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Twenty-three individuals have been selected to participate in the 2017-2018 AgriPOWER Institute, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s intensive leadership and advocacy development program. Throughout the year, the Class IX participants will learn about public policy matters important to their communities as well as the state of Ohio, nation and world. They will learn how to become effective leaders and advocates for agriculture and will travel to Washington, D.C. and Florida to better understand national and global affairs.

OFBF launched AgriPOWER in 2008 as an elite training program designed to help participants become leaders and advocates for agriculture. The yearlong program consists of seven two-to-three-day training sessions that focus on public policy issues confronting agriculture and the food industry.

Participants are John Arnold, Jr. of Springboro; JD Bethel of Mechanicsburg; Steve Brunner of Stockdale; Jess Campbell of Waynesville; Philip Cobb of Helena; Kristen Dickey of Wilmington; Casey Ellington of Louisville; Candace Lease of Apple Creek; Melinda Lee of Tipp City; Megan Lezzer of Wooster; Kirsten Marihugh of Columbus; Brenda Mescher of Maria Stein; Jackie Mosier of Haviland; Marissa Mulligan of Groveport; Jonah Neill of Waterford; Brittany Nemeth of Wellington; Brian Palmer of Dresden; Craig Pohlman of Venedocia; Eric Reed of Dresden; Stephanie Rucinski of Columbus; Stacey Sark of Orient, Terri Specht of Johnstown and Micaela Wright of Arcanum.

“Past participants in this program have really excelled at becoming effective advocates for the food and agricultural industries. But it’s much more than leadership training — class members bond with each other as they share their experiences in the workplace, community and home,” said Melinda Witten, AgriPOWER director.

In addition to Ohio Farm Bureau, AgriPOWER partners include Agland Co-op, Bayer Crop Science, Champaign Premium Grain Growers, Farm Credit Mid-America, Mid-Ohio Development Exchange, Nationwide Insurance, Ohio Beef Council, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, Ohio Pork Council, Pickaway Progress Partnership, Redline Equipment, Rider Landing, Ron Spencer Real Estate, Stark County Cattlemen’s Association, Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation, Wyatt Insurance and Farm Bureaus in Franklin, Mercer, Muskingum, Pickaway, Stark and Warren counties.

For additional information about AgriPOWER, visit ofb.ag/agripower.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.

Editors: A high resolution photo is available to accompany this story.