Welcome to Hancock County Farm Bureau’s member spotlight blog! Every month, Hancock County Farm Bureau will feature a spotlight blog on a board member so you can get to know him or her a little better.

Our monthly spotlight blog features Hancock County Farm Bureau’s board trustee, Kevin Ward, who is originally from Upper Sandusky. Kevin graduated from Upper Sandusky High School and has an associate’s degree in John Deere Ag Sales from Lakeland College in Mattoon, Ill. He and his wife, Hannah, have one son, Dale. He is Wyandot County 4-H Camp staff member and participates in Hancock County YAP.  He is also on consistory at Trinity United Church of Christ.

Meet Kevin Ward

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

I am an Integrated Solutions Manager at Findlay Implement Co.

How long have you been at Findlay Implement?

I have been there for 16 years.

Why did you decide to work in ag?

I grew up wanting to work for a John Deere dealer, and be involved in ag however I could.

What do you love about working in ag?

I love getting to help those that provide food and resources for those around the world.

What is the biggest challenge facing agriculture?

The continued vulnerability of ag markets, continuous changes to inputs, and decrease in percentage of the population disconnected from the farm.

Why are you active (the biggest benefit) in Farm Bureau?

Farm Bureau’s purpose is to serve agriculture. Ag provides something to everyone, therefore with Farm Bureau we are supporting a greater purpose.

What is your favorite Farm Bureau event or activity?  

Kids Dream Day- Nothing better than a kid’s first ride in a tractor.

Life Outside of Farm Bureau

What are your hobbies besides farming?

I hunt and try to grow giant pumpkins.

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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