Clint Lease is a corn, soybean and wheat grower from rural Tiffin in Seneca County. He and his father work full-time jobs off the farm before heading home and jumping in a truck or tractor to get to work somewhere on their 500-acre grain farm.  He graduated from Mohawk High School before attending Owens Community College, Heidelberg University, and Bowling Green State University.  He has also attended the YAP Conference for two years and was a participant in the Discussion Meet contest in December.

Meet Clint Lease

What and where do you farm (or work for an Agribusiness)?

I work with my father to raise corn, soybeans and wheat in Eden Township.

How long have you been a farmer?

I have been riding on equipment and helping to “supervise” for as long as I can remember, but finally got a chance to really contribute to the productivity of our farm in the late 1990s, when I was nearing the end of elementary school.

Why did you decide to be a farmer (or work in Agribusiness)?

During planting and harvesting season, if I must travel for any reason, the only place I want to be is out in the fields like every other farmer I see as I look down from the highway.  I can’t imagine being anywhere else during those seasons.

What do you love about farming?

I love the smell of freshly tilled dirt and the steady peacefulness that comes from the constant hum of a tractor working to pull a tool up and down the field.

Why do you think it’s important to know where your food comes from?

For me, I understand that all food is regulated by our government and we would not have access to it if it was not safe to eat.  But it’s important for people who do not live on farms to know where their food comes from in order to help them understand how much work goes into the production of that food.

What is the biggest challenge facing agriculture?

The way that the world markets can control our bottom line in today’s agriculture.

Why are you a Farm Bureau member? What do you see as the biggest benefit? 

I am a Farm Bureau member because I want to be part of something that protects the interests of so many people with one common goal: to be successful in agriculture. The biggest benefit that I see is the lobbying power of a group with number of members that we have in Farm Bureau.

What is your favorite Farm Bureau event or activity?  

The Kid’s Tractor Pull at the Fair.

What Farm Bureau programs are you most active in?

I have attended the YAP Conference a couple times at the state level a couple of times and also participated in the Discussion Meet contest this year.  At the county level, I anticipate helping out with a variety of projects as we look ahead to an exciting spring and summer ahead of us!

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

I have been involved in a Trap Shooting league for the last few years and am actively involved in the local Lions Club.

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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