This year marked the Sesquicentennial (that's 150 years!) of the passage of the historic Morrill Act, signed by President Lincoln in 1862. This legislation ushered in access to higher education for millions of Americans over the next many generations and created the modern land-grant university. On these campuses, FarmHouse chapters sprouted and took root, while these prominent institutions were led and influenced by men we call brother. Leading the land-grant movement today is one of our own, former president of Michigan State University, Peter McPherson (MI '60), the president of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). To learn more about the history of the land-grant movement and impact of the legislation, visit the APLU web site. Happy Birthday to the Morrill Act and here's to the next 150 years of influence in higher education!

In March, members of the International Executive Board, staff, alumni, friends and brothers from across North America, gathered in Stephenville, Texas, for the chartering of the Tarleton State Chapter, the 45th chapter in FarmHouse history. Colonized in 2009, Reed Baize (TS '09) was named the chapter's Founding Father and 47 men were listed on the signed charter presented by then International President, Brent Bible (PU '93). This fall the new chapter recruited a membership class of 33 men - a sign that they are well established and well positioned for a long and bright future as a FarmHouse chapter.

In August, over 350 FarmHouse brothers and friends gathered in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul for five days of brotherhood and fraternal fellowship at the 47th Biennial Conclave. One of largest attended Conclaves in the Fraternity's history included a steamboat dinner cruise on the Mississippi River, tours of the Mill City Museum and the University of Minnesota campus, a baseball homerun derby at the St. Paul Saints' ballpark, recognition of the Iowa State chapter as the recipient of the Ruby Cup, election of new leadership to the International Executive Board, keynote addresses from Garmin's director of social media Jake Jacobson (IA '93) and former International President and North Dakota's Congressman Rick Berg (ND '78), discussion of the important issues facing the Fraternity today, reuniting with alumni brothers, educational workshops, career networking and celebrating the benefits of FarmHouse membership. Weren't able to join us in person? Check out the photos of the fun-filled week you missed! It's a Conclave that won't soon be forgotten! Mark your calendars now and plan to join FarmHouse in Charlotte, N. C. at the 48th Biennial Conclave, July 31-August 3, 2014.  

Conclave included the recognition of four men, who received the Fraternity's highest honor, the title Master Builder of Men. Reflective of our membership, their dedication and service to FarmHouse at all levels is commendable and they are role models for others to follow. The 2012 Class of Master Builder of Men included:

• Rick Berg (ND '78), Fargo, N. D.
• Dinus Briggs, Ph.D. (SD '66), Las Cruces, N. M.
• Terry Graham (OK '75), Byron, Okla.
• Maurice Johnson, Ph.D. (ID '57), Moscow, Idaho

In 1950, the Master Builder of Men Award was created as the highest honor that FarmHouse can bestow upon one of its alumni members. Neither position, wealth, nor occupation enter into consideration for the award but simply what he has done to help others. Videos highlighting the accomplishments of each Master Builder and the service they have provided campus, community, career and FarmHouse are available for viewing on the Fraternity's Facebook page. 

As a central attribute of our Fraternity, FarmHouse men show their leadership skills at all levels from campus to the halls of Congress. Two, of the many, notable undergraduate leaders in 2012 are Auburn's Owen Parrish (AU '10) and Nebraska's Brennen Costello (NE '12). In April, Parrish was elected President of the Student Government Association at Auburn for the 2012-13 academic year. He leads the executive leadership of the organization, representing the student voice in university matters through a series of campus programs and legislative initiatives. He is from Birmingham, Ala. Costello, a native of Gothenburg, Neb., was elected in October to the 2013 National FFA Officer Team, as Central Region Vice President. Over the next year, Costello will travel over 100,000 miles helping National FFA members in personal growth and leadership workshops and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy. These leadership skills remain with FH men throughout their lifetime and lead to Capitol Hill as well. In the 112th Congress, three FarmHouse men ably and proudly served, including former International President, Rick Berg (ND '78), of Fargo as North Dakota's At-Large Seat; Cory Gardner (CO '95) of Yuma, 4th District of Colorado; and Steve Pearce (NM '04), of Las Cruces, 2nd District of New Mexico. Thank you Brothers Parrish, Costello, Berg, Gardner and Pearce - we proudly call you brother!

In August, The FarmHouse Foundation received the North-American

Interfraternity Conference Foundation's (NICF) Award of Distinction for "Best Use of a Foundation Grant" for funding and collaborating with the Iowa State Chapter and Association of FarmHouse International Fraternity to build the state-of-the-art Ron Raikes Technology Center.  The NIC Foundation Award of Distinction annually recognizes successful programs and outstanding development techniques by fraternity and sorority foundations. The Raikes Technology Center was the vision of Duane Harris (IA '63), a close friend of Ron Raikes (IA '62), a Nebraska state senator and manager of Raikes Foundation Farms, as a meaningful way of honoring Ron's memory after he was tragically killed in a machinery accident on his farm in 2009. The Ron Raikes Technology Center was designed in his memory as a way to bring technology and education together and was formally dedicated at the Iowa State Chapter's 85th Anniversary in April. On hand for the special dedication and to give the keynote address, was Ron's younger brother, Jeff Raikes, a former Microsoft executive, who today is the President and CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The NICF Award is a special tribute to Ron Raikes and the Technology Center, which will forever benefit the members of FarmHouse.

As noted, FarmHouse membership is reaching new levels! This is happening not only from the growth of established chapters, but through the expansion of the FarmHouse name on new and previous campuses. In November, 21 men were initiated as the Clemson colony of FarmHouse Fraternity in a ceremony on the Clemson campus. In attendance were Dean of the College of Agriculture Dr. Thomas Scott, Director of College Relations Kirby Player, colony advisor Dr. Brian Bolt (WKY '95), various family and friends and members of the International staff. The chapter of FarmHouse was established on the campus from 1992 to 2002. The International Fraternity is excited to return to this outstanding university with these outstanding men! Go Tigers!