LARAMIE, Nov. 12, 2016—Todd Fornstrom, of Laramie County, was elected to his first term as President of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation (WyFB) at the organization’s 97th annual meeting in Laramie.

Todd and his family farm in Laramie County. He and his wife, Laura, have four children. Fornstrom has served in many different leadership positions within the organization; including Wyoming Farm Bureau Vice President; Laramie County Farm Bureau President; a member of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Committee; and state chair of the WyFB General Issues Committee.

Fornstrom works with his family on the Fornstrom Farm near Pine Bluffs, Wyo. The diversified farm consists of irrigated corn, wheat, alfalfa, dry beans and a cattle and sheep feedlot. They also run a trucking business, custom harvest and Todd is in a partnership and runs Premium Hay Products, an alfalfa pellet mill.

“I am truly humbled,” Fornstrom told the delegate body after being unanimously elected by the voting delegates. “Being a part of this grassroots federation to make a difference for Wyoming’s farmers and ranchers is an incredible honor.”

Fornstrom succeeds Crook County Rancher Perry Livingston who served eleven terms as president of the Federation. “It has been my honor to serve you all as your president the past eleven years,” Livingston stated. “It takes a lot of time, but the work done for agriculture and the lifetime friendships are invaluable.”

Voting delegates elected Cole Coxbill, of Goshen County, to his first term as WyFB Vice President. Coxbill and his wife, Sammie, have three kids. They run a trucking business, commercial spraying business and raise cattle.  

Coxbill began his leadership in Farm Bureau through the Wyoming Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Committee. He is the out-going WyFB YF&R State Chair and currently serves as the American Farm Bureau Federation YF&R Committee National Chair.

“It is truly an honor to be a part of this federation,” Coxbill stated. “I am thankful for the leadership opportunities and training provided and will work hard to represent Wyoming’s farmers and ranchers.”

Byron Yeik, of Veteran, was elected to his first term as the Director-At-Large. Byron and his wife, Debb, run a diversified family farm/feedlot in Goshen County raising cattle, corn and alfalfa.

Yeik is looking forward to serving on the state level. He is a former county president and state committee chair.

“I am thankful for the nation we have and the privileges we are given,” Yeik said. “When working on issues many different viewpoints are discussed, but then it all blends together for the best decision for agriculture.”

In addition to the three statewide elections, five district directors and the Young Farmer & Rancher state chair serve on the state board.

The Young Farmer & Rancher Committee elected Stacy Berger to her first term as the state committee chair. This position has a seat on the WyFB Board of Directors. From Albany County, Stacy and her husband Kyle have four kids and work on her family’s ranch.

Rounding out the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors are district directors: David Garber, Northeast District Director; Kevin Baars, Southeast District Director; Tim Pexton, Central District Director; Glen Reed, Northwest District Director; and Justin Ellis, Southwest District Director.

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agriculture organization. The purpose of the Nov. 10-12, 2016 WyFB annual meeting was to develop policy to guide the organization in the coming year. Visit www.wyfb.org.

The primary goals of the organization are to protect private property rights and help members achieve an equitable return on their investment.