Meet the Board Of Directors
Troy Lenssen
President, Board Member, & State Farm Bureau Board Member
Troy is a fourth generation dairyman (third generation in Whatcom County specifically). In partnership with his brother Terry, Troy farms a couple hundred acres of grass and corn for dairy feed. They also milk Holstein dairy cows. Troy and his wife have three daughters and are hoping that generation can have the opportunity to farm in Whatcom County, like the generations before them. Troy has been involved in Whatcom County Farm Bureau for nine years along with the State Farm Bureau's Board of Directors for eight years. Not only that but Troy has been very active in his church and local school boards.
Ben Elenbaas
Vice President & Board Member
Debi Gavette
Secretary & Board Member
Debi is the owner of Stoney Ridge Farms, a local staple in the community, which actively farms apples, pumpkins, and Christmas trees. Debi also owns and shows Limousin cattle. As if that wasn't enough to keep her busy, Debi spends a lot of time giving back to children and teens in the community through FFA and 4-H. Currently Debi coaches the Agricultural Issues FFA team at Lynden Christian Highschool and has been a 4-H leader for 23 years. Debi has been a part of Farm Bureau for 4 years and decided to get involved because she believes family farms and all other agricultural industries are this country's most valuable recourse, and that we need to protect, advocate, and encourage agricultural pursuits, not only in this generation but in the coming ones as well.
Rob Dhaliwal
Board Member
Rob owns and operates Samson Farms, LLC and Samson Winery which is located in Everson. Not only is this a fully functioning farm that produces and processes raspberries, blueberries and black currants, it doubles as a beautiful wedding venue. Rob graduated from Lynden High School and is now, along with his wife, raising their two children in the community as well. Rob also received a degree in Horticulture from Washington State University. An active member of our community, over the years Rob has served on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) board, as well as several commodity boards. Rob has been involved in Farm Bureau for a couple of years now and believes that Farm Bureau brings great value to farmers.
Dustin VanWingerden
Board Member
Dustin is the Trucking Manager for his family's business, Pacific Growers, a large business with twenty acres of greenhouses which are occupied by various plants, year-round. They supply Fred Meyers in WA, ID, and OR with their plants such as primroses, geraniums, fall mums, hanging baskets, house plants, and poinsettias. One fun fact about Dustin is that his family and coworkers sometimes call him "Poinsettia King" because of a particular patterned suit he owns. Dustin is also a partner in C&D Cattle Co. which owns one hundred and twenty head of Aberdeen/Angus beef. Whatcom County Farm Bureau has been blessed to have Dustin on our board of directors since 2021. Dustin is unmarried but does come from a large family, falling in the middle of his parents' six children.
Allison Trimble
Board Member
Allison is a 3rd generation REALTOR®, specializing in Equestrian Facilities, Agricultural Properties, Hobby Farms, and Lifestyle Properties. Born and raised in Anchor Point, AK, Allison graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a BS in Animal Science: Livestock Production and a Minor in Ag Business and has run a successful Quarter Horse Breeding operation for over 20 years in Whatcom County. Passionate about protecting rural lifestyles, Allison is the Government Affairs Committee Chair for the Whatcom County Association of Realtors, a RPAC Trustee for Washington Realtors, and a monthly columnist in the NW Horse Source Magazine and The Ketch Pen. Allison and her husband Lee, son Khari, and daughters Hope and Emery live on their ranch in Ferndale.
Kyle Haugens
Board Member
Dan Noteboom
Board Member
Dan’s family has a rich history with a long-standing tradition of farming dating back several generations. For almost one hundred and ten years Dan’s family has been farming the same land off of Noon Road. Currently, Dan, his wife Terri, and their 2 sons operate a large dairy farm operation, along with the help of one of his daughters, Jaime, who plays a tremendous role in taking care of young calves. Dan continues to have a passion for preserving his family’s history but is also very passionate about helping and inspiring the next generations. For a long time, Dan has been a big advocate for 4-H and FFA and has encouraged generous donations through Whatcom County Farm Bureau over the years to local clubs and chapters respectively. Dan also personally donates to these organizations and has been supplying Lynden Highschool’s FFA chapter with the land and corn for their annual corn maze for over 20 consecutive years.
Suzzi Snyder
Board Member
Danaya Snavely
Administrator
Danaya started working for the Whatcom County Farm Bureau in the fall of 2022. Although Danaya did not grow up on a farm or ranch, she has always had a deep appreciation of agriculture and was a member of FFA. When she isn't working, she volunteers in a local 4-H club, trains dogs, and spends a lot of time with her church community. The youngest of four children, Danaya loves getting to be an auntie to six nieces and nephews.
Our Mission
Whatcom County Farm Bureau is a voluntary, grassroots advocacy organization representing the social and economic interests of farm and ranch families at the county level. By providing leadership and organizational skills, Farm Bureau seeks to gain public support on the issues affecting farm and ranch families.