Applications for Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans now available
Members have three ways to apply: contacting a certified agent, calling 833-468-4280 or visiting ohiofarmbureauhealthplans.org.
Read More
There are many paths to success with rewarding agricultural careers, but many young people leaving high school might be unsure of what opportunities there are outside the traditional college route. Sunrise Cooperative recognizes this and wanted to do something to help young people see it as well. Through partnership with the Ohio FFA Foundation, Sunrise Cooperative handcrafted a program to bring promising high school graduates directly into the workforce as part of the team.
The idea came from the cooperative’s own board of directors who themselves had kids finishing school. Many of their kids had a strong desire to go back to the farm but felt an obligation to first obtain a college education.
“We’re pressuring kids in high school everywhere. If you fill out a form, the first line under your name asks where you intend to go to college. It’s like saying if you can’t state where you want to go to college, then you can’t succeed,” said Sunrise President/CEO, George D. Secor. “We’ve done a misjustice to our young people; we really have.”
Communication with the Ohio FFA Foundation followed and the idea was addressed, along with how Sunrise could support a state program and help fill needs. From this, the RISE FFA Career Program was born.
Beginning at the 2019 Ohio FFA Convention, the elected state president was presented with a new pickup truck, courtesy of Sunrise. Holly McClay, the first Ohio FFA president to receive the truck, used the vehicle as she fulfilled the responsibilities of her office driving all over the Buckeye State promoting the FFA program and agricultural industries.
This year, the truck was returned to Sunrise and they presented the new state president-elect, Bethany Starlin, with her new vehicle. The 2019 truck was then given to a 2020 FFA graduate, selected by the Ohio FFA, to be employed full-time at Sunrise. The company has committed to the RISE FFA program for at least three years.
“As part of this program, they come on board and it’s an opportunity to learn. It’s a four-year commitment and they join our team as a full-time employee,” said Morgan Niedermier, vice president of marketing. “They spend the first two years with us learning all about Sunrise.”
During those first two years, the new hire works in all divisions of the cooperative, including agronomy, feed, energy and grain. He or she also gets to perform work in precision ag and spend some time in the corporate office, including marketing and even accounting. The person rotates through the divisions every couple months and at the end of the first two years will sit down with supervisors and evaluate what areas of expertise he or she would like to focus on in the next two years. After the four years are completed, the successful graduate may be offered continued employment at Sunrise.
Getting a jump start
Ethin Bendickson from Miami East FFA was the winning 2020 graduate selected for the program. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, he was out of classes early and was able to get a jump-start on his employment. He began in early April.
In this first year of the program, 25 different applicants competed. The rules of entry are simple, allowing for a wide variety of diverse applicants. Candidates must be an incoming graduate, active in their respective FFA chapter and turn in an ag-focused essay. Entries are evaluated and the winner selected by an Ohio FFA committee who then presents the winner to Sunrise.
The pool of candidates was noted as all being of exceptional quality. In fact, Secor noted that they reached out to two of the finalists and also offered them positions at Sunrise which they accepted.
“They’re outstanding people. They want to be there. They want to learn, that’s what we need,” he said. “We will teach them any part of agriculture we touch. Give me a kid who knows how to work a job in agriculture, look me in the eye and shake my hand and we can show them the rest.”
With the enthusiasm and excitement for this program, arrangements already are being made for the next candidate in 2021.
“It’s not only about Sunrise but raising awareness there’s a lot of opportunities out there for students who want to enter the workforce after high school,” Niedermier said. “The heart of it is just providing opportunities for youth and an opportunity for us to reach out to future leaders.”
Featured Image: The RISE FFA Career Program officially kicked off at the 2019 Ohio FFA Convention when Morgan Nidermier, Sunrise vice president of marketing, presented the newly elected state president Holly McClay a truck to drive.
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
Ohio Farm Bureau congratulates U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan on election as minority leader
Jordan was selected by his Republican colleagues to lead the party in the U.S. House of Representatives beginning in January.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau supports Rep. Brown for House Ag Chair
Brown, who currently serves as vice ranking member of the committee, has built a strong working relationship with the Ohio agriculture community.
Read More
2026 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation AGGPAC Election Report
Ohio voters delivered major changes to state and federal leadership during the 2026 midterm election, with several incumbents losing their re-election bids and Democrats gaining seats across the state.
Read More
Barn quilt contest celebrates century farms
Eligible farm and ranch families have the opportunity to share their story for a chance to receive a custom handcrafted barn quilt recognizing their century operation. Enter by Jan. 31, 2027.
Read More
Farm safety vs. risk management: What’s the difference and why it matters
Farm safety and risk management are deeply interconnected, forming the foundation of a resilient and sustainable operation.
Read More