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Margaret Houts of Mercer County is the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals 2026 Discussion Meet competition. The results were announced Jan. 24 during the YAP Winter Leadership Experience.
The Discussion Meet tests participants’ subject knowledge, problem-solving abilities and personal and small group communication skills. It is designed for young agricultural professionals to work together to find solutions around issues facing agriculture today.
Houts is an English teacher at Parkway High School, holding a bachelor’s degree in history and social studies education from Olivet Nazarene University and a master’s degree in English from Ohio University. She grew up on a multi-generational grain and livestock farm and was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA.
Houts serves on the Mercer County Farm Bureau Board, volunteers with the Grand Lake Area Literature Festival, and serves as adviser for multiple extracurricular programs at Parkway. She also remains involved on the family farm, assisting with business finances and helping during the busy seasons.
As the winner, she receives a $3,000 cash prize, an expense-paid trip to the 2026 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and an expense-paid trip to 2027 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, to represent Ohio in the national competition. Her prize package is sponsored by Nationwide and Farm Credit Mid-America.
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 Ryan Matthews, 614-246-8210 or [email protected].
Editors: A high-resolution photo of Ms. Houts is available for download.
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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