Growing our Generation: A life of service
Meet Joe Everett, a Shelby County Farm Bureau Young Ag Professional who has dedicated his life to service, both in uniform and within his local community.
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As we round out another year, it is important to reflect on our accomplishments as we prepare to dive into the opportunities the new year will bring. Amanda Barndt, Wood County Farm Bureau president, is gearing up for another year of success as she serves as a voting delegate for the 2024 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.
Amanda’s Farm Bureau journey began in 2016, and she has since grasped every opportunity to learn and lead. She has been on the Washington, D.C Leadership Trip, won a Murray Lincoln award for membership, has helped Wood County achieve multiple County Activities of Excellence Awards for outstanding programming, and is currently a member of AgriPOWER Class XV, Ohio Farm Bureau’s elite leadership program.
Why is it important to serve as an annual meeting delegate?
I am passionate about being involved in Farm Bureau as an annual meeting delegate because for the second year in a row, we have really important policy we are hoping to move forward. Last year, our policy on county and township road and bridge maintenance passed into the state policy book, and this year we are hoping our policy on proper height of installation of fiber optic lines will do the same. We really show our local communities that we hear them and are fighting for them when we can come back and have been able to get the policy passed at a state level and begin more strongly pushing it with our legislators.
Why do you believe in the grassroots policy?
I believe genuinely in the grassroots policy process. The policy is built from the ground up by gathering information locally, passing local policy and then passing it up to the state level so that we can guide our organization toward the future in solutions and protections. It’s never been a secret that farmers have to work together to make things happen and this just shows that our policy process is a matter of working together to make things happen.
What advice do you have for other YAP members as we begin a new year??
My advice to any YAP member or anyone just joining Farm Bureau is to really dive in. I highly recommend jumping in with both feet in and taking every experience you can. The people you will meet will be the best in the industry, the experiences you gain will guide you for years to come, and the knowledge learned through policy development, meetings, and networking will help you lead boards and communities. Our communities need you desperately and although it feels really intimidating when you don’t know what you don’t know, do not be afraid to just absorb any and all information you can by sitting in the meetings and talking to all of the industry leaders (they are not as intimidating as they seem!) Feel free to reach out to me to say hi, ask questions, or use me for resources! I’m happy to help!
Contact your local Farm Bureau to learn more about getting involved.
Involvement opportunities
- Local YAP groups
- County Farm Bureau boards
- Annual meeting policy delegate
- Ag Literacy Certification Volunteer
- AgriPOWER
- Collegiate Farm Bureau
- State YAP Committee
- AFBF YF&R Conference
- Ag Day at the Capital
- Washington, D.C Leadership Experience
- Winter Leadership Experience
- YAP Competitive events (Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture, Outstanding Young Farmer)
- AFBF YF&R National Committee
- Ohio Farm Bureau Board of Trustees
Ohio Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization that exists to protect our families and farms, but it all starts with us, the next generation of agriculturalists. It is important that we really dive into the opportunities to make a difference in our communities and use our collective voice to create and pass policies that govern our operations and heritage.
One way to dive into leadership and find your voice in 2025 is to attend the Winter Leadership Experience Feb. 7-8 at Kalahari Conventions & Resorts in Sandusky. The conference is open to members of all ages. You are encouraged to bring your family and friends to learn alongside industry professionals, find your voice and find your place in the organization.
Upcoming deadlines:
Winter Leadership Experience (Sandusky, Feb. 7-8). Register by Jan 21.
County Volunteer Ag Literacy Training (Feb. 17, Sharonville) Register by Feb. 2.
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
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.
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.
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.
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