AgriPOWER

Seventeen select leaders and advocates recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute Class XI. The intensive, yearlong leadership training program was launched in 2008 to help farmers and agricultural professionals gain influence over public policy issues that impact their businesses.

Class XI graduates are John Bolte of Tiffin, Jon Brookbank of North Ridgeville, Ashley Brucker of Columbus, Lauren Fehlan of Troy, Kelli Hartman of Wilmington, Josh Ison of Moscow, Kenzie Johnston of Richwood, Richard Maxwell of Glenford, Matt McFadden of Wilmington, Kayla Miller of Archbold, Jared Persinger of Washington Court House, Ashley Phillips of Warsaw, Devin Trout of Columbus, Vince Untied of Newark, Vicki Vance of Gambier, Kevin Ward of Upper Sandusky and Emmalee Wince of Salem.

During the yearlong leadership training program, AgriPOWER participants developed key skills to help them become better leaders and advocates for the agricultural industry, including spokesperson and media training, etiquette training, social networking and communications. Two of the sessions took place in Washington, D.C. and Louisiana. 

“These graduates were already leaders in their communities and various organizations, and now AgriPOWER has given them the tools and network to continue to grow and to lead at a higher level,” said Melinda Witten, AgriPOWER coordinator.

In addition to Ohio Farm Bureau, AgriPOWER XI partners include Cargill, American Farmland Trust, Franklin County Farm Bureau, Clinton, Coshocton, Delaware, Fayette, Fulton, Knox County Farm Bureaus, Southern Ohio Ag and Community Development Fund, Ohio State University Delaware Extension, OFB Foundation, Ohio Soybean Council and the OFBF Water Quality Grant Program.

To learn more about the AgriPOWER program, visit ofbf.org/agripower.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].

 

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Ryanna Tietje

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Mary Smallsreed

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