Jon Iverson, a 34-year old farmer who cultivates commercial Hemp and other plants, has been elected to work as the leader of the United States Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.
According to a report from Capital Express, the 3rd-generation grower and Oregon State University’s graduate will be the acting spokesperson of Youth Farmers and Ranchers program and will be part of America’s Farm Bureau’s board of directors during his tenure.
Iverson disclosed to the news agency that his objectives are finding ways to boost the facility’s membership and increase awareness regarding mental health concerns in agriculture.
He stated another objective was to increase the Farm Bureau’s networks with agricultural panels across the world for fresh perspectives regarding tackling shared problems.
He added that it’s pleasant to have that global perspective. Iverson’s family farm located in Clackamas County cultivates squash, tulips, grapes, hazelnuts apart from hemp.
After signing up as a member of the Farm Bureau’s YF& R committee in 2020, Iverson expected much travel.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic dissolved that projection, the YF&R commission took advantage of the situation by launching ‘Ag Connect’ summits each month to ensure young growers are engaged.
Jon believes those online meetings are a silver-lining to the coronavirus pandemic and expects them to continue even after the disease is curbed.
As a recently elected chair of Farm Bureau’s YF&R commission, he plans to restore the in-person connections that are related to that role.
After completing his education, Iverson joined the Farm Bureau and ultimately served as the leader of Clackamas County Farm Bureau.
Although he was first reluctant to seek the position in the committee, he reconsidered his decision after consulting other leaders of the Farm Bureau. The 35-year age limit of the committee was one of his considerations.
He admitted that he run for the seat since he didn’t want to grow old while regretting that he didn’t vie for the position.
