The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation announced on May 6 that Katherine MacKenzie has been appointed as its young farmer program coordinator. MacKenzie began her role on April 20 and will serve as the main contact for young farmer members, working closely with the Young Farmer Advisory Committee to coordinate events, awards, committees, and communications.
The appointment is seen as an important step for the organization’s leadership development efforts. “We are very excited to have Katherine join our staff to build lasting relationships and bring fresh energy and innovative thinking to IFBF’s Young Farmer Program,” said Molly Shannahan, IFBF leadership training manager. “IFBF’s Young Farmer Program is vital to our leadership pipeline, and Katherine is well positioned to help our continued growth and development of the program as we serve our young farmer members.”
MacKenzie holds a Masters of Agricultural Sciences from East Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences from Sam Houston State University. Before joining IFBF, she was agriculture and natural resources outreach coordinator with Story County’s ISU Extension and Outreach where she led county- and regional-level programs serving farmers.
“IFBF’s Young Farmer Program has a tremendous reputation for developing young farmer leaders and serving our young and beginning farmers, and I’m excited to work with current and future leaders to continue the growth and success of the program,” said MacKenzie.
Raised near Dallas–Fort Worth in Mansfield, Texas, MacKenzie’s background in agriculture began through horseback riding lessons that led her into 4-H, FFA activities such as showing goats and lambs, horse judging competitions, collegiate rodeo at Panola College, Sam Houston State University, East Texas A&M University. She now lives in Maxwell, Iowa where she operates a small flower farm.
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation has reinvested $125 million in rural communities through its Renew Rural Iowa program; serves as title sponsor for both the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and Iowa High School Athletic Association; strengthens rural communities by promoting economic development initiatives including education programs; maintains 100 offices throughout all counties; affiliates nationally with American Farm Bureau Federation across all states plus Puerto Rico; comprises 100 county bureaus covering every county in Iowa—all according to the official website.
