With the upcoming retirement of longtime Utah Farm Bureau employee John Keeler, changes have been made to ensure Farm Bureau members in the southeastern portion of the state maintained the high level of service and were represented at various agency and other public meetings.
To fill the critical role of southern regional manager, the Utah Farm Bureau has hired Brett Behling of Ferron to serve the members in the southeastern part of the state, including Grand and San Juan counties. Behling had been serving as the Emery County Farm Bureau Vice President, while working as an ag lender for Zions Bank and running his own cattle ranch in Ferron.
Behling has been working with Keeler for a few months prior to Keeler’s retirement at the end of the year to learn the ins and outs of the many issues impacting agriculture in this area of the state, including the many public land challenges. Keeler had worked for the Utah Farm Bureau for 43 years.
“I am absolutely thrilled to come work for the Utah Farm Bureau, and couldn’t look forward to this more,” Behling said. “It’s been great getting my boots on the ground and helping others with issues impacting their farms and ranches.”
Behling grew up in Emery County on his family’s cattle ranch, where their livestock grazed on the Manti-La Sal National Forest in the summertime, and the San Rafael Swell in the winter. He took over the ranch in 1998 and has been working the land ever since. In addition to working in finance, Behling has designed irrigation systems for the soil conservation service.
“Brett is naturally personable and relates well with others, and we look forward to bringing his talents to benefit other Farm Bureau members as well,” said Dale Newton, Chief Executive Officer for the Utah Farm Bureau.
Behling studied agriculture and business at Brigham Young University, and also minored in Italian. His wife Angelena currently serves as the secretary for the Emery County Farm Bureau, and together they have 10 kids.
Brett Behling to serve in southeastern Utah
