William Ray

William Ray of Cumberland recently graduated from Ohio Farm Bureau’s AgriPOWER 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.

Ray is the Ohio Forestry Association’s director of forestry programs, where he tracks, assesses, assists and awards educational credits for the Ohio Master Logger Program. He also assists forestry professionals and landowners in safety training that covers topics such as chainsaw safety, equipment safety, water quality, erosion control and more. Ray grew up on a livestock farm in Noble County, where his family was heavily involved in the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, FFA, 4-H and the county’s Soil & Water Conservation District.

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 photo of Mr. Ray is available for download.

Farm Bureau connections
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
Giving farmers a voice
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.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
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Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
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Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

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I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
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Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

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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.
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Chad Ruhl

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Select Partner Program
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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