2019 Youth Capital Challenge

Editor’s Note: The application deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2019.

Exceptional community citizenship is one of the values that makes FFA, 4-H and Farm Bureau such successful organizations. These groups are partnering again for the 2020 Ohio Youth Capital Challenge, giving teens the chance to get involved and have a hands-on experience that will enable them to make their communities a better place.

Up to 40 delegates will be selected for the 2020 Challenge. Delegates will travel to an all-expense paid advocacy training March 2-3 in Columbus for Phase One of the challenge and meet with Ohio legislators. Delegates will work in their assigned delegate teams during the following months to develop a public policy issue and proposed solution and prepare a presentation for public hearing. Delegate teams will come together again in Columbus May 16, 2020 to present their proposed policy. Finalist teams will be invited to compete at the Ohio State Fair July 31 for scholarship dollars..

Read about the 2019 participants and winning projects.

Who can be nominated or apply?
Delegates must be in at least the ninth grade and between the ages of 14 and 18 during the 2019-2020 school year. Delegates are expected to have concern for local community issues and a desire to be more involved in advocating for their community. Cost to youth is $30 upon selection as a delegate. Students can be nominated by county Farm Bureau boards of trustees, or local teachers, or students can self-nominate.

Delegate nominations must be received by Nov. 11, 2019.
Delegate applications must be received by Dec. 31, 2019.

Online extras

2020 Challenge brochure

2020 Delegate nomination information and form

2020 Delegate application

 

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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