ranch families of the Minnesota Farm Bureau, thank you for your kind support of the MFB Foundation.

KEVIN PAAPMINNESOTA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT’S

MESSAGE

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Edible Classrooms, Breakfast on the Farms, “I Met a Farmer” tours and assisting with Miracle of Birth exhibits are just a few of the creative ways that county Farm Bureaus have used their Agriculture Promotion Grant dollars around Minnesota. County Farm Bureaus were able to leverage an additional $99,700 with partnership and more than 187,600 people were directly or indirectly impacted by programs offered.

The Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is proud to coordinate the Agriculture Promotion Grant program, and we realize the incredible success that it has in our local communities.

For a full summary of county Agriculture Promotion Grant programs, visit www.�mn.org.

learn that I was selected as the recipient of your scholarship.

I have recently graduated from high school and will be attending NDSU in the fall. I plan to pursue a Pre-Vet/Animal Science major as well as to receive my license as a horse trainer and therapeutic riding instructor. After graduation, I plan on furthering my education at the U of M to receive a doctorate degree as an Equine Veterinarian.

Currently, I am volunteering at the Lakes Area Region Veterinary Clinic as well as teaching riding lessons. Your generosity is greatly appreciated as I start my freshman year and get one step closer to my intended career. Thanks again.

Sincerely,Rebekah Aanerud

MFB Foundation,Thank you for sponsoring

the Minnesota Agricultural Ambassador Institute (MAAI). This was a great learning opportunity for all of the participants. We will be leaving this conference with a new outlook on the importance of ag advocacy. Thank you again for your sponsorship!

Hayley Faber and other MAAI participants

MFB Foundation,On behalf of all MAAI

participants, I’d like to thank you for being a sponsor of the conference. Because of your contribution, I learned so much about effective communication and ag diversity, had opportunities for ag policy-based networking and toured ag operations previously foreign to me such as feedlots and an ethanol plant. I cannot adequately express the impact MAAI has had on me, as I now feel inspired to continue learning and growing within the ag community. I will take the skills learned

here and utilize them going forward in agvocacy.

With gratitude,Morgan SchreursMinnesota SoybeanAmbassador

MFB Foundation,Thanks for helping with

MAAI. I have learned and experienced a great deal that I am excited to take home and implement.

Thanks,Jacob Sorenson

MFB Foundation,I just wanted to thank

you for your support of the th19 Minnesota Ag

Ambassadors Institute.Thanks!Andrew Praus

MFB Foundation,Thank you so much for

the generous scholarship. This scholarship will be used to help me pay for college. This fall I will be attending Texas A&M University where I will be working towards a degree in animal science.

Thank you!Sincerely,Shelby SchiefelbeinKimball, MN

MFB Foundation,Thank you for your

generous and thoughtful sponsorship of the Eagan Foundation and our annual event, the Taste of the Eagan Foundation. Your sponsorship contributes to making Eagan the best place to live, learn, work and play and will help support our mission of investing in Eagan’s future by providing community connections, grants, scholarships and helping others in the community. We’re very excited by the number of Eagan residents, business and community leaders that came out to make the event a success.

This past year, the Eagan Foundation awarded a record number community grants to community groups. In addition, this coming year we’ll be

celebrating the Eagan thFoundation’s 25 year of

serving the community. With your support and many others in the Eagan community, we have awarded more than one million dollars in scholarships and look forward to the next million.

Again, we deeply appreciate your generous support of the Eagan Foundation. The support by you and your business are very important to the Eagan community and to our success and it allows us the opportunity to continue serving the community.

Sincerely,Randy FeldTreasurer, EaganFoundation, Inc.


contribution to the 2014 4-H Dairy Showcase! This marks our sixth year and your support has helped make it our most successful showcase in its brief history.

Thanks again!Sincerely,Steve Pooch4-H Dairy ShowcaseFinance Chair


pledge to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation for our History & Heritage Campaign.

Your support will help build a new State Fair History & Heritage Center with educational exhibits and programs that tell the 150-year story of the Minnesota State Fair. Located on the west side of the fairgrounds, the comprehensive project includes a new gateway, transit hub, retail spaces, performance venues and guest amenities. The Center will be prominently featured near the new entrance with exhibits that connect generations of State Fair and Minnesota families.

We appreciate your support of the History & Heritage Campaign and our Foundation mission to improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences.

Thank you.Sincerely,Kay CadyExecutive Director


sponsoring the award for the reserve senior reasons individual for the Minnesota State 4-H Livestock Judging contest. We as a team greatly appreciate everything you do to help support 4-H and its programs that create better leaders in ag for the future. 4-H and especially general livestock judging have helped me to grow so much as an individual, and I can honestly say I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the things judging has helped to give me. It is because of sponsors like yourself that judging continues to thrive and will for years to come. Once again, thank you so much for all that you do to support 4-H and livestock judging. It certainly does not go unnoticed!

Sincerely,Maddie Schafer

MFB Foundation,Thank you for supporting

the Minnesota 4-H dairy project and dairy judging by sponsoring the award for high overall senior individual. Dairy judging has been a part of my years

rdin 4-H since 3 grade. It has helped me gain confidence and speaking skills. It has always been my goal to win this contest, and this year I was lucky enough to reach that! Thanks again for your support!

Sincerely,Haely Leiding

Crow Wing County

Scott County

County Farm Bureaus Have Impact


3

It is clear to me that the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is touching the

lives and making a positive difference for families across Minnesota. Whether you live in an urban or rural area, Farm Bureau is there sharing the story of farming.

With the distribution of over $80,000 in grants, scholarships and contributions, we are making a difference. The Foundation has directly impacted all aspects of life here in Minnesota through agricultural education, leadership development and safety education.

During the 18 years that I have worked for Farm Bureau, I have served in different positions. Serving as the Foundation Director for the past year, I vowed to share the wonderful story of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation. It has been a pleasure for me to travel around Minnesota and promote the Foundation’s mission and share the stories of those whom we have impacted. I have been profoundly touched by the members who have donated to the MFB Foundation and the stories behind their giving.

Thank you for the remarkable year of building awareness and understanding. To our volunteers and donors, thank you. We hope that you see how the MFB Foundation has been working to create deeper understanding in our communities through our programs, grants and scholarships.

Respectfully,Ruth MeirickMinnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Director

DIRECTOR’S

LETTER

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Foundation Highlights w MFB Foundation has established the Century Club, a fund that will

assist in the development of programs that help the mission of the Minnesota Farm Bureau. Since July, $7,300 has been committed to this new program.w The MFB Foundation has raised more than $360,000 this past year

for programs that support agriculture education, leadership development and safety education.w Fifty-two county Farm Bureaus in Minnesota received more than

$42,000 in Agriculture Promotion grant funding.w Over $23,000 was raised to support the South Dakota Farm Bureau

Cares rancher relief fund.w MFB Foundation raised approximately $15,000 selling Pork Chops at

Farmfest this past year, a 60 percent increase over last year due largely to generous donation from Hormel Foods.w Minnesota Farm Bureau hired a Foundation Director with the focus

of promoting the programs within the Foundation and raising revenue to support the Foundation’s mission.w Four scholarships were given and 18 organizations received funding

from the MFB Foundation totaling more than $25,000 this past year.


donating your time and funds to further our efforts here at Great Plains Food Bank. Our staff enjoyed the chocolates too! It was such a pleasure working with you.

Blessings,Caroline McGuireVolunteer Coordinator


recent gift to the Great Plains Food Bank – one of 19 programs administered by Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota. Through this gift, we are bringing healing, help and hope to our hungry neighbors across North Dakota and western Minnesota!

Currently, 1 in 10 people in our state turn to our network of charitable feeding programs supplied by the Great Plains Food Bank – 36% of them are children and 12% are seniors. Because of your generosity, we distributed a record 12,856,371 pounds of donated food and grocery items to more than 78,000 individuals in 2013. Thank you!

Our network of 318 charitable feeding programs in more than 112 communities depends on the Great Plains Food Bank for some or all of their food supplies. And, because almost all of the food we distribute is surplus product donated by the food industry, we are able to provide nearly $7.95 worth of food to those stricken by poverty and hunger for every charitable dollar we receive.

And what a tremendous difference your contribution makes in so many lives… children having enough to eat so they can stay healthy and learn to their fullest potential… seniors on fixed incomes not having to make the difficult choice between paying for rising

medicine costs or food… working moms and dads having enough food to put on the table for their families when an emergency disrupts an already tightly-stretched budget.

Ending hunger is a shared responsibility. Thank you for joining hands with the Great Plains Food Bank in making this a reality!

Sincerely,Marcia PaulsonDirector of Marketingand Developing


the Collegiate Discussion Meet and my scholarship. I really enjoyed competing over the last four years, and while I didn’t come out on top, I have that much more motivation to get involved with the YF&R competition!

This gift means a lot to me as I work to pay off my college debt. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,Kirby Schmidt


ongoing support of the annual Minnesota Royal

thevent. The 98 Minnesota Royal week was held from April 7-12, 2014 on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota with the theme, “Beyond the Barn Door in 20-1-4.” Your donation helped in making the festive week a great success with 10 different organizations participating and hundreds of students involved. It was a wonderful week full of events that united students, faculty, community members and alumni in celebration of fun and agriculture at the University of Minnesota. Students had the opportunity to learn hands-on and showcase their talents through many different activities.

thPreparations for the 99 Minnesota Royal

celebration are already in progress, and we hope that you will continue to support the great tradition of Minnesota Royal and its participants in the 2015 event. It is through the generosity of donors like the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation that Minnesota Royal has remained a strong and successful event for nearly 100 years!

The executive team, faculty, staff and students deeply appreciate your generosity and are so grateful for your support.

With gratitude,Calli Jo Smith and Bryan WendtMN Royal Fundraising Chairs

MFB Foundation,Thank you for all the

support you have given me and Minnesota FFA. I hope you keep sponsoring Minnesota FFA, and I thank you again for all the support you have given me.

Sincerely,Brett Peterson


sponsoring the FFA Discussion Meet! It was a lot of fun and a good learning experience. I’m glad I had the opportunity to participate in it! Thank you!

Sincerely,Shelby SchiefelbeinKimball, MN


the FFA State Convention. We appreciate the leadership and career development opportunities. Thank you!

Sincerely,Jason GapinskiSauk Rapids-Rice FFA


sponsoring our State FFA Convention. Every year we look forward to participating in all of the

different events at the convention. Without you, the convention could not be as successful as it is. Thank you for everything you do for our organization.

Sincerely,Norman County West FFA


the Minnesota FFA State Convention. We really appreciate your support.

Sincerely,Arnie GruenesEden Valley-Watkins FFA

MFB Foundation,On behalf of the

Agriculture Education Club, we would like to thank you for sponsoring and

thattending the 5 Annual Ag Awareness Day held April 15 at the University of Minnesota. Your support allowed over 3,500 University community members to interact with live animals and ask questions about Minnesota agriculture.

