Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is seeking a Young Ag Professional member to serve on its board of directors. This 16th seat on its board is specifically created for an active Young Ag Professional member who has a passion for fundraising and is interested in further developing their leadership skills.

This position is a one-year term as a voting member of the foundation board, with the opportunity to serve a second year as appointed by the board of directors. The YAP foundation director will attend the foundation board meetings, engage in special events like the Foundation Golf Outing, and participate in YAP State Committee meetings during their term. This opportunity is open to any active Young Ag Professional who is looking to grow their leadership skills while serving on a state board of directors.

Applications are due May 3 by 5 p.m.

Applicant eligibility

Must be between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age. Applicants must not have reached their 35th birthday before Dec. 1, 2024. 

Must be a current Ohio Farm Bureau member and active in their county Farm Bureau. 

Past participant in one or more of the following Young Agricultural Professionals activities: Winter Leadership Experience, Washington, D.C. Leadership Trip, Young Ag Professionals contest applicant, or Special 10 participant.

Ineligible applicants include:

  • YAP State Committee members from Class 2026 and Class 2027.
  • Current AgriPOWER Institute participants.
  • Current employees of Ohio Farm Bureau and any county Farm Bureau office are ineligible to apply. 
  • Current Ohio Farm Bureau Federation state trustees are ineligible to apply for this position. 

If selected to serve on the Foundation Board of Directors, you are still eligible to participate in the YAP award contests including Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture, and Outstanding Young Farmer. 

Application details

Applications close May 3, 2024 at 5 p.m.

During the week of May 20, the top three applicants will be notified that their application is moving forward to the Foundation Nominating and Governance Committee. The three individuals will be invited to participate in a virtual interview with the Nominating and Governance Committee during the week of May 28. An announcement of the new YAP Foundation director will be made in early December 2024. 

Apply

For more information, contact Melinda Witten, [email protected], or Kelly Burns, [email protected].

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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