Ohio Farm Bureau members ages 18-34 who are interested in developing their leadership skills and enhancing programming for their peers should apply for the 2024-2026 Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee. Application deadline is April 28, 2023 at 5 p.m.
The state committee is composed of eight members or couples who suggest, develop and conduct activities that provide networking, social and learning opportunities for young farmers and ag professionals, including planning the yearly leadership experience and hosting Young Agricultural Professionals in a variety of in- and out-of-state events.
Committee members serve a two-year term that begins at in September 2023 and expires two years later after the Young Ag Professionals Leadership Experience in January. Four new couples or singles are appointed each year. Members serve a two-year term with four returning and four new positions each year.
Applicationsare due to Kelsey Turner, Ohio Farm Bureau director of leadership and business development, by April 28, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Eligibility:
Between the ages of 18 and 34 and not have reached 34th birthday before Dec. 31, 2023.
Current Ohio Farm Bureau member and active in county Farm Bureau.
Individuals or couples may apply. Couples must be a union recognized by the state.
Past participant in one or more of the following Young Agricultural Professionals activities: an Ohio Farm Bureau YAP Leadership Experience or Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience, or a Young Agricultural Professionals contest applicant.
From a county not currently represented on the committee. (Ashland, Coshocton, Fayette, Hardin, Lorain, Montgomery, Perry, and Scioto County members are ineligible).
Previous committee members are not permitted to apply for a second term.
Ineligible applicants include previous YAP State Committee members and current AgriPOWER Institute participants. Current employees of Ohio Farm Bureau and any County Farm Bureau office are ineligible to apply. If selected to serve on the YAP State Committee, you are not eligible to participate in the YAP award contests until you retire from the committee.
Commitment:
Committee members are expected to be present at all meetings and activities.
New committee member onboarding July 17 and Aug. 14
Full committee meeting Sept. 17.
Two days during the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Dec. 7-8.
Young Ag Professionals Leadership Experience Jan. 25-27, 2024.
Optional – Attend American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in 2025.
Applicant interviews will occur on May 16 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Interview appointments will be scheduled the week prior to the interview date. All applicants will be notified by July 31, 2023 regarding the status of their application.
Online extra: Tim and Sarah Terrill from Montgomery County share their Farm Bureau journey and why they wanted to be involved on the committee.
This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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.
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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