Ag Awareness Day was full of excitement as members of the Agricultural Education Club joined with 22 agricultural organizations to host interactive displays sharing the story of Minnesota agriculture. Among the booths, the animals were quite popular. The animals lining Church Street included a dairy calf, ewe with baby lambs, llamas and two beef cattle.

Ag Awareness Day would not be a success without your generous support. Thank you again for your

thsponsorship of the 5 Annual Ag Awareness Day.

Sincerely,Lauren Servick and Katie SchmittEvent Co-Chairs

MFB Foundation,I am writing to thank you

for your generous Farm Bureau Discussion meet Scholarship. I was very happy and appreciative to

Continued...

County Board Challenge

Thank you to the following County Farm Bureau board of directors who participated in the County Board Challenge:

Anoka County Farm BureauBlue Earth County Farm BureauCarver County Farm BureauCass County Farm BureauChisago County Farm BureauDakota County Farm BureauDodge County Farm BureauFreeborn County Farm BureauGoodhue County Farm BureauMower County Farm BureauOlmsted County Farm BureauPope County Farm BureauRice County Farm BureauWabasha County Farm BureauWashington-Ramsey County Farm BureauWest Otter Tail County Farm Bureau

MFB Foundation Board of Directors

Kevin Paap, PresidentDuane Alberts, Vice PresidentChris Radatz, SecretaryDave Johnson, TreasurerLarry LarsonRobert RoelofsDavid Van Loh

Nathan CollinsFran MironJohn Gilbertson, Sr.Mike GundersonKelly SchmidtNada Carter

4 13

ach year the Minnesota Farm Bureau EFoundation presents four deserving students from Farm Bureau families with a $500 Al

Christopherson Scholarship during the Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting. Recognition was given during the Friday night awards banquet on November 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington.

“The qualifications and goals of these students are exemplary of the bright future of agriculture,” said MFBF President Kevin Paap. “Investing in the education of Minnesota’s rural youth is an important mission for the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation.”

Danielle EversDanielle Evers is the daughter of Dale and Kay

Evers of Cottonwood County. She is attending South Dakota State University, majoring in agronomy.

“I am honored to receive this scholarship from the Farm Bureau as I appreciate everything the organization works for and stands for,” said Evers. “This scholarship will help me continue my education at SDSU.”

Andrew MironAndrew Miron is the son of Fran and Mary Ann

Miron of Washington County. He is a junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in animal science and agriculture education. Miron said what impresses him the most about Farm Bureau is its ability to always continue to grow as the population becomes farther removed from production agriculture.

“I am very honored to receive a scholarship from the Minnesota Farm Bureau. This will help me as I finish up with my last two years of school at the U of M,” said Miron.

Jeff Beckman has been the coordinator of the Ag Cab Lab project since its inception. Jeff is responsible for overseeing all project maintenance and fundraising for the program. Jeff works with the software developers to create new gaming features for the Ag Cab Lab, develops new programs and exhibits to enhance educational outreach and surfaces new exhibit partnerships for long-term exposure of the Ag Cab Lab.


the scholarship. The scholarship will support my last year studying agronomy at South Dakota State University. I am looking forward to the future and am excited to stay informed with the Farm Bureau as I begin my career in the ag industry next year.

Thanks again,Danielle Evers

MFB Foundation,I really appreciate your

sponsorship for the Minnesota Junior Spring Classic. This is a fabulous show and every year that I come, I learn and grow.

Thanks again,Allie Hawkins

MFB Foundation,Thank you very much for

the generous scholarship offered through your organization. Currently, I am enrolled as a senior at the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota majoring in animal science. I have been very active in the Gopher Dairy Club, the Block and Bridle Club and the Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity. My choice to attend the University of Minnesota was a very easy one. The excellent education, wide variety of organizations to be involved with and the location to my family farm made the U of M the right choice for me.

I am from a 500 cow dairy located just south of the Twin Cities. I stay very active on my family’s farm, collegiate organizations, 4-H, FFA, church and sports. I feel that my experiences with 4-H, FFA and my collegiate affiliates have given me the leadership opportunities, the ability to speak in public and to others, and the organizational skills that I will need to be successful in life. During the school year, I spend my weekends working on my

family’s dairy farm where I can do what I love, see my family and eat my mom’s cooking. I have had two exceptional internships that have given me countless experiences and have also traveled to Switzerland as a part of the CFANS program. Upon graduation, I hope to work in the animal reproduction field before returning to my family farm. It is my hope that along with my brothers, I will be the sixth generation of our family to be in production agriculture.

I have been able to fund the majority of my college education myself, so your generosity and thoughtfulness are very much appreciated. Thank you again for choosing me as a recipient of the Minnesota Farm Bureau scholarship

Sincerely,Tyler Otte


Post-Secondary Agriculture Students (PAS) as a Star Partner. We greatly appreciate your donation, which helps PAS provide opportunities for individual growth, leadership and career preparation for our members.

Minnesota PAS OfficersVice President Andrew Swanson

MFB Foundation,Big goals are reached

through the generosity of organizations like yours! Through Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation’s gifts in support of the 2013-2014 annual fund and Creating Tomorrow’s Agriculturalist grant, you have shown your commitment to the work of the Minnesota 4-H Foundation to provide all Minnesota young people opportunities to learn, lead, succeed. You believe in the excellence of the 4-H program and it shows!

The involvement of 4-H donors, volunteers and

supporters of all kinds are what make the 4-H program excellent. Your financial gift has helped make it possible to keep Minnesota 4-H a strong and vibrant force in your community.

Thank you for the active interest you have taken to support the learning opportunities taking place all across Minnesota through Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program.

Sincerely,Cara MillerExecutive Director


generous support of the South Dakota Community Foundation.

It is an honor to partner with you as you achieve your philanthropic goals. We greatly appreciate your willingness to invest in improving the lives of South Dakotans for generations to come.

We appreciate your gift to the South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares fund. Together we can help those impacted by the early 2013 October blizzard in Western South Dakota.

Stephanie JudsonPresident

MFB Foundation,On behalf of Minnesota

Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) and its Board of Directors, I would like to THANK YOU for your 2013-2014 contribution. This donation will be used to support the many valuable agricultural literacy programs produced each year. Your contribution will enable us to reach thousands of students throughout the state. MAITC is a 501 (c)3 organization and donations to the organization are tax-deductible.

Regards,Joel MathiowetzFoundation Executive Director


support of agricultural education and the FFA in Minnesota. Your contribution to the Minnesota FFA Foundation helps as we support thousands of young people across the state as they experience leadership programs and prepare for careers in agriculture. Your investment in the over 23,000 students enrolled in agricultural education makes a difference.

Your check will support the Star Partner program, Extemporaneous Speaking Career Development Event and Ag Policy Boot Camp sponsorship.

Sincerely,Val AarsvoldExecutive Director


recent gift to the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program through Southwest Minnesota State University and the University (SMSU) of Minnesota. Thank you for supporting the MARL program.

The SMSU Foundation is proud to be a partner in the MAARL Program. I would like to thank you for your generosity and continued support of the MARL program.

Sincerely,Bull MulsoExecutive Director

MFB Foundation,We wanted to thank you

for putting on a great Leadership Conference! We had a fantastic time and walked away with many ideas and new friendships. Your hard work does not go unnoticed! Thank you again and we look forward to next year!

Mark and Sara Hewitt

Meet the CoordinatorsMarytina Lawrence is

the coordinator for the Speak for Yourself

program. She began as a trained farmer speaker

and has been the coordinator since 2012.

She is responsible for increasing awareness of

the program and speaker outreach. She

also coordinates partner meetings and builds

support for the Speak for Yourself program through fundraising.

Speak for YourselfMarytina Lawrence

Ag Cab LabJeff Beckman

Scholarship Recipients

Tyler OtteTyler Otte is the son of Blake and Chicky Otte of Dakota County. He is

attending the University of Minnesota, majoring in animal science.“I feel very privileged to receive this scholarship,” said Otte. “It will help me

greatly with school and will make it that much easier to start farming someday.”

Katie WinslowKatie Winslow is the daughter of Scott and Jean Winslow of Fillmore County.

She is attending the University of Minnesota, majoring in agricultural education. She is the sixth generation on the family farm where they raise swine, corn and soybeans.

“I am so appreciative to Farm Bureau for this scholarship,” said Winslow. “When it comes to investing in my education, any and all funds help. I look forward to using my education to give back to Farm Bureau.”


Continued...

MFB Foundation,Thank you for sponsoring the

State FFA Convention! I will be qualifying for state in Ag Issues. Your donation is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,McKarah Schaefer

MFB Foundation,Thank you to Minnesota Farm

Bureau for my trip to sunny San Antonio during the AFBF Annual Convention.

The 70-degree temperatures were a welcome relief from the sub-zero conditions we were enduring in Minnesota. The accommodations were top-notch, the River Walk was exquisite and meeting top-notch farm professionals from around the nation was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I am deeply grateful to be honored by Farm Bureau as the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Ag Communicator of the Year. My news reporting has its own rewards, especially working with an ambitious local group of progressive ag producers through the years. Our Rock County Farm Bureau members have done a great job reaching out to the community about modern farming practices, and why we should care. I’ve enjoyed helping them communicate that message, in addition to covering issues and events affecting rural Rock County.

I’ve always viewed Farm Bureau as a first-rate organization, and my experience in San Antonio and as Ag Communicator of the Year simply reaffirms this view.

Thanks again for the generous

gift. I look forward to being part of Farm Bureau’s continued mission as “many voices, one vision.”

Best regards,Lori Ehde, Rock County Farm BureauMinnesota Farm Bureau

Foundation Ag Communicator of the Year

MFB Foundation,Thank you for the Minnesota

Farm Bureau Foundation’s contribution for the Rick Metzger Minnesota 4-H YELLO Conference speaker fee. Through your generosity, Minnesota 4-H is able to help young people see their potential.

As 4-H continues to create and deliver high quality educational opportunities and adventures for young people, it is evident that our success depends upon contributions of many people like you. Your gift to the Minnesota 4-H Foundation helps enable young people to use their head, heart, hands and health to choose, learn, grow and contribute.

Thank you for being a part of helping us reach our vision that all Minnesota young people have the opportunity to gain life skills to succeed in society. Your gift makes a difference both now and for the future.


MFB Foundation,Thank you so much for your

generous sponsorship towards the Minnesota Beef Expo. We had another successful year with hundreds of youth

exhibiting from across the Midwest. We greatly appreciate your support of our show.

