Brennan Mudd demystifies leadership: ‘These are your people’

A passionate cattle farmer from Midland, Brennan Mudd is committed to supporting both agriculture and his community. As a husband, farmer, water systems operator and president of the Midland County Farm Bureau, he juggles many responsibilities. For Brennan it’s all worth it because he’s able to support the industry he loves.

Soon after joining the Midland County Farm Bureau in 2020, he quickly found a community. At the time its board was one of the youngest in the state, and not long after joining Brennan was invited to join it. He appreciated the opportunity to sit back, listen in on discussions and share his input. 

“Agriculture needs a voice and needs to be represented, or else we won’t have it for the next generations,” said Mudd, who as president has geared many of Midland County’s efforts towards Promotion & Education. 

“People who aren’t connected to agriculture don’t understand the farming side of it,” he explains. “If you can be the voice to get up and talk to them about it, that’s a cool experience.”

Growing up on a small family farm gave Mudd firsthand experience. It didn’t take long for him to realize many people in his community lacked even a basic understanding of farming. With that in mind, he’s made it a priority to focus on youth education by visiting schools and reading ag-accurate books to students, benefitting both their understanding and boosting Mudd’s own pride in contributing to it. 

“If I can plant a seed for a kid, giving them a passion for agriculture, and they carry that through the rest of their education,” he says, “I think that’s a good opportunity to have.”

Since stepping into the president’s role, he’s looked for ways Midland County Farm Bureau can better serve its community. One of his proudest accomplishments has been spearheading the purchase of livestock at the Midland County Fair, donating the meat to local organizations. Starting in 2023, Midland County Farm Bureau has purchased several hogs and steers from youth exhibitors. The meat is then processed and donated to Open Door, a local food pantry and shelter, and Shelter House, which supports victims of domestic violence and assault.

“Not only do we help the community, but we also help the kids who are selling,” Mudd said. “We promote Farm Bureau just by being there and supporting the youth.

“It’s a big undertaking, and it costs money, but the impact it has in our community on so many levels is very important to me.”

These efforts are possible thanks to a dedicated board that shares Mudd’s passions for agriculture and community service. Working together, they plan events and create opportunities for education and outreach. Mudd says the most successful way he’s found to keep the board engaged and moving forward in meetings is by leaning on them for ideas. While he likes meetings to have structure, he also ensures time for open-table discussion so everyone can contribute ideas. 

While the board continues its engagement and forward progress, so do Mudd’s plans for community outreach. Looking ahead, Mudd hopes the Midland County Farm Bureau will partner with local schools to provide more opportunities to help students connect with agriculture in meaningful ways. He’s also working to grow  support for youth livestock exhibitors and local nonprofits by seeking out additional partnerships and grants. 

These goals aren’t just Mudd’s; they’re shared by a dedicated group of people.

Being on the board can seem daunting at first, but Mudd advises wary new leaders to just “kind of sit back and see how things run —, then put your two cents in.

“Feel comfortable and know you can take that leap of faith,” he continued. “If you feel like you want to be involved, or if someone is asking you to be involved, don’t say ‘no’ right away —  just feel it out first.

“Just go to a board meeting and introduce yourself. You’re not going to stick out,” he said. “You’ve been around farmers at some point. These are your people. 

“At the end of the day, we’re all going to sit around before or after a meeting and talk about farming.” 

In other words, your county Farm Bureau board is a community of people passionate about their industry; it's easy to find your place. 

Mudd said one big reason for stepping into a leadership role is to make your voice heard. 

“Younger generations constantly ask, Why do we always do it this way?’ and the response they often hear is, ’Well, that’s the way it’s always been done.’

“We have to be able to adapt and change if we want to be a strong organization that represents agriculture,” he says, adding his conviction that it’s essential for younger farmers to get involved and take on leadership roles to help make meaningful change within the industry. 

This is part of a series highlighting Young Farmers serving as county Farm Bureaus presidents; look for more in upcoming issues of Farm Gate. If you want to help create positive change, join a community of passionate agriculturists, and contribute to the success of your local Farm Bureau, just reach out to your county president or MFB Regional Manager. 

Lilianne Trinkle is interning with Michigan Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Promotion & Education departments.