Krysti Morrow

At the end of September, AgriPOWER Class XII, most county presidents and Young Ag Professionals from around the state of Ohio descended on our nation’s capital to discuss the most pertinent issues facing agriculture right now. We heard from or met with nearly all of our state’s elected officials through in-person or virtual meetings to share our stories about each of the issues and help them understand just what each might mean for the future of our farms and agribusinesses.

Although we had very informative briefings from American Farm Bureau, USDA and the Senate Ag Committee employees and members, some of the most meaningful and memorable information about the topics came from the other Ohioans on the trip with me.

AgriPOWER and YAP members at Arlington National Cemetery.

Each day, I met with new Ohio Farm Bureau members who each, through their own experiences, were experts on a topic that is challenging our industry as we know it. I sat with a YAP member who is a wealth of knowledge on broadband infrastructure in rural areas and what is, or isn’t, being done with the stimulus money ear marked for rural broadband. County presidents who shared their past experiences on the trip and within their counties helped me gain valuable insight into how diverse Ohio Farm Bureau truly is.

Many of the presenters from our briefings shared that we as a group could not have come at a better time. Washington, D.C. is just starting to open up again since the beginning of the pandemic and in many cases, we were the first in-person group they have seen. On top of being the first people they’ve seen, we were in D.C. at a crucial time for Congress and many pieces of legislation they are working to pass. It was no secret that much of the work being done on Capitol Hill right now is full of tension and each side of aisle or lobbying group feels that they are doing what is best for the country and their constituents. Isn’t it amazing that our Founding Fathers designed our government so that we would have to have these in-depth, hard conversations – going back and forth what seems like endlessly – about where our country is going? I find it amazing.

A highlight of the trip outside of our congressional meetings was the rich history Washington, D.C. has to offer. A nighttime tour of the National Mall and monuments as well as our stop at Arlington National Cemetery were moving and inspiring. All of this while getting to know my peers within Ohio agriculture made this trip one I’m not likely to forget anytime soon.

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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