LARAMIE—Mary Jo Joslyn, of Campbell County, was awarded the 2011 Farm Bureau Leadership Award at the 92nd annual meeting of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB).  Presented Nov. 11, the award is given to those who have gone above and beyond in their agricultural leadership service in the organization.

 

            “For over 20 years, Mary Jo has given her time and talent to her county, district and state Farm Bureau,” stated Wyoming Farm Bureau President Perry Livingston. 

            Joslyn stated that Farm Bureau is the watchdog for agriculture.  “The organization makes it possible that we farmers and ranchers can perform our jobs without having to interrupt our daily work to lobby Washington, our state Legislature, testify in congress and much more,” She said.  “We know the Farm Bureau staff is representing us seven days a week and I believe 24 hours a day.”

            As a third generation Farm Bureau member, Mary Jo grew up celebrating her birthdays at Wyoming Farm Bureau annual meetings.  She remained active in agriculture and Farm Bureau after she married Donny Joslyn.  The couple ranch north of Gillette where they raised their children.

            “Farm Bureau is a way of life,” Joslyn continued.  “My parents were very active and so were my grandparents.  Living on a ranch, everything that affects our country life has been ingrained in me.”

            Joslyn began her leadership service in 1989 as the Campbell County Farm Bureau board secretary.  She went on to serve as county Farm Bureau president and is currently serving as county vice president.  Locally, Joslyn is active in public relations efforts and serves as county chair for the YF&R “Ag Books for Kids” project that delivers agriculture books to elementary schools.  She has been an active participant in district and state annual meetings during her leadership tenure.

            “The membership must provide the grassroots leadership to develop the direction we want Farm Bureau to go,” Joslyn concluded.

            “The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is proud to honor Mary Jo Joslyn with the 2011 Leadership Award honoring her years of service,” Livingston concluded.  “We thank Mary Jo for her dedicated leadership on behalf of the Campbell County Farm Bureau, the Northeast District of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation and the state’s agriculture industry.”

            The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agriculture organization.  Members work together from the grassroots to develop agricultural policy, programs and services to enhance the rural lifestyle of Wyoming.  On the web, www.wyfb.org.