Clausen & Paulsen New FB Directors
Farmers Jeff Clausen and Chris Paulsen were recently elected to the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
As a young farmer, Chris Paulsen says, “I look forward to serving on the Farm Bureau Board and I am honored for this opportunity to represent farmers and my community.”
“I enjoy working with other farmers and collaborating on new ideas and programs,” continued Chris, director from South Grove Township.
The 30-year-old grain and cattle farmer works for the Jones Farm and also farms on his own growing corn and soybeans. He is a seed salesman for the AgriGold seed company as well.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in Agronomy Management and an associate’s degree from Kishwaukee College in Diesel Mechanics.
Chris and his wife, Katie, an occupational therapist, reside in rural Clare.
Jeff Clausen, 50, is a grain and livestock farmer from Genoa. He grows corn, soybeans and hay, and raises hogs and cattle.
Jeff serves as a Sycamore Township Director on the Farm Bureau Board. His father, the late Clarion Clausen, was a Farm Bureau Director also.
The new director says, “I hope to be a positive voice for DeKalb County farmers and to ensure a successful agricultural industry in Illinois.”
Jeff earned an associate’s degree from Kishwaukee College in Animal Science. He and his wife, Anna, a patient service representative in pediatrics at Northwestern Medicine, have three sons – Justin, a mechanical engineer at Dawn Equipment; Chase, a senior at the University of Illinois in agricultural & consumer economics; and Jared, a senior at Sycamore High School.
Deverell, Thomas Retire from the Board
After decades of serving on the Farm Bureau Board, Russ Deverell and Larry Thomas have chosen to retire.
Deverell was a director for 27 years representing Kingston Township and the Northern District in DeKalb County. The Kingston farmer was first elected to the board in January 1994.
Having enjoyed his leadership in Farm Bureau, Deverell underscores his perspective of the organization: “To represent farmers at all levels of government.”
The 67-year-old grain and livestock farmer completed nine, three-year terms on the Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
Thomas was first elected to the Farm Bureau Board in November 2001. For the past 19 years he served Sycamore Township and the Northern District.
During his directorship Thomas ratified his assessment of Farm Bureau’s role: “To increase public awareness of the significant role of agriculture and to advocate for agricultural legislation.”
Now retired, Thomas previously grew up on a dairy farm and had a banking career. Later he was a small business and agricultural consultant.
The 75-year-old fulfilled six, three-year terms on the Farm Bureau Board. Both Thomas and Deverell were honored at the Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in February as retiring directors.