State P&E committee thanks outgoing leadership quartet

With the New Year approaching, Michigan Farm Bureau gratefully acknowledges the service of four state Promotion & Education (P&E) committee members stepping away from the body that steers the organization’s consumer-outreach programming. 

Jess Erler

In addition to helping out on his family’s 100-acre cattle ranch, Osceola County’s Jess Erler operates a horse-training business and boarding facility with his wife Chelsea. His Farm Bureau involvement began locally as Osceola County Farm Bureau president before representing District 7 on the state P&E committee. 

“To me, Farm Bureau is a voice where we can reach out to the rest of the state and be an advocate for our farmer members and agriculture in general,” Erler said. 

“Contributing at the state level is captivating because we help build impactful programs and promote change. I’ve developed a deeper understanding of how Michigan Farm Bureau functions and how counties play their roles. We truly are a grassroots organization.” 

Erler encourages anyone still on the fence to take the leap and get involved. 

“Participation offers valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth while connecting consumers statewide.”

Tiffany Howell

With her husband and children, Tiffany Howell raises hay and beef cattle in Lapeer County. Stepping away from the state P&E committee after six years, she appreciates the connections made through her experience with Farm Bureau. 

“It’s amazing to go to events and already know people as a result of being a part of this organization,” Howell said. “The relationships I’ve made — and the people I’ve met around the state who are involved in promoting agriculture — they’re all just incredible.”

As a teacher at Lapeer County Ed-Tech, education has always been important to Howell. She enjoys Project RED and other consumer-education events — a particular focus of the state P&E committee over the past year. 

“Our Voice of Agriculture and Growing Together conferences are so valuable. You get many returning people because they know they are valuable and enjoyable,” she said. “It’s such a great place to learn and meet friends.”

Howell also spoke to 2024’s Connecting Communities grants, specifically how they fostered connections between consumers and ag-industry adults.

“It gave county Farm Bureaus from any membership or funding level an opportunity to bring P&E to local consumers,” she said.

Moving forward, Howell thinks the program is in a good position to add more consumer education.

Asked what Farm Bureau means to her, she replied, “Everything that we do, farming, teaching, teaching agriculture, teaching kids — they all tie to Farm Bureau.”

Jason Smith

Macomb County’s Jason Smith works at Wolcott Farm Center as an educator and animal caretaker. After aging out of Young Farmer program he changed gears and came to P&E, where he played a role in launching the FARM Science Van and other new outreach efforts, including making ag-ed programs more accessible to those with special needs. 

“Promotion & Education supports the entire industry,” he said. “It’s many people who are all passionate about teaching others — and encouraging them to join Farm Bureau.”

In Farm Bureau, Smith sees an organization that’s offered him practical tools and helped shaped who he is today: a more complete leader and a skilled advocate for Michigan agriculture.

“Farm Bureau has been such a supporter of helping me grow,” Smith said. “I would not be who I am — or as involved in agriculture as I am today — without Farm Bureau’s tools and the support from staff and volunteers alike.”

Katelyn Thompson

On her third-generation Eaton County beef farm, Katelyn Thompson lives with her parents and sister. By day she manages ag property programs for Lucid Insurance. 

Her Farm Bureau involvement began when she attended a county board meeting while still working at MSU Extension. From there she dug into the Young Farmer program, county and state-level events, attended national-level Target training, and took part in ProFILE before settling into the state P&E committee. 

Thompson said serving on the P&E committee brought her many of the opportunities being involved with Michigan Farm Bureau and how much of an impact committees have on the state. 

“We have an organization of dedicated, passionate individuals for P&E, policy and advocating on farmers’ behalf. If someone has a question about agriculture or farming, there are always Farm Bureau members who come to mind that I can reach out to.”

Thompson wants others to know that 

To those considering stepping up their Farm Bureau involvement, Thompson’s message is simple: You do not need to know everything, you just need a desire to learn, to be involved and to get engaged.