Agricultural leaders honored at fall meeting of Penn State Ag Council

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An agricultural education leader, a statewide leadership development program and a Penn State student were lauded for their contributions to Pennsylvania agriculture during the Penn State Ag Council’s fall meeting on Oct. 14 in State College.

The Penn State Ag Council serves as an industry advisory group to the dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. It is comprised of organizations, groups and businesses that represent a strategic agricultural or related interest in Pennsylvania.

The 2026 award recipients are Mike Brammer, executive director of the Pennsylvania FFA Association; Penn State Extension's Rural-Urban Leadership Program; and Brooke Beamesderfer, a Penn State agribusiness management student.

“Our award recipients represent the kind of leadership that moves Pennsylvania agriculture forward,” said Troy Ott, Peter and Ann Tombros Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. “Their accomplishments reflect a commitment to innovation, service and the future of our industry.”

Brammer recognized for advancing agricultural education

Brammer, who received the council’s Leadership Award, joined the Pennsylvania FFA Association in 2001 and has spent more than two decades advancing agricultural education and developing future leaders. In progressively senior leadership roles, he has helped expand the organization while maintaining its focus on leadership development, personal growth and career preparation.

Under his leadership, Pennsylvania FFA has grown to more than 160 local chapters, with membership approaching 16,000 students. Brammer also has mentored students and helped prepare them for leadership roles in agriculture and other fields.

Brammer also recently received the 2026 National FFA Organization’s VIP Citation, was named to the Pennsylvania Agriculture Power 100 list by City and State Pennsylvania in 2022, and received the PennAg Distinguished Service Award in 2025.

Joel Rotz, manager of government affairs and communications at Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, nominated Brammer for the award.

“He has coached, advised and mentored dozens of Pennsylvania State FFA Officer teams, investing countless hours in developing young leaders who have gone on to become educators, agricultural professionals, business leaders, legislators, military officers and community advocates,” Rotz said. “His leadership philosophy emphasizes servant leadership, professionalism, integrity and a commitment to empowering students.”

RULE honored for developing community leaders

Penn State Extension’s Rural-Urban Leadership Program, known as RULE, received the Leadership in Action Award. JD Dunbar, director, has led the program for more than 30 years.

Established in 1971 as the Public Affairs Leadership Program, RULE has evolved into an 18-month leadership development program that prepares participants to navigate the relationships among agriculture, business, government, education and communities. Its curriculum emphasizes communication, collaboration, advocacy, mentoring, professional development and service.

Tom Brant, a Penn State Ag Council member since 2010 and a 1999 RULE graduate, nominated the program. He cited the accomplishments and continued engagement of its alumni, who include farmers, agricultural industry executives, legislators, agency leaders, educators, business leaders and community advocates throughout Pennsylvania.

“RULE promotes communication, collaboration, advocacy, professionalism, personal development, mentoring and service,” Brant said. “Most importantly, it challenges participants to think beyond themselves and use their leadership for the benefit of agriculture and the communities that depend on it. RULE is more than a leadership-development program. It is a statewide network of individuals equipped and motivated to strengthen Pennsylvania agriculture.”

Student recognized for advocacy and service

Beamesderfer, of Annville, received the Youth Leadership Award for her commitment to agriculture, advocacy and community service.

At Penn State, she serves as president of the Collegiate Farm Bureau and merchandise and fundraising chair of the Ag Student Council. She also participates in Ag Advocates, the National Agri-Marketing Association student marketing team, Block and Bridle, the Coaly Society and Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society. She is helping to plan the inaugural AGNext event, scheduled for February 2027 at the University Park campus.

This past spring, Beamesderfer advanced to the final four nationally at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in Portland, Oregon, after winning the state competition in November 2025. She will graduate in May 2027 after completing her degree in three years.

Her professional experience includes internships with the Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corp. and PennAg Industries Association. She also has served as Lebanon County Fair Queen and Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Alternate.

Jennifer Reed-Harry, assistant vice president of PennAg Industries, praised Beamesderfer’s communication and advocacy skills, professionalism, innovation, judgment and problem-solving abilities. She also highlighted Beamesderfer’s commitment to professional growth, collaboration, service and mentoring.

“Brooke is an innovative thinker,” Reed-Harry said. “She has an outgoing personality, an eagerness to learn and give back to her community and agriculture.”

Meeting addresses emerging agricultural threats

Beyond recognizing agricultural leadership, the fall meeting brought together industry representatives, researchers, government officials, students and alumni to discuss current and emerging threats to Pennsylvania agriculture.

Two panel discussions examined responses to disease outbreaks, industry preparedness and strategies for detecting and addressing future threats. Participants included representatives from the college, Kreider Farms in Lancaster, PennAg Industries Association and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The program also featured small-group discussions, a student and alumni panel, a college update and a town hall with college leadership.

The day concluded with a tour of Beaver Stadium featuring Nathan Tiyce, a Penn State Nittany Lions punter who transferred to the College of Agricultural Sciences to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science.