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Shaeley Swick of Utica recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Class XIV. The elite leadership program was started in 2008 to help agricultural advocates gain influence over public policy issues that impact their businesses and communities.

Swick works for a local small business, owned by her mother, where they offer screen printing, embroidery, signs, stickers, design work and more for other local businesses. She is also self-employed through Shaeley’s Custom Tags & More, where she makes custom livestock ear tags. Swick grew up on her family’s row crop farm which has expanded to raise commercial beef cattle. Active in 4-H and FFA, she attended Ohio State University ATI in Wooster and obtained an associate’s degree in livestock management with a specialization in beef.

Over the course of a year, Class XIV participants learned from experts on how to become better leaders and advocates for the agricultural industry, including spokesperson and media training, social networking and communications. They learned about public policy matters important to their local communities, as well as the state, nation and world. They visited Washington, D.C. where they learned about national and global issues, and they visited diverse agricultural operations in Washington state so they could better understand the differences and similarities in agriculture from state to state.

Partnering with Ohio Farm Bureau on AgriPOWER Class XIV are Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, Ohio Soybean Council, Farm Credit Mid-America, AgCredit, Legacy Farmers Cooperative, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, Certified Angus Beef, Stark County Farm Bureau, PBS Animal Health and United Producers, Inc.

To learn more about AgriPOWER, visit ohiofarmbureau.org/agripower.

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

Editors: A high-resolution photo of Ms. Swick is available for download.