2026 Lake County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting highlights
President Steve Ohmes presided over the evening, welcoming 60 members, local officials, and guests. Dinner was provided by Ang’s Smoke BBQ.
Read More
The Lake County Farm Bureau recognizes the importance of developing future leaders in the agriculture industry and remains deeply committed to investing in their education. With that mission in mind, we are proud to introduce our 2026 scholarship award winners.
Seeing the dedication, innovation, and leadership qualities in these recipients gives us total confidence that the future of agriculture will be prosperous and strong. Please join us in honoring and celebrating these exceptional students as they prepare to make a lasting impact on our agricultural community.
Paige Lucic receives $1,000. Paige is the daughter of Steven and Lynne Lucic of Chardon. She is a 2021 graduate of Chardon High School and is a graduate student at the University of Findlay working toward a doctorate in physical therapy. She was involved in Collegiate FFA, Findlay’s Beef Cattle Show Team, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, and Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Organization. Paige grew up in agriculture and continues to share with others about the significant role agriculture plays in our lives. She plans to be a 4-H advisor and looks forward to serving farmers and animals in the community through physical therapy.
Kylie Ohmes receives $1,000. Kylie is the daughter of Steven and Sarah Ohmes of Painesville. She is a 2024 graduate of Riverside High School and is attending West Virginia University, working toward a degree in animal and nutritional science. She is on the WVU Pre Vet Club, volunteers for WVU’s Golden Hearts program, where she trains and fosters service dogs, and volunteers at On Eagles Wings, a horse therapy barn for individuals with disabilities. Kylie plans on becoming a large animal veterinarian and hopes to fill a gap in her rural community for local farmers.
Marc Ball receives $500. Marc of Painesville is the son of Jason and Jolene Santee. He is a 2025 graduate of Riverside High School and is attending The Ohio State University – Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, majoring in agribusiness. Marc is a member of the Agricultural Systems Management (ASM) Club, Agricultural Communicators, Educators, and Leaders of Tomorrow (ACELT), and Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) Fraternity Beta Chapter at Ohio State. Driven by a passion for agronomy and ag business, Marc’s immediate goal is to enter seed sales to build industry relationships, support producers with dependable solutions, and demonstrate that anyone can succeed in agriculture regardless of their background. He then plans to leverage this valuable business experience to relocate to Texas with his parents and establish his own cattle, crop, and show pig operation while giving back to youth programs like 4-H.
Audrey “Ruby” Pealer receives $500. Ruby is the daughter of Brian and Jennifer Pealer of Perry. She is a 2024 graduate of Perry High School and is attending Lake Erie College, majoring in equine on the pre-veterinary track. She is a member of the Equine Leadership Council, Western Riding Team, Tower Honors Program, STEMM Scholars Program, AND Learning Communities Mentor. Ruby wants to be a veterinarian and hopes to help farmers with their animals and provide high-quality care for others within her community.
Emma Feckanin receives $250. Feckanin is the daughter of Steve and Diane Feckanin of Madison. She is a 2025 graduate of Riverside High School and is attending Mercyhurst University, majoring in early childhood education and special education. Emma was involved u 4-H and is now part of the volleyball club, and Campus Ministry Fellowship. Emma plans to be a teacher who brings agriculture into her classroom. She wants to use hands-on lessons to teach elementary students in city and suburban areas about farming and science. Outside of teaching, she plans to raise her own livestock and volunteer for her local 4-H program to help young people. As a woman in the industry, she also hopes to inspire other girls and show everyone that anyone can be a part of agriculture.
Macie Wrachford receives $250. Wrachford is the daughter of David and Amy Wrachford of Mentor. She is a 2022 graduate of Mentor High School and is attending The Ohio State University, majoring in agricultural business. She is in the Ag Business Club, interned with the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, and works at NRS Ohio (formerly Rod’s Western Palace) and owns her own business, Zapped Cowgirls, where she sells jewelry and offers hat shaping and boot cleaning. Wrachford hopes to be involved with the communications, marketing, and advocacy part within the western industry. Macie wants to work in marketing and communication to advocate for the farming and rodeo industries. She currently works at NRS Ohio, where she shapes hats and helps with social media, and she hopes to use this experience to become a western influencer. She loves using her background in agriculture to teach customers who do not know much about farming. Specifically, she wants to use her online content to defend rodeo animal welfare, showing people that these animals are well cared for and treated with respect.
Congratulations to you all, and the best of luck in your future endeavors.
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
Witness the dance of fall harvest
Tuesday night I watched three combines harvest the soybeans from our fields, and it made me feel like a little kid in a candy shop.
Read More
The benefits of soil testing
Taking the time to analyze your soil’s pH and fertility levels now can save both time and money during the next growing season.
Read More
Fun facts about dairy cows
The dairy farmers across America send many thanks to consumers for buying milk, cheese and other dairy products!
Read More
Check in on each other
Check on your kids. Check on the friend who has been unusually quiet. Check on the farmer who hasn’t been at the coffee shop lately. Check on the person who is always the strong one for everyone else.
And when someone tells you they are struggling, listen.
Understanding your cattle brings benefits
Knowing how a certain cow acts or responds can often indicate something about her health and well-being as well.
Read More