Article

Eight local Young Agricultural Professionals groups have been awarded $500 grants for educational programming or events they are planning or that have taken place already in 2025.  

The local grants are a part of Farm Credit Mid-America’s $100,000 donation to Farm Bureau young leader programs in its six-state region of Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. Farm Credit Mid-America proudly supports these local grant programs, as well as Ohio Farm Bureau’s annual statewide Young Ag Professionals contests and the YAP Winter Leadership Experience.

Axe Throwing Showdown

This event is targeted to increase interest and involvement and to grow awareness for the YAP program in Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland counties. The laid-back, fun, social event will allow YAP members to mingle and get to know each other, and participants will be provided information and materials about Farm Bureau membership and the YAP program, including events like the Winter Leadership Experience, the FUSION conference, various contests, and other leadership opportunities.

Bowl & Grow Social

The Montgomery County Young Ag Professionals Bowl & Grow Social is a community-focused event designed to bring together young agricultural professionals and their families for an evening of networking, education and entertainment. This event aims to foster connections within the agricultural community while creating a welcoming environment for professional growth and family engagement. By blending professional networking with family-friendly entertainment, the Bowl & Grow Social seeks to support the personal and professional development of participants, cultivate a sense of community, and highlight the value of collaboration within the local ag community.

Earth Day | Ag Day

Earth Day | Ag Day is an annual event that happens on the campus of Wilmington College, hosted by the Collegiate Farm Bureau. This event is meant to promote and educate students, staff, faculty and the community about Earth Day and how agriculture fits into our environment. Other clubs on campus get involved by adding an activity related to Earth Day or environmental science. The event also includes a collaboration with Clinton County Soil and Water, which includes a donation of tree saplings for those who attend.

Emerging Agriculture Conference

The Emerging Agriculture Conference is an event organized by the Wright State University Lake Campus Collegiate Young Farmers to encourage the next generation of agriculturalists and recognize supporters of the agriculture department. Local FFA chapters, agriculture businesses, county commissioners, state representatives, and current agriculture students are invited to attend. The event starts with a chance to network and allow FFA members and agriculture students to visit the business booths and explore opportunities in the agriculture industry.

Finding Success in Your Succession Plan

This Van Wert County Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals event is a sequel to a previously held succession planning seminar to focus on keeping family farms in the hands of families. This program will target specifically families that have young children and will include a working dinner, industry speakers, and a groundbreaking unlimited question and answer panel where the event only concludes once all questions are answered in a satisfactory manner.

Growing into the Future

This event, hosted by Auglaize, Logan, Mercer and Shelby County Farm Bureaus’ Young Ag Professionals, will offer multiple sessions on leadership, finance, legacy planning and opportunities in agriculture. This one-day event is open to anyone in the four-county area interested in growing in the agriculture space.

Night Out with the Captains

This upcoming program will invite young ag professionals from Lake County to enjoy a Lake County Captains game and provide an opportunity for YAP members to network and relax in a setting away from the usual stressors of farms and personal businesses.

Pints ‘n Plants

The event, created by Young Ag Professionals in Trumbull and Ashtabula counties, is a planting experience held in a local Farm Bureau member’s greenhouse, where attendees learn about different flowers and herbs and the benefits of planting them together. It also allows for the two counties’ young agricultural professionals to collaborate and discuss upcoming events while strengthening the ties between one another as a community. The goal is to increase local garden knowledge while fostering a sense of community.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals program provides leadership development and professional growth opportunities for Farm Bureau members who are ages 18-35. The program hosts the Winter Leadership Experience, a Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience and conducts the Outstanding Young Farmer, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet contests. Learn more about the program at experienceyap.com.

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].