McPherson County farmer Edie Dahlsten was elected to the Kansas Farm Bureau Board of Directors on December 5, 1989.  Until being elected Vice President in 2002, she represented the 11-county 7th district in south central Kansas.

     For Edie and her husband Larry, Farm Bureau has been an integral part of their lives.  Together they served on the State Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee more than 20 years ago.  It was this experience that launched her appointment and election to the boards and committees from the local, state and national levels. She has completed a four year term on the AFBF Rural Health & Safety Advisory Committee and was appointed by AFBF President Dean Kleckner to serve as the Chairman in 1993.

     She has represented KFB on commissions and task forces and panels on Agriculture, Education, Health & Safety.

     In 1993, Edie was one of a three-member team from Kansas Farm Bureau which traveled to Eastern Europe to assess the potential of establishing a relationship between KFB and farm organizations in both Russia and the Ukraine. Agreements between the farm groups have been developed and are an added dimension to Kansas Farm Bureau.

     In 1998, Edie returned to Russia on a two member team to reinforce the commitment to the Russian farmers and their farm organizations and to encourage the strength of the emerging democracy.

     The Dahlstens have two grown children, Mark and Kimberly. All of the family are KSU graduates.

     Edie continues as an active member of her community and church.

     In 1994 she was awarded the McPherson County Outstanding Woman in Agriculture by Business and Professional Women. And she was recognized by the Leadership Lindsborg Board for her dedication to strengthening community leadership in May 1995.