Current Class

Meet the Class of 2012. Each of the candidates below has been selected based on demonstrated leadership activities and potential, commitment to learning, and accountability to the Illinois and United States agriculture industry.

Brad Baker	Brad Baker, 28, Auburn, is a Sales Representative with Springfield Plastics, Inc. as well as a marketing and advertising manager. Brad is a member of the Auburn Knights of Columbus and 2^nd Vice Chairman of the Springfield Young Adult Ministry. Brad received his Bachelor of Science in Agri-Accountancy from the University of Illinois.
Mike Baker	Mike Baker, 47, Philo, is a Vice President of Credit for High Risk Assets for Farm Credit Services of Illinois. Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics/Animal Science as well as a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, both from the University of Illinois. He is active in his church and serves as a youth basketball coach.
Tyler Beard	Tyler Beard, 37, Bloomington, is a Manager for Employment and Employee Relations for Country Financial. Tyler serves on multiple committees within the Country system and is a member of the Bloomington-Normal Human Resource Council. Tyler has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Sciences from Millikin University.
Dan Biernacki	Dan Biernacki, 45, Tinley Park, is a Greenhouse Grower and Secretary for Ted’s Greenhouse, Inc. Dan is on the Board of Directors for the Cook County Farm Bureau, serving as Vice Chairman for the Commodities Marketing Team. He is a Trustee for Grace United Methodist Church. Dan has an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Moraine Valley CC and a Certificate in Horticulture from the Dupage Horticultural School. Dan also consults for the O’Brien School of the Maasai in Tanzania, Africa.
Jodie Brooks	Jodie Brooks, 29, Mechanicsburg, is the Member Services Coordinator for the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois. Jodie was awarded the Illinois Society of Association Executives’ “Rising Star” award and serves as Co-chair on the ISAE Education Committee. She is a graduate of Illinois Farm Bureau’s ALOT Program and serves on the Agribusiness Committee for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Jodie received a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Communications from the University of Illinois.
Brent Carmichael	Brent “BT” Carmichael, 33, Rochelle, grows corn and soybeans, serving as Farm Manager for Country Pleasure, Ltd. He is a long time and active member of Illinois Farm Bureau, including the Technology Issues Advisory Committee. BT serves with the Flagg Township Park District, Rochelle Community Child Care, and has taught Sunday school at New Hope Fellowship Church for five years. BT earned a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from the University of Illinois.
Scott Deakin	Scott Deakin, 47, Pekin, is a General Sales Manager and National Accounts Manager in fluid and cultured dairy product sales for Prairie Farms where his responsibilities include overseeing the sales and profit at six distribution points. Scott has a management background in the retail grocery industry before moving into corporate dairy distribution. He attended Illinois Central College majoring in Business Management.
Drew Earles	Drew Earles, 28, Mechanicsburg, is the Vice President for eGrain, Inc. Drew is a member of both National and Illinois Grain and Feed Associations. He is the founder and currently serves as the Executive Director for the Illinois Wether Series for junior meat goat exhibitors. Drew received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Illinois. He is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Sara Fernandez	Sara Fernandez, 47, Quincy, is an Independent Consultant and developer of micro-niche websites for the agricultural industry. Sara has a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant and Soil Science from Southern Illinois University and a Masters in Agricultural Education from the University of Missouri. Sara has been an educator in Iowa and Texas and has served in both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Sara led a beautification project for the Eastern Iowa Airport entrance/exit, through her volunteer efforts with the Cedar Rapids Garden Club.
John Fietsam	John Fietsam, 30, Marion, is a Territory Agronomist for Monsanto. John received Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Science with a Minor in Agribusiness Economics, as well as a Masters in Weed Science, all from Southern Illinois University. John is a long time member of the Williamson County Farm Bureau and is a former Chairman in IFB Young Leaders. He is a member of the Weed Sciences Society of America and the Zion United Church of Christ.
