Two fresh perspectives are jumping aboard the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers (MAWG) ship. To help guide them through the water alongside the rest of the board, a veteran MAWG director has been reelected. 

Kristin Hamre and Logan Johnson are the two newest directors of the organization with Eric Younggren continuing to serve in District 1. In addition, Fertile farmer Kevin Leiser was reelected president, Austen Germolus will serve as vice president and Tate Petry returns as secretary/treasurer.  

MAWG directors represent the entire state, which is split into two districts, with seven board members – two representing District 1; a pair representing District 2 and three at-large positions. 

Farmer directors meet six times annually to discuss important policies and initiatives. Along with board meetings, directors participate in lobbying trips to St. Paul and Washington, D.C., attend the MAWG annual meeting during the Prairie Grains Conference and travel to National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) meetings.  

MAWG comprises farmer leaders with various experiences representing Minnesota wheat growers where it matters. 

Kristin Hamre – At-large  

Hamre, who was voted onto the board at the Prairie Grains Conference during MAWG’s annual meeting, is looking forward to serving her fellow Minnesota wheat farmers as the newest MAWG at-large director.  

“I love problem solving,” Hamre said. “After taking time during meetings to learn what is high on the list, I hope to contribute ideas to help move these ideas to reality. I also hope to help make a positive impact on all wheat growers.” 

Operating near Beltrami on a wheat, soybeans, corn and sugarbeet operation, Hamre farms with her husband, JJ, and her father-in-law, Brent. She joined the operation in 2006 and has farmed full time since 2021 after an 11-year nursing career; Hamre graduated from Minnesota State Community and Technical College with a licensed practical nursing degree. 

She has experience serving on health care boards and enjoys collaborating with peers. She is excited to join the MAWG board and learn from and serve her fellow farmers.  

MAWG President Kevin Leiser spoke to her about his involvement in the organization and convinced her to run for the position. Hamre said after a few conversations, she was convinced to apply with the hope of making a difference.  

“Farming is in my blood, my dad (Chuck Gagner) farmed, and his dad (the late Andrew Donald Gagner) farmed,” Hamre said. “There’s a ton of pride that comes with farming, and to have the opportunity to be involved on this board and make a difference is an added bonus.”  

Logan Johnson – District 1 

Farming full time near Hallock, Johnson is a new member elected to the MAWG board.  

“I am most looking forward to networking with fellow growers and non-growers,” Johnson said. “I appreciate other perspectives and the MAWG board seems like a great segue to gain or listen to those perspectives.”

Johnson was approached by a MAWG director to serve Minnesota Wheat growers on the board. He later attended MAWG’s annual meeting and found the content interesting, leading him to apply.  

With his new appointment, Johnson will serve as a District 1 director. 

Johnson farms with his brother, Jackson, and his cousin, Scott, raising wheat, soybeans, canola and sugarbeets in a rotation.  

Johnson is currently taking accounting courses through Northland Community and Technical College and serves his community as a volunteer firefighter for the Hallock Fire Department. In the past, he has served treasurer of the Hallock Fireman’s Relief Association and on his local Fraternal Order of Eagles board as secretary.  

Erik Younggren – District 1  

With an impressive history of serving the wheat industry, Erik Younggren has been reelected to the MAWG board, returning to his role as a District 1 director.  

Younggren has served on the state board for several years and also has national leadership in his portfolio. In 2009, he served as NAWG’s secretary/treasurer, after sitting on the domestic and trade policy and the operations and budget committee. His NAWG leadership journey didn’t stop there. In 2012, he was elected as NAWG president. The Hallock area farmer was only the second Minnesota wheat producer to hold an officer position with NAWG.  

While Minnesota wheat farmers can thank Younggren for his contributions, he said the gratitude is mutual. 

“I owe the industry a lot,” Younggren said. “I’ve always found it important to be involved with what you’re growing.” 

Younggren is a Minnesota State University Moorhead graduate with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in economics. He farms on his fifth-generation farm with family, growing wheat, sugarbeets and soybeans. 

Younggren has participated in the Wheat Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (WILOT), the Wheat Organization Leaders of the Future (WOLD) program and the Syngenta Leadership at Its Best Program.