Thanks again!Minnesota Beef Expo Board


Reserve Champion Oral Reasons award at the Minnesota State Livestock Judging Contest. Your support of that contest and all Minnesota 4-H livestock programs is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,Pipestone County Livestock

Judging Team

MFB Foundation,Thank you for providing the

backpacks for the Minnesota Beef Ambassador competition! Thank you for the support!

Sincerely,Shelby ShiefelbeinMinnesota Beef Ambassador

MFB Foundation,Thank you for donating all the

backpacks for the Minnesota Beef Ambassador program. Thanks again.

Sincerely,Alley Schiefelbein

MFB Foundation,Thank you for donating the

backpacks for this year’s Minnesota Beef Ambassador applicants. All of the valuable resources and information will come in handy! Although I was not chosen to be on the team, I still plan to advocate for agriculture and the beef industry!

Thank you!McKayla Wingert

MFB Foundation,Many thanks from our youth

for the backpacks used at our beef ambassador competition. We had 15 youth competing which brought joys and challenges to the day. It will be fun to work with our team in the coming months.

Marilyn Nickel


champion plaque for the Minnesota Beef Expo judging contest. I really enjoy judging, and I guess I just had a good day.

Thanks again,Jacob Frandrup

MFB Foundation,I just wanted to thank you for

the Minnesota FFA Advisor of the Year Award. I am truly humbled and honored by it. I, as well as other instructors across the state, value the partnership with your organization. The resources that you provide are useful as our members work to educate other students and adults in our local communities.

I also wanted to thank you for the opportunity to attend the AFBF Annual Convention in San Antonio. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to learn more about the American Farm Bureau. I have utilized many conversations and resources in my classroom already. Thank you again for all you do for Minnesota agriculture!

Paul AarsvoldPlainview-Elgin-Millville FFA

Foundation Thank Yous

512

The Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation

recognized and awarded outstanding agricultural professionals during the Minnesota Farm Bureau’s 95th Annual Meeting. Recognition was given during the Friday night Awards Banquet on November 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington.

Recipients received a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas January 11-15, 2014.

Award winners are nominated by their county Farm Bureaus. For information about nominating an Agriculture Communicator, Extension Educator, FFA Advisor or Post-Secondary Agriculture Educator for next year’s award, contact your county Farm Bureau office.

Ag Communicator of the Year Award – Lori Ehde

The Ag Communicator of the Year award was given to Lori Ehde. This award is presented because an important mission of Farm Bureau is to inform the public about its policy positions and to tell agriculture’s story.

Ehde has been serving as the editor of the Rock County Star Herald in Luverne since 1993. She grew up on a family farm in Rock County, so she understands the importance of farming and makes a point to cover stories and issues as they relate to agriculture.

“There are excellent, talented media in Southwest Minnesota across the region – many whom are worthy of this award,” said Ehde. “Thank you for the honor and privilege of being Farm Bureau’s Ag Communicator of the Year.”

Ehde enjoys working with leaders in her agriculture community and especially with the local Farm Bureau board members. Ehde stated that one of her all-time favorite Farm Bureau programs is the “I Met a Farmer” story. She said this tour epitomizes the very purpose of Farm Bureau and its role in the community.

She is involved in the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and community revitalization boards. She has also participated in the Blandin Community Leadership program and the Blandin Editors and Publishers Community Leadership program.

Extension Educator of the Year Award – Mike Liepold

The Extension Educator of the Year award was given to Mike Liepold. This award recognizes the important role that Extension Educators play in helping farmers keep up-to-date on new technology and training future agricultural leaders. Liepold has been an Extension Educator for 29 years, beginning as the 4-H agent in Le Sueur County. Today he leads, designs, manages, teaches and evaluates three statewide leadership programs: the Minnesota Agricultural and Rural Leadership (MARL) program, Extension’s U-Lead Advisory Academy (ULAA) and the National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) program.

“Agriculture will continue to face complex issues and will need leaders with skills in critical thinking, coalition building and communications,” said Liepold. His objective is to continue to strengthen leadership in rural Minnesota.

He also serves as a facilitator in zoning ordinance revisions and

feedlot and watershed planning. In addition, he has lead two tornado cleanups in Le Sueur County. Liepold is involved in his church, local park board and still remains active as a 4-H volunteer.

FFA Advisor of the Year Award – Paul Aarsvold

The FFA Advisor of the Year award was presented to Paul Aarsvold of Altura. This award recognizes the important role these professionals play in developing agricultural leaders for tomorrow. Aarsvold is in his 19th year as an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor. He began his teaching career in Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City and has been at Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School for 15 years. On a yearly basis, his ag education courses are provided to more than 550 students in 7-12th grade. His FFA chapter is extremely involved on the local and state level, conducting many activities throughout the year.

“I absolutely love what I do and enjoy working with the youth of today, who in turn will be leaders of tomorrow,” said Aarsvold. His main career objectives have always been to have a positive influence on his students, student learning and the promotion of agriculture.

Aarsvold is active in the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators, where he has been involved in planning many of the winter and summer conferences. He is also involved in the Minnesota FFA Association.

Post-Secondary Educator of the Year Award – Pete Neigebauer

The Post-Secondary Educator of the Year award was presented to Pete Neigebauer of Courtland. This award recognizes the educators supporting production agriculture and the important role these professionals play. Neigebauer is in his 35th year of teaching agriculture. He began teaching in New Ulm and Mazeppa and for the last 23 years has been at South Central College in North Mankato. He is also advisor to the Post-Secondary Agriculture Students organization and is on the Agriculture Symposium planning committee. He takes great pride in helping young adults become productive members of their communities.

“I am deeply honored to be receiving this award,” said Neigebauer. “I have enjoyed working with young people to develop their life-long career goals.”

He also stated he is thankful for Farm Bureau’s efforts to help keep rural America productive and vital.

Neigebauer is involved with the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators where he has held many leadership roles, including president. He is also part of the Minnesota Education Association, New Ulm Farm City Hub Club, his church and his local 4-H club.

Foundation Awards

Lori Ehde Mike Liepold Paul Aarsvold Pete Neigebauer

Continued...

6 11

Thank you to the following contributors to the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation in 2014.

Benefactor’s Society($10,000 or greater)

Ÿ Accu-SteelŸ AgriBankŸ AgStarŸ Farm Bureau Financial

ServicesŸ Hormel FoodsŸ Minnesota Corn GrowersŸ AssociationŸ Minnesota Soybean

Research and Promotion Council

Ÿ PolarisŸ Anonymous

Patron’s SocietyEmerald

($2,500 - $4,999)Ÿ DuPont PioneerŸ Gislason & Hunter LLPŸ Legends Seeds Inc.Ÿ United FCSŸ Anonymous

Ruby($1,000 - $2,499)

Ÿ Ag CountryŸ Arthur Chapman Kettering

Smetak & PikalaŸ Ash Trail LodgeŸ BusinessMaxŸ Al and Diane ChristophersonŸ Robin KinneyŸ Meeker County Farm BureauŸ MonsantoŸ Kevin and Julie PaapŸ Paul and Wanda StarkŸ SyngentaŸ Anonymous

Contributor’s SocietyGold

($500 - $999)Ÿ Blue Earth County Farm

BureauŸ Carver County Farm BureauŸ Kevin and Nancy DahlmanŸ Davisco Foods/Le Sueur

Cheese Co.Ÿ Fast ManufacturingŸ Fran and Mary Ann MironŸ Gunnink & Gunnink Inc.Ÿ Jay HansonŸ IDEAgŸ Dave and Elizabeth JohnsonŸ Guy and Lynette KoehlŸ Brad and Rochelle

KrusemarkŸ Minnesota Beef CouncilŸ Minnesota Pork BoardŸ Ron and Lori PagelŸ Paul Davis RestorationŸ R & W Fish Inc. dba Evans

Garment RestorationŸ Chris and Mary RadatzŸ Stearns County Farm BureauŸ Stich, Angell, Kreidler,

Dodge & UnkeŸ James SolumŸ Mike and Karen WojahnŸ Charles Westfall

Silver($250 - $499)

Ÿ Anoka County Farm BureauŸ Associated Milk Producers

Inc.Ÿ Kevin BockŸ Bruce and Kim BrendenŸ Dale and Nada CarterŸ Chevy/GMŸ Dean and Carol

ChristophersonŸ John and Debra ChuteŸ Dakota County Farm BureauŸ Eberl’s Claim ServiceŸ Eli Lilly and Co.Ÿ Erstad & Riemer PAŸ Giertsen Company of MN

Inc.Ÿ John and Cheryl GilbertsonŸ Dan and Seena GlessingŸ Glen and Valree GraffŸ Gerald HansonŸ Steve and Kristin HarnerŸ Alan HonermannŸ John and Patsy IsaacsonŸ Shayne and Denise IsaneŸ J Benson Construction CoŸ Chad JohnsonŸ Ron and Barbara KuechleŸ Curtis KuehlŸ Paul and Ruth LanoueŸ Chad LarsonŸ Doug and Joann LawrenceŸ Lundquist Law OfficesŸ David and Julie MarquardtŸ McCollum, Crowley,

Moschet, Miller & LaakŸ Minnesota LetterheadsŸ Minnesota Turkey Research

and Promotion CouncilŸ Loren and Hollie MolenaarŸ Jonathan and Carolyn OlsonŸ Restore 24Ÿ Dennis SchmidtŸ ScriptSaveŸ ServiceMaster Professional

ServicesŸ Stevens County Farm BureauŸ Stubbe and Associates Inc.Ÿ TASCŸ Times Citizen

Communications Inc.Ÿ United Prairie BankŸ David and Carolyn Van LohŸ Washington-Ramsey County

Farm BureauŸ West Otter Tail County Farm

BureauŸ Scott and Jean WinslowŸ Dennis and Judy WulfŸ John and Jill Zieroth

Bronze($100 - $249)

Ÿ Duane AlbertsŸ Keith and Morgan AllenŸ Greg and Mary BartzŸ Beltrami County Farm

BureauŸ Cory BennettŸ Dave and Angela BeyerŸ Kurt BlomgrenŸ Kent BoschŸ Doug BusselmanŸ Capital Planning Inc/JCL

Mgmt CorpŸ Bruce and Rosanne CaugheyŸ Chisago County Farm BureauŸ Cynthie ChristensenŸ Cottonwood County Farm

Bureau

Ÿ Lance and Rachel DaberkowŸ Roger and Joann DaleŸ Donald DiekmannŸ Andrew DuerrŸ Roger & Bonnie DukowitzŸ East Otter Tail County Farm

BureauŸ Garfield EckbergŸ Fillmore County Farm

BureauŸ Ron and Beverly FrankŸ Edward FrederickŸ George GoblishŸ Goodhue County Farm

BureauŸ Glen and Melinda GrothŸ Mike and Connie GundersonŸ Vernon and Dorothy HedinŸ Jake HeinŸ Hennepin County Farm

