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Growing our Generation enewsletter features insights and ideas directly from Ohio’s young farmers and food and agricultural professionals. Sign up to get this e-letter sent directly to your inbox once a month.

“As I got older, I realized that many people are disconnected from farming, and that creates a misunderstanding about the industry. That’s what led me to a degree in agricultural communications/leadership. I want to use journalism, media, and youth programming to help people better understand agriculture and support the farmers and families who work every day to produce our food. Agriculture has given me so many opportunities, and I want my career to be about giving back to the industry that raised me.”

Meet Wyatt Morrow, a Highland County Young Ag Professional member who continues to use the leadership and networking opportunities within Ohio Farm Bureau to accelerate his professional development in the agricultural industry.

About Wyatt

I am the fourth generation on our family’s 225-acre farm that was originally a hog operation but now produces corn and soybeans. I currently attend Wilmington College where I am a member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), Agricultural Education Society, and Aggies and Collegiate 4-H. A lot of my work focuses on journalism, photography, and youth development, all centered around telling the story of agriculture and helping people better understand the industry.

Why did you join Collegiate Farm Bureau?

I got involved with Ohio Farm Bureau after a friend encouraged me to join the Collegiate Farm Bureau. That decision ended up shaping my entire college experience. I wanted to stay connected to agriculture while I was in college and meet people who shared the same passion. What I found was much more than that. Ohio Farm Bureau gave me a place to learn about advocacy, leadership and the issues that affect farmers every day. It also gave me a strong network of mentors and friends who encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and try new opportunities. Whether it was attending conferences, speaking at events, or getting involved in new organizations, Ohio Farm Bureau always pushed me to grow personally and professionally.

Strategic networking

Ohio Farm Bureau helped me realize that the relationships you build in this organization can truly shape your future. I’ve been able to attend leadership conferences, meet professionals across the agricultural industry, and gain experiences that connect directly to my career in agricultural communications. Because of the connections I made, I became involved in ACT and have had the opportunity to speak at events and work in youth programming such as ExploreAg. It also helped me pursue graduate school at Oklahoma State University.

I would encourage someone to go into an ag-related field because agriculture needs people with all kinds of skills and backgrounds. You don’t have to grow up on a farm to have a place in this industry. Agriculture needs communicators, educators, scientists, business leaders, and advocates just as much as it needs farmers. It’s also a field where you can make a real difference. Ohio Farm Bureau provides us with opportunities statewide and nationwide with programs like YAP and the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference to interact with individuals to support each other and work together on issues facing the industry. Every day, the work people do in agriculture impacts families, communities and the future of our food system. For me, that’s what makes agriculture so rewarding, and that’s why I always encourage others to get involved.

Get involved

State YAP Committee Applications Open: Committee members assist with creating educational and leadership development programs for Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals. The committee hosts the annual Winter Leadership Experience each year to promote professional development and personal growth. For more information or to apply, visit ofb.ag/YAPComm. Applications are due May 1.

ExploreAg is back! Calling all high school students: dive into hands-on agriculture and STEM experiences free of charge. Multiple day camps and a weeklong camp is available! See the full list of camp descriptions and applications.