IFBF President Bryan Searle elected to AFBF Board

NASHVILLE– State Delegates at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention elected IFBF President Bryan Searle to serve on the AFBF Board of Directors.

President Zippy Duvall and Vice President Scott VanderWal were re-elected to two-year terms.

Idaho Farm Bureau President Bryan Searle, and Ron Gibson, president of Utah Farm Bureau, were elected to two-year terms on the AFBF board of directors and they will represent the Western Region. 

“It’s humbling,” said IFBF President Searle. “The American Farm Bureau is a great organization and to have this opportunity is an honor. You feel the pressure but it benefits Idaho.”

Searle says that American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall has been on the ground in Idaho and understands Western Issues. He thinks that sentiment will spread to the AFBF Board of Directors. 

“We now have a perfect opportunity to bring an issue before them and be heard. We can surface complicated issues and act on them in ways we haven’t in the past and we’re looking forward to it,” said Searle.

That opportunity directly benefits all Idaho agriculture according to IFBF Executive Vice President Rick Keller. He says Western Agriculture is different because of the land, water, and public access issues.

“Bryan will be a unique resource to the Board,” he said. “He can tell members firsthand what can be done to help. On the other hand, when other states have problems we can help them too.”

Keller adds that Idaho has two Senators that are agreeable to Farm Bureau policy, and the American Farm Bureau can benefit from that influence to achieve AFBF policy goals.

“In the Western region there are 13 states that make up the Western region and we have five of those seats and this is a big deal,” added President Searle.

Hans McPherson, president of Montana Farm Bureau, was elected to a one-year term, also representing the Western Region.