Nick and Bailey Elchinger

Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee members Nick and Bailey Elchinger were both raised in agriculture and now are raising their two young daughters, Parker Jo and Chloe, the same. On their Henry County farm, they produce corn, soybeans and wheat along with baling both hay and straw commercially. Bailey also works off the farm for StoneX in Bowling Green, helping farmers, grain elevators and livestock producers mitigate the risks they face regarding commodity prices.

Nick was born and raised in northwest Ohio on a small family farm where he learned to love farming alongside his grandfather, father and brother. Bailey was born and raised on a small family hog farm in southern Michigan. She began her Ohio Farm Bureau journey right after college and got involved with the Henry County Farm Bureau board of trustees. In addition to her many volunteer activities, she also was the state Discussion Meet winner in 2013.

“My parents and grandparents are very active and involved Farm Bureau members,” she said. “It was natural for me to be a member in college and that evolved when I moved to Ohio.”

As new state committee members, she and Nick are heavily involved in all aspects of planning the 2022 Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience, a statewide conference taking place Jan. 28-29 in Cincinnati. Bailey has a special focus on entertainment, and Nick is helping coordinate the conference partners showcase and networking event. In addition, Bailey is serving as YAP committee secretary.

“We have met people inside our county as well as outside our county. Without Farm Bureau, we likely would not have met them,” Nick said.

Part of their focus on the state committee is to increase involvement of young ag professionals at all levels of Farm Bureau. They are working to increase awareness of Farm Bureau and bridge the gap between ag programs in high schools in the state, all the way to more seasoned veterans in agriculture in Ohio.
“We both really value our membership in Farm Bureau and the things Farm Bureau does for us and our farm. We really value our membership and we want to convey that value to others,” Bailey said.

2022 Conference

Registration for the 2022 YAP Winter Leadership Conference opens Oct. 13. Visit experienceyap.com for more information.

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
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
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
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
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
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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