Agricultural News
Minnesota Producer Advances to National Association of Wheat Grower Presidency
Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:10:20 CST
Minnesota wheat farmer Erik Younggren was elected and installed as the National Association of Wheat Growers' (NAWG's) 50th president at the Association's Board of Directors meeting held Saturday.
Younggren farms near Hallock in northwestern Minnesota, where he produces wheat, sugar beets and soybeans in partnership with two cousins.
Prior to becoming a NAWG officer in 2009, Younggren represented the Minnesota Association Wheat Growers on the national association's board, serving as a member of NAWG's domestic and trade policy, operations and budget committees. He has also participated in special committees examining crop insurance policy and an upcoming renovation of the Wheat Growers Building, which is owned by the NAWG Foundation. The picture here is of now past NAWG President Wayne Hurst on left handing off the gavel to incoming President Erik Younggren.
A fourth-generation farmer, Younggren has involved himself in leadership positions in his local community. Fifteen years ago, he started a business that pioneered broadband Internet service in rural areas. He has also served as a member of his church's Board of Deacons; on the board of his county economic development committee; and in his local curling club, supporting the popular Northern sport.
Younggren is an alumnus of the wheat industry's training programs, the Wheat Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (WILOT), the Wheat Organization Leaders of the Future (WOLF) program and the Syngenta Leadership at Its Best program. He holds a bachelor's degree in finance with a minor in economics from Minnesota State University at Moorhead.
He and his wife, Angela, who runs pet grooming and kennel businesses, have a young daughter.
"Serving the nation's wheat growers is an honor and a privilege," Younggren said. "I know we are going to hit the ground running this year, and I look forward to the challenge. Active participation on the national level is more important now than ever before."
Other members of NAWG's officer corps elected Saturday include:
Bing Von Bergen, Moccasin, Mont., first vice president;
Paul Penner, Hillsboro, Kan., second vice president;
Brett Blankenship, Washtucna, Wash., secretary-treasurer; and
Wayne Hurst, Burley, Idaho, immediate past president.
NAWG's officers typically commit to serve for five years when they are selected for the role of secretary-treasurer, though they must be reviewed and nominated by the NAWG Nominating Committee and approved by the NAWG Board of Directors before each year of service.
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