Young Ag Professionals

Leading Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee in 2024 are Chaircouple Luke and Kayla Durbin of Coshocton County, and serving as co-chairs are Tim and Sarah Terrill of Montgomery County. Serving as secretary for the committee is Carly Fitz of Perry County.

The Durbins farm full-time with their families on their grain farms in Tuscarawas and Coshocton counties, respectively. In addition, they own and operate Durbin Land and Cattle raising Simmental cow/calf pairs with their daughter, Finlay. They have participated in various state and national Farm Bureau events, including the American Farm Bureau annual convention and Young Farmer & Rancher conferences and the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience. They are active in their county young agricultural professionals program. In addition to their Farm Bureau activities, they sit on FFA chapter advisory boards, participate in their county 4-H endowment and take time to mentor young showmen.

The Terrills own a farm in Montgomery County focusing on breeding and raising Boer goats, primarily for 4-H projects and meat production. Throughout their YAP journey, they have participated in the Winter Leadership Experience, Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience, AFBF YF&R FUSION conferences, and are county YAP leaders. In addition to raising two children on the farm, the Terrills serve as Montgomery County 4-H advisors. Off the farm, Tim is the commercial and fleet sales manager at Jeff Schmitt Auto Group.

Carly Fitz is a program assistant in professional development at The Ohio State University within the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. She is active on her family’s Perry County farm raising sheep, hay and showing cattle with her family. She has participated in several local, state and national Farm Bureau events, including being a former Collegiate Farm Bureau member and Collegiate Discussion Meet participant. Fitz is currently pursuing her master’s degree in public administration to study rural economic development and farmland preservation.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals program provides leadership development and professional growth opportunities for Farm Bureau members ages 18-35. The program hosts the Winter Leadership Experience, a Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience and conducts the Outstanding Young Farmer, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet contests. Learn more about the program at experienceyap.com.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.

 

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].

Editors: High-resolution photos of the Durbins, Terrills, and Ms. Fitz are available for download.

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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