State P&E committee welcomes new leaders

A New Year means new blood on the state-level committees at the helm of Michigan Farm Bureau’s Promotion & Education and Young Farmer programs. 

Click here to meet the new state Young Farmer committee members; keep reading to learn more about your new Promotion & Education leaders — in their own words.

DISTRICT 3: Kim Graham, Wayne County

I was raised on a dairy farm in Saline. I grew up in 4-H, as an adult became a 4-H leader, was rabbit superintendent for Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Show for over 20 years. Over the years we’ve raised rabbits, goats, miniature donkeys and an array of poultry. I’ve supported both Washtenaw County 4-H Fair, Wayne County Fair and the Saline Fair as the pullorum tester. 

I have been on the Wayne County Farm Bureau board for about 12 years. I’ve been on the P&E committee since joining, became co-chair my second year and started chairing nine years ago. My passion is ag education, both for the kids and the adults — to teach them where their food comes from and how to grow their own. I love showing students all the careers available to them in agriculture.

I’ve been married 43 years to a wonderful man; we have three amazing children and nine grands. With our children we raised and showed rabbits at the state and national levels. Through 4-H we raised goats, poultry and rabbits, with our children and grands. As we began cutting back, retired from the animals, our stock went to our daughter and her family, helping them start their own farm. We also grew row crops and hay. The hay business has since been turned over to the grandsons, allowing us to finally retire from farming.

Farm Bureau is the voice of the farmer, from education to policy development, production and manufacturing. The resources available are remarkable and the staff a very knowledgeable — ready and willing to face issues affecting farmers every day. 

I got involved because of the lack of education about where and how our food is produced. The opportunities out there for Young Farmers are some of the best opportunities for them to grow in their knowledge and skills for the future. The educational offerings though Farm Bureau are amazing.

DISTRICT 5: Tami Shaw, Ingham County

I owned Shawhaven Farm, a 140-acre agritourism business with cattle, sheep, alpacas and goats. After my husband and I sold the main farm in December of last year, we have moved to a smaller farm near Mason where we will be raising vegetables and flowers.

I've been on the Ingham County Farm Bureau board for five years now; this is my second year as county president. I’ve been a member of Michigan Agritourism Association and Michigan Sheep Breeders Association. 

I’m passionate about farming and educating people about farming — that’s why we opened our farm to the public. I enjoy working Project RED and working the Farm Bureau food booth at the county fair. 

With other Promotion & Education leaders, I hope to be able to share information — and learn how to share more — about informing others about farming.

My parents didn't farm, but both came from farming families. My husband Doug is a fifth-generation farmer; we’ve been married 20 years. Between us we have a son, three daughters and nine grandkids. 

Getting together with other farmers and sharing our stories, problems and solutions is so valuable. When we work together to spread the knowledge and needs of farmers to the public and legislators, things can be changed and improved.

AT LARGE: Katrina Bontekoe, Osceola County

We have a dairy farm near Marion where we milk 220 cows using five Lely robots. We farm about 600 acres of corn and hay and have 300 head of young stock. We have started to raise some beef cattle to sell direct to consumers.

I’m the assistant superintendent of business services for the Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District. We help six of our local schools with budgeting, payroll, accounts payable and human resources.

My husband was Osceola County Farm Bureau president for a number of years, and I attended many annual meetings and Young Farmer events with him. We were very active in 4-H when our kids were showing animals; now that they’re older, I’m getting more involved.

I hope to help clear up consumer misconceptions about the dairy industry.

Mark and I have been married for 25 years; he’s a fourth-generation farmer. We started our own farm in 2001 in rented facilities, built our first parlor in 2006 and started with robots in 2021.

We have three boys: Owen is working as a relief breeder for Central Star and Sterner Vet Clinic; Brant works on our farm and Damion is a senior in high school.

Farm Bureau is a good avenue for bringing people together who have common struggles and are able to help each other. I’d like to see more activities to bring farmers together to talk about the issues they’re facing; it helps to know that you are not alone. 

The influence Farm Bureau can have on policy can help make our lives as farmers better. People should join Farm Bureau to help provide the voice to policy development. 

Of course the benefits from the discount programs help too!

AT LARGE: Joyce Neyer, Isabella County

My husband is part-owner in a dairy operation. With his brother and nephew they also custom harvest hay and corn for other dairy operations.

I’ve been a member of Isabella County Farm Bureau for more than 30 years, and have served on the board of directors for several years. During that time I was president of the board and also on the Promotion & Education committee.

I’ve helped with local Farm Bureau events such as Breakfast on the Farm, Project RED and farm tours. A couple times I have also participated in the Washington Legislative Seminar, and just recently became one of the educators for the FARM Science Lab.

Jerry and I have been married for 30 years; we have two sons: Sam and Drew.

Being a member of Farm Bureau has given me the opportunity to be involved in many community events and connect with others in the agriculture community.