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Matt Vodraska of Doylestown has been named the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2019 Outstanding Young Farmer Award. The contest is designed to help young farmers strengthen their business skills, develop marketing opportunities and receive recognition for their accomplishments. Contestants are judged on the growth of their farm businesses and involvement in Farm Bureau and their community.
Vodraska won 250 hours free use of an M-series tractor provided by Kubota, $1,000 in Grainger merchandise sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America and an expense-paid trip to the 2020 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Austin, Texas, in January where he will participate in the national competition.
Vodraska farms with his parents and brother on a diversified specialty fruit operation. He serves as president of the Wayne County Farm Bureau, has helped to shape public policy at the county and state levels and was a member of the inaugural AgriPOWER class in 2009. He also has been active in local and state activities with the Ohio Grape Association, Midwest Apple Improvement Association and Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association.
The Outstanding Young Farmer contest is a part of the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals program. Program participants are ages 18 to 35, single or married, who are interested in improving the business of agriculture, learning new ideas and developing leadership skills.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.
To learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau and its Young Ag Professionals program, visit experienceyap.com.
This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.
Editors: A high-resolution photo of Mr. Vodraska is available to accompany this story.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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.
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