We would like to take the time on Tuesdays to introduce you to our trustees! While our trustees are busy with their jobs and families, they still manage to find time to do great work for Farm Bureau and we appreciate all that they continue to do for their respective county! We value these members and their many hours contributed to making Farm Bureau great! 

This week we would like to introduce you to Katrina Swinehart.

Where did you grow up?

  • I grew up in Lancaster, Ohio.

How long have you been a Farm Bureau member?

  • I have been a Farm Bureau member for the past eight years or so.

How long have you been a trustee?

  • I am new to the board this year.

What is your agriculture background?

  • I grew up with a family that was engaged in agriculture. I have had family members engaged in all different aspects of the agriculture industry, from horses to crops. When I was 12 we began raising livestock at our house for different purposes, one of which was exhibition at the county fair. Over the years we raised sheep, rabbits, cattle and goats. I was a 10 year 4-H member in Fairfield County, and a five year FFA member at Fairfield Union High School. I earned honors such as the State FFA Degree, American FFA Degree, Ohio 4-H Achievement Award Winner in Food and Nutrition, served as the 2005 Fairfield County Junior Fair Queen, 2006 Fairfield County Lamb and Wool Queen, and 2007 Ohio Lamb and Wool Queen. When I entered college I knew I wanted to work in agriculture, and I loved working with people; therefore, Agricultural and Extension Education was a natural fit. I graduated from Ohio State in 2011 with my bachelor’s degree and 2013 with my master’s degree in Agricultural Education. I have been working with students interested in agriculture ever since; serving as a high school teacher for five years.

What is your current job title?

  • I am currently the assistant professor of Agricultural Education at Central State University.

What activities have you participated in with Farm Bureau?

  • I have attended the Greene County Annual Meeting, Young Ag Professionals Conference, and am currently working on a Farm Bureau grant with Greene County establishing a Career Task Force to provide career education to students in local schools.

What is one interesting fact about yourself?

  • All of my siblings, and myself, have studied agricultural education with the goal of teaching in the high school classroom. One of my sisters is still in college and plans to teach agriculture when she graduates.

 

 

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: