Previous Facilitators & Mentors
Kelli and Donnell Brown- Conference Facilitators
Small Group Mentors
Kelli and Donnell Brown
R. A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, Texas
Kelli grew up on a diversified farm and ranch in southwest Nebraska. She served as vice president of the Nebraska FFA, and then went on to serve as the National FFA President in 1988. Donnell grew up on a ranch in Throckmorton, TX raising beef cattle and Quarter Horses. He served as vice president of Texas 4-H and President of the Texas FFA. He then went on to serve as the National FFA President in 1990. They each traveled a full year to 40 states and several foreign countries as ambassadors for youth in agriculture. They also worked with U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture, USDA and USDE personnel and met U.S. Presidents Reagan and Bush.
Kelli attended the University of Nebraska and then Oklahoma State University to earn a degree in Agriculture Economics. Donnell is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Animal Business. Since graduation they have returned to ranch life, in Throckmorton County and are actively involved in the families’ Registered Cattle Business. They share responsibilities for marketing and advertising, while Kelli is responsible for data management and Donnell for genetic management of the 8 breeds of cattle on the ranch..... Angus, Red Angus, Simmental, Simbrah, SimAngus, 
Senepol, Senegus, and a new 4-breed composite developed at the R.A. Brown Ranch, named Hotlander. The Brown’s seedstock business has put them on the Cattle Fax listing of the Largest 25 Seedstock breeders the last few years.
R.A. Brown Ranch has been a family business since 1895 and continues to be a leader in raising top quality registered Quarter Horses and registered and commercial cattle. Their working family ranch utilizes over 74,000 acres in Texas and Colorado and maintains records 1,000 head of registered cows, 1,400 commercial cows and 35 Quarter Horse broodmares. The Mission Statement of the ranch is clear: “We are striving to improve the efficiency of converting God’s forage into healthy, nutritious, great tasting beef to better feed His people.”
Kelli and Donnell are very involved in the livestock industry where they are using their leadership skills to help put agriculture in the forefront. Currently they are working on some production agriculture ventures in Brazil & Australia in the next international expansion for the ranch. They both continue to do workshops and speak for agriculture audiences around the world….including for a group of cattlemen in Australia. They are also proud to be driving a brand new Dodge pickup…..courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau for being 2 nd in 2002 in the Texas Young Farmer/Rancher Contest. Kelli is currently serving on the Natl. Board of Directors for the Red Angus Association and the State Board of Directors for the Texas FFA. Donnell will be serving as a voting delegate to the 2004 American Angus Association Annual Meeting. This is the third year they have been asked to help with Changing Seasons. Their workshops and speeches involve humor, personal experiences, facts and thought provoking ideas that entertain and motivate audiences of all ages.
Kelli and Donnell have two sons - Tucker and Lanham - who will make the 5th generation on the ranch to raise “cows, kids and Quarter Horses”.
Small Group Mentors
Keith Bryant
Keith grew up on a diversified family farm in Arkansas City, Kansas. In December of 2005 he graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Animal Science. While at Kansas State, Keith served as Vice–President for the Kansas FFA Association. Likewise, he assisted at both Kansas FFA and National FFA Conventions and in coaching Kansas FFA’s National Officer Candidates. He was actively involved in the College of Agriculture as an Ag Ambassador and was a member of the 2004 KSU Livestock Judging Team. Currently, Keith works for Five Rivers Cattle Feeding as the Assistant Feed Manager at Grant County Feeders. In his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and following Wildcat sports!
Bryan Daniel
Bryan Daniel is the Texas State Director for Rural Development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a post to which President George W. Bush appointed him in 2001. In this role, Bryan delivers nearly $300 million annually through programs designed to expand economic opportunities and enhance the quality of life for all rural Texans. Bryan has spent his entire professional career working for agricultural and rural interests, both in Texas and Washington, DC. Bryan’s professional experiences have given him a solid understanding of the impact public policy decisions have for agricultural producers and rural Americans. Bryan’s career experiences include working for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee; the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board; the National Council for Agricultural Education; and College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University.
Bryan is a Red Raider! He has both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Texas Tech. Bryan was recently recognized at the 2004 Outstanding Young Agriculturist by the Professional Agricultural Workers of Texas. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the College of Agriculture at Texas Tech; the NRCS State Technical Committee; the FSA State Conservation Review Group; the Texas Food and Agriculture Council; the Texas Rural Development Council and the Georgetown FFA Advisory Board.
