Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation

Two projects to attract middle and high school students to careers in agriculture have been announced by the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. One project entails Central State University agriculture students introducing ag careers to middle schoolers. In the second, the Ohio FFA Foundation will develop curriculum to recruit high schoolers into ag-related careers.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation awarded $85,000 in grants for the two projects. They are part of the foundation’s new Youth Pathways to Careers in Agriculture program, funded by the foundation’s Fisher Fund for Lifelong Learning. The Fisher Fund is named after former Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Jack Fisher.

Farm Bureaus in Clinton, Fayette, Greene and Warren counties will partner with Central State University to pilot the “Agricultural Career Exploration” project, in which CSU students will visit middle schools and give hands-on lessons that explore agricultural career options. A task force composed of secondary teachers, guidance counselors, curriculum coordinators, university faculty, Ohio Farm Bureau members and ag-related employers will design the curriculum. The pilot project will be in at least 15 school districts and reach at least 1,000 students. The goal is to further expand the program across the state.

The Ohio FFA Foundation and the Ohio Department of Education are partners on the second project, “Ohio FFA’s Career Pathways for Gen Z.” The program’s goal is for Ohio FFA Foundation to recruit students from Gen Z (those born between 1995 and 2010) for careers in food, agriculture and environmental sciences. The project will have two components. One is development of high-quality, engaging curriculum to be used for workshops with Gen Z students statewide. The second will have students create their own project with the help of an educator. Once fully developed, the curriculum will be available on a website for educators and students to access.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is dedicated to solving the challenges facing Ohio by preparing the next generation of leaders, funding innovation in our communities and ensuring a healthy environment.  To learn more about the foundation, visit ofbf.org/foundation.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Chris Baker, 614-246-8275.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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