Running for the MFB Board of Directors
Farm Bureau offers countless opportunities for members to play an active role in steering the organization, the highest level being service on the Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
This year there’s one vacancy to be filled and seven incumbent directors up for reelection, including two at-large positions, open to qualified candidates from anywhere in the state:
At-large Director Doug Darling (Monroe County) isn’t seeking reelection.
At-large Director Paul Pridgeon (Branch) is up for reelection.
The following incumbent district directors are also up for reelection; these seats are open to qualified candidates only from these respective districts:
Dist. 1 — Brigette Leach (Kalamazoo)
Dist. 3 — Mike Fusilier (Washtenaw)
Dist. 5 — Stephanie Schafer (Clinton)
Dist. 7 — Mike DeRuiter (Oceana)
Dist. 9 — Ben LaCross (Northwest Michigan)
Dist. 11 — Pat McGuire (Antrim)
Regular Farm Bureau members ready to take their involvement to the highest level — and who fit the criteria — are encouraged to throw their hat in the ring and declare their candidacy.
Prospective candidates should note the following deadlines:
Immediate
Determine your eligibility with respect to MFB bylaws. Qualified candidates must be:
Regular members in good standing.
Directly and actively engaged in farming as owners and/or operators of farms whose primary interest is in farming,
Not employed full-time in an occupation other than farming.
Not serving in a county, state or national elective office.
Oct. 15
Deadline for submitting your written candidate profile form for use in MFB member publications.
Deadline for at-large (not district) candidates to submit a candidacy video to MFB Video Services for sharing with attendees at district policy meetings taking place Nov. 2-13. Use your smartphone to take a brief video introducing yourself to the broader membership and making a case for your candidacy. Videos must be oriented horizontally (sideways; not vertical) and less than two (2) minutes long. Contact MFB Video Producer Aaron Boak with questions.
Nov. 1
Deadline for expressing your candidacy in writing (email works) to MFB Secretary Andy Kok; contact him directly for the necessary form or more information. Statements will be shared with state annual meeting delegates prior to elections taking place.
Nov. 29-30
Attend MFB Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, where the election takes place with the assembled county Farm Bureau delegates as the electorate. Contact your county Farm Bureau office if you’re interested in representing your county at the state annual meeting.
Directors in even-numbered districts will be up for reelection next year, as well as the position of president, who serves at-large.
Contact Andy Kok for more information.