Darin Von Ruden
Westby, WI
608-632-2017

President

Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Lincoln, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, and Washburn Counties

During her many years of service, Janet has been an enthusiastic participant in National Farmers Union activities and has served on the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board of Directors. She operates a dairy farm with her husband, Julian. They have four daughters and 10 grandchildren. She is active in church and community organizations.

Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix Counties

Dennis has served as President, Vice-President, and is currently Secretary of the Wisconsin Farmers Union Board of Directors. He also serves on the Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation Board and as a member on the Farmers Union Industries Board of Directors. He operates Rosen Farms in partnership with two of his sons. He and his wife, Debbie, have four children and sive grandchildren.

Chippewa, Clark, and Eau Claire Counties

Ed, and his wife Kristi, have owned and operated their farm since 1983. They started with a 320 head veal barn and a 50,000 bird broiler facility. In 2002, they converted the veal barn to transition baby calves into young steers and the broiler facility to transition the young steers to feeders that are then moved to feedlots. They have two children. Their son's wedding was held at Kamp Kenwood in 2009, and their daughter will be a 2014 Torchbearer.

Buffalo, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, and Trempealeau Counties

Craig serves as Vice-President of The Wisconsin Farmers Union Board of Directors and as Secretary of the Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation Board. He represents Farmers Union on the Wisconsin Biodiesel Association Board of Directors, Wisconsin Agricultural Producer Security Council, and Discovery Farms Steering Committee. He operates a farm in partnership with his sister and his two sons.

Adams, Columbia, Green Lake, Juneau, Marathon, Marquette, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood Counties

Patty and her husband, Gary, along with their children, own and operate a 130 cow registered Holstein family dairy farm in Portage County. Patty has a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science with a focus in dairy and business. She currently serves on the Farm Service Agency State Committee and is active with the Wisconsin District 4 Holstein Association.

Dane, Green, Jefferson, Kenosha, Racine,
Rock, and Walworth Counties

Tina, along with her husband Duane, own and operate a 260 cow dairy farm in Dane County. Since 1998, Tina has also been running Hinchley’s Dairy Farm Tours to provide non-farmers (especially children) with an honest and positive look at how a typical dairy farm operates. Tina, Duane, and their four children work together on their second-generation farm.

Brown, Calumet, Dodge, Door, Fond du Lac, Forest, Florence, Kewaunee, Langlade, Marinette, Manitowoc, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Shawano, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties

Michael and his wife, Nancy, raise Holsteins, cash crops, and produce for local markets. Michael grew up on a farm in Iowa, worked 18 years in finance and international business in New York and Tokyo before returning to his farming roots. He is politically active and involved in various educational and religious forums.

Mark and his wife Cora, live on a 600 acre farm that has been in their family for over 100 years. Together with their children and grandchildren, they run a direct market beef operation. Mark also serves as Amnicon Town Board supervisor, Douglas County supervisor, Douglas County Forestry Committee chairman, Land and Conservation Committee member, and Energy Committee member. In 2008, their farm was the Wisconsin Conservation Farm of the Year. In 2009, they received the Wisconsin Farmers Union Builders Award.