Kevin and Julie Paap own and operate a fourth-generation family farm in Blue Earth County. The Paaps raise corn, soybeans and boys – Matt, age 21, and Andy, age 19.

Paap is currently serving his second term as elected president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and affiliated companies. He served as vice president from 1997-2005. He is a past board member of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids National Board of Directors. Paap is an active member of the corn and soybean growers organizations, past state president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, a graduate of the first Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program and a policy fellow through Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs, 2002. He also serves on the Alumni Board of the University of Minnesota - Waseca, where he earned a degree in crop production.

Paap believes that proactive education and involvement with producers, consumers and policymakers is critical in making decisions that will not only impact our families, our farming operations and our industry today but also 20 years from now.

"To be part of the process of working on solutions is the foundation on which Farm Bureau has been built," Paap said. "Our grassroots involvement is vital to implementing policy that determines our future. I am proud to be a part of an organization where our members are involved and working together to take on the challenges and opportunities that agriculture faces."