BureauŸ Willis and Sharon HinkeldeyŸ Home Place Dairy LLCŸ Houston County Farm

BureauŸ Steve and Wanda HoweŸ John and Patricia JuusolaŸ Kanabec-Isanti County Farm

BureauŸ Kandiyohi County Farm

BureauŸ Doug KrenikŸ Miles and Sarah KuschelŸ Mark and Joan LeeŸ Richard and Eileen LeinoŸ Kirk LuckowŸ Dale LueckŸ M & B EnterprisesŸ Joe and Staci MartinŸ Joel and Amanda

MathiowetzŸ McLeod County Farm

BureauŸ Ruth MeirickŸ Minnesota FFA AssociationŸ Minnesota FFA FoundationŸ Minnesota TwinsŸ Minnesota VikingsŸ Paul and Kristy MironŸ Mower County Farm BureauŸ William and Vallerie NearyŸ Barry and Sandra NelsonŸ Nathan and Suzanna NelsonŸ Nicollet County Farm BureauŸ Nobles County Farm BureauŸ Bret OelkeŸ Olmsted County Farm

BureauŸ Pine County Farm BureauŸ Pipestone County Farm

BureauŸ Pope County Farm BureauŸ Professional Medical

Evaluations dba EvalumedŸ Redwood County Farm

BureauŸ Josh and Amanda RevierŸ Bob RoelofsŸ Mike RouillardŸ Brian and Barbara RuhlŸ Roger and Linda SauerbreyŸ Steven SchoenfeldŸ Kelly and Sarah SchmidtŸ Scott and Lori SchweerŸ Bob and Ruth ShepardŸ Sibley County Farm BureauŸ Lucas and Alise SjostromŸ Joe and April SullivanŸ Paul and Cynthia TorkelsonŸ Tim and Pam UhlenkampŸ Eric Watson

Ÿ Tim and Liz WeatherheadŸ Debora WhiteŸ Stanley and Linda WhitneyŸ Yellow Medicine County

Farm BureauŸ Amy Zabel

Friends of the Foundation($5 - $99)

Ÿ AgQuest Financial Services Inc.

Ÿ Donald AlbrechtŸ Pat BakebergŸ Pete BakkenŸ David BergesonŸ Duane and Norma CampbellŸ Cass County Farm BureauŸ Kevin ChamberlainŸ Jim CheckelŸ George DercheidŸ DLC Inc. dba Dakota Steel &

TrimŸ Dodge County Farm BureauŸ Douglas County Farm

BureauŸ Jeff EdinŸ Jeff and Andrea EickhoffŸ David EngelbrechtŸ Buddy EricksonŸ Jerry and Kim FastŸ Marlin FayŸ Field Seed FarmsŸ Freeborn County Farm

BureauŸ Bob FritzŸ Eunice GasnerŸ Jon GuentzelŸ George and Rozetta

HallcockŸ Pete HenslinŸ Mark and Sara HewittŸ Leland and Sigrid JohnsonŸ Marvin JohnsonŸ Stanley KimmesŸ Le Sueur County Farm

BureauŸ Laine LewinŸ Dan and Kim LippertŸ Phillip LittleŸ Michelle MarquardtŸ Martin County Farm BureauŸ Doug and TaLana

MathiowetzŸ MDS Manufacturing Co Inc.Ÿ Joel and Maureen

MiddendorfŸ Mike MironŸ Mark and Donna MoenningŸ Arnold NelsonŸ Kim OakesŸ Bennett and Gloria

OsmonsonŸ George and Mary PeichelŸ Kyle PetersonŸ Judy and Steve PilcherŸ Howard PrushekŸ Coralyn RadatzŸ Rice County Farm BureauŸ Rob Seed CompanyŸ Justin RoelofsŸ Megan RyanŸ Saint Paul SaintsŸ Dennis and Kathryn SabelŸ Matt and Karin SchaeferŸ Ken and Malissa SchentzelŸ Doug and Judy SchultzŸ Tony SekoraŸ David SewardŸ Vicky and Scott SinglestadŸ Darvey SloanŸ Steele County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Michael SteinhagenŸ Stelter HolsteinsŸ Donovan and Janeva

StrombergŸ The Legal Professionals PAŸ Florence TorkelsonŸ Harley VogelŸ Wabasha County Farm

BureauŸ Wadell and Reed Fair FundŸ Joyce WelanderŸ Roger Zastrow

In MemorialThe following individuals made donations in memorial of loved ones in the past year.Ÿ Obert Blackstad – Florence

Torkelson, Paul and Cynthia Torkelson

Ÿ David Bolland – East Otter Tail County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Germain Davison – Bob and Ruth Shepard

Ÿ Paul Frazeur – Yellow Medicine County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Henry Gregoire Jr – Stelter Holsteins Farm

Ÿ Mirium Gustufson – Greg and Mary Bartz

Ÿ Harold and Edith – Dakota County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Brother of Leland Johnson – Steele County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Marcel Miron – Greg and Mary Bartz, John and Cheryl Gilbertson, Kevin and Julie Paap, Dennis and Kathryn Sabel, Washington-Ramsey County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Donald Prigge – Field Seed Farms

Ÿ Charles Radatz – Greg and Mary Bartz, John and Cheryl Gilbertson, Mike and Connie Gunderson, Steve and Kristin Harner, Dave Johnson, Fran and Mary Ann Miron, Paul and Wanda Stark

Ÿ Richard Rosetter – Stelter Holsteins Farm, David and Carolyn Van Loh

Ÿ Paul Stark – Greg and Mary Bartz, Bruce Brenden, Beltrami County Farm Bureau, Duane and Norma Campbell, Al and Diane Christopherson, Douglas County Farm Bureau, John and Cheryl Gilbertson, Mike and Connie Gunderson, Steve and Wanda Howe, Larry and Sharon Larson, Martin County Farm Bureau, Fran and Mary Ann Miron, Mower County Farm Bureau, Chris and Mary Radatz, Coralyn Radatz, Wanda Stark, Paul and Cynthia Torkelson, David and Carolyn Van Loh, Washington-Ramsey County Farm Bureau, West Otter Tail County Farm Bureau

A Year in Pictures

The Mission of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is to provide opportunities for

supporters of agriculture to invest in people and programs focused on supporting active farmers and agriculturalists, better connecting agriculture to consumers and serving rural communities.

67

Donor Recognition

arm Bureau members, county Farm Bureaus in Minnesota Fand the Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation came together during the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation

Auction to raise over $22,000 for the South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares fund. The auction was part of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Annual Meeting held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington, November 21-23, 2013

Farm Bureau is encouraging individuals and county Farm Bureaus to continue to give to support their fellow farmers and ranchers in western South Dakota. All proceeds from the auction were donated to assist ranch families impacted by the early October blizzard.

“This is what farmers and ranchers do. We help our neighbors in need,” said MFB President Kevin Paap. “This is about providing basic life necessities such as food on the table and paying their utility bill. We encourage individuals, organizations and businesses to consider donating to South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares.”

The South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares fund is helping ranchers impacted by the blizzard, Atlas, which devastated many families and their ranches in Western South Dakota at the beginning of October 2013. Tens of thousands of head of livestock were lost in the storm. The ranch families are facing a very difficult economic hardship as they decide how to regain footing and rebuild.

South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares is designed to help ranch families impacted by the blizzard with immediate financial needs: cash for groceries, utility bills, or whatever they feel would be helpful to their family and household.

100 percent of the donation goes directly to ranch families impacted by the blizzard. Donations are tax-deductible. Checks should be made payable to: Farmers & Merchants Bank/S.D. Farm Bureau Cares and sent to South Dakota Farm Bureau, PO Box 1426, Huron, SD 57350.

Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Holds Golf FundraiserThe Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation held their annual Golf Scramble on July 15 at River Oaks Golf Course near Cottage

Grove. Nearly $13,500 was raised with proceeds going directly to the MFB Foundation. Funds will be used for programs focused on agricultural education, safety education and leadership development.

Year in PicturesFarm Bureau Members in Minnesota Raise Funds for

South Dakota Rancher Relief

710

2014 Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Program


UN

DATION

The Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation awarded more than $62,000 in grants and contributions to 52 county Farm Bureaus in 2014. The Foundation promotes agriculture and safety education and leadership programs. Most of the projects focused on improving perceptions of agriculture among urban and rural populations and increase understanding of agriculture and its importance in our lives and to our economy.

The Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Speak for Yourself program is made possible by generous partnership with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Minnesota Corn Growers Association and Minnesota’s Farm Credit organizations including AgStar Financial Services, United FCS, AgCountry and AgriBank. Over 30 trained farmer leaders are active through Speak for Yourself. With the help of Eidson & Partners professional scheduling firm, these speakers have been able to address more than 200 community organizations, including local Rotary clubs, Lions clubs and school boards. Speakers have also begun to speak to moms groups and high school classrooms. Participants were provided business cards to leave behind in order to continue the conversation about food and farming. Speak for Yourself participants are also engaged in the food conversation online through social media and blogging.

Carver County Farm Bureau keeps things growingThe Carver County Farm Bureau used

an Agriculture Promotion Grant from the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation this year to assist the Waconia Edible Classroom with the installation of drainage tile. Using funds to purchase drain tile, they were able to utilize all parts of the garden that were unusable due to excessive water saturation. The drainage system enabled staff and students to plant additional crops for use as part of their Edible Classroom agriculture literacy curriculum, which is a teaching model of soil and water management and conservation.

As a part of our leadership development efforts, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation provides funding to defray expenses and provide Agriculture in the Classroom resources for county Farm Bureau members who attend the MFBF Leadership Conference in January and the Summer YF&R Leadership Tour in July.

Farm Bureau pork chop stand at Farmfest

8 9

Speak For Yourself Program Speaks For Itself

Leadership Conference and YF&R Summer Leadership Tour

One of the major fundraisers for the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is the pork chop stand at

Farmfest at the beginning of August. This year, through the generous donation of pork loins from Hormel Foods, over 5,400 pork chops were served

and sold to Farmfest attendees. Money raised from the pork chop stand supports agriculture and safety education, agricultural leadership development and

agricultural research programs.

GRANT HIGHLIGHT

arm Bureau members, county Farm Bureaus in Minnesota Fand the Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation came together during the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation

Auction to raise over $22,000 for the South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares fund. The auction was part of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Annual Meeting held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington, November 21-23, 2013

Farm Bureau is encouraging individuals and county Farm Bureaus to continue to give to support their fellow farmers and ranchers in western South Dakota. All proceeds from the auction were donated to assist ranch families impacted by the early October blizzard.

“This is what farmers and ranchers do. We help our neighbors in need,” said MFB President Kevin Paap. “This is about providing basic life necessities such as food on the table and paying their utility bill. We encourage individuals, organizations and businesses to consider donating to South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares.”

