Meet new board member Drew Kessler
Tell us about yourself and your involvement with sustainability.
Sustainability has been a part of my life since my childhood. I grew up in an agricultural community in Northwest North Dakota. However, instead of growing up on a farm, I was the game warden’s kid, while most of my close friends were farm kids. This kind of put me right at the intersection of agriculture and environmental sustainability from the time I learned to walk. For me, this intersection came to mean family, friends, and community all working hard to make both farms and the environment more sustainable.
Since that time, I’ve never really looked back and I’ve continued to grow a career connected to environmental sustainability and agriculture.
Tell us why you are committed to Farmers for Sustainable Food and what it means to your organization or farm.
A large part of our work at Houston Engineering, Inc. is connected to science and engineering that improves the communities we serve. Not surprisingly, with office locations centered in the Upper Midwest, this means that farmers are a major part of the communities we serve. I’m convinced that Farmers for Sustainable Food has an industry-leading approach to engaging in this space that supports both farmers and the communities that farmers are a part of.
What are you looking forward to the most in your role as an FSF board member?
Having partnered alongside FSF for several years now, I’ve been amazed at the leadership demonstrated by past and current board members, staff, members, and collaborators in building this organization. I hope I’m able to make contributions that continue to grow the foundation that has already been laid.
Why should others join FSF?
FSF has proven to be a leader in supporting the growth of sustainability efforts through a foundation of farm leadership. I see a broad swath of organizations working towards this same goal but sometimes lacking the platform that remains centered on this idea of farm leadership. I would strongly encourage any organization that seeks to increase sustainability, beginning at the farm level, to connect with an FSF staff or board member to learn more about how they can partner with this great organization.
“These projects bring value to our members and partners. Farmers use quality data to measure improvements made from adopting sustainable farming practices and where they can get the most benefit from their investments,” FSF President and co-owner of Cornette Dairy, Paul Cornette, said. “They also help processors and retailers connect with progressive-minded growers who want consumers to know how their food is produced and that it’s produced sustainably.”
“The passion and drive these farmers have to continuously improve is evident through their consistent efforts year after year and LASA’s completion of their project,” Lauren Brey, Farmers for Sustainable Food Managing Director, said. “Both groups aren’t stopping here. They continue to expand on these findings through their new projects within the FSF Climate-Smart Program.” 
“Through our ongoing membership and relationship with FSF, we have seen first-hand the organization’s impact on farmer-led groups through its sustainability framework. We are excited to offer this program to our producer partners. This program aligns with our Social Responsibility Pillars, particularly our environmental stewardship pillar, and our commitment to protecting the planet,” said Greg Siegenthaler, Grande’s Vice President of Milk Marketing, Sustainability and Strategic Sourcing. 
“Farmers are making remarkable progress in sustainable farming and the data demonstrates their commitment is working,” FSF Managing Director Lauren Brey said. “We are proud to partner with the farmer-led groups in their conservation efforts and recognize the extraordinary impact they have on improving the environment and their local communities.”
