By Doug Franz, AgriPOWER Class X participant

Session two of AgriPOWER Class X was held in Findlay, Ohio. All 17 members were present and engaged in various trainings and informative sessions to broaden our knowledge of current issues facing the agriculture community. There was a strong focus on media relations and legislative engagement, but what peaked my interest the most was our sessions on leadership. Several guest instructors focused on the importance of developing leaders within the agriculture community. Coming from a long military career, I have a vested interest in learning from, and developing effective leaders at all levels. Why is this important? Because effective leaders have the ability to shape the future of initiatives they become engaged in, regardless of the basis.  Effective leaders adapt to the environment and make decisions based on the analysis of facts and implement those decisions through the influence of others.

The U.S. Army defines leadership as “the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization”.  I think this is a clear, descriptive definition that holds true for almost any situation where leaders are needed.

Based on my recent AgriPOWER trainings on leadership, and my years in military leadership roles, I decided that I should do something that puts those skills to use in my community. While attending my county Farm Bureau annual meeting last week, I noticed the district in which I reside did not have any candidates on the ballot for that board position. I inquired and soon became a write-in candidate for the elections that evening and was voted in by those in attendance! I am excited about this new opportunity to say the least. Without the recent AgriPOWER exposure to current events in the industry, I don’t feel I would have stepped up to perform this role. Thank you AgriPOWER for selecting me to be part of this program and I look forward to putting my new knowledge base to work in my local community!

Other AgriPOWER Class X blogs

Jacob Hoelscher learns about the importance of agvocacy.

Laramie Wells discusses Farm Bureau’s roots.

Lindsey Walls describes the care taken to raise pigs.

Megan Dresbach is ready to change the misperceptions about agriculture.

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

 

 

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: