Farmers impart years of experience in county organization.
The newly elected DeKalb County Farm Bureau leadership team provides a prominent level of experience and commitment to the organization. The four farmers average nearly two decades of Farm Bureau leadership.
On March 29, the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Board of Directors elected officers of the Farm Bureau Executive Committee, including a new president. President Mark Tuttle stepped down after 10 years to focus on his role as an Illinois Farm Bureau Director. Replacing him is new President Steve Bemis, who formerly served as the county Farm Bureau’s vice president.
Joining the leadership team with Bemis is newly elected Vice President Berkeley Boehne and re-elected Secretary Roy Plote and Treasurer Steve Drendel.
Steve Bemis – Steve Bemis was elected as the 16th president of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau joining a prestigious group of leaders. He is in his 26th year as a director of the organization.
Steve has served on the Farm Bureau’s Executive Committee for 11 years, as vice president for one year, treasurer for seven years, and a member for three years.
A fifth generation farmer, Steve grows corn and soybeans in his family farm operation in rural DeKalb.
He has three adult daughters: Emily and Heather Bemis, and Courtney (Jake) Wright.
Berkeley Boehne – Vice President Berkeley Boehne returns to the Executive Committee having served on the leadership team previously for six years, from 2013 to 2019. He was vice president for four years and a member of the Executive Committee for two years.
Berkeley is now serving his 13th year as a Farm Bureau Director.
The third generation Shabbona grain and livestock farmer grows corn, soybeans and wheat and raises hogs in partnership with his brother. The Boehnes also have a trucking and manure hauling business.
Berkeley has two daughters, Avery and Madison.
Roy Plote – Secretary Roy Plote was re-elected to leadership for the 12th year and has been a member of the Executive Committee for as many years.
This is Roy’s 19th year serving as a Farm Bureau Director.
Roy and his brother and son farm in rural Leland. They grow corn, soybeans, wheat and hay and also raise beef cattle. Roy is a sixth generation farmer and also is a commodity broker.
He and his wife, Janet, have two adult sons, Ethan and Avery.
Steve Drendel – Treasurer Steve Drendel is in his 13th year as an officer and a member of the Farm Bureau Executive Committee.
Steve has been a DeKalb County Farm Bureau Director for 21 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 (Bethany), Megan and Kevin Drendel, and Katherine (Brad) Copp.
