county newsletter

Kristi Keilen, Clinton County Farm Bureau board member and newly elected county president, was honored as Clinton County Farm Bureau’s 2016 Young Agriculture Leader Award at the county annual meeting last fall.

Keilen is a partner in K&K Dairy near Westphalia, an operation made up of two families. The families are Kristi and her husband, Matt, and their 1-year-old son, Brody, and Gregg Trierweiler and his wife, Kristin, and their children, Ashleigh and Alex.

Matt handles the farm’s crops, while Gregg works with the cows.

Both Matt and Gregg are involved in the finances and overall farm management. Kristi is the calf specialist and gets involved in educating the public and running the farm’s social media sites. Kristin is the herd veterinarian.

The Young Agriculture Leader Award recognizes successful young agriculturalists, who have an ownership stake in a farm

operation, for outstanding leadership in Farm Bureau, agriculture and throughout the agricultural community.

DJ Logan, a teacher at Gateway North Elementary School in St. Johns, was honored by the Michigan Farm Bureau as the organization’s 2016 K-12 Educator Of The Year at the State Annual Meeting, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, in Grand Rapids.

Nominated by Clinton County Farm Bureau, Logan has taken the lead in embarking her school on a new learning adventure as an agriculture-based, STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) school. Teachers in STEM schools revamp lessons to incorporate a focus on STEM concepts, including teaching a minimum of one agriculture lesson per trimester with little or no additional funding.

Logan partnered with Clinton County Farm Bureau to learn more about agriculture and create programs that helped bring farmers into classrooms.

Logan has worked with other teachers to add an agricultural component to current events, such as adding a straw bale crawl, rolling squash through drainage tile and adding egg and spoon races to the school’s field day.

She attended the 2015 National Agriculture

in the Classroom Conference in Arizona and brought back lessons to share across all grade levels. She has even created a newsletter for colleagues to help share ideas on lessons.

Congratulations, DJ!

January 2017

DJ Logan, a teacher at Gateway North Elementary School in St. Johns, right, receives Clinton County Farm Bureau’s 2016 Educator Of The Year Award at the county annual meeting last fall. The award was presented by Clinton County Farm Bureau’s Erin West.

St. Johns Teacher is Honored as Educator of the Year

Kristi Keilen, Clinton County Farm Bureau board member and partner in K&K Dairy near Westphalia, right, was awarded the 2016 Young Agriculture Leader Award at the county annual meeting last fall. The award was presented by Clinton County Farm Bureau’s Erin West.

Keilen Named 2016 Young Agriculture Leader at County Annual Meeting

County 19 A Clinton County Farm Bureau Publication

Clinton

CLINTON COUNTYFARM BUREAU

Upcoming EventsVoice of Agriculture Conference

ü Jan. 23–24Grand Traverse Resort, AcmeTarget audience: Individuals interested in learning how to positively promote Michigan agriculture to school children, adults and the media. Focus: Learn about innovative projects, new Agriculture in the Classroom lessons, social media and many more unique resources.

Young Farmer Leadership Conference

ü Feb. 17-19Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand RapidsTarget audience: 18–35 years oldFocus: Young farmers’ professional and personal growth and addresses issues relevant to this generation, including leadership training, management skills, and business/family relationships.

Lansing Legislative Seminar ü Feb. 21Lansing Center, LansingTarget audience: 10 Regular members looking to connect with legislatorsFocus: Meet with state legislative and regulatory leaders, learn about current issues impacting agriculture, build relationships with legislators, and discuss local ag issues

Washington Legislative Seminar

ü March 14–16Holiday Inn Capitol, Washington, D.C.Target audience: 2 Regular members looking to connect with national legislatorsFocus: Make personal contact with members of Congress and other government leaders, receive national issue updates from experts and advocate for legislation and regulation impacting Michigan agriculture, using Farm Bureau policy.

January 20172

Clinton County Farm Bureau’s 2016 District Discussion Meet winners were Caleb Stewart and Amanda Hassenger. Both were recognized for their achievement at the county annual meeting last fall.

Both advanced to the 97th Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) State Annual Meeting Discussion Meet, where Caleb advanced to the second round.

The intense discussions consisted of the following topics:

• How can we ensure farmers—and not government—drive resource management?

• How can farmers maintain ownership of our data and other proprietary information?

• American agriculture depends on foreign-born labor; how would you draft a national immigration policy?