The South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares fund is helping ranchers impacted by the blizzard, Atlas, which devastated many families and their ranches in Western South Dakota at the beginning of October 2013. Tens of thousands of head of livestock were lost in the storm. The ranch families are facing a very difficult economic hardship as they decide how to regain footing and rebuild.

South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares is designed to help ranch families impacted by the blizzard with immediate financial needs: cash for groceries, utility bills, or whatever they feel would be helpful to their family and household.

100 percent of the donation goes directly to ranch families impacted by the blizzard. Donations are tax-deductible. Checks should be made payable to: Farmers & Merchants Bank/S.D. Farm Bureau Cares and sent to South Dakota Farm Bureau, PO Box 1426, Huron, SD 57350.

Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Holds Golf FundraiserThe Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation held their annual Golf Scramble on July 15 at River Oaks Golf Course near Cottage

Grove. Nearly $13,500 was raised with proceeds going directly to the MFB Foundation. Funds will be used for programs focused on agricultural education, safety education and leadership development.

Year in PicturesFarm Bureau Members in Minnesota Raise Funds for

South Dakota Rancher Relief

710

6 11

Thank you to the following contributors to the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation in 2014.

Benefactor’s Society($10,000 or greater)

Ÿ Accu-SteelŸ AgriBankŸ AgStarŸ Farm Bureau Financial

ServicesŸ Hormel FoodsŸ Minnesota Corn GrowersŸ AssociationŸ Minnesota Soybean

Research and Promotion Council

Ÿ PolarisŸ Anonymous

Patron’s SocietyEmerald

($2,500 - $4,999)Ÿ DuPont PioneerŸ Gislason & Hunter LLPŸ Legends Seeds Inc.Ÿ United FCSŸ Anonymous

Ruby($1,000 - $2,499)

Ÿ Ag CountryŸ Arthur Chapman Kettering

Smetak & PikalaŸ Ash Trail LodgeŸ BusinessMaxŸ Al and Diane ChristophersonŸ Robin KinneyŸ Meeker County Farm BureauŸ MonsantoŸ Kevin and Julie PaapŸ Paul and Wanda StarkŸ SyngentaŸ Anonymous

Contributor’s SocietyGold

($500 - $999)Ÿ Blue Earth County Farm

BureauŸ Carver County Farm BureauŸ Kevin and Nancy DahlmanŸ Davisco Foods/Le Sueur

Cheese Co.Ÿ Fast ManufacturingŸ Fran and Mary Ann MironŸ Gunnink & Gunnink Inc.Ÿ Jay HansonŸ IDEAgŸ Dave and Elizabeth JohnsonŸ Guy and Lynette KoehlŸ Brad and Rochelle

KrusemarkŸ Minnesota Beef CouncilŸ Minnesota Pork BoardŸ Ron and Lori PagelŸ Paul Davis RestorationŸ R & W Fish Inc. dba Evans

Garment RestorationŸ Chris and Mary RadatzŸ Stearns County Farm BureauŸ Stich, Angell, Kreidler,

Dodge & UnkeŸ James SolumŸ Mike and Karen WojahnŸ Charles Westfall

Silver($250 - $499)

Ÿ Anoka County Farm BureauŸ Associated Milk Producers

Inc.Ÿ Kevin BockŸ Bruce and Kim BrendenŸ Dale and Nada CarterŸ Chevy/GMŸ Dean and Carol

ChristophersonŸ John and Debra ChuteŸ Dakota County Farm BureauŸ Eberl’s Claim ServiceŸ Eli Lilly and Co.Ÿ Erstad & Riemer PAŸ Giertsen Company of MN

Inc.Ÿ John and Cheryl GilbertsonŸ Dan and Seena GlessingŸ Glen and Valree GraffŸ Gerald HansonŸ Steve and Kristin HarnerŸ Alan HonermannŸ John and Patsy IsaacsonŸ Shayne and Denise IsaneŸ J Benson Construction CoŸ Chad JohnsonŸ Ron and Barbara KuechleŸ Curtis KuehlŸ Paul and Ruth LanoueŸ Chad LarsonŸ Doug and Joann LawrenceŸ Lundquist Law OfficesŸ David and Julie MarquardtŸ McCollum, Crowley,

Moschet, Miller & LaakŸ Minnesota LetterheadsŸ Minnesota Turkey Research

and Promotion CouncilŸ Loren and Hollie MolenaarŸ Jonathan and Carolyn OlsonŸ Restore 24Ÿ Dennis SchmidtŸ ScriptSaveŸ ServiceMaster Professional

ServicesŸ Stevens County Farm BureauŸ Stubbe and Associates Inc.Ÿ TASCŸ Times Citizen

Communications Inc.Ÿ United Prairie BankŸ David and Carolyn Van LohŸ Washington-Ramsey County

Farm BureauŸ West Otter Tail County Farm

BureauŸ Scott and Jean WinslowŸ Dennis and Judy WulfŸ John and Jill Zieroth

Bronze($100 - $249)

Ÿ Duane AlbertsŸ Keith and Morgan AllenŸ Greg and Mary BartzŸ Beltrami County Farm

BureauŸ Cory BennettŸ Dave and Angela BeyerŸ Kurt BlomgrenŸ Kent BoschŸ Doug BusselmanŸ Capital Planning Inc/JCL

Mgmt CorpŸ Bruce and Rosanne CaugheyŸ Chisago County Farm BureauŸ Cynthie ChristensenŸ Cottonwood County Farm

Bureau

Ÿ Lance and Rachel DaberkowŸ Roger and Joann DaleŸ Donald DiekmannŸ Andrew DuerrŸ Roger & Bonnie DukowitzŸ East Otter Tail County Farm

BureauŸ Garfield EckbergŸ Fillmore County Farm

BureauŸ Ron and Beverly FrankŸ Edward FrederickŸ George GoblishŸ Goodhue County Farm

BureauŸ Glen and Melinda GrothŸ Mike and Connie GundersonŸ Vernon and Dorothy HedinŸ Jake HeinŸ Hennepin County Farm

BureauŸ Willis and Sharon HinkeldeyŸ Home Place Dairy LLCŸ Houston County Farm

BureauŸ Steve and Wanda HoweŸ John and Patricia JuusolaŸ Kanabec-Isanti County Farm

BureauŸ Kandiyohi County Farm

BureauŸ Doug KrenikŸ Miles and Sarah KuschelŸ Mark and Joan LeeŸ Richard and Eileen LeinoŸ Kirk LuckowŸ Dale LueckŸ M & B EnterprisesŸ Joe and Staci MartinŸ Joel and Amanda

MathiowetzŸ McLeod County Farm

BureauŸ Ruth MeirickŸ Minnesota FFA AssociationŸ Minnesota FFA FoundationŸ Minnesota TwinsŸ Minnesota VikingsŸ Paul and Kristy MironŸ Mower County Farm BureauŸ William and Vallerie NearyŸ Barry and Sandra NelsonŸ Nathan and Suzanna NelsonŸ Nicollet County Farm BureauŸ Nobles County Farm BureauŸ Bret OelkeŸ Olmsted County Farm

BureauŸ Pine County Farm BureauŸ Pipestone County Farm

BureauŸ Pope County Farm BureauŸ Professional Medical

Evaluations dba EvalumedŸ Redwood County Farm

BureauŸ Josh and Amanda RevierŸ Bob RoelofsŸ Mike RouillardŸ Brian and Barbara RuhlŸ Roger and Linda SauerbreyŸ Steven SchoenfeldŸ Kelly and Sarah SchmidtŸ Scott and Lori SchweerŸ Bob and Ruth ShepardŸ Sibley County Farm BureauŸ Lucas and Alise SjostromŸ Joe and April SullivanŸ Paul and Cynthia TorkelsonŸ Tim and Pam UhlenkampŸ Eric Watson

Ÿ Tim and Liz WeatherheadŸ Debora WhiteŸ Stanley and Linda WhitneyŸ Yellow Medicine County

Farm BureauŸ Amy Zabel

Friends of the Foundation($5 - $99)

Ÿ AgQuest Financial Services Inc.

Ÿ Donald AlbrechtŸ Pat BakebergŸ Pete BakkenŸ David BergesonŸ Duane and Norma CampbellŸ Cass County Farm BureauŸ Kevin ChamberlainŸ Jim CheckelŸ George DercheidŸ DLC Inc. dba Dakota Steel &

TrimŸ Dodge County Farm BureauŸ Douglas County Farm

BureauŸ Jeff EdinŸ Jeff and Andrea EickhoffŸ David EngelbrechtŸ Buddy EricksonŸ Jerry and Kim FastŸ Marlin FayŸ Field Seed FarmsŸ Freeborn County Farm

BureauŸ Bob FritzŸ Eunice GasnerŸ Jon GuentzelŸ George and Rozetta

HallcockŸ Pete HenslinŸ Mark and Sara HewittŸ Leland and Sigrid JohnsonŸ Marvin JohnsonŸ Stanley KimmesŸ Le Sueur County Farm

BureauŸ Laine LewinŸ Dan and Kim LippertŸ Phillip LittleŸ Michelle MarquardtŸ Martin County Farm BureauŸ Doug and TaLana

MathiowetzŸ MDS Manufacturing Co Inc.Ÿ Joel and Maureen

MiddendorfŸ Mike MironŸ Mark and Donna MoenningŸ Arnold NelsonŸ Kim OakesŸ Bennett and Gloria

OsmonsonŸ George and Mary PeichelŸ Kyle PetersonŸ Judy and Steve PilcherŸ Howard PrushekŸ Coralyn RadatzŸ Rice County Farm BureauŸ Rob Seed CompanyŸ Justin RoelofsŸ Megan RyanŸ Saint Paul SaintsŸ Dennis and Kathryn SabelŸ Matt and Karin SchaeferŸ Ken and Malissa SchentzelŸ Doug and Judy SchultzŸ Tony SekoraŸ David SewardŸ Vicky and Scott SinglestadŸ Darvey SloanŸ Steele County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Michael SteinhagenŸ Stelter HolsteinsŸ Donovan and Janeva

StrombergŸ The Legal Professionals PAŸ Florence TorkelsonŸ Harley VogelŸ Wabasha County Farm

BureauŸ Wadell and Reed Fair FundŸ Joyce WelanderŸ Roger Zastrow

In MemorialThe following individuals made donations in memorial of loved ones in the past year.Ÿ Obert Blackstad – Florence

Torkelson, Paul and Cynthia Torkelson

Ÿ David Bolland – East Otter Tail County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Germain Davison – Bob and Ruth Shepard

Ÿ Paul Frazeur – Yellow Medicine County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Henry Gregoire Jr – Stelter Holsteins Farm

Ÿ Mirium Gustufson – Greg and Mary Bartz

Ÿ Harold and Edith – Dakota County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Brother of Leland Johnson – Steele County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Marcel Miron – Greg and Mary Bartz, John and Cheryl Gilbertson, Kevin and Julie Paap, Dennis and Kathryn Sabel, Washington-Ramsey County Farm Bureau

Ÿ Donald Prigge – Field Seed Farms

Ÿ Charles Radatz – Greg and Mary Bartz, John and Cheryl Gilbertson, Mike and Connie Gunderson, Steve and Kristin Harner, Dave Johnson, Fran and Mary Ann Miron, Paul and Wanda Stark

Ÿ Richard Rosetter – Stelter Holsteins Farm, David and Carolyn Van Loh

Ÿ Paul Stark – Greg and Mary Bartz, Bruce Brenden, Beltrami County Farm Bureau, Duane and Norma Campbell, Al and Diane Christopherson, Douglas County Farm Bureau, John and Cheryl Gilbertson, Mike and Connie Gunderson, Steve and Wanda Howe, Larry and Sharon Larson, Martin County Farm Bureau, Fran and Mary Ann Miron, Mower County Farm Bureau, Chris and Mary Radatz, Coralyn Radatz, Wanda Stark, Paul and Cynthia Torkelson, David and Carolyn Van Loh, Washington-Ramsey County Farm Bureau, West Otter Tail County Farm Bureau

A Year in Pictures

The Mission of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is to provide opportunities for

supporters of agriculture to invest in people and programs focused on supporting active farmers and agriculturalists, better connecting agriculture to consumers and serving rural communities.

