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We would like to take the time on Tuesdays to introduce you to our Ashland County Farm Bureau trustees. Though they are busy with their careers, agricultural operations, and families, they still manage to find time to put in some fantastic work for Farm Bureau and we appreciate all that they continue to do for our county and Ohio agriculture.

This week we would like to introduce you to Sara Tallmadge. 

Where did you grow up?

• Southern coastal region of North Carolina, Maryland/District of Columbia, and Ashland County, Ohio

How long have you been a Farm Bureau member?

• Nearly 6 years

How long have you been a county trustee?

• 5 years

What is your agriculture background?

• My dad served in the United States Marine Corps for 21 years, but even though we resided between NC and MD, when leave would come around, we would make our way up to Jeromesville to work on the family pheasant farm. When dad retired and we moved to Ohio full-time, I got involved in 4-H and later FFA where I raised livestock, was a 4-H Camp counselor, served on Jr. Fair Board and as an FFA officer, and participated in the Meats Evaluation and Parliamentary Procedure CDEs.

What is your current job title?

• Laboratory animal technologist

Ashland County Farm Bureau has a variety of subcommittees. Which subcommittees do you currently serve on?

• Annual Ag Toy Drive Committee and Policy Development

What are a few of the activities have you participated in with Farm Bureau?

• I have attended the Young Ag Professionals Winter Leadership Experience, served as a Ohio Farm Bureau annual meeting delegate, participated in Ag Day at the Capital, graduated from AgriPOWER Class X, attended Cultivating a Cure, and recently attended the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Puerto Rico. I also currently serve on the Ohio Farm Bureau State YAP Committee as secretary, and I am looking forward to attending my first YF&R FUSION Conference in March.

What is one interesting fact about yourself?

• I LOVE to volunteer – tie-blankets at WLE, Ag Toy Drive, assisting in natural disaster clean-up, you name it and I’m there.

Aside from Farm Bureau, are there other agricultural-related organizations you are involved in?

• Ohio Rural Health Association, an association working to enhance the health and well-being of the Ohio’s rural citizens and communities, and Ohio’s Rural America Relief, a nonprofit relief group made up of volunteers who travel to rebuild rural communities after disaster strikes.

What is something you are looking forward to in 2023-2024?

• I am really looking forward to beginning the planning process in March for the 2024 YAP Winter Leadership Experience. As a State YAP Committee member, we are tasked with guiding programming for Farm Bureau members ages 18-35 from all across Ohio, and the largest event we host is the annual WLE. For 2023 we hosted our first family friendly conference and had such great feedback from attendees on speakers, childcare solutions, networking, entertainment and tours. I am very excited to work with my fellow committee members to come up with some great programming for WLE 2024 which will be held in Columbus.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Ag Professionals programming provides community, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities for Farm Bureau members who are ages 18-35 years old. Learn more