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Fourteen farmers and agribusiness professionals from around Ohio recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER Institute Class XV. The elite leadership program was started in 2008 to help agricultural advocates gain influence over public policy issues that impact their businesses and communities.

Class XV graduates are Amanda Barndt of Bowling Green, Grace Baxter of Wooster, Kelsey Bezdek of Leroy, Johnathon Cottingim of Delaware, Hannah DiVencenzo of Grafton, Zachary Jones of Huron, Olivia Lang of Wooster, Taylor Mensing of Westerville, Rudi Pitzer Perry of New Vienna, Lucy Pullins Green of Bowling Green, William Ray of Zanesville, Emily Stevens of Tiffin, Alec Truckor of Metamora and Kelly Warner of Harrod.

Over the course of a year, Class XV participants learned from experts on how to become better leaders and advocates for the agricultural industry, including spokesperson and media training, social networking and communications. They learned about public policy matters important to their local communities, as well as the state, nation and world. The group visited Washington, D.C., where they learned about national and global issues, and they visited diverse agricultural operations in California to better understand the differences and similarities in agriculture from state to state. 

Partnering with Ohio Farm Bureau on AgriPOWER Class XV are the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, Ohio Soybean Council, Certified Angus Beef, The Chef’s Garden, Farm Credit Mid-America, Healthy Harvest Organics, Hummel Group Insurance, Lake County Farm Bureau, Lorain County Farm Bureau, Ohio Forestry Association, Anthony Savage, StoneX Group Inc., Truckor Family Farm, Wood County Farm Bureau, and Wright & Moore.

To learn more about AgriPOWER, visit ohiofarmbureau.org/agripower.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ryan Matthews, 614-246-8210 or [email protected].

Editors: A high-resolution group photo of AgriPOWER Class XV is available for download.