Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation

Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation recently added four new board members and elected officers of its 14-member board, which oversees the charitable, nonprofit organization. 

New to the board is Mike McCoy, CEO of Bob Evans Farms; Hinda Mitchell, president/founder of Inspire PR Group; and Ohio Farm Bureau District 8 Trustee Matt Vodraska. Derek Snider from AgCredit will serve as the Young Agricultural Professionals member of the foundation board of directors.

Mike McCoy is president and chief executive officer of Post Refrigerated Retail, inclusive of Bob Evans Farms and Crystal Farms. He is an experienced executive known for his leadership in financial operations, strategic planning and organizational development. Mike joined Bob Evans Farms in 2018 as EVP and chief administrative officer, and was promoted to chief financial officer of Post Refrigerated Retail in 2019 and president and CEO in October 2024. 

Hinda Mitchell is the president of Inspire PR Group. She founded Inspire in 2014, after two decades in other communications firms, with the belief that the best decisions are made with “inspiration” and rooted in values and purpose. Hinda is a trusted public relations advisor to national organizations and corporations, with a robust practice in food and agriculture, and provides direct counsel to CEOs, c-suite executives and association leaders on complex business matters. 

Derek Snider is a senior account officer for Ag Credit, ACA at the association’s Kenton office. He is a 2013 graduate from The Ohio State University with a degree in agricultural business and applied economics with minors in agricultural communications as well as entrepreneurship. As a Hardin County native, Derek is actively involved with his family’s grain and livestock operation, DuLynn Farms, LLC. DuLynn Farms, LLC raises corn, soybeans, wheat and hay using no-till practices. 

Matt Vodraska of Doylestown was elected to his first, three-year term on the board of trustees of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation in December 2023. He represents the interests of Farm Bureau members from Ashland, Medina, Summit and Wayne counties. Matt farms with his family on their farm, Rittman Orchard, and is the owner and cider-maker at Bent Ladder Cider and Wine. Matt was named Ohio Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Young Farmer in 2019 and was a member of the inaugural AgriPOWER class in 2009.

Reappointed to the board was Amy McCormick, a communications leader for The Kroger Co.

For 2025, Ohio Farm Bureau District 20 Trustee Nathan Brown was named president; Doug Miller, Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives was named first vice president; Ohio Farm Bureau District 9 Trustee Danielle Burch was named 2nd vice president. Ohio Farm Bureau Treasurer Adele Flynn will serve as the foundation’s treasurer.

“Being a first-generation farmer, I know that I am an anomaly when it comes to having a career in agriculture without having a farming background. Helping more young people realize the same opportunities that I had is one of the primary goals of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation,” said Brown. “One of the daunting challenges for Ohio agriculture is that there aren’t enough people to fill the careers that are available within the industry. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to garner more interest in the countless career paths the farm and food section offer to help ensure the future success of agriculture in Ohio.”

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is committed to inspiring and educating the next generation of farmers, ensuring the progress and prosperity of Ohio agriculture far into the future. The foundation creates pathways for young people to learn about the variety and viability of careers in agriculture. Through scholarships, programming and grants, the foundation builds a growing workforce of farmers who are passionate and prepared to grow Ohio agricultural communities. 

To learn more about the foundation’s mission and commitment to the future of Ohio agriculture, visit ohiofarmbureau.org/foundation.

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

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
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
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
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
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

Bringing the farm back to life
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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