Brother Norman Varnes of Alpha Alpha Chapter (West Virginia) was honored to speak at the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony at the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB). Brother Varnes has worked for the university for more than 11 years and is now their grounds lead for USCB Facilities Services.
Brother Seth Pratt of Beta Phi Chapter (Idaho) was elected in January 2026 to the Board of Directors of Country Natural Beef, a 40-year-old cooperative of family ranches selling meat throughout the western and central United States. Brother Pratt has been part of his family’s ranch, Pratt Ranch, for more than 20 years. His family has provided quality grass and beef since 1904.
Brother Tom Bressner of Beta Delta Chapter (Illinois State) is now retired after 45 years of service in the agri-business industry. Brother Tom spent 30 years in the grain industry before becoming the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association. Last October, he received the Honorary American FFA Degree at the National FFA Convention.
Brother Carson Horn of Pi Chapter (Oklahoma State) has joined the Public Relations Society of America’s Board of Directors as Ethics Officer. Brother Horn is the Vice President & Director of Public Relations for The Communications Group in Little Rock, Arkansas. He leads the agency’s public relations team and contributes to the organization’s overall growth. He is nationally recognized in public relations, is certified in crisis communication, and provides strategic counsel for the agency’s clients.
Brother Nate West of Theta Chapter (Missouri) was welcomed to the State of the State Address by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe as a representative of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office as Deputy Lieutenant. Brother West was highlighted for his efforts on the Operation Relentless Pursuit, an initiative to keep Missourians safer and criminals out of communities.
Brothers Ben Rospert and Xavier Smith placed second with the Ohio State Heavy Civil team at the New Builders competition at the University of Cincinnati. The competition is for freshmen through junior students, and is an introduction to construction competitions, as well as exposure to the industry. The brothers and their team took part in written proposals along with corresponding presentations that were presented in front of industry professionals.
On February 4, nearly 50 AGR brothers representing a number of chapters gathered together for an evening of brotherhood at an AGR Reception hosted during the National Beef Cattlemen's Association (NCBA) annual CattleCon in Nashville, TN. Also, in attendance were Grant Bargfrede, Senior Director of Operations, and Carol Johnson, Chief Development Officer, representing the AGR Home Office. A big thank you to Brother Todd Johnson (Alpha Zeta Chapter - Kansas State) for coordinating this reception each year. If NCBA's annual CattleCon is an event you regularly attend, mark your calendars for February 4 - 7, 2027, in Nashville, TN and consider attending the AGR Reception!
