Missouri Farm Bureau

Chris Cloud was appointed chairman of the Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee during the organization's 91st annual meeting in December 2005. The appointment was made by Charles Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau president. As YF&R chairman, Cloud also serves as an advisory member on the Missouri Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Cloud and his wife, Michelle, run a 90-head commercial cow/calf herd on 320 acres. He currently teaches at Carthage R-9 High School as a vocational agriculture instructor and FFA advisor. Cloud's family also owns and operates a meat processing plant that offers full-service catering, retail and wholesale meat sales, and custom processing. The couple was instrumental in founding a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University). Cloud received a bachelor's degree in agricultural education from SMSU in 1996 and a master's degree in the same field in 2003. Chris and Michelle have two young children, Kaitlyn Michelle and Kara Ann. They are expecting their third child in May.

State Representative Jason Crowell, age 32, is a Southeast Missouri native running for the 27th district of the Missouri Senate. Born in Cape Girardeau, Representative Crowell is a life-long resident of southeast Missouri. His mother taught disabled children at the Parkview State School for over 30 years. His father was born in Marquand and raised in Fredericktown and Poplar Bluff. His younger brother currently teaches at Cape Central High School where he coaches wrestling and soccer. Representative Crowell is a graduate of Cape Central High School, Southeast Missouri State University, and the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois. Representative Crowell represents the 158th District in the House of Representatives, which comprises most of the City of Cape Girardeau within Cape Girardeau County and part of Scott County. He currently serves the House as Majority Floor Leader where he manages legislative activity on the House floor. He also serves as chair of the Ethics and Rules Committees. Representative Crowell has received the following awards in recognition of his legislative work: the Missouri Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture Award, Missouri Supreme Court Legislative Award, Missouri Association for Career and Technical Education Legislative Recognition Award, the Legislative Award from the Missouri Bar, SADI Barrier Freedom Elected Official Award, and St. Louis Business Journal Legislative Award. Representative Crowell is a life-long member of Centenary United Methodist Church. His community commitments include serving on the board of directors of the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence and on the University of Missouri Delta Center advisory board. Jason is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, and Missouri Farm Bureau. He is an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. Representative Crowell began his political career working for the late Congressman Bill Emerson in Washington, D.C. He also has worked for the Missouri Supreme Court and the Missouri Attorney General's Office. In addition to his legislative duties, Representative Crowell practices law in Cape Girardeau.

Rep. Kevin Threlkeld, a Republican, represents parts of Franklin and St. Charles counties (District 109) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in November 2002. He was reelected in 2004 with 85% of the vote. In the 1990's, Kevin established a popular internal medicine (primary care) practice in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. Known for his attention to detail and calm bedside manner, the practice quickly grew to over 3,000 patients. Despite his success, the inspiration of Ronald Reagan during Kevin's formative years as well as growing policy problems within the health care industry combined to call him to a career in public service.