67

Donor Recognition


State FFA Convention! I will be qualifying for state in Ag Issues. Your donation is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,McKarah Schaefer

MFB Foundation,Thank you to Minnesota Farm

Bureau for my trip to sunny San Antonio during the AFBF Annual Convention.

The 70-degree temperatures were a welcome relief from the sub-zero conditions we were enduring in Minnesota. The accommodations were top-notch, the River Walk was exquisite and meeting top-notch farm professionals from around the nation was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I am deeply grateful to be honored by Farm Bureau as the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Ag Communicator of the Year. My news reporting has its own rewards, especially working with an ambitious local group of progressive ag producers through the years. Our Rock County Farm Bureau members have done a great job reaching out to the community about modern farming practices, and why we should care. I’ve enjoyed helping them communicate that message, in addition to covering issues and events affecting rural Rock County.

I’ve always viewed Farm Bureau as a first-rate organization, and my experience in San Antonio and as Ag Communicator of the Year simply reaffirms this view.

Thanks again for the generous

gift. I look forward to being part of Farm Bureau’s continued mission as “many voices, one vision.”

Best regards,Lori Ehde, Rock County Farm BureauMinnesota Farm Bureau

Foundation Ag Communicator of the Year

MFB Foundation,Thank you for the Minnesota

Farm Bureau Foundation’s contribution for the Rick Metzger Minnesota 4-H YELLO Conference speaker fee. Through your generosity, Minnesota 4-H is able to help young people see their potential.

As 4-H continues to create and deliver high quality educational opportunities and adventures for young people, it is evident that our success depends upon contributions of many people like you. Your gift to the Minnesota 4-H Foundation helps enable young people to use their head, heart, hands and health to choose, learn, grow and contribute.

Thank you for being a part of helping us reach our vision that all Minnesota young people have the opportunity to gain life skills to succeed in society. Your gift makes a difference both now and for the future.


MFB Foundation,Thank you so much for your

generous sponsorship towards the Minnesota Beef Expo. We had another successful year with hundreds of youth

exhibiting from across the Midwest. We greatly appreciate your support of our show.

Thanks again!Minnesota Beef Expo Board


Reserve Champion Oral Reasons award at the Minnesota State Livestock Judging Contest. Your support of that contest and all Minnesota 4-H livestock programs is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,Pipestone County Livestock

Judging Team

MFB Foundation,Thank you for providing the

backpacks for the Minnesota Beef Ambassador competition! Thank you for the support!

Sincerely,Shelby ShiefelbeinMinnesota Beef Ambassador

MFB Foundation,Thank you for donating all the

backpacks for the Minnesota Beef Ambassador program. Thanks again.

Sincerely,Alley Schiefelbein

MFB Foundation,Thank you for donating the

backpacks for this year’s Minnesota Beef Ambassador applicants. All of the valuable resources and information will come in handy! Although I was not chosen to be on the team, I still plan to advocate for agriculture and the beef industry!

Thank you!McKayla Wingert

MFB Foundation,Many thanks from our youth

for the backpacks used at our beef ambassador competition. We had 15 youth competing which brought joys and challenges to the day. It will be fun to work with our team in the coming months.

Marilyn Nickel


champion plaque for the Minnesota Beef Expo judging contest. I really enjoy judging, and I guess I just had a good day.

Thanks again,Jacob Frandrup

MFB Foundation,I just wanted to thank you for

the Minnesota FFA Advisor of the Year Award. I am truly humbled and honored by it. I, as well as other instructors across the state, value the partnership with your organization. The resources that you provide are useful as our members work to educate other students and adults in our local communities.

I also wanted to thank you for the opportunity to attend the AFBF Annual Convention in San Antonio. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to learn more about the American Farm Bureau. I have utilized many conversations and resources in my classroom already. Thank you again for all you do for Minnesota agriculture!

Paul AarsvoldPlainview-Elgin-Millville FFA

Foundation Thank Yous

512

The Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation

recognized and awarded outstanding agricultural professionals during the Minnesota Farm Bureau’s 95th Annual Meeting. Recognition was given during the Friday night Awards Banquet on November 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington.

Recipients received a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas January 11-15, 2014.

Award winners are nominated by their county Farm Bureaus. For information about nominating an Agriculture Communicator, Extension Educator, FFA Advisor or Post-Secondary Agriculture Educator for next year’s award, contact your county Farm Bureau office.

Ag Communicator of the Year Award – Lori Ehde

The Ag Communicator of the Year award was given to Lori Ehde. This award is presented because an important mission of Farm Bureau is to inform the public about its policy positions and to tell agriculture’s story.

Ehde has been serving as the editor of the Rock County Star Herald in Luverne since 1993. She grew up on a family farm in Rock County, so she understands the importance of farming and makes a point to cover stories and issues as they relate to agriculture.

“There are excellent, talented media in Southwest Minnesota across the region – many whom are worthy of this award,” said Ehde. “Thank you for the honor and privilege of being Farm Bureau’s Ag Communicator of the Year.”

Ehde enjoys working with leaders in her agriculture community and especially with the local Farm Bureau board members. Ehde stated that one of her all-time favorite Farm Bureau programs is the “I Met a Farmer” story. She said this tour epitomizes the very purpose of Farm Bureau and its role in the community.

She is involved in the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and community revitalization boards. She has also participated in the Blandin Community Leadership program and the Blandin Editors and Publishers Community Leadership program.

Extension Educator of the Year Award – Mike Liepold

The Extension Educator of the Year award was given to Mike Liepold. This award recognizes the important role that Extension Educators play in helping farmers keep up-to-date on new technology and training future agricultural leaders. Liepold has been an Extension Educator for 29 years, beginning as the 4-H agent in Le Sueur County. Today he leads, designs, manages, teaches and evaluates three statewide leadership programs: the Minnesota Agricultural and Rural Leadership (MARL) program, Extension’s U-Lead Advisory Academy (ULAA) and the National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) program.

“Agriculture will continue to face complex issues and will need leaders with skills in critical thinking, coalition building and communications,” said Liepold. His objective is to continue to strengthen leadership in rural Minnesota.

He also serves as a facilitator in zoning ordinance revisions and

feedlot and watershed planning. In addition, he has lead two tornado cleanups in Le Sueur County. Liepold is involved in his church, local park board and still remains active as a 4-H volunteer.

FFA Advisor of the Year Award – Paul Aarsvold

The FFA Advisor of the Year award was presented to Paul Aarsvold of Altura. This award recognizes the important role these professionals play in developing agricultural leaders for tomorrow. Aarsvold is in his 19th year as an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor. He began his teaching career in Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City and has been at Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School for 15 years. On a yearly basis, his ag education courses are provided to more than 550 students in 7-12th grade. His FFA chapter is extremely involved on the local and state level, conducting many activities throughout the year.

“I absolutely love what I do and enjoy working with the youth of today, who in turn will be leaders of tomorrow,” said Aarsvold. His main career objectives have always been to have a positive influence on his students, student learning and the promotion of agriculture.

Aarsvold is active in the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators, where he has been involved in planning many of the winter and summer conferences. He is also involved in the Minnesota FFA Association.

Post-Secondary Educator of the Year Award – Pete Neigebauer

The Post-Secondary Educator of the Year award was presented to Pete Neigebauer of Courtland. This award recognizes the educators supporting production agriculture and the important role these professionals play. Neigebauer is in his 35th year of teaching agriculture. He began teaching in New Ulm and Mazeppa and for the last 23 years has been at South Central College in North Mankato. He is also advisor to the Post-Secondary Agriculture Students organization and is on the Agriculture Symposium planning committee. He takes great pride in helping young adults become productive members of their communities.

“I am deeply honored to be receiving this award,” said Neigebauer. “I have enjoyed working with young people to develop their life-long career goals.”

He also stated he is thankful for Farm Bureau’s efforts to help keep rural America productive and vital.

Neigebauer is involved with the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators where he has held many leadership roles, including president. He is also part of the Minnesota Education Association, New Ulm Farm City Hub Club, his church and his local 4-H club.

Foundation Awards

Lori Ehde Mike Liepold Paul Aarsvold Pete Neigebauer

Continued...

4 13

ach year the Minnesota Farm Bureau EFoundation presents four deserving students from Farm Bureau families with a $500 Al

Christopherson Scholarship during the Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting. Recognition was given during the Friday night awards banquet on November 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington.

“The qualifications and goals of these students are exemplary of the bright future of agriculture,” said MFBF President Kevin Paap. “Investing in the education of Minnesota’s rural youth is an important mission for the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation.”

Danielle EversDanielle Evers is the daughter of Dale and Kay

Evers of Cottonwood County. She is attending South Dakota State University, majoring in agronomy.

“I am honored to receive this scholarship from the Farm Bureau as I appreciate everything the organization works for and stands for,” said Evers. “This scholarship will help me continue my education at SDSU.”

Andrew MironAndrew Miron is the son of Fran and Mary Ann

Miron of Washington County. He is a junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in animal science and agriculture education. Miron said what impresses him the most about Farm Bureau is its ability to always continue to grow as the population becomes farther removed from production agriculture.

“I am very honored to receive a scholarship from the Minnesota Farm Bureau. This will help me as I finish up with my last two years of school at the U of M,” said Miron.

Jeff Beckman has been the coordinator of the Ag Cab Lab project since its inception. Jeff is responsible for overseeing all project maintenance and fundraising for the program. Jeff works with the software developers to create new gaming features for the Ag Cab Lab, develops new programs and exhibits to enhance educational outreach and surfaces new exhibit partnerships for long-term exposure of the Ag Cab Lab.


the scholarship. The scholarship will support my last year studying agronomy at South Dakota State University. I am looking forward to the future and am excited to stay informed with the Farm Bureau as I begin my career in the ag industry next year.

Thanks again,Danielle Evers

MFB Foundation,I really appreciate your

sponsorship for the Minnesota Junior Spring Classic. This is a fabulous show and every year that I come, I learn and grow.

Thanks again,Allie Hawkins

MFB Foundation,Thank you very much for

the generous scholarship offered through your organization. Currently, I am enrolled as a senior at the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota majoring in animal science. I have been very active in the Gopher Dairy Club, the Block and Bridle Club and the Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity. My choice to attend the University of Minnesota was a very easy one. The excellent education, wide variety of organizations to be involved with and the location to my family farm made the U of M the right choice for me.

I am from a 500 cow dairy located just south of the Twin Cities. I stay very active on my family’s farm, collegiate organizations, 4-H, FFA, church and sports. I feel that my experiences with 4-H, FFA and my collegiate affiliates have given me the leadership opportunities, the ability to speak in public and to others, and the organizational skills that I will need to be successful in life. During the school year, I spend my weekends working on my

family’s dairy farm where I can do what I love, see my family and eat my mom’s cooking. I have had two exceptional internships that have given me countless experiences and have also traveled to Switzerland as a part of the CFANS program. Upon graduation, I hope to work in the animal reproduction field before returning to my family farm. It is my hope that along with my brothers, I will be the sixth generation of our family to be in production agriculture.

I have been able to fund the majority of my college education myself, so your generosity and thoughtfulness are very much appreciated. Thank you again for choosing me as a recipient of the Minnesota Farm Bureau scholarship

Sincerely,Tyler Otte


Post-Secondary Agriculture Students (PAS) as a Star Partner. We greatly appreciate your donation, which helps PAS provide opportunities for individual growth, leadership and career preparation for our members.

Minnesota PAS OfficersVice President Andrew Swanson

MFB Foundation,Big goals are reached

through the generosity of organizations like yours! Through Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation’s gifts in support of the 2013-2014 annual fund and Creating Tomorrow’s Agriculturalist grant, you have shown your commitment to the work of the Minnesota 4-H Foundation to provide all Minnesota young people opportunities to learn, lead, succeed. You believe in the excellence of the 4-H program and it shows!

The involvement of 4-H donors, volunteers and

supporters of all kinds are what make the 4-H program excellent. Your financial gift has helped make it possible to keep Minnesota 4-H a strong and vibrant force in your community.

Thank you for the active interest you have taken to support the learning opportunities taking place all across Minnesota through Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program.



generous support of the South Dakota Community Foundation.

It is an honor to partner with you as you achieve your philanthropic goals. We greatly appreciate your willingness to invest in improving the lives of South Dakotans for generations to come.

We appreciate your gift to the South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares fund. Together we can help those impacted by the early 2013 October blizzard in Western South Dakota.

Stephanie JudsonPresident

MFB Foundation,On behalf of Minnesota

Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) and its Board of Directors, I would like to THANK YOU for your 2013-2014 contribution. This donation will be used to support the many valuable agricultural literacy programs produced each year. Your contribution will enable us to reach thousands of students throughout the state. MAITC is a 501 (c)3 organization and donations to the organization are tax-deductible.

Regards,Joel MathiowetzFoundation Executive Director


support of agricultural education and the FFA in Minnesota. Your contribution to the Minnesota FFA Foundation helps as we support thousands of young people across the state as they experience leadership programs and prepare for careers in agriculture. Your investment in the over 23,000 students enrolled in agricultural education makes a difference.

Your check will support the Star Partner program, Extemporaneous Speaking Career Development Event and Ag Policy Boot Camp sponsorship.

Sincerely,Val AarsvoldExecutive Director


recent gift to the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program through Southwest Minnesota State University and the University (SMSU) of Minnesota. Thank you for supporting the MARL program.

The SMSU Foundation is proud to be a partner in the MAARL Program. I would like to thank you for your generosity and continued support of the MARL program.

Sincerely,Bull MulsoExecutive Director

MFB Foundation,We wanted to thank you

for putting on a great Leadership Conference! We had a fantastic time and walked away with many ideas and new friendships. Your hard work does not go unnoticed! Thank you again and we look forward to next year!

Mark and Sara Hewitt

Meet the CoordinatorsMarytina Lawrence is

the coordinator for the Speak for Yourself

program. She began as a trained farmer speaker

and has been the coordinator since 2012.

She is responsible for increasing awareness of

the program and speaker outreach. She

also coordinates partner meetings and builds

support for the Speak for Yourself program through fundraising.

Speak for YourselfMarytina Lawrence

Ag Cab LabJeff Beckman

Scholarship Recipients

Tyler OtteTyler Otte is the son of Blake and Chicky Otte of Dakota County. He is

attending the University of Minnesota, majoring in animal science.“I feel very privileged to receive this scholarship,” said Otte. “It will help me

greatly with school and will make it that much easier to start farming someday.”

Katie WinslowKatie Winslow is the daughter of Scott and Jean Winslow of Fillmore County.

She is attending the University of Minnesota, majoring in agricultural education. She is the sixth generation on the family farm where they raise swine, corn and soybeans.

“I am so appreciative to Farm Bureau for this scholarship,” said Winslow. “When it comes to investing in my education, any and all funds help. I look forward to using my education to give back to Farm Bureau.”


Continued...


3

It is clear to me that the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is touching the

lives and making a positive difference for families across Minnesota. Whether you live in an urban or rural area, Farm Bureau is there sharing the story of farming.

With the distribution of over $80,000 in grants, scholarships and contributions, we are making a difference. The Foundation has directly impacted all aspects of life here in Minnesota through agricultural education, leadership development and safety education.

During the 18 years that I have worked for Farm Bureau, I have served in different positions. Serving as the Foundation Director for the past year, I vowed to share the wonderful story of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation. It has been a pleasure for me to travel around Minnesota and promote the Foundation’s mission and share the stories of those whom we have impacted. I have been profoundly touched by the members who have donated to the MFB Foundation and the stories behind their giving.

Thank you for the remarkable year of building awareness and understanding. To our volunteers and donors, thank you. We hope that you see how the MFB Foundation has been working to create deeper understanding in our communities through our programs, grants and scholarships.

Respectfully,Ruth MeirickMinnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Director

DIRECTOR’S

LETTER

14

Foundation Highlights w MFB Foundation has established the Century Club, a fund that will

assist in the development of programs that help the mission of the Minnesota Farm Bureau. Since July, $7,300 has been committed to this new program.w The MFB Foundation has raised more than $360,000 this past year

for programs that support agriculture education, leadership development and safety education.w Fifty-two county Farm Bureaus in Minnesota received more than

$42,000 in Agriculture Promotion grant funding.w Over $23,000 was raised to support the South Dakota Farm Bureau

Cares rancher relief fund.w MFB Foundation raised approximately $15,000 selling Pork Chops at

Farmfest this past year, a 60 percent increase over last year due largely to generous donation from Hormel Foods.w Minnesota Farm Bureau hired a Foundation Director with the focus

of promoting the programs within the Foundation and raising revenue to support the Foundation’s mission.w Four scholarships were given and 18 organizations received funding

from the MFB Foundation totaling more than $25,000 this past year.


donating your time and funds to further our efforts here at Great Plains Food Bank. Our staff enjoyed the chocolates too! It was such a pleasure working with you.

Blessings,Caroline McGuireVolunteer Coordinator


recent gift to the Great Plains Food Bank – one of 19 programs administered by Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota. Through this gift, we are bringing healing, help and hope to our hungry neighbors across North Dakota and western Minnesota!

Currently, 1 in 10 people in our state turn to our network of charitable feeding programs supplied by the Great Plains Food Bank – 36% of them are children and 12% are seniors. Because of your generosity, we distributed a record 12,856,371 pounds of donated food and grocery items to more than 78,000 individuals in 2013. Thank you!

Our network of 318 charitable feeding programs in more than 112 communities depends on the Great Plains Food Bank for some or all of their food supplies. And, because almost all of the food we distribute is surplus product donated by the food industry, we are able to provide nearly $7.95 worth of food to those stricken by poverty and hunger for every charitable dollar we receive.

And what a tremendous difference your contribution makes in so many lives… children having enough to eat so they can stay healthy and learn to their fullest potential… seniors on fixed incomes not having to make the difficult choice between paying for rising

medicine costs or food… working moms and dads having enough food to put on the table for their families when an emergency disrupts an already tightly-stretched budget.

Ending hunger is a shared responsibility. Thank you for joining hands with the Great Plains Food Bank in making this a reality!

Sincerely,Marcia PaulsonDirector of Marketingand Developing


the Collegiate Discussion Meet and my scholarship. I really enjoyed competing over the last four years, and while I didn’t come out on top, I have that much more motivation to get involved with the YF&R competition!

This gift means a lot to me as I work to pay off my college debt. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,Kirby Schmidt


ongoing support of the annual Minnesota Royal

thevent. The 98 Minnesota Royal week was held from April 7-12, 2014 on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota with the theme, “Beyond the Barn Door in 20-1-4.” Your donation helped in making the festive week a great success with 10 different organizations participating and hundreds of students involved. It was a wonderful week full of events that united students, faculty, community members and alumni in celebration of fun and agriculture at the University of Minnesota. Students had the opportunity to learn hands-on and showcase their talents through many different activities.

thPreparations for the 99 Minnesota Royal

celebration are already in progress, and we hope that you will continue to support the great tradition of Minnesota Royal and its participants in the 2015 event. It is through the generosity of donors like the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation that Minnesota Royal has remained a strong and successful event for nearly 100 years!

The executive team, faculty, staff and students deeply appreciate your generosity and are so grateful for your support.

With gratitude,Calli Jo Smith and Bryan WendtMN Royal Fundraising Chairs

MFB Foundation,Thank you for all the

support you have given me and Minnesota FFA. I hope you keep sponsoring Minnesota FFA, and I thank you again for all the support you have given me.

Sincerely,Brett Peterson


sponsoring the FFA Discussion Meet! It was a lot of fun and a good learning experience. I’m glad I had the opportunity to participate in it! Thank you!

Sincerely,Shelby SchiefelbeinKimball, MN


the FFA State Convention. We appreciate the leadership and career development opportunities. Thank you!

