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].

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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