Josh and Sarah Ison

Drs. Josh and Sarah Ison of Clermont County have been named winners of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2020 Excellence in Agriculture Award. The award recognizes successful young agricultural professionals who are actively contributing and growing through their involvement with Farm Bureau and agriculture.

The Isons will receive a John Deere Gator courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America, a $1,000 cash prize sponsored by Nationwide and a $1,000 cash prize courtesy of Ohio Farm Bureau.

Josh is the director of sales and tech services for a U.S.-based biotechnology company. Sarah is an animal scientist, food safety consultant and university instructor. The Isons own and operate a direct-to-consumer and retail sales meat business, Flourish & Roam, focusing on raising high-quality Angus beef that is direct-marketed to consumers, restaurants and retailers.

To support the grassroots policies of Farm Bureau, the Isons each have participated in multiple visits with local, state and national legislators. Sarah is an aspiring influencer on social media platforms, sharing positive messages about agriculture. By participating in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) program and Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Leadership Institute, she is better equipped to understand public perceptions of agriculture and she wants to continue to effectively clarify those messages. Josh’s involvement in AgriPOWER has opened his eyes to the impact that lobbying and advocacy can have as he continues to become more involved with the organization.

Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals are 18 to 35, single or married, who farm or work in related industries and 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 [email protected].

Editors: A high-resolution photo of the Isons is available for download.

 

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
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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