In addition to incumbent Doug Darling, who is up for re-election this year, delegates will be voting to fill a vacant at-large position following MFB Vice President Andy Hagenow’s decision to retire from the board after 20 years of service.
While setting organizational policy will be a top priority for the 400-plus voting delegates at Michigan Farm Bureau’s annual meeting, Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, they’ll also be casting their ballots for two at-large MFB board of director positions for 2-year terms.
In addition to incumbent Doug Darling, who is up for re-election this year, delegates will be voting to fill a vacant at-large position following MFB Vice President Andy Hagenow’s decision to retire from the board after 20 years of service.
The MFB Board of Directors is made up of 17 farmer members, including one director from each of MFB’s 12 districts, two at-large positions, a Young Farmer representative, a Promotion and Education representative, and the president in a director at-large capacity.
MFB’s organizational bylaw requirements to serve on the board of directors include:
- The person must be a full-time farmer, and their primary interest must be farming.
- Must not have another full-time occupation.
- Must not serve in a county, state or national elected office.
The MFB board is responsible for executing and carrying out member-adopted policies on issues affecting agriculture, and governing and overseeing management of the association, including the organization’s financial matters.
The deadline for candidates to announce their candidacy was Nov. 3, 2021. Each candidate was afforded an opportunity to provide a short bio about themselves and their farm operation, as well their experience and qualifications to serve on the MFB board of directors.
In the interest of fairness and objectivity, MFB staff did not write or edit the candidates’ submissions. Each profile, linked below, is presented as submitted by the candidates.
Member Candidate Profiles
- Bruce Berkompas - Chippewa County Farm Bureau
- Nathan Clarke - Midland County Farm Bureau
- Doug Darling - Monroe County Farm Bureau
- Paul Pridgeon - Branch County Farm Bureau
- Caleb Stewart - Clinton County Farm Bureau
- Larry Walton - St. Joseph County Farm Bureau