Bryan and his wife, Tamara, live in Georgetown, Texas, with their children. They are members of the Texas Farm Bureau, the Texas Wildlife Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Coleburn Davis
Coleburn Davis joined the Field Operations Staff in 1998. In that role, he served as an important link between the state farm organization and the County Farm Bureaus in the South Plains region of Texas. In June of 2003, he stepped up to the position of Associate Director of Field Operations. In this role, he served as a supervisor for six field representatives, area coordinators and county agriculture program coordinators. In January of 2006, he accepted the position of Associate Director of Organization Programs. His responsibilities in this position include the Young Farmer & Rancher programs and contests, Youth Contests, Youth Scholarships, and coordinator of the Youth Leadership Conference in San Angelo.
Today, Coleburn Davis and his wife, Cathi, reside in Waco and have one daughter, Sophi born on January 18, 2006.
Brandie Disberger
Brandie is currently an agricultural education instructor and FFA Advisor at Southeast of Saline High School. She was hired there to begin a new agriculture education and FFA program in 2001. Brandie graduated from Kansas State University in 2001 with her bachelors’ degree in agriculture education and in 2003 with her masters’ degree in agriculture education. While at K-State, she participated in Block and Bridle, the Agriculture Education Club and was a member and assistant coach on the Dairy Cattle Judging team. During the last four years she has been able to work extensively with her high school students who participate in numerous FFA activities during the year. She has also worked closely with K-State students by serving as a professional development site for students to gain experience in the classroom. Additionally, she has worked with the National FFA developing leadership curriculum and special projects. Brandie was recently married to Bill Disberger, agriculture education instructor at Hutchinson Community College, and they live outside Inman, Kansas. Brandie spends her spare time catching up with friends and enjoying K-State athletics.
Brent and Sarah Grace Goss
Brent and Sarah Goss call Ellsworth, Kansas home. They “split the difference” between Brent’s hometown, Garden City in southwest Kansas, and Sarah’s, Troy in northeast Kansas, and are making central Kansas their home. Brent is the Agriculture Extension Agent for Ellsworth County. He divides his time between agriculture programming and working with the county’s 4-H program. Sarah is a stay-at-home mom, focusing her time on their one-year- old daughter, Noah.
Brent and Sarah both graduated from K-State in 2002. Brent began his college education at Garden City Community College where he was on the Meat Judging Team and served as an Admissions Representative. Then he earned a degree in animal science from K-State. During his time at K-State, Brent was involved with the Ag Education Club and Navigators. Sarah’s degree is in agricultural economics. While at K-State, she was active in Student Alumni Board, Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and she served as the University Ambassador in 2000-2001.
Outside of work, Brent and Sarah are active members of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and Purple Power Catbackers. Sarah also gives time to the local Iota Kappa Service Sorority, and Brent volunteers with the local Ducks Unlimited group. And they both enjoy keeping up with a variety of recreation sports.
Scarlett Hagins
Scarlett Hagins has worked for the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) as the communications program manager for over five years. She serves as the editorial assistant for the Kansas Stockman and contributes to the weekly newsletter, the KLA News & Market Report. In addition to her editorial duties, Scarlett maintains the KLA web site and assists with media relations and youth activities.
She comes from a fourth generation commercial cattle and farming operation located near Spur, TX. Scarlett obtained her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and master’s degree from Texas Tech University. She is an active member of the Livestock Publications Council, serving on the Student Awards Committee for the past three years.
Nicole Harris
Nicole grew up on a farm and cow/calf operation in Liberal, Kansas. She attended K-State and graduated in May 2001 with a degree in Animal Science and a minor in Ag Economics. While at K-State, Nicole was active in Block & Bridle and a member of the KSU Meats and Livestock Judging Teams. She was also very active in 4-H and FFA showing sheep and cattle. She is currently a Financial Services Officer with Frontier Farm Credit in Manhattan. In her spare time, she volunteers at cattle shows such as the Sunflower Classic, Kansas Junior Livestock Show and Kansas State Fair. Nicole enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, KSU football, and helping at home with the cow/calf operation.
