Oregon hemp farmer to lead Farm Bureau’s young growers committee

Jon Iverson, a 34-year-old grower whose family farm grows industrial hemp and other crops, has been elected to serve as chair of the American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee.

The third-generation farmer and graduate of Oregon State University will act as spokesman for the YF&R program and will sit on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s board of directors during his year-long term, the Capital Press reported.

Iverson told the Capital Press that his goals are to find ways to increase the organization’s membership and raise awareness about mental health issues in agriculture.

He said another goal was to expand the Farm Bureau’s connections with agricultural groups elsewhere in the world for new perspectives on solving shared problems.

“It’d be nice to have that international perspective,” he said.

His family farm in Clackamas County grows tulips, squash, hazelnuts and grapes in addition to hemp.