ohio farm bureau federation

Pre-teens and teens ages 10 to 18 who are interested in building personal, social and leadership skills. Ohio Farm Bureau welcomes youths from all walks of life, rural, urban or suburban.

Purpose

• Building confidence, self-esteem and cooperation skills by emphasizing teamwork, affirmation, and hands-on experiences in a positive, fun atmosphere.
• Developing servant leadership skills with a "we" rather than a "me" approach.
• Educating youths about the importance of agriculture and its connection with consumers.
• Providing an opportunity to have direct leadership roles in Farm Bureau.

Unique Aspects of Ohio Farm Bureau Youth

• Promotes self-esteem and learning based on teamwork and cooperation, rather than competition.
• Free to anyone — no dues.
• Educates young people about Farm Bureau's policy development process and how government works.
• Sponsors leadership conferences with workshops that address specific youth concerns not commonly available in other venues, such as etiquette, conflict resolution, and family dynamics.

The Value of Being Involved

What some Farm Bureau Youth alumni say about the program:

• “I attributed a great deal of the experience I gained over the years to my involvement in Farm Bureau Youth and Young Farmer programs. It heightened my interest in a continuing involvement with the organization and the strong belief in Farm Bureau's mission.” Jim Patterson, former OFBF board president, Nationwide Board of Trustees, Ohio Board of Regents
• “I always consider Farm Bureau Youth to be a capstone on my personal development. During high school, being active in various things I tended to realize that while 4-H taught me the basics and FFA gave it a polished ending—it was Farm Bureau Youth that actually taught me how to apply it all to the board room and a professional setting. I use the information and skills I've learned while in Farm Bureau Youth almost every day. It truly has been one of the best organizations I've been involved with.” Elizabeth Bostdorff, National Cattlemen's Association
• “Farm Bureau conference changed my whole life from a wall flower to becoing an active participant in everything around me. I can never repay Farm Bureau Youth for all the experiences they gave me and opportunities to be youth representative on the Clinton County Farm Bureau board for several years, for the encouragement to "get involved" with community and make a difference; for the "positive push" to help others through education participation, brainstorming, the idea of adding a few dollars of my own to support a good idea or organization; even for the public speaking class which Farm Bureau conference offered which cracked my "meek self" wide open to life. Thank you (Farm Bureau) for all your work especially for my good as well as may other youth (and adults).” Ellen Gilbert, retired teacher

Youth Leadership Conferences and Events

• Quest Summer Youth Conference
• For students ages 11 to 13 and focuses on developing self-esteem, relational and communication skills.
• Higher Ground Summer Youth Conference
• For students ages 14 and older and allows students to experience high-level leadership and teambuilding skills, citizenship and people skills.
• Rural Youth Leadership Summit--Under development.

Youth Councils

County Farm Bureaus have the opportunity to organize their own local youth councils. Local youth council activities may include experiences such as assisting with county Farm Bureau activities, commuity service projects, social activities, as well as personal and professional development that builds self-esteem and confidence.

Contact your county Farm Buerau office for more information.

Serving as a Youth Council adviser? Click here for a helpful adviser manual, officer manuals, sample forms, parent surveys and parent materials.

Youth Advisory Team

Team members plan, develop and host youth activities and events, serve as mentors and provide input into youth programs. The team emphasizes personal growth through servant leadership, interdependence, teamwork and creativity. Team members receive special training throughout the year outside of scheduled youth conferences and activities.

The team has eight members, 16 to 20-years-old, who come from Farm Bureau families or are members themselves. Team members serve a one-year term and must apply for team membership. Click here to meet the current team!

Applications are due Dec.31 each year. Criteria include Farm Bureau involvement, other youth organization and extracurricular activities, community service and awards/honors. References are also required.

Scholarships

Darwin Bryan Scholarship Program

The Darwin Bryan Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 in honor of Darwin R. Bryan whose enthusiastic leadership during his 37 years of service to the organization has been an inspiration to rural youth throughout Ohio. The scholarship fund assists students who have been active in the Farm Bureau youth program and/or whose parents are Farm Bureau members.

Find application information at the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Web site.

Women's Leadership in Agriculture Scholarship Program

In early 2006, representatives of the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee awarded the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation a special $30,000 grant to establish an endowment for the new Women's Leadership in Agriculture Scholarship Program. Moreover, the Fund gave an additional $6,000 grant to the Foundation to jump-start scholarship awards during the initial two years of the endowment project.

Founded in 1908 by Jacob G. Schmidlapp, the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund is the country's oldest fund solely dedicated to “ennoble, to uplift and to strengthen the lives of young women.” After losing his daughter in an automobile accident, Mr. Schmidlapp channeled his grief into the creation of the Fund to allow other young women, unlike his daughter, to realize their lives' dreams. The Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund Provides grants for female education, recreation and service. Over the years the Fund has supported academic institutions, social service and charitable organizations operating in a variety of metropolitan areas in several Midwest states. The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation award is the first given specifically to an organization dedicated to the field of agriculture.

Find application information at the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Web site.

Many county Farm Bureaus also offer youth scholarships. Please check the county pages for information.

Additional Information

To learn more about the Farm Bureau Youth program, contact your county Farm Bureau office.