2024-2025 YAP new members

The Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee is made up of young industry professionals who assist with creating educational and leadership development programs for Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals. One of the main projects of the committee is to plan and execute the Winter Leadership Experience each year. 

Meet the oncoming committee members that will be assisting with the 2024 conference and planning the 2025 conference. 

Joe and Casey Everett, Shelby County

Joe and Casey Everett, Shelby County

What are you looking forward to the most about serving on the YAP State Committee?

We are looking forward to meeting and working with other young ag professionals who are like us and who value the importance of agriculture.

Why did you choose to apply to be on the state committee? 

We wanted to be a part of the state committee because we wanted to grow our network and work alongside other agriculture leaders across the state. 

John and Kacy Hummel, Franklin County

John and Kacy Hummel, Franklin County

What are you looking forward to the most about serving on the YAP State Committee?

John and I are looking forward to networking and further developing ourselves professionally and personally. Within our role on the state committee, we hope we can make an impact on future generations and strengthen the agricultural community.  

Why did you choose to apply to be on the state committee? 

We applied to the state committee to network and build relationships with our peers in agriculture, to make an impact on the community around us. As a leader within the young ag professionals, we hope to be an advocate for our peers in the industry to ensure Ohioians see the importance of the many things that the Ohio Farm Bureau does to ensure generations of farming to come. 

Mike Hannewald, Lucas County

Mike Hannewald, Lucas County 

What are you looking forward to the most about serving on the YAP State Committee?

My involvement in Farm Bureau has allowed me to make connections with new people who are navigating a similar path working in agriculture, and I am looking forward to more opportunities to connect and share with others.  Working in agriculture, both on and off the farm, is challenging, and the other people you meet from across the state can be great opportunities to learn from others’ past experiences and share some of your own ideas to help each other be successful.

Why did you choose to apply to be on the state committee? 

I have attended several winter leadership experiences, competed in a contest offered through YAP, as well as participated in other OFBF events with young farmers.  I have enjoyed all of these experiences and wanted to help in planning and promoting all of the good things that OFBF has to offer for Young Ag Professionals so that others can have the same great experiences that I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of

Emily Warnimont, Hancock County

Emily Warnimont, Hancock County 

What are you looking forward to the most about serving on the YAP State Committee?

I am really excited to connect with other young ag professionals across Ohio and help create inspiring YAP events.

Why did you choose to apply to be on the state committee? 

After completing AgriPOWER, I wanted to stay involved in the Ohio Farm Bureau within my county but also at a larger scale. In my mind, applying for the YAP state committee was a great way to do that while providing me with additional professional development opportunities. 

Deadlines/Upcoming events/Updates:

Outstanding Young Farmer Applications due Dec. 22, 2023 at 5 p.m. Apply here

Excellence in Agriculture Applications due Dec. 22, 2023 at 5 p.m. Apply here

American Farm Bureau YF&R Conference scholarship applications due Jan. 15, 2024 at midnight. Apply here

Winter Leadership Experience Jan. 26-27, Columbus. Register here.

New Landowner Toolkit Released 

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's avatar
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.
Ernie Welch's avatar
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
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.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
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.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
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.
Jared Hughes's avatar
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.
Austin Heil's avatar
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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