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.
Interested in serving on the YF&R Committee? Click here!
2022 Committee
Matthew Erickson of Sterling is a Johnson County Farm Bureau member. Mathew grew up on a diversified ag operation in southeast Nebraska. After earning a degree from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in Mechanized Systems Management with minors in Agronomy and Animal Science, he returned back home to farm with his family. They currently raise corn, soybeans, wheat, and sorghum and have a farrow to finish hog operation while continuing to grow their custom farming business.
Josh and Jill England of Doniphan are Hall County Farm Bureau Members. Josh is a graduate from Central Community College in Hastings with a degree in Criminal Justice. He works on the family farm with his dad and uncle where they grow corn and soybeans. Jill is a graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Ag Education. She works for CHI Health as a Recruiter.
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 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.
David Schuler is a fourth-generation rancher at Schuler-Olsen Ranches, Inc. and a third-generation Red Angus seedstock producer on the high plains of the Western Panhandle of Nebraska near Bridgeport. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Animal Science, emphasis in Production Management Systems, and a minor in the Beef Industry Scholars Program. David is active in Nebraska Cattlemen, where he is an Officer in the Morrill County Affiliate and a member of the 2021 Young Cattlemen's College. He is also an External Advisor to the Nebraska Beef Integrated Beef Systems HUB for the University of Nebraska. David has a passion for developing sustainable beef systems and solutions for the viability of profitability of cow-calf producers for the next generation.
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 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.
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 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.
