Matt Hayden of Lake County has been elected District 1 director. In this position, he represents members in Fulton, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph and Starke counties.

Hayden and his wife, Chari, farm with his parents and younger brother. About a year ago, the eldest of their two sons joined the farm as an employee. The Haydens raise corn, soybeans and a small amount of wheat. They also bale hay and have a small cow-calf herd.

Prior to his election to the board, he served on the State Young Farmer Committee (now called the Young Farmers & Ag Professionals State Committee), including serving as committee chairman. He also served as Lake County Farm Bureau board member and president and on the state resolutions and budget committees.

Hayden has an associate’s degree in agribusiness from Vincennes University. In addition to his work with INFB, he is also a member of Grace Church. He serves on the Lake County Fair Board and is a past member of the Farm Credit Advisory Board and Farm Service Agency County Committee.  Hayden also serves as a 4-H leader and superintendent of the beef project.