• Food companies employ many tactics to gain a marketing edge. What is the purpose of food labels? How can Farm Bureau help ensure consumers understand modern food labeling and preserve their confidence in food quality?

Lindsey Martin, the MAEAP technician serving Clinton and Gratiot Counties, was nominated for a 2016 Ecology Champion Award by the Clinton County Farm Bureau at the county annual meeting.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) provides ways to help landowners examine and improve

their current management practices in order to minimize any negative impacts to land and water.

This award is sponsored by the Michigan Farm Bureau Agricultural Ecology Department and is given to an individual who helps farmers protect the environment by addressing environmental risks on their

farms.

A delegation consisting of 22 Clinton County Farm Bureau members attended the 97th Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) State Annual Meeting, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

The attendees included: Rosella Lonier; David Seeger; Rob and Erin West; Matt and Kristi Keilen; Zach Wagner; Robert Craig; Amanda Hassenger; Ken Wieber; Eric and Mindy Voisinet; Melissa Humphrey; Theresa Sisung; Leroy and Stephanie Schafer; Laura and Ramey Lunceford; Caleb Stewart; Chris and Carla Wardin; and Kayla Wiseman.

Stewart, Hassenger Compete at State Discussion Meet

Caleb Stewart, left, and Amanda Hassenger were Clinton County Farm Bureau’s 2016 District Discussion Meet winners.

Clinton Sends Impressive Delegation to MFB State Annual Meeting

Clinton County Farm Bureau board member Leroy Schafer, right, was honored at the county annual meeting last fall. The award was presented by Clinton County Farm Bureau’s Erin West.

Clinton County Farm Bureau board member and past president Rob West, left, was honored at the county annual meeting last fall. The award was presented by Clinton County Farm Bureau’s Erin West.

Local MAEAP Tech Nominated for Ecology Champion Award

Looking for your Farm Bureau membership card in 2017 will be a lot easier than digging through your wallet.

Instead of mailing cards this year, Michigan Farm Bureau is going green and providing cards via email to members.

Cards also are available 24/7 on our website at michfb.com.

Save some time and frustration and access your card with just a few clicks. For assistance in locating your card online, contact the Member Services Department at (888) 805-4864 or memserv@michfb.com.

Watch Your Inbox for 2017 E-Membership Cards

January 2017 3

Amanda Hassenger was awarded Clinton County Farm Bureau’s 2016 Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award at the county annual meeting last fall.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award

recognizes Young Farmers who do not derive the majority of their income from a personally owned agricultural operation, but who actively contribute to and grow through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture.

Amanda is a Clinton County Farm Bureau board member and serves as the county’s Young Farmer Committee chair.

Kristi Keilen, Clinton County Farm Bureau board member and newly elected county president, and Amanda Hassenger, Clinton County Farm Bureau board member and county Young Farmer Committee chair, were awarded the 2016 Volunteers of the Year Award at the county annual meeting last fall.

Volunteers of the Year awards go to members who have exhibited a commitment to a specific program or event in their local community and who were instrumental to the success of that event or program.

Two recognized as Volunteers Of The Year

Kristi Keilen, left, and Amanda Hassenger were awarded the 2016 Volunteers of the Year Award at the county annual meeting last fall.

Hassenger Earns County Excellence in Agriculture Award

97th Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting Photo Gallery

A few reflections from the 2016 Michigan Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids. Photos: Aaron Boak, Jill Corrin, Paul W. Jackson, Jeremy C. Nagel and Brian VanOchten/Michigan Farm Bureau.

You still can get your hands on a 2016 commemorative AgriPac lapel pin!

Simply email Michigan Farm Bureau Government Relations Specialist Matt Kapp or call him at (517) 679-5338. It requires a minimum $10 donation.

The proceeds support the organization’s grassroots efforts to evaluate and endorse agriculture-friendly candidates.

Personal checks and credit cards are accepted.

Purchase Your Commemorative

AgriPac Pin Today

4FARM Science Lab Educator Has a Passion for Teaching Agricultural

LessonsBy Brian VanOchten

In the newly created role of Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Mobile FARM Science Lab educator, Lyndsay Grasman is confident she’ll be able to combine the best of both worlds—agriculture and education—in her latest teaching assignment.

She officially joined MFB as the leader of the FARM Science Lab program on Aug. 15.