John Fowler	John Fowler, 31, Chicago, is a Sales Representative in Fertilizer Sales for Potash Corporation. John received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education/Leadership and Communication from the University of Missouri, where he was also Vice President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. John is a member of The Fertilizer Institute and serves on the Board of Directors for the Plant Food Association of North Carolina.
Justin Green	Justin Green, 36, Arthur, is a corn and soybeans producer. He is a Partner with Heritage Family Farms which has both farming and trucking operations. Justin has been very active in Douglas County Farm Bureau, Young Leaders and the County Ag Center and was a District 12 Representative for Illinois Farm Bureau State Young Leaders. Justin has a Bachelor of Science in Ag Business from Illinois State University where he was also Vice Noble Ruler for Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
Bona Heinsohn	Bona Heinsohn, 29, Harvard, is the Director of Public Policy for Cook County Farm Bureau. Bona is a graduate of the Illinois Farm Bureau A-LOT (Ag Leaders of Tomorrow) Program and the Greater McHenry County Leadership Program. She is a State Winner in the IFB State Discussion Meet and was a recipient of the “Ten Under 40” Award by the McHenry County Business Journal. Bona has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture/Creative Writing from Illinois State University and a Masters in Political Science from the University of Illinois – Springfield.
Mark Hobrock	Mark Hobrock, 31, Beardstown, is a Grain Originator with Sunrise Ag Service Company. He is also a fourth generation corn and soybeans producer with Hobrock Farms. Mark is active in ELKS, Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation. He is a member of St. Alexis Catholic Church. Mark earned a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Economics from Southern Illinois University.
Nate Janssen	Nate Janssen, 36, Wauconda, is a Dairy Operations Manager for Golden Oaks Farm. Nate is a graduate of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute. He is an active member of the Illinois Holstein Association and the Red and White Dairy Cattle Association (RWDCA). Nate represented the RWDCA during a recent mission to China. He has also served as the Grits-Livestock Chair for Illinois Farm Bureau. Nate received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Cornell University.
Doug Kirk	Doug Kirk, 30, Westville, is a Grain and Livestock Producer in Vermilion County for Terra Plana Family Farms. Doug serves as Treasurer for the Georgetown Agricultural Fair Association. He is a Past Director for the Vermilion County Farm Bureau and remains active in the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Program. Doug received a Bachelor of Science in Ag finance from the University of Illinois.
Jeff Lynch	Jeff Lynch, 36, Bloomington, is an Agronomy Business Manager for Growmark, and he also farms 1,300 acres in McLean County with his father. Jeff is a graduate of the Leadership McLean County Program and the Growmark LEAD Program. He received a Bachelor of Arts in both Business and Math from Illinois Wesleyan University and a MBA from the University of Illinois, with a concentration in Finance.
Melinda_Miller	Melinda Miller, 42, Champaign, is Vice President for Human Resources for Farm Credit Services of Illinois. Melinda is a member of the Central Illinois Human Resource Group and the Society for Human Resource Management. For more than 14 years, Melinda has been the Fulton County Fair & Racing Association’s Queen Pageant Director. Melinda has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, with emphasis on Agricultural Communications from the University of Illinois where she was an active member of 4-H House Cooperative Sorority. Melinda received the Senior Professional in Human Resources certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute.
Steve Niemann	Steve Niemann, 35, Villa Grove, is the Executive Director for the Douglas County USDA Farm Service Agency. Steve is an officer with the Illinois Association of FSA County Office Employees. He is a member of the Douglas County Agriculture Advisory Council. Steve also serves on the Board for the Tuscola Kiwanis. Steve received a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois – Springfield.
Beau Peterson	Beau Peterson, 30, Walnut Hill, is the Director of Research and Innovation and the Director In-Charge of Supply Management and Logistics for the Maschhoffs. Beau is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, the Centralia Cultural Society and the Marion County Farm Bureau. He serves as Coordinator for the Maschhoffs’ Masters in Swine Science Program. Beau received multiple degrees in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois, including a Bachelor of Science, Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D).
