Growing our Generation: Representing Ohio in Charlotte
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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.
One of the most unique opportunities for personal and professional growth for Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals is the ability to connect with like-minded individuals on a national level at the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers FUSION Conference.
FUSION is an annual leadership conference that brings together Farm Bureau members ages 18-35 years old from across the country and gives them the opportunity to network with national industry leaders, other farmers, and ranchers who are facing similar agricultural challenges. FUSION provides a space for creative innovation and collaboration concerning those challenges that members can take back and use on their farms and in their communities.
Hear from 2025 AFBF FUSION Conference attendees Hannah Thompson and Sarah Hoak.
Thompson received a bachelor’s degree in ag education from Morehead State University and is the ag educator at Meigs High School. She is currently serving as the Athens-Meigs County Farm Bureau vice president and is a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau State YAP Committee. Hoak is attending The Ohio State University majoring in sustainable agriculture and minoring in agricultural business. She plans to pursue a career in agriculture law or policy. She is currently serving as the Ohio State Collegiate Farm Bureau president.
Biggest takeaway from FUSION
Hannah: My biggest takeaway from FUSION was how connected we all are through agriculture. While we are here in Ohio, the people I met from Florida and Colorado are all facing similar situations. We are all working hard to advocate for agriculture and make sure the American farmer has a voice and seat at the table.
Sarah: My biggest takeaway from the conference was learning about other collegiate Farm Bureau chapters from around the country. At the conference, they held Collegiate Farm Bureau “Power Hours” that gave members the opportunity to share about the struggles and challenges, strengths and events their chapters hold. It was eye-opening to see what other chapters were doing and be able to bring some of those initiatives back to our chapter.
Why should someone attend FUSION?
Hannah: Friendships, business acquaintances, and excellent networking with our partners are bound to happen at each Farm Bureau event. A gathering of so many like-minded individuals is going to leave you feeling empowered and refreshed. It is a great opportunity to get to advocate alongside Ohio Farm Bureau to help keep us in the forefront of discussions with legislators during important decisions facing Ohio agriculture.
Sarah: Networking! I have made so many professional and personal connections through Farm Bureau, especially the Young Agricultural Professionals group. I can confidently say that I would not be where I am today without the network I have built through Farm Bureau events! I’ve learned a variety of things such as possible internship opportunities, to how other farms run their operations. If you are someone who loves to learn and talk with others, the Young Agricultural Professionals group is the perfect place for you.
2026 FUSION Conference
The AFBF FUSION Conference has a place for everyone no matter where you are in your agriculture journey. Ohio Farm Bureau sponsors registration and travel expenses for five members to attend the conference each year. Be on the lookout this fall for details about how to apply to attend the 2026 FUSION conference.
Upcoming Events/Deadlines
- ExploreAg applications due April 30. Apply
- Ohio State Fair Little Farmers Exhibit (paid position) applications due May 1. Apply
- Apply to serve on the State YAP Committee. Applications due May 2 at 5 p.m. Apply
- Growing Tomorrow Grant Virtual Information Session hosted by Mike and Patti Boyert and Ohio Farm Bureau Staff – May 7 at 7 p.m. Register
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.
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.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through 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.
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.
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.
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.
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