MADISON – Melissa (Doyle) Jacobson has been named Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Director of Young Leader Programs.
Jacobson will be responsible for working with the Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) program. The YFA program is for members between the ages of 18 and 35 years old and offers opportunities for leadership, networking and skills development. She will also coordinate programming for the Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters and serve as the liaison between Farm Bureau and Wisconsin’s 4-H and FFA organizations.
“I am excited to step into this new role and start the next chapter in my Farm Bureau career,” said Jacobson. “Young leader programs are vital to Farm Bureau, and I look forward to growing these programs and working with our younger members as they are the future of our organization.”
Jacobson has served as WFBF’s District 3 Coordinator since 2015 working with the Farm Bureau members in Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland and Vernon counties.
“Melissa’s depth of knowledge of Farm Bureau and her motivating positive attitude make her a great choice to lead our young member programs,” said WFBF Senior Director of Member Relations Wendy Volkert.
Jacobson and her husband, Trevor, and daughter, Sophie, reside in Mineral Point near her family’s beef farm. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and applied economics and life sciences communication, as well as a master’s degree in life sciences communication.
Growing up, Jacobson was an active 4-H and FFA member, showing pigs, sheep and beef cattle amongst numerous other projects at the Iowa County Fair. She continues to be a 4-H leader and an engaged community member, serving on many local committees and leadership boards.
Prior to joining the Farm Bureau staff, Jacobson served as the 4-H Youth Development Advisor for Iowa County UW-Extension and as the Outreach Coordinator for UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization, representing farms of every size, commodity and management style.
