Over the past 20 years, Nate Wilson has built a life as a farmer, father and community leader. Current president and Young Farmer chair for the Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau, the father of two runs a diversified farm growing apples, peaches and strawberries.
Wilson’s Farm Bureau involvement began with the Young Farmer program. After attending a Young Farmer Leaders Conference, he fell in love with the organization’s grassroots policy work. He joined the county board as Young Farmer chair and last year was elected county president, where he’s found value in supporting his peers contributing to positive change in his community.
“Farmers helping farmers. That’s what we’re about,” Wilson said. “I truly believe this whole organization is farmers helping farmers for the greater good of farming.”
This past winter's ice storm offered Wilson another way to help out his neighbors. He worked with his District 9 Director Dan Vogler to help provide resources to Farm Bureau members across the region who found themselves without power.
Helping others wouldn't be possible if it weren't for his wife Hannah, who Wilson credits for her support to him and their whole family. As county Farm Bureau president, that means a lot of evening meetings, phone calls throughout the day and weekend, and being available to address other farmers’ needs. Farm Bureau is as entwined with their lives as their farming operation, and Hannah helps balance the workload when it comes to raising their young children, Colin and Alania.
Although his Farm Bureau roles keep him busy, Wilson says it’s necessary for the betterment of the organization.
“At the end of the day we’re doing this as a whole to better our membership and better the good of the farmer,” he said.
Along those same lines, Wilson encourages Young Farmers to think hard about their future.
“We live in a political world that’s trying to make changes,” he said. “Whether you like what we have now or want to see change down the road, you need to get involved. We need more Young Farmer involvement now — more than we ever have.”
He encourages young members thinking about their involvement options to take advantage of everything their county and the state Farm Bureaus offer.
“Make your presence known!” he said. “If you want to get involved with the board, make your interest known. County Farm Bureaus are always looking for new people, so don’t hesitate.”
If you see yourself in that last paragraph, reach out to your county president or MFB Regional Manager. For more information on Young Farmer programming, contact program manager Katie Eisenberger.
This is part of a series highlighting Young Farmers serving as county Farm Bureaus presidents; look for more in upcoming issues of Farm Gate.
Lilianne Trinkle is currently interning with Michigan Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Promotion & Education departments.
Share Story
Article Tags
