With 2024 right around the corner, it is time to start thinking about how you will get involved and make a difference in the organizations you are passionate about.
Growing our Generation enewsletter features insights and ideas directly from Ohio’s young farmers and food and agricultural professionals. Sign up to get this e-letter sent directly to your inbox once a month.
With 2024 right around the corner, it is time to start thinking about how you will get involved and make a difference in the organizations you are passionate about.
Jonathan and Alyssa Zucker from Marion County tell us how they worked to earn the opportunity to represent Ohio by serving on the American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee.
How did you get your start in Farm Bureau?
My, (Jonathan) grandma was involved in the county Farm Bureau and served as a trustee at the state level. It is in my blood. In 2016, I was asked to join the county board. Alyssa and I got married and she quickly became involved as well, and the rest is history.
Describe your Farm Bureau involvement
Our path started with the county board, and then we got invited to participate in the local Young Ag Professionals group. From the county board, I (Jonathan) became the policy chair and served as an annual meeting delegate, went through the AgriPOWER program and had the opportunity to advocate for Ohio farmers in Washington, D.C and Ag Day at the Capital. Through the networking and connections of those opportunities, we were able to serve on the State YAP Committee and which led us to our most recent accomplishment of serving on the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee.
What made you want to keep getting more involved?
The community. We like to say that Ohio Farm Bureau is community. We have a passion to serve our community both locally and nationally. As our professional careers began to develop, we realized the invaluable impact that Ohio Farm Bureau has on ag policy that directly affects our operation and we wanted to be part of it.
What advice would you give someone looking to get involved?
Always say “yes” when you are able to say yes. Ohio Farm Bureau will always provide opportunities and we have been fortunate to be in a position to say yes.
What has been your most rewarding experience within your Farm Bureau experience thus far?
We are very proud of how our State YAP Committee came together to execute the Winter Leadership Experience that was held at Kalahari in 2023. Planning a conference with Covid-19 still lingering presented its challenges, but the team came together and pulled off a very successful conference. One thing we were able to bring back from our time at the Young Farmers & Ranchers Fusion Conference was making the conference family friendly. Childcare is not always easy to come by and we were proud to be able to support our members while building leadership skills and networking with industry professionals.
We prioritize our life by the four F’s: Faith, Family, Farming and Farm Bureau. Ohio Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization that exists to protect our family and farms but it all starts with us, the next generation of agriculturalists. We have to prioritize saying yes to those opportunities that give us a seat at the table for Ohio agriculture. In the new year, we invite you to say yes with us and find your place in Ohio Farm Bureau. A great way to begin is at the 2024 Winter Leadership Experience. See you there!
Contact your local Farm Bureau to learn more about getting involved.
Winter Leadership Experience (Jan. 26-27, Columbus). Register by Jan. 10.
American Farm Bureau YF&R Conference scholarship applications due Jan. 15, 2024 at midnight. Apply.
Ag Literacy Volunteer Certification Training – Feb 9. Register
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