Chareasa Jeffries

Hello everyone, my name is Chareasa Jeffries. I just finished my first year at the Agricultural Technical Institute of The Ohio State University where I am currently majoring in agricultural communications with a minor in environmental sciences.

I am originally from Shelby County where I attended and graduated from Hardin-Houston Local Schools. I became a member of the Houston Livestock 4-H group when I was about eight or nine years old and I took all kinds of projects to the fair. My favorite projects were Vet Science, Ohio Birds and Creative Writing. My last six years of 4-H, I raised and showed different types of swine. My last three years I was a Shelby County Junior Fair Board member where I assisted in managing the Dog Show, Goat Show, Woodworking and Elections. Last year, I was a member of the Junior Fair Board Executive Committee and was selected as the 2018 Shelby County Fair Queen.

Throughout high school I participated in the Houston-UVCC FFA Chapter for all four years, where I was the student advisor for three years. My favorite events were Cardboard City, Chips and Tips and Working in the Greenhouse. Through this program I was able to earn my Greenhand, Chapter and State degrees. I am very excited to announce that I will be receiving my American Degree this fall at The National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

During the fall semester I participated in CFFA, became a member of the Agricultural Communicators, Educators and Leaders of Tomorrow, and even became the co-secretary of the ATI Bee Club. I was selected as one of the nine students from ATI to attend the National Agriculture Future of America Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. There I was able to learn about different kinds of professional skills and meet other professionals in the industry. Since I was a freshman, they taught us how to speak to people professionally, table manners and how to be confident in ourselves.

This past semester I sought the advice of my advisors, Rachel Ramsier and Dr. Joy Rumble, and asked them what I could do to work on my design skills. They both suggested that I sign up for The Ohio State ACEL banquet to present some of my photography. It was an amazing experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Now that the school year is over I am back home working toward my future and I am happy to be back. I am excited for my future in agriculture and all the new opportunities it brings. It is a great privilege to advocate for an amazing industry. I hope to educate and inform others of the importance and value of the agricultural industry.

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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