Sincerely,Jason GapinskiSauk Rapids-Rice FFA


sponsoring our State FFA Convention. Every year we look forward to participating in all of the

different events at the convention. Without you, the convention could not be as successful as it is. Thank you for everything you do for our organization.

Sincerely,Norman County West FFA


the Minnesota FFA State Convention. We really appreciate your support.

Sincerely,Arnie GruenesEden Valley-Watkins FFA

MFB Foundation,On behalf of the

Agriculture Education Club, we would like to thank you for sponsoring and

thattending the 5 Annual Ag Awareness Day held April 15 at the University of Minnesota. Your support allowed over 3,500 University community members to interact with live animals and ask questions about Minnesota agriculture.

Ag Awareness Day was full of excitement as members of the Agricultural Education Club joined with 22 agricultural organizations to host interactive displays sharing the story of Minnesota agriculture. Among the booths, the animals were quite popular. The animals lining Church Street included a dairy calf, ewe with baby lambs, llamas and two beef cattle.

Ag Awareness Day would not be a success without your generous support. Thank you again for your

thsponsorship of the 5 Annual Ag Awareness Day.

Sincerely,Lauren Servick and Katie SchmittEvent Co-Chairs

MFB Foundation,I am writing to thank you

for your generous Farm Bureau Discussion meet Scholarship. I was very happy and appreciative to

Continued...

County Board Challenge

Thank you to the following County Farm Bureau board of directors who participated in the County Board Challenge:

Anoka County Farm BureauBlue Earth County Farm BureauCarver County Farm BureauCass County Farm BureauChisago County Farm BureauDakota County Farm BureauDodge County Farm BureauFreeborn County Farm BureauGoodhue County Farm BureauMower County Farm BureauOlmsted County Farm BureauPope County Farm BureauRice County Farm BureauWabasha County Farm BureauWashington-Ramsey County Farm BureauWest Otter Tail County Farm Bureau

MFB Foundation Board of Directors

Kevin Paap, PresidentDuane Alberts, Vice PresidentChris Radatz, SecretaryDave Johnson, TreasurerLarry LarsonRobert RoelofsDavid Van Loh

Nathan CollinsFran MironJohn Gilbertson, Sr.Mike GundersonKelly SchmidtNada Carter


In 1986, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Board of Directors created the Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) Foundation. The

focus was to grow, support and enhance agricultural education, safety education and leadership development. Our mission is to provide opportunities for supporters of agriculture to invest in people and programs

focused on supporting active farmers and agriculturalists, better connecting agriculture to consumers and serving rural communities.

The MFB Foundation has continually enhanced its efforts on agricultural education and safety education both with consumers and children. MFB Foundation programming provides continued education and leadership opportunities for farm and ranch families. These local outreach opportunities are supported by our Agricultural Promotion Grant program, now in its 11th year, which provides $40,000 annually to county Farm Bureaus to support consumer outreach activities such as Breakfast on the Farms, I Met a Farmer Tours, Ag in the Classroom and Farmers Market activities to name a few.

In addition, the MFB Foundation believes strongly in investing in today’s youth for tomorrow’s leaders. During the last 15 years, the MFB Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships and grants that fund programs and projects designed to help improve agriculture and the quality of life in rural Minnesota. We have touched the lives of thousands of Minnesotans through our focus on agricultural education, safety education, leadership development and scholarships.

MFB Foundation has developed resources and programs that are positively affecting Minnesotans. Safety resources developed include the Agriculture Transportation Handbook and the trespass flier. The Speak for Yourself program has trained over 40 farmers and ranchers who share their farm story to key influencers such as service organizations and MOM groups reaching nearly 200,000 consumers the past two years. The Ag Cab Lab projects are mobile learning units about today’s farming that are highly sought after by museums for long-term agriculture exhibits including at Headwaters Science Museum of Bemidji, Children’s Museum of Rochester, Minnesota Zoo Wells Fargo Family Farm and the Minnesota State Fair CHS Miracle of Birth Center reaching nearly 2 million annually. In addition, the Ag Cab Lab projects have allowed us to be at the table with the Minnesota History Museum for their new edition of the 6th grade history book.

This past year, we helped our fellow farmers and ranchers who were devastated by the 2013 October blizzard by raising nearly $30,000 for the South Dakota Farm Bureau Cares Fund to assist with basic needs for these families.

Population shifts have resulted in fewer people on the farm and in rural communities. This has profound ramifications for agriculture and our way of life. That is why your generous support of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is so important. Your support shows you care about developing leaders and enhancing awareness of agriculture.

On behalf of the nearly 30,000 farm and ranch families of the Minnesota Farm Bureau, thank you for your kind support of the MFB Foundation.

KEVIN PAAPMINNESOTA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT’S

MESSAGE

2 15

Edible Classrooms, Breakfast on the Farms, “I Met a Farmer” tours and assisting with Miracle of Birth exhibits are just a few of the creative ways that county Farm Bureaus have used their Agriculture Promotion Grant dollars around Minnesota. County Farm Bureaus were able to leverage an additional $99,700 with partnership and more than 187,600 people were directly or indirectly impacted by programs offered.

The Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is proud to coordinate the Agriculture Promotion Grant program, and we realize the incredible success that it has in our local communities.

For a full summary of county Agriculture Promotion Grant programs, visit www.�mn.org.

learn that I was selected as the recipient of your scholarship.

I have recently graduated from high school and will be attending NDSU in the fall. I plan to pursue a Pre-Vet/Animal Science major as well as to receive my license as a horse trainer and therapeutic riding instructor. After graduation, I plan on furthering my education at the U of M to receive a doctorate degree as an Equine Veterinarian.

Currently, I am volunteering at the Lakes Area Region Veterinary Clinic as well as teaching riding lessons. Your generosity is greatly appreciated as I start my freshman year and get one step closer to my intended career. Thanks again.

Sincerely,Rebekah Aanerud


the Minnesota Agricultural Ambassador Institute (MAAI). This was a great learning opportunity for all of the participants. We will be leaving this conference with a new outlook on the importance of ag advocacy. Thank you again for your sponsorship!

Hayley Faber and other MAAI participants

MFB Foundation,On behalf of all MAAI

participants, I’d like to thank you for being a sponsor of the conference. Because of your contribution, I learned so much about effective communication and ag diversity, had opportunities for ag policy-based networking and toured ag operations previously foreign to me such as feedlots and an ethanol plant. I cannot adequately express the impact MAAI has had on me, as I now feel inspired to continue learning and growing within the ag community. I will take the skills learned

here and utilize them going forward in agvocacy.

With gratitude,Morgan SchreursMinnesota SoybeanAmbassador

MFB Foundation,Thanks for helping with

MAAI. I have learned and experienced a great deal that I am excited to take home and implement.

Thanks,Jacob Sorenson

MFB Foundation,I just wanted to thank

you for your support of the th19 Minnesota Ag

Ambassadors Institute.Thanks!Andrew Praus


the generous scholarship. This scholarship will be used to help me pay for college. This fall I will be attending Texas A&M University where I will be working towards a degree in animal science.

Thank you!Sincerely,Shelby SchiefelbeinKimball, MN


generous and thoughtful sponsorship of the Eagan Foundation and our annual event, the Taste of the Eagan Foundation. Your sponsorship contributes to making Eagan the best place to live, learn, work and play and will help support our mission of investing in Eagan’s future by providing community connections, grants, scholarships and helping others in the community. We’re very excited by the number of Eagan residents, business and community leaders that came out to make the event a success.

This past year, the Eagan Foundation awarded a record number community grants to community groups. In addition, this coming year we’ll be

celebrating the Eagan thFoundation’s 25 year of

serving the community. With your support and many others in the Eagan community, we have awarded more than one million dollars in scholarships and look forward to the next million.

Again, we deeply appreciate your generous support of the Eagan Foundation. The support by you and your business are very important to the Eagan community and to our success and it allows us the opportunity to continue serving the community.

Sincerely,Randy FeldTreasurer, EaganFoundation, Inc.


contribution to the 2014 4-H Dairy Showcase! This marks our sixth year and your support has helped make it our most successful showcase in its brief history.

Thanks again!Sincerely,Steve Pooch4-H Dairy ShowcaseFinance Chair


pledge to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation for our History & Heritage Campaign.

Your support will help build a new State Fair History & Heritage Center with educational exhibits and programs that tell the 150-year story of the Minnesota State Fair. Located on the west side of the fairgrounds, the comprehensive project includes a new gateway, transit hub, retail spaces, performance venues and guest amenities. The Center will be prominently featured near the new entrance with exhibits that connect generations of State Fair and Minnesota families.

We appreciate your support of the History & Heritage Campaign and our Foundation mission to improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences.

Thank you.Sincerely,Kay CadyExecutive Director


sponsoring the award for the reserve senior reasons individual for the Minnesota State 4-H Livestock Judging contest. We as a team greatly appreciate everything you do to help support 4-H and its programs that create better leaders in ag for the future. 4-H and especially general livestock judging have helped me to grow so much as an individual, and I can honestly say I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the things judging has helped to give me. It is because of sponsors like yourself that judging continues to thrive and will for years to come. Once again, thank you so much for all that you do to support 4-H and livestock judging. It certainly does not go unnoticed!

Sincerely,Maddie Schafer


the Minnesota 4-H dairy project and dairy judging by sponsoring the award for high overall senior individual. Dairy judging has been a part of my years

rdin 4-H since 3 grade. It has helped me gain confidence and speaking skills. It has always been my goal to win this contest, and this year I was lucky enough to reach that! Thanks again for your support!

Sincerely,Haely Leiding

Crow Wing County

Scott County

County Farm Bureaus Have Impact

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P.O. Box 64370St. Paul, MN 55164651-768-2100 Fax: 651-768-2159info@�mn.org �mn.org

Join the Century Club Today!

Be a part of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Century Club today with a contribution of $1,000 or a pledge totaling $1,000

(payable $250 in each of the next four years).

For more information, contactRuth Meirick, Director

Minnesota Farm Bureau FoundationPO Box 64370

St. Paul, MN 55164651-768-2115

www.�mn.org

Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Century Club

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The mission of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is to provide opportunities for supporters of agriculture to invest in people

and programs focused on supporting active farmers and agriculturalists, better connecting agriculture to

consumers and serving rural communities.The Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation is poised to

do just that.

In celebration of Minnesota Farm Bureau’s 100th Anniversary, we would like to invite you to join the Minnesota Farm Bureau Century Club, a fundraising campaign to commemorate the past and celebrate the future of the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

This fund will assist in the development of programs and endeavors that encourage leadership development, create communication, agriculture education and outreach to an increasingly non-farm culture.

Your support of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation through the Century Club will ensure unification of past, present and future leaders of the organization behind a common mission – developing leaders equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

2014Annual

FoundationReview

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2014 Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Annual Review

Documents

Transcript of 2014 Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation Annual Review