2019 ExploreAg

Education, fun and friendship were all on the agenda for the 2019 ExploreAg camps. Dozens of high school students from across Ohio participated in the second annual STEM-based ExploreAg camps, which are sponsored through Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation’s Fisher Fund.

Students were introduced to various aspects of agriculture, food science, environmental sciences and more through hands-on learning. The weeklong camps took place on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio State’s Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster and Central State University in Wiberforce. The number of camps doubled this year to four with about two dozen students attending each camp to learn about food science, precision agriculture, animal science, natural resources, management skills, technology and agricultural business.

The students met industry leaders both in the classroom and on site at their businesses and farms to learn about various careers in related fields as well as the latest cutting-edge research. They also learned from experts about the importance of being active in their field of interest. The students visited a wide variety of places, including Bob Evans and Dole Foods, BioHio Research Facility, Mohican River environmental lab, Coalescence, Ohio State’s engineering and veterinary schools, John Deere and Select Sires.

Sponsors for this year’s camps included Nationwide, Bob Evans, Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, Farm Credit Mid-America, Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives and county Farm Bureaus.

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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