FARM BUREAU WOMEN – District 6 (Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, Desoto, Charlotte, Lee)
Farm Bureau Women are dedicated to educating the public with programs and events that promote a positive image of agriculture. These activities provide opportunities for leadership, communication, political in involvement and networking.
Telling the story of agriculture in a factual and engaging manner is an ongoing effort of Farm Bureau Women. The Women’s programs provide funding for scholarships, Ag in the classroom and charitable projects around that state.
To get involved in the Manatee County Farm Bureau Women’s Program, contact Alane at (941) 746-6161.
Here is our District 6 Farm Bureau Women’s Chair, Ellie John, and little about her about her background.
Ellie is a Manatee County native, raised in Duette where she currently resides with her husband, Stevie John, a fourth generation cattle rancher, and their four children, ages 19, 16, 15 and 6. Ellie works full-time as a dental assistant at a family practice in Bradenton. She also assists her husband in running their land management business providing fertilization and seeding services for pasture restoration as well as helping him with the family’s cattle. Ellie is very active in the Manatee County 4-H program, she’s the leader of Myakka Allstock 4-H club, and sits on the 4-H foundation where she is the secretary. She is also the Vice President of the 4-H Leader Council. A founding member of the Manatee County Farm Bureau women’s Leadership Committee, she has been a Chair since the committee started six years ago. Ellie also sits on the Manatee County Cattlemen‘s board as their Treasurer.
Ellie enjoys volunteering at various county events such as Ag Venture, where she is the time keeper, keeping 1,000 third graders moving on time to different agricultural learning centers. She also helps put on her county’s Farm City Week Beef Prospect Show and Workshop. Together, Stevie and Ellie are the Beef Breeding Barn Superintendents for the Manatee County fair, and their children raise heifers and steers to show. Ellie has a passion for teaching the youth in her county about responsibility, volunteerism, and how to be role models for the younger kids looking up to them through agriculture and the agricultural industry.