Growing our Generation: Collegiate Farm Bureau
Growing our Generation enewsletter features insights and ideas directly from Ohio’s young farmers and food and agricultural professionals. Sign up…
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Growing our Generation enewsletter features insights and ideas directly from Ohio’s young farmers and food and agricultural professionals. Sign up to get this e-letter sent directly to your inbox once a month.
Are you a college student or do you know a college student looking for a way to get more involved in the agriculture industry or the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals program? Collegiate Farm Bureau is the next generation of leaders and a great pathway into unique leadership development and industry networking opportunities. The program serves as a connection between current industry professionals and students, promotes agriculture and related fields and works to develop these future leaders of the agriculture industry by providing opportunities for students in leadership and civic engagement, career development, professional development and experiential learning.
Collegiate Farm Bureau members also have the opportunity to participate in competitive events such as the Collegiate Discussion Meet. The Discussion Meet is designed to simulate a committee meeting and is evaluated by the innovative ideas and participation from each participant.
Hear from Jed Adams, a Morrow County Farm Bureau member and the 2025 Collegiate Discussion Meet winner on his experience with the competition and Collegiate Farm Bureau.
I first got involved with the Ohio Farm Bureau working as a state fair ambassador and then as a social media ambassador for Winter Leadership Experience last year. These experiences led me to become an Ohio Farm Bureau member myself and join the Collegiate Farm Bureau at The Ohio State University.
Discussion Meet experience
I was encouraged to sign up for the Collegiate Discussion Meet by my friend and CFB President Sarah Hoak. Having never competed in the contest before, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect but am glad I was able to go into the preliminary round with an open mind. In preparation for the contest, I was able to do a lot of research surrounding the questions we were to discuss. This research allowed me to learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau policies and programs as well as other resources relating to the topics. I would highly encourage everyone to participate in the discussion meet contest because it allows you to learn more about the issues that are directly impacting agriculturalists. These are issues that affect our own communities, and being able to learn more about them has allowed me to better understand the impacts these issues can have.
Why join Collegiate Farm Bureau
I joined the Collegiate Farm Bureau in the fall and have enjoyed being a part of it this year. Because of CFB, I have been able to attend many Ohio Farm Bureau events such as the Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience and Ag Day at the Capital. CFB provides opportunities to get involved with Ohio Farm Bureau while at college and away from your local county Farm Bureau organizations. CFB also offers professional networking opportunities as we have different speakers from the industry speak at every meeting. This allows members to learn more about different sectors of the agriculture industry and how that can relate to involvement with Ohio Farm Bureau after college graduation.
Conclusion
The Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters bring forth innovative ideas and solutions to some of the issues facing our communities today and implement those ideas through their chapter activities, getting involved with their county Farm Bureaus, and engaging with Ohio Farm Bureau’s annual events. Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters meet regularly at The Ohio State University, Wilmington College and Wright State University – Lake Campus. For more information about Collegiate Farm Bureau events and opportunities, contact ExploreAg and Youth Development Specialist Katie Share, [email protected].
Upcoming Events/Deadlines
- ExploreAg applications due April 30. Learn more
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.
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.
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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.
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.
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