November/December 2026 Our Ohio
The theme of the November/December issue of Our Ohio magazine is health, safety and risk, and we explore all three in various ways.
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Key Points
- Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Ambassadors Scholarship was transformative for recipient Josie Jennings of Clark County.
- Her passion for working in the farm succession planning space stems from her family’s farm and her FFA leadership and many volunteer experiences.
- Jennings plans to study agricultural law to help farm families preserve their land and legacies.
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It didn’t take Josie Jennings long to make a splash in landlocked Oklahoma.
The Clark County native and inaugural Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Ambassadors Scholarship recipient was awarded a Top 5 Freshman Excellence Award by Oklahoma State Ferguson College of Agriculture in September.
The scholarship received from the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has been transformative as she continues to stack accolades and work toward a future that looks to help farm families endure for generations to come.
“When applying for the Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassador Scholarship, something immediately stood out to me. It spoke about perseverance, leadership and strengthening Ohio’s agricultural community. It is developing future leaders who will strengthen Ohio agriculture for generations to come,” she said, noting that because of the scholarship she is “one step closer to returning home equipped to serve the families and communities that have shaped my life.”
Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship provides one renewable $10,000 scholarship to a deserving student seeking a degree in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. It is the foundation’s premier scholarship, honoring students who excel academically, serve their communities, and pursue careers that advance Ohio agriculture.
“Josie embodies the spirit of the Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship—excelling academically, serving her community and pursuing her passion for agriculture with a clear purpose,” said Kelly Burns, executive director of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. “Her commitment to helping farm families preserve their farms and legacies is exactly the kind of leadership we hope this scholarship helps cultivate for the future of Ohio agriculture.”
Jennings is in her second year at Oklahoma State, majoring in agribusiness and agricultural communications. Yet, her thoughts never stray far from home and the roots that have both kept her grounded and given her wings.
Her foundation in agriculture stems from her grandfather and uncle, who farm in Clark County.
“Some of my favorite days growing up were spent in the buddy seat of the combine during harvest season for hours on end,” she said in her scholarship application. “That extensive time beside my grandpa taught me about the value of hard work, legacy and a family-focused lifestyle.”
The Rockwellian picture of an idyllic life growing up on the farm didn’t come without the challenges many farm families face, particularly when it comes to succession planning.
“While I have always known agriculture would be part of my future, it wasn’t until I wrote an FFA speech on farm transition and succession planning that I discovered my passion,” she said in her application. “As I talked with my grandfather about his own experience, I realized these conversations are about much more than passing down land or assets; they are about preserving a lifetime of hard work, family relationships and legacy.”
The push and pull of both professional responsibilities and family ties went beyond the succession planning needs of her family. It was something she felt keenly in her own life while trying to balance FFA, school and home life in her leadership journey. While sharing her story across Ohio through her FFA, people kept approaching her about their own family’s story.
“That’s when I realized this wasn’t just my family’s experience. Farm transition is a challenge facing families everywhere, and it’s one I want to help solve,” Jennings said. Once she graduates from Oklahoma, she plans to attend law school then return to Ohio to help farm families navigate succession and transition planning.
“Whether that path leads me to agricultural law or another role, my goal is the same: helping families preserve both their farms and the legacies they’ve built,” she said.
What’s Next
The Ohio Farm Bureau Ambassadors Scholarship provides one renewable $10,000 scholarship to a deserving student seeking a degree in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. Each scholarship is renewable for up to three years for a total of up to $40,000 per student.
Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation and county Farm Bureau scholarships open Jan. 1, 2027. Visit ofbf.org/scholarships.
Editor’s Note: Jennings was elected National FFA president Oct. 24 during the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Jennings is a member of the Global Impact FFA chapter.
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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