Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals groups and Collegiate Farm Bureau groups can obtain funding for local projects thanks to the generous support of Farm Credit Mid-America.

Eight local YAP groups and two Collegiate Farm Bureau groups will be awarded $500 grants for educational programming or events. Applications for the grants can be submitted at http://ofb.ag/yaplocalgrants18 and are due Dec. 15, 2017. Winners will be recognized during Ohio Farm Bureau’s Winter Leadership Experience Feb. 2-3 in Columbus.

“Participation in our YAP and Collegiate programs is growing. This is the second year for this program, and funding from last year helped our members with projects such as connecting FFA students with young ag professionals, starting new YAP groups and offering scholarships to Farm Bureau events,” said Melinda Witten, leadership programming director for Ohio Farm Bureau.

The local grants are a part of Farm Credit Mid-America’s financial contribution to Farm Bureau young leader programs in their four-state region of Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. A portion of the funds donated to Ohio is being used for the local grants program.

“Our purpose is to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture,” said Jonathan Carter, assistant vice president of Farm Credit’s young and beginning farmer program. “Since Farm Bureau’s YAP and Collegiate programs are similar in mission and values to ours, we felt we could really support their efforts and work together in helping develop leadership skills with those who desire a future in agriculture.”

“We want to thank Farm Credit Mid-America for their great support of our programs for young adults and college students. Their involvement helps ensure we’ll be able to grow our next generation of farm and food leaders,” Witten said.

To learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals program and its Collegiate Farm Bureau program, visit experienceyap.com.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely614-246-8230.

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
Suggested Tags: