Fallen Young Farmer, Inc.
About Fallen Young Farmer
A 501c3, not-for-profit foundation established to help preserve and sustain an agricultural based lifestyle for young farm families, in the state of Indiana, who have experienced the death of a spouse. The foundation will provide:
Grants & Donations
Support & Resources
Awareness
Agricultural Advocacy
Board of Directors
Richayla Huff
Co-Founder
Daughter of Melissa Huff. Richayla is currently a student at Purdue University majoring in Agriculture Economics and Political Science. She plans to attend law school and specialize in ag law. Richayla is a member of Purdue Ag Council. She was also a 10 year 4-H member and a member of FFA.
Michael Baird
Director
Employed by Beck’s Hybrids as a seed advisor in Owensboro, KY. Beck’s Hybrids is the nation’s largest family owned retail seed company, selling corn, soybeans, wheat, cover crops and other forages. Michael also manages the marketing for Cornucopia Farm, his family’s agri-tourism, row crop and livestock operation. He is a 2013 graduate from Purdue University with degrees in Agribusiness Management and Horticulture Production & Marketing.
Katie Stam Irk
Director
Crowned the first and only Miss America from the state of Indiana in 2009. Since passing on the title, Katie continues to travel on her national speaking tour as an advocate, host, branding professional, author, and performer; primarily focusing on agriculture, faith, and service. In December 2017, Katie started her own publishing company called Esther Press Publishing. She released her first piece, Merely Moving Shadows in April 2018. Merely Moving Shadows is a 10-week devotional guide and can be found online at www.merelymovingshadows.com. A very proud and lifelong Hoosier, Katie has the distinct honor of serving as the Face of Indiana Tourism; featuring Honest-2-Goodness Indiana businesses, restaurants, family-fun adventures, and attractions through her travel vlog series called Katie’s Home State Adventures, available to watch on YouTube. Katie grew up on a dairy farm in southern Indiana and is proud to serve the agriculture industry as the Director of Communications for Diversified Crop Insurance Services, a division of CGB Enterprises, Inc. Katie and her husband Brian have three beautiful children; Charlotte (5), Rose (3), and Wrigley (2). Follow Katie on social media (@katiestamirk) to keep up with her latest travels, newest projects, and adventures.”
Melissa Huff
Founder & Director
Mother of three daughters, Mariah, Olivia and Richayla. She and her late husband, Richard Huff Jr., owned a farrow-to-finish sow operation raising replacement gilts for integrators, market hogs, seedstock and club pigs. Rich and Melissa held an annual club pig sale and were 4-H swine superintendents for the Washington County, Indiana fair. In addition, they owned Rich Huff Auctions where they sold real estate, personal property, farm equipment and livestock. Melissa is currently an Indiana Certified Residential Appraiser and President of Huff Appraisal Service, Inc. Melissa was recently appointed by Governor Holcomb to serve as a Director on the Indiana State Fair Board. She was also elected to serve as a director for the Indiana Association of Fairs. Melissa was a 10 year 4-H member and has been a 4-H Leader and Volunteer for over 30 years.
Mariah Eggersman
Co-Founder
Daughter of Melissa Huff. Mariah is Married to Jordan Eggersman. Mariah and Jordan recently launched The Egg Enterprise LLC serving cattle breeders throughout Indiana. In addition Mariah is an Elanco Territory Sales Manager, specializing in Companion Animals. Mariah was 2013 Indiana State Fair Queen and 2012 Jackson County Fair Queen. Mariah Graduated from Purdue University with a major in Agriculture Education. Mariah was a ten year 4-H member and a member of FFA.
Olivia Huff
Co-Founder
Daughter of Melissa Huff. Olivia is a 2017 graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Olivia is currently a Senior Business Development Representative at Conga. In 2015 she was crowned Jackson County Fair Queen 2015. Olivia was also a 10 year 4-H member and a member of FFA.
Donald Kelly
Director
Partner in Charge of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP - Louisville office and is the leader of the Firm's Toxic Tort and Product Liability practice. Mr. Kelly concentrates his practice in the areas of toxic tort and related environmental litigation, products liability, and commercial disputes. Don earned a J.D., cum laude, University of Louisville and B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University. He and his wife Mary Carol are the parents of two daughters, Mindy and Ann Marie and a son, Devin.
Danielle Walker
Director
Life-long resident of Washington County, who is now proud to serve the agriculture community as the Ag. & Natural Resources Extension Educator. She is a graduate of Purdue University with Bachelor degrees in Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education. Her Masters is also from Purdue in Youth Development in Agricultural Education. Prior to starting her Extension career in 2012, she taught for six years as the Ag. Science & Business Instructor and FFA Advisor at Scottsburg High School. As an Extension Educator her programming focus is livestock production with an emphasis in beef cattle. She and her family raise a flock of Katahdin hair sheep on their farm in eastern Washington County.
Mark Wischmeier
Director
15 years experience in public accounting with Blue & Co., LLC. Mark serves as an audit senior manager in the firm’s Seymour, IN office. The majority of Mark’s experience has been providing audit services to large corporations in a variety of industries, with a focus on agribusiness. Mark grew up on his family’s farm. He was a 10 year 4-H member and American FFA Degree recipient. Mark currently serves on the Jackson County 4-H Council and is the Secretary/Treasurer for the Jackson County Fair.
