Connections That Last

By Katie Wiese

When Miles and Sarah Kuschel first got involved with the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program, they thought they were simply volunteering their time to support agriculture. What they didn't realize was that the decision would open doors to new friendships, leadership opportunities and a lifelong network that would shape their future in agriculture.

Minnesota leaders like Kevin Paap and Dan and Seena Glessing were instrumental in encouraging Miles and Sarah to get involved. Their family also stepped up, taking on extra responsibilities at home so the couple could travel and serve. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) YF&R committee members reinforced that encouragement at the AFBF Convention and YF&R Leadership Conference, helping the Kuschels see that serving at the national level was the next step in their Farm Bureau journey.

As third-generation ranchers in central Minnesota, the Kuschels already had plenty on their plates, raising cattle and their three children, Mackenzie, Kelcie and Rohan. But when the opportunity came to serve on the AFBF YF&R Committee in 2014, they said yes.

Their experience on the committee proved to be incredibly impactful in their leadership journey. Through the role, Sarah developed the confidence to navigate difficult conversations with policymakers and the media. She also learned that even small actions can make a meaningful difference. Miles found opportunities to improve processes as well. While serving on the Discussion Meet subcommittee, he helped implement electronic scoring for the competition.

While those leadership skills were valuable, the Kuschels say the greatest impact of their YF&R experience was the people they met.

"Networking through Farm Bureau connections and conferences is like none other," they say. Meeting others who truly understand agriculture created a strong sense of community and support that continues today.

Through conferences, meetings and national events, Sarah and Miles connected with young farmers and ranchers from across the country. While their operations looked different, many of the challenges and opportunities they faced were the same. Those conversations quickly turned into friendships and trusted connections that have lasted far beyond their time on the committee.

Their involvement didn't end when their committee service concluded. Today, both Sarah and Miles remain active in Farm Bureau leadership. Miles serves on the Minnesota Farm Bureau board of directors, while Sarah serves on the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture board of directors. They are also active in their county Farm Bureau and volunteer on the AFBF Grassroots Outreach (GO) Team, helping share agriculture's story with consumers and policymakers.

For the Kuschels, their Farm Bureau journey has become about more than leadership; it's about the future. As parents to Mackenzie, Kelcie and Rohan, they see firsthand how important it is to build strong agricultural communities and connections that support the next generation.

Their advice for others considering getting involved is simple: don't hesitate to step up.

You may not realize the impact it will have at first, but the relationships you build, the lessons you learn and the opportunities you create can shape not only your own future, but the future of agriculture as well.

Katie Wiese serves on AFBF's YF&R Committee, along with her husband, Dustin. Together they raise beef cattle in Minnesota. Katie also works off the farm for a North Dakota-based oil and gas company.