Twenty-four farmers and agribusiness professionals recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s AgriPOWER Institute Class VIII. Started in 2008, AgriPOWER is an intensive, yearlong leadership training program that helps participants develop important skills so they can become effective community leaders and advocates for agriculture. Over the course of the year, they learned about local, state and federal public policy topics important to the agricultural and food industry. Sessions took place in Ohio, Washington, D.C. and Georgia.

Several class members shared their experiences, what they learned and how they grew personally and professionally as a member of AgriPOWER Class VIII. Applications for Class IX are due April 14, 2017.

Linda Ayers-Louiso, AgriPOWER: One of the greatest leadership events I have experienced

Nate Bair, Developing the next generation of leaders

Ryan Conklin, Fun, but not done

Paul Dorrance, What I found at Ohio Farm Bureau surprised me

Jessica Draganic, Focusing on our strengths

Charlie Ellington, Advocate for agriculture

Tracy Emrick, A rich, valuable experience

Britta Fenstermaker, Coming together to promote agriculture

Jerri Furness, Grassroots is the heart of Farm Bureau

Bennett Musselman, Taking an in-depth look at ourselves, agriculture

Rita Myers, Building on my ag background

Racine Ramsey, Various student viewpoints welcome

Jan Shannon, Building unity in agriculture

Macy Staggs, Standing up for agriculture, with confidence

J.D. Winteregg, The power of networking

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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