Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation

Tara Durbin, incoming president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, serves as senior vice president – agricultural lending, Ohio for Farm Credit Mid-America, a financial services cooperative that serves the credit needs of those in rural communities and agriculture.

Tara DurbinAs senior vice president, Durbin provides strategic leadership for Farm Credit Mid-America as she guides team members across the state in their retail sales efforts. Durbin and her husband, Dusty, son Daxton, and English Mastiff Elmer live on their farm near Mount Vernon. They run a cash grain operation as well as a custom farming and application business, Dusty’s Ag Service Ltd.

Durbin has served on the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation board since 2017.

Q: Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has been focused on building awareness and sharing more broadly the organization’s mission and its commitment to the future of Ohio agriculture. What are you most excited about as the philanthropic organization moves forward?

A: Over the last few years, the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has put intentional focus on our purpose architecture to create more clarity and awareness around what the foundation is, and the work that we are committed to. Our focus is to inspire and educate the next generation of agricultural professionals through scholarships, innovative programming and grants. What excites me the most is from this work, we are in a strong position to catapult the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation to the next level, thus creating greater awareness around careers in agriculture and success to the next generation of agricultural professionals.

Q: You are the incoming president of the foundation board in 2022 and have served on the board since 2017. Tell us a little about the dedication of this board as the foundation continues to chart its future and reach set goals.

A: Serving on the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation board has truly been inspiring as I think about the dedication of our board members. There is an immense amount of passion around our mission and I believe that passion shines through in our messaging and outreach efforts. Serving with my fellow board members has also been a great opportunity for us all to learn from each other, and challenge each other, which has enabled our board to further grow and evolve. I am extremely proud of the work, time and talent that this board gives throughout the year. It is an honor to be a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation board and serve as the incoming president. I am encouraged and excited about what we can accomplish together, with the help and support of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and our foundation donors in 2022.

Q: What would you tell anyone who is contemplating becoming a donor about the foundation’s impact on the agriculture industry and youth who are interested in careers related to it?

A: We all want to be part of something greater than ourselves, something truly meaningful that positively makes an impact to someone’s life and to the greater good for our communities in which we live and work — a legacy, if you will. That sounds like a big and important life goal to tackle, and while it is, that does not mean it is difficult to do. Through your support of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, you are ensuring a future for our agricultural professionals of tomorrow and helping to shape the future of our agricultural industry that is so vital to Ohio’s economy and beyond. Your generosity provides an investment that lives far beyond today, and this is your opportunity to make a lasting difference for future generations.

Finally, I would encourage those who are interested in learning more about the foundation or who are interested in making a gift to please visit the online giving page or contact our executive director, Kelly Burns, at [email protected] or 614-246-8275.

 

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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