Indiana Farm Bureau welcomed two new district leaders into state leadership roles this year – a new district director who joins the INFB board of directors and a new district education and outreach coordinator who joins the INFB Women’s Leadership Committee.
The newest member of the INFB board of directors is Bruce Guernsey of Boone County. Guernsey now serves as director for District 5, which includes Boone, Fountain, Hendricks, Montgomery, Morgan, Parke, Putnam, Vermillion and Warren counties. Guernsey replaced David Wyeth who retired as District 5 director in December after 12 years of service.
Prior to his board position, Guernsey had been active on the Boone County Farm Bureau board for 30 years, serving on the county policy committee and as county vice president, as well as state advisory committees. He and his wife, Kelli, served on the State Young Farmer Committee 20 years ago.
Guernsey farms near Jamestown, Indiana with his father. They raise beef cattle, hay, popcorn, soybeans and seed beans. In addition, he is a licensed real estate agent and has been a certified Indiana firefighter and EMT.
Guernsey has served on the Western Boone School Board, Boone REMC board of directors, Indiana Beef Cattle Association, Purdue Animal Science Advisory Board, Witham Health Foundation Board, Jamestown Community Fund, Jamestown Fire Department and the Boone County 4-H Council.
The INFB Women’s Leadership Committee also welcomed a new district education and outreach coordinator, who will work to educate the public through programs and events that promote a positive image of agriculture.
Now representing District 2 is Joy Tracey of LaGrange County. In her new role, Tracey represents Allen, Elkhart, DeKalb, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben and Whitley counties. Tracey replaces Colleen Johnson, whose term ended in December.
Prior to her district position, Tracey served on the State Young Farmer Committee from 1994 to 1996. Additionally, in 2001, she was the first-ever winner of the INFB Excellence in Agriculture award, which honors Farm Bureau members who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned, production agriculture operation, but who actively contribute and grow their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture.
Tracey and her husband, Kent, farm near Wolcottville, where they have a dairy, raise a few beef cattle and grow corn, soybeans and hay.
Tracey works for Edd’s Supplies Inc., a chemical and fertilizer company in Shipshewana, Indiana. In addition to being a 4-H leader for 20 years, she has served as a volunteer for Elijah Haven (a domestic violence shelter), Feed My Starving Children and the Stroh Lions Club.
Guernsey and Tracey officially took office at the close of INFB’s State Convention in December 2021.