Meet the 2020 leadership team.
Typically, the election of county Farm Bureau officers occurs in late March each year. But this March was atypical with the COVID-19 pandemic. After the reopening of Phase 4, Farm Bureau leaders were able to meet at the Farm Bureau Building and conduct business.
On June 29, the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Board of Directors elected officers of the Farm Bureau Executive Committee.
Serving in Farm Bureau leadership are: President Mark Tuttle, Vice President Steve Bemis, Secretary Roy Plote, and Treasurer Steve Drendel.
Here’s a brief profile of the leadership team highlighting their Farm Bureau and farming roles.
Mark Tuttle – This is Mark Tuttle’s ninth year as president of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau. He represents the county Farm Bureau at local, state and national meetings and has served in various leadership capacities. He is the 15th president of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau and is in his 19th year as a director of the organization.
Mark also represents District 1 as a director of the Illinois Farm Bureau.
The fourth generation Somonauk farmer raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and beef cows. He also has a trucking business.
Mark has three adult daughters and two sons: Katherine, Elaine, Paula, Nelsen and Eric.
Steve Bemis – Elected as Farm Bureau’s new vice president is Steve Bemis. Steve has been a Farm Bureau director for 25 years.
In the past Steve served on the Executive Committee for 10 years, including being Farm Bureau’s treasurer.
A fifth generation DeKalb farmer, Steve grows corn and soybeans in his family farm operation.
Steve has three adult daughters: Emily, Courtney and Heather.
Roy Plote – Serving his 11th year as secretary, Roy Plote has been a member of the Executive Committee for as many years. He has been a Farm Bureau director for 18 years.
Roy and his brother farm in rural Leland. They grow corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, and also raise beef cattle as sixth generation farmers. Roy also is a commodity broker.
He and his wife, Janet, have two sons, Ethan and Avery.
Steve Drendel – This is Steve Drendel’s 12th year serving as Farm Bureau’s treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee. He has been a Farm Bureau director for 20 years.
The Shabbona grain farmer raises corn and soybeans and is a sixth generation family farmer. Steve also has a farm drainage tile business.
He and his wife, Vickie, have four adult children, David, Megan, Katherine and Kevin.