Derek Snider

Derek Snider of Hardin County is the winner of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals 2025 Excellence in Agriculture competition. The award, announced Feb. 8 at the Young Agricultural Professionals Winter Leadership Experience, recognizes successful young agricultural professionals who are actively contributing and growing through their involvement with Farm Bureau and agriculture.

Snider is a fifth-generation farmer and owner/operator of DuLynn Farms, LLC with his parents in Hardin County, where they raise corn, soybeans, wheat and hay using no-till farming practices. The farm also has a 40 head cow-calf beef herd, raising heifers as replacements and steers that are sold as freezer beef or at the local stockyard.

Currently serving as president for the Hardin County Farm Bureau, Snider has been very involved in the organization for over 10 years. He also served on the Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals State Committee, including as chair in 2024.

A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in agricultural, environmental and development economics and minors in agricultural communication and entrepreneurship, Snider is a senior account officer at AgCredit in the Kenton, Ohio branch, using his farming background to serve members to help them meet their personal and operations financial needs.

As the winner, he receives a $3,000 cash prize, an expense-paid trip to the 2025 Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and an expense-paid trip to 2026 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Anaheim, California to represent Ohio in the national competition. His prize package is sponsored by Nationwide and Farm Credit Mid-America.

Following Snider, the Excellence in Ag finalists are Denver Davis of Auglaize County and Megan Dresbach of Pickaway County.

All finalists receive a $250 cash prize, embroidered apparel, and complimentary registration to the 2025 YAP Winter Leadership Experience. Finalist prizes are sponsored by Nationwide and Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Young Agricultural Professionals program provides leadership development and professional growth opportunities for Farm Bureau members ages 18-35. The program hosts the Winter Leadership Experience, a Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience and conducts the Outstanding Young Farmer, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet contests. Learn more about the program at experienceyap.com.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].

Editors: A high-resolution photo of Mr. Snider is available for download.

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.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

New and beginning farmers
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.
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Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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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.
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Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
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.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
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.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
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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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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