Kenzie Johnston

By: Kenzie Johnston, AgriPOWER Class XI participant

Session 1 for AgriPOWER kicked off in Columbus, Ohio, on the hottest weekend to date in 2019. Thankfully, we spent the majority of the session inside the Ohio Farm Bureau meeting room. It was a great time for us to get acquainted and discuss our personal and professional goals and objectives. 

nationwide-archivesWe began the morning by touring Nationwide Insurance and getting a behind-the-scenes perspective of the Farm Bureau heritage. It was very interesting to hear about the partnership and history between the Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide. We were able to view archived files, photos videos and even the first insurance claim dating back to 1919. We learned that the partnership between Nationwide and Farm Bureau is particularly important to agriculturists and something both organizations value and work together to sustain and strengthen. 

Before the session, the participants were asked to complete two different strengths assessments: StrengthsFinder and Emotional Intelligence. After completing the assessments and reading the books, we were able to dive further into thinking about the strengths we possess and how we can utilize the strengths we have in our daily lives. Personally, I feel as if I am being the best team player I can be when I use my strengths to benefit the entire team. 

With agriculture being the No. 1 industry in the state of Ohio, it is extremely important to collaborate with other agriculture advocates and work to become the most influential leaders we can be for the industry. As part of the first session, we were challenged to think about a personal goal. After defining our goal, we were to think about how we would accomplish our goal and draft a plan of action for achieving the goal. We realized a critical first step for making progress is to develop necessary relationships. Relationships are important, especially in the agriculture industry. By working together with others that share the same passion, we will able to form a louder and more influential voice for agriculture. 

Reflecting on the first session of AgriPOWER Session 1, I feel energized to begin the class and look forward to making the most of this opportunity. The first session revealed information that helped me better understand myself. It challenged me to think about my strengths and develop deeper thoughts about my goals. It encouraged me to be more confident in my public speaking skills and motivated me to be a better leader for my community as well as local Farm Bureau. I hope my classmates are as inspired and excited to begin this journey together as I am. Now is the time for us to focus on strengthening our skills and building our confidence so that we may be more influential leaders for the agriculture industry and state of Ohio. 

Additional Class XI blog

Discovering my strengths, by Devin Trout, Franklin County

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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