Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross has been selected by American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) delegates to represent the 12-state Midwest region on the organization’s board of directors.
A Leelanau County fruit grower, LaCross was voted to serve a two-year term on the AFBF board during the American Farm Bureau Convention, held in San Antonio, Texas. His election to the AFBF board came less than two months after MFB delegates elected him to serve as the organization’s 17th president at their State Annual Meeting.
“To be able to serve and represent Michigan farmers on the American Farm Bureau board of directors is a really humbling opportunity for me,” LaCross said. “I'm very excited to be able to take the priorities that our Michigan members have to Washington, D.C., to advocate at the level of the American Farm Bureau Federation and at Congress.”
LaCross led MFB’s voting delegates as they advocated for numerous state-level policy recommendations that were approved by AFBF delegates, including provisions on labor, drones, agritourism, education and more.
“So many of those issues that affect our members — whether it be the farm bill, trade or labor — are issues that originate in Washington, DC, and so I'm very proud to have a voice and be able to help our Michigan farmers at that level,” LaCross added.
LaCross, who previously served as the District 9 Director on MFB’s Board of Directors, grows roughly 850 acres of cherries in Leelanau County with his parents, Glenn and Judy. He and wife Kelsey have two sons, Keaton and Cameron, and a daughter, Lauren.
Learn more about LaCross here.