The Board of Directors of the Isabella County Farm Bureau consists of (11) elected seats.  One seat from each district listed below, five directors At-Large, plus a representative of the Young Farmer Committee and a representative of the Promotion & Education Committee.

Districts are as follows:

District #1: NorthWest (Coldwater, Gilmore, Sherman, Nottawa)

District #2: NorthEast (Vernon, Wise, Isabella, Denver)

District #3: SouthWest (Broomfield, Deerfield, Rolland, Fremont)

District #4: SouthEast (Union, Chippewa, Lincoln, Coe)

Meet your board members

 Abe Pasch, his wife Misty, and their 4 children live in Nottawa Township.  He farms with his dad and his uncle. Together they farm 1,200 acres and raise Wheat, Corn, Alfalfa, and Soybeans.  They also operate a 200-head Dairy operation.  His future plans include operating the family farm and raising his family.  Abe currently serves as President.

Dale Finnerty, his wife Janie and their 5 children, Amy, Ashley, Joseph and Robert live in Nottawa Township.  Dale farms 1,200 acres and grow Alfalfa, Wheat, Corn, as well as having 800-head of Beef cattle.  He has been farming for twenty years and his family was very inspirational in this decision.  He also believes raising cattle on his own created self-esteem.

Dale served on the board as our Vice President in 2000, is involved with St. Joseph the Worker Church and enjoys woodworking, hunting and four wheeling.  His future goal is to make farming possible for his family.

Frank Engler  Frank's family consists of his wife Penny and their four children.  Frank farms 1,200 acres of Corn, Soybeans, Alfalfa and Wheat in Deerfield Township.  He also raises Heifer and feeds out steers.  Frank has served as Isabella County Farm Bureau President in the past, as well as, on several state committees.  He is currently serving on the Greenstone FCS board and the Soil Conservation District Board.

Gale Willoughby resides in Lincoln Township with his wife, Lois.  He's been farming all of his life and currently farms 380 acres of Dry Beans, Wheat, Corn and Hay. Gale is no stranger to Farm Bureau;he served as a board member in the 1970's and currently serves as an At-Large member.  

He is also a member of the Isabella County Planning Commission and Isabella County Parks and Recreation.  He enjoys hunting, fishing, quiet walds around the pond in addition to carpentry work.  He is a past member of the Shepherd School Board, Isabella County Transportation Commission, and has served on the board of the medical care facility remodeling project.

Ed Kalis is a 1966 Blanchard High School graduate, spent 1967-1971 in the Air Force, after which he became sole proprietor of an 800-acre farm. Ed and his wife Shirley Ann live in Fremont Township with their three children; Jon, Edward, and Jason.  He grows Alfalfa Hay, Grass Alfalfa Hay, Corn and Dry Beans.  His parents were very encouraging and instrumental in his decision to farm after a period of time when he was selling feed and feed storage equipment.

Ed is active in his church. He is also active in the Airplane Owner and Pilots Association, and the 337 Sky Master Owner Association. He participates with the North American Hay and Forage Growers. He spent 13 years on the Board of Directors for the Shepherd State Bank/First Bank Central, as well as an Isabella County Commissioner for four years.  He is very interested in flying, going to auctions and is a weather watch dog.  His future goal is to retire.

Bill Funnell continues to be active in Isabella County Agriculture following his retirement from farming just a few years ago.Bill and his family grew Wheat, Corn and Soybeans as well as raised Holsteins and hogs in Isabella Township.  He has served on the Fair Board and stays involved in the 4-H Council.  Bill and his wife Charlotte raised 5 boys who wer very active in agriculture and the fair.

Doug Struble and his wife, Jan, reside in Deerfield Township and grow Soybeans, Wheat, Corn and hay on their farm.

Trevor Betchel resides in Isabella Township with his wife Jeana.  He is currently serving on the Board as the Young Farmers Chair.

Melissa Nelson resides in Union Township with her husband, Matt.  She attends CMU and is working on her Bachelor's degree.  She recently represented our organization by attending both the Lansing Legislative and Washington (DC) Legislative seminars.

Trevor Bechtel