This is a guest post from Champaign County YAP member Mallary Caudill.

The Young Ag Professionals and AgriPOWER class took a trip to the annual      conference in Washington, D.C. with Ohio Farm Bureau Federation in September. I had the pleasure to represent Champaign County as a Young Ag Professional. The trip was full of unique experiences and so much knowledge gained. Whether it was listening to presentations on different agricultural issues and policy, to touring the monuments and exploring the city, the trip was filled with incredible opportunity.

The first day we arrived, we were briefed on several issues that are affecting the  agriculture industry including trade, immigration, taxes, and the farm bill. Through this, I gained a better understanding of the issues we would be advocating later on in the week with our representatives. We also had the opportunity to network with other YAP and AgriPOWER members. We ended the evening with dinner at a local barbeque in DC, and then a night tour of the monuments. The following day we toured the Capitol building as well as visited the Embassy of Chile, where we learned about their agriculture industry. The last day of our trip began with touring the White House, as well as doing our congressional visits. We then ended the day with a panel of Senate staffers, and they shared about their jobs and how they work with the agriculture industry and our senators.

Overall, this trip was an eye-opening experience, as we learned about the agriculture industry from the perspectives of those who work in the D.C area. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in D.C with OFBF and would like to thank the Champaign County Farm Bureau for the opportunity to go.

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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