Smith named senior organization director and member development specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau

Jill Smith, Organization Director for Auglaize, Logan, Mercer and Shelby Counties

Jill Smith of Jackson Center has been named senior organization director and member development specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau, serving members in Auglaize, Logan, Mercer and Shelby counties. Smith’s promotion is part of a new pilot project developed in 12 northwest Ohio county Farm Bureaus to test an alternative field staff structure.

In addition to her role as senior organization director, her work now will include forming collaborations and building relationships with key agriculture professionals and partners that will keep Farm Bureau members ready for the next innovation or issue, as well as provide professional and business growth opportunities.

Smith is part of a fifth generation farm in rural Logan County, focusing on soybeans, corn and hay. Previously, the farm raised a commercial and registered sheep flock, feeder cattle and hogs.

Smith is a 25-year member of Shelby County Farm Bureau and has an animal science and ag business degree from The Ohio State University. She is also a graduate of Ohio State’s LEAD program.

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

Editors: A high-resolution photo of Ms. Smith is available for download.

Available scholarships

I'm eternally grateful for the support Ohio Farm Bureau scholarships provided in helping me turn my dreams into reality.

Bethany Starlin

Hocking County Farm Bureau

Available scholarships

Strong communities

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.

Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities

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

Young Ag Professionals program

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.

Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program

Growing our Generation

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.

Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton 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

Groovy Plants Ranch

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

Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

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

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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