Nathan Brown

At its November board meeting, the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation elected Nathan Brown as its 2025 president and welcomed new board members to the organization.

Bob Evans CEO Mike McCoy, Inspire PR Group President Hinda Mitchell, AgCredit Account Manager and farmer Derek Snider and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation District 8 State Trustee Matt Vodraska of Rittman Orchards in Wayne County are new to the foundation board in 2025.

Brown serves as District 20 trustee for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. He is a first-generation farmer in Hillsboro where he and his wife, Jennifer, grow corn and soybeans and operate a cow-calf herd. Brown has served as Highland County Farm Bureau president, as well as a past chairman of the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals State Committee.

His passion for highlighting farmer mental health needs has been significant as he has embarked on leadership positions within Farm Bureau and the farm community. Brown is excited about the future ag leaders the foundation is committed to supporting in all aspects of the industry.

Q: What is your vision for the foundation in your year as president?
A: In 2025, the foundation will continue providing youth pathways opportunities to young people to explore and embrace the variety of careers there are within our industry.
Our scholarship program is open now for graduating high school seniors and college students to apply. The foundation even has scholarships for those who are pursuing certifications or training outside of higher education. The ExploreAg program will launch in April, providing students with free summer camp experiences to explore careers in agriculture.

There is so much opportunity for our foundation to impact the next generation of leaders and skilled workforce. I look forward to meeting some of the youth that we have and will impact through our support.

Q: What foundation accomplishment from the past year is a standout for you and why?
A: The foundation has provided so many great programs and opportunities for young people wanting to explore what agriculture could offer them, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. I think that the impact on the lives of young people like Ryanna Tietje and Jayden Porter is the true measure of accomplishment for the foundation.

To see the impact the scholarships played in Ryanna’s collegiate journey and how it inspired her to not only want to give back her time by serving on our scholarship committee but also give back by making her first donation to the foundation is truly incredible to me. Jayden Porter is a true testament to the youth pathways map that the foundation has put together. As a youth from Columbus who knew nothing of agriculture, to finding the ExploreAg program online and now serving in many capacities with Collegiate Farm Bureau and the Ohio State Junior Fair Board, I am truly excited to see him and many others like him continue into the future.

Q: What initiatives are you most excited about in 2025?
A: If I were to pick one, as a first-generation farmer, I would have to say that the Growing Tomorrow Grant is one that has caught my attention. I am excited to see how we can continue these efforts to help the next generation of agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs find creative and transformative ways to address challenges facing the agricultural sector today, and to generate wider and deeper public understanding of farming. This program helps complete the full circle of ag exposure, education, ag literacy, leadership development, community support and finally entrepreneurial support to help those who wish to start their own businesses.

 

Q: How important is the support of the foundation to the overall mission of Ohio Farm Bureau?
A: The foundation is playing a critical role in supporting the mission of Ohio Farm Bureau. When you get to work with such a talented board who are passionate about the work they are a part of, it is truly inspiring. Then to see the impacts to our youth, the leadership development opportunities provided and the community development opportunities is amazing. Then to meet and talk to the people that are being impacted by the efforts of the foundation makes every program so important.

Because of the support that the foundation receives from the agricultural community, it is helping the next generation advance agriculture and strengthen communities with programs like ExploreAg and our Ag Literacy Certification Training that wouldn’t exist otherwise. As a long-standing board member and now president, I am proud of the impact our foundation is having on our federation.

New and beginning farmers
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.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
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.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in 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.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
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

Select Partner Program
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

Advocacy
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

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