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.

Farm Bureau connections
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
Giving farmers a voice
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
10-year campaign for safer roads
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
Bringing the farm back to life
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

Bringing the farm back to life
Farm Bureau involvement
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Select Partner Program
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.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
Advocacy
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
Suggested Tags: