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 

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
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
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
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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