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Derek Snider of Hardin County is the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals 2025 Excellence in Agriculture competition. The award, announced Feb. 8 at the Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience, recognizes successful young agricultural professionals who are actively contributing and growing through their involvement with Farm Bureau and agriculture.

Snider is a fifth-generation farmer and owner/operator of DuLynn Farms, LLC with his parents in Hardin County, where they raise corn, soybeans, wheat and hay using no-till farming practices. The farm also has a 40 head cow-calf beef herd, raising heifers as replacements and steers that are sold as freezer beef or at the local stockyard.

Currently serving as president for the Hardin County Farm Bureau, Snider has been very involved in the organization for over 10 years. He also served on the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals State Committee, including as chair in 2024.

A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in agricultural, environmental and development economics and minors in agricultural communication and entrepreneurship, Snider is a senior account officer at AgCredit in the Kenton, Ohio branch, using his farming background to serve members to help them meet their personal and operations financial needs.

As the winner, he receives a $3,000 cash prize, an expense-paid trip to the 2025 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and an expense-paid trip to 2026 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Anaheim, California to represent Ohio in the national competition. His prize package is sponsored by Nationwide and Farm Credit Mid-America.

Following Snider, the Excellence in Ag finalists are Denver Davis of Auglaize County and Megan Dresbach of Pickaway County.

All finalists receive a $250 cash prize, embroidered apparel, and complimentary registration to the 2025 YAP Winter Leadership Experience. Finalist prizes are sponsored by Nationwide and Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals program provides leadership development and professional growth opportunities for Farm Bureau members 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 thiggins@ofbf.org.

Editors: A high-resolution photo of Mr. Snider is available for download.