DES MOINES, Iowa — July 29, 2026 — The Global Farmer Network® (GFN®), a farmer-led nonprofit amplifying the voice of farmers worldwide, today announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Judith de Vor, Netherlands; Jake Leguee, Canada; and Shuichi Tokumoto, Japan.
Representing diverse agricultural sectors, regions, and perspectives, these leaders bring valuable experience and a shared commitment to advancing the voice of farmers worldwide:
• Judith de Vor is a fifth-generation dairy farmer from the Netherlands and a Global Farmer Network member since 2022. She and her family operate a dairy farm known for its focus on sustainability, regenerative agriculture, animal welfare, and agricultural education.
• Jake Leguee is a third-generation grain farmer from Saskatchewan, Canada, where he grows canola, durum wheat, lentils, flax, and other crops with his family. A Global Farmer Network member since 2017, he is a recognized leader and advocate for agricultural innovation, sustainability, and farmer engagement.
• Shuichi Tokumoto is a farmer and agricultural entrepreneur from Japan’s Tottori Prefecture, where he produces rice, corn, beans. He is a leading advocate for biotechnology, digital agriculture, and science-based farming. A member of the GFN since 2023, he was honored with the Global Farmer Network’s 2024 Kleckner Global Farm Leader Award.
“We are excited to welcome these accomplished agricultural leaders to the Global Farmer Network Board,” said Paul Temple, Chairman, a farmer from UK. “Their expertise, dedication to agriculture, and global perspective will strengthen our efforts to elevate farmer voices and address the opportunities and challenges facing food, fiber and fuel production around the world.”
The new board members join a distinguished group of agricultural leaders committed to empowering farmers through collaboration, education, and advocacy. Together, they will support GFN’s ongoing work to ensure farmers remain at the center of conversations about the future of agriculture.
For more information about the GFN and its leadership, visit GlobalFarmerNetwork.org.
About the Global Farmer Network The Global Farmer Network (GFN) is a farmer-led, nonprofit organization that believes the world’s greatest agricultural resource is its farmers. For more than 25 years, GFN has connected accomplished producers across six continents, empowering them to share firsthand knowledge, champion innovation, and advocate for science-based, sustainable agriculture. Representing farmers from 72 countries, GFN equips its members to engage with policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and the public, ensuring that the voices of farmers help shape the future of global food security, environmental stewardship, and agricultural prosperity.
