Welcome to Morrow County Farm Bureau’s trustee spotlight! Every month, we will feature spotlight blogs on board members so you can get to know them a little better. Today’s blog features Morrow County Farm Bureau’s board secretary, Erika Begle, who has been a member since 2014, and has served on the board since 2015. To learn more about Erika, read her interview below.

Erika Begle is originally from Mount Gilead, and graduated from Northmor High School. After high school, she attended The Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute and earned an associate’s degree in beef management. Erika works as the administrative assistant for the Morrow County Soil & Water Conservation District. She is also a newlywed: She married Ethan Begle in November 2017. Besides Farm Bureau, she is active at Palmyra Church of Christ.

What and where do you farm? I have a few cows/calves and have 16 layer chickens in Mount Gilead. I also help with my grandma’s beef operation and milk on weekends at my cousin’s dairy.

How long have you been a farmer and was your family in farming?
I grew up on a family farm. My grandparents started a dairy farm that transitioned to beef from 2005 to 2008. We also grow grain crops and hay.

Why did you decide to be a farmer? I grew up farming and can’t think of a better way to live.

What do you love about farming? I love watching things grow, caring for animals, and having a sense of accomplishment after a hard day’s work.

What is the biggest challenge facing agriculture? The biggest challenge is the lack of knowledge and understanding about agriculture from the general public.

Why are you active (the biggest benefit) in Farm Bureau? I joined as a way to stay informed about things happening in agriculture and also to help represent the ag field.

What is your favorite Farm Bureau event or activity? My favorite event has been learning and networking at the state Young Ag Professionals (YAP) leadership conference.

What Farm Bureau programs are you most active in? I’m most active in the YAP and am part of the YAP planning committee for the county.

What are your hobbies besides farming? I enjoy gardening and baking.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would like to travel to New Zealand, mostly for the scenery.

erika2_wordpress

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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