By Amy Hamilton, AgriPOWER Class X participant

Back in Columbus where our AgriPOWER journey first began, Class X met to begin Session 4 on a cold, wet, icy November morning. Our agenda was equally packed full of classroom sessions as well as out of classroom tours. With objectives to explore the legislative process at the state level, learn of Ohio Farm Bureau’s role in policy development and gain first hand perspective of agricultural facilities and businesses in Ohio I was excited for what this session had planned for us.

In the classroom we worked with OFBF staff learning about the various issues facing our state and how the Ohio Farm Bureau is working to address them. We learned about Farm Bureau’s involvement in legal cases and lobbying efforts, with a first-hand look at what it takes for a bill to get introduced and be passed on the House & Senate floors.  We also had guest speakers in from The Ohio State University to work with us on Conflict Management and to discuss Sustainable Agriculture.

Outside of the classroom we had some very unique opportunities to tour our state government and local businesses. On the state government side we visited our statehouse and met with senators or representatives for our respective districts to discuss agricultural issues facing our industry today. We toured the Ohio Supreme Court building and met with Justice Judith French. Justice French addressed our class in the courtroom and she explained how a case makes it to the Supreme Court as well as the process used by the Supreme Court justices to decide on cases.

Our local business tour was of the Rumpke Recycling Center in Columbus. We got a behinds the scenes tour of the facility and it is amazing! We had the opportunity to see the equipment and state-of the-art technology that is used to sort through the thousands of pounds of recycling products daily.  This tour was eye opening and very educational for me. It was a great opportunity to see the inside of this business in action.

Lastly, an agriculture based leadership session wouldn’t be complete without a visit hamillton-agripowerto the Ohio Department of Agriculture. While at the ODA we met with Director Derickson and three of his deputy directors and we had the opportunity to ask questions such as “how did each of you get your start and get to these positions in your careers?” After the panel session, our group split up to tour the ODA facility and laboratory.  

We wrapped up Session 4 by posing for a photo with the tile mural on the floor of the ODA building (see photo above).    

 

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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