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The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation has named the newest members of its Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee: Katherine and Bill Brown of Stark County, Abby and Blake Campbell of Washington County, Josh Ison of Clermont County and Hannah Thompson of Meigs County. Committee members are selected based on Farm Bureau involvement, leadership potential and community service.

The committee is composed of eight members or couples who suggest, develop and conduct activities that provide opportunities for young farmers and ag professionals to be more involved in Ohio Farm Bureau programs. Duties include planning the yearly YAP winter leadership conference and hosting Young Agricultural Professionals in a variety of in- and out-of-state events.

The Browns reside in Louisville, Ohio where they farm alongside Katherine’s dad and uncle. Bill works full-time on the farm where they operate a dairy and raise corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. Off of the farm, Katherine works as a partnership manager for AgVend, a digital enablement software solutions company for the ag retail industry. Bill received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kent State University, while Katherine received her bachelor’s degree in plant pathology from The Ohio State University. Bill is a past county Farm Bureau president, and Katherine currently serves as secretary for the Stark County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees. 

The Campbells are part of a fourth generation sheep and swine farm in Waterford, Ohio. They both serve as agricultural educators and FFA advisors within the county and are alumni of The Ohio State University. In 2021 the couple decided to make their own mark on Ohio agriculture by beginning to direct market their meat products, starting an Etsy page to sell wool and fleeces to crafters, and attending farmers markets, where they also sell pumpkins and cut flowers. In 2023 they were recipients of an USDA EQIP grant for a high tunnel to continue to expand their direct marketing efforts. Recently, Abby was the winner of the 2024 Ohio Farm Bureau Discussion Meet competition.

Josh Ison, along with his wife, Sarah, farm approximately 200 acres. The Isons raise Black Angus cattle, Berkshire pigs, Navajo Churro sheep and pastured poultry and market direct to consumers under their brand Flourish & Roam. Josh is a graduate of Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Leadership Institute. When not on the farm, he works in ag biotechnology serving the livestock and aquaculture industries. Ison currently serves as a Clermont County Farm Bureau board member and is the organization’s public policy chair.

Thompson grew up on a small, five-acre family farm in southeastern Ohio, where her family remains very active in the local 4-H program as club advisors. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from Morehead State University and soon after began teaching agriscience at Meigs High School in Meigs County. Thompson is a current fellow in the Growing Home Fellowship program through Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and is the current vice president of the Athens-Meigs County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees.

The young leaders will help host the Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience Feb. 7-8 at Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio. The annual event features networking opportunities with young agriculturalists from across the state and educational sessions on small business planning, emerging ag careers, local foods, consumer communication, social media and many others. To learn more about the conference, visit ofb.ag/2025WLE.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.

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 Browns, the Campbells, Josh Ison and Hannah Thompson are available for download.