The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is excited to announce the fourth class of its “The Herd” program. The Herd is for members aged 18-23 who enjoy social media and have an interest in sharing their passion for agriculture through those platforms. Throughout the year members of The Herd gain valuable skills in agriculture communication by learning from industry professionals and through hands-on experiences. Members will participate in the program for one year.
Ämbra Andrist will attend Rochester Community and Technical College this fall before transferring to pursue a degree in political science with a minor in pre-law. Andrist owns and operates her own flower farm and through her involvement in FFA and as a Dodge County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador she has gained experience in several areas of agriculture. Andrist joined The Herd because she wants to advocate for an industry she is passionate about while serving as a voice for the younger generation. She hopes to gain a deeper understanding of agriculture and use social media to educate others while connecting with a larger audience about the importance of agriculture in everyday life. Follow along throughout the year on
Instagram @ambraandrist and Facebook @Ämbra Andrist
Katelynn Mehlhop graduated from Ridgewater College this spring with an associate of applied science degree in dairy management. She works on a dairy farm and for a company that services and maintains automatic milking system (AMS) robots. While attending Ridgewater, she participated in Professional Agriculture Students (PAS), and she was active in 4-H throughout high school, serving on her county’s Project Development Committee. Mehlhop entered agriculture in a non-traditional way and want’s to help others grow an understanding of agriculture. She joined The Herd to help others learn, share her passion for dairy farming and bridge the gap between farmers and consumers. Follow along throughout the year on
Instagram @katelynn.in.ag and Facebook:@k.mehlhop2026
Haleigh Reiland will attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls this fall to study agricultural business. She helps on her family’s farm near Eyota, where they raise Holstein dairy heifers and grow corn, soybeans and alfalfa. Reiland also serves as a 2026 Olmsted County Farm Bureau Student Ambassador, promoting Farm Bureau and sharing resources at community events. She joined The Herd after connecting with a member during Day on the Hill and hopes to share the many different stories found throughout agriculture. She is passionate about the industry and looks forward to using social media to share her agricultural experiences. Follow along throughout the year on
Instagram @haleighreiland and Facebook @HaleighReiland
Keeley Runge is an incoming sophomore at South Dakota State University, where she is double majoring in agricultural leadership and political science with a minor in agricultural business. She serves as an ambassador for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, is a member of the 2026 Hobo Day Committee and participates in the SDSU Collegiate Farm Bureau Club. Runge grew up near St. James, where her family farms corn, soybeans and hogs and operates a trucking company. Her involvement in 4-H and FFA sparked her passion for agriculture. She joined The Herd to grow her confidence and knowledge while sharing her agricultural story through social media. Follow along throughout the year on
Instagram @keeley.jean.06 and Facebook @Keeley Runge
Haylie Wielenberg is entering her senior year at the University of Minnesota Crookston, where she is studying animal science with a pre-veterinary emphasis. Originally from Long Prairie, she grew up on a dairy farm and continues to help raise replacement heifers and crops on her family’s farm. Wielenberg volunteers with the Todd County 4-H program, serves as president of the UMC Dairy Club and is involved in the UMC Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. She has also served as a Todd County Dairy Princess for five years and was a 2025 Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist. Wielenberg joined The Herd to expand her ability to share her agricultural story beyond in-person conversations. She hopes to use social media to advocate for dairy farmers and inspire others by sharing the role agriculture has played in shaping her life. Follow along throughout the year on
Instagram @beyondthebarnwithhaylie and Facebook @beyondthebarnwithhaylie
Brenna Wordes is pursuing a business degree at Bethel University. She is actively involved in livestock through 4-H at the Swift County Fair, where she shows sheep, rabbits and horses, and advocates for agriculture through the Minnesota 4-H Agriculture Ambassador program. She also works on a local dairy farm and for an equine small business. Wordes joined The Herd to share her experiences in agriculture, advocate for the industry. Follow along throughout the year on
Instagram @OneTuffDelight and Facebook @Brenna Wordes
Learn more about Minnesota Farm Bureau efforts as an advocate for over 30,000 members and 78 county and regional Farm Bureaus at www.fbmn.org.
MFB news release
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