WyFB elects leaders, sets policy
On Nov. 14, Todd Fornstrom, of Laramie County, was elected to his fifth term as president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) at the organization’s 101st annual meeting in Casper.
“The Wyoming way is to step up and be involved,” Fornstrom said. “It is an honor to serve this great organization. Our members are strong in the work they do for agriculture. Together we can accomplish so much more, and I’m proud to serve.”
Todd and his family farm in Laramie County. He and his wife Laura have four children. Fornstrom works with his family on the Fornstrom Farm near Pine Bluffs.
The diversified farm consists of irrigated corn, wheat, alfalfa, dry beans and a cattle and sheep feedlot. They also run a trucking business, custom harvest and Todd is in a partnership and runs Premium Hay Products, an alfalfa pellet mill.
Voting delegates elected Cole Coxbill of Goshen County to his fifth term as WyFB vice president. Coxbill and his wife Sammie have three kids. They run a trucking business, commercial spraying business and raise cattle.
“It is a great opportunity to serve,” Coxbill said. “I love serving the members and representing producers in all of the work we do for agriculture in Wyoming.
Rachel Grant of Converse County was elected to her second term as the director-at-large. Grant is a past president of the Converse County Farm Bureau Federation, a former WyFB Young Farmer and Rancher Committee member and past state chair of the WyFB Natural Environmental and Resources Committee.
Rachel and her husband Will have four children and ranch in southern Converse County.
“I really enjoy policy development,” Grant said. “In every decision we make, we think about how it impacts the families of our members.”
In addition to the three statewide elections, five district directors and the Young Farmer and Rancher state chair serve on the state board.
The Young Farmer and Rancher Committee elected Chelsea Baars to her second term as the state committee chair. This position has a seat on the WyFB Board of Directors.
Rounding out the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors are District Directors Raenell Taylor, northeast district director; Kevin Baars, southeast district director; Tim Pexton, central district director; Thad Dockery, northwest district director and Justin Ellis, southwest district director.
Policies adopted
The meat supply chain, state agency coordination with county entities and pandemic responses by non-elected officials were among the many topics included in policies adopted during the meeting, while the need for a competitive enterprise system, individual freedoms and protection of property rights made their way into the discussions as Farm Bureau members developed policy.
“County Farm Bureau members start the policy development process at the local level,” said Ken Hamilton, WyFB Executive Vice President. “The process continues through the district, state and national levels as members discuss a wide variety of policy issues that are of concern to the members and their families.”
Farm Bureau members heavily discussed the need to address the disruption in the meat supply chain exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
