Ohio Excellence in Agriculture winners

Editor’s Note: The application deadline has been extended to June 30 at noon.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award competition is designed as an opportunity for young agricultural professionals who do not derive the majority of their income from production agriculture to earn recognition for their contributions to the agriculture industry, while actively contributing and growing through their involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. 

Ideal candidate qualities

  • Involvement in agriculture and participation in Farm Bureau programs at the local, state, and national levels is highly encouraged. 
  • Demonstrates strong leadership ability in Farm Bureau and in other organizations.
  • Contributes civic involvement in the community.
  • Possesses passion for resolving issues in agriculture today and the ability to propose an action plan for these challenges.  
  • Ability to communicate agricultural journey through written and verbal platforms.

Eligibility

  • An applicant can be either an individual, a married couple or a couple who has similar legal rights under the law applicable to Ohio. Applicant(s) may choose to apply individually or as a couple.
  • Applicant(s) must not have derived a majority of net income from an owned production agriculture enterprise in any of the past three years.
  • Must be an active/voting member of a county Farm Bureau.
  • Must be 18-35 years of age prior to Jan. 31, 2022.
  • Previous state winners and current Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee members are ineligible.
  • Past and present members of the American Farm Bureau YF&R Committee may not apply.

Prizes

Prizes include expense-paid trips to the Winter Leadership Experience and Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, representing Ohio at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Atlanta in January, a media package and a $3000 prize of choice. There are prizes for runners up as well. Prizes are courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America, Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau.

Apply

Complete rules and eligibility requirements are listed in the application. Applications are due to Kelsey Turner, Ohio Farm Bureau leadership development program specialist, [email protected], no later than June 30, 2021 at noon.

Online Extra

Meet 2020 Excellence in Agriculture winners Josh and Sarah Ison from Clermont County. The Isons also placed in the top 10 at the 2021 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention.

Photo caption: Previous winners Josh and Sarah Ison, Kyle and Ashton Walls, Greg and Rose Hartschuh (also national winners) and Jess and Adam Campbell.

 

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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