Meet the Promotion & Education Committee

Val and her husband, Mark, raise Simmental and Red Angus cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa hay on their farm near Monango. Val also blogs and writes for the Aberdeen News. The couple has four children. She is a members of the N.D. Dairy Coalition board and the Dickey County Fair board. She says that agriculture has alway played an important role in her life, but now as a mother, "I want to work toward ensuring my children have the same opportunities."

Heidi and her husband, Kirk, raise wheat, durum and peas on their farm near Arnegard. The Olsons have two children, Savanna and Katie.

In addition to her service with Farm Bureau, Heidi also is a board member for the Family Crisis Shelter in Williston and a 4-H leader. She says of her involvement in Farm Bureau, "I feel it is important to secure a future for our children in agriculture. I strongly believe in the work ethnic and values of the agriculture community and continuing that for our state."

Connie and her husband Ron farm north of Jamestown on the family farm where they raise black angus. They have two married daughters, Kari & Susan and two grandsons. They are members of the Stusman County Farm Bureau.

Connie is honored to serve on the P&E Committee and enjoys her involvement with Farm Bureau because of the education the organization promotes to our youth who will someday be our future leaders.

Janice is retired from farming, but still lives on the farm near Emerado. She also serves as the Grand Forks County Farm Bureau secretary and said her work with the county organization is how she found out about all the worthwile programs and great people in Farm Bureau. She is involved in Homemakers, Ascension Lutheran Church and is the Emerado Cemetary treasurer. Janice's son, Brett, operates the farm.

Kim and her husband Tyler live on a farm south of Fargo. She works at the NDSU Sheep Research Unit as the Assistant Manager. She is also in the ND Army National Guard and involved in the Fargo Baptist Church. Kim says ,"My desire to promote and educate others about the agriculture industry and the important role it plays in all of our lives prompted the urge to get involved with the NDFB volunteer service. I am excited to meet other members, share ideas, and begin planning our upcoming events."

Kimberly and her husband, Doug, farm near Rolette and raise barley, canola, soybeans and wheat as well as custom seeding and swathing. In addition to her involvement with Farm Bureau, Kimberly is a member of the Rolette School Board and is involved with Rolette Dollars for Scholars and Rolette County Wellness Coalition. The Lemieuxs have four children and are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Kimberly says she got involved in Farm Bureau volunteer service originally because it fit well with her job in public health. She currently works for The Village Family Service Center.

Joyce and her husband, Armann, have a cow/calf operation and raise durum, wheat, corn, sunflowers and barley on their farm near Velva. Joyce is involved in her local church and serves as a Sunday School teacher and also belongs to a women's book club. The Anderson's have two children, Jonathan and Alysa.

Joyce got involved in P&E because, "We need to reach our youth. The 14-year-old is the new voter in the next election. NDFB needs to reach that person in the next 4 years. And we can."

Susan and her husband, Ken, raise beef cattle, pigs, wheat, oats and alfalfa on their farm near Shields.

Susan has been active in Farm Bureau for years, both on the county and state level. The Kochs served on the state YF&R Committee several years ago, and have served on the Grant County Farm Bureau board. Susan also is involved on the Flasher School board and works as the finance manager for the Prairie Learning Center in Raleigh. The Kochs have two children, Dylan and Sarah.

Karen and her husband, Jerry, raise winter wheat, spring wheat, barley and have cattle. She and Jerry have six children, Dale, E.J., Amanda, Jason, Jonathan and Josh. She says she became involved in volunteer service because she enjoys meeting new people and making new friends.