YF&R Committee

The Young Farmers and Ranchers committee is a group of young producers from across the state, appointed by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Board of Directors, to provide real feedback and issues that young producers are facing on their operations. Committee members are divided into districts which allows them to better serve the young farmers and ranchers in their respective regions. The committee also guides the direction and planning of the Young Farmers and Ranchers conference each year.

The Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee shall plan and execute a program which shall:

Meet the needs of young people and assist the organization in attaining its leadership and program goals and objectives.
Be within the scope of Farm Bureau policy.
Be approved by the Board of Directors.

General Qualifications: A member of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee should:

Be an active, loyal Farm Bureau member and believe in Farm Bureau as a means of solving public problems and in the market system as a means of meeting human needs.
Be conscientious, dependable and cooperative.
Understand the needs of and opportunities for young producers and leaders.
Have leadership ability.
Be enthusiastic.
Be willing to give time and effort.

2021 Committee

Brady and Katie Revels, Chair, Southeast Region

Brady and Katie Revels are Douglas County Farm Bureau members from Valley. Brady grew up on a diversified cattle operation in central Florida and is now an animal health representative for Elanco Animal Health. Katie grew up on a hog and grain operation in northeast Nebraska and is now a chiropractor in Omaha.

Joe and Jaden Melnick, South Central Region

Joe and Jaden Melnick live in Hastings Nebraska, Jaden is a graduate from South Dakota State University with a major in Animal Science and minor in Agriculture Business, Joe is a graduate from the University of Nebraska with a major in Fisheries Biology. Joe is the operations manager for Green Cover Seed in Bladen, Nebraska while Jaden works in sales and selection for DNA Genetics. Both Joe and Jaden have a farming and ranching background, enjoy the outdoors, and being involved in agriculture.

Alec & Meredith Ibach, Central Region

Alec and Meredith Ibach of Kearney are Buffalo County Farm Bureau members. Alec is a fifth-generation farmer/rancher and is currently a financial officer at Farm Credit Services of America. Meredith is a second-grade teacher in Kearney.

Desarae Porter, North Central Region

Desarae lives in Thedford. Nebraska with her husband Bailey. She works for the USDA-NRCS as a Soil Conservation Technician where she helps provide engineering assistance to area producers to implement conservation practices. Her husband Bailey works on a ranch near Halsey, Nebraska. Desarae earned her Associates Degrees in both Agronomy and Ag Business through the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis and her Bachelor's of Applied Science degree from UNL. Bailey and Desarae have both been active in agriculture throughout their young careers and hope to continue into the future.

Adam and Kaylyn Veinteicher, Northeast Region

Adam and Kaylyn Venteicher have a corn, soybean, and cow/calf operation in Pierce county. Adam currently works full time on his family’s farm. Kaylyn is a registered nurse at CHI Health-Plainview. They have two children, Adley and Kip, and a third child due in February.

Luke & Erin Norman, Northwest Region

Luke and Erin Norman of Crawford are Dawes County Farm Bureau members. Luke works on the family ranch and runs his own registered herd and sells bulls. He also has a feed business. Erin is currently an instructor at Chadron State College and is a registered dietician. She teaches nutrition related classes and is currently working towards her doctorate degree in public health. They have been married for eight years and have four kids.

Sye Tecker, Southwest Region

Sye is a Dundy county Farm Bureau member and currently serves as their President. He is very involved in his community serving in various leadership roles including those with 4-H and the Knights of Columbus. He is actively involved in the farming and ranching industry as the 5th generation on Tecker Ranch Inc in Parks, NE. Sye studied at Southeast Community College in Beatrice NE where he graduated with four associate degrees in livestock management, agronomy, ag business and diversified agriculture.

Tyler & Alysha Ramsey, At-Large

Tyler and Alysha are a 5th generation Nebraska farm family. Highschool sweethearts, they have been married for 14 years and have five children. Tyler spends his time farming and fixing cars while Alysha homeschools the kids and together they lead worship at their church as well as help with other ministries. They are passionate about sharing information about modern farming, GMO’s “organic”, and the safety of the food they eat. They are members of the Adam’s County Farm Bureau and Tyler is serving as County President.

Emily Reitz, Student

Emily Reitz is a junior at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where she is majoring in agricultural education and minoring in animal science. Emily is from northeastern Colorado where she grew up in a rural, agricultural community. Throughout her life, Emily has been involved in multiple different organizations related to sports, leadership development, and agricultural advocacy. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in non-traditional agricultural education and advocacy. Emily’s greatest passions and values in life are her family, faith, education, and agriculture.

Tatum Brunkow, Student

Tatum Brunkow is a 6th generation farmer from Wamego, KS. Her family operates a commercial cow-calf operation, sheep operation while also producing corn, soybeans, and hay. Growing up both her parents were actively involved in the Kansas Farm Bureau and set the stage for her. She recently graduated from Fort Scott Community College where she received her Associate of General Studies and was on the Livestock Judging Team and served as the President of FSCC Collegiate Farm Bureau. She is now a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in Agricultural Economics with a Public Policy Interest and currently a member of their collegiate chapter.

Lance and Krystal Atwater, Youth at-Large

Lance and Krystal Atwater of Ayr are Adams County Farm Bureau members. They grow row crops and have a cow/calf herd. Krystal is a national accounts manager for Land O'Lakes Purina. Lance has served as past President of Adams County Farm Bureau and currently serves on the Nebraska Farm Bureau Board of Directors as the Youth At Large representative.