Finney Family Crawford County Fair

Brandie Finney of Crawford County is the editor of the May 2023 Growing our Generation enewsletter, featuring insights and ideas directly from Ohio’s young farmers and food and agricultural professionals. She joined Farm Bureau in 2015 and joined the Crawford County Farm Bureau board of trustees and now serves as vice president.

Brandie Finney
Brandie Finney

Finney grew up on a farm raising livestock from cattle and hogs to sheep. She and her children currently raise club lambs on their B.A. Livestock operation. She is a full-time butcher assistant at Center Street Meat Company in Bucyrus, Ohio and a part time-wedding coordinator.

What led you to join your county Young Ag Professionals group?

Being highly involved in county fairs, I had a lot of friends/family who suggested joining Farm Bureau and going to Young Agricultural Professionals events. There were a lot of friends around my age that shared their experiences, and I wanted to give it a try. I went to one annual meeting and was hooked! From local YAP events to state YAP conventions, I have made so many rewarding connections over the years and relationships that will last a lifetime! 

What advice would you give someone thinking about joining a YAP group? 

Don’t think, just do! It’s a chance to share your story and have your voice be heard. The more involvement we have as farmers in our local YAP and Farm Bureau organizations makes for a powerful impact in the agricultural Industry!  

What is something you are proud of that your YAP group or county Farm Bureau has accomplished?

2023 Crawford CAE shared linkOur county Farm Bureau won a County Activities of Excellence Award this year, for our farm safety awareness campaign, and we were able to travel to Puerto Rico for the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention to accept our award, along with 13 other counties from Ohio! 

Throughout your time as a Farm Bureau member, how have your leadership skills grown and developed?

I have learned to organize and be creative in coming up with new ideas to get all ages involved with agriculture. We try to improve our events every year to help benefit in the best way in getting more people involved in our “WHY.”

What are you looking forward to this year with your Young Ag Professionals group?

I’m looking forward to growing our membership and making more connections! It’s amazing how just talking to someone with the same interests as you can help shape you into the person you want to be. Hearing from other YAP members and their stories is really eye opening and may change your way of thinking to help benefit you and your farm/business. I am beyond thankful for all the friends I have made over the years from this developing organization! 

Summer gatherings

If you are interested in learning more about how you can be involved in your local YAP group, the State YAP Committee will be hosting five regional summer gatherings to create connections in addition to the great programs already being offered. These gatherings were created to enhance the grassroots opportunities for anyone 18-35 by utilizing relationships and connections within the industry and strengthening their membership value with the Ohio Farm Bureau. These gatherings are family-friendly and will include light refreshments. There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP by July 14.

Register

2023 YAP Regional Meetups

Upcoming Events/Deadlines
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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