Matt Schoenbeck	Matt Schoenbeck, 31, Beecher, is a Grain Producer in Will and Kankakee Counties, raising corn, soybeans and wheat. Matt is also employed as a representative for Ag Spectrum’s Nu-Till System. Matt serves on the Will County Farm Bureau Young Farmers committee. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Technical Systems Management from the University of Illinois where he was President of Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity. He is a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Deb Schultz	Deb Schultz, 46, Sublette, is a Loan Officer for North Central Bank, focusing on agricultural clients. She is a certified judge for the National Corn Growers Association and serves as Clerk for Sublette Township and is the Treasurer for the Ladd Educational Foundation Committee. Deborah is an instructor for “Ag in the Classroom” through the Bureau County Farm Bureau. She is a member of the 1st United Methodist Church and a Past President of the Amboy Junior High School PTC.
Ben Shelby	Ben Shelby, 30, Bloomington, is a Territory Manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, providing training and territory enhancement strategies to Account Managers in Illinois and Indiana. Ben is a long-time member of the Fulton County Farm Bureau. He is a lifelong member of the Maple Mill Church Group. Ben earned a Bachelor of Science in Crop Sciences from the University of Illinois.
Andrew Sprague	Andrew Sprague, 43, Barry, is the Owner/Operator of Sprague’s Kinderhook Lodge, a 20 bedroom lodge and special events facility in Pike County. Andrew also helps raise corn, soybeans and wheat for Paxton Farms, Inc., a family farming operation for more than 100 years in the Mississippi River valley. Andrew currently serves as Vice President of the Pike County Farm Bureau. He is the Tourism Chairperson for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, and a Past President of the Hull Lions Club. He is a member of the Madison Park Christian Church.
Brad Stewart	Brad Stewart, 32, Sheridan, is a corn and soybeans producer with Stewart Farms Partnership based in Kendall County. Brad is an active member of the LaSalle County Farm Bureau and serves on the fundraising committee for the Kendall County Young Leaders. He has also been involved with the Kendall County 4-H program. Brad has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics from the University of Illinois. He is a member of the Au Sable Grove Presbyterian Church.
Tim Stuenkel	Tim Stuenkel, 33, Aurora, is a Precision Farming Specialist for TeeJet Technologies, selling GPS guidance systems and other precision ag technologies to producers. Tim is an Ag Lit Committee Member with the Cook County Farm Bureau. He is a graduate of the IFB ALOT Program. Tim is active in the Young Professionals Network at NIU and is a member of ASABE (Society of Ag Engineers). Tim received a Bachelor of Science in Technical Systems Management from the University of Illinois.
Graham Utter	Graham Utter, 29, Jacksonville, is a Senior Risk Manager with AgriVisor. Graham also raises corn, soybeans and wheat on his farming operation in Schuyler County. Graham is a long-time member of Illinois Farm Bureau. He also holds membership with the National Futures Association, the Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Grain and Feed Association. He is active in the Jacksonville Main Street organization. Graham received a Bachelor of Science in AgriBusiness Management and a Masters in Economics, both from Western Illinois University.
Dean Werries	Dean Werries, 42, Chapin, is a corn and soybeans farmer in Morgan County, holding a partner position with Werries Farms, LLC. Dean is a member of the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Farm Bureau. Dean is President of the Citizens Advisory Board and also serves as President for the Triopia Athletic Boosters. He continues to serve as a coach for local youth baseball, softball and basketball leagues. Dean has a Bachelor of Science in Ag Economics from the University of Illinois.
Doug Yoder	Doug Yoder, 48, Champaign, is the Senior Director of Affiliate and Risk Management for the Illinois Farm Bureau. Doug has served in many community organizations, taking on leadership roles with the Franklin Middle School Athletic Boosters, the Centennial High School Softball Boosters and the Champaign Heat traveling baseball team. Doug has given many years of service to PTA, and has chaired numerous committees at First United Methodist Church. Doug earned a Bachelor of Science in Ag Economics from the University of Illinois.