Growing our Generation: A life of service
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Ohio Farm Bureau members ages 18-34 who are interested in developing their leadership skills and enhancing programming for their peers should apply for the Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee Class of 2029.
Application deadline is May 1, 2026.
The state committee is composed of eight members or couples who suggest, develop and conduct activities that provide networking, social and learning opportunities for young farmers and ag professionals, including planning the yearly leadership experience and hosting Young Agricultural Professionals in a variety of in- and out-of-state events.
Committee members serve a two-year term that begins in September 2026 and expires two years later after the Young Ag Professionals Leadership Experience in January 2029. Four new couples or singles are appointed each year. Members serve a two-year term with four returning and four new positions each year.
Eligibility:
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of application and must not have reached their 35th birthday before Dec. 31, 2026.
- Applicant must be a current Ohio Farm Bureau member and active in their county Farm Bureau.
- Applicants applying as a couple must be in a union recognized by the state.
- Applicant must be from a county not currently represented on the committee.
- Members from the following counties are currently ineligible to apply for the YAP State Committee as there is currently representation on the Committee: Athens-Meigs, Clermont, Hardin, Ross, Stark, Washington, Wayne, and Wood.
- Applicants are ineligble to apply if they have previously served on the YAP State Committee.
- Members are not eligible to participate in YAP contests while serving on the YAP State Committee.
Please contact Marlene Eick at [email protected] regarding eligibility questions.
Commitment:
Members are expected to be present at all meetings and activities conducted by this team. The Class of 2029 committee term will begin Sept. 1, 2026, and conclude at the 2029 Winter Leadership Experience.
Anticipated 2026 committee meetings are as follows:
Aug. 12, 7 p.m. New Committee Orientation 1 – Virtual
Aug. 26, 7 p.m. New Committee Orientation 2 – Virtual
Sept. 18-19 (5 p.m. tentative start on Friday): YAP State Committee Meeting, Columbus
Dec. 9 evening: YAP State Committee Meeting, Columbus
Dec. 10 through lunch: Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Columbus
Application process
Applications are due by May 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.
The top six applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual interview.
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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