Across the Table: Ohio State Fair traditions
We hope you will stop the new imAGine Ag exhibit July 29 to Aug. 9 and let it become another tradition of the great Ohio State Fair.
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People are what make the difference. Whether it’s an event, a policy effort or just a good neighbor stepping in to help, progress is driven by those who choose to invest in those around them.
I’m sure every one of us can look back and point out a mentor, a family member or a friend who, through either their words or actions, helped get us where we are today. When I think back on my own journey, there were many people or opportunities that not only helped me see more in myself but opened doors to new possibilities.
I know that I may not have been able to go to college without the generous and impactful scholarships I received going nto my freshmen year at The Ohio State University. I also think about Curtis Paulson, Ph. D. and Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph. D., who were my agricultural communications professors, and Chuck Miller, my high school agriculture education teacher, who always challenged me to think differently, pushed me to be more and most importantly took the time to individually invest in me.
Investment and paying it forward is the heart of workforce development. It takes individuals, like us, stepping in to guide, encourage and support the next generation of agricultural leaders. In this issue of Our Ohio, you are going to see programs and opportunities designed to strengthen our workforce pipeline, and the best part is, every single one started because someone saw the need.
For Ohio Farm Bureau and our foundation, workforce development has long been a priority. Through strategic investments in scholarships and programs, our Youth Pathways, educational-focused programs, and partnerships are working to strengthen the pipeline from classroom to careers. Our goal is to not just create events, but provide students a connection within agriculture and a chance to keep growing.
As you flip through the pages, I encourage you to see where you can help pay it forward, too. It doesn’t have to be something big or even all at once. The development of our workforce can look like mentorship, providing support to our foundation, or even just volunteering with your local school, community, county Farm Bureau or agricultural youth program.
The opportunity to pay it forward is in front of all of us. Whether through giving, mentoring or staying involved, each of us has a role to play. By investing in tomorrow’s workforce today, we ensure agriculture remains strong, resilient and ready for tomorrow.
Online extra
The Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship is the foundation’s new, premier scholarship in 2026. It is a $10,000 renewable award for up to three additional years. Applications close Feb. 28, but many more scholarships are open until March 31.
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.
Featured Articles
Across the Table: Supporting all farms
Our work in supporting all farms of all sizes takes many forms, with collaboration at the center.
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Across the Table: Supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders
The opportunity to pay it forward is in front of all of us. Whether through giving, mentoring or staying involved, each of us has a role to play.
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Across the Table: Value of Ohio Farm Bureau membership
Know that Ohio Farm Bureau will continue standing with you to build a stronger future for your farm and Ohio agriculture.
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Across the Table: Farmers are resilient
The back-to-back extremes in weather have been a true reminder of the resilience agriculture holds, but also a sign of how quickly weather patterns have begun to change.
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Across the Table: Keeping safety and wellness top of mind
As we enter harvest season, keep farm safety and overall health and wellness in mind. And know that your Farm Bureau team is working hard to have your back.
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Across the Table: Future trends
I encourage you to consider the big questions that Ohio Farm Bureau members should be thinking about and how we as an organization can equip ourselves for whatever changes are coming.
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Across the Table: Creating a youth career pathway in agriculture
Ohio Farm Bureau is ensuring that more young people, who may have never considered a profession in agriculture, see that opportunities abound in Ohio’s largest industry.
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Across the Table: Ohio Farm Bureau Value Proposition
A few years back, I traveled to every county in the state and asked members directly: What do you want from YOUR Farm Bureau?
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Across the Table: Risks in agriculture come in many forms
Thankfully, the work of Ohio Farm Bureau and our strongest industry partners are creating ways to mitigate the impacts of risk in agriculture.
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