CCFB News» March 2021

Thomas Poole, a Professional Member from Chicago, was elected by his peers in February to the chairmanship of the Cook County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Team for a two-year term. He serves as a freelance consultant for food and agriculture organizations while pursuing his graduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Crop Sciences from UIUC and a Part 107 Drone License. Tom has been involved with Young Leaders since his collegiate career and previously represented the cohort and Cook County Farm Bureau in an organizational trip to Washington DC in 2019.

Tom has identified the following items that he would like to pursue through the Young Leaders Team…

1. Membership acquisition and retainment in YL

2. Networking with related organizations

3. Community service in areas of urgent need

“Ideally, I want to collaborate in building the brand of YL in Cook County”, Poole added.

Elected to serve as the vice chair of the group is Blake Lanphier. Blake serves as the farm manager of Wagner Farm in Glenview. He has a bachelor-of-science degree in animal sciences from Iowa State University. Blake is a 2020 graduate of two-year agricultural educational leadership experience through the Illinois Ag Leadership Program.

Elected to the Recorder position for the group is Karina Barrios. Karina is employed by as a corporate food safety specialist for Ferrara Company in Chicago She is a past Ag literacy intern through the Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation. Karina has a bachelor-of-science degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign.

The Cook County Farm Bureau expresses appreciation to Jessica Biernacki who effectively served as the chair of the Young Leaders Group for the past 4 years. We appreciate Jessica’s leadership and ongoing enthusiasm!

Cook County Farm Bureau Members age 18 – 35 who may be interested in participating in the Young Leaders Team or activities are encouraged to contact chairman Tom Poole by emailing [email protected] or Cook County Farm Bureau manager, Bob Rohrer at 708-354-3276 or by emailing [email protected]