Nominating Committee - Mountain Plains

2023-2024 Nominating Committee Candidates

Candidate information includes a brief description of their farming operation, role in that operation, and/or business experience.

MOUNTAIN PLAINS

Michael Baleztena – Loma, CO

I personally lease 100 irrigated acres in hay/pasture. I own 65 pairs that summer in the western Colorado mountains and winter on the lease pastures. I also work for a farm in the summer that raises corn wheat and hay.

Joe Bernal – Loma, CO

Bernal Farms is an irrigated agricultural production company. We produce whole corn, silage, corn, high moisture, corn, milling wheat, alfalfa hay, grass hay, and Black Angus calves. I am the president and Co. owner (with my son) of Bernal Farms. I am also in a partnership with my son and my nephew in Baleztena/Bernal cattle company.

John Caldwell – Longmont, CO

Irrigated farming and cattle grazing and feeding. Strategic planning, financial planning and management, capital allocation and tax planning.

Jack Cassidy – Loma, CO

Owner and Manager of family farm and livestock operation for 50 years.

Dustin Cooksey – Strasburg, CO

Together with my dad, we own and operate a diversified dryland and irrigated grain farm. I am the 5th generation to farm in the area. We are currently working through succession within our farm and have recently dissolved a partnership with my uncles. I’ve been an owner and partner since 2007 and seems like every day I take on new challenges and responsibilities.

Timothy Gittlein – Fort Lupton, CO

Irrigated and dryland operation along the front range of Colorado in Weld County. Raise traditional crops of winter wheat, corn, alfalfa, mixed forages, cow/calf. I have been the managing member of the operation for 30 years and work alongside my wife Jolene, and two sons, Vincent and Dominic. I have been a member of American Ag Credit for 15 years.

Gerald Graybill – Keenesburg, CO

I am the owner/operator of Graybill Land & Livestock, LLC. We are a farming and ranching operation specializing in alfalfa and grass hay. We run a cow/calf operation and also produce and sell sides of beef. 2023 will be our 30th year in operation.

Clay Kinnison – Grover, CO

I am currently the fifth generation to engage operations on my family’s cow/calf operation. During high school I acquired a loan through American AgCredit to purchase a small herd of cattle that I am currently growing into a larger operation. I have also recently acquired a loan through American AgCredit to purchase my own land. Aside from my own operation I help on my families ranch to do all aspects of the work.