Austin and Erica Ashbacher of Wapello County have been selected to serve as District 7 representatives on the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Advisory Committee, according to a post from the Wapello County Farm Bureau.
The Ashbachers live and farm near Ottumwa on Erica’s seventh-generation family heritage farm, where they work alongside Erica’s father and uncle in a diversified row crop and cow-calf operation raising corn and soybeans while managing a herd of cows and finishing calves. The couple has two young sons, Abraham and Emmett. Since returning to the family farm, Austin and Erica have focused on building equity within the operation and expanding the cattle herd.
In addition to their farming responsibilities, Austin is a large animal veterinarian. Together, the couple owns and operates Ashbacher Veterinary Services, a mobile veterinary practice serving livestock producers throughout southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri. Their combined background in production agriculture and animal health gives them valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s farming families.
Members of the Wapello County Farm Bureau since 2021, Austin and Erica have been active participants in Farm Bureau programs and events, regularly attending county activities and the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference. Austin has also participated in the Young Farmer Discussion Meet.
As District 7 representatives on the Young Farmer Advisory Committee, Austin and Erica will work to connect with young farmers across the region and help shape programs and policies that strengthen Iowa agriculture.
