YAP Group Photo Reno 2018

Attending the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference Feb. 16-19 in Reno, Nev. was a great experience both educationally and socially. There are so many challenges facing today’s farmer, especially young agricultural professionals. For example, overall net farm income has declined by 52 percent since 2014. Despite the looming challenges, over 1,000 young people traveled from 45 states to engage in topics related to agriculture.

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After informing us that he was born in Ohio, AFBF President Zippy Duvall poses for a picture as we assumed O-H-I-O formation. Left to right: President Duvall, Clint Lease, Callie Eberhart, and Emily Krikke.

By meeting producers from other states, I found out that California almond growers have special equipment to shake their trees and make the almonds fall without hurting the bark of the tree. Another man from Georgia said I was crazy, because I harvest corn in November and he shells his in either August or early September.
Many of the presenters encouraged us to go outside of our own fence rows to advocate for our industry and make sure that people in the general population know what we do and why we do it.

It’s amazing to consider how something that happens far away from our farms can impact our operations.

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What’s the view from your back door? At Bently Ranch, a towering mountain range looms nearby, causing their growing season to last just 90 days!

On one particular day, President Trump tweeted that the U.S. was pulling out of NAFTA. Grain prices instantly plummeted, to the point where Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue dropped what he was doing and headed to the White House to convince the president to reconsider. Our prices are dictated by world markets, meaning that we need to watch not only how much rain is the gauge on our fence post, but also be aware of weather reports for foreign lands like Argentina and Brazil.

In Reno, I met some amazing, experienced professionals in various leadership positions within our industry. I got the opportunity to meet and network with young ag professionals from every corner of our state and nation. While statistics show that the American farmer is aging, the proof is out there that those older operators will have family members or neighbors interested in assuming their task of feeding the world, as well as well-trained agribusiness leaders, agronomists, and those types of professionals to support them in the ever-evolving technological world of today’s agriculture.

To learn more about Ohio’s Young Agricultural Professionals Program, events and involvement opportunities, visit experienceyap.com.

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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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