ANCW Region I

Brenda Kocher of Galion, Ohio is the ANCW Regional 1 Director. Brenda grew up on her family’s dairy farm and was active in 4-H and FFA, raising and showing dairy cattle. Following high school, she graduated from nursing school and has worked as a geriatrics and private duty nurse for the past 40 years. Continuing her farming roots , Brenda volunteered as a 4-H advisor for 28 years, serving as head advisor of her club for many years. She has served on the county 4-H Advisory Board and Ohio State University Extension County Advisory Board.

As an active Farm Bureau member Brenda has served in various positions including County President, Treasurer, and Safety Coordinator, has been a delegate for State Policy Committee and served on State Policy and cattle committees. She also planned leadership-training programs while serving on the Farm Bureau State Young Farmer Committee. And she has been an active church member her entire life.

Brenda and husband Mike own MKB Farms LTD, a farming operation which raises 2500 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and hay and feeds 800 head of fat cattle. Their son, Nick, works full-time on the farm. They have two married children and five grandchildren who live nearby and help on the farm. 

Brenda Kocher is an active CattleWomen member at the county and state level, having planned and worked on events teaching consumers about beef. She has worked at the Cattlemen’s lunch trailer at the Crawford County Fair, Ohio Farm Science Review lunch tent and Ohio State Fair CattleWomen booth. She has been a Master of Beef Advocate for five years and is Beef QA certified. She is currently starting her second year as Ohio CattleWomen Vice President. In June 2022 she was the Chairperson for the CattleWomen and Region 1 summer meeting held at the Certified Angus Beef Facility in Wooster, Ohio. Brenda is an active American National CattleWomen member serving on the membership committee for the past two years.

Spending time with family and friends, camping, traveling, making wine and playing cards are enjoyable for Brenda in free time.