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Much like the spring we have had in Ohio this year for planting season, there can be many uncertainties if what we wish to accomplish will come to fruition. Ryanna Tietje, a Henry County Farm Bureau member, knew from an early age that her dream was to return to the family farm after college and took full advantage of the opportunities The Ohio State University had to offer to help her accomplish that dream, including immersing herself in to many different aspects within Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals group. 

Embracing opportunities

My two older brothers and I were raised on our family’s grain farm as the fourth generation. Being raised on the farm and surrounded by many in the industry, I was inspired to remain in agriculture. As a result of opportunities in high school and college as well as the guidance from mentors, I was able to create my path and find my passion within agriculture. From my FFA SAE (supervised agricultural experience) to 4-H projects and involvement at The Ohio State University, my passion for agribusiness and agricultural finance was sparked.

Throughout college, I was determined to maximize my time and potential and immerse myself in the agricultural industry, and Ohio Farm Bureau was one of the organizations that allowed me to do so. From personal and professional development like the Collegiate Discussion Meet (pictured above) to gaining exposure to relevant agricultural issues and building my network like the Washington, D.C. YAP Leadership Experience, my time in the Collegiate Farm Bureau was invaluable. As a result, I have continued my involvement beyond college by becoming a Henry County Farm Bureau board member and continually exploring opportunities to serve and grow within the organization.

Returning home

I returned to the family farm after graduating from The Ohio State University in spring 2024. While I had incredible internship experiences off the farm throughout college, the opportunity to be part of a family business is unique. While farming presents many challenges and not every day on the farm is ideal, knowing that I am working together with those I am closest with to build a farm and business makes it all worth it. The opportunity to collaborate with my parents and brothers to ensure success for many generations to come is not always perfect but is incredibly rewarding. We motivate each other to reach our highest potential and offer support all along the way. I cherish the relationship and business we have and am thankful for the opportunity to be part of it.

One of the most rewarding experiences since returning to the farm was having my niece ride in the grain cart with me during the last day of harvest. I will forever remember the smile on her face. While she may not remember it as vividly as I will, I hope I can inspire the next generation and provide opportunities for them to become involved on the farm as well, if desired. 

Finding my place

My role on the farm continues to evolve and grow as we navigate opportunities and the generational transition. During harvest last year, I enjoyed running the grain cart alongside my dad or brother in the combine. Every spring, I am responsible for collecting zone soil samples which allow us to place fertilizer strategically and optimize returns. This planting season, I will be splitting my time between servicing our seed customers and supplying seed to the planters to maximize efficiency during prime planting conditions.

In the off season, I am learning our financial recordkeeping processes and implementing new data management techniques that allow us to better understand our operation and identify areas of improvement. Also in the winter, I am involved with Ohio State University Extension’s Ohio Farm Business Analysis and Benchmarking Program, which allows me to work with farmers across the state to help them improve their financial recordkeeping and ensure they can be financially successful in the future.

Advice for returning to the family farm

My best advice for someone looking to take the leap back to the farm is to identify how you can provide value to the operation and be willing to adapt. As we look toward the future, my brothers and I each have diverse strengths that allow us to challenge and learn from each other while using our knowledge to improve the operation. Each of us attended The Ohio State University. While we were there, we focused on a different area of the operation, worked to establish strong relationships, and took advantage of opportunities to learn. These experiences allowed us to return to the operation with new perspectives, ideas and goals that made us more valuable to the operation. Also, being adaptable is critical in any role and especially on the farm. As technology continues to advance and the role of the farmer changes, being adaptable and willing to challenge yourself to try something new is going to be critically important for continued success. I have quickly learned that you never know where an opportunity or relationship may lead, so seizing those opportunities and adapting to new challenges can help you achieve the greatest success.

Conclusion

In the last year, Ryanna has used her resources and experiences to streamline operations and enhance data management allowing their operation to track inputs, expenses and income by specific fields to better understand their operation and strategically plan for the future. By seizing every opportunity to better herself professionally and personally, Ryanna has been able to live out her dream of working alongside her family to take their operation into the next generation. 

Ohio Farm Bureau has many upcoming opportunities that could help you reach your personal and professional goals. 

• Growing Tomorrow Grant – a grant designed for young entrepreneurs. Apply by July 31, 2025. 

• AgriPOWER, Ohio Farm Bureau’s elite leadership development program. Apply by Aug. 1, 2025. 
• Young Agricultural Professionals competitive contests – Excellence in Agriculture, Outstanding Young Farmer, Discussion Meet, Collegiate Discussion Meet. More information to come in the fall. 

Save the Date: 2026 Winter Leadership Experience to be held at Cherry Valley Hotel, Jan. 23-24, 2026.