The first session of AgriPOWER IX got off to a great start at the Ohio Farm Bureau offices in Columbus.  The session began with introductory presentations from each class member that detailed their connection to agriculture, and it was interesting to see all the different ways that people can be involved in our industry.  

We toured both the offices at Ohio Farm Bureau and the historical archives of the Nationwide Insurance Company. It was fascinating to learn the history of Nationwide Insurance and how it began business as the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. While in the archive “vault,” we were able to view the original ledger that detailed the first policy sold by the company. Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide still have a strong partnership with several Ohio Farm Bureau members serving on the board of directors for Nationwide Insurance.  

Prior to our meeting we all took the StrengthsFinder assessment to determine our top 5 talents. By focusing on your strengths, you can begin to accomplish much more than by spending lots of time trying to shore up your weaknesses. Because everyone has different strengths, it was interesting to discuss each other’s results and figure out ways to work more collaboratively with those individuals.

There are 6 more sessions left in Agripower IX and I am looking forward to learning about different ways I can promote agriculture.  Our next meeting is in Findlay where we will tour an ethanol production facility, as well as the Blanchard River Demonstration Farm Network.  

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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