Three new leaders are being welcomed by Michigan Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors.
Andy Hagenow of Kent County was a 21-year veteran of the board and chose not seek re-election. His at-large position was filled by Paul Pridgeon, a seventh-generation farmer from Branch County.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to continue to serve the members of the organization,” he says. “I got to spend the last year serving as the Young Farmer representative on the board. The at-large seat came up and said I’d be willing to continue to serve. The joy of this is continuing to carry the message of Michigan farmers across the state and lobby on their behalf and direct an organization that really works for our members.”
Pridgeon says he’s looking forward to meeting his peers across the state and provide great products to consumers.
“I think there’s always a lot of areas of concern for ag, but farmers are reslilient and we’ll find a way to continue to do things,” he says. “As we lok to come out of a pandemic and continue to grow our products, we want to have a good regulatory environment for us to continue to be good stewards of the land.”
The other new members to the board are Mitch Kline from Kalamazoo County and Nancy Thelen from Washtenaw County. Kline is succeeding Prigeon’s spot on the Michigan Young Farmer Committee. Thelen is succeeding Julie Stephenson of St. Joseph County on the Promotion and Education Committee.