“I was a member of 4-H for 11 years and I was our club president in Barry County,” said Grasman, 31, who grew up on a cow-calf farm in the Hastings area. “I’m hoping to bring that real-life (element) into the classroom.”

Grasman, who resides in Howell with her husband, Josh, will travel around the state of Michigan as the permanent educator aboard the Mobile FARM Science Lab classroom trailer, which was unveiled at the 2016 MFB State Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids.

“We are very excited to have Lyndsay on board with the FARM Science Lab, MFB Promotion and Education Department Manager Tonia Ritter said. “Her love of science and teaching, plus a background in agriculture, make her a great fit for finalizing our plans for a successful launch of the Farm Science Lab in 2017.”

Grasman taught at biology, chemistry and physics at Kensington Woods High School and Middle School in Pinckney for the past three years. She previously spent two years at Old Redford Schools in Detroit. Additionally, she has served as a varsity basketball coach, track coach, Science Olympiad coach and helped elementary school students grow their appreciation for science through the Mad Science program.

She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science and earned her teaching certificate from Western Michigan University.

“I really like teaching, but I really like the agriculture and science parts of it, too. And I really missed the farm life,” Grasman said when asked what attracted her to the Farm Science Lab educator position. “There’s no one else in the state doing this job. I wanted to be the pioneer in this effort, and I thought I would be able to reach a lot more kids doing this.”

Although she taught grades 6-12 at Kensington Woods, a charter school, Grasman said she looks forward to working mostly with kindergarten through sixth-grade students as she travels around the state and shares lessons about where our food comes from.

“It will be fun. I like that age group because

they’re so excited to learn new things,” she said. “I hope to teach them agriculture is a part of their daily lives. It’s amazing how much they don’t know about agriculture and where their food—or even their clothes—come from.

“At my last job, the students got tired of hearing me tell them about cows and the lessons I learned growing up on the farm,” she added with a laugh. “ ‘Are you seriously going to tell us another cow story, Ms. Grasman?’ Yes, yes I am.’ I have a lot of them.”

One classroom at a time in the FARM Science Lab trailer will learn science, engineering, technology and math (STEM) lessons that meet state educational standards. The trailer will house lab equipment and interactive technology to help teach students agricultural-based lessons for all grade levels.

The students will report lab results via interactive iPads for further use by their classroom teachers.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at the individual, county Farm Bureau and corporate levels.

County Farm Bureau sponsorship of $7,500 during a two-year period will be recognized on the outside of the trailer. Any individual donating $2,500 or more for a two-year period will be displayed on a placard inside the trailer.

All donations can be made to the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture and mailed to 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI, 48909. Please indicate this is a donation for the FARM Science Lab. The Michigan Foundation for Agriculture is a 501c3 charitable organization.

Donations are tax deductible. If you have any questions, please contact

Michigan Foundation for Agriculture Director Deb Schmucker at (517) 679-5440.

Lyndsay Grasman joined MFB on Aug. 15, 2016. Photo: Brian VanOchten/Michigan Farm Bureau

clinton.michfb.com

A Clinton Farm Bureau Publication

DirectoryPRESIDENT: Rob WestVICE PRESIDENT: Ken WieberTHIRD MEMBER: Kristi KeilenBOARD MEMBERS: David Cotton, Leroy Schafer, David Schrader, David Seeger, Daniel Semans, Theresa Sisung, Andy Todosciuk, Eric Voisinet, P&E CHAIR: Kristi KeilenYOUNG FARMER CHAIR: Amanda HassengerCOUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER:Pamela Fabus, pfabus@ctyfb.comNEWSLETTER EDITOR:Dean Peterson, deanpeterson060@gmail.comAmanda Hassenger,mandirae06@gmail.com

Office1501 Glastonbury Drive • Suite BSaint Johns, MI 48879-1317(989) 224-9536Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. M-F

Upcoming Events(cont.)National Agriculture Week

ü March 19–25Target audience: Every man, woman, and childFocus: Celebrates the food, feed and fiber that U.S. farmers and ranchers provide every day, educate others on agricultureLocal interest: CCFB encourages members to read ag-correct books to area classrooms.

Agriculture Day at the Capitol

ü March 22LansingTarget audience: Regular members looking to connect with legislatorsFocus: Assist delivering an ag-basket of Michigan products to every Michigan Senate and House of Representative’s office, discuss with the legislators the importance of the 2nd largest industry in the state.