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Farm Bureau AgriPOWER Class XIV started off with a challenge right out of the gate: how to make a YouTube video introduction. This was a new assignment for me, as I have never made a YouTube video before. After reviewing the different video, picture, and editing platforms.I chose the style of a voiced PowerPoint presentation. Before Session One had even kicked off, I was researching and implementing new technological skills that would be a benefit in any business setting.

The theme of harnessing current skills and growing them into a larger leadership role were present in all of the activities we conducted in Session One. Adam Sharp, the executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau, led the charge with suggestions on learning about yourself and others, discovering and participating in the process of policy development, and exploring the many facets of agriculture. Ohio Farm Bureau is composed of individuals who get together, stay together, and work together.

We had to start the process of growing together by assessing the individual building blocks every person currently possesses. We analytically discovered these details through the Myers-Briggs assessment, an emotional intelligence assessment, and a workshop in defining leadership. Jordan Healey, with American Farm Bureau Federation, led both assessments. After defining our personality types and emotional intelligence strategies, it was a hands-on process to discover how we could harness this data to grow in our personal and professional lives. Conflict resolution and how to work in a group setting were also explored in detail.

Marlene Eick, with Ohio Corn & Wheat, correlated with the assessment results by introducing us to a strategy used to define leadership. This workshop led to a deeper understanding of how to build a stronger bond in a variety of relationships. Our AgriPOWER class dug into real examples from our own lives to define this model of leadership. These building blocks helped me to identify ways to be more aware of how I interact with others and when we might have conflicting personality styles. Once aware of the differences, I can make adjustments to understand the other party on a deeper level to help accomplish our goals, effectively communicate, and resolve issues in a timely manner.

Session One continued building on these new definitions of leadership and helped our class participants utilize these skills. We had the opportunity to meet with the Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Development Committee and learn the highlights of policy being assessed that were collected from our local agricultural communities. Many of these topics will be discussed at the Ohio Farm Bureau annual meeting in December. Another highlight was when we went to lunch at a Columbus downtown staple, The North Market. We were able to see a melting-pot of cultural and agricultural commodities in one location. The ramen and boba tea were delicious!

I look forward to the new challenges, fun, and opportunities for growth we will experience as the Farm Bureau AgriPOWER Class XIV.