EAGAN, Minn. – The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation has announced the five participants selected for the second class of the LeadAg Institute, a leadership development program designed to equip Farm Bureau members with the skills and knowledge needed to advocate for agriculture and strengthen their communities.

 

Through educational sessions over the next year, participants will explore leadership development, agricultural policy, Farm Bureau programs and initiatives, and agricultural literacy. The program is designed to help emerging leaders better understand their leadership potential while preparing them to serve Farm Bureau and agriculture at the county, state and national levels.

 

Members of the 2027 LeadAg Institute class include Heather Hayes (Nicollet County Farm Bureau), Hannah Miller (Watonwan County Farm Bureau), Jason Portner (Sibley County Farm Bureau), Joe Ramstad (Hennepin County Farm Bureau) and Marvus Whyte (Washington/Ramsey County Farm Bureau). 

 

Participant biographies are included below.

 

Heather Hayes

Heather Hayes grew up on her family's farm near Askov, Minnesota, where they raised registered Southdown sheep, show pigs and Boer goats. Active in Pine County 4-H for 13 years, she earned a degree in animal science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

 

Today, Hayes and her husband are transitioning into his family farm near Lafayette, where they raise corn, soybeans, hogs and Boer goats. Off the farm, she works as a crop insurance underwriter, helping insure producers' crops and livestock across the country. Hayes currently serves as the Promotion & Education Chair for Nicollet County Farm Bureau.

 

Hannah Miller

Hannah Miller grew up on a row crop farm in Nebraska and was actively involved in 4-H and FFA. She earned her Ph.D. in swine nutrition from the University of Missouri before relocating to Minnesota.

 

Miller currently works as a nutritionist for Christensen Farms, where she supports pork production and animal care programs. Through LeadAg, she hopes to deepen her understanding of Minnesota agriculture and build relationships with agricultural leaders across the state.

 

Jason Portner
 Jason Portner is a fifth-generation farmer who grew up on his family's farm near Winthrop in Sibley County. As a youth, he raised pigs, beef cattle and chickens, and today grows corn and soybeans on the family operation.

 

Portner earned an associate degree in diversified agriculture from South Central College and a bachelor's degree in agricultural industries and marketing from the University of Minnesota. After spending nine years as a sales agronomist and precision specialist, he joined Precision Planting, where he has served as a regional manager for the past 14 years. A lifelong Farm Bureau member, Portner currently serves as president of the Sibley County Farm Bureau.

 

Joe Ramstad

Joe Ramstad grew up in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and discovered agriculture through a high school agriculture class. That experience inspired him to pursue a career in agricultural education.

Ramstad earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and taught high school agricultural education for five years. He later completed a master's degree and Ph.D. in agricultural education before joining the University of Wisconsin-River Falls as an assistant professor of agricultural education, where he prepares future agricultural educators and FFA advisors.

 

He has participated in several Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers programs, including the state Discussion Meet, and currently serves on the Hennepin County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

 

Marvus Whyte

Marvus Whyte grew up on a dairy and beef cow-calf farm in rural Wisconsin, where he developed a passion for agriculture through his involvement in FFA and 4-H. His experiences on the farm and in youth leadership organizations sparked an interest in agricultural advocacy and community engagement.

 

Currently pursuing degrees in agricultural education and agricultural communications and marketing, with minors in animal, insect and horticultural sciences, Whyte has also gained experience through hospitality, administrative and agricultural outreach roles. Through LeadAg, Whyte hopes to expand his leadership abilities, build connections across Minnesota agriculture and continue growing as an advocate for the industry.


About the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation

To ensure Minnesota’s agricultural vitality, the Minnesota Farm Bureau amplifies its members’ voices through engagement, grassroots advocacy and agricultural awareness. Learn more about our efforts as an advocate for our over 30,000 members and 78 county and regional Farm Bureaus at www.fbmn.org.