My Membership Journey: Jason Behrend

[Kylie Ver Kuilen]

Jason Behrend is a Wood County Farm Bureau member and District 8 YFA Representative. Learn more about his journey.

County Farm Bureau Board​

Every Farm Bureau member has a different story. What first brought you to Farm Bureau, and what made you decide to become involved?

Just after high school, I was elected to the Wood County Farm Bureau board of directors for nine years, plus an additional year as the Wood County YFA chair. In 2023, I was nominated for the YFA Washington, D.C. Fly-In. I took advantage of the great opportunity and travelled to our nation’s capital to meet with elected officials, tour the city and see many monuments.  After I got back from the trip, I was asked to be on the WFBF YFA Committee.

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Involved in YFA​

Is there a Farm Bureau experience you would like to get more involved with as you continue your membership journey? 

I would like to engage with the public more on how farmers grow and raise everyone’s food that is on their tables every day. People have so many questions about farming but are sometimes scared to ask them or don’t have the opportunity. I would like to find a way to bridge that gap for consumers.

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Washington D.C. Fly-In​

If you could give one piece of advice to a young farmer or someone who’s thinking about getting involved in Farm Bureau, what would it be?

Saying yes, like I did, is the best way to get involved. Come to the meetings, the tours, the social get-togethers and the conferences. Farmers’ livelihoods and Farm Bureau’s future depend on those who show up and do the work.

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Leadership Institute​

Serving in leadership comes with new opportunities and challenges. What’s one way Farm Bureau has helped you grow as a person?

The Leadership Institute Class XVI taught me how to be able to talk to anyone about anything. From the media training to public speaking in Washington, D.C., there were many opportunities for the whole class to learn and push each other out of our comfort zones. After participating in the class, I gained the confidence to run for the WFBF YFA Chair position and look forward to fulfilling that role next year. 

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State YFA Representative​

As the District 8 YFA Representative, you’ve met members from across the state. What’s something you’ve learned from those relationships?

Wisconsin farmers are like a close-knit family. Farmers know so many people and have so many connections. If you build upon those relationships, your personal and professional opportunities will be endless.

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