Board Members
Jason MacDuff
President
Biography
A banking executive for over 25 years, Jason's first connection to NBHF comes from his maternal grandfather who used to call him "little Norman Borlaug" when he did something smart!"
Neil Shaffer
VicePresident
Biography
Neil works for the NRCS in Howard County and has been instrumental in the improvements and renovations of the birthplace home/grounds, as well as continiued work in the re-establishment of the Native prairie on the Borlaug farm.
Gary Gassett
C0-Treasurer
Biography
I am the co-treasurer of the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation and am retired from a career as an agricultural and commercial lender at CUSB Bank. My wife and I own and reside on the family farm where I grew up.
Nichole Havlik
C0-Treasurer
Biography
Nichole is an Internal Auditor at CUSB Bank in Cresco. She lives north of Elma, Iowa, with her husband Andrew and daughter Kinley. Nichole enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Kelly O'Donnell
Secretary
Biography
Kelly is a life-long resident of Northeast Iowa. He spent 21 years in education as a teacher, coach, and administrator.
He joined his father’s insurance agency in 2015 and then purchased V & V Insurance Agency, with locations in Cresco and Decorah, in 2019.
Kelly and his wife Michelle have four children: Haley, Nathan, Drew, and Connor.
Dennis Meirick
Property Manager
Biography
Dennis is a partner in a family retail ag. business, Farmers Mill, Inc., located in Protivin, Iowa. He is married to wife Paula and has four adult children living throughout the Midwest.
Laura Schmauss
Board Member
Biography
Laura Schmauss: I’ve been a member of the Borlaug Foundation over 10 years and past President of the Foundation. I work at Cresco/Decorah Bank as a mortgage lender. I’m married to Tom and we have two sons Mitchell & Carter.
Joanne Lane
Board Member
Biography
As a retired educator, I feel that Norm’s story needs to be told. It is personal to me as he and I are second cousins. My mother, Hanna Borlaug Nelson grew up across the field from Norm’s birthplace home. From my mother I learned of the Borlaug family values: the importance of education and for caring for others.
Vickie Grube
Board Member
Biography
Vickie has been instrumental in the Food Packaging event that is held during the 5th grade Borlaug Inspire Days
Bill Reed
Board Member
Biography
I have been involved with the Borlaug Foundation for over 20 years in different capacities. I currently manage the Foundation website.
The Borlaug story is very close to me as my grandmother (Palma ) was one of Dr. Borlaug's younger sisters. I always enjoyed the conversations I was able to have with Uncle Norm about life and giving your best.
Christina Riessen
Board Member
Biography
I was an intern in 2012 and joined the board in 2017. Living in Minnesota makes it a little more challenging to help in person, but I phone in to meetings and help with our social media, newsletter, and online material. My background is horticulture as well as agriculture & life sciences education.
Shirley Sovereign
Board Member
Biography
Shirley was a teacher and administrator at the elementary school level and also taught at Luther. She is currently a member of the How-Winn school board. She lives with her husband, Dave, on a farm north of Schley, Iowa. They have two daughters and four granddaughters. Shirley and Dave are very involved in the ethanol industry attending many meetings around the country. They both love to camp and travel. She also enjoys golf, reading and volunteering. She has been on the board 10 years.
Kris Agena
Board Member
Biography
I’Il have been on the Board since 2021 but have been volunteering at the farm since 2014. I am a faculty member at Luther College where I have taught and worked as an athletic trainer since 2004. I live in Cresco with a few pets and enjoy gardening, woodworking and other craft projects.
Joe Bouska
Board Member
Biography
Joe is a retired CPA Principal of a Northeast Iowa public firm and has served on numerous nonprofit boards and councils throughout his career. I am a native of Protivin, Iowa.
Michelle Midthus
Board Member
Biography
My name is Michelle Midthus, I am a third grade teacher at Crestwood Elementary. My husband, Brian, works at CIA Insurance in Cresco and our 2 daughters attend Crestwood. We keep busy with their many activities in and out of school.
Dale Vagts
Board Member
Biography
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Cresco High School. Grad
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Winona State College. B. S. Degree.
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Taught elementary school. Edina, Minnesota. 1966-1981
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Owner/agent V and V Insurance Agency 1983-2018
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Semi-retired
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Board member since 2012
Jon Buchanan
Board Member
Biography
Jon has been a Secondary Educator for 29 years. Currently, he teaches at Kasson-Mantorville Middle School. Jon has been instrumental in trying to bring MN schools to Inspire Days and spreads the legacy of Dr. Borluag through student trips to DC. Jon enjoys reading, traveling and attending sporting events. Board member since 2020.
Arlyn Grube
Board Member
Biography
Arlyn is active helping on the farm sites wherever needed. Also manages the hardware of the Farms Security system.
Jim Russ
Board Member
Biography
Jim is a retired Ag teacher from New Hampton that was involved with the Worlkd Food Prize Youth Institute for many years. He has been a board memeber for the last 3 years.
Mary Reicks
Board Member
Biography
Mary taight high schoolers and has been a Girl Scout leader for over 40 years. She has been a board member since 2015. She and her husband, Luke, created and maintain the geocaches at the farms and nearby caches related to Dr. Borlaug's life.