Jenish Patel

Jenish Patel has never strayed far from his roots, though he lives very far from where he was born.

“I come from India and agriculture is still the backbone of the Indian economy and the people of India,” he said. “My grandfather and great grandfather produced cotton and peanuts on their farms in rural India.”

Patel’s parents didn’t follow the farming tradition. His father is in the diamond and textiles industry, and Patel himself moved to California in 2009 to earn his master’s degree in business administration. He currently works as an information technology consultant and once worked for Nationwide when he moved to Columbus in 2015.

Patel learned about Nationwide through Kirstie Wilson at the Sylvia Garrett Agency, through which he now has his auto and home insurance coverage.

He had to use his homeowners insurance when a storm came through and damaged his roof not too long after he and his wife, Maulika, moved into their current home.

“They came out to do an inspection and we got the roof repaired,” he said. “It was an easy and efficient process.”

It was during his time at Nationwide that Patel discovered Ohio Farm Bureau and its unbreakable link with its No. 1 partner.

“I had seen the Farm Bureau logo on signages at a few (Nationwide) events. My next exposure to the Farm Bureau was at the Ohio State Fair in 2015 where I got to know more about their work and support to the agriculture industry here in Ohio,” he said, noting that there is no advocacy organization comparable to it in India.

“The person at the booth was friendly and kind enough to share some insights about the agriculture industry in Ohio, and the information shared did get me intrigued about the agriculture industry.”

Patel is a fan of Our Ohio magazine, and stories in the publication have piqued his interest in one key area – dairy farming.

“It has raised my interest in dairy farming and the endless possibilities that come with it,” he said. “I am researching more and more about it and am hoping to make practical use of the knowledge when an opportunity permits.”

One opportunity is seemingly close at hand. Patel is on the planning committee at his temple, ISKCON Greater Columbus, an International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which is a centuries-old, predominantly Indian religion based on the Hindu scriptures.

The temple recently purchased about 54 acres in Hilliard. A new temple is one of many things slated to be established on the property, along with a farm-to-table restaurant, organic farming and cow sanctuary.

“We will also have many trees planted on our property along with walking trails to preserve the greenery on our land. We plan to educate children about how to nurture an animal properly,” Patel said. “Knowing my roots, I have come to understand how much hard work and toil a farmer has to go through in producing their crops. Hence I have deep respect for all farmers and their families no matter their origin. Farmers are not always recognized for the role they play.”

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.
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Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
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Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
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.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
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Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
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Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
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.
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Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
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.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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