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Hannah DiVencenzo of Lorain County is the editor of the April 2023 Growing our Generation enewsletter, featuring insights and ideas directly from Ohio’s young farmers and food and agricultural professionals. She is a member of Lorain County Farm Bureau and has served on the county board of trustees since 2019. She is a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee as well.

Hannah and her husband, Joe, own and operate Healthy Harvest Organics and off the farm, she is a program developer at Lorain County Community College.

Give a short description of your farming operation and Farm Bureau involvement.

My pathway into agriculture started by wanting to marry a farmer. I accomplished that in October of 2013 and am happy to be celebrating 10 years with my husband, Joe, this coming October. My Farm Bureau involvement came when I became active in Joe’s family’s Christmas tree farm in 2014. In 2019 Joe and I purchased our farm and began the planning process for our operation and future home. In 2020 we moved into our home on the last piece of family land from the original dairy farm. We currently pasture raise poultry for direct to consumer sales.

What is something you are involved in right now?

Currently I am working with the Young Ag Professionals Committee to plan the 2024 Winter Leadership Experience in Columbus. I am very excited to explore what breakout sessions we are going to offer this upcoming conference.

Do you have any challenges that are affecting your success right now?

Most of you would probably agree that it seems there are not enough hours to accomplish everything we want to do within one day. One challenge that is affecting my success right now is prioritizing my time. I put my whole heart into anything that I do, therefore, giving a large amount of effort to most projects in my life can be very tiring but also very rewarding. One thing I learned more about at the American Farm Bureau FUSION Conference was related to setting realistic boundaries in order to bring your best self to each project. 

What inspires you when life gets hard?

My three boys inspire me when things get hard. I have been a part of the policy process with the Ohio Farm Bureau as well as at the county level, and there were times that I was not sure what would happen next. I kept at what I knew was right which in turn inspired change. That change will affect my kids someday, and I like being able to show them hard work and how it will directly lead to a better life for future generations.

Do you have a go-to website, publication, or media source?

I read a lot of nonfiction. I read a couple books at a time and get information that I can use to make changes in my life. Having younger children does not allow for much reading for pleasure, so by taking small amounts and making changes I am focusing on getting better by 1% each day.

How have your leadership skills developed and are you still trying to grow them?

My leadership skills have developed by being involved in the Ohio Farm Bureau. I am always trying to learn something new and each meeting/experience is an opportunity to learn a new skill.

From the YAP State Committee

We hope the spring season has started off well and you are looking forward to the warmer weather headed our way.  As members of the State YAP Committee, we have been busy planning the upcoming 2024 Winter Leadership Experience being held back in Columbus.  Thanks to all your suggestions from the call to action last month, we had plenty of excellent breakout sessions to consider. The committee has worked hard in considering the breakout sessions to make sure there is something for all attendees, no matter your age, experience level, or connection to Ohio agriculture.The committee is super excited about the agenda we have assembled as well as the breakout sessions we are planning. As state YAP members, we hope your excitement for our upcoming conference will be the same as ours as more details are shared later this year.  

Hannah and I also recently had the privilege to share all of our 2023 successes and 2024 plans with the Ohio Farm Bureau state board. The members of the board loved how great Kalahari was and are so excited about all the fun changes we have planned as we venture back to Columbus. The State YAP Committee is also excited to offer some regional networking opportunities later this year for our members throughout the state. We know that the networking and connections you make at the Winter Leadership Experience are important, and we want to make sure those connections and relationships continue throughout the year. 

Please be on the lookout for more information about these events as more information becomes finalized. We look forward to seeing you out and about this summer. If your local YAP group is having any programming or looking to get started, do not be afraid to reach out to us. We would love to be a part of your event.

Derek Snider & Hannah DiVencenzo

YAP State Committee Chairs

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

• YAP State Committee applications are due April 28.
• YAP DC Trip registration is due May 15 – contact your county Farm Bureau to register. 
• YAP Committee Discovery Call with YAP Committee members – April 26 at 7 p.m. Topic: Local YAP Group involvement ideas. Call in info:  Zoom Link
  • Meeting ID: 858 0915 7504
  • Passcode: 2023
  • One tap mobile: +13092053325,,85809157504#,,,,*2023# US
• AFBF YF&R Connect Call – May 22. Call in link 
• AFBF Farm Dog of the Year applications are due July 14.
• Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Golf Invitational registration is due June 16.
  

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