Sara Hutchison believes in seizing opportunities, especially when it comes to learning something new or meeting people.
Those traits come in handy for Hutchinson, the county coordinator for Allen County Farm Bureau since July.
“I’m excited I get to be part of so many community events,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the businesses in Allen County give so greatly for that purpose.”
HUTCHISON lives in Stark with her husband and three children.
She has a varied professional background, having worked at a post office, managed an oil company and owned two beauty salons.
In addition to her role with Farm Bureau, she handles the bookkeeping duties for her mother’s thrift store in Chanute.
All this experience, “just kind of seemed to fit in the role of coordinator,” she said.
Hutchinson is in the Iola office at 807 N. State St. four hours a week, and also works from home.
Her duties include handling the books and accounts for Farm Bureau and assisting board members in educational activities and community events.
Since starting the job, she has helped with the Allen County Fair and Farm Bureau’s annual meeting. She’s also traveled to Manhattan for state events. She plans to attend training in February to learn about grants, in hopes of applying for funds to bring more programs to the community.
“My husband and I have been Farm Bureau members for years but I didn’t know much about the non-profit side,” she said. “It’s been very interesting. I’m learning a lot and I like to learn.”
She previously volunteered at her children’s schools in Erie, so the educational component is important to her.
She described a story shared by Allen County Farm Bureau president Heather Mentzer, who was presenting an agricultural program at a school.
“She asked where milk comes from, and a majority of kids said the grocery store,” Hutchison said. “Agriculture needs to be emphasized more in the classroom, and I’m glad to be part of that.”
Though she and her family do not have farming experience, they have owned cows, horses and chickens.
