From the nation’s capital to the land of peanuts, the 2022-23 ProFILE class wrapped up its 15-month journey with a graduation celebration at the Michigan Farm Bureau home office in Lansing.
It was a well-earned night of celebration after completing MFB’s premier leadership development program for promising young Farm Bureau leaders, ages 25-35.
Throughout the intensive program, participants work on practical skills like public speaking, teamwork, communication, networking, media outreach and business planning.
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” said participant Chad Geoit. “In the beginning it was a little uncomfortable — sort of awkward — but that might have been the point.
“We had to get out of our comfort zones. Then we really started to learn about leadership, public speaking and how to have an impact.”
The class’ journey started with media training and public speaking exercises before heading to Gettysburg for an eye-opening leadership experience with the Lincoln Leadership Institute. Then came a trip to Washington D.C. for an up-close look at grassroots advocacy in action.
The program’s capstone was a weeklong visit to Georgia and Alabama where the cohort toured agriculture operations and networked with Farm Bureau leaders in those states.
The 2022-23 ProFILE graduating class included:
- John Bowsky — Sanilac
- Jed Bushey — Huron
- Robyn Fogarasi — Arenac
- Chad Geoit — Kalamazoo
- Chris Heck — Monroe
- Jake Isley — Lenawee
- Amanda Koch — Calhoun
- Justin Kruitoff — Newaygo
- Susan Mattila — Copper Country
- Lauren Mezo — Clinton
- Joe Packard — Washtenaw
- Jason Smith — Newaygo
- Mark Trowbridge — St. Joseph
- Elizabeth Wernette — Mecosta
- Lyle Young — Livingston
- Sarah Zastrow — Midland
- Kylee Zdunic-Rasch — Kent
Just as this program wound down, the selection process for the next ProFILE class was gearing up.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023-24 ProFILE class. If you know an emerging leader who might be ProFILE material, note that nominations are due Aug. 1, 2023. Click here to recommend a promising nominee to your county Farm Bureau for their consideration; we’ll forward their name to the county on your behalf.