Tholen graduates from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER program

Greg Tholen of Lynchburg recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Class XII. The elite leadership program was started in 2008 to help agricultural advocates gain influence over public policy issues that impact their businesses and communities.

Tholen owns and operates a farm commodities transportation company, serving farmers in southern Ohio year-round. He also has a welding and fabrication shop, is a 4-H advisor, firefighter and serves as the public policy chair and as vice president of Highland County Farm Bureau. Tholen also owns Rusty Valley Farms where he produces hay and serves the livestock and equine industry.

Over the course of a year, Class XII participants learned from experts on how to become better leaders and advocates for the agricultural industry, including spokesperson and media training, etiquette training, social networking and communications. They learned about public policy matters important to their local communities, as well as the state, nation and world. They visited Washington, D.C. where they learned about national and global issues, and they visited diverse agricultural operations in California so they could better understand the differences and similarities in agriculture from state to state.

Partnering with Ohio Farm Bureau on AgriPOWER Class XII were Farm Credit Mid-America, Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, Ohio Corn and Wheat, Ohio Pork Council, Ohio Soybean Council, Stark County Farm Bureau, Deerfield Ag Services and Trans Ova Genetics.

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

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ofbf.org

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 Mr. Tholen is available for download.

Growing our Generation

Having opportunities to attend leadership institutes, advocate for rural Ohioans on the state and national level, facilitate young ag professionals events, and serve in a variety of leadership positions have helped my skills grow exponentially.

Sara Tallmadge

Ashland County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation

Business Solutions

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.

Mandy Way

Way Farms

Business Solutions

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience

If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.

Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience

Farming for Good

I was gifted the great opportunity through an Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Youth Pathways grant to run a series of summer camps here. That really expanded my vision of what ‘grow, maintain, sustain and explain’ could actually be.

Jim Bruner

Mezzacello Urban Farms

Farming for Good

Leadership development

I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.

Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development

Advocacy

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

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy

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