AgriPOWER Class IX graduation

Twenty-three agricultural leaders and advocates from around Ohio recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute Class IX. Started in 2008, AgriPOWER was created to help farmers and agricultural professionals gain influence over public policy issues that impact their businesses and communities.

Class IX graduates are John Arnold, Jr. of Springboro; JD Bethel of Mechanicsburg; Steve Brunner of Stockdale; Jess Campbell of Waynesville; Philip Cobb of Helena; Kristen Dickey of Napoleon; Casey Ellington of Louisville; Candace Lease of Apple Creek; Melinda Lee of Tipp City; Megan Lezzer of Wooster; Kirsten Marihugh of Columbus; Brenda Mescher of Maria Stein; Jackie Mosier of Haviland; Marissa Mulligan of Groveport; Jonah Neill of Waterford; Brittany Nemeth of Wellington; Brian Palmer of Dresden; Craig Pohlman of Venedocia; Eric Reed of Dresden; Stephanie Rucinski of Columbus; Stacey Sark of Orient, Terri Specht of Johnstown and Micaela Wright of Arcanum.

During the yearlong leadership training program, AgriPOWER participants developed key skills to help them become better leaders and advocates for the agricultural industry, including spokesperson and media training, etiquette training, social networking and communications. Two of the sessions took place in Washington, D.C. and Florida.

In addition to Ohio Farm Bureau, AgriPOWER partners include Bayer Crop Science, Champaign Premium Grain Growers, Farm Credit Mid-America, Heritage Cooperative, Mid-Ohio Development Exchange, Nationwide Insurance, Ohio Beef Council, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, Ohio Pork Council, Pickaway Progress Partnership, Redline Equipment, Rider Landing, Ron Spencer Real Estate, Stark County Cattlemen’s Association, Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation, Wyatt Insurance and Farm Bureaus in Franklin, Mercer, Muskingum, Pickaway, Stark and Warren counties.

Applications are now being accepted for AgriPOWER Class X. Deadline to apply is April 20. To apply and learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau’s elite training program, visit ofbf.org/agripower.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.

 

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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