Help strengthen alternative media by visiting our supporters

Sheepdog Supplies

Idaho Farm Bureau Annual Honors

farm

Idaho Farm Bureau Recognizes Past President at 77th Annual Meeting

BOISE – Delegates from 36 counties met this week during the 77th Annual Meeting of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation to set the organization’s course for the coming year.

Former Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley and wife Susan were awarded the IFBF President’s Cup for service to the organization. They served with distinction for over 30 years.

IFBF President Bryan Searle said the Priestley’s mentored him for decades as a Young Farmer and Rancher, then as a Board Member and now as President. 

“Whenever I see them, all I can think of is what an inspiration they’ve been to me,” Searle said. The Priestley’s served on the Franklin County Board and the State Board of Directors. Frank Priestley was elected President of the organization in December of 1997.

“It started way back in the Young Farmer and Rancher program when we served on the County Board. Later I became Vice President and then President, then ran for the State Board and the rest is history,” said Frank Priestley. “After serving for so long and finally sitting in the President’s chair, it was humbling.”

Farm Bureau’s annual banquet drew more than 350 members.

Delegates reviewed the organization’s entire policy book updating positions and adding new policy on a wide range of agriculture, natural resources and other topics. Delegates adopted new policy on wolf management, tax credits for new farmers and ranchers, managing the state’s constitutional defense fund, pension spiking and several others.

Farm Bureau Delegates elected Austin Tubbs of Oneida County and Bob Konen of Nez Perce County as new members of the State Board of Directors. Re-elected as State Directors were Scott Steele of Bonneville County, Rick Brune of Jerome County, and Cody Chandler of Washington County. Alton Howell of Bonner County and Mark Harris of Bear Lake County left the State Board and were recognized for their service as State Directors

LaNae Nalder of Minidoka County was elected YF&R Chairman and will also serve on the Idaho Farm Bureau Board of Directors for a two-year term beginning in 2017.

Winner of this year’s Young Farmer and Rancher discussion meet was Erica Louder of Jerome County. Louder won a Polaris 450 HD ATV and an all-expense paid trip to Phoenix, Arizona to compete in the American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet in January. Marquee Ricks of Madison County was a runner up in the competition.

Chris and Autumn Banks of Caribou County won the Young Farmer and Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award. Travis Beckstead of Franklin County received the Young Farmer and Rancher Achiever Award. The Banks’ received a $1,500 check while Beckstead won a Polaris 570 Ranger. The Banks’ and Beckstead will travel to the American Farm Bureau Convention in Phoenix next month to compete in the national Excellence in Agriculture and Achiever competitions.

Dealers from 16 Idaho Polaris Dealerships donated the 570 Ranger, valued at $10,000.

The Women’s Leadership Committee recognized four women as part of their Woman of Year program. This year’s winners include April Toone of Caribou County, Suzanne Takasugi of Canyon County, Jo Anne Kay of Teton County, and Emy Darrington of Cassia County.