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Hello! We are the 2022 Ohio Farm Bureau interns. There has not been a full state fair since 2019, so we are very excited to plan the Land and Living Exhibit for this year’s fair and make it better than ever. Educating fairgoers about agriculture is very important, and we are so glad to play a small part in it. We hope that you follow along on our journey to the Ohio State Fair July 27-Aug. 7!

Carlie Cluxton – Adams County

My childhood was quite like most farm kids: bottle feeding calves, bedding barns, and opening all the gates. I was also heavily involved in 4-H, FFA, and Adams County Jr. Fair Board. Agriculture was and is something I am proud of being connected to and an industry I knew I wanted to have a career in. However, as much as I loved growing up on the farm, I also knew that production agriculture was not a path that I could thrive in. I had always taken leadership roles in the various clubs I was involved in and I liked the education and advocacy that came along with them. That is why I am currently majoring in  agricultural communications at The Ohio State University, and minoring in youth development and rural sociology. I hope to get into a career that will allow me to exercise my passion for agriculture, along with educating the public about the industry.

This passion led me to this internship. I had previously worked with Ohio Farm Bureau as a state fair ambassador in 2019 and had the best experience educating fairgoers. There were many conversations where I felt people learned a lot from my experience as a farm kid, but I also gained so much perspective on the public’s view of agriculture. It is so important to me that consumers have a clear understanding and trusting relationship with the ag industry because they are the ones who control it. And I think the Land and Living exhibit is that tool to do just that.

Jake Zajkowski – Lucas County

Agricultural education in the suburbs of Lucas County started my humble beginnings in our industry, so developing programming with Ohio Farm Bureau was a logical step to adding value to my career journey. Starting in middle school, I’ve gone from being a consumer, to then an agriscience researcher in FFA, and eventually a greenhouse producer in high school. Although this summer wraps up my time working in Ohio agriculture, I’ll continue my path as a freshman at Cornell University, relocating to Ithaca, New York this fall. 

I’ll continue studying my interests in plant science, specifically, managing controlled environment agriculture operations that produce sustainable vegetable crops. I’m excited to work with commodity partners in the Land and Living exhibit areas such as environment or food, that share a similar interest in sharing the story of modern agriculture. With a passionate staff at Ohio Farm Bureau, some young advocates we hired as state fair ambassadors, and hundreds of thousands of fair attendees, the state fair is full of educational potential in agriculture. 

Raegan Feldner – Noble County

Growing up in Noble County, I was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA. I fell in love with agriculture and I knew I wanted to spend my life working in this industry. Even though my career plans have changed over the years, they have always involved agriculture. My parents’ involvement in the Noble County Farm Bureau opened the door for me to become involved at both the county and collegiate levels. I am so grateful and excited to be working for Ohio Farm Bureau this summer on the intern team. My biggest passion is sharing the stories of Ohio’s farmers. This internship provides the perfect opportunity for me to share agriculture with others while forming valuable connections with commodity partners. 

This fall, I will be a junior at The Ohio State University. I am studying agricultural communications with minors in agribusiness, professional writing and meat science. At OSU, I am a member of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), Agribusiness Club and Collegiate Farm Bureau. Even though I am still unsure of what my future holds, I know it will involve advocating for Ohio’s agriculturalists, and I couldn’t be happier. 

I hope to see you all at the fair!