Participants Selected for 2027 Wisconsin Farm Bureau Leadership Institute

Fifteen agricultural leaders have been selected to participate in the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Leadership Institute. This year-long leadership training program's mission is to develop strong and effective agricultural leaders.

"It is important that farmers and agriculturists step up as advocates for their farms and agribusinesses," said WFBF Senior Director of Member Relations Wendy Volkert. "The Leadership Institute equips participants with the skills and confidence to shape the future of farming and agriculture, both within their county Farm Bureau and in their broader communities."

Members of the 2027 WFBF Leadership Institute class are: Kenny Ballmer, Janesville; Jenna Breitenfeldt, Wausau; Andrea Edquist*, Kenosha; Matthew Fischer, Owen; Kelly Green*, Elroy; Paige Hampton, Glen Haven; Katie Kracht, Newton; Steve Mueller, New Richmond;Darren Riskedal, Johnson Creek; Austin Sandmire, North Freedom; Jackie Seelow, Glen Haven; Savannah Sinkula, Hobart; J. Wells, Sparta; Beth Wells, Sparta; and Jaclyn Wuthrich, Monroe.

The WFBF Leadership Institute consists of five, multi-day sessions that provide hands-on learning on agricultural issues, leadership development and speaking skills, interaction with Farm Bureau staff and government leaders at the state and national levels and networking with other participants. The class capstone event will be a trip, with the WFBF Board of Directors to Washington, D.C. in March 2028.

Farm Bureau members interested in applying for the 2029 class should contact Wendy Volkert at 608.828.5719 or [email protected].

*Indicates recipients of the Mike & Shirley Duerst Institute scholarship. This scholarship supports WFBF Leadership Institute participants by offsetting program expenses.

Leadership Institute is proudly supported by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation.