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.

My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

New and beginning farmers
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
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
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
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
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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