The Prairie Star: Montana Ag Newspaper

Bob Hanson, a cattle rancher and quarter horse breeder from White Sulphur Springs, has been elected president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation during the organization's annual convention in Billings Nov. 9-12. Hanson takes the reins from Dave McClure, who served as MFBF president for 21 years and opted not to run for another term.

“We've had great leadership with Dave McClure, and have an excellent team in place. I want to stay the course this organization is on,” said Hanson. Hanson, who has served as MFBF's vice president since 1996, says his push will be for increased education for farmers and ranchers on important subjects like ag safety, environmental regulations, animal welfare and a variety of other educational matters beneficial to farmers and ranchers.

“Of course, our most serious issue on the table right now for Montana cattlemen is brucellosis,” Hanson said. Hanson, whose family has been ranching in Meagher County since 1881, looks forward to working with Farm Bureau members, as well as other ag organizations, across the state on a variety of issues facing Montana's farmers and ranchers.

Bruce Wright, a Belgrade farmer who has been serving as MFBF's District 10 Director, was elected as vice president. Wright owns a fourth-generation, diversified farm near Belgrade, Mont., where he grows wheat, barley oats, sunflowers, camelina and other crops. Wright says he's, “looking forward to being involved statewide in Farm Bureau.”

Replacing Bruce Wright as District 10 Director is Sky Anderson. Anderson is a cattle producer from Livingston. Bill Rehbein, a cattle producer and farmer from Lambert, replaces Gene Evans as District 6 Director. Evans termed out after serving for six years on the MFBF board. Another new face on the MFBF board is Alan Larson, a grain farmer from Big Sandy. Larson replaces Ed Bandel, District 8 Director, who also termed out.

Re-elected board members included: Jules Marchesseault, District 2, Dillon, and John Stevens, District 4, Hardin.

Jim Willis was elected MFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Chair. Willis is a cattle producer from Buffalo, Mont. Willis replaces Jim Taber from Shawmut, who reached the age limit for young farmer and rancher leaders.

The Women's Leadership Committee also held their election. Lillian Ostendorf was re-elected as Committee Chair. Beth Blevins, Ronan, District I chair; Dora Meidinger Huckins, Broadus, District 5 chair; Dorothy Hlad, Nashua, District 7 chair; and Gwen Larson, District 9 chair. Newly elected to the Women's Leadership Committee is Deb Bricker, Moore, District 3.

Farmers Union elects board

Rollie Schlepp, Conrad, was re-elected as vice-president of the Montana Farmers Union at its 93rd Annual Meeting and Convention on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, in Great Falls. Schlepp will serve a two-year term.

Schlepp farms and ranches in the Conrad area. In addition to his duties as vice-president, he represents Montana Farmers Union on the Farmers Union Industries board, and also serves on the Mountain View Co-op board.

Others elected during the convention include:

District 2: Erik Somerfeld, Power (2-year term)

District 4: Brett Dailey, Jordan (3-year term)

District 6: Chris Fritz, Kalispell (2-year term)

At-Large: Bill Courtnage, Geraldine (3-year term)

Conductor, Herb Vasseur, Chinook (1-year term)

Doorkeeper: John Wendland, Rudyard (1-year term)

National Farmers Union convention delegates are Kyle Burgmaier, Power; Chad Doheny, Dutton; Chris Fritz, Kalispell.

Alternates are: Norm Sullivan, Great Falls; Roger Zentzis, Havre; and Henry Nagamori, Loma. Youth delegate is Tara Graves, Highwood, with John Kelly, Chester, being the alternate.

Farmers Union honors insurance agents

The Montana Farmers Union honored Montana Farmers Union Insurance agents from Billings, Bozeman, Conrad, Hamilton, Lewistown, Miles City, Missoula, and Ronan at its recent 93rd annual meeting and convention held in Great Falls. Awards were for recruiting the most new members and for membership retention for the Montana Farmers Union statewide organization.

Those honored with awards included:

District 1

Ken Beard, Billings - 1st place for most new members and most total members.

Ron Watts, Miles City - 2nd place for most new members and most total members.

District 2

Art Hoffart, Bozeman - 1st place for most new members.

Gordon Elings, Conrad - 1st place for most total members.

Tom McKenna, Lewistown - 2nd place for most new members and most total members.

District 3

Bryan Jones, Hamilton - 1st place for most new members.

Delie/Newman Agency, Ronan - 1st place for most total members.

Andre Marcure, Missoula - 2nd place for most new members and most total members.

“The Montana Farmers Union Insurance agents' support is important to us,” said Alan Merrill, MFU President, “and we thank them for the great job they've done over the past year.”

Doheny receives Margaret Bucher Eklund award

Montana Farmers Union presented the first Margaret Bucher Eklund Award to Judy Doheny, Great Falls, at its 93rd annual meeting and convention, at the Education Luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. Doheny served as Education Director for the Montana Farmers Union in the 1980s, with part of her duties being to plan and implement the MFU Summer Youth Camp Program.

During the convention it was noted that the Education Director position was more than just a job for Judy - it was her passion for MFU.

Margaret Bucher Eklund was the longest serving Education Director in the history of Montana Farmers Union. She served just a few months short of 20 years, and during that time directed both youth and adult educational programs.

The annual award is presented to someone who has demonstrated excellence and commitment in their service to Montana Farmers Union.