Kelli Ludlum
Kelli Ludlum joined the American Farm Bureau Federation public policy group on March 1, 2004. She handles livestock issues including animal identification, health, and welfare, as well as commodity research and promotion programs and commodity exchange issues.
Kelli previously served as staff director for the House Agriculture Committee’s General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee. Prior to moving to the committee, Kelli was a legislative assistant in Kansas Congressman Jerry Moran’s office, where her primary areas of responsibility included agriculture, environment, energy, and trade. Before coming to Washington, D.C., to work for Congressman Moran, Kelli was a cooperative extension agent in Douglas County, Kansas, responsible for 4-H and youth development programs.
Kelli comes from a fourth generation Southeast Kansas farm producing wheat, soybeans, corn, grain sorghum, hay, and commercial cattle.
Bryce Moore
Bryce Moore is a native of Roby, TX where he grew up on a cotton, wheat, and cow/calf operation. Bryce is a 1999 graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in Agricultural Development. He also received a Master of Ag degree from Colorado State University in the Beef Industry Leadership program in 2000. Bryce was very active in 4-H. He showed market steers for 9 years and was a member of the Texas 4-H State Council. In college, he was active in Saddle and Sirloin, Collegiate 4-H, and served as an Aggie Rep for the Department of Ag Education. Bryce began his area field representative position with Texas Farm Bureau in January, 2005. He works with farmers and ranchers in an eleven-county area around Wichita Falls, where his primary focus areas are youth agricultural education and legislative issues affecting producers. He really enjoys working with youth and has coached several 4-H livestock judging teams. Bryce is very involved in his church in Holliday, TX, and enjoys traveling, hunting with his 2 brothers, and following Aggie sports.
Meghan Muesler
Meghan Mueseler is a 1998 graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in agricultural economics and a minor in animal science. Meghan also holds a masters’ degree from Oklahoma State in the area of agricultural education. Currently, Meghan works as a technical training specialist for Cargill Meat Solutions in Wichita, Kansas, where her major responsibilities include training related to the animal and the animal as food for both internal and external customers. Additionally, Meghan serves as Team Leader for the Oklahoma State campus recruiting at Cargill Meat Solutions.
Meghan has continued her love for agriculture by becoming involved with the Young Farmers and Ranchers program over six years ago where she currently serves as chair for Sedgwick County and is finishing a term on the State Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. Meghan is a Class VII graduate of the Kansas Agricultural Rural Leadership (KARL) program, which in the spring of 2005 took her to Brazil for a closer look into Brazilian agriculture.
Meghan is a member of the Calvary United Methodist church where she is volunteers as time will permit. Meghan’s other volunteer activities include tutoring and serving patrons at a local soup kitchen. In what spare time Meghan has left, she enjoys being an amateur photographer, traveling, completing half marathons, and playing with her blue healer, Gunnar.
Matt Schertz
Matt was born and raised in the Coastal Plains Region of Texas. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics. While in college, he competed on and helped coach the livestock judging and meat animal evaluation teams.
For the last five years, Matt has staffed the US House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture. Since joining the Committee under former Chairman Larry Combest (TX-19), Matt has worked closely on legislation affecting a breadth and depth of American agriculture, most notably the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Currently, he manages appropriations, rural development, sugar, and agriculture technology issues for Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA). He volunteers with a local 4-H club and is active in the TTU Alumni Association and his church.
Darren Turley
Darren Turley is a dairyman from Dublin and chairman of Texas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. He was named winner of the Texas Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2002. He and his wife, Deanna, milk 200 cows in a double 8 parallel parlor as and run 100 acres. They are also the proud parents of their daughter, Jaclyn.
Lauri Vaughn
Lauri M. Vaughn graduated from Texas Tech University in May of 2003, with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications. Vaughn has a strong background in FFA and won the National FFA Prepared Public Speaking contest in 1998 with a speech about agricultural literacy. While at Texas Tech, Vaughn served as the President of the student council, President of the local Ag Communicators of Tomorrow chapter, was a student senator and a member of the collegiate FFA and 4-H.
Vaughn is currently working as the VP & Director of Communications for the Texas Wheat Producers Board & Association in Amarillo, Texas. While in this position Vaughn has improved industry and press relations, developed and implemented an associate membership program, redesigned the Web site and designed and implemented an association newsletter.